I don't know if there are any studies on the effect of the self-esteem of black Britons of black-face customs but I would wager that that not enough people have encountered or heard of it to be a problem. On the Morris dance discussion list in the past few years there has been interest in the effect of C19 black-face minstrelsy on British customs and, irregardless of whether or not blacking up was done prior to this, it certainly did have it's effect - witness tunes such as 'Oh Susannah' and 'Camptown Races' being used for morris dances and the number of 'Old Joe' or 'Not for Joe' tunes in use.

I was disappointed to see the pictures. To me, they are portrayals of happy-go-lucky plantation workers and not just blacked up faces as part of a disguise to ward off evil spirits or to avoid being recognised by the authorities.

I'm sure, however, that the people of Padstow will modify their costumes over the years and retain the celebrations as they have done for the May celebrations.