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| Thomas Pelling - 'The Flying Man' |
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| Thomas Pelling became famous by trying to walk a tightrope tied between the church steeple and the Star Inn public house in the Market Place, he slipped and fell to his death on 10th April 1733, and was buried in the churchyard where he fell. Because of the many fairs and markets held in the town, Pocklington attracted many street entertainers. Thomas Pelling took his entertainment too far, and paid the ultimate price. To read about other 'Flying Men' see this link |
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This old monument on the church wall
was recently replaced by the one below
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| The entry in the burial register reads "1733 April April 10th Thomas Pelling from Burton Stather in Lincolnshire, a Flying Man, who was killed by jumping against the Battlement of ye Choir when coming down ye rope from ye steeple (was buried)". According to Canon Christie's book the rope was fixed to one of the pinnacles of the tower and the other end was attached to a windlass placed near the Star Inn. The Flying Man was furnished with 'wings' of material stiffended by attachment to stays and giving the appearance of a bat.These were fastened to his arms and legs and one heel was attached to a pulley running on the rope., which was allowed to become slack thus causing the accident. |
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The 2008 'Flying Man' taken at the
4th Pocklington Flying Man Festival
on 10th May, 2008.
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