Making Mischief Oral History Project, 'Minehead Sailor's Horse' full

London College of Fashion

John Land has been involved with the Minehead Sailor’s Horse all his life. His earliest memories of the hobby horse coming up the street are from before he could walk. He first took part in the procession as a teenager and is now involved in keeping the tradition going and organising the annual event in Minehead, on the Somerset coast. His wife Jackie and Paul Wilson are both folk musicians who also take part. The 'horse' comes out on ‘Warning Night’ (April 30th). It dances, chases the crowd and gets up to mischief in Minehead on May 1st to 3rd. The Minehead Sailor's Horse consists of a circular frame (possibly originally an upturned coracle) which is decorated with multicoloured rags.