Many of us celebrate the 5th November with fireworks, a bonfire and drop of mulled wine to fight off the evening chill. Not Ottery St. Mary in East Devon, they do things different. I've selected some choice videos that really give you a feel for what it's like.

Tar Barrels is a 17th century tradition which involves each of the 17 pubs in Ottery sponsoring a barrel, that can weigh upto 30 kilos. These are then carried through the crowded streets. Bad enough? One small detail I forgot to mention: before they are carried they are soaked in tar and set light to outside each pub until they are "perfect".

The festivities begin in the early evening with the children's, youth's and women's events, culminating in the men's event into the night. The barrels are graded so all the family can get involved! Events kick off in the afternoon with the women and childrens barrels leading upto the evening with the men's barrels which can weigh upto 30 kilos. As they are carried through a packed town centre it makes an amazing and a sometimes risky spectacle. Indeed in recent years it has nearly been called off, due to increasing public liability insurance cover.

As the evening draws on men can be seen tussling for the right to carry a barrel. Only residents or those born in Ottery may take part. Generations of the same family have been known to compete across the years and it's not unusual to see barrels being passed between family members.

As a finale the barrels are taken to the River Otter and are added to one of the biggest bonfires in this part of the country.

It's thought that the event is a pagan ritual to ward off evil spirits.

A few more videos:

The running: 

The Lighting of the Barrels: 

Some good barrel lifting techniques: