The Piskeys in the Cellar

East Cornwall miners didn’t believe that Piran first found tin in Cornwall, no, that was Picrous. Down Blackmore stannary miners commemorated  the discovery of tin with a Picrous Day holiday, Thursday before Christmas.

Tin streamers at Luxulyan celebrated with a meal at the Rising Sun. John Sturtridge was one, marking a good year streaming. After the feast he nearly made it home to Luxulyan Church town, got as far as Tregarden Down when he came across piskeys partying away Picrous Night in the shelter of an old granite boulder. Piskeys love to party, they were dancing and singing to the sound of a piskey fiddler. John was entranced by the music, and soon he couldn’t think straight, couldn’t find his way home even though he knew the way well. He must have been mazed.

All of a sudden a voice called out. 'Away to Par Beach.'

A piskey shout went up and John closed his eyes and joined in.

'Away to Par Beach.'

John opened his eyes and golden sands stretched either side of him. He was on Par Beach. No idea how he got there, mind. Piskeys surrounded him, singing and dancing on the soft sands. John joined in.

After a while a shout went up. 'Away to Heligan.'

John closed his eyes and joined in.

'Away to Heligan.'

John opened his eyes and there he was in the cellars under Heligan House. Squire Tremain’s casks of beer and brandy, Squire Tremain’s racks of wine filled the cellars. Piskeys were helping themselves. John was some thirsty after all that dancing on Par Beach, helped himself too. Drank his fill, fell asleep, didn’t hear the piskeys shout. Woke up, with a hand clasping his shoulder. It was Squire Tremain’s butler, Oh no. John was hauled before the squire.

'You’ve drunk half my cellar,' boomed the squire. 'Fine wines, best brandy, the lot.'

'No, no,' cried John, 'It wasn’t me it was the piskeys.'

'Piskeys!? You’re having a laugh. No such thing as piskeys. I sentence you to 10 years in jail for burglary.'

Poor John Sturtridge. Next day he was taken to prison. A large crowd gathered to watch. John spied the prettiest maid he’d ever seen wearing a bright green dress, colour of wild garlic in spring. 

All of a sudden she shouted. 'Away to France.'

John closed his eyes and joined in. 'Away to France.'

When he opened his eyes he was in France, with a beautiful girl in a green dress by his side, and there he stayed.