. From being mere functionaries, Whifflers became a principal attraction of the spectacle. Today there is a group that re-enacts the cereony of the Whifflers, but it is merely modern nod to the past. It has no connection or historical continuety the original Whifflers. There is also a pub of that name on the Ring Road at Hellesdon.
WHIFFLER
George Borrow, writing in 1857 in his book The Romany Rye lamented their passing in the following words: The last of the whifflers hanged himself about a fortnight ago … from pure grief that there was no further demand for the exhibition of his art…since the discontinuance of Guildhall banquets.
We are fortunate that Whiffler lasted into the age of photography, so we may see the dainty costume that they wore. They had breeches and white socks tied with fancy garters. The bowler hat must have been a very recent addition when the picture was taken, but the cockade to the left hand side was probably much older. The whole uniform was completed by a white jacket. The effect of the Whiffler must have been quite a sight, as he jumped up while spinning round, and then brought down the flat of his sword on the back of some unwary member of the public.
In a blend of ancient and modern there was one final outing of the Whifflers in 1846. During the mayoralty of Jeremiah Colman the mustard manufacturer, the Whifflers met a royal Duke off the train at Trowse Station. The railway to London had opened only the previous year, so this was a bang up-to-date. The ancient Whiffers led the Duke in procession up Bracondale Hill to the Guildhall. Traditionally there were two Whifflers who took it in turns to run ahead of the procession, whooping, leaping and twirling their two handed wooden swords. It must have been on this occasion that a Whiffler was photographed, as you can see in the attached image. A group of Morris Dancers called the Norwich Whifflers attempt to recreate the lost art of Whiffling today, but the raucous nature of the authentic whiffler has been lost in the passage of time
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