May 2021
The group has continued to hold outdoor socially distanced monthly meetings for up to six members at a time. As if to prove that everything – even the privations entailed by the fight against Covid - has a bright side, these enjoyable meetings have led us to consider topics that might never have emerged indoors. These have included the apparent loss (and respective merits) of old folk/classical species names, the joy of fine April weather - and the even greater joy of returning to some of the fabulous local treasure-houses we perhaps took too much for granted until 2020. Foremost amongst these are, of course, Kresen Kernow and the Morrab Library, both now open although as yet on a limited basis.The group has continued to hold outdoor socially distanced monthly meetings for up to six members at a time. As if to prove that everything – even the privations entailed by the fight against Covid - has a bright side, these enjoyable meetings have led us to consider topics that might never have emerged indoors. These have included the apparent loss (and respective merits) of old folk/classical species names, the joy of fine April weather - and the even greater joy of returning to some of the fabulous local treasure-houses we perhaps took too much for granted until 2020. Foremost amongst these are, of course, Kresen Kernow and the Morrab Library, both now open although as yet on a limited basis.
Congratulations to group member Jean Nankervis, the fourth part of whose ‘History of Zennor’ was published in the Cornwall Association of Local Historians Journal for Spring 2021. Another group member, Linda Camidge, is also contributing ‘100 years ago’ snippets to the recently-launched weekly Penzance Voice newspaper
This month’s Penwith Paper is an ‘Old Impression’ in more ways than one. Cedric Appleby introduces a long out of print anonymous gem from 1795, which was edited and published by I D Spreadbury exactly 50 years ago. It brings to life a long-ago June, and a journey from London to West Cornwall. Spreadbury acknowledges in his introduction the help of, amongst others, Miss Semmens of Penzance Library. Originally sold in 1971 for 18p, this booklet can sometimes be unearthed in second hand bookshops and is available on Amazon for about a tenner including p and p. But if you think that might be a bit steep for 32 pages, why not read Cedric’s summary on our ‘Penwith Papers’ page?
We also have a new website link that we are very happy to share. The timing is particularly apposite, as Bernard Deacon has recently added to this very extensive 'Cornish studies resource' site a blog about West Penwith church bells https://bernarddeacon.com/2021/05/18/the-bells-the-bells This piece deals mainly with the bells of St Buryan, but also includes footage of ‘probably the finest ring of bells in Cornwall’ - the bells at Paul church being rung by an energetic team in 2013.
© Copyright Richard Knights and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Finally, we are delighted that our books are now available from a number of local shops. Stockists now include:
• Edge of the World Bookshop, Market Jew Street Penzance
• Make Industries, Market Jew Street Penzance
• Mirva Gallery, Causewayhead Penzance
• Alfred Smith, Clarence Street/Alverton Street Penzance
• St Ives Bookseller, Fore Street St Ives
• St Ives Times and Echo, High Street St Ives
• Cornish Bookworm, Old Foundry Chapel Hayle
• News Centre, Bank Square St Just
The list is growing all the time. Feeling left out? If you would like to stock our books, please get in touch and a member of our friendly sales team will be happy to visit!
PLHG publications can be purchased online here or perused in the Morrab Library.
Penwith Local History Group
Edited by
Sally Corbet
price £10
plus p&p
Photo Glyn Richards