Grottoes
An old tradition
By Ray Crawley
On a certain day in the summer we used to build grottoes in the street and ask passers-by for a penny for the grotto.
I have no idea how it was known by the kids when to build a grotto or even why it was done. I used to make one next to the Gaumont as that was a good pitch. I made it on the entrance to the flats - the one next to Finlays. The first thing we did was to get some earth - as fine as possible- then we would make it into a shape of some kind, then decorate it with stones,sea shells and, if you could get your hands on some, also flowers. You would accost the passers-by for pennies.
As I have said we had no idea why we did it but eventually (due to the internet which gives some background to the custom) I have discovered it is to do with St. James' Day on 25 July. They used oyster shells in years gone by.