Everything about Padstow totally explained
Padstow is a small town,
civil parish and cargo port on the north coast of
Cornwall,
England,
United Kingdom. It lies within the administrative
district of
North Cornwall. The
UK Census 2001 reported a
parish population of 3,162.
Geography
Padstow is located approximately 14
miles north and east up the coast from
Newquay, at the mouth of the
River Camel.
Transport
Between 1899 and 1967 the
Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway extended to Padstow. The old railway line is now the Camel Trail, a footpath and cycle path which is popular owing to its picturesque route beside the River Camel. On the other side of the river, a ferry runs between Padstow and
Rock.
The
South West Coast Path enables walkers to explore this spectacular section of coast, with Stepper Point and Trevose Head within an easy days walk. Another long-distance footpath known as the
Saints' Way starts in Padstow and ends at
Fowey on the other side of Cornwall.
During the mid-
nineteenth century, ships carrying timber from
Canada (particularly
Quebec) would arrive at Padstow and offer cheap travel to passengers wishing to emigrate. Shipbuilders in the area would also benefit from the quality of their cargoes. Among the ships that sailed were the
barques
Clio,
Belle and
Voluna; and the
brig Dalusia.
Economy
Traditionally a
fishing port, Padstow is now a popular
tourist destination; although some of its former fishing fleet remains, it's mainly a yachting haven on a dramatic coastline with few easily navigable harbours. The influence of restaurateur
Rick Stein can be seen in the port, and tourists travel from long distances to eat at one of his restaurants or cafés. However, the Stein led boom has caused rocketing house prices in Padstow and surrounding areas, as people buy second or holiday homes there. This has meant significant numbers of locals can't afford to buy property of their own now, with prices often well over 10 times the average salary of around £15 000.
Culture
'Obby 'Oss festival
Padstow is best known for its "'Obby 'Oss" festival. Although its origins are unclear, it most likely stems from an ancient
fertility rite, perhaps the
Celtic festival of
Beltane. The festival starts at midnight on
May Eve when townspeople sing the "Morning Song".
(External Link
) In the morning, the town is dressed with greenery and flowers are placed around a
maypole. The climax arrives when male dancers cavort through the town dressed as one of two 'Obby 'Osses, the "Old" and the "Blue Ribbon" 'Obby 'Osses; as the name suggests, they're stylised kinds of horses. Prodded on by
acolytes known as "Teasers", each wears a mask and black frame-hung cape under which they try to catch young maidens as they pass through the town. Finally, at midnight on May Day, the crowd sings of the 'Obby 'Oss death, until its resurrection the following May Eve.
Mummers' or Darkie Day
On
Boxing Day and
New Year's Day, it's a tradition for some residents to don
blackface and parade through the town singing '
minstrel' songs. This is an ancient
Cornish midwinter celebration that occurs every year in Padstow and was originally part of the pagan heritage of midwinter celebrations that were regularly celebrated all over Cornwall where people would
guise dance and disguise themselves by blackening up their faces or wearing masks. (Recently the people of
Penzance have revived its midwinter celebration with the
Montol Festival which like Padstow at times would have had people darkening or painting their skin to disguise themselves as well as masking).
Folklorists associate the practice with the widespread British custom of blacking up for mumming and morris dancing, and suggest there's no record of slave ships coming to Padstow. Once an unknown local charity event, the day has recently become controversial, perhaps since a description was published. Also some now suggest it's racist for white people to "black up" for any reason. Although "outsiders" have linked the day with racism, Padstonians insist that this isn't the case and are incredulous at both description and allegations. Long before the controversy Charlie Bate, noted Padstow folk advocate, recounted that in the 1970s the content and conduct of the day were carefully reviewed to avoid potential offence. The Devon and Cornwall Constabulary have taken video evidence twice and concluded there were no grounds for prosecution. Nonetheless protests resurface annually. The day has now been renamed
Mummer's day in an attempt to avoid offence and identify it more clearly with established Cornish tradition. The debate has now been subject to academic scrutiny.
Notable residents
History
Padstow was originally named
Petroc-stow, after the Welsh missionary St.
Petroc, who landed at nearby
Trebetherick around
AD 500.
Padstow isn't usually thought of as a "Viking town", but it was near Padstow that in 722 AD the Britons of Cornwall united with the
Vikings of
Denmark to destroy an invading Anglo-Saxon army led by Ine of Wessex at "Hehil". The Saxons army was slaughtered, and this decisive battle gave Cornwall 100 years of freedom from attacks by Wessex.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Padstow'.
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