'Obby 'Oss Day

May Day celebrations in Padstow on the Camel Estuary in Cornwall, UK are called 'Obby 'Oss Day and take place on 1st May, or if this is a Sunday, the 2nd. In common with Furry Day, held in nearby Helston a week later, the event is believed to be a hang-on from Beltane, the ancient Spring Festival in honour of the god Bel.

Like Helston on the 8th, the town and the central Maypole are decorated with Spring flowers and greenery. The whole town celebrates, and locals who have moved away from the area often make a point of returning every year for the event, which starts at midnight the previous day, when most meet at the Golden Lion Inn - the stable of the "Old 'Oss" to sing the Night Song - the lyrics of which are very similar to the song sung the following day, except that some choruses are omitted, and the Day Song is accompanied by a band.

Early in the morning, the Day Song calling on all residents to wake up, is sung, and then the Old 'Oss emerges from its stable and processes around the town and in and out of gardens and houses, starting at the harbour. He is accompanied by musicians playing accordians, drums and triangles. Supporters of the Old 'Oss wear red sashes and go at the front of the procession, followed by the 'Oss and a Teaser, who prods it into action, and then the musicians. The 'Oss is played by a masked male dancer wearing a dark cape with a wide skirt, and the ancient purpose of the festival is made fairly obvious by its habit of grabbing young women and hiding them under its skirt from time to time. It is said that those who are "caught beneath the veil" in this way will be "pregnant within a year".

At ten o'clock, the Blue 'Oss emerges from its stable at the Harbour Inn in Strand Street. Supporters of the Blue 'Oss wear blue sashes instead of red, and the Blue 'Oss, also called the Peace 'Oss, is slightly smaller, but apart from that, proceedings are fairly similar.

There are also various Junior 'Osses played by children, and a special children's dance, accompanied enthusiastically by the children playing their drums, finishing around 10am. The adult dance takes place at 11 o'clock and is followed by a mock battle between the Old 'Oss and the Blue 'Oss at the Maypole around midday.

Festivities continue until midnight, when the Farewell is sung.

The lyrics of the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss Day songs are all to be found on the official site of the Blue 'Oss, along with a short recording.

If you're looking for a way to commemorate this event, you might be interested in this article: Commemorations with Cross Stitch

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