How Dangerous is it?

The first question any visitor asks when considering attending the Tar Barrels is “how Dangerous is it?” The answer is of course there is a risk, but the risk is reduced by good organisation and cooperation between the various agencies involved. Our main problem is with visitors, our tradition is for the Townspeople of Ottery and the object is to perpetuate a tradition hundreds of years old. The very fact that any activity with a perceived risk element will attract attention causes us problems, the Tar Barrels attract between 15 and 20 thousand people annually and this amount of people crammed into our narrow streets makes the carrying of the barrels difficult, if not a little frustrating for the carrier. We may not want all the people to attend the event but accept there is very little we can do to reduce the numbers, however we can ask those attending to follow a few simple rules to reduce the risk to themselves and those around them.

1. The first thing to remember is that you attend our event at your own risk.
2. The whole town becomes very crowded during the event, especially the area around the barrels. If you cannot stand being part of a very large tightly packed crowd move to a less congested area or pick a barrel location away from the centre of the town.
3. Do not bang or tap the barrel when it is being carried. The barrels vary in size but all are heavy and finely balanced on the shoulders of the carrier. Your tapping the barrel could cause the weight to shift with the result being the barrel falling into the surrounding crowd.
4. Listen to the public address system it not only gives you useful location information but broadcasts safety information as well.
5. Do not bring small children to the evening barrels it gets too crowded. The ideal time is late afternoon to early evening when the youngsters carry their barrels, there is more room and it is just as exciting.
6. We work very closely with the Police, Ambulance and fire rescue services in the build up to and during our events. There are usually one or two or all three of the services represented at each barrel, however if none is immediately available to assist with an emergency barrel rollers are briefed to assist or draw to the attention of the appropriate agency any problem. Emergency vehicles are given priority and the rollers will ask the crowd to move aside to allow emergency vehicles through, please ensure you comply with their directions. You will not miss anything as the barrel is grounded until the emergency vehicle is clear.
7. Act responsibly, a great deal of alcohol is consumed by the public attending this event and stupid acts by a minority could jeopardise the future of the event. The barrel rollers have waited for twelve months to take part in the tradition and do not take kindly to some one creating problems in the vicinity of the barrels.

Finally, the Town is completely shut off from 5.00 pm until gone midnight and no vehicles are able to move in or out of the town. Car parks are provided and compulsory.