Peck

Location: Newton Abbot, Devon

Year / Period Created
1975

Description:
It was created by a member of Newton Bushel when it was an all men’s side in 1975. Peck has a wooden head with a moveable lower jaw (attached by a piece of string) for the beak to ‘snap’ with painted details. Originally, the beak would be used to collect cash by letting the coin roll down the beak and into a tube. Attached to the head was a few tassels of fabric with the design of a leopard print and long red fabric with a pattern of the Union Jack and a white netting on the chest for the handler to see out of. It has since had new plumage after being found in a cupboard for a very long time by a couple of current members of the morris side. The wooden head is still in it’s original form, but has a touch up of paint and attached to the stick end of a mop. Fastened to the head is a long white net curtain with sewn on white, blue and yellow tassels. Some tassels have embroidered names of members from Newton Bushel Morris.

Is there is a folktale connected to your Giant or Beast?
Hatched out of an egg in 1975, Peck is a cheeky seagull which taunts, steals chips and pecks bottoms of people in the South West’s seaside towns and countryside.

Peck attends many outings with Newton Bushel Morris and dances with them at many pubs, events and Folk/Dance festivals around Devon. Recently, Peck participated in the Sidmouth Folk Festival Hobby Horse Trials 2026. Unfortunately he didn’t win, but was seen on the telly (Westcountry News).

Who Carries the Giant / Inhabits the Beast, or Is It a Shared Role?
Peck is carried by a single handler. John Hart used to perform and dance as Peck. Nivana Cluer at present is the handler of Peck. However other members of Newton Bushel Morris can stand in at any time.

How is it stored?
He lives in Peck’s Nest (a large bag).