Oak Apple Day 29th May
To celebrate the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 (an event close to heart of Red House with all its royalist connections) oak apple day was a public holiday. Originally an oak apple or gall was worn in your buttonhole but at Red House a tradition of carrying a nettle stem in your hand had developed. This could only end in one thing where boys are concerned and many a leg would have been stung as it was swiped by a passer by. This slightly viscious tradition continued at Red House until the early 1970's even though the public holiday had been scrapped in 1859. These boys are standing in front of Adam the ancient oak tree.
Picture supplied by John Freidburger (Old Cavalier 1943-50)