Villagers of St Neot keep with tradition

In the Cornish village of St Neot the vicar leads a procession carrying last year's oak bough. The vicar blesses the branch at the Church of St Aneitus and it is thrown off the church tower. A new branch is hauled heavenwards replacing the old one. The following morning villagers wear a sprig of oak and change it for the yellow flower of artemisia boys love and a celebration begins. The punishment for not changing the sprigs of oak is punishable by being stung by nettles.

The wearing of oak apples and oak leaves is in reference to the Battle of Worcester in 1651 when Charles II escapes Oliver Cromwell's Roundhead army by hiding under an oak tree. In 1660 parliament declares May 29 a public holiday in thanks for the restoration of the English monarchy and the restitution of King Charles II to the throne. Oak Apple Day is celebrated over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May. It is known differently depending on the region; Royal Apple Day; Shick Shack Day; Oak and Nettle Day; Arbor Tree Day.