The history of the midsummer bonfire dates back to the times of Pagan rituals. In its early days, the Church found itself faced with the alternatives either of supressing altogether the such Pagan festivals as the Midsummer bonfires, or adopting and adapting them for its own purpose.

It generally choose the latter option; and so the fires were allowed to continue, though they were now lit to celebrate the Eve of St John (Cornish golowan, from gol Jowan, John's feast).

Waiting for the Sun to set over the Brisons before lighting the fire. There's a Simply Green Cornwall camp site at the foot of Chapel Carn Brea, an ideal base to explore the far western tip of Cornwall.

The fire is lit by the locals after a prayer was read in the Cornish language.

Within minutes the flames could be seen for miles and the signal was sent to Madron to fire their own beacon of light.

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