Tying the gates - A village tradition

We woke this morning to an email summons: "All children to the church to tie the gates". I love this tradition. When there's a wedding in our village, and today's wedding was particularly beautiful, the village children gather to tie the gates shut with brightly coloured ribbons. The ribbons can not be untied, and the bridal party released, until they have showered their captors with money! Well, the sun shone, the sky was blue, the bride and groom were simply gorgeous, and my youngest skipped away with just over a pound in change. Perfect.