Mevagissey (Photo: Keith Gray)
(Links are in blue)
This Month’s Cornish Articles and Poems
The History of the Port of Par
To study the history of Par harbour, we first need to peer back through the mists of time to the port of St Blazey. It was here that ships came to the area of Par Beach. Around 400 years ago, it was a small, shallow estuary of the St Blazey (Par) River.
Truro Pubs – Coroners’ Inquests
My general approach to research into Truro pubs has been to try to show how pubs are so tightly woven into the fabric of the community, reflecting everyday life, people and events locally, nationally and even internationally. That is as true today as it ever was.
Dame Schools as a part of the Cornish Education System
Prior to the Elementary Education Act of 1870, the state took no responsibility for schooling and those who wanted their children to receive lessons had to rely on charity or private arrangements.
Educating Boy Willie – a Cornish Dialect audio
Educating Boy Willie is a classic Cornish dialect story made famous by the late storyteller Herbie Lean and recounted here in his own inimitable style by raconteur David Oates of Proper Job singers.
The heavy gates were sealed in ninety’s chill,
The winding drum stood silent on the hill.
Damp bitter air still clings to rusted stone,
Where phantom miners walk the dark alone.
Our aim is to include articles and poems related to Cornwall so if you are seeking a platform for your work please get in touch: editor@cornishstory.com
Cornish Books
Publication to mark Black History Month
My Manifesto for Cornwall (Ow Derivadow Rag Kernow) by Garry Tregidga and Andrew Climo
‘My Manifesto for Cornwall’ was citizen engagement initiative of the Cornish Democracy Unit based at the Institute of Cornish Studies at the time of the 2024 general election. Voters from across Cornwall were given the opportunity to put forward their own priorities for the next 5 years. The aim was to identify local concerns, along with possible solutions, which could be presented to Cornwall’s elected representatives and then used as the basis for further research and dissemination.
For a copy of the findings, which contains 35 of the manifestos. For a copy of the findings, which contains 35 of the manifestos, please see: Manifesto for Cornwall.
Finally, a book to delight all of Cornwall’s Rugby Folk – (further details nearer publication)
Projects
Skinners Bottom Wesleyan Chapel
(Photo: Tony Mansell)
Compilation of Truro Inns and Pubs
Compilation of St Agnes Inns & Pubs
Rescorla Cultural Centre Events
(Cornish Story is a part of the Rescorla Centre)
Creative workshops and events at the Rescorla Centre with an emphasis on Cornish History and Craft delivered in association with Cornish Story and the Institute of Cornish Studies. Click here for details.
On Saturday 19th September there will be a Cornish Language Day at Rescorla. At 10.30am we will have a broad discussion exploring attitudes towards the language through time. We will also consider how Rescorla is developing a language strategy in relation to education, music and community/research projects.
In the afternoon at 2.30pm we will discover how Cornish place names unlock the secrets of the language with Dr Andrew Climo from the Institute of Cornish Studies. In his talk, “Why Cornish place names matter and what they tell us about correct language usage,” Andrew will explore the links between Cornish and other Brittonic languages, and reveal crucial grammatical rules hidden right under our noses in local signage. Perfect for all skill levels, this interactive session exposes common pronunciation pitfalls made even by experts and concludes with a practical workshop to test your new skills.
In the evening at 7.00pm there will be an opportunity to sing in Cornish as a particular focus of our monthly Esedhek Rescorla.
Other Events include:
Cornish Studies Group on the third Saturday of the month at 10.30am.
Celtic Music Session on the third Saturday of the month at 7.00pm.
Kegin (Cornish for ‘Kitchen’) session on the last Saturday of the month at 10.30am. Food, music, singing, dialect readings, and poetry around the kitchen table.
Rescorla Book Club throughout the year. Please email Tracy Pithie for further details.
Please email Garry Tregidga to pre-book.
Cornish items by other writers or organisations
In accordance with our aim to promote a greater knowledge of Cornwall and the Cornish Diaspora overseas, we are pleased to include details of films, books, articles and projects relating to aspects of Cornish culture past and present.
Elizabeth Dale – The Cornish Bird
The Curse of Pendeen Vau Fogou
Cornish Story is an initiative that works in association with the Institute of Cornish Studies.
The Institute of Cornish Studies (Fondyans Studhyansow Kernewek) seeks to promote a greater knowledge of historical and contemporary Cornwall.
As a partnership between the University of Exeter and Cornwall Council, the Institute combines academic research and teaching with community engagement.
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