Meyn Mamvro - No 055 - Autumn 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 55
Date: Autumn 2004
Price: £2.20
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a magazine dedicated to "ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall," delves into various aspects of Cornish earth mysteries, archaeology, and pagan traditions. The cover prominently features a "FOGOU FEATURE" and highlights "CORNWALL'S COLOURFUL SITES."

Key Articles and Features

Fogou Feature: Cornwall's Colourful Sites

The magazine dedicates a significant portion to 'fogous,' ancient Cornish underground structures. The feature includes details on excavations at Bodean, with specific mentions of Piskey Hall, Bodmin, Treveneague, and Halligye. The article "My Favourite Fuggy Holes" by Wella Penwrath offers a personal perspective on these sites.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group (CEMG) News

The "news page" reports on recent activities of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group. This includes a talk by Howard Balmer on the Padstow Obby Oss, accompanied by films and discussions on its origins and meaning. The group also participated in the 16th annual May Day Eve Maypole Dance on Carn Bosavern and the Three Wells Walk. Site visits led by Raymond Cox explored "Strange Lights and Courtyard Houses" near Newmill, including Cranken Courtyard House settlement and Mulfra Farm. Andy Norfolk led a walk around Lesser Known Sites of Kerrier, visiting a stone circle on Crowan Beacon and a Bronze Age settlement.

Penwith Pagan Moot

Written by Sarah Vivian, this section details recent rituals and general news from the Penwith Pagan Moot. The Moot is described as undergoing a period of change and transformation, becoming more democratic. The Beltane ritual involved writing wishes to be burnt, and flag waving. The Summer Solstice ritual enacted the death of the Sun King and the Goddess, involving a barley figure and a 'Knot Magic' ceremony led by Cassandra Latham. Monthly Moots are held at Chy Gwella, Penzance.

Sacred Sites News: Nine Maidens Stone Circle Restored

This article reports on the restoration of the Nine Maidens Stone Circle at Boskednan. Over the years, many stones had fallen, but extensive works funded by Cornwall Historic Environment Service, Defra (ESA), and English Heritage led to the re-erection of three fallen stones. A visiting pagan woman, Annie Spencer, along with Cheryl Straffon, placed a foundation offering of jade and turquoise stones to re-sanctify the site.

The Mystery of the Sennan Stone

The Treve stone at Sennen, Britain's furthest westerly standing stone, is examined. Its location in a field owned by SW Water, who applied to build a sewerage treatment works, has brought it to attention. Investigations into old maps suggest the stone may have been moved. Local people believe it was always in its current position, possibly a cross base, while archaeologist Ann Preston-Jones suggests it might have been moved. The CEMG visited the site in 2000. SW Water may have to relocate their plant due to ownership objections.

Bodmin Moor - New Discoveries

This section details recent findings on Bodmin Moor, including a fallen menhir identified near the King Arthur's Downs stone circles and a possible continuation of a stone row consisting of at least three buried stones. The article also discusses the megalithic builders' practice of placing monuments in relation to hills and tors, using examples like Roughtor and Alex Tor to illustrate how these features align with stone circles and cairns, potentially marking astronomical events like the midsummer sunset.

View from the Islands: The Methodists and the Poppet of Buzza

Written by Isles of Scilly resident Tyto Alba, this column focuses on Buzza Hill on St.Mary's. It describes the hill as a vantage point for observing harbour activities and local life. The article also touches upon the Bronze Age stone tomb on Buzza Hill and its historical association with faeries and 'Knowing Men of Cornwall'.

Community and Editorial Notes

All articles and artwork are copyright Meyn Mamvro or the authors. Contributions are welcome and should be sent to Cheryl Straffon, Editor. Contact details for Meyn Mamvro, including phone number, website, and email, are provided. An advertisement for Liz Allmark's Astrological and Numerological Services is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient sites, earth energies, folklore, paganism, and archaeological mysteries, with a strong focus on Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting local heritage, community engagement in earth mysteries, and critical examination of historical and contemporary events related to these subjects. The article discussing the local press's sensationalist reporting on the death of Peter Solheim, and Dave Evans' letter to the Western Morning News, highlights a concern for accurate and responsible journalism regarding pagan beliefs and practices.

MEYN MAMVRO | Issue 55 | Autumn 2004

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO, a publication focused on earth mysteries, archaeology, and folklore, particularly in Cornwall, presents a rich collection of articles exploring ancient sites, historical figures, and the unique landscape of the region. The cover highlights "CORNWALL'S COLOURFUL SITES," featuring photographs of ancient Cornish structures known as 'fogous'.

Buzza Hill and the Faeries

The issue opens with a personal account of an experience at Buzza Hill, near a tomb. The author describes creating a symbolic poppet from natural materials and leaving it in the tomb at midnight. The following morning, after a dawn service held by Methodists, the poppet was found outside, damaged. The author reflects on the interaction between pagan symbolism and modern religious practices at ancient sites.

A Tale of Two Blights

This section delves into the lives of two distinct individuals from 19th-century Cornwall who shared the surname Blight. The first is Thomasine (Tammy) Williams, later Blight, who became renowned as "the greatest of all the Cornish conjurers (cunning-folk) of the 19thC." Her life, marked by poverty, healing, and fortune-telling, is explored, with references to books by Jason Semmens and Kelvin Jones.

The second Blight is John Thomas Blight (1835-1911), an artist and antiquarian. His life is discussed in relation to John Michell's book "A Short Life at Land's End," and a short film titled "Blight" produced by Selina Bates and Keith Spurgin. The film dramatizes his life, featuring actors Richard Coyle and Mary Woodvine, and local personalities like David Shaw and Pol Hodge. The article also notes the reprint of John Thomas Blight's significant works on Cornish crosses, "Ancient Crosses and other Antiquities in the West and East of Cornwall," published by Mên-an-Tol Studio.

Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall

A new book by Cheryl Straffon, "Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall," is reviewed. The book investigates the "strange and anomalous energies at ancient sites in Cornwall," drawing from earth mysteries, archaeology, legend, and folklore. Topics covered include Ley Lines, Energy Lines, Radiation, Magnetism, Ultrasound/Infrasound, Strange Lights, Alignments, Ghost Roads, Mythic Pathways, Piskey Paths, The Otherworld, and Altered States of Consciousness. The book is praised for its well-researched content and its broad scope, making it a valuable resource for visitors to these sites.

Cornwall's Colourful Sites: Fogous of West Cornwall

This section features a visual exploration of 'fogous,' unique underground structures found in Cornwall. Photographs are presented of:

• Boleigh fogou (Rosemerryn) at bluebell time
• Carn Euny fogou in its Courtyard House setting
• Pendeen fogou with the ocean as a backdrop
• Halligye fogou on the Lizard

All photographs are credited to Cheryl Straffon.

Fogou Feature: The Cornish Fogou

This extended feature examines various fogous in Cornwall, with a focus on those east of the West Penwith cluster.

Mother and Sun - The Cornish fogou

A comprehensive study of Cornish fogous by Ian McNeil Cooke, "Mother and Sun," is highlighted. Published in 1993, it is described as the first comprehensive study of its kind, containing unpublished drawings, diagrams, and photographs, alongside archaeological information and 'alternative' observations. Only a limited number of copies remain.

Piskey Hall - Is it a Fogou?

Piskey Hall fogou, located near Constantine, is examined. It is described as the most easterly of the definitely-identified fogous but is unusual in appearance. Its passage is short, the walls are built with small stones, and it lacks side passages or creeps. Historical accounts from Polwhele and Henderson suggest it may have once been part of a larger enclosure or had a "gallery" branching off. Today, it is a remnant, with little of its original form evident.

Excavation at Boden Fogou

Results from the excavation at Boden fogou on the Lizard peninsula are presented. The site, located near Manaccan, proved more complex than anticipated. The main passage was excavated, revealing walls and evidence of capstone robbery. Deposits found at the entrance and along the passage, including pottery fragments, a blue glass bead, and "three white pebbles and the lug of a pot," suggest deliberate placement. A geophysics survey indicated anomalies to the north-east, suggesting the passage extended in that direction. The presence of Bronze Age round houses outside the enclosure suggests a possible ancestral connection influencing the Iron-Age Celtic peoples' choice of site.

Where is Treveneague Fogou?

Treveneague fogou is described as a "real curiosity." Found in 1867 and investigated by J.T. Blight, its exact location is now lost, having been filled in. Blight's sketches and Ian Cooke's research in "Mother and Sun" suggest a location near St. Erth in St. Hilary parish, possibly at a field called 'Western Beacon.' A geophysics survey by Time Team in 1996, during their investigation of Boleigh fogou, suggested a lower position in the field, potentially aligning with Blight's description of the ground slope. The article notes that Time Team missed an opportunity to excavate the site.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the rich tapestry of Cornwall's ancient past, its folklore, and its mysterious sites. The magazine consistently explores the intersection of archaeology, mythology, and personal experiences with the landscape. The editorial stance appears to be one of deep respect for Cornwall's heritage, encouraging exploration and understanding of its ancient monuments and the stories they hold, often from an 'alternative' or earth mysteries perspective. There is a clear focus on local history, with a particular emphasis on the unique structures known as fogous and the lives of notable Cornish individuals.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 55
Volume: 55
Date: Autumn 2004
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
ISSN: 0966-5897

This issue of Meyn Mamvro delves into the fascinating world of Cornish fogous, ancient subterranean structures. The magazine features detailed explorations of several sites, alongside a comprehensive noticeboard of related events and classes.

Treveneague Fogou

The article begins with a description of the Treveneague fogou, based on Blight's plan. The passage contained a layer of greasy black mould with fragments of pottery, burnt bones, and charcoal. Other finds included a stone possibly used for crushing tin ore, pebbles, and small beach boulders. The site was surrounded by a rectangular ditch. A notable aspect was the evidence of intense burning, suggesting a fierce conflagration, the purpose of which remains unknown – whether for ritual, attack, or decommissioning. Finds of ashes and burnt stones outside the fogou suggest fires were also lit there. The valley below was known for tin streaming, hinting at possible tin ore smelting on the site. Blight's plan indicates the fogou had an entrance/exit to the ditch, a long passage, and an adjoining elliptical chamber, similar to other known fogous like Carn Euny and Castallack. The author suggests a 'lost' fogou may lie beneath farmland in the parish of St. Hilary.

The Discovery of Halligye Fogou

This section, authored by Wella Penwrath, focuses on the Halligye fogou, described as one of the best-preserved sites. It was first documented in an 1885 pamphlet by Sir R.R. Vyvan, with illustrations by J.T. Blight and an introduction by Rev. W. Iago. Halligye is located on the Trelowarren Estate near Mawgan-in-Meneage. Two access routes are described: one via a small farm on the estate, and a preferred route through a back entrance via the old Estate Manager's gatehouse, leading to a lay-by and a walk over a field.

Upon arrival, the site appears 'theme-park'-like with manicured lawns and modern steps. However, entering the fogou reveals a powerful experience. The main passage [A] is about 28ft long and 6ft high. Further down, a low entrance (3ft high, 2ft wide) leads to the 'Creep passage' [B], the original entrance, meaning visitors effectively enter backwards. This Creep passage is narrow and dark, initially requiring crawling and then moving on one's stomach. After about 12ft, it reaches the original entrance, with no other way out but to return the way you came.

The author recounts their personal exploration, lighting candles for guidance. They describe a long, curved tunnel-like vault with a right-angled straight passage and a low connecting passage. Small chambers or cells with 'little portals' were observed. The stonework is described as roughly but carefully piled, with walls approaching each other and a roof formed of granite slabs. Rats were noted, and the air was dank with profound gloom. The inner part of the fogou was particularly dark, pervaded by a dense, black mist that made it difficult to see.

Plan of Halligye Fogou

A detailed plan of the Halligye fogou, after Cooke, is presented, showing the original entrance, creep passage, main passage, and an 'antiquarian entrance' (opening D). The text explains that the creep passage starts near another small passage [C] to the west of the main one. This passage [C] leads to a long, curved passage (about 90ft long, 6ft high, 3-5ft wide). About halfway along, light enters from outside – this was the original antiquarian entrance, which has not been repaired. Beyond this gap, the passage curves dramatically, leading to a completely enclosed final inner chamber [D]. This chamber is described as a deeply spiritual place, possibly used for sensory deprivation, altered states of consciousness, or dream incubation. The author notes a similar chamber in the Boleigh fogou and shares personal experiences of meditation and spiritual connection within such spaces.

Postcript on Nanjulian Fogou

This section discusses a potential fogou site in the far west of Cornwall, near St.Just-in-Penwith, possibly the 'first and last' fogou in the county. Nanjulian is located on the coast path between St.Just and Sennen, an area with significant prehistoric activity, including Bronze Age barrows and an Iron Age courtyard house settlement. The National Trust has recently cleared scrub from the Nanjulian Farm site, revealing a courtyard house settlement and, on its edge, the possible remains of a fogou, identified as SW3614 2891. This site was previously considered 'unlikely' by Ian Cooke in his work 'Mother and Sun: The Cornish Fogou' (1993). However, the recent clearance has made the below-ground entrance to a 'fogou', leading off from a courtyard house, visible. Its position is consistent with other courtyard house sites like Carn Euny and Chysauster. The National Trust has no immediate plans for excavation, but the discovery raises the site's status from 'unlikely' to 'very possible'.

Exchange Magazines and Noticeboard

The issue also includes a section listing various magazines available for exchange or subscription, covering topics such as Earth Mysteries, Paganism, Wicca, folklore, and labyrinths. The back cover features a noticeboard with upcoming events, talks, and classes related to Cornish Earth Mysteries, Pagan Moots, Witchcraft seminars, and New Age festivals, including details for CEMG membership and contact information for various groups and events across Cornwall.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ancient Cornish archaeology, specifically fogous, and their potential historical, ritualistic, and spiritual significance. The magazine highlights the ongoing exploration and re-evaluation of these sites, emphasizing the importance of local history and folklore. The editorial stance appears to be one of enthusiastic promotion and documentation of these ancient sites, encouraging readers to explore and connect with Cornwall's rich past. There is a clear interest in the spiritual and esoteric aspects associated with these locations, as evidenced by the events listed in the noticeboard and the author's personal reflections on the Halligye fogou.