Calder Valley Pace Egging (Hebden Bridge & Midgley)

Pace Egging Plays are traditional mumming plays with their own unique character and are performed during Eastertide, mainly in the north-western corner of England. They are typically hero-combat plays with fight scenes and the revival of one protagonist by a doctor but also have some unique songs and characters like Tosspot who don’t appear anywhere else. The name comes from the players or their attendants in past years begging for eggs for the Easter season.

One of the best known teams comes from the Calder Valley High School at Midgley, who have unique Pace Egging hats and perform every Good Friday in the village, and also at nearby Heptonstall in the afternoon (usually at 3pm). Heptonstall has its own team of players and they can also be seen at Weavers Square at intervals through the day from 11am onwards so you can seen two forms of the play in one go!