Is your Giant or Beast still active or has it retired?
Retired – date uncertain but about 2005. Became rather damaged with use and abuse. He went out in a blaze of glory; his head was ceremonially burnt in the street. The body disposed of and the frame recycled.
Description: Peter’s structure was made from bamboo poles tied together in a cruciform shape, with the cross-member positioned at shoulder height. The head was made from paper and paste, with a plaster coating. The body and arms were constructed from heavy-duty bubble wrap, while the hands were stuffed, handmade giant gloves.
The upright bamboo pole had a metal hook built into it, which hooked into the carrier’s belt. The carrier also held onto the pole, while two additional people supported the arms using single bamboo poles attached to the giant’s hands.
The entire surface of the body was covered with rag-like streamers made mainly from lightweight plastic strips, along with some paper, cloth and Christmas tinsel string. Almost anything was used, with the materials attached using sellotape.
Peter was designed to move fairly freely and was even able to make his way through some doorways.
Peter was assembled and decorated at a family workshop held during the Cornwall Folk Festival in Wadebridge in 1990, and was used almost immediately afterwards. The creator was Mark Forrow.
There was no specific folktale or myth connected to Peter but the presence of giant’s in Cornish history and legend was invoked. The idea was to have a being that would belong to the town and locality and only appear once a year – marking the year turning. In this we were influenced by the creation of the Dawlish giant which first appeared the previous year. Other giants such as a Mayday giant at Calstock, Bolster in St Agnes, the giants created by Michael and Wendy Dacre as well as the Dorchester giants made by Derek Moody also fed the idea.
What Was the First Event the Giant / Beast Attended?
Wadebridge Folk Festival 1990 and first Lostwithiel New Year procession at the turning of that year.
Does the Giant / Beast Still Exist? No
Who Carries the Giant / Inhabits the Beast, or Is It a Shared Role?
One carrier two arm supporters usually for the duration of entire procession.
How is it stored? Storage was always a problem. Peter came apart fairly easily, and the body and arms could be packed into bags, but the cross-piece and head were more difficult to store.
Initially, Peter was stored in the attic of the Dower House in Fore Street, Lostwithiel. This building remains the starting point for all subsequent processions. He was later stored in various other attics and garages before his final demise.
Maker / Creator(s) Mark Forrow, with assorted friends including Wendy Dacre, plus workshop helpers.
Ref: 08 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.
Peter
Location: Lostwithiel, Corrnwall
Year / Period Created
1990
Description:
Peter’s structure was made from bamboo poles tied together in a cruciform shape, with the cross-member positioned at shoulder height. The head was made from paper and paste, with a plaster coating. The body and arms were constructed from heavy-duty bubble wrap, while the hands were stuffed, handmade giant gloves.
The upright bamboo pole had a metal hook built into it, which hooked into the carrier’s belt. The carrier also held onto the pole, while two additional people supported the arms using single bamboo poles attached to the giant’s hands.
The entire surface of the body was covered with rag-like streamers made mainly from lightweight plastic strips, along with some paper, cloth and Christmas tinsel string. Almost anything was used, with the materials attached using sellotape.
Peter was designed to move fairly freely and was even able to make his way through some doorways.
Peter was assembled and decorated at a family workshop held during the Cornwall Folk Festival in Wadebridge in 1990, and was used almost immediately afterwards. The creator was Mark Forrow.
What Was the First Event the Giant / Beast Attended?
Does the Giant / Beast Still Exist?
No
Who Carries the Giant / Inhabits the Beast, or Is It a Shared Role?
How is it stored?
Storage was always a problem. Peter came apart fairly easily, and the body and arms could be packed into bags, but the cross-piece and head were more difficult to store.
Initially, Peter was stored in the attic of the Dower House in Fore Street, Lostwithiel. This building remains the starting point for all subsequent processions. He was later stored in various other attics and garages before his final demise.
Maker / Creator(s)
Mark Forrow, with assorted friends including Wendy Dacre, plus workshop helpers.
Ref: 08 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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