Traditionally, after the last corn was cut on a farm, its workers and guests from the community went back to a barn or farmhouse to enjoy an evening of celebration.
Used with kind permission of Helston Museum
The Guldize feast was famous for its food and drink, including a steamed pudding called Guldize Pudding, which became popular all year round in some Cornish homes. Quite often, a large lamb or beef stew was cooked for the occasion and eaten by the farm workers. Sometimes, the farm workers would try and smuggle the “neck” of corn (the last corn to be cut) into the feast. If they were caught by the people preparing the food, a bucket of water was thrown over them, but if they succeeded they would receive a kiss from one of the girls attending.
A number of traditional dances are associated with the events of Guldize including “Cock in Britches”, which copies the process of sowing and harvesting grain. There are still Guldize feasts held in some parts of Cornwall.
