Looking back over the last ten years of the Dark Gathering with all its twists and turns, I’m glad to see that the heart and soul of the Gathering remains strong and steady. What I’m referring to is the cross cultural exchange that happens each Hallowtide between the Cornish and Welsh Osses and Mari Lwyds, and as a consequence of these dark folkloric motifs, the honouring and blessing of our Celtic ancestry. This is the basis of our event and all the entertainment that accompanies each Dark Gathering is to celebrate this connection.
This year marks a new phase of the Dark Gathering which we feel will give it longevity. We have some exciting plans!
We have decided to extend our Event Licence so that we are able to increase the amount of people who can attend. In the past we were restricted to just 500 people, both audience and performers included, but with the new licence we will have more ‘wiggle room’ especially as our new venue of Tintagel has so much more space.
There will be a specially designated area for wheelchair users and their carers in order to avoid folk standing in front of them during the performances.
Since there was a problem last year with accessing the public conveniences, there will be portaloos on site in future.
The stalls proved very popular last year and will be added to with extra food and drink facilities plus other retail opportunities.
An added extra be a stall selling new, upgraded Dark Gathering merchandise.
We would like to invite able bodied people to become marshals to take on very specific roles on the day. For this they will receive free entry to the venue; free food and drink during the event; free parking and a complimentary crew T shirt. If you are interested please contact: thedarkgathering.info@gmail.com
So there you have it. We will be releasing tickets for sale nearer the time, most likely towards the end of the summer, and we will be alerting you all well in advance. We do have a Facebook presence if you want to talk about anything to do with the Dark Gathering and where we share photos and footage:The Dark Gathering of Tintagel Cornwall
Otherwise you can write to us via the Contact page on this site.
Have a great Spring and Summer and see you all again in October!
This year we were determined to have a Parade since our last year in Boscastle we were unable to have one. In the past we had a parade in order to escort the Mari Lwyds to the Gathering, this year was going to be different. The Welsh requested that they arrive without escort and revert to a more traditional approach which resembled a form of gate-crashing. We still wanted a Parade for the local people of Tintagel and for any visitors who hadn’t managed to purchase a ticket. Also, as I mentioned earlier we wanted to expand the Cornish/Welsh cultural exchange, so with this idea in mind I searched for and found what I felt to be some excellent representatives of the Cornish tradition. First of all I approached the Raffidy Dumitz Band from Penzance, which incidentally myself and Laetitia had recently joined as musicians. ‘Raffidy Dumitz’ – formed in 2014 – is a group of musicians based in the Penzance area, who gather to perform predominantly Cornish music at Cornish cultural events. ‘Dumitz’ means noise and celebration other versions say it means twilight. ‘Raffidy’ refers to a 19th century story about a mediaeval statue of St Raphael, possibly part of an ancient chapel, now in St Mary’s churchyard: a workman said he had ‘wheeled away St Raffidy in a barrow’.
As we had now changed our venue, the words of our Pwnco with the Welsh needed to be changed to fit the new situation. Caroline Yeates, the author of these verses, kindly created a new set of lyrics.
However, we then had to find a Cornish speaker who could translate the words from English to Cornish. Very sadly, our dear friend Craig Weatherhill who had helped us out in the past had passed away, and so I was on the hunt for someone else. Rather delightfully we eventually discovered a Cornish Bard who not only was willing to translate the lyrics, but also to transpose them with the appropriate timing and metre. We had stumbled upon a real gem of a performer in Ken George as he agreed to sing the Pwnco for us on the day. It wasn’t until later on that I realised how highly qualified Ken is – check out this link for more details: Ken George Biography
In order to truly celebrate the cross cultural exchange, we agreed to have both Welsh and Cornish dancing displays, with a bit of audience participation to add to the fun.
Now that I have explained the thinking behind the Parade, it’s time to let you know what it was like on the day. Since the Parade required a rolling road closure, we paid for a local Tintagel resident, Roger Lyle, to attend a day course entitled the Traffic Management for an Event. Roger successfully completed this and got his accreditation which will now last for the next five years. So, as in the nature of these things, we had to be exact in our timing for the Parade start – no room for the Cornish ‘dreckly’ syndrome! (For those who are not familiar with this term, ‘dreckly’ means, at some point in the future – a bit like ‘man yana’ but not as quick.)
What was supposed to happen was, the Raffidy Dumitz Band was to leave at 6 pm on the dot from the Castle car park. At the same time Penkevyll was going to leave the venue and process down the street until they met each other outside the King Arthur’s Arms for an Oss Off. (Where two or more Osses meet is called an Oss Off). However, on the day Penkevyll got over excited and ran out into the street to meet and greet all the people waiting on the sides of the street, the tribal drummers which accompanied her were then obliged to follow in her wake. Although we emerged rather early and the 10 minutes wait seemed interminable for us drummers, Penk and her foal, Morvargh lost no time in delighting the crowd and getting up to all sorts of mischief.
A quick mention here for our new apprentice Teazer, Megan who gave a great performance in her new role.
Not forgetting our new Rider who also did splendidly. By tradition the Rider is not named in order to maintain the mystique of the Oss.
Morvargh couldn’t resist the lure of the sweet counter in the local shop. Naughty Oss!
In the meantime, various musicians were legging it down the main street to join the Parade.
Then at last the Parade was spotted coming around the corner – the excitement was palpable!
This was our signal to process down to meet them and off we set.
It was a sight to see and no mistake. Here’s some footage to give a feel of the atmosphere:
There was a glorious meet up with Penkevyll and Penhood who hadn’t seen each other since St Piran’s Day in Redruth, and they danced together to the combined music of the Raffidy Dumitz Band and the tribal drums that had accompanied Penkevyll.
The tune played when they met was ‘Horse’s Bransle’ a 16th Century French tune AKA ‘The Devil’s Fiddler’ or ‘Horse’s Brawl’.
The Band sounded great and there were smiles and excitement from the crowds including folk coming out of their homes and shops to watch the spectacle go by.
It was during this time that we had a few moments of mizzle (a cross between mist and drizzle) – it seemed that the Raffidy Dumitz Band had brought it up with them from West Cornwall! However it was short lived and certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of all the revellers. By the time the Parade had made it’s way up the main street and back to the venue it had stopped.
Looks like Penkevyll managed to corral Beltane Morris in a tent – not a sight you see very often!
Then the call went out – the Welsh had arrived. The Pwnco ceremony was about to begin.
Before I recount this custom and whilst I have your attention, there is something I want to mention in dispatches.
This man is John Isaac. He is a lovely man and a very gifted photographer. John has been the our official photographer from the very first Dark Gathering, nearly ten years ago. Sadly, he has been subjected to considerable harassment from certain quarters within the audience during his time with us. I would ask for some patience and consideration as he performs his duties. John takes a few shots at a time and then moves on – please bear with him. I know it’s annoying for someone to get in your way, but it’s not permanent. In case folk don’t realise who he is, we have decided that in future John will wear a trilby hat with a Press card stuck in the brim so that he will be instantly recognisable. John does a wonderful job and we don’t want to lose him because he’s got disheartened by all the verbal abuse aimed at him during the event. Thank you for your understanding in this.
Back to the Pwnco. In order to remind everyone what a Pwnco ceremony is, here is an extract from a Mari Lwyd Information Leaflet that was written by Caroline Yeates:
The Mari Lwyd is an old Welsh custom dating back centuries. During “ Y Gwyliau” – “ The Holidays” around Christmas and New Year, groups of men would go from house to house and pub to pub carrying a decorated horse’s skull on a pole with a sheet hanging down which covered the bearer. They would sing and make noise and on arriving at a door ask for admittance which could only be gained by winning a rhyming competition with the inhabitants “ The Pwnco” or “Canu Cwnsela”. This competition could go on for some time and include many insults. Eventually the Mari and Party would be let in for food, drink and merriment which they would enjoy until moving on to the next house or pub and starting all over again. Money also sometimes changed hands, a bit like carol singing or the Wassail tradition. Various characters were associated with the Mari – the Ostler who led the Mari, Merryman the fiddler, the Sergeant and Punch and Judy who got up to all sorts of mischief.
When the Welsh arrive at the Dark Gathering following an afternoon of genial mayhem around the village, they follow very similar lines in their approach to gain entry. We have scouts out to warn of the approach of the Welsh for its as well to be prepared for them. I’m sure folk would love to know exactly what insults were traded and exchanged between the Welsh and the Cornish so here is the translation:
Translation of Cornish & Welsh Pwnco 2023
Cornish – Kernewek Welsh – Cymraeg
(K) Well what’s all that noise there, like choughs who are choking? We’re locking the doors now, we’re frightened.
(C) We sing as sweetly as the birds of Rhiannon to wake the dead tonight.
(K) Well give us your names then, you don’t look too friendly. Just bones, teeth and tatters, and eyeballs.
(C) Here are Arianrhod, Fflosi and Seren. We’re related to Llamrei, Arthur’s steed.
(K) Why have you come here so late in the evening? The spirits will walk soon. Stay out there.
(C) We’ve come here to celebrate the spirit night of All Hallows but the M5 was terrible.
7. (K) Well come in, be quick then. It’s cold on the doorstep. But please can you tone down, your screeching.
(C) At last! A welcome to sing and celebrate. We hope there’s cake and beer.
Now here is what it sounds like in Welsh and Cornish.
There then followed very lively and entertaining Welsh dancing from Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl whilst the stately progression of the Mari Lwyds continued around the edge of the performance area.
Magically, just as the Welsh performers were singing their Farewell Song to us all, the full moon in all her glory slipped out from behind her veil of clouds to shine her mysterious light upon the proceedings.
Then, it was time for the Cornish to perform with music and dance.
I tried to find some photos of the Cornish dancing but everyone was dancing so quickly that the dancers came out as a blur! Nevertheless we all had a great time enjoying the Nos Lowen. (Cornish for Happy Night or social dancing to traditional Cornish tunes)
It was time for a change of pace following all this frivolity. It was time to call forth the spirits. It was time for the Ancestors.
There were portents and signs to confirm that this year’s Dark Gathering was given the seal of approval by the gods, but first let me take you back nine years ago to a dark and stormy night in Tintagel 2014…
Yes, the Mari Lwyds were abroad and up to mischief in the local hostelries – and the response from the locals was mixed. We even got turfed out of one establishment! Here’s some footage to give you a taste of what that was like:
We had such a good experience with the Pwnco at the Museum the previous day that we felt that it would be a good idea to repeat it – and so we began plotting.
This is the now famous photo of our plotting headquarters for the future Dark Gathering in the Wooton Inn. In a strange quirk of fate I ended up in almost the identical place, but certainly in the same room at the Post Performance Party at this year’s event. The Dark Gathering had returned home.
This just to remind folks that the idea of the Dark Gathering was conceived in Tintagel, birthed in Boscastle, and now that the event has proved so popular and outgrew the infrastructure of Boscastle, it has returned to its roots. We hope that Tintagel will now be the Dark Gathering’s forever home.
As I alluded to earlier, Tintagel didn’t quite know what to make of us on our first visit, but as we made tentative forays into seeing whether Tintagel was a viable option for the Dark Gathering, the folk I approached were positive and did all that they could to welcome us. One person in particular was a real asset and pleasure to work with. She works unstintingly for the good of the community and her name is Chelly Sturgess.
Rather tellingly I found it difficult to find any clear photos of Chelly as she tends to hide in the background. However, in the above photo Chelly, on the right, is about to be surprised by a film crew who ambushed her on the set of The Voice (you can just make them out in the background) in order to present her with an Award for Community work. Whenever I had a question to ask about Tintagel community and who’s who within it, Chelly replied within minutes. She knew everyone and anything she didn’t know, she knew who to ask to find out. Every community needs a Chelly!
So, although in a sense we had to start from scratch again when we moved venue, the process was relatively smooth although there were a lot of emails and messages whizzing around. We found, once we had decided and successfully hired our new venue at the Mayfair car park, that we had a lot more room than we were used to. This enabled us to expand and to experiment with having a few stalls. Also this meant that we were able to explore and focus on the Welsh/Cornish cultural connection more so we invited along a few special guests. More about that later.
We also leafleted Tintagel businesses so that they were pre-warned about the influx of 500 people or more so that they could prepare themselves. This information was also disseminated into the community via social media, explaining what the Dark Gathering was about and be there to answer any queries that locals might have.
Just prior to the event there were some very real concerns about the weather which produced many asking the question, “What will happen if it rains?” to which the standard and pragmatic response from us was, “You’ll get wet!”. Weather is always in the lap of the gods, particularly in Cornwall where the weather is akin to a sulky adolescent. As it happens, we watched the storm clouds build up and then rather nattily move round the sides of Tintagel. There was only one time where we got rained upon, and that was during the Parade and that was mizzle and was fleeting. However, I’m getting ahead of myself – back to the build up storyline.
At last the weekend was upon us and our feet hardly touched the ground as everything took off with gusto! Following one last meeting with our invaluable Gaffer, Martin Davis we set off for the King Arthur’s Arms. Friday night was busy meeting up with old friends and getting to know new ones, plus dishing out umpteen wristbands to performers as they arrived.
Early the next morning we set off for the venue where a small army of volunteers and marshals were already busy setting the space up for the Dark Gathering. It looked amazing. I am full of awe regarding the sterling work that Martin our Gaffer had produced by managing and supplying the equipage for the Dark Gathering. He performed wonders with signage and we even had our very own Dark Gathering flag! Fantastic.
In the afternoon just before lift off I recall the moment when I was standing there watching the performers busying themselves with their equipment and the audience settling themselves but full of anticipation. It’s always a magical and liminal time fuelled by the expectations of so many people – I usually refer to it as a ‘pinch me moment’. It really is a bit surreal when you think that, all these folks are here and have travelled miles across the country and some from other lands, just to experience an event that happened purely by chance, because we ran with a original good idea.
Then, bang on time at 3 pm the Dark Gathering 2023 started. We began in dynamic style with Beltane Border Morris dominating the stage with a oldie but goody rendition of White Ladies Aston involving 16 dancers. Beltane attended with a huge side which added up to 40 members, so they were out in full force. This was the first time we were able to accommodate so many dancers in our extended performance space.
The next act to perform was Bakanalia, a Border Morris side from Leicester. I invited this side because they were enthusiastic, lively and inclusive. They had performers of diverse physical and mental abilities with an excellent Band of talented musicians – they looked great too. I salute their altruism.
Then it was the turn of Ragged Oak from the West Midlands. Their high quality performance was impressive and although their side was small in number they more than made up for it with such vigour and skill. They managed to cover a huge amount of the performance space even though there was only four to six dancers. They were ably supported by the tribal beat of djembes from their Band. Magnificent.
I would like at this point to put a shout out for Kim Shadowland who has been steadfastly filming the live footage of the Dark Gathering for quite a few years now. It’s a element that we wished to offer to those folk who were either housebound or unable to be present for any reason, including those overseas. This way the Dark Gathering is immediate to so many but it wouldn’t happen without Kim’s input. Thank you Kim – you do a grand job!
The rest of the afternoon was spent being wonderfully entertained by these superb Morris sides. Here’s a selection of images to portray that:
Meanwhile in the streets of Tintagel and in and out of the pubs and other interesting premises, visitations were taking place…
The Mari Lwyds had arrived in town – was Tintagel ready for this?
Well, as it happens – yes! Chris who is one of the owners of the Tintagel Curiosity Shop is a Welsh speaker having been born and raised in Wales. Not only could he converse in Welsh, but he had produced his own verses so that the traditional pwnco ceremony could be performed on the threshold of his shop. No doubt this was a welcome surprise for the Welsh performers and the Mari Lwyds duly blessed the premises as only they can.
In another part of town, Mari Arianrhod had found the gin bar!
She was quickly joined by Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl – Lechyd da!
Elsewhere Mari Seren was intent on a little retail therapy.
Even some renegade members of Bakanalia joined in some shopping.
Soon the shadows were lengthening as the sun set and it was time for the Parade.
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.
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.
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 Lwyds.
Another new Mari was spotted this year, Mari Diemnt Du. Apparently this Mari has been specially created to appear at the Dark Gathering only. What an honour!
Penkevyll was delighted to greet her bone sisters again who she hadn’t seen for 10 months since her last visit to Wales in January.
She got very excited, bless her! 🙂
After meeting and greeting, Penkevyll with her Teazers disappeared inside the Museum and gradually the Mari Lwyds made their way to the door where they beseeched entry. Thus the Pwnco Ceremony began:
The Welsh verses are responded to in Cornish.
Once successful in their endeavours the Mari Lwyd party entered the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic and began to the bless the premises for another year. They were rewarded with the traditional libations of cake and ale.
Meanwhile outside in the dimpsey (West Country term for twilight) we were treated to a entrancing and salutary tale by two storytellers known as Stone Soup. It was hugely entertaining and required audience participation which it received with gusto.
As the final chants of “Chop, chop, chop! Feed, feed, feed! Bubble, bubble, bubble! Sweep, sweep, sweep!” died away, the night was shattered by three sinister drum beats. Our MC Steve started to explain about a ghostly apparition that could appear in deepest, darkest Dorset when an eerie, unholy rhythm involving drums, fiddle and voice commenced – what on earth was happening…?
High above the performance space red smoke appeared and from within this a vast horned head appeared – the otherworldly denizen had arrived!
Down the slope led incrementally by a gloriously creepy attendant was the Darkest Ooser!
Once the Ooser had toured the edges of the audience, delightfully scaring a few children in the process, it finally came to rest to watch the rest of the evening’s proceedings.
Sadly our usual singer at this point, Sarah Emery was unable to attend this year. However, her place was taken by Annie Douglas from Beltane Border Morris who sang the Traveller’s Prayer. Annie deserves particular praise as not only did she sing well but she did so in spite of an heavy cold and sore throat. What a trouper! Unfortunately I had not been able to obtain either a photo or footage of this until quite recently. Annie can now be heard on the final video of edited highlights at the end of this blog. 🙂
Now the scene had been set, Will Fox stepped forward and called up the spirits by the often not recognised or forgotten method of whistling.
Will offered his invitation to all present to acknowledge and honour the Ancestors, the most emotional and moving part of the event. Then it was straight into the singing of the Ancestor Chant in which most of the drummers took the beat and the words to the audience. Once started it is very difficult to bring things to a halt as you feel you could carry on for hours with that pulsating and compelling chant.
As expected we moved on to the famous Beltane Fire Dance. Each year we chose someone special to get to stand in the middle of this dance and this year the choice fell upon two young men who run an occult shop in New Orleans and travelled all that way just to attend the Dark Gathering. Their names were Jason Fawaz and Arkie Ring and I think it’s safe to say that they were ‘over the moon’ to be picked for this! Judge for yourselves in this photo. 🙂
Now it was time for the all important thanks and the announcement of the Guest Side for next year.
On the night and now as I write this blog I have reason to especially thank some amazing folk who have helped me immeasurably over the year and on the day of the Dark Gathering in particular. Let’s start with the businesses who generously gave us donations:
Kind permission for performing on their land from National Trust
I especially wish to personally thank Simon Costin and the Museum’s Events Manager (who wishes to remain nameless) for their invaluable help, guidance and assistance through what has been a very fraught year’s planning.
Grateful thanks also to the Performers, in no particular order:
To all performers – you were fabulous and gave memorable performances – thank you!
Warm thanks to all our volunteers who were worth their weight in gold. 🙂
A special mention to our Pedlar, Michelle Elliot who sold many badges and worked tirelessly in cold and draughty weather. 🙂
Kim Shadowland who performed the vital function of filming live for all those who couldn’t attend for whatever reason. It was invaluable to all those folk up and down the country and around the world who love to watch the Dark Gathering as it happens – it also makes for great archive footage. 🙂
Thanks to Steve Podger who gave his very best despite difficult personal circumstances.
Finally the one person who has witnessed the whole, frustrating at times, process and given solid support and much needed assistance – Laetitia Latham-Jones. Bless you m’dear! 🙂
People thank me for my input but my reward is seeing so many people benefiting and enjoying what has turned out to be a wonderful community event. It’s a real team effort and it’s so uplifting to see people-power and goodwill in action at each Dark Gathering. Long may it continue!
Here’s a few random snapshots of this year’s Gathering:
It was time for the last dance – Haccombe to Death by Beltane Border Morris.
Amidst wild applause Beltane then lined up for a farewell song of Leave her Johnny.
So that was it. We’d made it despite setbacks and wild weather – the old gods were honoured and the Dark Gathering was over for another year.
Next year is going to be very special for a variety of reasons. Firstly the Dark Gathering will fall on Samhain. Secondly it will also be a Full Moon. Thirdly it will be a Blue Moon. Importantly it will be the seventh Dark Gathering which will mean, according to the folk world, it will be officially a Tradition! Yay! 😀
Incidentally it will also be the 60th Anniversary of the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle.
In order to celebrate all this we have decided to have two Guest Sides next year. They will be:
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 of this.
Despite the heavy rain there was full attendance to both storytelling sessions run by Lisa Schneidau. By all accounts everyone loved the experience – well done Lisa! I wished I could have been there. 🙂
Then 40 minutes before we were due to start the afternoon’s proceedings, the torrential rain stopped – for the next 36 hours! 😀
Now, I could fall back on the cliched ‘As if by magic’ but that’s a bit hackneyed now – this was bordering on the miraculous. Well Done to all those witches who were spinning their weather magic for the Dark Gathering! Given the sheer amount of rainfall over the last 6 weeks, I still can’t quite believe we got away with yet another dry Gathering.
So the sixth Dark Gathering began with gusto with Steve Podger, our enduring MC, introducing the wonderful Beltane Border Morris, who have over the years become the backbone to the Dark Gathering.
Next were the fun-loving and ever ebullient Wreckers Morris from North Cornwall.
What came next was a bit of a gamble as far as I was concerned. Earlier in the summer I learnt that regrettably Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris were unable to attend after all, and I was left to search for a replacement. Quite by chance I happened upon Huginn & Muninn. They were certainly different, which was what I was after as I do like to inject a little of the unknown and edgy into the proceedings. So it came to pass that the wild and wacky Huginn & Muninn made their eccentric debut at the Dark Gathering.
Here is a prime example of how bizarre Huginn & Muninn can be:
Whilst all this frivolity was happening down at the harbour, way, way up the hill at the Napoleon Inn an ancient custom was being enacted by Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl and Bagas Werin Mari Lwyd. A Welsh/English pwnco was performed plus a dance performance with songs for the delight of the onlookers.
Following this in response to a special request, Mari Afon Lwyd (or Fflosi as she is affectionately known) bestowed blessings upon the household of Ivy Cottage. In return the Mari Lwyd party received thanks and copious libations. 🙂
Then it was off down the hill to the wondrously warm welcome from the Wellington Hotel who laid on lavish libations for our merry band of revellers. Cwmni Gwerin had to perform outside the Museum at 4 pm, so as they left Bagas Werin were joined by a new Mari Lwyd called Mari Sol.
Everyone continued to entertain wherever they visited including the Cobweb Inn. Meanwhile Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl were bringing Welsh dancing to the audience at the harbour.
Following their break, all the Morris sides completed their afternoon’s entertainment with pizazz and vigour – in fact, it was quite difficult to persuade them to stop!
However, the light was fading fast and it was time to prepare for the Lantern Procession – and for whatever the evening had in store for us all…
Besides which Penkevyll was getting very restless in her stable and was eager to met her bone sisters, the Mari Lwyds!
This year saw a brief, unexpected and not-to-be-repeated Boscastle Derby which involved the Mari Lwyds in a race down to the harbour!
Even the most well ordered event can suffer from blips, miscommunication and things getting lost in translation. Our Lantern Procession this year managed to include all of these! Fortunately, we were well able to absorb all this and managed to carry on, according to most onlookers, seamlessly(!) – the worst that happened was that timings got mangled.
The Dark Gathering, which has been recently described as Cornwall’s Annual Halloween event, has almost outgrown itself in popularity. Sometimes I think that folk forget that Boscastle is a small fishing village and treat it like a town in some ways. The locals do their level best to accommodate most people’s requirements and I feel that this needs to be remembered when visiting, whether as a performer or an audience member. In a town which holds Morris events for instance, the teams are able to spread out more and there is a relaxed atmosphere regarding timings. At the Dark Gathering however we have to stick to timings as we don’t have the necessary permissions to block the highway for too long. The marshals are local volunteers and are trying their level best to help everyone safely across the road when it comes to the Procession. There are literally hundreds of people who follow the Mari Lwyds down to the Museum each year and it takes some management.
Normally what happens is that there is a small group of performers leading the way with flaming torches. This makes sure that the Procession moves at a, well… processional pace, suitable for everyone to appreciate the Mari Lwyds and the music. These torches also are a visual aide to us folk waiting at the Museum to start the tribal drumming. Due to a miscommunication/misunderstanding this year, the torch bearers were absent at the crucial time and the Procession left without them.
At the head was the redoubtable Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl sweeping and practically galloping down to the harbour with everyone valiantly trying to keep up!
So the final result of the impromptu Boscastle Derby was:
Mari Pontypwl won by 10 lengths,
Mari Celeste a brave second,
followed by Mari Trecopr
and bringing up the rear, Mari Arianrhod.
If I’d had been forewarned I could have got Steve Podger our MC to do an animated commentary to accompany them.
In fact, we could have taken bets… No! It’s not going to happen again because we have had our heads together in the Stewards Enquiry and come up with a Cunning Plan!
Watch this space!
Prior to this Penkevyll the Land’s End Oss had heard the mesmerising and irresistible tribal drums which heralded her appearance – but this year she sent out her apprentice Teazers first to surprise the onlookers – I don’t think anyone was expecting that!
Penkevyll had no sooner emerged when we were startled to see the Mari Lwyds had already arrived on the bridge.
Thanks to our trusty Gatekeepers who kept them at bay, Penkevyll was able to claim the performance space and danced and frolicked with her Teazers for a while.
Then it was time to greet her guests who had travelled all the way from Wales to see her.
Then it was time for the Pwnco ceremony.
Now the torchbearers arrive!
The Pwnco is sung.
The Welsh contingent were in good voice for the Pwnco, and Laetitia responded wonderfully in West Cornwall dialect until eventually the Mari Lwyds gained entry to the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic to give their annual blessing.
Looks like they’re having fun! 🙂
Meanwhile outside a dramatic visitation was occurring. Suddenly the sound of war drums was heard in the still night air and, surrounded by flaming torches Tre War Venydh marched down the hill in style!
The local warband were led by the redoubtable Chieftain Sigewulf. Well, I wouldn’t want to fall foul of her – would you?
She went on to introduce her warband by name and character with an edgy humour.
The crowd were then encouraged to support their favourite warrior as they were pitted together in mortal combat. This was rather alarming at times because these were real swords and axes – not a rubber or resin sword in sight!
The fights were very exciting and there was a lot of cheering as each blow thudded on the combatants’ shields. Finally one of them was vanquished by the other warrior and fell to the ground. The wisewoman and magical healer performed remarkable feats by restoring the warriors to health following their demise. The re-enactment ended with a demonstration of a shield wall in action.
During all the excitement, the Osses and Mari Lwyds had re-emerged into the night. This included the young Oss, Morvargh, who was up way past her bedtime!
It was at this time that the atmosphere of the Dark Gathering shifted.
We sensed the Ancestors were drawing near… the dark. quickening time approached.
At this point Sarah Emery appeared to sing the now traditional lament at Summer’s End. This year she sang the haunting Traveller’s Prayer.
The Traveller’s Prayer
Praise to the moon, bright queen of the skies, Jewel of the black night, the light of our eyes, Brighter than starlight, whiter than snow, Look down on us in the darkness below.
If well you should find us then well let us stay, Be it seven times better when you make your way, Be it seven times better when we greet the dawn, So light up our way and keep us from all harm.
Give strength to the weary, give alms to the poor, To the tainted and needy five senses restore, Give song to our voices, give sight to our eyes, To see the sun bow as the new moon shall rise.
Cast your eyes downwards to our dwelling place, Three times for favour and three times for grace, Over the dark clouds your face for to see, To banish misfortune and keep Trinity.
In the name of the waters that spring from the earth, In the name of the rivers to whom they give birth, In the name of the oceans, the seven deep seas, All praise to the moon, for eternity.
I then stepped into the space to give the Ancestor Blessing. This was a role that Will Fox usually performs but sadly he was unable to be with us this Gathering and so it fell to me to fill the gap. I was wise enough to not even attempt to emulate Will’s unique style but simply went with the energy of that night and talked about the ancestors and what we can learn from them. I don’t have much recollection of what I said, but apparently I did alright judging by the feedback later.
I ended with calling Sarah back to lead the singing of an Ancestor Chant, accompanied by Chris Neno on the drum.
What followed was an utterly amazing experience that folks talked about for weeks afterwards. Here are some excerpts so that you can get a feel for the power of this chant that resonated around the valley on that Dark Gathering night.
It was thrilling to hear so many people singing and harmonising together with swaying and stamping their feet to the rhythm. So powerful. So evocative.
Laetitia found the Ancestor chant online for me as I was searching for something that everyone could join in with that was universal and of no particular persuasion. She certainly fulfilled the remit when she found this.
Ancestor Chant
In my blood In my bones I hear your voice I hear your call Ancestors dance with me Ancestors chant with me I hear your voice I hear your call
By popular demand, this is something that we will repeat each year from now on. 😀
There was only one thing that could possibly follow an experience like this – and that was the Beltane Fire Dance! This year there was a birthday amongst the performers so Mary Harber of Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl was chosen to be the central torch bearer – she loved it! 🙂
It was time to give thanks to:
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Boscastle Chamber of Commerce
National Trust
Beltane Border Morris
Domesday Border Morris
Wolf’s Head and Vixen Morris
All Osses and Mari Lwyds
Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl
Tre War Venydh
Sarah Emery and Paul Sumner
Steve Podger
All musicians, marshals and volunteers
The community of Boscastle
It was time to announce next year’s Guest Side which is to be…. <drum roll>
There was only one thing left to do on this 5th Dark Gathering and that was to
‘Haccombe to Death!’
That was it. All over for another year. The performers trailed off to get some food, ale and have a knees-up and I would imagine the audience made a bee-line for somewhere warm and sustenance also.
The next All Hallows Dark Gathering will be held on Saturday 26th October 2019. We’ll see you all there!
I had a strong feeling that the Dark Gathering 2018 would be an emotional experience, and I wasn’t wrong! There were all sorts of things going on behind the scenes that I won’t bore you with but take my word for it, everyone involved did the very best they could under trying circumstances and limited resources. As a consequence there were a few logistical hiccoughs but nothing that completely ruined the day for others, even though it gave the organisers a few stressful moments.
Just before we were about to set off to Boscastle the day before the Dark Gathering we received the following poignant message:
For the last few years my amazing husband Matt Geoffrey and I have attended the gathering in Boscastle. We were all booked for this year it’s always the highlight of our year. Sadly on Monday Matt lost his battle with cancer, he fought like a warrior to stay with us but took his last breath at 9:30pm on 22nd Oct with his mum, myself and our children around him at home where he wanted to be. I would be grateful if you would all remember him this weekend and say a blessing for his passing. The children and I cannot be there but it would be lovely to think he was being remembered.
I wrote to Matt’s wife Sarah to ask permission to publish her message and she wrote back:
I am more than happy for you to mention Matt I did manage to see some of the footage thank you so much. Matt would have been so touched that he was remembered The gathering was always a highlight of the year for our family x Matt was cremated this Monday I conducted the service myself as I wanted it to be a service fitting for such a wonderful man x I love the fact that your dedication came just before the Raven dance very fitting and danced by Matts favourite Morris side (Beltane Border Morris)x
Our little one who turned 4 the day before wanted to walk respect for daddy .
I include all this as it is a very good example of how the Dark Gathering has become more than just a folkloric get together, more than a Morris knees-up, more even than a community event. It has become something unique which was in our minds from the very start. I well remember having an important conversation with Angie Latham and Laetitia Latham-Jones on that wild, stormy night back in 2014. We were discussing the fact that although there are quite a few dark Morris sides who were also of Pagan persuasion, there were no events to honour this. That, and the fact of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic was the ideal setting at the most powerful time of year for the spirits of the ancestors – it seemed the logical next move to have a magical folklore happening coupled with the meeting of the Osses and Mari Lwyds. The rest, as they say, is history. Recently Laetitia mentioned to me that there was something about the Dark Gathering that reminded her of the movie Field of Dreams.
Replace the ghostly images of the baseball players with Mari Lwyds and Dark Morris and there you have it! 🙂
Chris White summed it up well when he wrote recently about the Dark Gathering:
How the time’s flown! The event has grown so fast it’s as if it’s been eagerly waiting to happen! In addition to all the hard work and organization that goes into it, it seems to have an organic energy of its own, as if it has a personality of sorts the way a rare few do. You’ve made something wonderful and I feel privileged just to have seen its beginnings and even more so to be involved. Thank you so much. Lots of love. Xxxxx
So on to the day itself. We knew from the weather forecast that this was likely to be a cold and changeable weekend, so most folk were dressed accordingly. The first performances started at 2 pm right up the top of the village at the Napoleon Inn. The Mari Lwyds and Cwmni Gwerin Pontypwl gave lively performances for which they were duly paid with the traditional libations of cake and ale. Then they slowly descended the Old Hill calling at various households on the way supported by their trusty musicians who travelled up from Penzance to play for the Mari Lwyds – thanks guys and gals! In fact so impressed have we been by the volunteer musicians that we thought it was about time they had a band name, so… hereafter to be known as Bagas an Werin Mari Lwyd – (translation from Cornish: Mari Lwyd Folk Band) Their final destination at the end of the afternoon was the Cobweb Inn where they performed for the customers and a good time was had by all!
Meanwhile back at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic something was stirring…! 😉
Our planned warm-up act was to be the Salt Sisters but sadly they had to withdraw at the last minute due to the illness of one of the duo. Domesday Morris asked whether they could use this opportunity to perform and as I couldn’t see any reason not to, I agreed. The crowd gathered swiftly as usual and once Beltane and Wolfshead & Vixen had set up their band equipment, we officially started the 5th All Hallows Gathering. Once Steve Podger our trusty MC had opened proceedings with his usual flair, I stepped in and dedicated the Dark Gathering 2018 to the memory of Matt Geoffrey. Beltane then led the afternoon’s entertainment starting with a new dance called Three Ravens. They were, as ever thrilling and dynamic to watch.
Beltane Border Morris dance Tregeseal
Next to perform was the mesmerising Wolfs Head and Vixen Morris. You get two for the price of one here with the brooding intensity of the Wolfs Head men, and the slick precision of the whirling Vixen women. This is not to mention the trance-like rhythms of the side’s Band. WH&V who hail from Rochester in Kent, are a well renowned side whose claim to fame is of being the very first gothic Morris team. They have built an enviable reputation over the last 23 years and we were delighted to have them as our Guest Side this year.
One of the dances that Wolf’s Head perform is called the Four Seasons and is considered to be a form of fertility dance. Usually a female is chosen to stand in the centre and Laetitia Latham-Jones was chosen this time. This might have had something to do with the fact that Laetitia was a member of Wolf’s Head and Vixen back in the Nineties so this was a nice gesture from them.
Much to our surprise the Daily Mail decided to send a photographer this year who took the following image and tried to stir up the blacking issue again (yawn) and, amongst a lot of other ludicrous statements, described Laetitia as “wearing ghoulish looking horns and black eye make-up”! Terrifying isn’t she? 😉
Then came Domesday Morris. What a entertaining and fun loving side they were! Full of energy, they injected a vitality into the proceedings which made a suitable contrast to the dark mystery of the other two sides. Their band was led by Lisa Jarvest, a very talented melodeon player, and they played lively tunes that had all our feet tapping. Listening to their music and watching Domesday dance, you couldn’t help but smile. 🙂
The dancers were led by the irrepressible Bruce Jarvest.
I also have to mention the children at this point. Who couldn’t fail to smile at these winsome kids in their tatters and blacking?
These kids went around the crowd asking for donations for the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. They raised the princely sum of £60! Impressive!
We were going to use this maid’s image on our poster but sadly when it came to it, it didn’t work artistically speaking. However, we were determined to have it on the website because the pure exuberance expressed here said so much about Domesday Morris and the energy of the Dark Gathering that day. 🙂
Then suddenly at 4 pm when there was a scheduled break in the Morris dancing, the heavens opened up and the rain hammered down!
The Dark Gathering 