MyCornwall Magazine - Dec/Jan

© Mike Newman
1 2
3 4
Welcome 2023 in traditional fashion, with fireworks and Auld Lang Syne – or go
back even further by commemorating the winter solstice and Twelfth Night.
1. WASSAIL!
The wassail ceremony has its roots in
the pagan custom of visiting orchards
in the hope of ensuring a bumper crop
the following season. Features include
frightening away bad spirits by banging
pots and pans in an infernal racket;
hanging toast from trees to attract good
spirits (usually in the form of robins);
sprinkling tree roots with cider, and sharing
a communal wassail bowl filled with warm
spiced cider. In the Tamar Valley, Cotehele’s
annual Wassail takes place at 11.30am
on Saturday, December 17. Fancy dress
encouraged! Free; no booking required,
normal admission prices apply.
2. THE WINTER SOLSTICE, PENZANCE
On December 21, Montol in Penzance
revives Cornwall's traditional customs,
including Guise dancing and burning
the Yule log. Family-friendly activities
take place throughout the day and early
evening around Market Jew Street, Green
Market and Causewayhead - a procession
leaves the top of Chapel Street at 6pm,
and proceedings take a darker turn (aka
“misrule”) later in the evening.
3. NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS, TRURO
On Saturday, December 31, there are two
firework displays to be viewed from Truro’s
Lemon Quay: one at the family-friendly
hour of 7.30pm, and the main event at
midnight. Both are organised by Truro City
Council with kind permission from Truro
School. www.visittruro.org.uk
4. CATHEDRAL MASQUERADE, TRURO
The New Year’s Eve Cathedral
Masquerade returns for a second
outing. Step into a whimsical world
of masks, ballgowns and tuxedos and
enjoy a whirlwind of entertainers, aerial
acrobatics, live bands, lasers and a silent
disco in the incomparable surroundings
of Truro Cathedral. Over 18s only.
www.quickpandaproductions.co.uk/nye/
5. TWELFTH NIGHT, FALMOUTH
Degol Stul, the Twelfth Night of Christmas,
is celebrated with Cornish music and
dance by Nos Lowen, a monthly night of
Celtic wildness. Ceilidh band Skillywidden
and vocal harmony trio Arbrevyn will
play at The Cornish Bank on January 8.
Be prepared to dive in and have a go at
dancing, and if you play an instrument,
take it along. l
n 22 | My
Issue 75 | December 2022 - January 2023