Montol in 38 pictures of Cornwall's magical winter solstice festival

The midwinter solstice was celebrated in the usual wonderfully unique fashion this evening (Wednesday, December 21) as the ever-popular Montol made its return. The Penzance festival - where masks have been worn since its inception - was an eccentric joy to behold as revellers paraded through the town.

The Montol Festival is a community event celebrating the midwinter solstice, Cornish midwinter traditions of the past, and customs associated with Old Christmas. The festival culminates in Montol Eve on the 21st of December every year. The festival began in 2007 and, run by the Cornish Culture Association with the tireless work of Simon Reed, has become one of the highlights of the year for Penzance.

As the light began to fade in the afternoon, Montol festivities got underway with The Sundown Procession at 4pm, which started at the top of Causewayhead and ended on Chapel Street at the Admiral Benbow pub, via a cheeky detour through the aisles of the local Co-op.

Following a spectacular display from one of the guilds, the main procession took place at 6pm. With a huge number of costumed and illuminated band members, Guise Guilds and individuals, as well as three different osses, the group set off from Chapel Street and headed up Causewayhead.

In previous years, the procession has then made its way to the Princess May Recreation Ground for a bonfire and plenty of dancing. However, this year, the public bonfire was not possible, with the organisers putting out a statement ahead of the festival:

"Due to circumstances beyond our control specifically changes to guidance about fire from Cornwall fire brigade and insurances we are unable to have public fire this year. This means we will not have bonfires or torches. The processions will take part as usual BUT will not attend the usual bonfire sites."

So this year a new circular route brought the main procession back down to Chapel Street, and back to the Admiral Benbow pub. Although many had expressed their disappointment about the bonfire situation beforehand, the rain that started during the main procession did make the pub an inviting Plan B.

Guise Guilds are a big part of the Montol festivities, taking their inspiration from descriptions of similarly-named groups from early in the 19th century. The present-day guilds are still based on the tradition of friends getting together in small groups, and producing costumes linked to themes. Some of the regular Guise Guilds are The Ancient Company of the Corn-Market Revellers; The Glorious Company of the Egyptian House; The Splendid League of Physicians; The Supremes Guise Guild of Misrule and The Ancient Guild of the Illuminated Sprout.

The final procession was due to set off at 10pm, down the historic Chapel Street to a destination where the traditional Cornish custom of Chalking the Mock will be performed, followed by more dancing.

There are 38 pictures in this photo story - click on the Next button at the bottom of the page to see them all.