We were filming the second series of Poldark in spring 1977 and were based for a while near the seaside town of Padstow on Cornwall’s north coast.
On May 1st the town is taken over by the ‘Obby ‘Oss (Hobby Horse) Festival–an excuse for a day of communal good natured madness and merriment, with obvious origins in traditional fertility festivals that pop up everywhere at this time of year.
This is the account of it I wrote in my book Making Poldark .
We’d finished filming the expedition to France,"Operation Rescue"!
and it was May Day; a group of us decided to go to Padstow for the Festival.
We arrived at about 7 pm, and from far away we could hear the beat of the drum and the music.It had been going on for at least twelve hours and the atmosphere was “jolly” –you might say. We rounded the bend and came into a square and there it was! The umpteenth parade of the hobbyhorse in full swing.
The drumbeat was mesmeric and the man inside the hobbyhorse never stopped moving–round and round he went, tempting and teasing the circle of young maidens. A pagan ritual full of fun and danger. Not English at all.
Someone in the crowd recognised me and although George Collins, my dresser, insisted I was his cousin Fred, and not Poldark, they weren’t convinced! So we moved on quickly to a pub down the hill.The beer and the cider were flowing freely, and it happened again and again.I was bought pasties and pints everywhere.A man in one of the pubs came up and said, “You’ve put Cornwall on the map. Thank you.” I was amazed and flattered, a little embarrassed and by this time somewhat stewed.We settled down in a corner to listen to the accordionist. We sang and we danced and everyone forgot about Poldark. It was a great night.I suppose I was naive to think I could go to a big Cornish festival like this and remain anonymous–television is a powerful and popular medium–but as for “putting Cornwall on the map”– on the evidence of this particular evening–it later occurred to me that it might be the other way around.The Poldarks enjoying a previous 'Obby 'Oss fayre?
Robin Ellis 
thats completely true!
I ve learned English Beacause of Poldark
I looked for Lands End (Truro)in maps of Britain
and I ve read Winston Graham Novels because of Poldark…
and I am reading this and trying this cook too…
I like Italian food my captain…
specially prepared by thee…
My partner and I stayed outside Padstow over a May Day weekend about 20 years ago; I can’t remember the exact year but I recall the ‘Obby ‘Orse festivities. It was great fun and very inspiring to take part in a festival which has is roots in very ancient practices. Padstow had not been ‘discovered’ then and was still quite small. Sadly these days, although still worth a visit, it has been surrounded by new development – much of it weekend homes or holiday lets. And a rather large supermarket.
As a Morris dancer/muso I loved reading this in ‘Making Poldark’ when it was first published. Padstow is certainly very special…
Bron Lloyd
Adelaide, South Australia
Wow! That’s good to hear, Bron–thanks.
I think that you and Cornwall have benefited from each other. So it was the perfect combination for success. It reminds me of the time when I was twelve years old and Poldark was first screened on TV in Germany in 1979. I was so impressed by this wonderful series of the unique landscape and its wild coastline. Therefore I began to inform me about Cornwall. Two years later I was surprised by my mother with a trip to Britain. But to my disappointment, the coach tour was ended in the Southwest in Devon. In the meantime I had fortunately opportunity of a visit in Cornwall.
You see that you have made excellent PR work for Cornwall. Television is indeed a powerful medium.
Thanks very much for your interesting blog
with best wishes from Munich
Thanks Martina; last time we were in Munich we were knee deep in snow!
Glad you got to Cornwall in the end.
Hi Robin,
yes, it certainly can happen here. Sometimes we have heavy Winter ! Munich area is candidate city for the Olympic Winter Games in 2018. Recently there was a citizen decision with only a small majority for the supporter of the games. People missing an egological concept and are worried about the high costs. I suppose, if we will get the games there is surely a mild, green winter in 2018 !
Cornwall is definitely a place i want to visit. and this is all due to the Poldark Series. Thanks for sharing . How do i get a copy of the Making of Poldark?
I know this is old news, but i only just got to this page, so it is new for me,since Poldark is dear to me, every issue on Poldark brings it current for me with more interest.
I am Ms.not Mr.
You could try Ebay for Making Poldark, Leonid.
Well, you never know how the things you do can influence other people.
Many moons ago a young girl saw Poldark on tv, fell instantly in love with the series (and Ross, needless to say) and never forgot about it. For years I was hoping for a rerun on tv, but no. So I was over the moon when I was able to buy the video’s and later the DVD’s. Then came the books and to complete my collection: “Making Poldark”.
After reading your book, I wondered what it would feel like to act and stand on stage. So, after a while I found the courage to take some actinglessons and joined a theatregroup. If I have any talent, I cannot say, but I do know that I had the time of my life! I felt at home on the stage and in the group, and most importantly, I have learned so much about myself. It was even good therapy for someone who is rather shy like me.
My “acting” days are over, I spend my days painting and writing as much as my health allows. By reading your blog I was sorry to learn that we do have one thing in common: type 2 diabetes.
So, to make a long story short: Thank you for the inspiration, all the wonderful hours I’ve spent watching Poldark, it never fails to send me back to the time that I was that young girl.
I hope your new book becomes a bestseller!
Best wishes,
Dieneke Bronsema
The Netherlands
Thank you Dieneke–I am touched by what you wrote and so happy you have those good memories.
I feel very lucky to have had the chance to make something that people remember kindly.
We both have much to thank Winston Graham for.
I hope your journey with Type 2 is not too hard.
And is’nt that the most wonderful thing you can achieve in this life: to be in the memories of people for something beautiful you’ve made or done. That goes for mr. Graham for writing the books, and for you, for making the character come to life like no one else could do.
And in my very little way I try to do the same with my drawings and stories, make someone smile, touch a heart, create something that will be remembered, if only by one person. I don’t know if this sounds a bit melodramatic, but it is the truth.
If ever you’re bored, it’s raining and there’s nothing to cook: you can find my drawings on facebook (she said blushing)
As for my journey with type 2: It is a rough road to travel. Can’t seem to get it under control. Not only because of the diabetes, I have some other problems with my body that won’t seem to listen to me. But hey, I’m still here…..
Thanks for answering my comment, never thought I’d be able to tell you this story. And it only took some thirty odd years!! 😉
Dieneke
Thanks, Dieneke–I’ll check them out.
Loooooooooooooved Poldark…..have all the series on DVD and coming from Padstow myself, I was pleased that you had an enjoyable day. In the clip above I am the slightly aged, portly maid in the blue cardigan, but as Prudy would say, ‘we’em all the same age in the dark Capt’n’
Too right my ‘andsome!
Hi Robin !!!!!!!……………..If you cant keep it out of the ruts……take it across the fields.
If ever in Padstow, please visit, I’m down by the duck-pond!!!
Have posted this on the I Love Padstow May Day Facebook page, Robin, as I am sure some of the group will remember that day and appreciate your understanding and description of the most important date in the Padstow calendar! Who could not enjoy it?? X
Thanks, lovely!
Thanks for the response! Several people have asked which pub it was ‘down the hill’, but I doubt you would remember…. It’s hard enough when it was only last month after a day there! Sounds like maybe The Ship though x
I have no notion!
Didn’t think so! Had a response from Toby Lobb to say it was him under the Oss in the YouTube clip. He is a member of the sea shanty group The Fisherman’s Friends now, who I am sure are famous in France, too! He was pleased to see it. I would love a cookery course, but am sadly a veggie! Good luck with your books, courses, future projects and lets hope for another cameo!