I don't believe the photograph of Padstow highlighted by Guest Pat has been doctored. It was printed in the Guardian on 3 January 2007, and that newspaper is quite scrupulous at not doctoring images. I have seen this photo printed before.
So, a few observations ....
Cats: there can be no photographic evidence for the merrymakers blacking up for hundreds of years. There is no evidence that the Bacup nutters' dance came from Cornwall ... apocraphal stories ... most customs seem to have them ...

Having looked into blacking up for the EDS feature that Ruth Archer has kindly quoted from, there is undoubtedly an influence on English folk culture from minstrelsy. Bacup may be one, Padstow mummers may be another, the 20th century traditional Border morris which has been copied by revival sides might be another.
The question is ...has the blacking up transcended its origin and now have a life of its own?
Does this practice offend sectors of our society? (And I don't mean just the black members of our society ... white people might also be offended).
And if so, are we prepared to do anything about it?

For whatever reason, the people of Padstow are doing something about it - and well done to them. I have spoken to many people who either live in Padstow or visit the town and they say that there is no intention to cause offence, which I have no reason to disagree with. But who decides what gives offence and to whom?
Derek Schofield