THE WORLD FAMOUS COCONUT DANCERS OF BACUP

For the last 150 years every Easter Sunday, the residents of Bacup in Lancashire have woken up to the sound of the Stacksteads Silver Band playing the traditional music for the iron shod, Lancashire clogged Coconutters. This extraordinary event has been observed by royalty, politicians and clergy members for decades.
The Easter Saturday event is to mark out the traditional boundaries of Bacup, starting at Britannia and taking a 7 mile route around the area, whilst collecting charity donations. The dance troupe this year collected £500 in donations which went to the Ginger Heart Foundation and Animal Quackers.
The costume of the Coconutters is immediately recognisable from miles away. Wearing white hats with blue or red ribbons, blue feathers and a rosette; a black woollen polo jumper worn above black knee breeches, a red and white skirt, finished with white knee socks whilst wearing iron shod Lancashire clogs, originally worn by Lancashire miners and mill workers. The most stand out feature of the costume is the wearing of full face make up to give the men anonymity from the local residents, ward off spirits and pay homage to the heritage of the area which was known for its mining.