Christmas In Falmouth

How many of us have a tradition at Christmas? The one or two things we do each year that we look forward to? It may be a family tradition or a cultural tradition. Over the years many Christmas traditions have faded away, many others are adapted or altered to suit trends or even the pocket, and with more and more people moving around the globe many traditions have been introduced into towns, villages and families.

Cornwall is well known for being the home of many festivals and many of these surround Cornish tradition including , Nadelik, (Christmas). The, ‘Montol’, festival is still very much part of the community in Penzance and involves chalking a figure, (traditionally a man), on a block, (log), and lighting it. This symbolises saying farewell to the old and welcomes in the new.

Many Cornish homes still hang the, Cornish Christmas Bunch, or, Bush. This is hung from the ceiling on December 21st. Arches of evergreens were often seen through towns and villages decorating the shops and streets and Illuminating clock towers has long been a tradition, not as you may think , just an extra vantage point for the more contemporary lights we recognise today. ‘Mousehole’, is famous for it’s lights and has attracted thousands of visitors since 1963. One light, a fish, represents another Mousehole tradition, the, ‘Stargazy Pie’, that is paraded through the town on December 23rd along with lanterns. This pays tribute to Tom Bowcock, a C16th fisherman, who risked  treacherous seas to bring the starving village fish for Christmas.

The tradition of, ‘Guise Dancing’, is another event that takes place during the festive season and one that has certainly been adopted and adapted here in Falmouth. Traditionally it involved wearing gentlemen’s hand me downs and masks and parading through the town entertaining spectators with music, dance and singing. Dressing up and dancing through the town is a familiar sight in Falmouth that has become well known for it’s many carnivals and Christmas is no exception with the, ‘Christmas Carnival’, taking place on December 6th.

One of our most popular and most endearing signs and true sound of Christmas is the arrival of the, ‘Harmony Choir’, to the town on, Christmas Eve. A tradition that has taken place for over 100 years and brings together choirs from across the County.

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