Meyn Mamvro - No 093 - Summer 2017

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 93, Summer 2017, is a magazine dedicated to exploring ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall. The cover features an illustration of a standing stone and a stone circle, with the headline 'ancient stones and sacred sites in cornwall'. The issue is priced at £3.00 and is available online at meynmamvro.co.uk/archive.

Contents

The magazine includes a wide range of articles and features:

• Editorial: Discusses the 'golden age' of landscape geometry in the late 1960s and 1970s, the role of researchers like John Michell, and the resurgence of interest in geomancy, partly due to modern technology like Google Maps and online resources such as Palden Jenkins' map of West Penwith.
• Dowsing News: Reports on events by Trencrom Dowsers, including visits to Bodrifty settlement and Mulfra Quoit, and to Rosewall Hill and Trevalgan Hill, detailing dowsing results and findings related to ancient sites and burials.
• Feedback on Trevorian circle: A reader's contribution discussing the Higher Trevorian stone circle, its potential alignment, and its probable destruction in the 19th and 20th centuries, noting its proximity to Boscawen-ûn.
• CASPN & LAN News Round-Up: Updates from the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network and Lizard Ancient Sites Network, highlighting their involvement in the Penwith Landscape Partnership project and announcing their annual 'Pathways to the Past' weekend events.
• Ancient Tracks: 13 - Backs Lane: Explores ancient pathways in West Penwith, focusing on Backs Lane, a green lane likely dating back to the Iron Age, potentially linking Chûn Castle and Bosullow Trehyllys settlement.
• Missing Menhirs - Cornwall's Lost Stones: 17: Buryas Bridge stones: Identifies a probable standing stone near Buryas Bridge, one of three originally recorded, with two having been removed by 1909. It notes the stone's near destruction by blasting.
• The Old Stones of Lamorna Plateau Revisited: Revisits previously unrecorded stones in the Lamorna Plateau area, noting their increased visibility on Google Maps and online resources, and exploring their alignments, including a stone at Castallack with cup marks.
• Castallack's prehistoric sites - Raymond Cox: (Details not fully available in the provided text, but likely covers prehistoric sites at Castallack).
• And down to Lamorna - Cheryl Straffon: (Details not fully available, but likely covers sites or folklore related to Lamorna).
• Cornish Folklore: Ladock - Alex Langstone: (Details not fully available, but likely covers folklore from the Ladock area).
• Book Reviews: Reviews of relevant books, including 'Archaeology and Landscape at the Land's End, Cornwall'.
• Wells Corner, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, The Pipers Tune: Shorter pieces likely offering historical anecdotes or reflections.

Publications and Subscriptions

The magazine also promotes Meyn Mamvro Publications, including titles like 'Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess', 'Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall', and 'Fentynyow Kernow: In Search of Cornwallis'. It also lists 'Earth Mysteries Guides to Ancient Sites' volumes for different regions of Cornwall. Contact details for Meyn Mamvro and Penwith Press are provided, along with ordering information and website addresses.

Editorial Sabbatical

The editor announces a six-month sabbatical, leading to a delay in the publication of the next issue (no.94) from September 2017 to November 2017. Subsequent issues will also be slightly delayed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the earth mysteries, ancient sites, and folklore of Cornwall. There is a strong emphasis on landscape geometry, dowsing, and the investigation of prehistoric sites using both traditional methods and modern technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting research, preservation, and a deeper understanding of Cornwall's ancient heritage, while also acknowledging the ongoing work of various research groups and organizations.

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, number 93 from Summer 2017, is dedicated to exploring the rich prehistoric and folkloric landscape of Cornwall, with a particular focus on the West Penwith area. The magazine delves into the significance of standing stones, ancient alignments, and local legends, offering a detailed look at archaeological sites and their historical context.

The Swingate and Kemyel Stone Groups

The primary focus of the issue is the extensive network of standing stones in the Lamorna Plateau region. The article meticulously details the Swingate group, identifying seven stones (Swingate A through H) with their precise locations and characteristics. Swingate A is described as a 2m high triangular boulder, noted for being threatened by modern agricultural methods. Swingate B and C, recorded by John Barnatt, are upright stones, with Swingate C potentially aligned with St. Michael's Mount for a midsummer solstice sunrise. Newly identified stones, Swingate G and H, are also discussed.

The Kemyel cluster, located south of the Swingate group, comprises four stones: Kemyel A, B, C, and D. Kemyel A is a 1.9m high granite stone described as a 'formidable piece of granite'. Kemyel B is noted as a genuine menhir, distinct from gatepost stones. Kemyel C is a triangular stone with extensive sea views, and Kemyel D is the most recently identified, an upright stone near farm buildings. The article highlights how these stones are often part of various alignments, denoted as LP1 through LP7, suggesting a deliberate prehistoric planning and purpose.

Castallack's Historic Sites

Raymond Cox contributes an article on Castallack's historic sites, describing the area around Castallack Carn and the hamlet of Castallack as rich in ancient remains. The article discusses the Roundago, a Romano-British Round scheduled as a monument, which was likely used for keeping out livestock and thieves rather than for defense. It also details a courtyard house settlement and an accompanying fogou at Castallack Farm. The fogou, a walled passage structure, had its doorways intentionally blocked, suggesting it was not meant for frequent ingress and egress. Evidence of pottery fragments and whetstones were found at the site.

The pasture land east of the Roundago features the Castallack Carn menhir, a 1.5m high stone that was once hidden by vegetation. The article lists several alignments associated with this menhir, connecting it to other local sites.

And Down to Lamorna

Cheryl Straffon writes about the Lamorna Valley, describing it as a place where 'time has stood still'. She recounts a personal experience of helping to build a small stone circle in the woods with a local resident named Jo, and how this place held a deep connection to her past and even her family history. Straffon suggests that the Lamorna Woods are 'haunted' in a sense of layers of time meeting, and that the spirits of ancient travellers and builders of megalithic sites, such as the Merry Maidens and the Castallack stones, still dwell there.

Cornish Folklore: Saints, Demons and Conjurors

Alex Langstone's regular column on Cornish folklore focuses on the village of Ladock. The article details the village's namesake, the 6th Century Irish Abbess Lodoca, and her founding of a religious community. It also recounts the tale of how the parish boundaries were established. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the stories of Parson Wood, an 18th-century rector known as a 'Ghost layer extraordinaire'. Wood was a skilled exorcist, astrologer, and occultist, respected for keeping 'undesirable entities at bay' and for his involvement in traditional Cornish sports. He is famous for his ability to dispatch demons and ghosts, often by transforming them into animals.

Discussion and Bibliography

The issue includes a discussion section pondering the extraordinary nature of the Lamorna Plateau complex. Questions are raised about whether the stone arrangements are coincidental, were used as rubbing posts, or represent a special prehistoric project for a specific purpose. The possibility of the arrangements representing constellations or mathematical relationships is explored. The article also considers the idea that such sites were once common but have since been removed over time, leaving this remote corner with its stones intact.

A bibliography lists key sources for further reading, including works by John Michell, John Barnatt, and Robin Payne.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the deep history embedded in the Cornish landscape, the enduring mystery of prehistoric monuments, and the rich tapestry of local folklore. The magazine adopts an investigative and appreciative stance towards these subjects, presenting detailed research on archaeological sites while also embracing the more mystical and legendary aspects of the region. The editorial stance appears to be one of celebrating and preserving the unique heritage of Cornwall, encouraging readers to explore and study these fascinating locations.

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, number 93, published in Summer 2017, focuses on Cornish folklore, archaeology, and earth mysteries. The magazine's website is meynmamvro.co.uk/archive, and it is published by Meyn Mamvro with an ISSN of 0966-5897.

Folklore and Exorcisms

The issue begins with an account of one of Parson Wood's most problematic exorcisms, where a demon took the shape of a terrifying bird-like figure with coal-black plumage and fiery eyes. The demon would hide behind church tower pinnacles, making a hideous racket. Parson Wood devised a plan using newly baptised children to drive the demon away. The demon eventually fled towards St Enoder, emitting fiery sparks and blue flames. The article also mentions Parson Wood foiling an attempt by the Devil to beat local wrestling hero John 'Jackey' Trevail in a midnight wrestling match, with rumours suggesting the devil was sent by St Enoder witches.

Further into the folklore section, there is a mention of a "celebrated Ladock conjuror" from Richard Polwhele's "Traditions and Recollections" (1826). This conjuror reportedly used remote viewing to recover stolen money from a man trapped in a shaft at Creekbraw's Mine. The article questions whether this conjuror was Parson Wood, but Polwhele's text hints at a different person, referencing 'rusticated clergy' who favoured superstition. The author concludes that the source of these enigmatic tales is likely Parson William Wood himself.

Book Reviews

Two book reviews are featured:

Archaeology and Landscape at the Land's End, Cornwall - The West Penwith Surveys 1980-2010

This major work by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) details prehistoric and historic landscapes in West Penwith based on surveys from 1980-2010. It covers the development of the landscape, monuments, settlements, and farms, with numerous illustrations. Chapters discuss boundary markers, a case study of Bosigran and Bosporthennis (including a controversial reinterpretation of the Bosporthennis Beehive Hut as a post-medieval 'crow'), and 'Early landscape and ceremony'. The reviewer notes a disagreement with the use of 'chambered tombs' for cromlechs/dolmens, but acknowledges the emphasis on their ceremonial nature. The review also covers prehistoric settlement in the later Iron Age and Romano-Cornish periods, including roundhouses and courtyard house settlements. A criticism is made regarding the treatment of 'fogous', which are suggested to be for storage, ignoring contrary archaeological evidence. The book is recommended for anyone interested in the prehistoric landscape of West Penwith.

Cornish Archaeology 53 [2014]

This annual volume from the Cornwall Archaeological Society has a focus on the Isles of Scilly, with articles on Roman-period brooches from Nornour, nested vessels from St. Agnes, and pottery from Bryher. The main article by Peter Herring examines the Boscawen-ûn stone circle, its setting, and its place within the prehistoric landscape. Herring suggests the circle was positioned to offer a specific view and notes its continued use by Pagans. The article also discusses the 'axe head' carvings on the centre stone. The reviewer notes that Tom Goskar's photogrammetry work was too late for inclusion.

Wells Corner

This section discusses the Tide Well at Roche Rock, mentioned by Thomas Quiller-Couch in his 1894 book 'Ancient and Holy Wells of Cornwall'. It distinguishes it from the well-known St.Gundreds Well. Richard Carew (1555-1620) described it as a well in a rock at the foot of Roche Rocks, which ebbed and flowed with the sea. Quiller-Couch found it to be a small receptacle. Andy Norfolk is credited with recently identifying its location, fitting Quiller-Couch's description.

20 Years Ago: The Piper's Tune

This section revisits a 1997 article about a mysterious stone figurine found near Redruth, described as having a 'Celtic physiognomy' and prominent buttocks, suggesting it might be a Goddess figurine. The figurine's origin was unknown, with Professor Charles Thomas suggesting it might not be local. Inscriptions on the figurine added to the mystery. The article notes that the figurine's whereabouts are now lost, though a cast replica exists.

20 Years Ago: The Piper's Tune (Continued)

This part of the '20 Years Ago' feature discusses a BBC TV South-west documentary 'Inside Out' about Padstow's Mummers Day celebrations. Reporter Athar Ahmed expressed shock at the tradition of blacking up faces, while locals defended it as a winter festival with no racist intent, possibly originating from a festival of misrule or a tradition of disguising participants. The article notes that the tradition had almost died out but was revived as a children's event. Ahmed concludes that some wish the tradition to die, while others want it preserved.

30 Years Ago: Oakdragon

This section revisits a 1987 article about the 'Oakdragon' event, a week-long celebration of Earth Mysteries in West Penwith, organised by Palden Jenkins. The event aimed to stimulate and awaken people through ancient cultures, shaman work, and ecology. It involved workshops on labyrinths, dowsing, earth healing, and visits to ancient sites. The article notes that Palden Jenkins has returned to West Penwith, and Sig Lonegren returned in 2013 to build a labyrinth.

The Piper's Tune (Continued)

This article focuses on Carolyn Kennett's dissertation on the archaeo-astronomy of Boscawen-ûn stone circle. Her research confirms observations by Peter Herring, including the view of the sea at Lamorna Gap and the importance of the Creeg Tol outcrop for double sunrise and sunset phenomena. Kennett identified seven distinct solar and lunar alignments, believing they were deliberately created by the builders. She has promised a future article summarising her findings.

Exchange Magazines and Websites

This section lists various magazines related to Earth Mysteries and Paganism, providing subscription prices and contact details. It also promotes the Meyn Mamvro website, offering subscription renewals, book purchases, and access to content. Information is provided on 'Alignments in West Penwith' and 'Meyn Mamvro Folders'.

Noticeboard

The Noticeboard section lists upcoming events and groups:

• Beltane Celebrations: Maypole Dance at Bosavern Farm, Obby Oss Day at Padstow, Helston Flora Day.
• Midsummer Celebrations: Bonfires on Chapel Carn Brea, Golowan in Penzance, serpent dance in Boscastle.
• Dowsing Groups: Trencrom Dowsers, Tamar Dowsers, West Cornwall Dowsers.
• Other Groups: Cornish School of Mysteries, Tree House Spiritual Centre, Know Thy Self (Falmouth).
• Pathways to the Past: A weekend of walks and talks on ancient sites.
• Ancient Sites Clear-Ups: Events in West Penwith, including Portheras Common, Tregeseal stone circle, Boscawen-ûn circle, and Nine Maidens barrows.
• The Lizard: Information on events.
• Pagan Moots: Listings for Penzance, Camborne, Redruth, Bodmin, Bude, St.Austell, and Liskeard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of Cornish folklore, local history, archaeology, and earth mysteries. There is a strong emphasis on ancient sites, megalithic alignments, and pagan traditions within Cornwall. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and exploring these subjects, often revisiting past articles and research to provide a historical perspective. The magazine also engages with contemporary events and publications related to its core themes, acting as a hub for information and community within the earth mysteries and pagan communities.