This photo depicts a section of the crowd carrying burning torches and firelight down Dock Street from the Acorn, led by Penglas and the Golowan Band. The occasion is the Eve or Vigil of St John., the true meaning of 'Goel Yowann', and a symbol of the zeal of our town's patron, St John the Baptist revered as the herald and forerunner of the coming of the light of Christ. The summer solstice on 21st June marks the longest day of our year in terms of light and 23rd June marks the celebration (23rd June) for Christians of St John's birth. The length of the Midsummer days is symbolic of Christ's light. It is also notable that when. as this year, Corpus Christi (The Feast of Christ's Body and Blood in Holy Communion) co-incided with the Eve of St John, there was traditionally, in Penzance in past centuries, an even more bumper revelry since it was an occasion on which to double up the celebration. People were well and truly fired up!!! The feasts of most saints mark their day of death, but not St John the Baptist!
