Padstow

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Template:GBdot Template:For Padstow (Cornish: Lannwedhenek) is a small town in the western reaches of the Bristol Channel on the north coast of Cornwall, England, approximately fourteen miles east of Newquay, at the mouth of the River Camel (Template:Gbmapping). Traditionally a fishing port, it is now a popular tourist destination, although some of its former fishing fleet remains, it is mainly a yachting haven on a dramatic coastline with few easily navigable harbours. Note the old sailor's maxim "Twixt Hartland Point and Padstow Bay is a sailor's grave by night or day." The UK Census 2001 reported a parish population of 3,162Template:Ref.

It was originally named "Petroc-stow", after the Welsh missionary St. Petroc, who landed at nearby Trebetherick around AD 500. More recently, some have nicknamed it "Padstein" on account of resident TV chef Rick Stein running a number of restaurants and hotels in the town. The most most well-known of these is the Seafood Restaurant on the quayside.

1 Transport
2 'Obby 'Oss festival
3 External links
4 References

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Transport

Image:Padstow 1.jpg Between 1899 and 1967 the Bodmin-Wadebridge railway extended to Padstow. The old railway line is now the Camel Trail [1], a footpath and cycle path popular due to its picturesque route beside the River Camel. On the other side of the river, a ferry runs between Padstow and Rock.

During the mid-nineteenth century, ships carrying timber from Canada (particularly Quebec) would arrive at Padstow and offer cheap travel to passengers wishing to emigrate. Shipbuilders in the area would also benefit from the quality of their cargoes. Among the ships that sailed were the barques Clio, Belle [2] and Voluna; and the brig Dalusia [3].

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'Obby 'Oss festival

Image:Red obby oss maiden 20050502.jpg Padstow is best known for its "'Obby 'Oss" festival. Although its origins are unclear, it most likely stems from an ancient fertility rite, perhaps the Celtic festival of Beltane. The festival starts at midnight on May Eve when townspeople sing the "Morning Song". In the morning, the town is dressed with greenery and flowers are placed around a maypole. The climax arrives when male dancers cavort through the town dressed as one of two 'Obby 'Osses, the "Old" and the "Blue Ribbon" 'Obby 'Osses; as the name suggests, they are stylised kinds of horses. Prodded on by acolytes known as "Teasers", each wears a gruesome mask and black frame-hung cape under which they try to catch young maidens as they pass through the town. Finally, at midnight on May Day, the crowd sings of the 'Obby 'Oss death, until its resurrection the following May Eve. Image:Red obby oss party 20050502.jpg

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