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Every Cloud …
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Every Cloud …Hope everyone has recovered from Storm Goretti, and we can all rejoice that we don’t live in Tunbridge Wells where some people lost their water supply … imagine. We have power and water back and a very degraded broadband has finally been restored – hope you’re all back online too. Though I could do without those people (using the term very loosely) determined to keep our news feeds “interesting”. Whatever … very pleased to have been able to rescue something from all the chaos – we’re only a fortnight into the new year and we have “appropriated” the perfect Mock…
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Twelfth Night
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Twelfth NightOut, out, brief candle!Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. Sigh … Drama Queen! … until it’s our turn again! Twelfth Night – our Christmastide is done. Traditionally the wildest night of the season – but we’ve already strutted ourselves out. If you’re wassailing, partying or just having a quiet night after a hard day – enjoy. And remember, what a great Montol it was – we all did good – didn’t we? We’ll be a bit quieter here for a while but in the background…
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Curation time
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Curation timeThis is one of my favourite bits – gathering together all the beautiful photos of Montol – for our website and for our socials – and this year to support our grant applications. But also because, on the night, we miss so much – so busy. At the moment I’m looking at Greg Martin, Liz Williams, Kai Greet, Greg Huckfield, Ian Mayou, Cam de Pete, Teddy Munns and Joji Qaranavalu. Is there anyone else you think I should look up? Do you have photos you’d like to share? Looking for hi-res images 2000 to 3000 on their longest edge. I…
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Bledhen nowydh da
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Bledhen nowydh daStill here – Never give up … Never surrender Comfort movie and a bottle of wine Whatever your 2025 was like we hope this year is better Happy new year Thanks to Jonny Weeks and The Guardian for the photo
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Keeping the Money Happy
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Keeping the Money HappyA little rest. And we have just finished the Reports for Penzance Council and Feast Cornwall. Around 250 performers at 9 venues over 10 hours – actively involving about 5000 people – Wow! When you spell it out … it really is amazing! Deconstructing the traditions of Guise dancing – dressing up, singing, silly and amazing performances, music and dancing, Osses and Beasts and roaming the streets, from pub to pub, playing with fire, turning the world upside down …means that so many more of us can be involved and experience the Magic of Montol.Not just 7 old friends and…
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Was it all just a dream?
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Was it all just a dream?OK Montol Where do I start? Every witch from Lands End to Redruth must have spelled their hearts out.We were up at the Rec in the morning and it was like being at sea in a storm. And then … we were all blessed. Thank you all – corporeal and … not. You took the risk and took to the streets in your finery.You all looked amazing and lots of you even amazinger. The atmosphere was gentle and wild, delirious and sometimes misty-eyed, loud and proud and when Tas Nadelik held you all in silence down by the sea –…
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Now is the still before the storm
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Now is the still before the stormAt last, the night before Montol And ancient uncle Aaron is sat in the corner, bent close by the fire cradling a small tankard of warm mahogany in gnarled hands, humming a vaguely familiar tune – (not unaware that he’s playing a part) Would you like to hear a story of old midwinter? Draw near … settle yourself …I shall tell you of Old Ned – the Raven King of Montol. So …My friends the rooks of Penzance, tell it like this … Old Ned — the elusive Raven of Penwith — roosts behind the black clock face of The…
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Super Saturday
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Super SaturdayWhat a fabulous day! The Montol Workshops were amazing. So many new faces, cunning hands. A fabulous humming atmosphere – we actually ran out of time and almost out of materials. Thanks to Feast for the funding and to Pixel for such a lovely venue To Linus and Charlotte for look after us so well And especially to our emergency crafting mavens: Rosi and Nicole. See you all tomorrow Just one sleep to go – not that we’ll get any!
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The Stalking of the Beasts
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: The Stalking of the BeastsFor at least two hundred years the extraordinary Beasts of Penzance have prowled the winter streets after dark, terrifying passersby and performing random acts of kindness for kittens and small children …secret traditions passed down, mother to daughter, father to son for generations … At Montol you must be aware that you may encounter one of many strange Beasts, at almost anytime, anywhere in Penzance. At 2:00pm The Osses will be released from their ethereal realm through the portal of the Star Inn on Market Jew StreetPen Hood, Maw Bras and Alargh Du will roam the town, causing mayhem and…
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Emergency Guise
CONTINUE READING AND COMMENT →: Emergency GuiseSuper Saturday Montol Workshops On Saturday 20th December at Pixel at the top of Causewayhead 10:00am – 2:00pm Last Minute Emergency Guise Making! Remember – the fourth rule of Montol (if we were having rules) is: you wear a costume – you’re in disguise. Cross DressMock Posh or FormalRags and Tattersor the Regalia of your Guild See our simple guide. Expert and experienced guides to help you with problem solving and improvisation. We’ll bring sewing machines and some materials – you bring fabric, curtains, ribbons – whatever you can forage.And don’t forget the charity shops in town! See you there!…
