An almshouse is defined as “a unit of residential accommodation (usually a house or flat) which belongs to a charity, is provided exclusively to meet the charity’s purposes (for example, the relief of financial need or infirmity) and is occupied or is available for occupation under a licence by a qualified beneficiary”1. The Henry Williams…Continue Reading “The Pydar Street Almshouses”
Someone once said, “If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” Honestly, I don’t think we, as a society, know what hardship is. When I was a child we had little money, even though both my parents worked and had relatively good jobs. My father was an alcoholic and…Continue Reading “It’s a hard-knock life”
Although we are unable to establish a firm date in which the following event took place, we can be sure that it was at a time when most people lived religious lives and almost everything they did between birth and death involved the local church or chapel. If however, there was one thing which…Continue Reading “Paddy the Smuggler”
I do swear, that I have not received or had by myself, or any person whatsoever, in trust for me, or for my use or benefit, directly or indirectly, any sum or sums of money, office, place, or employment, gift, or reward, or any promise or security, for any money, office, employment, or gift, in…Continue Reading “The Grampound Potwallopers: Corruption in Georgian Cornwall”
The wreck of the VIKING – March 1872 Harlyn Bay The Arab at Harlyn (Photo: courtesy Malc McCarthy) John Buckingham brings us a real-life sea drama involving the demise of the barque Viking, and the remarkable bravery of the men of the Albert Edward who went to her aid. Here, there is drama in the…Continue Reading “Courage Above and Beyond”
Cornwall’s coast is littered with maritime casualties and in this article Audrey Aylmer (Cares Enesow) of Bude Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society brings us its story of one of these, the Portuguese steamship Belem which was wrecked at Menachurch Point, Northcott Mouth, near Bude. The SS Belem had been launched in 1890…Continue Reading “The Demise of the S S Belem”