Folklore: Cornish Paddle

Subject: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: fiddler
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:31 AM

I was playing a tune last night for the Cornish Paddle Dance.

Now we know it is not a boat paddle, and there are no canals in Cornwall so thats dead too, there are references in the notation of the dance (apparently) to sowing seeds etc.

So my question (which I have asked of the Rural History Centre at Reading Uni too is 'What is a Cornish Paddle?@

Ypou8 guys here know so much about so much I thought you'd all be worth an ask too!

TIA

A

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:39 AM

From an on-line reverse etymological ddictionary comes:

padell (ME) 'spud for cleaning, a plowshare': PADDLE

So, a hoe, basically.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 07:45 AM

In fact I think that should read "spud for cleaning plowshare"! Spud is here a small tool.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 10:57 AM

Spuds were also sort of "teeth" that you could fiit around the wheel of a tractor ot traction engine to give extra grip in muddy conditions. You can still see a spud pan under the front axle on some plouging engines (as pointed out to this townie by my country cousin-in-law a couple of years back).

Steve

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 10:57 AM

... where you put the spuds when you're not using them, I should have added.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: Marion in Cornwall
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 11:29 AM

A quick search in 'google' came up with this site:

http://www.an-daras.com/d_danceindex_p_cockinbritches.asp

It tells you about "the 'weedin' paddle itself, a tool with a blade reminiscent of a shoe horn and a cross piece on a long pole used for pulling out long rooted weeds, especially docks and dandelions."

It also provides the words and dance music, and how to do the dance.

Hope this is helpful

Regards,
Marion

Subject: RE: Origins: Cornish Paddle
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Feb 04 - 05:22 PM

Marion, What a great site! Thank you. The women all have the high foreheads and oval faces that I see in photos of my ancestors. Thank you again, Joy

Subject: RE: Folklore: Cornish Paddle
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 04:10 AM

WEll some brilliant replies here thanks folks I never thought to search under the tune title, doh!!!!

Anyway some good comments I have had nothing back from the Rural History Centre Yet!

Thanks all

A
x

Subject: RE: Folklore: Cornish Paddle
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 06:00 AM

What a wonderful link! Where can a person hear the tune?

(and are there really 5 posts with no snide remarks about the name of this dance????? Amazing!!)

Allison

Subject: RE: Folklore: Cornish Paddle
From: fiddler
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:29 AM

ooh errr.....

I became guest two posts ago am me again now - I suppose as I was playing it in context the thought of cock in breeches never occurred to me!

I am slow but not a bnjo player!

A
*GRIN*

Subject: RE: Folklore: Cornish Paddle
From: fiddler
Date: 05 Feb 04 - 07:30 AM

I've never heard a recording of it I can post the dots if that is any good. allright I should have put that in teh last post - at work and rushing - sorry.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Cornish Paddle
From: fiddler
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 03:56 AM

OK some great stuff, as I said above. I Am now looking for a picture of a Paddle!

A