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Leigh On Sea News: New Dragon Plea – LEIGH’S Mumming side is are making a heartfelt appeal for someone to join their ranks this Christmastide, so their traditional festive performance can continue.
New Dragon Plea - LEIGH’S Mumming side is are making a heartfelt appeal for someone to join their ranks this Christmastide, so their traditional festive performance can continue.
LEIGH’S Mumming side is are making a heartfelt appeal for someone to join their ranks this Christmastide, so their traditional festive performance can continue.
The Thameside Mummers are celebrating their 51st anniversary of playing outside The Crooked Billet on Boxing Day, but are facing a crucial shortage of mummers.
The side currently has six members but desperately needs a seventh performer to take on the role of the dragon for their much-loved local play.
Simon Hill, who joined the side in 1974 and plays St George, explained: “Due to a nasty outbreak of dragon flu in Dragonland, the Thameside Mummers’ dragon is unable to fly to Leigh to perform with us this Christmastime.
“We have searched caves and grottos from Rochford to Canvey and cannot find a replacement dragon.”
With the growth in interest around myth and folklore, Mr Hill hopes people of any age will be interested in helping to continue this special tradition.
He added: “You not only get to be part of a long custom of mummers’ plays in this country, but you’re also joining a special local tradition, 51 years strong in 2026.
“It’s also a charitable endeavour. Every year we raise money for MENCAP and usually collect around £800 over our festive frolics.”
The opportunity is not only a chance to participate in a historic local tradition, but also to give back to the community through fundraising.
Mr Hill said: “We’ve already had to double up some parts, but it looks like we might not even be able to do the Christmas play if we don’t get a volunteer coming forward.”
The Boxing Day performance regularly attracts hundreds of spectators, who gather outside The Crooked Billet and along the seawall.
“People come from far and wide and they also stay for the big shanty singing session in the pub afterwards,” said Mr Hill.
At 73, Simon hopes younger generations will step forward to ensure the tradition continues, keeping this unique link between past, present and future alive for years to come.
Mumming in Britain dates back to the Middle Ages, with the word thought to derive from ‘mumme’, meaning mask.
The tradition saw villagers wear masks and enact scenes, often as part of ancient ceremonies linked to important stages in the agricultural year.
The classic scripted ‘Mummers’ Play’ featuring the fight between a champion like St. George and an opponent, followed by a quack doctor reviving the slain fighter with a magic potion, first appeared in print in the mid eighteenth century
However, Thameside Mummers’ play features a distinctive twist: in this patronal story, the dragon gets to slay the saint!
Mr Hill added: “Is anybody prepared to stand in the dragon’s claws this year? Beer and training supplied!
“There are three gigs: December 15 and 20, plus, of course, the world-famous Boxing Day at The Billet in Old Leigh.
“Any male, 15 to 90, welcome to apply.”
Anyone interested in joining can contact the Thameside Mummers at [email protected] or on 07768 363808.
Picture: Thameside Mummers in the fool and dragon costumes.
Report by Sophie Sleigh-Johnson.
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