... let us all unite, for summer is acome unto day

A lovely day in Padstow – got there from Rock on the ferry and had lunch at my favourite restaurant in England – no nothing to do with Rick Stein ... it’s Margot’s, tiny place but delicious food.

Padstow is still decked out in bunting from their May Day ‘Obby Oss’ celebration ...

There have been many conflicting theories about the origins of the Obby Oss. Some say its roots are in pagan times, others that it's a rain maker, a fertility symbol, a deterrent to a possible landing by the French some centuries ago or even a welcome to summer. Whatever, the mists of time and the helping hand of successive generations of Padstonians have blunted the true reasons for its creation. The fearsome mask of today's Obby Oss regalia is set into a body covering costume built around a six feet wide circular wooden hoop. This is carried on the wearer's shoulders and covered in sailcloth that is draped down to the ground. Because it is heavy, internal shoulder straps enable the carrier to bear the strain more easily. The wearer then proceeds through Padstow's streets, swirling and dancing and accompanied by a Teazer, who leads the dance with theatrical movements and the use of the Teazer's club, a leather pad colourfully painted and mounted on the end of a wooden rod. The Teazer's accompanying retinue are dressed in white their costumes decorated with ribbons and sprays of cowslips and bluebells. As the procession moves around the town dancers perform a traditional gyrating dance to the sound of the accompanying musicians and drummers. Last, but not least, are the followers, young and old who follow the procession every year and join in the singing of the traditional May Song.

There’s a Blue Oss and a Red Oss and they have Stables (specific pubs they start from) ... and the dancing goes on all night and the bunting stays around for at least a week.