PIPE DRESSING

The Dressing of the Pipes is a tradition which can be found across South West England, Cornwall and in some areas of Wales. In earlier times it was customary for the exhaust pipe of a local young bachelor to be removed in the dead of night by a group of women-folk, known as wrenchers.

The said pipe would then be dressed in the finest of brightly coloured ribbons and paraded about,  held aloft by the merry band of wrenchers, from dawn til dusk.  On Nightfall, the pipe would be re-attached to the vehicle, ribbons and all. To have your wagon chosen by the Wrenchers was an act of great honour , as it was said to bring good vehicular health catalytic harmony in the coming year. The Wrenchers would be accompanied by the town's musicians, who would play bleater horns , a wind instrument with similarities to both the Welsh bagpipes and the celtic Carnyx.  An exciting and racaus affair, the air would be filled with the smoke of cleansing herbs, used to fumigate the pipes , so goes the old saying "As clean as a bachelors pipe".