TheThe stonestone from hellhell FundamentalFundamental toto thethe mythologymythology of Helston isis itsits namingnaming storystory involving involving thethe ArchangelArchangel St Michael. MichaelMichael is is knownknown forfor being the chief opponentopponent ofof Satan Satan andand local local legendlegend sayssays that he fought anan airborneairborne battle battle withwith his his foefoe inin thethe skiesskies above the town. SomeSome saysay thethe stonestone was St Michael’s weaponweapon andand sentsent the the devildevil intointo LoeLoe Pool, others thatthat thethe devildevil hadhad carried carried thethe stonestone from hell to crushcrush thethe town.town. EitherEither way way Michael Michael emergedemerged victorious and became thethe patronpatron sai saintnt of of Helston,Helston, with with the the churchchurch onon the hill named for him.him. ForFor centuriescenturies a a large, large, flatflat stone stone lay lay in in thethe rearrear courtyardcourtyard of the Angel HotelHotel (see(see PagePage 8). 8). It’s It’s saidsaid by by some some thatthat thisthis waswas thethe ‘hell stone’ of Helston’sHelston’s namingnaming story. story. UnfortunatelyUnfortunately inin thethe latelate 1700s1700s the stone was brokenbroken upup andand use usedd as as buildingbuilding material material forfor thethe rearrear extension of the hotelhotel –– itit isis sstilltill visible visible in in thethe wall wall either either sideside ofof aa windowwindow beyond the CellarCellar Bar.Bar. TestsTests have have proved proved thatthat it it is is not not meteoritic. meteoritic.

DidDid you you know?know? YYouou cancan watch the story ofof StSt MichaelMichael played played outout alongside alongside otherother locallocal mythsmyths and legends duringduring thethe Hal-an-Tow Hal-an-Tow dancedance on on Flora Flora Day,Day, Helston’sHelston’s annual celebration ofof thethe coming coming ofof Spring. Spring. The The identityidentity ofof thethe masked devil isis apparentlyapparently a a closely closely guardedguarded secret secret eveneven amongstamongst those who take part!part!

Signing your wayway As you follow the trailtrail youyou willwill find find numbered signs likelike thisthis oneone on on the the buildings and correspondingcorresponding with with the the numbers in this leaflet.leaflet. The signs each featurefeature Helston’sHelston’s symbolic flower, thethe LilyLily ofof the the Valley. Valley.

33

11 The The GuildhallGuildhall TheThe present present GuildhallGuildhall openedopened in 1839. ItIt standsstands onon the the site site of of the the town’stown’s old old market market house,house, whichwhich stood herehere fromfromfrom 1576. 1576.1576. TodayToday the the building building houseshouses the Council ChamberChamber (formerly (formerly used used as as aa court) court) and and Mayor’sMayor’s ParlourParlour and is registeredregistered forfor weddings. weddings. The The groundground floor, floor, whichwhich nownow hosts regular locallocal markets,markets, was was once once the the town’stown’s Corn Corn ExchangeExchange -- youyou can seesee thethe dateddateddated foundation foundationfoundation stonestone stone ofof of thethe original original buildingbuilding inin here.here. On Flora DayDay thisthisthis buildingbuildingbuilding isis is thethe the centrecentre centre ofof attention. attention. BedeckedBedecked withwith gorse, greenery andand bluebells, bluebells, the the GuildhallGuildhall marks marks thethe beginningbeginning of most ofof thethe dancesdances.. . SummerSummer is a ComeCome--OO andHelston’sandHelston’s most most Winter Winter famousfamous eventevent is the wonderful is a a FloraFlora Gone Gone Day Day when when dancers dancers--OO snakesnake through through thethe streetsstreets fromfrom dawn tilltill dusk.dusk. The The midday midday dance, dance, inin in particular,particular, is is aa sightsight toto beholdbehold as ladies inin theirtheir finestfinest frocks frocks and and hats hats and and gentlemangentleman in in toptop hathat andand tailstails dance to thethe towntown band,band, winding winding their their way way inin and and out out of of shopsshops andand houses.houses. TheThe dancesdances areareare performedperformedperformed toto to thethe the samesame same famousfamous tune, tune, playedplayed byby HelstonHelston Town Band.Band.

FloraFlora Day Day always always takestakes placeplace on May 8th,8th, unlessunlessunless this thisthis fallsfalls on on a a Sunday Sunday oror MondayMonday (traditionally MarketMarketMarket Day) Day)Day) inin which which case case thethe precedingpreceding Saturday isisis chosen.chosen.chosen. The The origins origins ofof thethe dancedance are unknown, butbut it’sit’s thoughtthought toto be be an an ancient ancient celebrationcelebration of the comingcoming ofofof spring.spring.spring.

DidDid youyou know?know? You’llYou’ll find this image ofof thethe marketmarket house, house, which which usedused to to stand stand here,here, inin HelstonHelston Museum (no.(no. 22 onon the the trail). trail). Beneath Beneath it it isis is aa clock clock face face whichwhich waswas discovereddiscovered being usedused asas anan ornamental ornamental g goldfisholdfish pondpond o onn a a nearby nearby farm.farm. It’sIt’s believed this isis thethe clockclock face face from from the the old old marketmarket building building —— makingmaking it over 400 yearsyears old.old.

44 22 Museum Museum ofof CornishCornish Life, Helston WalkWalk down down the the steps steps toto thethe right of the Guildhall ontoonto Church Church Street. Street. OnOn your your right, right, housed housed inin whatwhat were the butterbutter andand meat meat markets markets fromfromfrom 1837/8, 1837/8, you’ll you’ll findfind thethe Museum.Museum. ThisThis impressiveimpressive recordrecord record ofof of CornishCornish life life was was foundedfounded byby the Helston OldOld CornwallCornwall Society Society ininin 1949 19491949 with with Mr Mr William William Dalton,Dalton, licensee ofof thethe Beehive,Beehive,Beehive, asas as itsits its firstfirst first honoraryhonorary curator. curator.

OutsideOutside you’ll you’ll see see aa cannoncannon retrieved retrieved fromfrom thethe HMS HMSHMS Anson,Anson, Anson, wreckedwrecked off off Loe Loe Bar Bar inin 1807.1807.

Peer Peer through through the the archwayarchway atat the side to spy thethe oldold marketmarket bell bell,, ,whichwhich which wouldwould have have rung rung outout onon SaturdaysSaturdays for 100 yearsyears betweenbetween 1837 1837 and and 19371937 to to announce announce marketmarket day.day. In later years thethe bellbell was was used used tototo summon summonsummon the the town’s town’s firefire service.service.

StepStep back back in in time: time: ImagineImagine yourself on a marketmarket dayday in in the the 1850s. 1850s. TheThe street street would would bebe aa hubbubhubbub of activity -- barrowbarrow boys boys unloading unloading horsehorse drawn drawn wagons, wagons, cratescrates of geese and chickens,chickens, housemaids housemaids scurryingscurrying off off towards towards thethe bigbig houses of CrossCross StreetStreet with with their their purchases,purchases, and and farm farm ladslads sneakingsneaking off to nearbynearby taverns.taverns.

InsideInsideInside the thethe museum museum youyou cancan peerpeer through thethe glassglassglass ofofof an anan originaloriginal original 17th17th century century window window foundfound during renovations toto aa formerformer bakery bakery on on MeneageMeneage Street Street -- andand eveneven come face-to-face withwith aa dragon! dragon! You’llYou’ll also also find find a a remarkableremarkable record of Cornish domesticdomestic life, life, the the local local fishing,fishing, agricultural agricultural andand miningmining trades, as wellwell asas memorabiliamemorabilia from from lostlost lost HelstonHelston gems gems including including thethe fire station and railway.railway.

DidDid you you know?know? TheThe waterwater channels downdown thethe sideside of of the the streets streets areare known known as as kennels kennels.. NoNo oneone really knowsknows quitequite howhowhow oldold old theythey they areare are butbut the the one one on on Church Church StreetStreet has hardly changedchanged inin over over 600 600 yea years.rs.rs. TheThe kennels kennels once once helpedhelped purifypurify the town’s airair andand streets.streets. Old Old photos photos showshow rakesrakes propped atat thethe ExtendExtend sideside of of the the roads roads forfor pushingpushing horsehorse dung andand YourYour Stay Stay sewagesewage into into them. them. PeoplePeople alsoalso washed their EntryEntry to to the the Museum Museum isis is clothesclothes and and their their fishfish herehere andand from the FREEFREE.. . It’s It’sIt’s worthworth worth poppingpopping popping deeperdeeper parts parts people people wouldwould drawdraw drinking backback to to have have a a good good waterwater in in buckets buckets beforebefore mainsmains water was looklooklook roundround round.. . pipedpiped to to the the town. town.

555 3 The Well Facing the Museum, turn left and walk a little way along Church Street to Number 15, once the site of the New Inn (see photo) and thought to have witnessed one of the bloodiest incidents in Helston’s history. It’s quiet now, but in 1548 the King’s Commissioner William Body met his end close by here at the hands of an angry mob. Body had been sent to oversee the dissolution of the monasteries and had stripped the church at St Keverne of its Catholic artefacts. When he arrived in Helston he met a baying crowd who dragged him out into the street and stabbed him to death.

6 The mob then rioted and Helston was a no-go zone for days until the magistrates, led by Sir William Godolphin, rounded up the ringleaders, including the St Keverne priest. They were taken to Tyburn and hung, drawn and quartered. Now go back up the road and turn down Five Wells Lane on your right.

7 OnceOnce a a cobbled cobbled service service roadroad leading to the rearrear ofof thethe businesses businesses and and fine fine houseshouses on on Coinagehall Coinagehall andand Cross Street, no-oneno-one reallyreally knows knows how how this this lanelane got got its its name name asas therethere havehave never beenbeen fivefive wellswells here. here. The The single single well well youyou can can see, see, down down thethe cobbledcobbled steps, has beenbeen herehere since since at at least least 1703. 1703. It Itwould would have have been been aa vitalvital meetingmeeting place forfor washingwashing clothes clothes an andd filling filling bucketsbuckets with with the the clearclear wellwell water.water.

AcrossAcross from from the the wellwell you’llyou’ll see two cobbled alleys.alleys. HelstonHelston is is full full of of thesethese smallsmall ‘opes’ and withinwithin thethe steps steps of of the the one one onon the the left left (Wheelbarrow (Wheelbarrow Lane) you’ll see additionaladditional sloped sloped stones stones addedadded to to help help the the barrowbarrow boys down to thethe well.well.

WalkWalk up up the the right-hand right-hand alley,alley, Cobbled Ope, andand you’llyou’ll emerge emerge onto onto CoinagehallCoinagehall Street. Street. PleasePlease note: this part ofof thethe routeroute involves involves steps. steps. ForFor an an accessible accessible route,route, retraceretrace your steps alongalong FiveFive Wells Wells Lane, Lane, turnturn right right along along ChurchChurch StreetStreet and right atat thethe junctionjunction onto onto CoinagehallCoinagehall Street. Street.

44 The The AngelAngel HotelHotel CCrossross the the road road to to thethe AngelAngel Hotel,Hotel, the fourthfourth markermarker on on our our journey. journey. This This was was once once thethe civiccivic hub of HelstonHelston andand isis possibly possibly the the most most interesting interesting buildingbuilding inin the town, withwith aa historyhistory spanning spanning more more than than 450 450 years.years. It’sIt’s believedbelieved thatthat thethe AngelAngel began began life life in in the the 1540s 1540s whenwhen thethe GodolphinGodolphin familyfamily hadhad a a townhouse townhouse here. here. TheThe GodolphinsGodolphins werewere thethe locallocal landed landed gentry gentry and and ownedowned manymany local minesmines –– theythey also also had had a a large large countrycountry house aboutabout fivefive milesmiles away, away, which which is is nownow a National TrustTrust property.property. The The original original tudortudor building waswas remodelledremodelled and and became became aa public inninn inin thethe latelate 1600s. 1600s. During During the the 1700s itit waswas alsoalso used used as as an an excise excise house,house, temporary temporary jail jail for for smugglers,smugglers, and and was was a a major major centre centre for for cock-fighting cock-fighting until until it it became became illegal illegal in in 1849. 1849.

88 InIn the the 1800s 1800s it did ait stint did as a an stint Inland as Revenue an Inland Office Revenueand even acted Office and even acted asas a temporarya temporary Ecclesiastical Ecclesiastical court. In the court.early 1900s In the it was early a major 1900s it was a major centrecentre for thefor new the sport new of sportcycling andof cyclingthe crest ofand the theCyclists’ crest Touring of the Cyclists’ Touring ClubClub (CTC) (CTC) can still can be stillseen beon the seen exterior. on the exterior. ThisThis was was Helston’s Helston’s only true only coaching true Inn coaching (defined as Innsuch (definedbecause the as such because the RoyalRoyal Mail Mail came came here twice here daily) twice and it daily)may be andthe oldest it may Posting be Innthe in oldest Posting Inn in Cornwall.Cornwall. Other Other pubs would pubs have would provided have horses, provided which anyone horses, could which anyone could hirehire and and drop drop off at aoff similar at apub similar in another pub town. in another town. HelstonHelston stories stories: An appalling: An appalling incident took incident place at The took place at The AngelAngel in 1975in 1975 when Michaelwhen MichaelJohn Lawson, John who hadLawson, been who had been drinkingdrinking heavily, heavily, was sent was to bed sent by the to landlord, bed by Valentine the landlord, Valentine Ohlenschlager.Ohlenschlager. Lawson Lawson brought a broughtpistol into the a pistolcrowded into the crowded barbar and and fired fired eight oreight nine shots.or nine Ex-naval shots. lieutenant, Ex-naval lieutenant, OhlenschlagerOhlenschlager bravely bravely moved to protectmoved the to barmaids protect and the barmaids and waswas struck struck by five by of five the bullets. of the ‘Val’ bullets. died en ‘Val’route to died the en route to the hospitalhospital and andLawson Lawson was imprisoned was imprisoned for manslaughter. for manslaughter. DidDid you you know? know? This was once the civicThis was hub once of the Helston civic hub and of Helston is possibly and is possibly the most the most InIn 1698 1698 Lord Lord Francis Francis Godolphin, Godolphin, the owner of thethe Angel, owner of the Angel, interesting buildinginteresting in the town, building with in the a town, history with a spanning history spanning more more marriedmarried Henr Henrietta Churchillietta Churchill - an ancestor - anof Britain’s ancestor WW2 of Britain’s WW2 than 450 years. It’sthan believed 450 years. that It’s believed the Angel that the began Angellife began in life the in the primeprime minister minister Winston. Winston. 1540s when the Godolphin1540s when familythe Godolphin had family a townhouse had a townhouse here. here. HenriettaHenrietta was wasnot a faithfulnot a womanfaithful and woman and The GodolphinsThe were Godolphins the local were landed the local gentrylanded gentry and and amongstamongst her loversher lovers was playwright was playwright owned many localowned mines many local– they mines also – they had also a had large a large WilliamWilliam Congreve Congreve who fathered who fathered country house aboutcountry housefive miles about five away, miles which away, which is is aa daughter daughter with hewithr. her. now a Nationalnow Trust a National property. Trust property. The original The original tudor buildingtudor was building remodelled was remodelled and became and became ThatThat daughte daughter, Mary,r, eventuallyMary, eventually a public inn ina thepublic late inn in 1600s. the late 1600s.During During the the inheritedinherited the housethe house here. here. 1700s it was1700s also it used was also as used an asexcise an excise house, temporaryhouse, temporary jail for jail for smugglers,smugglers, and was and was a majora centre major centre for for cock-fightingcock-fighting until until it becameit became illegal illegal in 1849.in 1849.

9 9 4a 4a TheThe Methodist Methodist ChapelChapel FacingFacing The The Angel, Angel, turn turn toto youryour right and walk downdown CoinagehallCoinagehall Street Street towardstowards the the Grylls Grylls Monument Monument atat the end. MethodismMethodism came came to to anan unwillingunwilling Helston when founderfounder John John Wesley Wesley preachedpreached numerous numerous sermonssermons in the town betweenbetween 1755 1755 and and 1789. 1789. AtAt first first Wesley’s Wesley’s appearances appearances were not well receivedreceived and and it’s it’s re reportedported hehe was was greeted greeted by by vegetable vegetable and grass-throwingthrowing mobs!mobs! He He described described HelstonHelston as as a a ‘storm ‘storm centre’,centre’, a ‘hard-drinking town’town’ andand a a home home of of ‘rebels‘rebels and and persecutors’. persecutors’. TheThe town town was was very very resistant resistant toto thethe new religious fervourfervour and and the the last last town town inin Cornwall Cornwall to to convert, convert, but but byby 17801780 it had beenbeen tamed.tamed. In In 1773 1773 John John preachedpreached on on the the main main streetstreet forfor the first time andand wrote,wrote, “How “How changed changed isis this this town town since since a a Methodist Methodist couldcould not ride throughthrough itit withouwithout thazard hazard of of hishis life.” life.” InIn 1798 1798 the the first first Wesleyan Wesleyan meetinghousemeetinghouse waswas builtbuilt herehere – – this this is is now now the the EpworthEpworth Hall Hall which which stands stands behindbehind the current chapel.chapel. At At that that time time the the cottagescottages and and a a blacksmith’s blacksmith’s shopshop stood between thethe chapelchapel and and the the CoinageCoinage Hall, Hall, which which would would havehave been behind you inin thethe middle middle of of the the road. road. InIn 1804 1804 a a small small Baptist Baptist meetingmeeting placeplace was builtbuilt inin front,front, but but by by 1887 1887 a anew new buildingbuilding was was needed needed for for thethe MethodistsMethodists to continue toto runrun their their Sunday Sunday SchoolSchool and and other other meetings. meetings. TakeTake aa closer closer look: look: TheThe interiorinterior decoration decoration waswas completedcompleted after after the the originaloriginal building building in in 1895 1895 andand restoredrestored in in 1995. 1995. It’sIt’s wellwell worth worth a a look look insideinside to to see see one one of of the the finestfinest painted painted ceilings ceilings of of anyany chapelchapel in in Cornwall. Cornwall.

TheThe Methodist Methodist Chapel Chapel youyou seesee today was builtbuilt inin 1888/91888/9 by by Helston-borHelston-bornn building building contractor,contractor, surveyor andand engineer,engineer, W W J J Winn. Winn. WinnWinn was was a a Methodist Methodist himself,himself, and built many otherother local local buildings buildings includingincluding Porthleven Porthleven MethodistMethodist Chapel, CuryCury ChapelChapel and and the the MullionMullion Cove Cove Hotel. Hotel.

AsAs part part of of the the construction construction worksworks over 60 ‘guinea stones’stones’ were were laid. laid. This This involvedinvolved each each donor donor laying laying aa stonestone carvedcarved withwith theirtheir initials,initials, with with a a guinea guinea on on top.top. These These memorials memorials of of faithfaith cancan stillstill be seen onon thethe outsideoutside of of the the west west wall. wall. TheThe chapel chapel was was declared declared unsafeunsafe for public use inin 19881988 and and the the congregation congregation movedmoved back back into into the the Epworth Epworth HallHall until 1995 whilst itit waswas resto restored.red.

1010 55 The The BlueBlue AnchorAnchor ContinueContinue along along thethe roadroad and you’ll reach oneone ofof Helston’sHelston’s great great institutions,institutions, the the BlueBlue Anchor.Anchor.

OnceOnce a a monks’ monks’ restrest househouse for pilgrims on theirtheir wayway to to St St Michael’s Michael’s Mount,Mount, there there has has reportedlyreportedly been an alehouse herehere since since the the 15th 15th Century.Century. Step Step inside inside todaytoday and you’ll find thethe traditionaltraditional layout layout with with multiplemultiple bars bars and and sideside roomsrooms has been retained. At At the the back back they they brewbrew several several different different strengthsstrengths of Spingo aleale (see(see photo) photo). . WhenWhen you you step step back back outout ontoonto Coinagehall StreetStreet it’sit’s worth worth stopping stopping to to imagineimagine the the view view you’dyou’d onceonce havehave had.. InIn medieval medieval times times thisthis waswas knownknown as LadyLady StreetStreet afterafter the the Chapel Chapel of of Our Our LadyLady that that stood stood in in thethe centrecentre of the road inin frontfront ofof youyou and and dated dated back back to to pre-1283.pre-1283. From From thethe ReformationReformation in 1546 untiluntil 18101810 thisthis became became a arow row ofof buildings buildings in in the the middlemiddle ofof thethe thoroughfare thatthat includedincluded the the Duchy Duchy Officer’sOfficer’s House, House, Gaol Gaol andand originaloriginal Coinage Hall.Hall.

DidDid you you know?know? TheThe CoinageCoinage Hall was wherewhere miners miners brought brought theirtheir tin tin to to be be assayed assayed forfor quality,quality, weighed andand valuedvalued prior prior to to auction. auction. ThreeThree or or four four day day coinagecoinage sessionssessions were heldheld twicetwice a a yea year,r ,during during whichwhich Helston Helston became became aa carnivalcarnival town filled withwith miners,miners, carriages carriages andand merchants merchants from from asas farfar awayaway as the Mediterranean.Mediterranean. The The quality quality ofof the the tin tin was was assayed assayed byby cuttingcutting a corner fromfrom thethe ingot ingot – – hence hence the the termterm coinage coinage which which comescomes fromfrom the FrenchFrench coincoin,, meaning meaning corne corner. r.

HelstonHelston stories: stories: TheThe BlueBlue has seen its fairfair shareshare of of drama. drama. InIn 1791 1791 landlord landlord JamesJames JamesJames had hishis headhead fracturedfractured by by a a bayonetbayonet in in a a dispute dispute withwith two soldiers (who(who werewere later later hanged hanged atat Bodmin Bodmin Gaol) Gaol) . . InIn 18281828 a man fell toto hishis deathdeath in in the the well well and and inin 1849 1849 local local hairdresser hairdresser ThomasThomas RisdenRisden hangedhanged himself himself in in the the skittleskittle alley. alley.

1111 66 Grylls Grylls MonumentMonument WalkWalk to to the the end end ofof thethe roadroad and cross the streetstreet toto the the impressive impressive GryllsGrylls Monument. Monument. ThisThis waswas built in memory ofof aa greatgreat Helstonian Helstonian -- Humphry Humphry Millett Millett Grylls.Grylls.

HumphryHumphry was was aa HelstonHelston bankerbanker and solicitor whowho acted acted to to keep keep the the locallocal Wheal Wheal Vor Vor tintin minemine open during the recessionrecession of of 1820, 1820, saving saving 12001200 jobs. jobs. He He waswas alsoalso anan alderman of thethe boroughborough and and four four-times-times mayomayor.r .He He died died inin 18341834 atat thethe age of 4545 andand it’sit’s reportedreported that that his his funeralfuneral procession procession snakedsnaked forfor two miles fromfrom hishis home home at at Bosahan Bosahan toto Helston Helston Church Church –– thethe biggestbiggest funeral HelstonHelston hashas ever ever seen. seen. 2,3862,386 people people gave gave moneymoney for this neo-Gothic archwayarchway to to be be built. built. YouYou can can find find out out moremore aboutabout Humphry and thethe monumentmonument on on the the informationinformation boards boards andand talkingtalking history postpost here.here.

DidDid you you know?know? InIn thethe midmid 19th CenturyCentury WhealWheal Vor Vor was was one one ofof the the biggest biggest andand richestrichest CornishCornish tin mines,mines, coveringcovering almost almost fourfour square square miles. miles.

BehindBehind the the monument monument isis Helston’sHelston’s bowling green,green, founded founded in in 1760 1760 and and oneone of of the the oldest oldest inin thethe country.country. Earlier in thethe town’stown’s history history this this was was the the spotspot where where the the short-livedshort-lived castlecastle stood, standingstanding guardguard over over the the Cober Cober ValleyValley and and seaward seaward approach.approach. The earliest referencesreferences claim claim it it was was built built byby Edmund, Edmund, Earl Earl ofof CornwallCornwall betweenbetween 1272 andand 13001300 but but was was in in ruins ruins byby the the late late 1400s. 1400s. AtAt this this point point in in thethe trailtrail youyou can choose whetherwhether toto stick stick to to the the core core routeroute or or go go to to page page 1717 toto followfollow Spur AA downdown toto thethe old old Cattle Cattle Market Market andand the the ancient ancient areaarea ofof StSt John’s.John’s. ToTo follow follow the the core core trailtrail route,route, cross to the oppositeopposite side side of of Coinagehall Coinagehall StreetStreet from from the the BlueBlue AnchorAnchor and take the firstfirst alleyalley - - Lady Lady Street, Street, formerlyformerly called called PigPig Street.Street. 1212 OnOnOn the thethe first firstfirst cornercorner toto youryour rightright is Leslie House, builtbuilt inin 1810 1810 for for a a wealthy wealthy tintintin merchant merchantmerchant and andand used usedused bybyby thethethe Women’sWomen’s LandLand ArmyArmy andand s serviceervice personnel personnel duringduringduring WW2. WW2.WW2. On OnOn thethethe oppositeopposite corner the curvedcurved upperupper room room of of Number Number 888 was waswas Mr MrMr Odger’s Odger’sOdger’s schoolschool forfor boys and girls. UpUp toto 6060 pupilspupils would would have have squeezedsqueezedsqueezed in inin here herehere ininin thethethe 1800s1800s and so goodgood waswas MrMr Odger’sOdger’s teaching teaching of of penmanshippenmanshippenmanship that thatthat thethethe LocalLocal GrammarGrammar School sentsent theirtheir boysboys here here to to learn learn fromfromfrom him himhim – –– there therethere isisis stillstillstill aaa pathpathpath connectingconnecting thethe househouse toto the the back back of of the the formerformerformer Grammar GrammarGrammar SchoolSchoolSchool ononon CoinagehallCoinagehall StreetStreet nextnext toto ChymderChymder House. House. FurtherFurtherFurther along alongalong you’ll you’llyou’ll passpass TanyardTanyard Lane, namednamed forfor Cunnack’sCunnack’s tannery, tannery, whichwhichwhich stood stoodstood onon thethe cornercorner herehere from around 1893,1893, havinghaving previously previously been been longlonglong established establishedestablished ininin MeneageMeneageMeneage Street.Street. ContinueContinueContinue up upup PenhallazPenhallaz RoadRoad and Hill, turning rightright atat the the top top past past the the MasonicMasonicMasonic Hall,Hall, originallyoriginally builtbuilt in 1799 as aa mathematicalmathematical school. school.

777 Lismore LismoreLismore YYouYouou are areare now nownow on onon Cross CrossCross Street,Street, once Helston’s finestfinest thoroughfare,thoroughfare, where where thethethe wealthy wealthywealthy built builtbuilt theirtheirtheir houses.houses.houses. OnOn your leftleft you’llyou’ll passpass thethe entrance entrance to to the the impressiveimpressiveimpressive Penhellis PenhellisPenhellis House,House,House, builtbuilt forfor solicitorsolicitor FrederickFrederick HillHill in in the the 1840s. 1840s. ItIt It waswaswas designed designeddesigned byby PlymouPlymouttthh architectarchitect George WightwickWightwick whowho was was also also responsibleresponsibleresponsible for forfor the thethe GryllsGryllsGrylls Monument,Monument,Monument, GuildhallGuildhall andand GrammarGrammar School School as as wellwellwell as asas other other privateprivate houses.houses. FurtherFurtherFurther along alongalong on onon thethethe right,right, LismoreLismore was builtbuilt inin thethe 1800s1800s for for Glynn Glynn GryllsGryllsGrylls who whowho waswas aa solicitor,solicitor, sevenseven times mayor ofof HelstonHelston and and brother brother of of HumphryHumphryHumphry for forfor whomwhom thethe GryllsGrylls monument waswas built.built. LismoreLismore was was sold sold out out ofofof the thethe Grylls GryllsGrylls family familyfamily inin 19101910 andand is now privatelyprivately owned.owned.

Lismore’sLismore’sLismore’s four fourfour acre acreacre gardengarden has changed littlelittle overover the the years years and and is is oftenoftenoften opened openedopened up upup toto thethe publicpublic on Flora DayDay (May(May 8th)8th) for for the the dancers dancers tototo follow followfollow the thethe traditional traditionaltraditional routerouteroute and taketake aa halfwayhalfway breakbreak on on the the lawn lawn

DidDidDid you youyou know?know? OutsideOutside Lismore is anan oldold ironiron water water pump pump withwithwith the thethe datedate 1844.1844. WaterWater did not come toto manymany homeshomes in in Helston Helston untiluntiluntil the thethe mid midmid 1930s. 1930s. Previously a number ofof thesethese pumps, pumps, located located throughoutthroughoutthroughout the thethe town, town,town, wouldwouldwould havehave suppliedsupplied thethe populationpopulation with with pumpedpumpedpumped well wellwell water. water.

1313 88 Great Great OffiOffi cece AcrossAcross the the roadroad fromfrom LismoreLismore you’ll seesee thethe GreatGreat Offi Offi ce. ce. BuiltBuilt in in the the 1700s,1700s, thisthis waswas the base for Helston’sHelston’s earliest earliest banks, banks, looking looking afterafter the the accounts accounts ofof locallocal mines.mines. Humphry MillettMillett Grylls Grylls would would have have once once workedworked here. here. ItIt hashas alsoalso housedhoused solicitors forfor overover 200 200 years years but but is is now now privatelyprivately owned. owned.

StepStep back back inin time:time: ImagineImagine yourself herehere onon aa busy busy day day in in the the past. past. ThisThis distinguished distinguished streetstreet waswas once cobbledcobbled andand lit lit by by gas gas lamps. lamps. CarriageCarriage men men wouldwould havehave watered theirtheir horseshorses and and swapped swapped storiesstories here here whilstwhilst theirtheir bossesbosses did dealsdeals inin thethe Great Great Offi Offi ce ce.. .

ContinueContinue to to thethe cornercorner andand No.1 Cross Street.Street. ThisThis house house hashas stoodstood herehere sincesince at least 18151815 whenwhen an an illustrat illustrationionion showsshows shows ititit standing standingstanding alone alonealone ininin aaa sparselysparselysparsely populatedpopulated CrossCrossCross StreetStreetStreet withwith with fifi fieldselds elds aroundaround around thethethe church churchchurch behind. behind.behind. The TheThe stylestylestyle of thethe househouse isisis mainlymainlymainly Georgian GeorgianGeorgian butbut but datingdating dating ititit more moremore accurately accuratelyaccurately isisis diffidiffidiffi cult.cult.cult. ThereThere areare beamsbeamsbeams ininin the thethe cellar cellarcellar andand and stonestone stone fl flagging agging inside inside thatthat areare atat leastleast a century older,older, indicatingindicating a a previous previous buildingbuilding probably probably existedexisted onon the site. ForFor overover 3030 years years this this was was the the homehome of of Emily Emily TrevenenTrevenen -- an independent VictorianVictorian woman woman of of means means and and friendfriendfriend to toto Headmaster HeadmasterHeadmaster ColeridgeColeridgeColeridge ofof thethe GrammarGrammar School.School.School. AsAs As aa a benefactor,benefactor, benefactor, EmilyEmily contributed contributed muchmuch toto Helston,Helston, including loaningloaning the the town town £2000 £2000 in in 18371837 to to build build thethe marketmarket house that now houseshouses the the Museum. Museum.

©© Estate Estate A A H H Hawke Hawke

���� DidDid you you know?know? OutsideOutside No. 1 Cross StreetStreet is is the the cross cross after after whichwhich the the street street isis named.named. The Ancient MonumentsMonuments Listing Listing describes describes ititit as asas a aa “Preaching “Preaching“Preaching cross.cross.cross. ProbablyProbablyProbably pre-conquest.pre-conquest. Wheel-basedWheel-based Wheel-based granitegranite granite monolithmonolith with with incisedincised flfl aredared Latin cross setset intointo a a roughly roughly hewn hewn granitegranite base.” base.” It’sIt’s believedbelieved this cross datesdates backback to to the the earliest earliest periodperiod of of Christianity Christianity inin CornwallCornwall and maymay eveneven refl refl ect ect echoes echoes of of a a previousprevious religion. religion.

1414 99 The The WillowsWillows AcrossAcross Church Church Street, Street, TheThe Willows began lifelife asas aa grandgrand house. house. ThomasThomas Glynn Glynn Junior, Junior, aa lawyerlawyer at the Great OffiOffi ce, ce, was was probably probably the the building’sbuilding’s fi fi rst rst occupant occupant -- wewe know he died herehere inin 1794.1794. The The building building waswas also also the the home home ofof R.G.R.G. Rows who was thethe chairmanchairman of of the the County County EducationEducation Committee Committee andand isis credited with bringingbringing Cornwall’sCornwall’s fi fi rst rst County County secondarysecondary school school toto thethe towntown inin 1905. SirSir Henry Henry Toy, Toy, held held byby manymany to be Helston’s fifi nest nest son,son, bought bought the the buildingbuilding in in 1926 1926 andand dieddied herehere in May 1939. HeHe dedicated dedicated his his lifelife toto towntown and county and toto thethe expansionexpansion of of the the borough.borough. He He was was awardedawarded aa knighthood in GeorgeGeorge VI’s VI’s birthday birthday honourshonours list list in in June June 1938.1938. AfterAfter Sir Sir Henry’s Henry’s deathdeath TheThe Willows was sold toto thethe locallocal council council and and becamebecame their their offi offi ces ces andand thethe local Registry OffiOffi ce ce forfor births, births, marriages marriages andand deaths, deaths, before before beingbeing splitsplit into the private residentialresidential apartments apartments herehere today. today. CrossCross back back over over andand carrycarry on up the hill.

You’llYou’ll walk walk by by two two formerformer National Schools, builtbuilt to to provide provide free free educationeducation to to the the childrenchildren ofof the poor. TheThe one one on on the the right right waswas builtbuilt in 1894 asas aa Boy’sBoy’s School School and and the the one one onon the the left left earlier earlier inin 1828.1828. Both were in useuse untiluntil the the late late 1950s 1950s. .

WalkWalk past past the the church church entranceentrance and up the singlesingle tracktrack road road beyond beyond andand just just past past the the whitewhite househouse you’ll fi nd aa boundaryboundary stone stone on on the the side side ofof the the road road that that isis overover 800800 years old. When Helston’sHelston’s charter charter was was granted inin 12011201 the the four four corners corners of thethe boroughborough were were marked marked by by thesethese stones.stones. And And they they still still witness anan ancientancient tradition tradition – the the BeatingBeating of of the the Bounds. Bounds. Since thethe chartercharter of of Queen Queen Elizabeth inin 1585,1585, before before maps maps existed, boysboys have have had had their their heads bumpedbumped at at these these markers markers so theythey wouldn’twouldn’t forget forget the the ancient boundaryboundary lines. lines. The practisepractise still still takes takes place place ceremonially today today on on the the day day before ascensionascension day. day.

1515 1010 St St Michael’sMichael’s Church WalkWalk back back down down thethe hillhill andand you’ll arrive atat thethe finalfinal stop stop on on the the centralcentral part part of of our our trail,trail, StSt Michael’sMichael’s Church. NamedNamed for for the the patron patron saintsaint of the town, the originaloriginal churchchurch was was thought thought toto have have stood stood on on thisthis sitesite fromfrom 1208. It Itwas was struck struck by by lightninglightning inin 1727,1727, splitting thethe towertower from from the the steeple. steeple. WorshipWorship was was still still carriedcarried outout in the building forfor almostalmost 30 30 years, years, until until the the inhabitantsinhabitants made made aa specialspecial pleaplea to Francis, EarlEarl ofof GodolphinGodolphin (the (the last last of of thethe male male Godolphin Godolphin line).line). HeHe providedprovided thethe fundsfunds toto buildbuild the the church church you you seesee now now which which opened opened inin 1761,1761, having costcost £6000.£6000. TheThe main main window window isis certainlycertainly worth a mentionmention -- it it depicts depicts angels angels dancingdancing the the Flora Flora DayDay dancedance and includes thethe openingopening bars bars of of the the famousfamous tune tune set set inin notation.notation. This piece ofof stainedstained glass glass was was created created byby Kruger Kruger Grey Grey inin 1938.1938. ItIt replaced a previous windowwindow that that now now hangshangs inside inside the the church,church, above the entrance doordoor and and is is a a very very fine fine exampleexample of of 18th 18th centurycentury glass.glass. A 20th centurycentury requestrequest by by the the V&A V&A museummuseum to to borrow borrow thisthis windowwindow for display hadhad toto be be turned turned down down owingowing to to the the potential potential ofof damagedamage in transit. InIn the the churchyard churchyard you’llyou’ll findfind aa granitegranite memorialmemorial toto thosethose who who di dieded in in the the twotwo world world wars, wars, thethe gravegrave ofof HerbertHerbert Kingsley (brother(brother of of the the novelist novelist Charles)Charles) who who died died atat thethe ageage of 14, and the gravegrave andand a a monument monument commemoratingcommemorating HenryHenry Trengrouse,Trengrouse, a cabinetmaker whowho lived lived on on MeneageMeneage Street Street andand inventedinvented equipment that savedsaved thousands thousands of of lives. lives.

HenryHenry Trengrouse: Trengrouse: lifesaverlifesaver AfterAfter witnessing witnessing thethe appallingappalling wreck of the AnsonAnson onon Loe Loe Bar Bar in in 1807, 1807, TrengrouseTrengrouse invented invented aa rocketrocket apparatus forfor shootingshooting a a rescue rescue line line to to a astricken stricken vessel vessel toto whichwhich waswas affixed a chairchair whichwhich would would carry carry survivorssurvivors to to shore. shore. You You cancan findfind out more andand seesee thethe prototype prototype of of the the apparatusapparatus in in the the Museum.Museum. TheThe invention invention saved saved thousandsthousands of lives and, althoughalthough the the tsar tsar of of Russia Russia awardedawarded Trengrouse Trengrouse aa diamonddiamond ring for savingsaving hishis countrymen, countrymen, he he was was nevernever honoured honoured in in BritainBritain andand died penniless.

YouYou have have now now finished finished thethe core trail. To followfollow SpursSpurs B B on on page page 18 18 and and CC on on page page 20 20 walk walk backback downdown Church Street andand upup to to the the Museum Museum to to pickpick up up the the trail trail there.there. 1616 SpurSpur A A CowsCows andand monks. FromFrom the the Grylls Grylls monument, monument, turnturn to the right andand walkwalk around around the the BowlingBowling Green. Green. TheThe building building behind behind thethe wallwall waswas built as the town’stown’s newnew Coinagehall Coinagehall but but onlyonly operated operated from from 18121812 toto 1837,1837, when coinage ceasedceased in in Cornwall. Cornwall. It’s It’s nownow a aprivate private residence. residence. PassPass the new shelter atat thethe backback corner, corner, which which featuresfeatures dancers dancers from from thethe FloraFlora DayDay midday dance,dance, andand descend descend the the steps steps toto the the left. left. These These steps steps areare believedbelieved to be veryvery old,old, possiblypossibly as as old old as as the the castle.castle. They They lead lead down down toto anan areaarea known as CastleCastle Green.Green.

StepStep back back in in time: time: OnOn MondaysMondays what is now thethe carcar park park was was home home toto Helston’s Helston’s impressive impressive cattlecattle market.market. ImagineImagine thethe hubbub hubbub of of the the day day withwith large large crowds, crowds, thethe raprap of the auctioneers gavelgavel and and the the occasional occasional escapeescape of of an an animal animal causingcausing excitement. TheThe marketmarket moved moved across across thethe road road in in 1955 1955 and and closedclosed inin 2001 after thethe footfoot andand mouth mouth cr crisis.isis.

CrossCross the the road road at at the the traffictraffic lightslights for a closer looklook atat thethe ne neww Old Old Cattle Cattle MarketMarket Building, Building, opened opened inin 20122012 as offices and aa communitycommunity space. space. SouthSouth Kerrier Kerrier Alliance Alliance ownown thethe building, along withwith the the adjacent adjacent CoronationCoronation BoatingBoating Lake,Lake, which which was was originally originally builtbuilt on ExtendExtend waterwater meadows meadows to to celebratecelebrate thethe YourYour StayStay coronationcoronation of of King King GeorgeGeorge VV andand A strollstroll aroundaround the the lake lake is is openedopened in in 1912. 1912. a pleasant wayway to to while while away away GoGo back back across across the the roadroad atat the some time.time. And And don’t don’t miss miss the the crossingcrossing and and go go along along StSt John’sJohn’s chance toto hirehire bikes bikes or or walk walk in in RoadRoad to to the the left left of of thethe carcar park.park. thethe beautifulbeautiful Penrose Penrose Estate Estate justjust acrossacross the the road. road. You’reYou’re now now walking walking throughthrough oneone of thethe oldest oldest parts parts of of Helston.Helston. AA monks’monks’ priorypriory and and hospital hospital stoodstood inin thisthis area from aroundaround 1220 1220 until until Henry Henry VIII’sVIII’s Dissolution of thethe MonasteriesMonasteries in in the the 1540s.1540s. Here Here the the prior prior andand hishis brethren cared forfor lepers,lepers, the the poor poor and and gavegave rest rest to to weary weary travellers.travellers. You’llYou’ll find some ofof thethe oldold stones stones from from thethe hospital hospital in in the the Museum. Museum. TurnTurn right right along along Almshouse Almshouse Hill,Hill, walk all the wayway toto the the top top to to the the GryllsGrylls Monument Monument and and re-joinre-join the core route onon pagepage 13. 13.

1717 Spur B Schools, prisons and world champions. Face the Museum and walk to your left and walk down the hill. Take the first turning on your right up Penrose Road. 13 John Passmore Edwards building / CAST You’ll soon reach a large building on your right that had its first section built in 1897 on land that formed part of the gardens of the old Grammar School. This was originally the John Passmore Edwards Science and Art School. The Education Act of 1902 required that secondary schools be opened across the country to provide education for fee-paying and scholarship students. This led to frantic activity in Helston, long regarded as a seat of learning, and the building was extended to provide Cornwall’s first secondary school in 1905. A further extension was added in 1913 and the building was used as a school until 1972, when it was made redundant with the introduction of comprehensive education. For some time it was used as a community centre, but in 2012 it was sold by Helston Town Council and it is now owned and managed by the Cornubian Arts and Science Trust (CAST), providing artists’ studios, a programme of public events and a café.

Continue up Penrose Road until you reach the junction with Wendron Street. Cross the road and you’ll be in front of a thatched house with a plaque claiming it as the birthplace of World Champion boxer Bob Fitzsimmons. Bob Fitzsimmons: World Champion Boxer Robert Fitzsimmons was boxing’s first triple-crown champion, successively winning the heavyweight, middleweight and light-heavyweight championships between 1891 and 1903. He is regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history and was born in Helston.

Walk up Shute Hill until you reach the junction with Parc-An-Dower. Here you’ll find Helston’s old gaol. 18