We have been enjoying a busy summer and must apologise for the lack of updates or new material on the site since April. But we can remedy all that now!
Nick Cahill was a hugely influential and highly respected member of Cornwall’s heritage community, and had a particular passion for churches and chapels. In memory of this, the Nick Cahill Award was set up to recognise excellence in design and craftsmanship including conservation and restoration projects. This year, the judges have given a commendation to the tower clock conservation project which was the subject of our April Penwith Paper. The commendation acknowledges the hard work of the St Ives PCC in seeking specialist advice, support and expert skills from Smith of Derby, clockmakers, to restore a 1930s clock. ‘The results, said chairman of the Truro Diocese Advisory Committee Paul Holden, ‘have made a huge difference to the town as just hearing bells and seeing a working clock brings a place to life.’
PLJHG member Carmel Henry receiving the commendation
Photo by kind permission of the St Ives Times & Echo
The award – reported above in the St Ives Times and Echo - was collected on behalf of Smith of Derby, Paul Kilburn (the skilled horologist) and the St Ia’s clock team by PLHG member Carmel Henry, author of our April Penwith Paper
Shortly after this, three PLHG members gave a presentation to Penzance Literary Festival on their 2023 theme of ‘Arrival.’ The presentation covered 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. The Penzance railway station element forms the basis for our August 2023 Penwith Paper.
Group members ready for their presentation at Penzance Literary Festival
Photo by kind permission of Penzance Literary Festival https://www.pzlitfest.co.uk
Many people enquire about books that are out of print, and for this reason we are delighted to announce that we have reprinted Three Hundred Years on Penwith Farms. You can buy it at the Morrab Libraryand we hope to have it available in local bookshops and available to buy online on our website soon.
The group is pleased to add to its resource list the Hypatia Trust’s ‘Women in Cornwall’ hub This is a ‘community history hub dedicated to notable women in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through time’ - it is dynamic, and will develop over time. Perhaps you can help?
Another resource update – the excellent BNA website has increased its range of Penwith newspapers and now includes the Penzance Gazette, previously only available at Kresen Kernow (and with some editions at the Morrab Library). The Gazette, which was published from 1839 to 1858, is an ideal source for anyone interested in this period of local history.
Member Jean Nankervis cuts this year’s awesome birthday cake
And finally… don’t run away with the ideas that it’s all work and no play. Here is member jean Nankervis – our expert on Zennor, Wicca Farm and agriculture - cutting this year’s birthday cake during the group’s annual outing. Awesome!
Enjoy your research – and we’ll update this again, with another Penwith Paper, at the end of the year