Whilst most were raising a glass this New Year's Eve, 45 men in a small Northumberland town were raising burning barrels in an age old tradition.
The Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as the colourful procession lit up the town in the black of night.
Each of the men carried a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar along the streets, all while wearing fancy dress.
Only men are permitted to become 'guisers', and to become one they are required to have been born in the Allen Valleys.
Locals and visitors flocked to the town to see the guisers called on to fulfil their duty and crowds gathered from 11pm before the barrels were ignited at 11.30pm.
Roll out the barrel! Procession of men set fire to whisky barrels filled with burning hot tar in 160-year-old tradition
Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as part of New Year's Eve celebrations
Each of the 45 men he take part in the age old tradition carry a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar
They carry the barrels to the centre of the town and use them to light a ceremonial bonfire at midnight
By Stewart Paterson For Mailonline
1 January 2018
Whilst most were raising a glass this New Year's Eve, 45 men in a small Northumberland town were raising burning barrels in an age old tradition.
The Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as the colourful procession lit up the town in the black of night.
Each of the men carried a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar along the streets, all while wearing fancy dress.
Only men are permitted to become 'guisers', and to become one they are required to have been born in the Allen Valleys.
Locals and visitors flocked to the town to see the guisers called on to fulfil their duty and crowds gathered from 11pm before the barrels were ignited at 11.30pm.
The men lift the barrels above their heads up onto the top of their heads and follow a band through the streets.
At midnight, the procession arrived at the Bar'l fire in the town centre, where they were used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire - and the crowds shout 'Be damned to he who throws last”.
The quirky tradition dates back at least 160 years but could some believe that it began in the Middle Ages.
The Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as the colourful procession lit up the town in the black of night
A man clad in a bizarre looking clown costumer holds a torch as other men behind him carry whisky barrels filled with burning tar through the streets
Each of the men carried a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar along the streets, all while wearing fancy dress
Only men are permitted to become 'guisers', and to become one they are required to have been born in the Allen Valleys
Locals and visitors flocked to the town to see the guisers called on to fulfil their duty. Crowds gathered from 11pm before the barrels were ignited at 11.30pm
The men lift the barrels above their heads up onto the top of their heads and follow a band through the streets
To become a guiser, each man must have been born in the Allen Valleys and many inherited their status from previous generations
The age-old tradition is seen as a feat of strength and daring. Only 45 local men participate in the Tar Bar'l
A man wearing elaborate fancy dress carries his barrel along the streets of Allendale last night
While the origins of the festival are unclear, it is claimed that it has both pagan and Christian roots
Similar traditions to Tar Bar'l can be found across the UK and especially in Scotland, such as Up Helly Aa on the Shetland Isles
Men wearing fancy dress march their way through the streets of Allendale, Northumberland
The Northumberland town was lit up in the black of night as the fiery procession marched along its streets
Once they arrive at the town centre, the guisers use their barrels to ignite a ceremonial barrel before the crowds shout : 'Be damned to he who throws last'
At midnight, the procession arrived at the Bar'l fire in the town centre, where they were used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire - and the crowds shout 'Be damned to he who throws last”
Read more: Age-old festival blazes through Northumberland town | Daily Mail Online
The Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as the colourful procession lit up the town in the black of night.
Each of the men carried a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar along the streets, all while wearing fancy dress.
Only men are permitted to become 'guisers', and to become one they are required to have been born in the Allen Valleys.
Locals and visitors flocked to the town to see the guisers called on to fulfil their duty and crowds gathered from 11pm before the barrels were ignited at 11.30pm.
Roll out the barrel! Procession of men set fire to whisky barrels filled with burning hot tar in 160-year-old tradition
Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as part of New Year's Eve celebrations
Each of the 45 men he take part in the age old tradition carry a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar
They carry the barrels to the centre of the town and use them to light a ceremonial bonfire at midnight
By Stewart Paterson For Mailonline
1 January 2018
Whilst most were raising a glass this New Year's Eve, 45 men in a small Northumberland town were raising burning barrels in an age old tradition.
The Tar Bar'l fire festival in Allendale got underway just before midnight as the colourful procession lit up the town in the black of night.
Each of the men carried a whisky barrel filled with burning hot tar along the streets, all while wearing fancy dress.
Only men are permitted to become 'guisers', and to become one they are required to have been born in the Allen Valleys.
Locals and visitors flocked to the town to see the guisers called on to fulfil their duty and crowds gathered from 11pm before the barrels were ignited at 11.30pm.
The men lift the barrels above their heads up onto the top of their heads and follow a band through the streets.
At midnight, the procession arrived at the Bar'l fire in the town centre, where they were used to ignite a ceremonial bonfire - and the crowds shout 'Be damned to he who throws last”.
The quirky tradition dates back at least 160 years but could some believe that it began in the Middle Ages.
Read more: Age-old festival blazes through Northumberland town | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Last edited: