Day of Talks Coming up to Celebrate Museum's Anniversary

Friends of the Museum of Witchcraft

are proud to present

Guardians of Cornish Magic

A day of talks to celebrate the Museum’s 60th Anniversary

at

The Wellington Hotel Boscastle

May 14th 2011

In the 20th Century 3 people in Cornwall had a major effect on the worlds of Witchcraft, Magic and Folklore.Cecil Williamson collected magical artefacts in his now world famous Museum of Witchcraft, William Paynter was the last great collector of Cornish folklore, and Ithell Colquhoun’s love of the Cornish landscape influenced her art, her writing and her magical practice.

1030 doors open

1100 Cecil Williamson - Life of an Occultist by Kerriannn Godwin and Joyce Froome

Williamson founded of The Museum of Witchcraft 60 years ago in 1951 and this talk looks at his fascinating life before and after the Museum’s inception.

1215 The Cornish Witchfinder: William Henry Paynter by Jason Semmens

Paynter was a folklorist, antiquary & bard of the Cornish Gorsedd who collected witch-stories & folklore during the 1920s & 30s. His writings are the last great collection of Cornish Folklore.

1315 lunch break

1415 Ithell Colquhoun’s Magical Cornwall by Dr Amy Hale (anthropologist)

Surrealist artist, poet and essayist, Colquhoun had a passionate relationship with Cornwall whiich lasted over 40 years. We look at her art, writings and magic and see how her perspectives on Cornwall intersected with wider cultural movements such as Cornish nationalism, the earth mysteries movement and the development of Paganismin the latter half of the 20th century.

1530 Break

1830 Anniversary Book Launch at The Museum of Witchcraft upper gallery

The Museum of Witchcraft ~ A Magical History

a collection of personal memories celebrating 60 years

published by The Occult Art Company in conjunction with Friends of the Museum

Cost for the day ~ £10.00 on the door (prebooking preferred to avoid disappointment)

Concessions for Friends of the Museum ~ £6.00

Book launch ~ free

Donations welcome

Reservations can be made by contacting museumwitchcraft@aol.com or 01840250111
Payment should be made on the day by cash or cheque & tickets are to be picked up at the door

at least half an hour before doors open

Library expands & aniversary plans.

Due to the ever-increasing numbers of books which are being donated, the library is expanding into the kitchen. Graham is busy painting and putting up shelves in readiness for an onslaught of news books. On the subject of books, the anniversary book is going well with all submissions in and most of the author biographies done. Designing the cover this week so hopefully it can get to the printers by end Feb. Fingers crossed. Steve Patterson is organising a day of talks to go along with the book launch for May 14th. We are confirming it this week so I'll let you know details shortly.

Database

Just a quick update on the database - all is going well with the data entry and it is proving a great boon to researchers. We have heard there are people who may have issues with the database. If any one has any concerns please contact the museum directly so we can address any problems personally. We always prefer people to have a dialogue with us directly rather than having misinformation spread around. Hannah is looking after things at the moment and Graham will be available from Feb 9th. So once again please speak to Graham directly for any information regarding the museum. It will be the best place to find out the facts.