A lantern-lit procession meets at St John's Hall before walking, accompanied by traditional music, up to Lescudjack Hillfort, an ancient fortress site, to watch The Lord of Misrule light the beacon. This is followed by dancing, drumming, and other mischief.
Participants are encouraged to dress in 'posh tatters' and Venetian style masks.
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| Very wet 'tatters'! |
The Lord of Misrule is chosen rather differently to Midsummer's Mock Mayor. Anyone in full Montol costume can ask the Master of Revels for a bean, and if you chose the 'Montol Bean', you are the Lead Guiser for the night's festivities. (You may be as delighted as I was to hear that members of local authorities, MPs, and members of the House of Lords are ineligible.)
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| The Master of Revels on the left, the Lord of Misrule on the right |
Of course, it was absolutely peeing down with rain. Cornwall has once again been battered by storms and floods recently. The Cornish are no strangers to the heartache the weather can bring at this time of year. 19 December marks the anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat disaster. Frugal Queen wrote a beautiful and moving post about this last year. (A word of caution; if you are going to listen to the audio link, have a box of tissues to hand, and be aware it will stay with you forever.)
On a lighter note, I already have my next trip to Penzance planned, along with a lot of other cool stuff for next year. I really need to focus and raise my game in various areas though, and sadly, I can't see blogging making the cut. But I wish everyone all the very best for the coming year, and fervently hope we will indeed see the rebirth of the Sun in the UK in 2013!!
It all sounds very Wicker Man! I have never been to Cornwall, isn't that terrible? Maybe one day...
ReplyDeleteAhh, hope you don't disappear from the blogging scene completely, Annie, I've enjoyed your posts and your lovely comments.
Happy new year and much love to you. xxxxxx
It is rather Wicker Man! I know Rick Stein featured it on one of his programmes and found it a bit sinister, but he's from Padstow, and the people of Penzance are made from sterner stuff!
DeleteI started blogging cos I enjoy reading and commenting on other people's, but I find it a bit hard work doing my own. Maybe I'm doing it wrong! Anyway, I'll still be reading your lovely blog, and hopefully we can meet up in person this year. I could come up your way, if that doesn't sound too scary!
All the very best for 2013, Curtise. xxxx
That looks really cool! I was wondering if you managed to get to see this with the dreadful weather so delighted you did.
ReplyDeleteDon't disappear completely will you? Wishing you lots of love and happiness for 2013 and hopefully see you very soon! xxx
I'll always be reading your blog, Vix! And I'll definitely keep in touch. Another trip to Walsall is on the cards when you get back. Can't wait to hear about your adventures! xxxx
DeleteAnnie don't go away totally, we wuv's you! I know having a blog can sometimes cause a wee bit of stress but just give it what you can and don't put too much on yourself. This festival looks really cool, like nothing I have ever been too, but you poor thing the rain oh my, I'm off to have a listen to the Queen, tissue in hand.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year darling!
Xxxxxxooooo
It was pelting down Krista, but we Brits are used to it. You can't let the weather stand in your way over here!
DeleteI love reading other people's blogs, though I do find it a bit of chore writing my own. But I'll still be coming over to yours for inspiration. See you soon! xxxx
That's my kind of celebration - posh tatters!! Yay! What fun, even in the rain.
ReplyDeleteI just find you and now you're going away? Maybe not completely...? Blogs are cool because you can drop back in any time, no obligation. Until/if you do, maybe I'll see you at Vix's place.
It was great fun Melanie, even though it was tipping down.
DeleteI don't think blogging is really my thing, but I may come back to it if I get second wind. I'll see you over at your blog though!
I was that Lord of Misrule! Nice blog entry and great pictures.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Thank you for the kind comment. I'll be down in Penzance again for more fun at Mazey Day :)
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