MEMORY OF AN OUTLAW.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 August 1928, Page 3

MEMORY OF AN OUTLAW.

PILGRIMAGE TO LITTLE JOHN’S GRAVE.

A mile-long procession through the streets on the vilalge of Hathersago and the open-air service, at which some i.0,U00 people were present, were feature's of the pilgrimage held at. Hathersago recently to the grave of Little John (so called because oi his great stature), the henchman of Robin Hood, who is the traditional head of the Ancient Order ol Foresters. The pilgrimage was arranged by the Midland Counties’ Alliance, and it was undoubtedly one of tlie largest and most picturesque ceremonies ever held in the history of the Order. Members on horseback and on .foot, to the number of 3000 to 4000, with a score of banners, tooli part in tlie procession, in which also were the whole of the Executive Council of the. Older. Ale inters from Penzance, Devon, Wales, the North of Scotland, and largo contingents' from Lancashire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire, were present. Three of the members who walked were each over 90 years of ago. Many appeared in the picturesque Foresters’ green and red costumes, and carried bows and arrows, and once again the strains of the Foresters* march, “Bold Robin Hood,” rang out through the hills and dales, three bands playing the up-to-date, version of it, which has been arranged by Mr A. Marsden, of Bakewell, a member of the Executive Council of the Order. It includes a selection from “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” Those present included the High Chic. Ranger (i3ro. C. E. Prust, of Plymouth), the High Sub Chief Ranger Jsro. E. R 7 Taylor, of Hull), and the General Secretary (Bro. S. Duff, ol i .ondon). Other friendly societies, including the Druids and the Oddiellows, also participated, and given a prominent place in the procession were, the Ashford Men’s Frier.cl’y Society, which is the oldest friendly society in the SountiyT* The Ancient Order of Foresters recently made itself responsible for the maintenance and preservation of Little John’s grave, and on arrival at the churchyard a laurel wreath was placed on it hy the High Chief Ranger. A film of the proceedings was taken bold nematograph operators from a perch on the root of the porch of the parish church, . A dense crowd, at the service held 'subsequently in a field adjoining the churchyard reverently sang several old hymns, including “O God, our help in \«-es Past,” “Eternal Father,” “Fight the Good Fight,” “Lead Kindly Light,” and “Abide With Me.” The massed bands accompanied the singing. The Rev. J. H. Brookbank, vicar of Hathersage, declared that Little John was born in the village and died there. English people ought to be proud oi their past history, and they should not be bamboozled into thinking that the stories of Little John and Robin Hood were fairy tales and myths. There were things about Little John which they had to admire. He had a keen zest'Tn life, and he enjoyed every moment of it. He had a remarkable gift for making and keeping friends, tie was ever loyal to Robin Hood and the rest of the gang; he was sympathetic to those in need, and was always ready to help anybody. Without exaltirio- him to the dignity of saintliness, he"added, Little John was a good, wholesome man within his limits. When he shot his last arrow from his deathbed lie begged that he might be buried where the arrow dropped under the old yew tree in the churchyard. ' The High Chief Ranger said the question was often asked : “What association have you as a. society with those names you so frequently symbolise in your assemblies?” He was not going to try to prove any direct ton neelion between the society as it was known to-day and Robin Hood and his merry men, who were classed as outlaws' Outlaws they might have been in the eyes of the law of the land and the times, hilt they were struggling for liberty for the individual, freedom for the oppressed, and to help tlie needy.