The origin of this custom is a bit hazy. I was told it was made to frighten off the Viking invaders, but a local newspaper printed in May 1863 says "The origin professes to be in commemoration of the wreck of a vessel at Minehead in remote times, or the advent of a sort of phantom ship which entered the harbour without Captain or crew. Once the custom was encouraged, but now is much neglected, and perhaps soon will fall into desuetude"...... Another conjecture to its origin was that the hobby horse was the ancient King of the May.
Luckily the custom did not die. On the 1st of May the inhabitants of Minehead are awoken by the beating of a loud drum. The Hobby horse dances its way around the town and on to Dunster Castle. The Sailors horse with drummers and a squeezebox or accordian playing the special tunes that have been handed down. I remember a Mr Date who played the accordian and lived in Bampton Street. From Dunster It then comes back to Minehead collecting donations on the way. The festivities last till the third day of May and finish at the top of Cher steep in Minehead where they perform the 'booty'. This is where they grab an unsuspecting person who has not contributed a donation and hold him lengthwise in front of the horse. The horse then rises up and down above him. He is then dropped and has to scuttle off before the horse swings round and catches him with its tale. The pictures below show the hobby horse through the ages.

A Song for Alan Baker by Jim Parham 2005 who donated the recent pictures above.

This is my fictionalised version of a life spent through sickness and health, following the Hobby Horse. A faithful melodeon player for the Sailors Horse who, with the wonderful support of his wife, who transports him in car and wheel chair, allows us to share his enthusiasm and joyful smile as he plays for Hobby Horse or at the Blazing Stump Folk club and Acorn Folk Club.To expand on the Blazing Stump Folk Club which is held at the Royal Oak at Luxborough - the name is on the bar door. It is said that a previous landlord was so mean he only used to put one log on the fire and so that is how it got its name! 

When the world spins round to May, I remember happy days,
Of the drum’s incessant beat, As the Horse comes down the street,
With its dance so strong and gay,  My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

On strong shoulders I was bourne, To White Cross at crack of dawn,
And we followed all that day, To the Castle and the Quay,
And I dreamed along the way, My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

Through a youth of carefree days, I have followed in its ways,
And I learned the rights of Spring, That the Horse to life would bring,
And I’d practice every day, My melodeon for to play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

In the May of every year, You could walk with me to Cher,
And then follow all around, Through the village and the town.
While the drum awakes the day, My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

Through the long years of my life, I’ve a good and loving wife,
And together we have found, The great joy that does abound,
And to celebrate the day, My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

Now I can no longer stand, I still follow where I can,
And I watch the Sailor’s Horse, Steer its ancient mystic course.
As it comes across my way, My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

As around the room I gaze, Where the old oak stumps ablaze.
I see friends here all around, And the love that there abounds.
Now I’m young and if I may, My melodeon I would play,
And a smile lights up my face, Remembering.

Then when this old ship’s aground, And I’m carried through the town,
When again I’ll lead the horse, On my final earthly course,
I would ask you if I may, Your melodeons for to play
With a smile upon your face, Remembering.