If there’s one thing in life that can be guaranteed, it is ‘that all things will change’. Even before the pandemic hit our shores in 2020 there was change in the air for the Dark Gathering. I had been informed that the National Trust no longer granted permission for fire to be used outside the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic and that there was to be a change of use to that area, meaning I had to find another venue for the future. The upper car park in Boscastle was mooted as a possibility and I started to explore this as a potential venue.
Then the pandemic hit, and the world fell into chaos. Businesses suffered and we effectively lost all of our funding. The Dark Gathering, along with countless other festivals and events, was put on hold for two years. Round about the same time the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic explained that they would be unable to help us produce the Gathering in the future, and that we would have to take on full administrative responsibility for it all from there on. We had to look long and hard at whether we continued with the Dark Gathering or not.
In March 2022 on St Piran’s Day, the members of our side, Boekka decided that we would pool our skills and attempt to keep the Dark Gathering alive.
Just in case you haven’t heard of Boekka, it’s our Oss and Teazer Team. Boekka means ‘scarecrow’ in Cornish, and we have been going to various events and festivals for the last 12 years.
Anyway, from that point we were on, not so much of a learning curve, more a learning leap! There was so much we had to establish from scratch, exploring possibilities as we went. The Dark Gathering gained an Administrator, Sally Ward who was an absolute star in finding her way through months of torturous red tape and bureaucracy. My role was more diplomatic, attempting to persuade authorities to grant various permissions; until we couldn’t go any further without the most important permission of all which had to be granted by Cornwall Council for the event to go ahead. We waited, and waited, whilst weeks, then months went by – until there was only 7 weeks to go when we finally got the go ahead. Then it was full tilt to try and organise tickets to replace our lost funding and to cover our costs. I want to stress here that I do not blame Cornwall Council for this delay. This is down to government cuts which left just one single person to run all of the seasonal events in Cornwall. I have received full support and co-operation from the Event Planning Department in Truro within their means.
Sadly, as we had to wait until September, we had to pare down our usual offerings that are part of the Dark Gathering. Thus, we were unable to have a parade this time as that too would have required yet another Event Licence with probably more waiting. Moreover, during this time the Wellington Hotel was sold to St Austell Brewery necessitating negotiations with the change of management regarding all the eccentricities of the Mari Lwyds and the Dark Gathering celebrations. We definitely had our work cut out!
What I have mentioned so far is in a way just the tip of the iceberg, as we then had to field all sorts of resistance to the change of venue, and the introduction of the concept of tickets jarred with some folk. Thankfully however, many backed us up in our efforts to rescue the Dark Gathering and we all so appreciated that support.
So eventually the day of the Dark Gathering finally arrived.
I recall standing in the middle of the upper car park with the other attendees at a site meeting of representatives for performers and marshals. We hadn’t realised how massive the site is once all the cars have been removed. Then we had issues with the surface, which was very slippery, but this was resolved when we found that the far end of the car park was more stable underfoot as it was less used. This was the main reason why the audience area was changed at the last minute. We will be addressing how the audience is placed for future Gatherings so that everyone has a reasonable view of the proceedings.
In the past all Dark Gatherings have started at 3 pm but following requests we decided on an earlier start time of 2 pm. This year we had a stellar line-up of performers, incidentally who had all been waiting for the last 2 years to entertain us. We kicked off with Mythago. For those not in the know, this is a masked side who tell stories and recount myths and legends through dance and music. They come from West Sussex and there is a definite ‘old magic’ ethos to them. I found them very evocative and loved their theatrical enactments.
Then it was the turn of Beltane Border Morris. This is the much imitated but never surpassed, Border Morris side that brings the wildness of Dartmoor to the Dark Gathering each year. Despite a heavy shower of rain during their first dances, they never faltered in their high-quality dancing and the Band played on regardless of the elements buffeting them. There was a high turnout this year, so we were treated to many dances with two sets of performers – a sight to behold for sure!
Then we were treated to the unique performances of Boggart’s Breakfast who were absolutely mesmerising. They came all the way from Sheffield to entertain us and it was well worth the 2 years wait to see them perform. Boggart’s ethos centres around the shape-shifting world of the mischievously wicked Boggart. I loved the eldritch quality of their music which was the perfect setting for their amazingly clever and skilful dances. Their appositely named ‘Impossible Dance’ defied belief as we watched it unfold. We were so caught up in its intricacy that no-one managed to capture it on video that day! So, here’s some footage from Chippenham Folk Festival 2011.
I seldom mention a side’s face paint, but there are always exceptions to the rule and Boggart’s Breakfast are truly… well, exceptional.
As the sun sank lower in the skies, there was a flurry of interest as Penkevyll the Land’s End Oss appeared from behind the audience, which set off the tribal drumming which was to summon the Mari Lwyds to the Dark Gathering.
Sure enough the Welsh contingent made their riotous way through the crowd to greet their Cornish cousins. The traditional Pwnco was sung in Welsh and Cornish and the Mari Lwyds gained access once more in a joyous reunion not having seen each other for over two years.
We knew that Boggart’s Breakfast had brought along their Giant Boggart, so we invited it to come out when the Mari Lwyds arrived. It was a little unsure at first, and then Penkevyll didn’t help when she got a little over enthusiastic and chased poor Boggart away. It did emerge again later though to join in one of the dances, so order was restored.
It was half an hour until sunset and time for a bit of theatre. This was the time for Mythago to weave their magic as they narrated the tale and acted out through theatre and dance, the Legend of Herne the Hunter. The backdrop of the trees of Minster Wood added poignancy to the story, especially when the ghostly White Hart appeared.
The afternoon’s entertainment was finished off with more dancing from Boggarts Breakfast including performing their version of the Stick and Bucket dance of Terry Pratchett fame.
Thus, we entered into the time in the Dark Gathering where we honour the Ancestors.
The Traveller’s Prayer was sung this year by three singers from Beltane Border Morris. It was very moving to hear the harmonies of this haunting song echoing around the woods surrounding us.
The genius loci or spirits of place were enticed by the use of bullroarers.
This preceded Wyrd is Woman, a song written and sung by Laura Marshall of Beltane Border Morris.
Someone described this song as ‘soul stirring’, and I’d agree.
Sadly, shortly before the Gathering this year, we heard that Will Fox had stepped down from being a member of Beltane Border Morris. This means we had to find someone else to replace him performing the Ancestor Blessing. This year we had Ben Giddey who filled the gap. He reminded us of what a vast amount of folk belonged to our own individual ancestries and requested that the more evolved of those to step forward in our rites, and those that still had issues to deal with to step back. This was followed by our now traditional Ancestor Chant which everyone joined in, in chorus.
This year’s performance of the famous Beltane Fire Dance had four different characters in the middle. A Mari Lwyd (Fflosi from Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl), Herne the Hunter (from Mythago), a Boggart (from Boggart’s Breakfast) and a random Film Director (from German TV crew).
I didn’t realise until I had watched this footage all the way through that all of the Beltane dancers joined in with the Fire Dance towards the end – a sight to behold indeed! 😀
Then it was just a case of thanks to all of our supporters and volunteers.
Our worth-their-weight-in-gold Marshals! Here’s one of them, David – there were nine in all led by the worthy Team Leader, Martin Davis.
The invaluable and ever patient Administrator who dealt with countless queries about tickets: Sally Ward!
Our long-suffering MC, Steve Podger!
Most of all our thanks to all of you who bought tickets because without your support we could not have put on the Dark Gathering this year.
It had reached that time of night when I get to announce the next year’s Guest Sides which are:
Ragged Oak and Bakanalia.
Ragged Oak hail from the West Midlands and are a very lively Border Morris side.
Here’s an introduction from their FB page:
We are a small group of like-minded friends who have danced, played and sung together over many years in various different Morris sides including Cotswold, North-West and Border traditions.
We all have a deep love of the natural world doing our own thing in our own way – not trying to be anything to anyone – except to ourselves. We only have infrequent practices as most of us are committed to other sides and other lives. Our dances may be a little ragged, but our joy is infectious!
We’re coming out of the concrete towns and going back into the wild. Back to the places in the landscape of power and rugged beauty. To seek out others who wish to feel the wind in their tatters and the grass beneath their boots.
We mark and celebrate the turning of the seasonal year, it’s rites and rituals and seek out the curious and eccentric folk of these Isles. To be merry, to play music, to sing songs…… eat good food, drink fine Ale and enjoy good company.
And so, it is.
Bakanalia are another Border Morris side who are full of energy and enthusiasm – they are from Leicester.
Here’s a taster of their performance:
The final dance was as always left to our Host Side, Beltane Border Morris – Haccombe to Death! 😀
Finally, it was all over after what seemed like endless work and persistence. The Dark Gathering had been superb and a triumph!
However, I am not totally oblivious to the attending logistical problems that arose for all of us, locals included. I believe that given goodwill, co-operation and patience, we will overcome some of the issues that arose through the use of the upper car park. We have already set in place future discussions and possible plans to alleviate the situation and hopefully secure the Dark Gathering for the future in Boscastle.
Whatever happens, there is one thing I can guarantee, that the Dark Gathering will continue even if the venue has to change again.
See you all next year on 28th October 2023!
The Dark Gathering 