We have a proud tradition of beacon lighting here in Cornwall, so it was incredibly special to mark the beginning of our 40th anniversary with the first in our series of public beacon lightings. What a wonderful way to start this special year of celebrations!
Marking exactly 40 years since our small, independent charity was founded, the festivities took place on Wednesday 2nd April at Caer Bran.
This multi-period hilltop site near Penzance was purchased by Cornwall Heritage Trust in February 2022 and removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in November 2024, thanks to our successful interventions. Our charity was founded in 1985 to address concerns that far too many of Cornwall’s historic places were at risk and Caer Bran’s story shows just how important that mission remains today.
The celebration saw the lighting of a specially commissioned mini-brazier, which was designed and constructed by Cornwall-based blacksmith James Taylor.
The brazier was lit by our charity’s President, Col. Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.
The festivities also involved children from Trythall Community Primary School. Led by Merv and Alison Davey, they paraded over the ancient monument with lanterns created in a special workshop with our Education and Outreach Manager, Caroline.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Caer Bran to begin our celebrations to mark 40 years of protecting Cornwall’s heritage.
We are also incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers, Trythall Community Primary School, Col. Sir Edward Bolitho and Merv and Alison Davey for helping make this event such a success.
The event was the first in a series of beacon lightings taking place this spring and summer at each of the 16 historic sites in our care. Several are public events alongside some smaller, private ceremonies hosted in conjunction with some of our heritage partner organisations.
The dates for the public beacon lightings are…
Thursday 17th April from 7pm
Castle an Dinas, near St Columb Major
The event will see our mini-brazier lit by our volunteers to celebrate the time and dedication they so generously give to our charity.
Thursday 8th May from 4.30pm
Tregonning Hill, near Helston
This event will mark both our 40th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
We will also be hosting a free exhibition from 3pm in nearby Balwest Sunday School on this day.
This will explore the lives of those brave men of Germoe who are commemorated on the tall granite cross at the summit of Tregonning Hill as well as the experiences of those on the Home Front in the local area. It will also celebrate the lives of the four members of the crew who died on board the Bristol Beaufort bomber that crashed in the larger quarry adjacent to the hillfort in 1941.
Friday 16th May from 10.15am
St Cleer Holy Well and Cross, near Liskeard
This event will see our mini-brazier lit as part of our annual Well Dressing Ceremony.
The well dressing will involve the children from St Cleer Primary School and the local community. The blessing of the well will take place in Cornish and English, with short prayers by the local Curate and singing.
Wednesday 28th May from 4pm
Treffry Viaduct, near St Austell
This event will see our mini-brazier lit by the Friends of Luxulyan Valley.
Friday 20th June from 7.30pm
Sancreed Beacon, near Penzance
The event will see our mini-brazier lit to culminate the end of its journey around our historic sites. This will be used to light the 12-foot tall brazier, which sits permanently at the site, as part of our annual Midsummer Beacon Lighting.
You don’t need to be members, it’s completely free to attend and there’s no need to book. Just come along and enjoy!
Full details of these events can be found here https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/series/beacon-lighting/
