In part 2, John Dirring related how regular institutionalized banking in Cornwall began with the Miners’ Bank in Truro in 1771. He now continues with the story of the Cornish Bank, established very soon afterwards. Prominent in its earlier years was Francis Basset of Tehidy (Lord de Dunstanville), whose monument on Carn Brea (seen here)…Continue Reading “Banking in Cornwall Part 3: The early Cornish Bank, 1771-1830”
Lime kilns are an important part of our industrial history and most Cornish coastal or river communities would have had at least one with the resultant product used locally. They were mostly stone structures and their purpose was to convert limestone to quicklime, mainly for the construction and agricultural industries. It is difficult to be…Continue Reading “Cornish Lime Kilns”
Harmony Cot in 1905. Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, reed or other material to shed water and keep the building dry. This article, by Tony Mansell, was written in conjunction with Master Thatcher Elijah Francis as he undertook the re-roofing work on Harmony Cot, Blowing House,…Continue Reading “Elijah the Thatcher”
Delabole Slate Quarry Alan Murton is in east Cornwall and brings us the story of a Cornish icon – the Delabole Slate Quarry. Most of us have heard of it, some have seen it, but a pound to a penny there’s something new to learn from this graphic article. Standing at dawn with thousands…Continue Reading “Delabole Slate Quarry”
(Sketch: Mike Ricks) Mike Ricks brings us his evocative story of the time when he was a Cornish miner. Reading this leaves you in no doubt about the harsh conditions underground and perhaps goes some way to helping us understand the extraordinary camaraderie developed by those who laboured there. The contrast couldn’t…Continue Reading “Working Underground at South Crofty Mine”
Susan Coney brings us the history of N Gill and Son, arguably, the leading retailer and manufacturer of drapery, ladies and gentlemen’s attire and house furnishing in Truro for 120 years, from 1833 to 1953. The owners, especially William Nicholas Gill and his son Arthur William Gill, were prominent and philanthropic members of the Truro…Continue Reading “N Gill and Son – a very successful Truro Family Business for 120 years”