David and Tanya from Torchbearers share some burny goodness from one of their Samhuinn rehearsals…

Recognised by our black cloaks, leather gloves and signature scent Eau de Kerosene, the Torchbearers light the way as Summer turns to Winter. We were joined at one of our rehearsals by some brave Stewards and our lovely Photo Point friends to document events. Before we lit our torches, we did some fire safety training…

Photos above by Mark Taylor

Photo by Richard Winpenny

Then we did our thing with the torches, which inspired one of our group members, Robert, to compose the Torchbearer’s Lullaby (sing it out loud to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star…altogether now!).

Fire, fire on a stick;
How I wonder where’s your wick.
Up above the Mile so high(*),
Like an inferno in the sky…

When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your shining light,
Burning, burning, all the night.

We processing in the dark,
Thank you for your giant spark,
We could not see which way to go,
If you did not sparkle so.

In a metal cage wait slow,
For fire drawn from string and bow,
For you never spark your eye,
‘Till the sun is out the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights performers in the dark.
Though I know the flames you lick,
Fire, fire on a stick.

Fire, fire on a stick;
How I wonder where’s your wick.
Up above the Mile so high(*),
Like an inferno in the sky…

Fire, fire on a stick;
How I wonder where’s your wick.
How I wonder where’s your wick.

(* About 8 feet, typically)

Photos above by Mark Taylor

Photos above by Richard Winpenny

Photos above by Stephen Yu

You can see more photos from our rehearsals and other groups in this album on Facebook.