Recent Events

Almost 200 members of Old Cornwall Societies from as far afield as Penzance in the
west, Mullion in the south, and Torpoint in the east, braved stormy weather to meet at Wadebridge in the north for their Federation's Winter Festival at the Town Hall.

The afternoon's events got off to a lively start with a parade of the Societies' colourful
banners led around the hall by the Gorsedh's piper, Merv Davey of Withiel, and Charles Skinner of Redruth bearing the Federation's banner. This was followed by the traditional roll call of the Societies in attendance.

Helen Richards, President of the Wadebridge Old Cornwall Society extended a welcome
to their town.

The Federation's newly-installed President, Terry Knight of St Agnes spoke of the
forthcoming 90th anniversary of their movement in 2010. It will be celebrated at St Ives next year with the Gorsedh taking place there. Par Old Cornwall Society will be celebrating its 60th anniversary by hosting the Federation's Summer Festival in July. Several other Societies will be
celebrating landmark 'birthdays' too, illustrating the movement's great success.

A fascinating talk, on the theme of witchcraft, conjurors, cunning folk, charmers and
ghosts in Cornish folklore, was given by Jason Semmens, originally of Camborne, and now a
Museum Curator in Horsham, Sussex, who had travelled to Cornwall for the occasion. He drew on the extensive resources compiled by the late Mr William (Bill) Paynter of Callington, and emphasized the value of the records created by Old Cornwall members over decades. It prompted enthusiastic questions from those present. The Federation published his book about Paynter and his work as “The Cornish Witch-finder” in 2008, and it is finding a ready audience.

After tea and saffron buns, members were greatly entertained by Withiel couple, Merv
Davey - on banjo - and his wife Alison - in full period costume - with a rousing selection of Cornish dances in imitation of Harry and Carrie, a duo who lived at St Blazey in the early 20th century. Mr Davey is the Folk Song & Music Recorder of the Federation and well-known in Cornish musical circles

Click for music then on photo

A vote of thanks was offered by the Federation's Deputy President, Andrew Langdon of Truro, and the Festival closed with the singing of “Trelawny”.

My thanks to Pauline Hope for the photographs and recordings of musical items.

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Federation Summer Festival at Redruth 2009

Report by Pauline Hope,

Photo's Pauline, Keith Shaw, Bill Lugg & George Pritchard

After the torrential rain at last year’s Festival in Callington, it was with great relief that we watched the black clouds rolling away to leave Redruth in the sunshine for this special day.

Click on all photos for a larger view

The Hall looked inviting, with stalls of books on Cornish themes and Mrs Knight’s craftwork, etc looking very tempting. A beautiful display on Gwennap pit drew much admiration and the raffle stall was particularly well laid out with prizes from various socieities. The latest newsletter was available and the air was full of chatter and laughter.

The banners were paraded into the Church where Ron Opie, the President of both the FOCS and Redruth OCS, greeted One and All before carrying out the Roll Call. These were the Societies present:

Bodmin	Luxulyan	Probus
Bude Stratton	Madron	Redruth
Callington	Mullion	Saltash
Camborne	Newquay	St Austell
Carharrack	Padstow	St Columb
Chacewater	Par	St Denys & District
Helston	Penryn & Falmouth	St Gerrans & Portscatho
Kea	Pentewan	St Just & Pendeen
Liskeard	Penzance	St Ladoca
Lostwithiel	Perranzabuloe	Torpoint & District
Ludgvan	Porthleven	Truro
		Wadebridge

The Mayor of Redruth gave the assembly a very warm welcome to the town.

The Grand Bard, Vanessa Beeman, remarked that her term of office was coming to an end as was that of the Federation President. She recalled that the FOCS had been motivated to organise the first Cornish Gorsedd and continues its work for the preservation of Cornish heritage.

Ron Opie had received apologies but the list was not to hand. He sent wishes for a speedy recovery to Ros Prigg of Penzance.

He was pleased to announce that the 2010 Summer Festival would take place at Par with volunteers lined up for hosting the following three years. He suggested that it was good for the Festival to take place in different parts of the Duchy.

In answer to the question of the decline in membership, Ron recommended the new leaflet compiled by David Stark, ‘Do you love Cornwall?’ to introduce new people, including ‘in-comers’ to the movement.

Ron emphasised that, although each society had a Recorder, everybody should be recording material, especially as we do not always have an influence on planning matters or the loss of valuable buildings. He recommended a free dvd to promote Redruth which is available around the town.

In summing up, Ron thanked the Redruth Society for taking on the organisation of the Festival at such short notice and only four years since its last one; in particular he thanked Mike Johns, David Bennett, Beryl on the raffle, the stall holders, all those who had contributed and of course, Mrs Opie.

Andrew Langdon, Federation Recorder, asked everybody to follow the tradition and ‘Gather up the fragments that are left that nothing be lost.’ He hoped everyone would get enthusiastic about the current project for photographing post boxes in Cornwall and he distributed the sheets for recording details.

Keith Shaw had made a dvd of Callington in the sunshine and the 2008 Festival in the rain which is available from him for £5 including postage.

Members made their way back to the hall for a tasty Berriman’s pasty lunch speedily served by the host society. Tickets for the afternoon’s activities, as had been described by Ron Opie, were collected. These included:

Ø A tour of the mining areas of Redruth with Eric Rabjohns

Ø A tour of Illogan with Joe Thomas

Ø A tour of Portreath with Michael Tangye

Ø A visit to the Treasure Park, Tolgus Tin-streaming works and town museum with Ron Opie

Ø A town walk including the Cornwall Centre and Murdoch House with Terry Knight

Ø A slide show in the hall.

On return from these excellent outings, members enjoyed a cup of tea and a delicious saffron buns from Rowe’s.

The raffle with its many prizes was drawn and Ron said a few words before the Festival broke up with the traditional rendition of Trelawney.

I am sure everyone would like to thank Redruth OCS for its warm welcome, its efficient organisation and the wonderfully happy day it provided.

Don't miss the Winter Festival at Wadebridge Town Hall 14th November 2.00pm.

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