The quaint village of Ottery St. Mary, in Devon in southwest England, has been beset by robbers!

Known for its lovely Georgian architecture along thin and twisting streets, the village is also host to the famous Tar Barrels festival each November 5th and has been so since the 17th century. During the evening, seventeen barrels (presoaked in tar) are set afire and are carried by hefty men, on their shoulders and backs, through the streets. The crowds gather to feel the heat from the barrels — and avoid being burned in the process. However, the carriers also try to bump and sway each other to see which one will be the "master" barrel carrier. All in good fun, along with a carnival during the festival which culminates in a huge barrel bonfire on the banks of the River Otter.

But the thefts have been disturbing because they are not of money or made goods — they are out of the community garden! What sort of devious Dark Art is this? To remove a food supply designated for the poorest of villagers? The Tar Barrel festival may have to be invoked in good earnest this fall — it apparently developed from a Pagan ritual originally designed to clean out evil spirits from the close, dark streets. Residents have begun patrols in the nights to help dissuade would-be thieves or catch active ones. Beware the Tar Barrels, thieves — you may end up being run out of town on one!