Bolster Day

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The image of the giant Bolster from the Bolster Day celebrations

Bolster day is annual festival held at Chapel Porth cove near St Agnes, Cornwall, UK. The festival is held on May 1 every year and reinacts the events of the Cornish legend of Bolster the giant^[1] and St Agnes with use of giant imagery and local performers. During the day there are also Cornish dance displays and other entertainments.

[edit] The legend of Bolster

Bolster was legendary giant that was said to live near the cliffs^[2] at St Agnes. He was said to eat children^[3] and people at random. The legend continues that he fell in love with a beautiful young girl called Agnes who steals his heart.

The Knight, Sir Constantine, and other local dignitaries challenge Bolster to a fight to the death. Legend says that the fight took place at Chapel Porth and that the giant overcame all who challenged him. Young Agnes was the one to finally vanquish the giant. She asks him to fill a nearby pool with his blood to prove his love for her, knowing full well that there is a hole in the pool which runs out to the sea. The giant did as he was asked and died due to blood loss. The events of Bolster day recreate this story in more detail.