Our Annual Christmas Carol service took place this evening on the grounds of Cosgarne Hall. We welcomed the Mayor of St Austell, Trustees, Vicar Jonathan Huff, Residents, staff, and volunteers. The sense of community spirit during the festive season reflected a time of hope and togetherness, bringing an understanding of the old Cornish traditions of the festive season.
Around 200 years ago, Christmas was celebrated only in remote places in Britain, and one of these was Cornwall. Also known as Nadelik. This quickly became an important part of the calendar to be celebrated.
Many of the Christmas carols that we are familiar with today, were collected in Cornwall, such as The First Noel, along with unique Cornish carols, written by miner and Cornish composer Thomas Merritt, such as While Shephard’s Watch Their Flocks by Night, which here in Cornwall is traditionally sung to a tune called Lyngham.
The first documented carol service in Cornwall is believed to have been held at Truro Cathedral in 1880, organised by Edward White Benson, who at the time was the First Bishop of Truro and later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
However, research shows that as far back as 1508, when the Cornish language was still prominently spoken, carols were a Christmas tradition. The beautiful Cornish carol, The Sans Day Carol, also known as St Day Carol or The Holly Bears a Berry carol is a traditional Cornish carol, which first came to light during the 19th century.
This time of year can be difficult for some of our residents when remembering loved ones, they have lost and happier times within a home. They can also trigger complex emotions of childhood trauma or domestic violence. To come together in the community and feel in a safe space, where displays of Christmas can be painful reminders of being able to participate in the traditional festivities that bring families together, is commendable to their strength and the journey that they are presently on to transform their lives.
If we delve into the story of Christmas, we are reminded, that even the baby Jesus, himself, was born into Homelessness. We live in a society where stigma is attached to an ongoing crisis, a vicious cycle of a failing system.
So tonight, as we invited the community into our resident’s safe place, their home. We stood together, ate together, and cared for each other, in the cold winter air as our voices raised hope to the stars.
9th September
Cultural feast shared by staff celebrates diversity and inclusion.
Harbour Housing recognised the generosity of one of its own colleagues through its Act of Kindness Award, celebrating the everyday
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9th June
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22nd May
