Friday 17 June 2011

Arrangements for St Nectan's Day

Yes, I know we like to achieve some kind of re-creation on these special days. But not today. Nectan was martyred by decapitation, like our own St Bogwulf, and that's not something we mess around with. You'll all have to wait for St Lawrence's. At least then we can aim for underdone.

Please can all Beaker People gather clutching foxgloves at St Nectan's Well. Not the real one - that's in Devon. We're going to have to make do with the paddling pool in the doily shed again. Foxgloves are St Nectan's flower and represent the blood of the saint, but that's no reason for everyone to go around shouting "uuurgh" and dropping the flowers, like you did last time.

Nectan being a Welsh saint who lived in Devon and Cornwall, use of dialects is optional. But can we aim for a slightly more specific West Country accent than the Candleford Mummerset we've been hearing on festivals of Thomas Hardy lately? Try and act like these people actually live somewhere, rather than a non-specific nowhere.

The good news for you neo-romantic types is that Nectan is known, not just as a saint, but as some kind of Celtic demi-god. So dress code is cable-knit sweaters and beards again. And break out the banjos, we're going for a ceilidh!

2 comments :

  1. Do you get double Nectan points if you attend?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sure he is getting his Rewards in heaven.

    ReplyDelete

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