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St Columb Old Cornwall Society ‘Tansys Golowan’ Midsummer bonfire Castle an Dinas - 2009

As daylight fades from the sky on Midsummer Eve and the deep shades of dusk settle over the Cornish countryside, bright yellow points of light may suddenly be seen to blaze forth from a number of hilltops scattered throughout the length and breadth of the county. These beacons comprise the chain of midsummer bonfires organised and lit each year by the Old Cornwall movement through the agency of its individual local societies and carried out in accordance with a very ancient custom. The practice of celebrating Midsummer Eve in such a fashion goes back to pagan times and by observing such practices a bond is formed between Cornish people of the present age and our distant Celtic forbears.

The Midsummer fires continued for centuries from hilltops throughout Britain, but with the passage of time the fires died out over most of the country and were then confined to remote areas in the western part of Cornwall where it survived until the last quarter of the 19th century.

The first Old Cornwall Society was formed at St. Ives in 1920 and it was there that the ceremonies were revived in 1929 and the celebrations spread to other Societies throughout the county.

Order of Ceremony

‘Chairman’s weclome address’ followed by ‘prayers for the benediction of the Midsummer Fire’.

Casting of the flowers ‘Lady of the Flowers’ this year is Mrs Jennie Chapman.

Lighting of the fire Firelighter this year is Mr John Chapman. (Followed by sing-along and a collection in aid of Macmillan Hospice.)

Thanks to Cornwall Hertitage for permission to use site And to the people who helped with firewood and ordering pasties and refeshments

Prayer for the Benediction of the Midsummer Bonfire (Pysadow Rak Benyga Tansys Golowan) Minister says Prayer in Cornish first (may be read by a Cornish speaker) A Arluth Jesu Cryst, an Golow Gwyr, Nep usy ow colowy myns den a-dheffo aberth y’n bys-ma. Gwra benyega an Tansys-ma y’gan lowender a-vynnyn ynno gorra tan rag enora Genesygeth Sen Jowan an Brysydher. Ha gront dhyn, ha ny dre dhas ras golowys ha dyworth dha gerensa gans tan may hyllyn dos dhyso, Nep a-ve kens-dervyvys gans an Ragresor sans-na avel Sylwyas an Bys, hag us trygys ha kesregnyes gans an Tas a nef yn unsys an Spyrys Sans, prest un Dew, trank hep worfen. AMEN Lord Jesus Christ, the True Light, Who dost enlighten every man that cometh into the world, do Thow bless this bonfire which in our gladness we light to honour the nativity of Saint John the Baptist and grant to us, being lighted to Thy grace, and fired with Thy love, that we may come to Thee, Whom that Holy forerunner did announce beforehand as the Saviour of the world. Who livest and reignest with the Father in Heaven in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. AMEN

(M.C.) (may be read by a Cornish speaker) Herwyth usadow agan hendasow yn termynyow kens, Awotta ny ow cul agan Tansys Golowan, haneth yn cres an Haf. Tan y'n cunys Lemmyn gor usky, May tewo an Tansys Yn Hanow Dew!

According to the custom of our forefathers in days of old, behold us making our midsummer bonfire, this night in the middle of summer.

Now set the pyre At once on fire Let flame aspire in God’s High Name!

Lady of the Flowers says in Cornish first…… (may be read by a Cornish speaker) Otta kelmys yn-kemyskys Blejyow, may fons-y cowl leskys, Ha’n da, ha’n drok. Re dartho an da myl egyn, Glan re bo dyswres pup dregyn, Yn tan, yn mok!

In one bunch together bound Flowers for burning here are found Both good and ill. Thousand fold let good seed spring, Wicked weeds, fast withering, Let this fire kill!

(M.C.) Towl lemmyn an Blejyow! Now cast the flowers!

Lighter of the Fire says in Cornish first Tan yn cunys Gorraf desempys, Re slanno an tansys Dres lys plu!

(Then in English) I set the pyre At once on fire, Let flame aspire Over many a parish!

The Flowers

The flowers or herbs bound with coloured ribbons, are good and bad: - The good ones representing plants of known medicinal value. The bad ones - obnoxious weeds etc. The colours of the ribbons are symbolical: - White - strength; Green - knowledge or wisdom; Blue - love; Red - sacrifice; Yellow - the sun.

Other OCS Midsummer Bonfires in Cornwall

Callington - Kit Hill Madron - Bulls Farm Redruth - Pencoose Farm, Stithians near Lanyon Quoit St Just in Penwith - Carn Brea St Ives - Carn Stabba