History Group

The history group looks at old photos from the parish, while waiting for a meeting to start

The History Group meets once a month, usually the fourth Wednesday of the month, either out on a field visit (times vary) or at the Jubilee Hall, Mount (7.30 pm) – directions

Anyone is welcome to attend any meeting for £2 – it’s open to all.  See programme of meetings below.

Latest information can be found on this page;  or call Gill on 01208 821494

See also:
– Warleggan Parish history page
– St Neot and Warleggan Archive*

Coming up in 2023:

WARLEGGAN HISTORY GROUP

2023 PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 22^nd MARCH – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
CHANGE OF PLAN  – NOW SHOWING FIRESIDE TALES 2008  (SEE BELOW)
“Battle Beneath the Trenches” – Ken Johns  –  During 1915 the Western Front was established as a static line that grew into a huge network of defence-in-depth earthworks.  Royal Engineer tunnelling companies were specialist units of the Corps of Royal Engineers within the British Army, formed to dig attacking tunnels under enemy lines.  The Cornish Miners were one of these specialist units recruited from the tin mines of Cornwall.  This is their story.

WEDNESDAY 26^th APRIL – 7.30 pm at Warleggan Church
“Refugee Brits – the story of Cornwall’s Celtic Saints” – Pat Robson will share with us her extensive research into the origins of Celtic Christianity and its spread within Cornwall.

WEDNESDAY 24^th MAY – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
“Tommy Robartes of Lanhydrock” – Paul Holden  –  Tommy Robartes is the most well-known of this generation of the family.  Tommy as eldest son would have been the heir to the title and Estate if he had survived the First World War.  Paul gives an intimate account of this dashing man – at Eton, riding across the Cornish moors, Liberal MP for Bodmin and Captain in the Coldstream Guards.

WEDNESDAY 28^th JUNE – 6.00 pm  – VISIT
CARCLAZE, BAAL & CARN GREY – a guided walk through Clay Country Land led by Malcolm Gould  –  Meet 5.30 pm Jubilee Hall Car Park to car-share

WEDNESDAY 26^th JULY – 6.00 pm  – VISIT
“Tregrehan Village & the Carlyon Family” – Valerie & Brian Jacob will take us on a walk around the village and we return to Tregrehan Chapel for an illustrated talk.  –  Meet 5.30 pm Jubilee Hall Car Park to car-share

WEDNESDAY 27^th SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
(to be announced)

WEDNESDAY 25^th OCTOBER – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
“H.T.P. Hosken, Trevithick, Polkinhorn & Co Ltd” – Philip M Hosken  –  Philip has put together a presentation on this company that forms a substantial and unique part of Cornwall’s commercial history.  From 1890 H.T.P. was a conglomerate of several companies that included milling, shipping, baking, wool treatment and motor transport; it was a part of everyone’s life in Cornwall and beyond.

WEDNESDAY 22^nd NOVEMBER – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
“Elijah Wilce – Entrepreneur” – John Keast  –  Born at St Kew in 1840, son of a farm worker, Elijah took to the sea and his successful career took him from Able Seaman to owning his own ship and entering the lucrative fruit trade bringing pineapples from the Bahamas to London.  On his “retirement” from sea-going he became Harbour Master of the Port of Truro and died a very rich man in 1924.

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Previously    (listed in reverse chronological order)

WEDNESDAY 22^nd FEBRUARY – 7.30 pm – Jubilee Hall, Mount
“The History of Coinage” – Bryan Short  –  One of the great inventions of the Ancient Greeks, coins have been in use for over 2,500 years and adopted in every part of the world. This talk spans that entire history, highlighting important events and changes that had major effects on society. Warning: this includes some gory accounts of crime and punishment.

NEW YEAR’S WALK—MONDAY 2ND JANUARY 
Meet Jubilee Hall at 11.00am

2022:

Wednesday 23rd November 7.30pm
“Boconnoc—The Paradise of Cornwall” – Dr Catherine Lorigan PhD
Traces how a medieval fortified tower house evolved into a Georgian mansion and explores the eventful lives and deaths of the Cornish families who owned and played important roles in national and local events.  All welcome—£2 / head

Wednesday 26 October, 7.30 pm, Jubilee Hall, Mount
Passmore Edwards Legacy – a History Club presentation, open to all, about John Passmore Edwards, a Victorian philanthropist and life-long champion of the working classes

Wednesday 28 September – 7.30 pm, Jubilee Hall, Mount
Witchcraft and Folklore of Cornwall – a History Club presentation, open to all, with Jason Semmons MA, Director of the Museum of Military Medicine, & Author  –  see below

Wednesday 20 July – 7 pm, starting Lostwithiel Community Centre
Guided tour of Lostwithiel – History Group tour, open to all, with John Pegg as our guide, £4 a head

Wednesday 25 May  – 6 .30 pm, Charlestown
Guided tour of Charlestown – £5 per head, all welcome, guided tour by Lyndon Allen.

Wednesday 27 April – 7.30 pm, Warleggan Jubilee Hall, Mount
“The Dartmoor Conchies” –  Simon Dell MBE relates the story of Dartmoor Prison’s conscientious objector inmates during the Great War. Simon is one of the most sought-after public speakers in the Devon & Cornwall with talks on a range of themes from his vast historical knowledge of Dartmoor

Wednesday 23 March – 7.30 pm, Warleggan Jubilee Hall, Mount
“The Manor of Rillaton”– Kathy Wallis relates the stories surrounding this ancient Manor of East Cornwall with interesting snippets from will, maps and Court rolls – all welcome

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Previously…

Previous year, 2021: 

WARLEGGAN HISTORY GROUP

2021 PROGRAMME

On the basis that we will be getting back to some form of “normality” we are arranging meetings for the second half of the year. All details not yet finalised but for the moment put the following dates in your diaries.

Saturday 3 July 2021:

SATURDAY 3rd JULY – ALL DAY TRIP TO THE BUDE AREA
Full details  – see above 

WEDNESDAY 28^th JULY – 7.30 pm
“Cornish Folklore & Music over the Centuries” – Merv & Alison Davey will be bringing a selection of their historic instruments and entertaining us with songs and music.  Promises to be a great Cornish evening to re-start our series of meetings.

WEDNESDAY 22^nd SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm
“The Married Widows of Cornwall” – Dr Lesley Trotter relates the untold stories of 19th century emigration from Cornwall when thousands of wives were ‘left behind’ by men leaving to work overseas.

WEDNESDAY 27^th OCTOBER – 7.30 pm
“Romans in Cornwall” – Carl Thorpe, Senior Archaeologist with the Cornwall Archaeological Unit will explore the extent of the Roman occupation and trading with Cornwall.

WEDNESDAY 24^th NOVEMBER – 7.30 pm
“Trades & Occupations of 19^th Century Liskeard” – Brian Oldham will share with us the detailed research he has undertaken into the early commercial life of Liskeard.

Unless indicated otherwise,  all meetings are held at the Jubilee Hall, Mount

MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS WELCOME TO ALL MEETINGS

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About the Club

Everyone is welcome, members or non-members.  Meetings are held monthly, and while some are held at the village hall, others are ‘on site’.  You can get an idea of the kind of activities and presentations by looking at the ‘past events’ listing below…

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Past Events

2021

The New Year’s Day Walk for 2021 had to be postponed – perhaps it can be held over Easter?

2020

WEDNESDAY 1^st JANUARY – 11 am  –  New Year’s Day Walk.  Meet at the Jubilee Hall for a 3 mile walk looking at some of our mining history, boundary stones and other features of interest.  Returning to the Hall for “Soup & Pud”.

WEDNESDAY 26^th FEBRUARY – 7.30 pm  –  “Wade-Bridge: A history of the 15^th century bridge” – Andrew Langdon who has written the authoritative book telling the interesting story of one of the earliest bridges in Cornwall

Due to Covid-19, we have missed the following during 2020:

POSTPONED  WEDNESDAY 25^th MARCH – 7.30 pm  “The Married Widows of Cornwall” – Dr Lesley Trotter relates the untold stories of 19th century emigration from Cornwall when thousands of wives were ‘left behind’ by men leaving to work overseas

POSTPONED  WEDNESDAY 22^nd APRIL – 7.30 pm  “Cornish Folklore & Music over the Centuries” – Merv & Alison Davey will be bringing a selection of their historic instruments and entertaining us with songs and music. – postponed to 2021

POSTPONED  WEDNESDAY 27^th MAY – 7.30 pm  “Trades & Occupations of 19^th Century Liskeard” – Brian Oldham will share with us the detailed research he has undertaken into the early commercial life of Liskeard – postponed to 2021

POSTPONED  SATURDAY 4^th JULY – ALL DAY TRIP TO THE BUDE AREA – JOINT MEETING WITH ST NEOT HISTORIANS  –  Visits to Poundstock Gildhouse (a significant medieval building) and Church and Launcells Church (carved bench ends, box pews and 17^th century wall painting) – tentatively rescheduled to 3rd July 2021..

POSTPONED  WEDNESDAY 22^nd JULY – 7.00 pm – “Tregrehan Village & the Carlyon Family” – Valerie & Brian Jacob will take us on a walk around the village and we return to Tregrehan Chapel for an illustrated talk.  Probably again to be rescheduled to 2021.  We will notify you nearer the time.

POSTPONED  WEDNESDAY 23^rd SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm – “The Dartmoor Conchies” – Simon Dell relates the story of Dartmoor Prison’s conscientious objector inmates during the Great War  POSTPONED TO  27th April 2022

CANCELLED  WEDNESDAY 28^th OCTOBER – 7.30 pm – “Romans in Cornwall” – Carl Thorpe, Senior Archaeologist with the Cornwall Archaeological Unit will explore the extent of the Roman occupation and trading with Cornwall

2019

TUESDAY 1^st JANUARY – 11 am  –  New Year’s Day Walk.  Meet at Torhouse Farm, Warleggan, PL30 4HD

WEDNESDAY 27^th FEBRUARY – 7.30 pm  –  “Bricknells – An Old Bodmin Family Business” – the intriguing story of this family business from the mid-19^th century – Martin Bricknell

WEDNESDAY 27^th MARCH – 7.30 pm  –  “The Voyage of the Mayflower – the Myth & Reality” – Mike Haywood internationally renowned marine painter who has studied the Mayflower story in depth

WEDNESDAY 24^th APRIL – 7.30 pm  –  “The Story of the Thousands of Belgian Refugees who came to Devon & Cornwall during the Great War” – Ciaran Stoker of the University of Exeter

WEDNESDAY 22^nd MAY – 6.30 pm  –  Cornwall at War, Museum, Davidstow – a presentation and guided tour of this most interesting site by the owners – Steve & Sheila Perry

WEDNESDAY 26^th JUNE – 7.30 pm  –  “The Cornish Language” – Maureen Pierce bard who has been teaching Cornish for “many a year”

WEDNESDAY 24^th JULY – 7.00 pm  –  Guided tour of Wadebridge.  Meet at the Lidl car park, Eddystone Road.  Hosted by Peter Tutthill who has written two books on the history of Wadebridge.  Promises to be a fascinating evening.

WEDNESDAY 25^th SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm  –  “Sweeping Changes” – the story of the family chimney sweeping business with some historical references and great laughs – Ryan Metters, Chairman Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps

WEDNESDAY 23^rd OCTOBER – 7.30 pm  –  “The radical vicars of Warleggan and their links to global events from 1328 to 1878” – Cathy Farnworth speaks about Rev de Tremur (religious radicalism), Baudris (Huguenot capitalism), and Clements (strawberry power)  – their links to global events.

WEDNESDAY 27^th NOVEMBER – 7.30 pm  –  “The History of Cornish Wrestling” – Gerry Cawley, Chairman Cornish Wrestling Association

2018

MONDAY 1^st JANUARY – 11 am  –  New Year’s Day Walk

WEDNESDAY 28^th FEBRUARY   – NO MEETING  (the pharmacy talk is postponed to 25 July – see below)

WEDNESDAY 28^th MARCH – 7.30 pm – “The Blighs of Cornwall – much more than a Mutiny” – Angela Aylward

WEDNESDAY 25^th APRIL – 7.30 pm  –  “Georgian & Victorian Vandalism of our Churches” – Joanna Mattingley a recognised authority on Cornish history.  Meeting to be held at Warleggan Church

WEDNESDAY 23^rd MAY – 7.00 pm  –  Trecarrel, Lezant, Launceston – fascinating Grade 1 listed Mediaeval Hall and Chapel not normally open to the public – hosted by Neil & Ruth Burden

WEDNESDAY 27^th JUNE – 7.00 pm  –  Bodmin Nursery, Laveddon – the history of Laveddon Mill and the Nursery – Linda & Mark Lawlor

WEDNESDAY 25^th JULY – 7.30 pm –  “Pharmacy in the Past” – the intriguing history of the chemist’s shop by a retired pharmacist – Kitty Chanter-Menendez

WEDNESDAY 26^th SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm – “Churchill’s Secret Army” – an illustrated talk by Adrian Wilton.  A true account of intrigue and total secrecy here in East Cornwall.  Charged with the nation’s security, those involved never divulged their responsibilities to even the closest family; now the 50-year rule allows us to hear about their vital role.

WEDNESDAY 24^th OCTOBER – 7.30 pm – The Reverend Densham, Rector of Warleggan 1931-1953  –  the fact & fiction behind this eccentric man – insights from John Keast

WEDNESDAY 28^th NOVEMBER – 7.30 pm – “Curious Corners of Cornwall” – an illustrated presentation by Valerie & Brian Jacob

2017

MONDAY 2^ND JANUARY – 11 am – New Year’s Day Walk

WEDNESDAY 22^ND FEBRUARY – 7.30 pm  –  “Wrecks, Raids & Ambuscades” – stories from some of the more intriguing episodes mentioned in South-East Cornwall records from his recently published book – Carrick White

WEDNESDAY 22^ND MARCH – 7.30 pm  –  “The Memories and Sketches of a 20^thCentury Caradon Miner” – Brian Oldham

WEDNESDAY 26^TH APRIL – 7.30 pm  –  “Trelawne and the Trelawney Family” – Carole Vivian

WEDNESDAY 24^TH MAY – 6.30 pm  –  Great Hammett, St Neot – visit this ancient farmstead and almost complete Bronze Age hut – hosted by David & Ruth Wherry

WEDNESDAY 28^TH JUNE – 7.00 pm  –  Guided tour of Trelawne Barton, Looe PL13 2NA – hosted by Carole Vivian

WEDNESDAY 26^TH JULY – 7.00 pm  –  Guided tour of St Austell.  Meet at the Museum, Market House, St Austell (opposite the Church) hosted by Valerie Jacobs

WEDNESDAY 27^TH SEPTEMBER – 7.30 pm  –  “Country Houses of Cornwall” – an illustrated presentation by Paul Holden of National Trust

WEDNESDAY 25^TH OCTOBER – 7.30 pm  –  “The History of Wrought Iron” – Bob Hill

WEDNESDAY 22^ND NOVEMBER – 7.30 pm  –  “Who Do You Think You Are?”  Hints on tracing your family through the centuries particularly looking at local records but with the ability to search web-sites for your ancestors – John Keast

2016

WEDNESDAY 23^rd NOVEMBER – 7.30 p.m.  “The Building Stone, Rocks & Minerals of Southern Bodmin Moor” – Martin Eddy, geologist

WEDNESDAY 26^th OCTOBER – 7.30 p.m.  “Sir Goldsworthy Gurney” – an illustrated presentation on this great Cornish inventor by Duncan Paul Matthews

WEDNESDAY 28^th SEPTEMBER – 7.30 p.m.  “Royal Cornwall Show” – Chris Riddle, the Show Secretary 

WEDNESDAY 27^th JULY –  Recording and plotting the graves in the Old Churchyard at

St Bartholomew’s

WEDNESDAY 22^nd JUNE – 6.30 pm – Guided Tour of Wesley Cottage & Altarnun Village, with Altarnun Local History Society 

WEDNESDAY 25^th MAY – 6.30 p.m.  “Guided Tour of Liskeard” – Duncan Paul Matthews, local historian  

WEDNESDAY 27^th APRIL – 7.30 p.m.  “Daphne du Maurier” – Lynn Goold, Fowey

WEDNESDAY 23^rd MARCH – 7.30 p.m.  “Mines & Miners of Caradon Hill” – Iain Rowe, County Records Office

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY – 11.00 a.m.  New Year’s Day Walk – 2½ hour stroll

2015

• Wed 25 Nov: Illustrated “Cornish Miscellany” – with John Keast
• Wed 28 Oct: “The Rise & Fall of Methodism in Cornwall”  – illustrated talk by David Thomas of Cornwall Records Office
• Wed 23 Sept: Guided tour of Looe with Mark Camp 
• Wed 22 July: Guided tour of Truro with Viv Robinson  
• Wednesday 24th June, CabillA & REDRICE WOODS  – A guided walk with Peter Kent of Cornwall Wildlife Trust
• Wed 27 May:  Guided tour of Launceston with John Ellacott  
• Wed 22 April, 7.30pm: “In Search of the Smugglers”  – illustrated talk by Cornish Bard Carole Vivian
• Wed 25 March, 7.30pm : ‘The Life and Murder of Charlotte Dymond’  with Chris and Jill Batters 
• Film Evening, Wednesday 25 February 2015  – a private showing of a film of considerable local interest
• Thurs 1 Jan: New Year’s Day Walk   –  New Year’s walk and late lunch – meet Pantersbridge 11am sharp; bring wellies ……

2014

• Wed 3 Dec, 7.30 pm,  Jubilee Hall  – Professor Harry Bennett, Naval Historian at the University of Plymouth, will be talking about “Cornwall and the Battle of the Atlantic: The Loss of U-564, 14 June 1943”.

• Wed 29th October, Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm  – Dr Garry Tregigda, Assistant Director of the Institute of  Cornish Studies, will be talking about the Cornwall Audio Visual Archive and related items of interest.

• Wed 17th September:  a guided walk around the village of St Cleer with Derris Watson  –  

• Wednesday 23rd  July, 7.00 p.m. – FOWEY  – Sally & Ros will take us on a guided tour through Fowey with its rich maritime history.  

• Wednesday 25th June, 7.00 p.m. – LOSTWITHIEL  –  Mary Jones will take us on a tour of this ancient capital of the Duchy.  Meet in the Main Car Park by the Community Centre and Fire Station (free parking).

• Wed 28 May 2014, 7.30pm, Jubilee Hall:  Cornish Music –  with Jill Thomas from the St Neot Historians

• Wed 23 April 2014, Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm:  “Remembering the men of the Parish who served in the First World War”

• Wed 26 March 2014, Jubilee Hall, 7.30pm: History Group AGM;  followed by “Stop the Rot” with Lynda Small.

• Thurs 2 Jan 2014: New Year walk –  followed by a light (late) lunch (soup and roll) in Hall   – see photos

2013

• 27 Nov: Visit to St Neot, to look at their newly opened Archive Room and the facilities available at Cott Yard.

• 23 Oct:  Rob Evans  talk about the St Austell / Pentewan mineral railway the “Tea Treat Trains”. 

• 25 Sept:  Walk to Jubilee Rock, Blisland, plus visit to the Church

• 12 July: Life in the Falkland Islands  –  Susie Hansen gives her inside view on life on the Falklands

• 1 July:  joining St Neot Historians on a walk to Trengoffe near Pantersbridge, for a talk about the architecture of the existing barns on this very old historic manor house site  – see photos from the visit

• 22 May:  A guided walk around the village and old port of Pentewan. Our guide for the evening is Rob Evans who lives in the village   –   see photos from the walk

• 4 April:  A look at the history of the Luxulyan Valley, with Mrs Harradance, from ‘Friends of Luxulyan’  –  remember the New Years Day Walk at Luxulyan (see report and photos)

• 27  March:   The Robartes Family & Lanhydrock  ~  1614 – 1974   ~  The Rise & Decline of a Cornish Family & its Estate, presentation by John K.

• 27 Feb:  The Manor Mill of Warleggan, presentation by Lynda S.

• 1 Jan:  History Club’s New Year Day Walk – Luxulyan Valley  – see report and photos

2012

• 28 Nov:  “Then and Now”, with Brian Williams from St Neot Historians, with particular emphasis on St Neot.

• 24 Oct:  Following on from visit to Wheal Martyn Museum, a film on the China Clay industry

• 26 Sept:  The History of the Houses and People of Mount Village –   an evening of information and discussion on the houses (old and new) in Mount Village and their occupants over the centuries. All welcome to hear the history of your home including any contributions you may be able to make with stories or photographs.  If you have old stories, photos, deeds, leases etc. that relate to the history of the houses and people of Mount Village, please bring them along!

• 4 July:  a visit to the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum at Trethowel, St Austell,  PL26 8XG  – 6.00pm start @ £5 / head.  We are having a guided tour so please be there to start at 6.00.  Tea / coffee will be served following the tour.

• 30 May:  Ladock Church at 6.30pm  – A wander around the village of Ladock, with Michael Cole and Remfrey Stephens

 

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