Cornwall Heritage Trust volunteers and members mastered the art of photographic surveying and 3D modelling this week as part of a conservation skills workshop at St Cleer’s Well. This free day-long workshop was provided in association with Historic England.
One of 13 historic sites protected by Cornwall Heritage Trust, St Cleer’s Well is a medieval holy well and wayside cross located in St Cleer, near Liskeard.
The day was led by the Historic England Geospatial Survey Team, who offered expert insight into their work at various historic sites in the local area and Structure from Motion photogrammetry, a process which helps to construct 3D models.
It was then time for participants to have a go themselves, photographing the site’s medieval wayside cross and then producing a 3D model of the feature with support from the Geospatial Survey Team. It was a fascinating day, and the skills learnt will prove invaluable in assisting the research and conservation of historic monuments across Cornwall.
The latest historic site to be taken into the Trust’s care, St Cleer’s Well is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and also Listed Grade One – a demarcation earned by only 2.5% of listed buildings, which Historic England defines as warranting “exceptional interest”.
Historic England supported Cornwall Heritage Trust throughout its acquisition of the monument and has agreed to grant-fund the essential maintenance of the site, as well as some additional interpretation and surveying.
If you would like to find our more about volunteering with Cornwall Heritage Trust, head here https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/support-us/volunteer/
We are hosting a virtual talk about the discovery and excavation of the Iron Age cemetery at Harlyn Bay from 1900-1906, and warmly invite you to join us.
Date: Tuesday 7th February
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Online
These excavations marked a significant moment in the history of British archaeology and the Royal Institution of Cornwall (RIC). The project involved a number of RIC members, the excavation of over 130 slate-lined burials, and the creation of the largest Iron Age human remains collection in the region. Through the application of a variety of methods including archival research, osteoarchaeology, radiocarbon dating, and isotopic analyses, the talk will explore how we can piece together the history of the Harlyn Bay excavations and begin to interpret this site and better understand discoveries made there.
Due to the nature of this subject matter, the talk will include a significant number of images of human remains.
The talk will be led by Alexis Jordan from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Alexis is a PhD candidate in anthropology and a Distinguished Dissertator Fellow, specialising in Iron Age and Early Roman archaeology, mortuary practices, bioarchaeology, gender, and museum studies. She earned her MS in anthropology with a certificate in museum studies from the same school in 2009 and her BS in anthropology from Loyola University-Chicago in 2006. Her dissertation research focuses on the construction of group identities in the Iron Age and Early Roman period (800 BCE-CE 200) of southwestern Britain through the analysis of mortuary rituals and human remains.
The talk is pay as you feel, with a suggested donation of £3 upwards, and open to the general public. Cornwall Heritage Trust members are welcome to attend and were also previously given exclusive access to book their places.
Numbers are restricted and places are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please be aware that Cornwall Heritage Trust is recording this virtual event and will publish this online.
Cornwall Heritage Trust hosts a number of Story Cafes throughout the year to bring Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage to life and preserve its stories for future generations. Previous Story Cafés have ranged from discussing archaeological excavations at Trethevy Quoit to exploring the forgotten stories of Cornish miners from the Kolar Gold Fields.
Photo credit: TRURI-Ahb086, Harlyn Bay Photographic Collection, RCM
Our Trustees bid a belated but extremely fond farewell to Brian Salmon and John Smith at their retirement celebration on Friday.
Brian is the former Deputy Head of Camborne School and was Head of History at the college before this appointment. He has an excellent knowledge of Cornish history and is a member of a family which worked and managed Wolfram Mine at Castle an Dinas. Brian served as a Trustee for 12 years, and his insights into education and Cornish heritage have proven invaluable.
John is a former Archaeologist, whose career included 23 years as Field Officer and Senior Archaeologist with Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU). He has given many lectures and guided walks about Cornwall’s industrial history over the years, and directed a major landscape survey of the Luxulyan Valley during his time with CAU. It’s, therefore, no surprise that Treffry Viaduct is a part of Cornwall’s heritage which is particularly close to his heart. John offered his historic and archaeological expertise as a Trustee for 10 years and was Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017-2021.
We would all like to thank Brian and John for their exceptional efforts and dedication to Cornwall Heritage Trust. They will both be very much missed and we are hugely grateful to them for everything they have done for Cornwall’s heritage.
Our Trustees are elected volunteers who are responsible for the strategic overview of the Trust as well as ensuring the fulfilment of the financial and legal requirements of the organisation, which is both a registered Charity and a Limited Company.
We’re thrilled to announce that funding from Cornwall Heritage Trust has helped secure the future of the St Cleer Church Bells.
The Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth has pledged its support to Cornwall’s landscape, traditions and communities by joining our corporate sponsorship programme.
The partnership will help us continue to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s heritage through our grant schemes, education projects and the managing of 13 historic sites across Cornwall.
Originally built in 1640, the Greenbank is a four-star, luxury boutique hotel nestled on Falmouth’s historic harbour.
Ben Young, Managing Director of The Greenbank and The Alverton said: “We are proud to be supporting the Cornwall Heritage Trust this year. As the Managing Director of The Greenbank in Falmouth, which has nearly 400 hundred years of rich history and heritage itself, I recognise the value of protecting and preserving our unique Cornish heritage. We look forward to helping support the important work they do in 2023 and beyond.”
Cathy Woolcock, CEO at Cornwall Heritage Trust said: “With such a long and rich history, partnering with the Greenbank makes perfect sense! We both treasure Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage and want to preserve it for future generations so it’s fantastic to have them on board!”
The Greenbank’s sister hotel, the Alverton has also joined Cornwall Heritage Trust’s corporate sponsorship programme.
More information about the Greenbank can be found on its website: https://www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk/
We would like to express our immense gratitude to Miss Carlene Edith Harry (pictured centre), whose generous gift left to us in her will made the purchase of Caer Bran possible last year.
Caer Bran is an important multi-phase hillfort site near Sancreed, Penzance, which contains archaeological remains from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. Thanks to Miss Harry’s bequest, the Trust acquired Caer Bran in February 2022 to protect the nine-hectare site from possible development and intensive agricultural use.
Miss Harry was from West Penwith and had a keen interest in her local history, so we’re delighted to have been able to make the protection of this special historic place her legacy.
We have carried out much of our work over the years as a result of generous bequests from people who share our values and want our work to be their legacy. The difference Miss Harry’s generosity has made to Cornwall’s heritage is huge and we are incredibly grateful!
If you would like to learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, please get in touch with us on 01209 707008 or email info@cornwallheritagetrust.org
Photo by courtesy of Morrab Library
Cornwall Heritage Trust’s CEO, Cathy Woolcock, has been shortlisted by Cornwall Museums Partnership for its prestigious Leader of the Year award.
One of only three people to make the cut, Cathy will find out if she’s won at a glittering awards ceremony taking place at the Royal Cornwall Museum on Wednesday 8th February 2023.
The award recognises inspirational leadership from anyone in a Cornish heritage organisation at any level who has influenced, inspired and motivated their colleagues.
Commenting on her shortlisting, Cathy said: “I can’t believe it. I am passionate about Cornwall and its heritage, and so being recognised for doing a job I love, with a team of colleagues who inspire me every day, is a true honour.”
Cornwall Museums Partnership is an independent charitable incorporated organisation, which supports a network of over 70 museums across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Image description: Cathy Woolcock (centre) and the Cornwall Heritage Trust team
The Alverton Hotel, Truro is helping us continue to protect Cornwall’s rich and distinct heritage by joining our corporate sponsorship programme.
The Alverton is a four silver star hotel, bar and brasserie with private gardens situated right at the heart of Truro. The hotel’s 19th-century Grade II Listed building was previously a convent and has stood on its hillside setting within the Cornish capital since 1830. Today, it is renowned for its unrivalled hospitality, luxurious rooms and two AA rosette-awarded food.
Cathy Woolcock, CEO at Cornwall Heritage Trust said: “As a small, independent charity, partnerships like this make a huge difference to the work we do so we’re thrilled to have the Alverton on board. We both treasure Cornwall’s heritage and want to preserve it, so the partnership makes perfect sense!”
Ben Young, Managing Director of The Greenbank and The Alverton said: “We are proud to be supporting the Cornwall Heritage Trust this year. As the Managing Director of historic hotels in Cornwall, I recognise the value of protecting and preserving our unique Cornish heritage. We hope to be able to continue to support their important work in 2023 and beyond.”
The Alverton’s sister hotel, the Greenbank has also joined Cornwall Heritage Trust’s corporate sponsorship programme.
More information about the Alverton can be found on its website: https://thealverton.co.uk/
We’re looking for a Countryside Ranger, an exciting opportunity to work throughout Cornwall in some of its most stunning landscapes and care for unique heritage properties.
Role Type: Full Time
Based: At sites throughout Cornwall – Head Office is based in Redruth
Salary: £23,660pa
Contract: Fixed-term contract for an initial period of 2 years
Benefits: Pension scheme and membership of Cornwall Heritage Trust
This brand-new, full-time role is designed to bring the routine sites maintenance activities in-house and enable us to manage their care more flexibly and consistently. An important element of the job will involve growing our on-site volunteering and outreach activities and working with partner organisations.
The role will include:
- General estate management of the portfolio of historic properties in the care of CHT; this may include fencing repairs, access works or Cornish hedging for example
- Vegetation/ scrub clearance and heathland management
- Balancing the needs of conservation with visitor management
- Helping to formulate site management plans
- Environmental monitoring activities
- Volunteer supervision and management
- Liaison with the public and engaging with the community, including partner organisations
- Responsibility for health and safety on the sites
- Maintaining equipment and machinery
- Overseeing and training of apprentices
(This is not an exhaustive list and other tasks may be necessary according to the needs of the Trust)
To view the role profile and apply by Wednesday 1st February, please visit https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/vacancies
It is so exciting to be adding another benefit to the wealth of those on offer to our members, with the launch of our exclusive new magazine – An Gwithyas.
‘An Gwithyas’ means ‘The Custodian’, which we feel perfectly reflects the work we do preserving, protecting, and promoting Cornwall’s very special heritage.
The publication has just returned from the printers and is now winging its way to all our members, who we hope enjoy reading it! The first issue is packed full of exciting news and stories about Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage and we would love to hear their feedback, suggestions and contributions for the next edition.
Cornwall Heritage Trust is a completely independent charity and our members are at the heart of how we can continue to connect people with Cornwall’s landscape, stories and communities.
As a thank you for their support, they receive a wealth of benefits. These include free entry to the sites in Cornwall owned by English Heritage – including Tintagel, Restormel, St Mawes, Pendennis and Launceston castles, and Chysauster Ancient Village –, free entry to Geevor Tin Mine Museum, 50% off entry at Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum, 50% off Adult Admission to King Edward Mine, guided walks, special events, publications like An Gwithyas and much more!
If you aren’t already a member, you can take a look at a preview of the magazine here…
If you’ve ever visited the Hurlers, you’ll know what a mysterious and thought-provoking place it is to be, but did you know that hidden beneath your feet is an enigmatic stone “pavement” which runs between the central and northern circles?
A triple stone circle complex, on Minions Moor, southeast Bodmin Moor, the Hurlers is one of Cornwall’s most significant ceremonial prehistoric monuments, located within a wider landscape of barrows, cairns, and stone rows. It is one of the 13 historic Cornish sites which Cornwall Heritage Trust protects.
For centuries ruinous and neglected, the monument was partially restored in the 1930s when excavations discovered this puzzling “pavement” at the site. Two community archaeology projects, Mapping The Sun in 2013 and Reading the Hurlers in 2016, revealed this fascinating feature once more, as well as investigating the geology of the stones, discovering new sites and carrying out new surveys. An interdisciplinary approach ensured a fruitful collaboration of archaeologists, geologists and astronomers and the findings offered a tantalising glimpse of the Hurlers’ story.
The discoveries unearthed by these two projects were the focus of our latest Cornish Story Cafe, hosted by Jacky Nowakowski FSA, Archaeologist, Researcher and Educator.
Jacky is a professional archaeologist who has directed many excavations and landscape surveys in Cornwall over the past 35 years. Formerly Principal Archaeologist at Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council, she now works freelance and her wide and varied career led her to direct these two community archaeology projects at the Hurlers. The projects were undertaken as part of the Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project, which was funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Cornwall Heritage Trust, Caradon Amateur Geology Group, Saltash geology group U3A, MAGA Cornish Language Partnership, Carnglaze Caverns and Cornwall Archaeological Society.
Over 100 people attended the Cornish Story Cafe, which took place at Liskeard Public Hall, and it’s wonderful to hear how much you all enjoyed it!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the fantastic evening and special thanks go to our Events Volunteers who did sterling service helping set up, looking after our guests, serving teas and coffees and distributing pasties.
If you would like to be involved as a Volunteer at events like this, please register your interest here
This Cornish Story Cafe was recorded and the film will shortly be available to watch free of charge online.
Find out more about Jacky’s work
Mapping the Sun booklets from CAU publications can be obtained by emailing enquiries@cau.org.uk
Investigating the Hurlers A Dark Skies film RAS 200 Sky and Earth – YouTube
Nowakowski, JA, Kennett, C, Gossip, J and Sheen, B, 2020. Investigating Archaeology and Astronomy at The Hurlers, Cornwall 2013 -2019, Jour Skyscape Archaeology 6.1, 53-85
Research the Hurlers by J Nowakowski, J Gossip and C Kennett, in press
Reclaiming The Hurlers: The 1930s excavations and restoration of a monumental landscape in in prep by J Nowakowski et al
A full summary of the two projects will come out in the next Cornish Archaeology journal published by the Cornwall Archaeological Society and should be out in Spring 2023
Today is Giving Tuesday, a generosity movement with a simple idea – to encourage people to do good. Why not look at how you can make a difference here in Cornwall?
We have lots of fun opportunities for people to get involved with exciting volunteering projects, from helping to conserve our historic sites to supporting an event or conducting research into our archaeological finds. Check out our volunteering page for more ideas.
Whether large or small, donations also make a massive difference to us. They are vital to our work, which includes helping us protect our ancient monuments and giving schoolchildren the chance to experience historic places in person.
If you would like to help us preserve Cornwall’s unique heritage for future generations, please consider giving a donation.
We have carried out much of our work so far as a result of generous bequests from people who share our values and want their money to be used to help continue our work, whether that’s within our education projects, maintaining and protecting our sites, supporting community projects or promoting Cornwall’s heritage.
The purchase of Caer Bran earlier this year, for example, was made possible by a bequest. If you would like to learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, please do get in touch.
