"I still can't see any and there is photographic and written evidence in the archives in Padstow Museum, that the Merrymakers have always blacked their faces and this dates back hundreds of years."

How old is photography?

I suppose we getting no further really.

The use of blacking up seems to lie somewhere between a long time ago and Minstrelsy. The point really is, this 2007 and lots of people feel uneasy or are offended and explanations of historical significance here or in books about Padstow wont make any difference.

"Those who don't know any better, should.
Those who do know better and still continue this sort of behaviour are guilty of bigotry."
As Jim said.

What on Earth do these people think they are protecting and at what price?

We used to enslave people, put children up chimnees and burn women as witches and now we don't. although I see they are still burning catholic effegies in Lewes.