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In the 19th Century around the 1850s at Easter time in Heswall, two customs of 'Pace Egging' and 'Lifting' were popular.
Pace Egging took place in the week before Easter. Five young men (actors) were dressed as Lord Nelson, Jack Tar, and Toss Pot. They went from house to house in the evenings. After knocking at the door the leader would enter, followed by the others. They all marched in a circle round the room singing. As it was an old custom, village folk welcomed the Pace Eggers into their houses. This was the song they sang:-
We are four of five hearty lads all in one mind:
We've come a pace-egging if you will prove kind.
For we'll treat our young lasses to the best of egged ale .
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
The first that comes in is Lord Nelson you see.
With a bunch of blue ribbons tied down to his knee.
And a star on his breast like gold it does shine.
And I hope you'll remember it's pace-egging time.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
The next that comes in is a jolly Jack Tar.
Who sailed with Lord Nelson during the war.
He's now come on shore old England to view.
And he's come a pace-egging with our jovial crew.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
The next that comes in is a lady so gay.
Who from her own country she has runaway:
With her hat, cap, and feathers she looks very fine.
And all her delight is in drinking red wine.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
The next that comes in is old Toss-pot you see.
He's a valiant old man in every degree
He's a valiant old man and he wears a pigtail.
And all his delight is in drinking malt ale.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
You master and mistress, who sit by the fire,
Put your hands in your pockets what e're you desire
Puy your hands in pockets and pull out your purse.
And give us a trifle, you'll ne'er be the worse.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
Fol da diddle lol hi day.
No one was sure what use was made of the money earned but the young men who pace-egged were described as moderate in their habits.
Lifting
On Easter Monday 'Lifting', another old custom, took place.
At noon the lifters met at the White Lion Inn on the corner of Wallrake - the White Lion being an inn facing Station Road, now the house White Lodge . This was the village square at that time.
Here the leader was chosen, decorated, put on a horse and paraded round the village usually taking in all the inns. Again the custom was observed by most due to tradition.
The band of lifters went from house to house in search of "dames, daughters and maids" who, unless they were prepared to give money to the lifters, were subjected to the following indignities:
The lady was placed on a chair, or if no chair was available on the crossed hands of the lifters, and violently thrown or jerked upwards several times until the lifters were content. On the Tuesday the women retaliated when a few tried to 'lift' the men.
It was thought that these customs probably originated from some religious play or festival as they occurred at Easter.
On Shrove Tuesday the schools had a half day holiday and in anticipation of this the children would sing this rhyme :-
Pon-cake deay is a very 'appy deay'.
If you don't give us 'all-deays we'll aw run away'.
On the day they would play a game trying to hit an object with staves and sticks for a reward of gingerbread. The village shops would get in a good supply of gingerbread for the occasion.
Mr Pennington, who owned a shop in the village (now Village Shop), sent oranges to the church school - then in School Hill - and as the children left school at lunchtime on Shrove Tuesday they were each given an orange.
Nettling Day
May 29th was Nettling day. If a child was not wearing a sprig of oak, the emblem of the Royalists, woe betide them. They would be subjected to a thrashing on the hands and face with nettles by other children who lay in wait for them. The evening of the 28th would see many walks to the 'plantation', the wooded area between Brimstage Road and Barnston Road, to collect the oak sprigs.
November 5th
Children would scour the village for days beforehand for branches etc and the site of the bonfire would be on a prominent hill - Poll Hill was known as a Beacon Point. The village shops would be searched for fireworks and it was said that the schoolmaster made a kite for several years and attached a large lighted lantern to its tail.
Children had the freedom of the roads and would bowl their hoops along as they walked to school. Skipping and games of marbles took place on the side paths with only an occasional horse and cart to disrupt their game.
Jenny McRonald Jan.
2009
You can write to Jenny care of: mike@heswall.com
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