No, not unique, but now exceedingly rare. It's actually the sort of set-up I grew up with in North Cownwall - with Charlie Bate in particular. However, it did require a group of people who knew each other well, who respected their elders (but not necessarily their betters), who supported and appreciated each other. Oh yes, and a lack of egos.

It was usually referred to as a scat - as in: "Hello boy, we'm 'avin' a scat down Tredrae, coming?"