The Cornish Range or “Slab” was once an essential item in every home, it was where so many Cornish maids baked their first pasty. From early times, however, the commercial baker has been a part of every community and in this article, Tony Mansell looks back on his family’s history to a time when his…Continue Reading “A Trura Baker”
Part 1: Eighteenth-century beginnings Charlestown Harbour, shown here as it appears nowadays in a photo by Terry Knight, was begun in an age which also responded to the need for effective finance of the developing trade and industry of Cornwall. John Dirring begins to tell the story of banking in Cornwall with a consideration…Continue Reading “Banking in Cornwall”
In this article, Tony Mansell turns to the gunpowder manufacturing industry of the 19th century and looks at the process involved, and the pain experienced when things go wrong. Gunpowder was invented in China, probably in the 9th century, and its potential for warfare and for more peaceful purposes was quickly realised. Opinions vary…Continue Reading “Kennall Gunpowder Mill Co.”
Tregonning Hill is the westerly of two granite hills overlooking Mount’s Bay in west Cornwall, the other being Godolphin Hill. They are approximately 6 kilometres west of the town of Helston. This profile of Tregonning Hill Preaching Pit was compiled by Barry West and Tony Mansell. Little is known of Tregonning Hill Preaching Pit,…Continue Reading “Mapping Methodism – Tregonning Hill Preaching Pit”
David Oates – a Camborne man, born and bred, reflects on an era now sadly come to an end and talks about the impact of a famous engineering firm on the Cornwall of the past two hundred years. A gold watch beside me as I write, engraved with the distinctive “H” logo and the…Continue Reading “Holman – Echoes of an Age”
Paul Phillips and Tony Mansell have transcribed this interesting letter written by John Henry Benney in 1976 to his relation, Joy Stevenson (past Federation of Old Cornwall Society Dialect Recorder). It is largely as written with just a few minor alterations to aid understanding. I went to work [in] Tin Croft mine in 1911…Continue Reading “A Miner’s Letter”