Is your Giant or Beast still active or has it retired?
Still active, but needs a ‘glow up’ this year
Description:
Concept by Debenie Morse and made by Meriel Chudleigh and Debenie in December 2015. We had made three other giants before and wanted one with longevity and weather resistance that also came alive with movement. Genuinely two faced with a Green side and a Red side. Loosely based on the Green Man and Janus, the god who looks back at the old year and forward to the new.
The green man features widely in British folklore, though less so in Cornwall. Janus I believe was a roman god. We liked the idea of a giant that creates it’s own following and story and it has been carried at most Lostwithiel new year processions since it’s creation. Construction: T cross shaped body made from an extendable window cleaning pole. The cross piece is attached to an old aluminium framed rucksack bought from ebay.
Its lightweight construction and flexible arms make it super easy to pack in the back of a car. This is mark 2 as the original fixing was a pole that sat inside a pole bearer on an old clearing saw holster. The rucksack is apparently much more comfortable. It has a double hoop face made with papier mache painted with acrylic paints and embellished with fabric. Eyes that light up (click on LED) and halo of green and red fairy lights (battery powered with batteries pack folded into neck material. Hands are also painted papier mache covering sausages of bubble wrap.
Anthropomorphic with hands attached to super flexible arms. Body covering is lightweight nylon strips in green and red and black bin liners add some reflective shine. These allow movement without too much bulk. The material is attached to a kimono style jacket made from bubble wrap.
Two (plastic from a garden centre) magpies for joy are perched on its shoulders.
What Was the First Event the Giant / Beast Attended? Lostwithiel Giants Parade 2015 to 2016.
Does the Giant / Beast Still Exist? Yes
Who Carries the Giant / Inhabits the Beast, or Is It a Shared Role? One person wears the body, usually Steve Chudleigh, making the giant around 12 feet. Two people carry the hands via the poles attached. This makes it more mobile and responsive.
Any tales of outings/visits/strange and wonderful occurrences or special memories that should go down in History In two recent new year’s illness meant the giant’s walk was under threat, however a new generation of bearers and followers saved the day.
How is it stored? Currently stabled in The Church Rooms, Lostwithiel. Previously in a household attic.
Maker / Creator(s) Debenie Morse and Meriel Chudleigh
Ref: 10 BFG
If you notice an error in this information, want to ask for additional details to be added or request the removal of any image or information, please contact us quoting the reference number above via email in the footer.
Red/Green Man
Location: Lostwithiel, Corrnwall
Year / Period Created
2015
Description:
Concept by Debenie Morse and made by Meriel Chudleigh and Debenie in December 2015. We had made three other giants before and wanted one with longevity and weather resistance that also came alive with movement. Genuinely two faced with a Green side and a Red side. Loosely based on the Green Man and Janus, the god who looks back at the old year and forward to the new.
The green man features widely in British folklore, though less so in Cornwall. Janus I believe was a roman god. We liked the idea of a giant that creates it’s own following and story and it has been carried at most Lostwithiel new year processions since it’s creation.
Construction: T cross shaped body made from an extendable window cleaning pole. The cross piece is attached to an old aluminium framed rucksack bought from ebay.
Its lightweight construction and flexible arms make it super easy to pack in the back of a car. This is mark 2 as the original fixing was a pole that sat inside a pole bearer on an old clearing saw holster. The rucksack is apparently much more comfortable. It has a double hoop face made with papier mache painted with acrylic paints and embellished with fabric. Eyes that light up (click on LED) and halo of green and red fairy lights (battery powered with batteries pack folded into neck material. Hands are also painted papier mache covering sausages of bubble wrap.
Anthropomorphic with hands attached to super flexible arms. Body covering is lightweight nylon strips in green and red and black bin liners add some reflective shine. These allow movement without too much bulk. The material is attached to a kimono style jacket made from bubble wrap.
Two (plastic from a garden centre) magpies for joy are perched on its shoulders.
What Was the First Event the Giant / Beast Attended?
Lostwithiel Giants Parade 2015 to 2016.
Does the Giant / Beast Still Exist?
Yes
Who Carries the Giant / Inhabits the Beast, or Is It a Shared Role?
One person wears the body, usually Steve Chudleigh, making the giant around 12 feet. Two people carry the hands via the poles attached. This makes it more mobile and responsive.
Any tales of outings/visits/strange and wonderful occurrences or special memories that should go down in History
In two recent new year’s illness meant the giant’s walk was under threat, however a new generation of bearers and followers saved the day.
How is it stored?
Currently stabled in The Church Rooms, Lostwithiel. Previously in a household attic.
Maker / Creator(s)
Debenie Morse and Meriel Chudleigh
Ref: 10 BFG
If you notice an error in this information, want to ask for additional details to be added or request the removal of any image or information, please contact us quoting the reference number above via email in the footer.
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