We were delighted to get together in Padstow on the 21st of October when the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies enjoyed the 2023 Winter Festival at St Petroc’s Church and Church Rooms.
Beginning at 12pm, attendees enjoyed a delicious pasty lunch in the Church Rooms which saw much catching up and reminiscing as friendships were renewed, before moving to historic St Petroc’s Church for the programme of Padstow-flavoured entertainment.
Once everyone was in place, the afternoon began with the traditional Parade of Banners down the centre of the church aisle, after which Daphne Hicks, MC for the afternoon and Secretary of Padstow OCS, and Nev Meek, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies President, welcomed visitors to Padstow, followed by the traditional ‘Roll Call’, of the Societies, given by Honorary Life Vice President, Ivor Corkell.
The afternoon’s programme of entertainment was opened by seasoned local musicians and storytellers Mike O’Connor and Barbara Griggs, whose varied songs and tales were hugely well received.
We then heard from Linda Hornabrook, a Padstow local, who told a local folk story and history, including the legend of the notorious Doom Bar which has been the cause of many a fatal wreck at the mouth of the Camel estuary.
Following on, a group of accordion players from the Padstow Mayers gave the audience a real treat by playing the unique and inimitable May Song that rings through the streets in Padstow every Mayday.
Padstow Old Cornwall Society President John Buckingham then took to the microphone to tell a little of the story of local 19th century writer Nellie Sloggett, born in Padstow in 1851 who became a published author of children’s stories and Cornish folktales using the pen-name of Enys Tregarthen. His wife Liz Buckingham then continued with one of Sloggett’s stories about Padstow’s pottery horsemen.
Next, Canon Michael Fisher, local Minister of St Petroc’s Church, then spoke, giving a little of the history of St Petroc’s Church.
To close the entertainment, the audience welcomed local the local Bray family to the front to give a brilliant performance of local talent. Finley, just fifteen, played both newly composed material, well loved classics, while his sister Eva sang and gave a performance of the Boscastle Breakdown, a Cornish stepdance.
To close the programme, all stood to sing Trelawny before the exit of banners. The afternoon ended in the Church Rooms with a welcome cup of tea and saffron bun and take the opportunity to catch up with friends from near and far.
The Federation thank all at Padstow Old Cornwall Society for putting on such a fantastic gathering for the Old Cornwall family together. Please look out for an extended version of this report in a forthcoming Journal.