Important links with Cornish heritage are being lost due to rising costs
Why is Mevagissey Feast Week so important?
- Originally this tradition was celebrated in Mevagissey during December. However, this coincided with the busiest fishing period. So in 1754 when Mevagissey adopted the patron saint of fishermen - St Peter, the date was moved and has been held as a week-long festival of "Feasts", Hymn singing and Church Parades to include St Peters Day on the 29th June, ever since. Each of the then 5 village churches would have its own parade and feast day to allow all faiths to attend and give thanks for the plentiful harvest of fish.
- In more modern times the week long festivities have expanded to include additional events such as Live music, a fish auction, flora dances, a carnival, village fete, children's activities, brass bands and a grand finale firework display. However the two remaining churches of St Peters and St Andrews still celebrate with a parade through the narrow winding streets lead by a traditional Cornish brass band.
- It is still the highlight of the year for locals and visitors alike providing the opportunity to join together for some of the most meaningful traditions associated with life in Cornwall.
- This year's Feast Week is aimed at "coming back" from the past two years of Covid related lockdowns and restrictions - which gives us even more reason want to celebrate the strong sense of community that our amazing village represents.
Can you guess how much Feast Week costs to put on?
- It's eyewatering as the core costs have risen steeply during recent years, due in part to the amount of regulatory requirements that have to be put in place to comply with health and safety and public event liability stipulations.
- The last Feast Week was held in 2019 (pre-Covid) and cost a staggering £46k to stage!- all of which has to be re-cooped through bucket collections, proceeds from the sale of food, drink and merchandise and numerous fundraising activities all year round.
- To give an idea of how the money is spent - here are a just few of the costs involved:
Hire of stage, sound and lighting £8,500
Electricity £1500
Live music and brass bands £6,000
Repairs to flags, parade mascots and costumes £500
Security and first aid £2,500
Fireworks £7,000
Merchandise and Bar Stocks £12,000
Children's Activities £1500
Why we are short of funds:
Unfortunately due to the pandemic there has been little or no fundraising in preparation for this years event, however we have continued to incur costs e.g. standing charges for electricity and regulatory training for road closure co-ordinators, replacement of flagpoles etc.
Due to the location and routes onto Mevagissey's beautiful harbour - where most of the events are held, it is impossible for us to charge an entry fee for the amazing variety of events taking place. We therefore rely solely on income from collection buckets and revenue from the stalls.... and you guessed it.... what is given just doesn't cover the costs!
How you can help:
- Anything you can give would be amazing- from £3.50 to replace a lightbulb for the harbour lanterns, right up to larger amounts to go towards some of the core costs previously listed. Every donation will be used to ensure the continuation of Feast Week.
- Mevagissey Feast Week Committee are working tirelessly to make this years event possible but we cannot do it alone so please help if you possibly can. No one wants to see the demise of this amazing, traditional festival, so let's all pull together to preserve a really important part of Cornwall's heritage.