Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District | Page 8

others which might be mentioned but space is
limited. Sir Roger de Coverley always closed the ball.
SEDAN CHAIRS.
A Sedan Chair used to be seen in the streets of Peterborough until the

early seventies. Certain old ladies would only go to Church or
entertainments in it because it was taken into the entrance of the house
or other place so that they could get in and out without being exposed
to the weather. The harness worn by one of the men is seen in
Peterborough Museum.
In 1905; for the first time within the recollection of the inhabitants of
Peterborough, St. John's Church Bells were not rung on Wyldbore's day
as the bell tower was not considered safe. The sermon was preached as
usual.
At the end of the sowing season a large "Siblet" or seed cake, was made
for the farm labourers who ate it, and drank success to the sowing in
home brewed ale or mead.
The Curfew Bell is still rung at the Minster from May 1st, to August
31st, at 8-50 p.m., and from September 1st, to April 30th, at 7-50 p.m.
It has only been discontinued for a short time and this was during the
Commonwealth, since it was first started.
FIT RINGS.
To cure fits:--If a female, she collects nine pieces of silver and nine
three half-pennies from bachelors. The silver money is made into a ring,
to be worn by the afflicted person and the half-pence is paid to the
maker of the ring for his work. If a male, he collects from females.
I knew an old silversmith who was in great request to make these rings.
He used to save broken silver spoons to make the rings but lately he
found out he could buy the rings ready made so he did not trouble to
make any afterwards.
WEDDING RINGS.
It is unlucky for a bride to reverse her wedding ring on her wedding
day.
If a bride can be persuaded to remove her ring and have some bride

cake passed through the ring, and the cake, so passed, put under the
pillow, the person will dream of her future spouse.
GAMES.
EARTH AIR AND WATER.
This was a favourite game at Christmas parties for forfeits. The players
sit all round the room, a small ball or a handkerchief tied up is then
thrown by the leader at one. After several feints so as to catch one not
watching and throw the ball at that one and shouting Earth Air, or
Water, and as soon as the word is said begins to count up to ten as fast
as possible. The person hit by the ball has to name a bird, beast, or fish
before ten has been counted or pays a forfeit. A name must not be
mentioned which has been used by another person as that also entails a
forfeit. It was not a game for a stammering person.
I LOVE MY LOVE.
This is another forfeit game. All sit round the room and one begins I
love my love with an A, because he is amiable, and everyone follows in
their turn by repeating the form and qualification, beginning with the
same letter as Active, Artful, &c. Anyone using the word which has
been used pays a forfeit. Then it goes round with the letter B and so on
through the alphabet.
The Quaker Wedding:--The leader goes round with his eyes looking on
the ground and sings "Hast thou ever been to a Quaker's Wedding."?
This is repeated until he or she stops before one of the party, who then
answers--Nay, friend, nay. The leader then says, "Do as I do, Twiddle
thy thumbs and follow me." The selected one follows the leader singing
the same words and both twiddling their thumbs. Then they are all got
in line facing one way and kneel together as close as possible. When all
are kneeling the leader gives a sly push to the one next to her and the
whole row fall over amidst great laughter. I have played this game at
Christmas time and it was sometimes fixed as a forfeit.

When playing a losing game at Cards, Dominoes, etc., the chair in
which the unlucky player is sitting should be turned (by the occupant)
from right to left, to change the luck. It has been thought that this
turning is a form of Sun Worship.
Crane.:--This game was generally played during the Harvest Home
Feast. "A man holds in his hand a long stick, with another tied to the
top of it, in the form of an L. reversed, which represents the long neck
and beak of the crane. This with himself, is entirely covered with a
large sheet. He mostly makes excellent sport as he puts the whole
company