God Bless Those Pagans

The event is believed to have begun as a pagan ritual

A 400-year-old flaming tar barrel tradition has come under threat because the Devon organisers cannot get insurance cover. Every year in November, burning barrels are rolled through the streets of Ottery St Mary, with some even carried on people's backs. Past events have raised thousands of pounds for charity. Organisers have not been able to obtain insurance this time because of a claim made after last year's event. With the claim being processed, the normal insurers will no longer provide public liability insurance which is needed should anything happen to an individual.

The tradition is believed to have originated from pagan rituals to ward off evil spirits...

Uhhh... Henry VIII broke with Rome in the 1530s, something closer to 500 years ago. What kind of paganism was that again?