In pictures: Mummers' plays 2025

St George made his usual trip to a pair of pubs on Boxing Day – where he fought, died and was brought back to life to the delight of scores of onlookers.

Ellington Morris, a Morris dancing group based in Pinkneys Green, has been performing its traditional Mummers’ play around country pubs in the area for 40 years now.

As last year, they headed to The Crown in Cookham and the Dew Drop Inn in Hurley on a crisp Boxing Day afternoon to put on a show for pub punters.

Crowds of about 40 people in both places gathered to watch 15 minutes of St George and the Turkish knight fighting to the death, while a doctor and his wondrous horse bring the slain St George back to life assisted by Molly, Father Christmas, Jack Finney and Beelzebub.

Chris Bell, one of the organisers, described it as an allegorical tale of good against evil and the death and rebirth of the seasons.

“It went well – as usual, people forget their lines, and sometimes props break – but not this year, but it happens. It was nice cold [day] for St George to lie on the ground.”

The group also collects donations for the Maidenhead Mencap, and collections ratcheted up about £300 across both sites this year.

Ellington Morris is always looking for new people to be in the play next year, and the group will also be out for St George’s Day and May 1.

“I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. Every year it’s different people involved and it’s a fun activity to get out and do on Boxing Day,” said Chris.

Find out more at ellington.org.uk