Crying the Neck at Gulval, Cornwall
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Crying the Neck at Gulval, Cornwall
A man in the village of Gulval near Penzance, Cornwall, in September 1984, following the harvest tradition of Crying the Neck, a custom practised in Devon and Cornwall when the last handful of standing corn is cut at the end of the harvest. One of the reapers lifts the bunch high above his head and calls out in a loud voice " A neck! A neck! A neck!" Date: 1984
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Media ID 14248271
© Mary Evans Picture Library/ANDREW BESLEY
1984 Agricultural Agriculture Band Brass Bunch Calling Celebration Corn Crop Crops Crying Custom Eighties Farmer Fields Handful Harvest Harvesting Instrument Lifts Loud Neck Penzance Reapers Reaping Shirt Tattoo Tradition Traditions Tuba Voice Musical
Crying the Neck
EDITORS COMMENTS
at Gulval, Cornwall: A Time-Honored Harvest Tradition This evocative photograph captures the essence of a cherished harvest tradition, "Crying the Neck," as it unfolded in the quaint village of Gulval, near Penzance, Cornwall, in September 1984. The image depicts a man, dressed in a worn shirt, his arms adorned with intricate tattoos, standing in a sun-kissed field, the last remnants of the harvest at his feet. The man, one of the reapers, cradles a small bunch of standing corn in his hands, his face etched with the exhaustion and satisfaction that comes with a bountiful harvest. With a triumphant cry, he lifts the precious handful high above his head and calls out in a loud voice, "A neck! A neck! A neck!" This age-old custom, practiced in Devon and Cornwall, marks the end of the harvest season. The reaper's call echoes through the fields, signaling to neighboring farms that the last of the corn has been cut. The tradition is steeped in history, with roots dating back to medieval times, when farmers would celebrate the successful completion of the harvest with music, food, and community. In this photograph, the man's call is met with the sound of a brass band playing in the distance, their tubas and other musical instruments adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The people of Gulval, dressed in their Sunday best, gather around, their faces filled with smiles and joy, as they bear witness to this time-honored tradition. As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the fields, the community comes together to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a well-deserved rest. This poignant moment in time stands as a testament to the rich agricultural heritage of the UK, a tradition that continues to be celebrated in the rolling hills and verdant fields of Cornwall and beyond.
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