The tradition of Hunt the Wren was celebrated by groups across the island on Boxing Day.

During the celebrations, groups of people go around villages and towns singing and dancing a traditional song and dance around a decorated ‘wren pole’, often in the street, disrupting traffic. The tradition dates back many centuries.

It probably originates in sacrificial practices due to the reverence with which the wren is held outside of this one day of the year, and the value given to obtaining one of the bird’s feathers.

Traditionally, a wren was killed and hung from a pole.

Nowadays no wren is killed.

The celebration has evolved to become a kind of country dancing and singing.

At many of the celebrations, money is raised for charities.