News update from the Penwith Local History Group April 2023

News update from the Penwith Local History Group,
April 2023


 

It’s been a while since our last update, just after Christmas -  and we’ve all been busy with our individual and group research projects – not to mention starting to think about our next book.

On Wednesday April 12th our meeting took the form of an outing, and members enjoyed a special tour of the Masonic Hall in Prince’s Street Penzance, led by Adrian Smith, chair of Penzance Masonic Centre. Adrian gave us a wealth of historical detail about the building, its history and how it was and continues to be used – and we were privileged to see portraits of some prominent figures in the history of Penzance including Richard Pearce and Francis Boase, both of whom served several terms as Mayor during the 19th century.

 Group members ready for their tour with Adrian Smith, chair of Penzance Masonic Centre – under the watchful eye of Victorian mayor of Penzance Francis Boase

Photo Kevin Camidge

Member Carmel Harry has contributed a new Penwith Paper about the fascinating history and restoration of the St Ives Parish Church clock.  Carmel also recently helped to organise an excellent talk by Dr Helen Wilson on the Pinwill sisters, Mary, Ethel and Violet, at the Church. These women were professional woodcarvers working in the Arts and Crafts tradition from 1890 into the 20th century. Their work can be seen in several local churches - not only at St Ives, but also at Sennen, Madron, Perranuthnoe and St Hilary. Helen Wilson has produced a beautiful book on their work, most of which can be found in Devon and Cornwall - if you’re interested, do visit the website or drop in at the St Ives’ Bookseller – who also stocks our own books.

We’re looking forward now to our appearance at Penzance Literary Festival in early July. As usual, we’ll be offering three bite-size, illustrated talks on a variety of topics: this time, the theme’s ‘Arrivals’ and we’ve chosen: the arrival of trial by jury to replace its grisly predecessor; a good head of steam at Penzance railway station; and mid-20th century children arriving from Holland with hope in their hearts.

Still a while to go before arrival at Penzance… the Cornishman at Teignmouth, 70 years ago

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Informative and amusing, powerful and inspiring - members of Penwith Local History Group bring you a range of stories that offer something for everyone. You’ll be able to find out more about the Festival and buy tickets here or on the Acorn website from June.

 

And finally – if you’re keen to delve further into St Ives, the British Newspaper Archive has now added the St Ives Weekly Summary, 1890-1893, 1898-May 1899 and 1901-1915.

 

Enjoy!




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Growing Up in West Cornwall. A Publication by the Penwith Local History Group

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The Morrab Library showing the new extension
The Morrab Library showing the new extension.
Photo Glyn Richards
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