The ‘Obby ‘Oss of Padstow Festival
Folklore Festivals of the British Isles
Padstow celebrates Mayday in a unique way, and the custom that has been carried out by Padstonians over centuries has not been allowed to die out. The exact origins of the tradition is unknown, but like other festivals during spring it is thought to be connected with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane.
C.S. Gilbert wrote about what he saw there almost 200 years ago:
‘There is an annual jubilee kept up at Padstow, on May 1st, known by the name of the Hobby Horse, in illusion to which, the inhabitants dress up a man in a horses skin, and lead him through the different streets. This odd looking animal amuses, by many whimsical exploits, the crowd which follows at his heels, particularly by taking up water dirty water, wherever it is found, and throwing it into the mouths of his gaping companions. These tricks naturally produce shouts of laughter, and the merriments are accompanied by songs made for the occasion. The origin of the festival appears to be unknown.’
Taken from ‘Historical Survey of the County of Cornwall’, published in 1820.
Before the First world war there was only one hobby horse in Padstow, the old oss, but in 1919 the blue ribbon obby oss was introduced. Also know as the temperance oss, its supporters tried to discourage the drunkeness associated with the custom. There are records of a few attempts to tackle the sometimes raucous behaviour asscociated with the festival, but none have ever worked. During 1837 some residents did not approve of people firing pistols in the air during the celebrations, and so rallied together to try and stop it by putting up posters which threatened people who did fire guns with a fine.