‘Crying the Neck’ – this letter dated 11th August 1991, was sent from Mr Austyn Pengilly of Trebarveth, St. Keverne, to Mr Joe Roskilly of Tregellast Barton.
“I think I told you I would write something out about 'Crying the Neck', it was last done in this district about 1895, and generally in a high place; so as the surrounding farms could see how large a crowd of reapers there were. Some with reaping hooks, rolling hooks and scythes, the only means then of gathering the sheaves. Rosenithon people held it round the Quoits. Trythance area at Troan Stile and Trevalsoe village at the Randons Stile. The crowd collected at these places and having dressed up the large (1/2 sheaf) of last corn in the centre of the field with the yellow harvest flowers and red poppys from the hedges near bye, anyone who could say a piece of poetry, did so. Like this:
We must not be mowers,
And to gather the ripe gold ears,
Unless we have first been sowers,
And watered the farrow with tears,
It is not just as we take it,
This mystical world of ours,
Life's field will yield as we make it,
A harvest of thorns or flowers.
Then there was a loud Hip, Hip, Hurrah (three times) and someone would shout three times, "What have you?" very often the oldest lady reaper. Then all shouted, "A Neck" (three times) and waved it about as high as possible. Another three cheers, and the proceedings ended with 'Croust and Cider'. On very big farms, a barn dance went on till late at night, sometimes there were near 50 men and women harvesters. This is as near as I can remember, Mr. William Lory's account of 'Crying the Neck'. He lived at Trevalso 80 years until 1921, and retired to Laddenvean Cottage, and passed away about 1932, aged 95 years. A very active and strong man, and very good company.”
When 'Crying the Neck' was re-enacted at Tregellast Barton on 27th August 1971, Austyn Pengilly recited the following poem, written by himself:
Would you care to picture a scene, now rare,
Gipsy and Darling, a wonderful pair,
Pulling the plough, steady and sure,
Turning the soil, for growth once more.
Would that time had just stood still,
As the setting sun dipped over the hill,
And the ploughman turned his horses home,
But the picture fades and now is shown,
A tractor all painted orange and green,
A quicker, mechanical throbbing machine,
Gipsy and Darling, not needed now,
For man has quickened his way to plough,
But in my heart and memory stay,
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Survey of graveyards and war memorials
As a project that could start in 2004, we have in mind a survey of all graveyards and war memorials within our area. To remind members, our area comprises all the Parishes on the Lizard Peninsula together with those that abut the northern shore of the Helford River. In total, these are Constantine, Cury, Grade Ruan, Gunwalloe, Gweek, Landewednack, Manaccan, Mawgan-in-Meneage, Mawnan, Mullion, St Anthony-in-Meneage, St Keverne and St Martin-in-Meneage.
The aim of the survey would be to record and maintain a constantly updated list of all names and precise details from all graves, memorials etc., that could be made widely available, by publication and our website, to historians or those seeking family information.
It is envisaged that much of the on-site work could be undertaken by volunteers, from within both Friends of the Lizard and other organisations, who would perhaps take on a particular site in their area. We are at the early stage of setting up this project and an important first step will be to write to Parish Churches and Parish Councils, to seek support and to establish what work or records, if any, have already been done.
If you have any views on this project, are interested in participating or have any relevant information, we would be pleased to hear from you. If so, please contact the Chairman or Secretary. |
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Escorted Walks in 2004
As
part of our activities programme for 2004, we are planning a series of
escorted walks free to members on the Lizard Peninsula. The ‘escort’
for each walk would be an expert from within the County who would
concentrate on some particular
We would be pleased to hear what support there might be from members and their friends for such a series of events, which topics would particularly interest you and whether you could confidently recommend a true expert who could provide an enjoyable and informative half-day. If so, please contact Cathryn Dart, or the Chairman or Secretary.
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Invitations to local experts to write an article
In an
attempt to widen the overall interest of our Newsletters, we are
proposing to invite selected individuals who, by their expertise in
particular fields of interest or positions of responsibility, might
write interesting and informative articles on aspects of the Lizard
Peninsula. The articles, up to say 500 words maximum, would have a topic of the author’s own choice and, if the author wished, we would undertake to give total freedom of opinion provided, of course, that nothing libellous could be printed. In this way, authors could be as provocative as they wished if the issues were contentious – eg: local needs affordable housing, wind generators as a source of renewable energy, problems of waste disposal in the 21st century.
We have already written to Councillor Pam Lyne, inviting her to make contributions, and we are awaiting her response. But we would also be interested to hear of suggestions from within our membership; either you would like to write an item or could recommend someone for us to approach. If so, please contact the Editor, the Chairman or Secretary. |
