The varied landscape of Cornwall has inspired people to create and share stories of giants, knockers and piskies for hundreds of years. It’s steeped in folklore, myths and legends – tales which are inextricably tied to the ancient stones, historic hillforts and maze of mine shafts which make Cornwall such a special place.
There is a wealth of stories which surround the historic sites we care for, and it was this rich tapestry of folklore which inspired students from Falmouth University to collaborate with us to create the illustrated poetry collection, ‘The Moor Dwellers’ Guide’.
This week, we officially launched the collection at our latest Cornish Story Cafe. The launch included a talk hosted by Siân Esther Powell – a Cornish museum professional, amateur folklorist and host of the Celtic Myths and Legends Podcast – which took them on a whistle-stop tour of some of Cornwall’s most iconic myths and legends.
When asked about what inspired them to create the collection, the students said: “We wanted to highlight the importance of these sites in a creative way that would hopefully engage children of all ages to think about the sites on a more multidimensional level. By introducing the stories encompassing these places, we hope people will feel inspired to visit the sites and contribute to their preservation.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us and to all of the contributors for dedicating their time and talents to the project!
The collection is now available to purchase on our website, priced at £7. If you would like to place an order, we would be hugely grateful for your support. All the profits will support our work to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s unique heritage, and as a small independent charity, every penny really does make a huge difference!
