The greatest light show on earth

1 min read

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

WORDS BY LAURAN ELSDEN

Each year, the fishing harbour of Mousehole gears up for a Cornish community Christmas. Now in its 60th year, Mousehole Harbour Lights began with a single string of coloured bulbs along the quayside. Today, an estimated 30,000 people visit during December and January to marvel at 60 incredible illuminations, including an electric green sea serpent emerging from the depths. And if that wasn’t enough festivities, on 23 December, locals celebrate Tom Bawcock’s Eve. This annual festival honours a legendary fisherman who braved stormy seas to save villagers from starvation. During the day, there’s alantern procession, then, after dark, The Ship Inn serves stargazey pie – a local delicacy made with seven sorts of fish – to an accompanying sea shanty soundtrack. Donations go to RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station.

LIGHTBULB MOMENTS Starting in September, a dedicated team of 30 volunteers spend around 2,000 hours setting up and testing nearly 10,000 individual bulbs and 90km of cable across 60 set pieces in and around the quay and village. This year, the staggered switch-on commences from Monday 11 December.

STARS ON THE SHOW On Tom Bawcock’s Eve, a lantern parade weaves through the cobbled streets of Mousehole. Families carry homemade willow lanterns – decorated with a smattering of stars and fish – to guide the fearless fishermen back to the safety of the harbour. “It’s a pretty special event,” says Lizzie James, who brings her children every year fro

This article is from...

Country Living - UK Magazine

26 October 2023

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