Tom Bawcock's Eve, 2015

December 23rd isn’t just the day before Christmas Eve in Mousehole….it’s Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Tom was a local fisherman who braved the midwinter weather to land a fine catch on this date, after a period of storms had prevented the men from sailing and the villagers faced famine. His act of heroism is commemorated annually and the story is re-enacted in the harbour ; the streets are illuminated with the famous harbour lights, there is a lantern parade and a special local delicacy called star-gazy pie is served. Unsurprisingly, this is a fish pie with a pastry crust; perhaps more surprisingly, the heads of the fish stick out through the crust to gaze at the diners.
For more information on this and other British customs and traditions, visit www.calendarcustoms.com