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Federation
of Old Cornwall Societies – Archaeology Recorder Report
Spring 2010
Over
the past few years members of the Executive Committee have
realised that many of the records that are gathered by
Society Recorders are actually Local History rather than
Archaeology. I
proposed that this post should be known as the Archaeology
and Local History Recorder, however after due consideration
the Executive Committee has agreed to have two separate
recording positions, one for Archaeology and one for Local
History. At
present I am doing both posts, but would be pleased if
someone would like to take up one of them.
It
is not entirely easy to divide up the society reports that I
have received into either Archaeology or Local History, and
to me each is equally important, however this time the
majority are local history and will be reported later in the
Local History Recorders Report.
Society
Reports
Mr
David Stark, recorder for St Austell OCS has been
monitoring events associated with the removal of a medieval
stone cross from the grounds of a property previously known
as the Whitehouse at Tregorrick between St Austell and
Pentewan. There
has been a large development, including a hotel and holiday
properties built in the grounds, and the cross was removed
into storage while the work was underway. Mr Stark is
negotiating with the company developing the site about
re-erecting the cross now that the development is almost
completed.
Paul
- Although not strictly Old Cornwall projects, I have also
been involved in several recent cross projects.
At Paul I monitored and recorded the re-pinning of
the churchyard cross-head that stands on the churchyard wall
during October. Exploratory
work last February had revealed that the central pin used to
fix the cross-head to the wall was made of iron and had
corroded badly; it was replaced by stainless steel.
Tresallyn
- In November 2009, I arranged a project to repair a broken
cross at Tresallyn in St Merryn parish, which involved
removing the broken pieces from its base-stone and
transporting them up to Glastonbury, where stonework
conservators, cleaned the cross fragments, removed old
ironwork and repaired the monument.
It was re-erected back at Tresallyn a week before
Christmas.
Camborne
- At present Camborne OCS are also arranging a restoration
project to set up a small medieval cross-head on a new
base-stone at Crowan churchyard. At present the cross-head is loose and therefore could be
easily removed and lost.
Brian
Stevens of St Ives has been recording the contents of a
former fish cellar that was being renovated and had been
covered by a concrete floor. Mr Stevens recorded the Caunse floor and train oil boards,
complete with pit barrel plus two pressing poles, and slots
in the wall had led him to learn a great deal relating to
how the oil was led to the pit and in what manner the Caunse
was finished around the pit.
Andrew
G. Langdon, Archaeology
Recorder
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Andrews
report to the AGM Meeting in October 2009
Wadebridge
have recently received a grant from the now defunct North
Cornwall District Council prior to forming of a Unitary
Authority for a new computer digital project and scaner. I
know that several other Old Cornwall Societies have now got
their own computers and scanners which are excellent for
scanning and storing information in todays world.
Bude
- Audrey Aylmer informs me that Richard Heard of Kilkhampton
has formerly taken over as Recorder.
I
have been in communication with many other societies over
the past year
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Andrews
report to the Spring Meeting in February 2009
I
would first like to personally congratulate Michael Tangye
the retiring Federation Archaeological Recorder, he has done
a wonderful job over the years and I will have difficulty in
taking his place.
Recording
project
As
a new broom, I would like to encourage many more recorders
and members to gather up the fragments and record the ever
increasing changes within Cornwall.
We are in a far better position than most history
groups and societies in Cornwall, we have a network of
societies spread across the whole county and I personally
think we should be using this to our advantage.
In
addition to the great work many recorders are doing, I would
like to propose that we unite together to collect Cornish
data together each year, on a different theme.
From a discussion with some recorders, I know that
several of you have recorded old Victorian post boxes.
However, now with the possibility of major changes to
Royal Mail in the coming years I would like to suggest that
we make a simple survey of all the post boxes in Cornwall,
particularly the rural ones.
But don’t worry, I don’t propose anything
difficult.
The
data collecting or survey would only require taking one
photograph and filling out one side of paper.
I will prepare a simple A4 form, with a list of
questions, some just requiring a tick in the box, such as
whether the post box is a pillar box, pedestal type or built
into a wall. What
symbol or motif it has to represent the monarch, its
location, street or road, outside a particular property etc.
At the end of the year we can collate the results and
possibly present a short slide show of our results at the
AGM.
There
are many different artefacts we could record throughout the
county that can then be used by anyone to do further
research. Part
of this idea is that all recorders will have a common
recording interest and can learn and inspire each other;
also I hope that by keeping each project simple and based on
only one theme during the year that I can encourage more
recorders and also members to participate, any one can take
part.
I
would propose to start this survey at the AGM in October and
for the survey to run until the next AGM.
Our results can then be presented and collated and
another theme launched for the following year.
I am open to suggestions?
The survey needs to be one that will include all
societies and therefore needs to be some artefact or feature
that one can see throughout the county.
At
present I am undertaking my own little survey of post boxes,
to find out what data we need to collect and consulting
books and websites on the subject.
Once I have produced a recording form and an
information sheet on what to look for etc. I will arrange
for forms to be circulated to societies and put on the
Federation website for those with internet access.
I hope you will all support this project.
Many
thanks
Andrew
Reports
from society recorders
I
have received 7 reports from society recorders that cover a
wide range of subjects, from the town centre redevelopment
at St Austell, Lafrowda Day Exhibition at St Just, the
Quenchwell chapel near Carnon Downs, Fish cellars, Net Lofts
and a capstan at St Ives, mine photographs by Redruth,
demolition of well known buildings at Penzance and the
painting of the Whitecross and cleaning of the Jesus Well at
St Minver by Wadebridge.
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