Hello list; re the posting from the Morning News (we never say "western" locally when referring to it) of 25th July 1851, I thought I could say a little bit about what the correspondent called "Castle Skudjack". On the 1880 OS map it is clearly marked by its proper name. I live about 2 good stones' throws from it. As mentioned in Douglas Williams' history of Penzance it was virtually derelict for many years. A few years ago the local council acquired it, and have since cleared the site, so that it is now usable for people to walk there. Also it is now brought back into occasional use for events. Local "Old Cornish" enthusiasts have " rediscovered" the midwinter festival of Montal - mind you I've lived here well over 70 years and had never heard of it - and on Dec 23rd a lively torchlight procession assembles there and proceeds down through the streets with much merriment to the Municipal Buildings to be met by the mayor etc. On Easter Sunday morning the local churches hold a brief Dawn vigil and service there. On midsummer day also there is a Dawn vigil held, but I'm not so sure about the service this time! It is good to see a really ancient site like this being used again after basically being neglected, being described in 1845 as being almost past repair. A local authority school built nearby in 1917 was named after the site, and the school badge was a stylized castle. Unfortunately reorganization has meant the school is now subsumed into the "Humphrey Davy school. A couple of other observations;- Castle Horneck (formerly the home of the antiquarian Borlase) is basically private property, with a Youth Hostel and holiday complex in the grounds. It is worth noting that not far from Castle Horneck is Lesingey (pronounced "key" not "gee") Round which is very well preserved. Chapel Carn Brea is the site of one of the Old Cornwall Society's Midsummer bonfires. There are excellent views over Land's End to the Scillies. "Pertinney" is now spelt Bartinney, and is near the Land's End Road, easily spotted. The Plain an Gwarry at St. Just is very well used, especially during the Lafrowda festival. A year or two back Cornish Miracle Plays were performed there. Lafrwoda was an old name for St. Just. If anyone wants come to explore the sites mentioned outside St. Just, I can tell them the country is pretty rough! I hope this is of some interest; Cheers from Horton in windy Penzance.

Thanks Horton, that brings back memories!! Pat Banks (Nee Magill) -----Original Message----- From: cornish-gen-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:cornish-gen-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Stanley Bolitho Sent: Saturday, 12 June 2010 3:19 AM To: cornish-gen@rootsweb.com Subject: [CORNISH-GEN] Lescudjack Castle Hello list; re the posting from the Morning News (we never say "western" locally when referring to it) of 25th July 1851, I thought I could say a little bit about what the correspondent called "Castle Skudjack". On the 1880 OS map it is clearly marked by its proper name. I live about 2 good stones' throws from it. As mentioned in Douglas Williams' history of Penzance it was virtually derelict for many years. A few years ago the local council acquired it, and have since cleared the site, so that it is now usable for people to walk there. Also it is now brought back into occasional use for events. Local "Old Cornish" enthusiasts have " rediscovered" the midwinter festival of Montal - mind you I've lived here well over 70 years and had never heard of it - and on Dec 23rd a lively torchlight procession assembles there and proceeds down through the streets with much merriment to the Municipal Buildings to be met by the mayor etc. On Easter Sunday morning the local churches hold a brief Dawn vigil and service there. On midsummer day also there is a Dawn vigil held, but I'm not so sure about the service this time! It is good to see a really ancient site like this being used again after basically being neglected, being described in 1845 as being almost past repair. A local authority school built nearby in 1917 was named after the site, and the school badge was a stylized castle. Unfortunately reorganization has meant the school is now subsumed into the "Humphrey Davy school. A couple of other observations;- Castle Horneck (formerly the home of the antiquarian Borlase) is basically private property, with a Youth Hostel and holiday complex in the grounds. It is worth noting that not far from Castle Horneck is Lesingey (pronounced "key" not "gee") Round which is very well preserved. Chapel Carn Brea is the site of one of the Old Cornwall Society's Midsummer bonfires. There are excellent views over Land's End to the Scillies. "Pertinney" is now spelt Bartinney, and is near the Land's End Road, easily spotted. The Plain an Gwarry at St. Just is very well used, especially during the Lafrowda festival. A year or two back Cornish Miracle Plays were performed there. Lafrwoda was an old name for St. Just. If anyone wants come to explore the sites mentioned outside St. Just, I can tell them the country is pretty rough! I hope this is of some interest; Cheers from Horton in windy Penzance. ------------------------------- Listmom: ybowers@gmail.com or CORNISH-GEN-admin@rootsweb.com Visit the OPC (Online Parish Clerk) web page for transcription information http://www.cornwall-opc.org/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CORNISH-GEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message