On Sunday, June 28th, at 2pm, the Pagan community will be holding a  ceremony to celebrate the Summer Solstice at the Peace Field at Penmount, near Truro. This will be offered as an Interfaith event, as one  of Dor Kemmyn’s (the Cornwall Faith Forum) monthly get-togethers.

Eve, from the Pagan community writes ‘Summer Solstice is one of four Fire festivals celebrated by Pagans in Cornwall.  it usually falls on the 20th or 21st June, when the Earth tilts on its axis, and the Northern and Southern Hemispheres  move closer to, or further from, the Sun.. Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year. For Pagans, this marks a turning point in the year,  the moment when the Sun reaches the  zenith of  its power. From this day, the days grow shorter. For many pagans, this is represented by the Reign of the Oak King ending, to be succeeded by the reign of the Holly King. We know that the Solstices, both Summer and Winter, were of great significance to our ancestors, as many of our ancient sites are aligned to sunrise or sunset on these days, perhaps most famously,  Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in  Ireland. Here in Cornwall, Boscawen-Un , Tregeseal and the Merry Maidens stone circles are aligned to the Solstices, along with many other ancient places such as Chun Quoit and Bosiliack Barrow.  Summer Solstice is a time when we honour the power and strength of the Sun, and reflect on what is growing and flourishing in our own lives.

Everyone is very welcome! The Peace Field is well-signposted, (turn  into the Penmount Crematorium near Truro and its the first field  on the left),  plenty of parking, and loos. The ritual will be child-wonderful, and the field is a big safe space. The field is – well a field! – but fairly level. You may wish to bring a chair if a picnic rug is not your style. The Forest for Cornwall have planted some lovely mixed woodland there, which is coming on really well, so there is  a wonderful new young forest to admire  and cherish. And our circle of Peace Poles are now complete!

Please bring food and drink to share, and  anything you would like to place on our altar, along with any poems, songs, music, readings or wishes you feel inspired to offer.’

For further information please contact Eve via email [email protected]

We have some further dates of events set for 2026.  More information will be uploaded onto this website shortly, but for now you may wish to save these dates in your diary (all to be held in the afternoon):

Sunday, 31st May – Late Eid Celebration at the Dor Kemmyn Peace Field, Penmount, Truro

Sunday 28th June – Pagan Celebration at the Dor Kemmyn Peace Field, Penmount, Truro

Sunday 26th July – Peace Pilgrimage and celebrating 800th Anniversary of St Francis, from Tresillian to St Clement (and return) with a cream tea at St Clements

Sunday 9th August – Event led by the Buddhist Faith Community at the Dor Kemmyn Peace Field, Penmount, Truro

Either 26th or 27th (TBC) Sukkot Jewish Festival – venue also TBC.

For further information contact Andrew Yates [email protected]

This year, the Baha’is of Cornwall will be holding a variety of smaller satellite events in different areas of  the County. In St Austell, we  decided to hold a community  ‘Arts’ afternoon to reflect the significant role of the Arts within most Baha’i Communities across the world.

Sadly we won’t be at the field this year but hopefully this joint venture with the Cornwall Faith Forum will encourage you all to attend!

There will be  a musical introduction when the Bahai Ukelele  Group will perform.

Then, you can choose to ‘have a go’ at one or more Arts activities. A mini ukelele workshop will be held where you can learn a few chords, ( it might be the beginning of a lifelong passion!)

In another space you can do a bit of meditative painting  ie you don’t have to be an expert – Ideally  making a few strokes on the paper will calm you!

And finally we may have a small beading session and possibly something clay related J

The usual tea, coffee and squash will be provided  and feel free to bring any small snack for this pot luck event.

It will be held at the home of Phil Clifford.  31 Ranelagh Road, St Austell, PL 25 4 NS

Parking in the road is limited but there are parallel roads and you can walk around. There is also a small carpark on Clifden Road – next door to the Air Ambulance Shop. I think it’s free on a Sunday.  For more information contact Philomena [email protected]

Image above by Marisa04 from Pixabay

Sunday August 24th from 2pm we shall be having our Dor Kemmyn Peace Field Pole Cleaning with picnic.   BYO food to share.  Drinks will be provided.   If you have a spray bottle then bring filled with water mixed with ordinary washing up liquid and cloths.

Hope to see you there!

Andrew Yates

[email protected]