Meyn Mamvro - No 056 - WinterSpring 2005

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, issue number 56, published for Winter-Spring 2005, is a magazine dedicated to exploring ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall. The cover price was £2.20, and it is available online via meynmamvro.co.uk/archive. The main cover headline highlights a focus on East Penwith stones, along with news from Boscastle & St. Nectan's Glen, and a feature on 'Lost Giants' by John Michell.

Contents

The issue features a wide range of articles and updates. The table of contents lists:

• Editorial
• Cornish Earth Mysteries Group
• Penwith Pagan Moot
• Boscastle News Update
• Ancient Sites News
• A melange of menhirs
• Propped Stones - an update
• View from the Islands - Tyto Alba
• The Last Giants of Cornwall - John Michell
• Book & CD Reviews
• Cornwall's Colourful Sites - events of 2004
• Focus on East Penwith - Cheryl Straffon
• East Penwith: A personal response - Mary Coombs
• East Penwith: New Discoveries at Myrtle Farm - Malcolm J.Swingler
• The Pipers Tune/Postcript - John Michell

All articles and artwork are copyright Meyn Mamvro or the authors. Contributions are welcome and should be sent to Cheryl Straffon, Editor, Meyn Mamvro, 51 Carn Bosavern, St.Just, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 7QX. Andy Norfolk is credited for the front cover artwork. Contact details for Meyn Mamvro include a phone number (01736-787612), website (www.meynmamvro.co.uk), and email ([email protected]).

Additionally, the magazine includes an advertisement for Astrological and Numerological Services by Liz Allmark, offering services like Birthchart Printouts, Interpretations, Predictions, and Character Profiles, with contact details for ordering.

Stones of Our Motherland

This article discusses powerful planetary happenings at the end of Autumn 2004, including a Harmonic Concordance of five planets and a full moon eclipse. It links these celestial events to a public altercation at a Cornish Earth Mysteries Group meeting and a row about hunting. The article notes that these events coincided with severe flooding in Cornwall, the worst in nearly 30 years, following the Boscastle floods in August. It suggests these are challenging times. The piece also mentions upcoming talks by Marcus Mason and Kalin at the CEMG, focusing on eclipses, planetary grids, soul awakening, and the paranormal, and their connection to human consciousness and development towards 2012. The author posits that the interaction of human consciousness with sacred sites in Cornwall can release innate abilities for spiritual development.

News Page: Cornish Earth Mysteries Group

The Summer 2004 activities of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group are detailed, including their 6th annual Lammas Picnic & Drumming on Trencrom Hill and a visit to Holy Wells and Magalithic Sites in St.Austell. The St.Austell visit included a stop at Mount Charles (Gwallon) standing stone, measured at 12ft tall, believed to be in its original position and colloquially known as 'The witch's broom'. The group also visited Towan Well, Porthpean Beach, and Caerloggas Down, which was a reclaimed China Clay tip with historical significance for barrows and a stone circle. Artifacts found during excavations, including a quartz stone, pebble, and bead, were displayed. The visit concluded at Menacuddle Well. Pictures of the day are referenced in the colour section.

Penwith Pagan Moot

Written by Kate Bainbridge, this section updates readers on the activities of the Penwith Pagan Moot (PPM). It describes the Lammas ritual held in a field at Sancreed, involving a magic circle created with sheaves of corn, and rituals facilitated by Raven and Cassandra. The Autumn Equinox ritual on Chapel Carn Brea is described as a 'mist-ical' experience with elements, altars, and banishing rituals. The Samhain ritual took place in the conservatory at Sancreed House, involving a journey to the underworld. The Moot meets every second Tuesday of the month at Chy Gwella, Penzance, for activities like ritual planning and sacred site clearances.

Boscastle News Update

This article reports on the devastating flash flood that hit Boscastle and the surrounding area in mid-August 2004. A 10ft wall of water caused massive destruction, though no lives were lost. The Witchcraft Museum was directly affected, but its collection survived. Curious stories emerged, such as an extra crystal ball found in the museum and a museum sign washing up in Wales. The Museum Appeal raised over £8000, with rebuilding planned for Easter 2005. St. Nectan's Glen was also badly affected, with rocks and trees uprooted, and the viewing platform lost. The future of the site as a going concern is uncertain. The article notes the area is rebuilding but will take time to heal from the psychological scars.

Ancient Sites News

This section presents several archaeological updates:

• Roundhouses Found at Multi-Phased Site: A large dig at Scarcewater, St.Stephen, near St.Austell, revealed a complex site with finds from the Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, and Iron Age, including roundhouses and stock enclosures. Archaeologist Sean Taylor is pictured with a quartz spearhead representation.
• Iron & Bronze Age Finds at School Site: Excavations for a new school at Threemilestone near Truro uncovered ten roundhouses from the late Iron Age, with decorated pottery and an imported amphora fragment. Earlier Bronze Age activity was also found.
• Rising Seas Threaten Scilly's Sites: Prehistoric remains on the Isles of Scilly are under threat from global warming and tourism. Higher sea levels and storms are eroding cliffs, causing settlements to fall into the sea. Archaeologists are considering photographic records and asking visitors to report finds.

A Melange of Menhirs

This article shares recent discoveries of stones reported by readers. One stone, about 5ft long, was found near Boscaswell Village. Another, about 6ft tall and leaning against a hedge, was found on the slopes of Carn Marth near Redruth, its top shape matching St. Agnes Beacon. A third free-standing stone, with a rounded top mirroring Chapel Carn Brea, was spotted near Treen. A smaller stone nearby also offers a view of Chapel Carn Brea.

Propped Stones - An Update

This section introduces 'propped stones', a new type of megalithic monument identified in Cornwall, consisting of a large boulder resting on smaller stones. Most are found on Bodmin Moor, but others are on Carn Gulva, Gugh (Isles of Scilly), and Calvadnack Tor. Tony Blackman is cited as the expert. Feedback from readers includes Edna Whelan discovering a similar stone on Rombald's Moor, which she believes may have been used as portals to the Otherworld. David Kaiser from the USA notes an arctic parallel with Inuit 'inuksuit' stones, some used by shamans as doorways to the spirit world.

View from the Islands

Written by Isles of Scilly resident Tyto Alba, this column describes a visit to Porth Hellick Down. The author reflects on the ancient necropolis, the imposing main tomb, and the smaller scattered tombs. The piece evokes a sense of atmosphere during an autumn mist, with the wind, the sound of crows, and the feeling of being 'enwombed' in the great mound. The clearing of furze and the heather blanketing the ground contribute to a sense of calm and ordered completeness.

The Last Giants of Cornwall

This is a mention of a book by John Michell, a classic survey of West Penwith standing stones and alignments. Copies of the 1979 paperback are available from the author.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the ancient landscape of Cornwall, particularly its standing stones, sacred sites, and megalithic monuments. There is a strong interest in paganism, Earth energies, and pre-history. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and reporting on archaeological discoveries, folklore, and contemporary pagan practices. The magazine also addresses natural events, such as the devastating floods in Boscastle, and environmental concerns like rising sea levels threatening archaeological sites. The connection between celestial events, human consciousness, and sacred sites is a recurring theme, suggesting a holistic approach to understanding the past and its influence on the present and future.

MEYN MAMVRO, Issue 56, Winter-Spring 2005, is a publication focused on Cornish history, folklore, and archaeology. The issue features articles on ancient legends, archaeological sites, and cultural developments in Cornwall, alongside book and CD reviews.

The Last Giants of Cornwall

This article by John Michell explores the lore and legends of giants in West Penwith, Cornwall. These creatures are described as simple, not overtly malevolent, but difficult to live with. They were known to quarrel and hurl rocks, their footsteps shaking the earth. One notable story involves an elderly giant on St.Michael's Mount who stole cows. After being caught, he was subdued with a drugged potion, whipped, and promised not to leave the Mount. When he fell ill and starved, local women provided him with provisions and care.

Robert Hunt, a collector of Cornish lore, was intrigued by the detailed and earnestly told stories of giants, which were presented as personal experiences from an earlier generation. He was shown relics such as quoits, bowls, cradles, walls, tombs, and footprints, which were attributed to giants who were believed to be a species not long extinct. These giants were once powerful, akin to gods, ruling the country, but later degenerated into an oafish, stupid, and old-fashioned state, becoming obsolete in the modern world.

According to old British histories, the last Cornish giants were eliminated shortly after the arrival of Brutus and the Trojans. This narrative is interpreted as an echo of an ancient foundation-myth, likely of Bronze Age origin, depicting the triumph of a new, solar-type religion over the atavistic powers associated with the old establishment. The giants are seen as earth-bound elementals of megalithic cults, opposed and overcome by Bronze Age priests and warriors representing the new order.

The old religion and giants seem to have persisted in western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly long after the Bronze Age culture had become dominant elsewhere. The mystery surrounding this subject remains. While acknowledging that literal six-mile strides are improbable, the giants might have been creatures of ancient magic, thought-forms invoked by megalithic necromancers. In later times, they may have become more physical but diminished in size and power. The giant of St.Michael's Mount is presented as one of the last of his kind, with Cormoran being the very last, whose stories, along with his wife's, are described as amiable, though Cormoran ultimately fell victim to a local giant-killer.

Book Reviews

This section reviews several publications related to Cornwall:

• Crosses and Churchway Paths in the Land's End Peninsula West Cornwall, Volume 8 by Ian Cooke: This final volume covers the parish of Zennor, detailing cross sites and churchway paths. It notes the scarcity of remaining crosses but includes maps of the Zennor churchway path and its extensions. Cooke questions the pagan significance of these paths, which narrowly miss parish churches. The review highlights details like coffins being sprinkled with rainwater from a Wicca cross base during funerals. The book is praised as a worthy conclusion to the series and costs £14.95.
• Oakmagic Publications Reprints: This section highlights several reprints from Oakmagic Publications:
• *Cornwall's Vanished Races* by Rev. Gath Whitley (1901) (£3.50): Discusses the early 20th-century obsession with classifying peoples into races like 'piskey-dwarves' and 'dolmen builders'.
• *Cornwall's Dark Age Dwellings and Monuments* by J.T.Blight & W.Iago (1864/1885) (£3.95): Contains early material on lesser-known sites like Boscaswell fogou and inscribed stones.
• *Arthur King of Cornwall* edited by Henry Jenner (1911) (£6.95): An anthology with an essay on possible Arthurian place-names in West Penwith.
• *Cornish Hurling* by R.D.Greenaway (1926) (£3.50): A speculative study on the survival of magical ritual in ball games, suggesting they represent a combat of summer and winter for an object embodying the spirit of vegetation.
• *Folklore and Witchcraft of the Cornish Village* edited by Kelvin Jones (£5.50): Includes material from Quiller Couch and William Paynter, among other extracts from 'Old Cornwall' magazine.

These titles are available from Oakmagic Publications in Monmouth.

CD Reviews

This section reviews several music CDs:

• Inspirational Journey by Sue Aston: A follow-up to 'Sacred Landscapes', this CD features violin music with a spiritual Cornish theme. Tracks include 'Escape to Freedom' (inspired by the Mermaid of Zennor legend), 'The Home Coming', 'Rose Farm', 'Sketches of Newlyn', 'Nancy's Garden', and 'Maypole Dance - Carn Bosavern'. 'Ritual' is described as a hobgoblin and faerie-like folk dance with an eerie atmosphere. Price is £10.99.
• DAMH THE BARD: This artist, born in Redruth, performs pagan songs connected to the land and the Wheel of the Year. His albums *Herne's Apprentice* (2002) and *The Hills are Hollow* (2003) feature songs like "Song of Arwen", "The Fith Fath Song", "Gentle Johnny", "The Selkie", "Lady of the Silver Wheel", and "Grimspound". His music is complemented by guitars, mandolin, and other instruments. CDs cost £12 and are available from Caer Bryn Music.
• Alu Mari by 'Cana' (Liz Crow & Kate Ward): This CD features 14 sacred chants recorded in a deep sea cave on the North Cornwall coast. The recording incorporates the sounds of the sea. Tracks include "We are the power" and "Swift as the Wind". Artwork is by Sarah Vivian. Price is £12.

Cornwall's Colourful Sites

This colour section showcases events from 2004, featuring photographs of:

• Nine Maidens Boskednan stone circle reconstruction (late May).
• CEMG visit to St.Austell (Sept) - Dowsing at Gwallon stone at Penrice school grounds.
• CEMG visit to St.Austell (Sept) - the new stone circle on Caerloggas Downs with a China Clay pyramid in the distance.
• Artifacts from the (destroyed) barrows on Caerloggas Downs.

All photographs are by Cheryl Straffon.

Focus On East Penwith

This article by Cheryl Straffon provides an overview of the ancient sites in East Penwith, an area less well-known than West Penwith. The region is defined as the land east of the Hayle river, between Hayle and St.Michael's Mount, including the parishes of Phillack, Gwithian, Gwinear, and St.Erth. It is a low-lying plateau drained by several rivers, including the Red River.

Early Inhabitants

• Mesolithic Period (6000-4500 BCE): Inhabitants lived around Gwithian, subsisting on hunting and gathering, particularly shellfish. Finds include microliths, harpoon barbs, and tools for working materials.
• Neolithic Period (4500-3000 BCE): These people developed agriculture and stock rearing. Finds include a polished flint axe, fragments of a saddle quern, a copper awl, and a potter's ring.
• Bronze Age (3000-1000 BCE): This period saw the first permanent settlements. Evidence includes a stone battle-axe, a lost gold lunulae, and burial mounds, some of which can still be seen at Myrtle Farm and Godrevey headland.

Bronze-Age Mounds and Houses

A group of low turf-covered Middle/Late Bronze Age mounds was discovered in 1955 on Godrevey Towans. These mounds, often bun-shaped, were covered with branches, turf, sand, and soil. One site (GM/V) had a finger-shaped passage and ritual and burial pits. At site GM/X, remains of three houses were found, likely built by the mound constructors. House 1 was rectangular with a SE-facing doorway and a pebble-outlined hearth. House 3, re-excavated in the mid-1980s, yielded the skeleton of a child, possibly a foundation offering.

Celtic Iron Age and Romano-Celtic Period

There is a gap in the archaeological record until the Celtic Iron Age (50 BCE- 50 CE), with traces of a promontory fort (Crane Castle) and a small homestead. The later Romano-Celtic Iron Age (around 140-150 CE) features a Roman-style villa of Magor near Illogan, built by a native Celtic builder, which was later abandoned. A small homestead near Godrevey Farm, contemporary with the villa, is also noted, possibly inhabited by tenants or poorer relations of the villa owner. Three small forts from this period are located nearby: Crane Godrevy, Ker Rescasek, and Trevorian.

An enigmatic 'camp' at Carwyn Round, discovered in 1953, was a large rectangle with impressive banks, its purpose unclear but possibly defensive. Other sites include Trevarnon Round, an enclosure possibly used for livestock, and another round at Engew Farm.

Early Christian Period

From the 5th Century CE onwards, the area continued to be occupied, with evidence of huts and a mixed economy. This period marks the arrival of Celtic saints from Ireland and Wales, who traveled to Cornwall via the Hayle estuary. The article mentions St.Anta, whose cell was found near the estuary, and Fingar (who became Gwinear), Prince of Ireland, who arrived with a band of saints, many of whom gave their names to local places, such as Breaca (St.Breage), Germochus (St.Germoe), and Gothian (Gwithian).

St. Gothian's Chapel

The chapel was likely a small, single-celled building, possibly dating from the 9th/10th century, first mentioned by Leland in 1538. It was lost to the sands but rediscovered in 1827, then re-roofed as a cowshed. It was lost again by the end of the 19th century but cleared and used for services in 1906/7. By 1935, it was again buried in sand, with its site marked by stones. The article suggests a project to uncover and restore it.

Early chapels often had nearby holy wells. St. Gothian's well issues forth from a stone/rock structure in a copse near Portreath. It is suggested that this site could have been Gwithian's first resting place and one of the most ancient holy wells. Another well near Godrevey Farm served as a secular water supply for an Iron Age homestead and later farm settlement.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the deep history and rich folklore of Cornwall. The magazine consistently explores ancient legends, such as those of giants, alongside archaeological evidence from various periods, from the Mesolithic to the early Christian era. There is a strong focus on the landscape, megalithic sites, and the cultural transitions that shaped Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of scholarly yet accessible exploration of local heritage, celebrating its unique myths, historical sites, and artistic expressions, as evidenced by the book and CD reviews.

MEYN MAMVRO, Issue 56, Winter-Spring 2005, is a publication focused on ancient sites, folklore, and local history, particularly in Cornwall. The issue features articles on archaeological discoveries, historical sites, and personal reflections on the landscape.

East Penwith: Churches, Pagan Sites, and Ancient Crosses

The first article explores the historical and religious landscape of East Penwith, focusing on Gwithian and Phillack. The church in Gwithian is noted for its fine wheel-headed Celtic cross dating from the 9th-10th century. Similar crosses are found in neighboring churches at Gwinear and Phillack. Phillack churchyard contains an inscribed stone from the 7th century reading "CLOTVVALI (son of) MOBRATTI (lies here)" and a Chi-Rho stone. A holy well dedicated to St.Phillack, originally Piala, is also mentioned. Phillack church itself is situated in what was likely an early 'lan', a circular enclosure possibly adapted from a pagan site. Excavations in the vicinity have uncovered graves dating from the pagan Iron Age or early Christian period, and a cemetery of 50-60 skeletons from the late Iron Age or early Christian period. The area is associated with the fabled pagan king Teudar. The article suggests that Christian churchyards in Phillack and Gwithian may have succeeded pagan ones, tracing a continuity of sacred sites from Mesolithic settlements to Christian times. Susan Pearce's work, "The Kingdom of Dumnonia," is cited, suggesting this area is a fascinating interface of paganism and Christianity.

New Discoveries at Myrtle Farm

This article by Malcolm J. Swingler details the discovery of a Bronze Age barrow at a place formerly known as Myrtle Farm. While the original barrow had been excavated in the 19th century, yielding cremation urns, it had since been levelled. However, another earthenware urn was found nearby during the digging of foundations for a new farmhouse. This urn, standing about 64cm high, contained 'something' that the finder reburied. Swingler theorizes that the urn came from another destroyed barrow and contained partially cremated Bronze Age human remains. Professor Charles Thomas expressed interest in this find, and after surveying the land, he became convinced it was the site of a previously unknown barrow. The interment of the urn has since been bricked over, making re-excavation difficult but not impossible. The article also notes the presence of Bronze Age fields in the area, suggesting a nearby settlement.

Malcolm J. Swingler is also the author of "A Peep Through Misty Windows," a guide to ancient sites in the Gwithian area.

East Penwith - A Personal Response

Mary Coombs shares a personal reflection on her experiences in East Penwith, particularly around the Hayle estuary. Her first visit in October 1994 evoked a strong sense of nostalgia and a feeling of 'coming home,' which she attributes to 'ancestral voices.' Subsequent visits, including one to Hayle in June of the following year, reinforced this connection. In autumn 2002, during a return visit, she felt a strong yearning for the area, sketching along Penpol Quay and experiencing a profound connection to the landscape. She describes the transformation of the area from industrial quaysides to banks of reeds and rushes, with Trencrom Hill rising prominently. Her exploration led her to Trencrom Hill, a place associated with tales of giants, a tragic hammer throw, and hidden treasure guarded by spriggans. She also visited Lelant and St.Uny's, but found the estuary bank more compelling. She was inspired by the work of John Miller, who painted seascapes of the Hayle estuary. Her reflections on the area, particularly Phillack and the Towans, lead her to feel 'at home,' sensing 'something ancient' she cannot define. She concludes by relating this to the concept of 'living at the edge,' encompassing the sculptress Barbara Hepworth and the enchanted land of East Penwith.

The Pipers Tung

This short piece reports on the reprieve of the Sennen standing stone, which was threatened by new sewerage works. Due to local opposition, SW Water has agreed to find an alternative site. Standing stones researcher John Michell comments that the stone is likely in its original position, citing impressive megalithic alignments and its size, which would have made it difficult for farmers to move. He suggests that Gothic letters 'STONE' on an 1807 map at another site indicated a cross, not the original location of the standing stone.

Postcript: On Giants

John Michell shares his thoughts on the folklore of giants in West Cornwall. He recounts a visit to the Boscawen-ûn circle in 1968, where local farmers told him about a giant's footprint on a nearby rock pile, explaining that the giant had stepped across from the Scillies. Michell is puzzled by the persistence of these stories, questioning whether giants were natural beings, figments of dreams or visions, or conjured up in rituals. He invites readers to share any explanations for the evidence of giants in West Cornwall.

Meanwhile, new standing stones titled 'Cornish Up-Rights' have been erected near Sennen by sculptor Rory Te'Tigo, aligning with St.Buryan Church. These are intended to highlight the historic features of West Penwith and inspire artists.

Exchange Magazines and Noticeboard

The issue includes a list of magazines available for exchange or subscription, covering topics such as paganism, folklore, archaeology, and local history. It also features a noticeboard with upcoming events, talks, and courses in Cornwall and Devon, including talks on sacred sites, Celtic traditions, pagan moots, and witchcraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MEYN MAMVRO are the rich archaeological heritage of Cornwall, the interplay between paganism and Christianity in ancient sites, local folklore, and personal connections to the landscape. The magazine appears to champion the preservation and study of these historical and cultural elements, encouraging exploration and discussion. The editorial stance seems to be one of deep appreciation for the ancient past and its influence on the present, promoting local history and esoteric interests. The inclusion of personal responses and folklore alongside archaeological findings suggests a holistic approach to understanding the region's heritage.