Did You Hear It? Horns Echo Through Penzance as Winter is Driven Away

A revived tradition marks the coming of summer

Penzance was filled with the sound of horns on Sunday 4th May as the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk.

Dressed in green and white, participants blew horns and made plenty of noise as they made their way from Newlyn to Penzance. Their mission was to follow the giant crow, known as Old Ned, and help chase away the devil of winter to welcome the arrival of summer.

The event brought a historic custom back to life, celebrating the changing of the seasons in true Cornish style.

Photos of the occasion are credited to Penzance Council.

Photos from the evening

Take a look below to see moments from this unique tradition:

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council

📷On Sunday 4 May, the revived tradition of Penzance May Horns took place at dusk, as people dressed in green and white blew horns and made noise from Newlyn to Penzance, following in the footsteps of the giant crow, Old Ned, to chase the devil of winter away and celebrate the coming of summer. Photo by Penzance Council