In Greigbury, January 31st is known as Briar Day. Although the exact origins are lost now, it is believed to be related to the arrival of a small number of Portuguese refugees who arrived here in the early 1920s. Some of them opened a tobacconist on Witchell Road, the shell of which is still there, but now houses a small museum dedicated to the memory of the refugees. The business sold smoking pipes made by the owners using wood imported from Portugal, which was colloquially referred to as briar branch or briar root.
The first officially recorded instance of Briar Day is in 1947, just after the Second World War. There was a small gathering in and around the shop, with some refreshments provided. This gathering seems to have been a mutual celebration and remembrance of both the arrival of the refugees and the recent tragic losses suffered by many in the town. It served as a reminder of the strength of the town and its people in their mutual co-operation. Although first record in 1947, there are reports of similar gatherings in the years prior to the War.
Today, though is no party, the small museum serves as a welcome reminder of the impact the refugees had on the town and the continuing impact that their descendants continue to have. Something that we can all take comfort in and take the opportunity to learn from in the current climate.