Church of St Cross, and dressed Thorn tree for Bawming of The Thorn ceremony, Appleton Thorn, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK, WA4 4QU

Appleton Thorn village is the only village in England where the ‘Bawming of the Thorn’ ceremony takes place on the third Saturday of June each year. The thorn tree, which stands beside the church, is believed to be an offshoot of the Glastonbury thorn, which grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. Adam de Dutton, a knight of the Crusades and local landowner, brought it to Appleton. Bawming, which means, “decorating the tree with flowers and ribbons”, has local children dancing and singing the Bawming song. Not only does this day offer the local community something special to celebrate, but it also forms one of the main sources of fund raising for local projects that aid the community. In the past Bawming has been able to support: St Cross Church Appleton Thorn Village Choir 1st Appleton Thorn Girl Guides Appleton Thorn Mums & Tots Appleton Thorn Pre School Appleton Thorn Rainbows Appleton Thorn Primary School 21st Warrington Scouts Appleton Thorn Village Hall