Save the date as Mawgan gears up for its Daffodil festival
Did you know that the only species of daffodil generally accepted as native to Britain is narcissus psuedonarcissus, the “Bastard” Daffodil, Lent Lily or Wild English Daffodil? Or that on one farm on the Lizard over 130 varieties were grown at one time?
The local industry swings into gear early in January with millions of stems being picked every day in Cornwall. We are lucky to be surrounded by the flowers in West Cornwall and want to celebrate the beautiful and varied daffodil and its industry. So preparations are well ahead for the fifth Daffodil Festival at the 12th century Grade I listed church of St Mawgan in Meneage from Saturday, February 14 to Monday, February 16.
Give all your senses a treat and come and enjoy the sight and smell of thousands of daffodils, learn more about the flower (do you know the difference between a narcissus and a daffodil?) and the industry around us, view displays of equipment used over 50 years ago, listen to music from local musicians and admire displays of paintings, photographs and embroidery with a daffodil theme.
The music this year so far includes local organists, Cornish Male Voice group Thraw’d Together, local classical guitarist Richard Collington, harpist Jade Hamzelou, Maen Voes Choir from St Keverne and the bell ringers will be in action on Saturday and Sunday.
The festival is made possible again by the donation of daffodils from the Scrimshaw family of R H Scrimshaw and Sons Limited and the church is very grateful not only to them but for sponsorship received or promised from other local companies and organisations.
The proceeds will help maintain the church where having achieved a new heating system we now need substantial roof repairs.
The Festival is taking place on Saturday, February 14 to Monday, February 16 from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily and is FREE to enter. On Sunday there is a Celtic evening service at 5pm, at which the Bishop of St Germans, the Rt Reverend Chris Goldsmith will be the preacher. Light refreshments will be available including pasties and homemade soup at lunchtime on Saturday and Sunday and tea and cakes all day every day.
Anyone wishing to help in any way with the huge team effort needed to make this festival a success should contact Wendy Bailey on 01326 221631 or email guthrieb@waitrose.com
