video : kylebakerphotography.com
What to expect
If you are visiting Tar Barrels for the first time, it is important to understand that this is not a standard town event or a managed spectator show. Streets become tightly packed, barrels pass through close to the crowd, and the atmosphere changes quickly as the evening builds.
You will be standing close to real fire, in crowded streets, with limited visibility in places and a lot of movement around you. Please come expecting:
- heavy crowds
- changing conditions
- a lot of noise
- close proximity to the barrels
- instructions from stewards, marshals and police
Proposed timings and locations may be altered as the night goes on, so visitors should be prepared to move and to follow instructions.
A Tradition, Not a Theme Park
Tar Barrels is a tradition maintained by the barrel rollers and the wider Ottery community. Visitors are welcome, but the night should be approached with care and respect. Please enjoy it, support it, and remember that it belongs to the town and the people who carry it on.
IMPORTANT : READ BEFORE ATTENDING
Safety and Respect
Tar Barrels is a unique and historic event, but it is also one that involves real fire, very large crowds and changing conditions throughout the evening. By choosing to attend, you accept that there are risks involved and take responsibility for your own actions. Please always follow instructions given by event stewards, barrel marshals and police.
The streets of Ottery St Mary become extremely crowded on 5th November, and people are often in close proximity to burning tar barrels. If you are uncomfortable around fire or do not like dense crowds, this may not be the right event for you. The evening barrels, from 7:00pm onwards, are not suitable for small children, people with limited mobility, or animals.
Please help us keep the night safe and respectful for everyone:
- Follow all instructions from stewards, marshals and police
- Never run away from an approaching barrel – step back and lean away instead
- Do not attempt to touch the lit barrel as it passes
- Do not bring fireworks to the event. You will be removed by police.
- Do not bring glass bottles
- Act responsibly and help discourage behaviour that could cause harm or injury
No pushchairs should be brought to the event. You are strongly advised not to bring children after 7:00pm. If a child becomes separated from a parent or guardian, please seek help immediately from a steward or barrel marshal.
Mobile phone signal can be intermittent throughout the town, so it is best not to rely entirely on your phone for meeting up with others. Toilets are available at locations throughout the town, including at the Sainsbury’s car park behind the main street.
This is also a glass and plastic free event. Please use reusable cups where possible, recycle responsibly, and do not leave litter where it may become a danger to rollers or spectators.
A great deal of planning goes into helping Tar Barrels run as safely as possible.
In the lead-up to 5th November, the Committee works closely with police, ambulance services, local authorities and specialist event partners. This includes attending East Devon Council Safety Advisory Group meetings and taking part in scenario planning exercises with other agencies involved in the event.
On the night itself, a wide range of safety measures are in place, including:
- police drones to monitor crowd movement and density
- a secure radio communications network covering the full event area
- crowd control specialists feeding information directly to Event Control
- hard roadblocks and staffed access points to protect key routes
- more than 30 fully briefed Event Stewards, all of whom have received Counter Terrorism training
- full medical cover provided by St John Ambulance
Medical provision includes:
- 3 ambulances
- 1 field hospital
- 1 medical response team
- 2 paramedics
- 10 advanced first aiders
A mass evacuation and treatment location is also in place at the Football Club, along with a designated helicopter landing site. Evacuation routes are displayed on large signs throughout the town.
If crowd density becomes too high in any area, barrels can be redirected to a less crowded route. If numbers approaching the town become too great, roads into Ottery may be closed to protect public safety.
All of this sits alongside the work of stewards, marshals, volunteers, police, ambulance crews and other agencies who help the night run as safely and smoothly as possible.
Travel and Parking
Only Use Official Car Parks
Please only use the official event car parks.
There are two important reasons for this.
First, Tar Barrels is a busy and complex event, and emergency access routes must be kept clear at all times. Parking or abandoning a vehicle on approach roads or within the town can restrict access for emergency vehicles and create a serious safety risk. Any vehicle parked on roads into or within Ottery St Mary – all of which are clearways on the night – may be towed away.
Second, official parking helps support the event itself. Tar Barrels costs more than £100,000 a year to stage. The official car parks are run by local organisations and charities, and the £20 parking charge per car is split evenly between them and Tar Barrels. Parking elsewhere not only creates a hazard, but also takes away much needed income that helps keep the event going.
Using official parking helps keep the event safe and helps fund its future.
Plan Ahead
Tar Barrels can be extremely busy, and travel in and around Ottery St Mary can take much longer than usual on the night. Roads may be closed or restricted as the event unfolds, and parking, especially depending on the weather, can be limited.
If you are planning to attend, please:
- allow plenty of time for your journey
- use official parking and follow the signs
- follow all instructions from stewards and police
- be prepared for walking, as the car parks are on the edge of the town
- do not rely on last minute access through the centre of town
From 5:00pm, road closures are in place. When the event reaches capacity, car parks and main routes into the town will be closed. Please respect this and do not try to enter once access has been restricted.
Expect Delays
Road closures, very heavy footfall and changing crowd conditions are all part of the night. Please be patient and allow extra time.
If you are collecting someone later in the evening, agree a meeting point in advance, as mobile signal can be unreliable.
FAQs
Before you come, please take a moment to read the questions below. Tar Barrels is unlike most public events, and being prepared helps keep the night safer and smoother for everyone.
What is Tar Barrels?
Tar Barrels is Ottery St Mary’s long standing November 5th tradition, where flaming tar barrels are carried through the streets as part of the town’s annual Carnival and bonfire celebrations.
When does Tar Barrels take place?
Tar Barrels takes place on 5 November, unless the 5th falls on a Sunday. When that happens, the event is held on the Saturday before.
When does it start?
The day begins with the children’s barrels from around 4:00pm. The main evening barrels begin from around 7:00pm and continue through the night, building towards the final large barrel at midnight. We recommend buying the programme to help plan your visit.
What time is the bonfire lit?
We recommend buying the programme here to help plan your visit. The grand bonfire at St Saviour’s Meadow is usually lit between 5:30pm and 7:00pm. A programme will give you exact timings.
Is it suitable for children?
The evening event is not suitable for small children. Crowds become very dense, and people are in close proximity to fire and burning tar barrels. Children should not be brought after 7:00pm, and no pushchairs should be brought to the event at all.
Is it suitable for people with limited mobility?
The crowded evening event is generally not suitable for people with limited mobility. Streets become packed, movement can be difficult, and conditions can change quickly as the night unfolds.
Can I bring a pushchair or buggy?
No. Pushchairs should not be brought to the event.
Can I bring a dog?
No. The evening event is not suitable for animals because of the crowds, noise and fire. Please do not bring animals to this event, you may be asked to leave.
Where should I park?
Please only use the official event car parks and follow the signs on the day. The car parks are located on the edge of the town, so be prepared to walk. More parking info here.
What should I wear?
Come prepared for cold weather, large crowds and close proximity to fire. Wear sensible footwear and clothing you do not mind getting smoky or dirty. Avoid bringing anything fragile or difficult to manage in crowded conditions.
Can I bring fireworks?
No. Do not bring fireworks to the event. Anyone seen letting them off may be removed by the police.
What should I do when a barrel approaches?
As a barrel approaches, step back and lean away. Do not run away from it, as sudden movement can cause crowd surges and put others at risk. Do not attempt to touch the lit barrel as it passes.
How much does it cost to attend?
There are no tickets to attend Tar Barrels. Visitors are encouraged to support the event by using official parking, buying a programme, donating, buying merchandise, and supporting local businesses and sponsors.
How can I support tar barrels?
Tar Barrels is self-funded and relies on the people and support around it. You can help by:
- donating
- using official parking
- buying merchandise
- supporting local businesses and sponsors
- attending fundraising events through the year