I guess it’ll always be a difficult decision to make for the audience at the Dark Gathering. ‘Shall I be in the procession with the Welsh Mari Lwyds – or shall I wait by the Museum with the Cornish Penkevyll?’ Hopefully folks in time will take it in turns to be in the torchlight procession or wait amidst the tribal drumming at the Museum. Either way I feel there is a certain magic awaiting for the performer and onlooker alike. There was quite a breeze this year so the torches were blazing and crackling fiercely as the Procession slowly made it’s way through the streets of Boscastle until eventually it came to the bridge by the Museum.
From the window of my cottage as you gaze west there are three undulating hills. The middle hill is Bartinney Downs. It houses an Iron Age enclosure around the top, various tumuli and contains prehistoric field systems – and because of this, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Bartinney Downs is also a heathland Nature Reserve and supports a large array of rare birds, mammals and insects.
According to local folklore Bartinney has been a sanctuary due to the belief that ‘no evil spirit can exist within it’s boundaries’. It has a wild beauty that many local people appreciate when they walk the hills of West Penwith.
During the night of 5th April 2021, some depraved or benighted individual(s) set fire to the hillside close to this much loved site. The fire spread rapidly due to brisk winds until 120 acres of historic heathland was alight. Fire crews battled through the night and into most of the next day until they eventually extinguished the blaze. Local farmers witnessed various animals and small creatures ‘fleeing in terror from the flames’. Not all made it out alive. It was the worst possible time for a wildfire as it is nesting season for birds and many other creatures who made the Downs their home.
Yesterday I made my way up to Bartinney Downs to see for myself what had happened to the land. I knew that I had to brace myself as it would be upsetting. As I approached I was aware of all the signs of Spring around me in the fields and hedgerows, but when I actually crossed the threshold into the sanctuary it was another matter. All around me was a terrible wasteland with twisted and blackened skeletons of gorse and bramble rising out of a sea of ash. There were heart breaking signs of death – singed eggshells and silvered snail shells just to name a few. No birds sang, no insects buzzing – just the plaintive mewing of buzzards and the raucous caws of corvids high above.
At some points there was a cruel contrast between the blasted heath and the lush springtime which was just yards away. It felt like I was walking between two worlds as I paced the boundary whilst intoning a healing blessing to the Land.
Mercifully for this occupant the fire had been extinguished before they lost their home to the flames. Sadly as I made my way towards the summit it was apparent that many other homes and habitats suffered a very different fate.
Eventually I reached the top where I undertook a full blessing of the Land with appropriate offerings, together with my tears for the wilful sacrilege. I prayed for a speedy restoration of Bartinney’s essence and spirit together with the rejuvenation, which will take years to recover. I dwelt for a while on the irony of the Cornish meaning of Bartinney – bre-tanow or hill of fires…
Then it was time to leave in the hope that the next time I come this way, that some green shoots may be sprouting. After all Nature is resilient and relentless.
Local residents are shocked by this incident and are rightly incensed when they learnt that it was started deliberately. I personally don’t understand what motivates people to destroy wildlife and their habitation in such a violent manner, but I sincerely hope that they get exactly what they deserve for their actions, and may they know no rest in the meantime.
It’s been simply ages since I last wrote a blog, and I started writing this particular post many months ago and then abandoned it as it seemed a bit self-indulgent. However, since that time we have been in Lockdown due to the worldwide spread of the corona virus, Covid 19 and life has got not only bewildering but also on occasion, depressing. For a while it looked like the silver lining to this crisis would be the realisation that the environment could be saved and protected from the ills of consumerism as it slowly but surely recovered. Sadly as the restrictions were eased it appears that there has been an almost frenzied return to capitalism, right-wing fascism and unbelievable levels of rubbishing our countryside and wildlife. In Cornwall as the tourist industry returns slowly, there have been harrowing tales of rudeness and trashing of our environment by seemingly uncaring visitors. So many people appear to have no qualms about invading others’ personal space especially those who are vulnerable to this virus, and there is nothing but deception, hypocrisy and bluster coming from our so called government. No wonder it is difficult to view the future with any sense of hope.
This is the very time then to remember that not everyone is uncaring and hateful and that there are good folks out there who are part of community who are doing wondrous things for others. There are actually more decent folk in the world than the nasty ones – it’s just that the horrible people seem to get more air time thereby seeming to be more prolific. So, time for some positivity! 🙂
As I reached my late sixties I began to notice how many folk of my generation were beginning to die at age 69. It was quite marked and I was feeling considerable uneasiness when I too reached that age last year. It was decided that it would be a good idea to arrange a 70th Birthday Party for me to celebrate having survived that anomaly.
We gave plenty of notice to everyone and asked that instead of buying me a present that they just bring a plate of food and something to drink. We were holding the party in our local village hall which is not a licensed premises but could hold a large amount of people. Our guest list was wonderfully diverse and included folk that I work and play alongside, together with locals I know well from the village. I asked that any musicians to bring instruments so we could have some live music sessions as well as the entertainment I was secretly arranging.
There was a rather wonderful build up to the event as my sister Rosemary came over from Canada to help me celebrate and stayed in the village. So my 70th birthday dawned with Laetitia presenting me with a truly wonderful and well thought out gift that I will treasure always – and then it was time to pick up Rosemary from the train station. Barely had she landed than she was whisked off to a restaurant for my birthday dinner treat. This was an excellent meal at the Godolphin Arms in Marazion.
Finally we let Rosemary go to her bed to catch up from jet lag, and we too had an early night because the next day was not only my party but also St Piran’s Day in Redruth.
Our Obby Oss, Penkevyll has been a regular performer in the St Piran’s Parade through Redruth for many years now – and this year was no exception. It was great to see my sister thoroughly enjoying herself watching this spectacle and I was in my element joining in the fun. 😀
Following a quick lunch it was all hands to the tiller to prepare the village hall for the party. That took several hours I can tell you!
Finally everything was prepared and we returned home to get me ready. I had the full works, hair, make-up (which I rarely wear) and a newly purchased stylish outfit. When I returned to the hall I was somewhat miffed by being told in no uncertain manner that I must not go into the small hall where all the food and drink was. Mind you, all became clear when I eventually was allowed through. What greeted my eyes was the most stunning cake I have ever seen. Wow!
Isn’t it amazing?
This was made by Sue Exton, a dear friend who together with her husband John helped make my birthday a very special event.
Then I was semi-kidnapped by the members of Boekka who insisted that I open their present as I would need it at the party. I duly unwrapped the parcel and found a beautiful tankard with my name on. However, when I turned the tankard around I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a wonderfully engraved image of my beloved Penkevyll! Wow again! 😀
I’m so proud of my tankard and it goes out with me every time I go to a pub!
By this time folk had started to arrive and there was a lot of people to meet and greet. I was so moved that so many came from near and far. Also my musician friends arrived so we quickly started to warm up with a few local tunes and the party really began to swing. There was masses of food and drink and we actually had to bring out another trestle table as there wasn’t enough room in the side hall for all the produce.
Then rather wonderfully my surprise guests to the delight of everyone walked in – Beltane Border Morris. It was a little surreal for my village friends who had never experienced the like before. One local said to me that she thought a coach party had arrived when about 20 – 25 dark faced and tattered performers marched through the front door, walked through the hall and out backstage without a word! 😀
I didn’t explain anything and simply waited until they had set up and then introduced them as my special guests who very kindly agreed to perform at my party. Then the dancing began…
They were electrifying!
For their last piece, the Beltane Fire Dance, I was called forward and presented with their latest CD and then given the slightly scary honour of being placed in the middle of this now famous dance.
My goodness me – that really is a ‘place between the worlds’ that has to be experienced to be appreciated. An unforgettable occasion!
Then it was time to blow out the candles on my wonderful cake.
I was then treated to an amusing birthday song from Beltane.
Cutting the cake proved to be a mite difficult – hence the ‘Psycho’ pose with the knife!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed my 70th Birthday Party – it was ace! It was great to play music with Steve, Julie, Mike, Fee and Courtney – and then went on to drum with Beltane when they arrived. It gladdened my heart to see the village hall full of very diverse folk from all walks of life including our local Rector, all getting on famously with each other, many of whom had never met before – and the only common factor was myself and Tia.
After all the months of planning it all was over very quickly and it seemed like before I knew it, people were making their way home from what later on turned out to be the Party of the Year – as very swiftly following that we entered Lockdown. Just in time – phew!
Despite what I had requested, I was inundated with presents and cards and I spent the next 24 hours opening them. I was truly overwhelmed with the lovely gifts and messages. Some of them were so thoughtfully and lovingly wrought that it brought tears to my eyes. Some were magical items that I’m not going to photograph so as not to interfere with their energies; but take it from me, they were very skilfully crafted. There were also umpteen bottles of wine and fizz that we slowly worked our way through over the following weeks – very much appreciated! 🙂
As a fine example of the dedication to detail of some gifts, I will use the stunningly beautiful shawl that was hand made especially for me. The making was quite a journey and I have the permission of the multi-talented Linsey Duncan-Pitt to publish the back story.
These inserts were included with the shawl and I only found these later on.
For those of you who are knitters and/or spinners, here is a link that describes in more detail how it was made.
When we were invited in 2019 to Cassandra's 70th Birthday celebrations, I just knew that I had to make something for a…
All of this plus many more wonderful moments made my 70th Birthday celebrations the best yet. Which brings me to the question – does reaching the age of 70 feel any different? I can categorically state Yes!
Basically I recognise clearly that I am stepping over a threshold from adulthood into elderhood. It’s a bit of a mixture of things really – it certainly focuses the mind when I consider that I might have only 10 – 15 years left to my life – or less. Realising that anything could just remove you at any time. I’m fully aware that this could happen at any age, but it takes up space more in the forefront of your mind when you reach your seventies. However, it really does help develop a deep appreciation of all sorts of things – living in the moment; loving nature, friendship, community, music, grateful for reasonably good health and so on.
Another plus is realising that you don’t care so much about what people think of you. Things that used to sometimes wound or upset me no longer do so. I still care about people but I don’t tolerate bad behaviour anymore. That is a great relief and brings with it a real sense of freedom.
Certainly I have slowed down physically speaking and there are a few things that I can no longer manage that I have learnt to give in gracefully to. I now enjoy taking my time pottering around rather than trying to do 10 things all at once. Taking time to smell the roses so to speak. 🙂
So to all those younger people who are secretly dreading growing older – it’s not that bad, in fact it’s got a lot going for it – it all depends on your point of view.
However, having said all that – it’s weird being the same age as old people! 😉
So to the second half of the Dark Gathering – the arrival of the Mari Lwyds and the Honouring of the Ancestors. Following a quick and much needed mulled cider it was time to line-up the drummers ready to send the signal to the Procession to commence. This is a part of the proceedings where the general public, if they have the ability, can join in with the tribal drumming.
Also this was the time for Penkevyll to emerge from her stable with her Teazers to call the Mari Lwyds to the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic. As anticipated the Teazers led by Laetitia Latham-Jones danced and wove their magic upon the crowd and Penkevyll to the sound of trance-like tribal drumming.
Shortly after 6 pm the Lantern Procession headed off for the Museum led ably by Laura Marshall from Beltane accompanied by many differing characters including the famous Mari…
There is an ancient Chinese curse which goes: “May you live in interesting times.” There have been times this past year when I have wondered whether I had unknowingly offended someone of oriental persuasion when it came to the Dark Gathering! There has also been the odd occasion when I wondered whether it was actually going to happen or not, especially when it came to wrangling with the dead hand of bureaucracy. Indeed as the date of this year’s Dark Gathering approached there was a last minute flurry of obstacles, cancellations and complications – not to mention wet weather that seemed to take on biblical proportions!
Undaunted we soldiered on…
On the day, we had to put out a disclaimer on the website and social media that there was a police warning of a yellow flood alert on some of the roads approaching Boscastle and for folks to be aware…
To say that the past year as the organiser of the Dark Gathering has been challenging would be the understatement of the year! Sometimes an event can prove to be so popular it can become the victim of it’s own success, and now that the Gathering regularly attracts many hundreds of people it has also brought upon itself the scrutiny of the red tape brigade. I personally have been on a very steep learning curve including learning new jargon, PLI, RA, TEN not to mention H&S! Thankfully I have had the help of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic’s Events Manager who has diligently steered me through the minefield of licenses, permissions and insurances required by various departments and organisations. He has been a godsend. 🙂
What this preamble is leading to is to inform you that there may well be a few changes to the way we run things…
There have been some significant changes in parking regulations at Boscastle due to local council decisions. Henceforth there will no longer be a facility for overnight parking in the main car park. Any folk who decide to flout this ruling face the very real risk of a parking fine.
So, the small village of camper vans that used to emerge on the Friday night of the Dark Gathering, only to slowly disappear on the Sunday, alas is now a thing of the past in this particular car park.
There will be a field set aside for Performers and Crew but there will be no facilities available. I will be informing people of where this site is as soon as it is confirmed by the local farmer. Unfortunately this option is not available to members of the public – however as a result of no overnight camping there will be…
We live in interesting times and the Dark Gathering has not been immune to these fluctuating events. Sadly I have to announce that our Guest Side, Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris have reluctantly had to cancel their appearance this year due to unforeseen circumstances. We were very disappointed by this and we hope that Wild Hunt will be able to appear at a Gathering at some point in the future.
Needless to say this caused some avid searching around for a replacement side and we found and decided upon an intriguing act – Huginn and Muninn.
They have been described as ‘Ragnarock ‘n Roll’ and are advertised as ‘a contemporary surrealist two person Border Morris side. They dance tales of Huginn and Muninn’s adventures from the pantheon of Norse myths, ably kept in check by the music of Odin himself.’ We are hoping that everyone will be well entertained by such…
This is a quick post to let folks know that we have a new page to our Dark Gathering Website. In pursuit of funding initiatives we have created a Merchandise page which we will add to as and when. We aim to create high quality items at an affordable cost, whilst at the same time adding to our funds.
Once again we give thanks to our in-house graphic designer, Chris White. 🙂
This is a quick post to let folks know that we have a new page to our Dark Gathering Website. In pursuit of funding initiatives we have created a Merchandise page which we will add to as and when. We aim to create high quality items at an affordable cost, whilst at the same time adding to our funds.