300 Year Old Custom

This curious custom sees Anglesey locals diving after the red-hot coppers thrown at them by the town's top brass.

It's the first hunting meet of the season, and excitable crowds jostle in the street outside the Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris, Anglesey, attempting to catch the hot pennies flung their way. It's unclear how this curious tradition started, but it seems the local gentry found it entertaining to throw the hot coppers over the hotel's balcony to the chilly townspeople below.

The Beaumaris event still takes place today, albeit with warm rather than scalding hot pennies. Similar traditions are observed in other parts of the country at different times of year - find out about the West Country equivalent in Honiton Hot Pennies Ceremony, also available on BFI Player.