18/10/2026
Wise women or witches? With Halloween around the corner, we’re looking back at two of Helston’s most famous characters 🔮
Long before the NHS, if you were unwell, lovesick or convinced someone had cursed you, you might have paid a visit to a wise woman, also known as a pellar. Helston was home to two of the best known in Cornwall.
Tamsin Blight, or “Tammy Blee” (1798 - 1856) as locals called her, was consulted on everything from lost money to broken hearts and was credited with many cures. Even on her deathbed, people were said to be carried to her on stretchers, only to get up and walk out perfectly well!
Granny (Anne) Boswell (1813 - 1909) worked long, hard days on farms around Helston and was sought out for fortune telling, love spells and cures for sick animals. Our favourite story about her involves what may have been the first motor car in Helston. After a few ales in The Blue Anchor, she stood in the street, fascinated by the machine; but the driver, frustrated by Granny being in the way, angrily told her to move. Granny Boswell became furious and informed the driver that she had cursed him and he wouldn’t make it out of Helston! The car went on its way, only to break down at the bottom of the street.
Magic, or just unreliable engineering? You decide!
