Baboons, not just for breakfast anymore

Wednesday, 9am - An ape will be thrown over the roof of the Houblon Inn, Oasby on Friday night as part of the village's traditional baboon night, which raises money for Children in Need.

Each year villagers hold the ceremony to commemorate the 18th Century tragedy of Viscount Conningsby, who was killed by a baboon at Culverthorpe Hall when he was six months old. Oasby residents now remember the event by marching around the village with flaming torches as they herd a villager dressed as an ape to the pub.

At the pub, landlord Eddie Simmond bars the mob entry until an effigy of a baboon is thrown over the roof.

Only then can villagers enter the pub, where a poem, written especially for the occasion by Sleaford resident Jeff Challoner is read out. [Source]