HUNDREDS of people gathered in a Minehead street as the town’s three hobby horses came together for their traditional ‘bootie night’.

Local residents and visitors alike helped to celebrate the finale of the hobby horse season with members of the Rotary Clubs of Minehead and Okehampton managing traffic flows.

The hobby horse is an ancient custom whose origins are unknown, although there is a record of the horse visiting Dunster Castle in 1792.

Minehead has for many years had three hobby horses which appear for a few days from the evening of May Day Eve to parade through the streets stopping on the way at public houses and followed by musicians and dancers.

A children’s hobby horse arts, crafts, and face paint session was also held this year outside Minehead’s old hospital.

‘Bootie night’ involved a short ceremony with bands of musicians and the hobby horses performing on the junction of Cher steep with the A39.

Paul Wilson, from the Traditional Sailor’s Horse, who linked with Rotary this year, said: “It is hard to find words to thank the Rotary clubs enough for what they did to help us with traffic management.

“Traffic had been getting faster and heavier over the last few years and the organisers felt they had to do something to preserve this tradition and keep people safe.

“A wonderful mix of commitment, understanding, skills, and energy allowed some hundreds of children and families to stay safe and enjoy the time.

“We kept up an ancient tradition while having lots of fun.

“Rotary gave terrific support and helped to make this a really significant event for the local community.

“Their help was vital in ensuring participants were kept safe and well separated from passing vehicles.”

John Land, for the Traditional Sailor’s Horse, said: “All I can say is a heart felt ‘thank you’ for keeping everybody safe.”

Traffic was stopped on the main road while the ceremony took place and leaflets were handed to drivers explaining what was going on.

Some motorists put on their hazard lights and left their vehicles to go and watch the festivities.

Jodie Thresher, of the Original Sailors Hobby Horse, which raised more than £313 for Minehead RNLI, said: “It all worked well and here is to many more safe ‘bootie nights’.”

Martin Thomas, of the Town Horse, summed up the event: “That was a very enjoyable successful evening, roll on next year.”

Rotary president Andrew de Mora said: “It was nice to be able to help such an important local custom and we were pleased with how it went.

“Well done for taking the initiative to ensure it was as safe as it could be.”

Among the visitors to Minehead who appreciated the tradition was David Wilkins, who said on social media: “We came down for our first time this year.

“We follow the traditions throughout the country documenting them in our magazine ‘The Strollers Tale’.

“We loved the May Day morning and this wonderful custom you have.

“Importantly, we loved how friendly and accommodating you all were.”