Evaluation Report

Plen an : Gwari the Playing Places of Cornwall Project OH-­‐13-­‐05395

Contents 1. Executive Summary

2. What we said we would do 2.1 The Heritage 2.2 Approved Purposes of HLF grant: 2.3 Expected Difference

3. What actually happened 3.1 Management and Staffing 3.2 Steering Group 3.3 Planning and Timetable 3.4 Activities 3.4.1 Collate Evidence 3.4.2 Deliver workshops in partnership with rsity Falmouth Unive (x6) 3.4.3 Launch Events 3.4.4 Recruit olunteers V 3.4.5 Outdoor Exhibition 3.4.6 Archaeological Survey 3.4.7 Online Field Guide 3.4.8 Learning Materials 3.4.9 Teacher Training 3.4.10 Schools Programme 3.4.11 ‘Lost’ Site Visits 3.4.12 Activity Materials targeted at Family s Visitor 3.4.13 Final Events

4. Review 5. Summary of Lessons Learned

Appendices:

i) Steering Group Minutes

ii) Publicity Materials

iii) Commissioned Illustrations

1. Executive summary

Plen an Gwari: the Playing Places of Cornwall has ful been a very success HLF-­‐funded project.

The medieval theatre tradition of Cornwall sly was previou almost unknown. As a result of this project a hugely increased constituency of people know about, are interested in and have engaged with this heritage.

Real learning about heritage has occurred rom in groups f the youngest school pupils through secondary school and university students to the oldest adult volunteers.

The two known well-­‐ sites are now framed as part of a much wider and better-­‐understood phenomenon with more than 50 sites (probable and dentified possible) being i on the online field guide.

The project has produced an online legacy, ve an attracti and accessible book, a permanent exhibition, a series of lectures and several proposals tudies, for further s activities and revivals. Many local groups have expressed a desire to take this nd work forward a explore their local heritage further.

2. What we said we would do: • Enlist expert and volunteer help locate, uncover and celebrate dozens of ‘lost’ plen an gwari sites across West Cornwall. • Work with university, schools and community lock’ groups to ‘un surviving medieval texts and re-­‐create the hidden treasures of our unique theatrical the heritage at two extant sites. • Create an on-­‐line field guide exploring and interpreting the 'lost' sites. • tour an outdoor exhibition to theatrical performances (separately funded) and community events at 24 of these sites • Tour an indoor exhibition around theatres and museums. • Produce a gorgeous, illustrated book pulling together contemporary accounts, academic thinking and interpretive images. • Significantly raise the awareness of and engagement s with thi previously -­‐ under celebrated aspect of Cornish heritage.

2.1 The Heritage In Late Medieval and Early Tudor times, l West Cornwal was the centre of an extraordinary and vibrant theatre culture, as rich as anywhere in -­‐ Europe. Two well known examples of plen an gwari (amphitheatres) survive at St Just and Perranporth. The remains at these two sites are earthworks forming a circular bank around a central space.

Falmouth University students at Perran Round

Preliminary research (from volunteer and community sources) suggests that partial remains and outline evidence of plenys an gwari may be found at over forty almost tes. entirely unknown si Some of these sites have been built upon or ploughed-­‐over, most isregarded are d by the local community who are unaware of their existence.

‘The Ordinalia’: the earliest surviving playscript in Britain (photo taken in the Bodleian Library)

The handful of surviving scripts in the Cornish language (including the recently unearthed Bewnans /’ Ke Life of St Ke') complement the various contemporary g accounts (e Carew, Scawen) to help us build a picture of the outdoor, festive, theatrical events that once took place across West Cornwall. An aspiration of the forthcoming Kresen ernow K project is to see the loan of these important medieval nwall documents back to Cor in the near future. The growth of Falmouth University has rekindled a great deal of interest in the history and the site of Glasney College, Penryn where, evidence suggests, many of the plays were written. Although once dismissed as oddities, the Cornish medieval dramas are attracting om new attention fr academics, some even suggesting that they should be 'given their rightful place as being the most important element in the history of medieval European (and in particular British) drama' (Higgins, University of Camerino, 2013)

Later, through th the 18 and 19th centuries, the plen an gwari spaces were used for wrestling matches, rock-­‐ drilling competitions, Methodist tea treats nner and all ma of community celebrations. In several s location these later uses continued right up into times within or just beyond living memory, thus, important fragments of oral history heritage remain to be collected.

2.2 Approved Purposes of HLF grant: • To recruit freelance delivery roles • To collate historical textual and pictorial information • To commission 12 historical, interpretive illustrations • To recruit and train 12 volunteers and 5 interns • To deliver 6 workshops in partnership with Falmouth University • To produce outdoor touring exhibition • To publicise and produce 2 public launch events • To facilitate and resource site-­‐visit programme and outdoor across exhibition 24 lost sites • To design, deliver and evaluate a KS@ and KS3 educational hools programme for 24 sc with 24 teachers and 500 pupils • To promote educational materials to a wider audience; , minimum of 50 schools 50 teachers and 1,500 pupils • To deliver 4 CPD sessions for 48 teachers • To produce interpretive activity materials targeted at family visitors for plen sites • To produce 2 public events for 24 schools, 500 pupils, 24 teachers and 300 parents/family members • To produce, publish and launch an illustrated book • To deliver and install outdoor and indoor exhibition

2.3 Expected Difference This project intended to make a difference to heritage; -­‐ an interactive on line field guide to ‘lost’ plen an gwari sites across Cornwall would mean that heritage was identified and recorded. A programme of interpretive 'lost' site events (curated by young people) and a sumptuous and -­‐ beautifully illustrated book exploring the varied use and social significance of the plen an gwari through history, providing comprehensive, accurate information but thoroughly accessible to a very wide audience would help heritage to be better interpreted lained. and exp

School pupils enacting medieval drama at Perran Round

The project intended to make a difference to people: through the educational program, an exhibition, enjoyable experiences and provide opportunities to volunteer. A KS2 and a KS3 educational programme, with a legacy of supporting educational resources along with celebratory events at the existing plen sites recreating key aspects of the medieval experience would help people learn about the heritage. An exhibition touring with he t Planet Kernow Embassy and on long term display would also help people learn about heritage.

Project events; launch events with Falmouth University students sharing the outcomes of their study and interpretive activity materials targeted at family visitors, along with celebratory events that showed the outputs of the work c with s hools would provide an enjoyable and experience inspirational for people.

Volunteers learning about geophysical surveying at St Hilary

A steering committee of stakeholders across a range of sectors and a network of volunteers to research lost sites and five internships to assist in five areas of the project; i) learning ii) events iii) v) exhibitions i marketing v) digital outputs, all gave people an opportunity to volunteer their time and improve their skills and understanding. 4. What actually happened 3.1 Management and Staffing Golden Tree recruited an able Project Manager who successfully irst oversaw the f half of the project’s life span, but then moved on to take on other career opportunities. essary It then became nec to re-­‐recruit. The tasks comprising the Project Manager role were tween then shared be two individuals (one of whom had previously been an intern with the project and one who had previously been a volunteer – a very pleasing piece of professional development). Given this change of e management structur at the -­‐ mid point of the project, he t company was delighted that the transition was accomplished smoothly and then no significant slippage of delivery occurred. The interns were utilised in very diverse ways and proved immensely helpful (and also reported gaining a great deal from the experience).

Training day at Perran Round

The volunteer network was far greater than our initial target and as well as contributing to the delivery outputs also helped create a real buzz about the ross subject matter ac Cornwall.

3.2 Steering Group The Steering Group was a very helpful way to engage a keholders very wide constituency of sta and meant that the project received very good quality dance steerage and gui (both from those able to attend and those contributing remotely) A wide range of people from academic research, drama and theatre, ge schools, herita and voluntary and public sectors were invited to attend steering group meetings. The minutes of all meetings were distributed among everyone invited and some people made contributions unteered and vol information and support even if they did not attend meetings. The invitations and minutes went out to 42 people across Cornwall and Britain and, Italy, America and Australia as well. 6 meetings of the steering group took place, ng and at every meeti the project director provided an update of work, outlined upcoming work and looked nd for support a advice from attendees. As a result ng of the steeri group meetings, Jackie Nowakowski of Cornwall’s Historic Environment provided advice on the extent of recorded knowledge, archaeological activities were decided on, and MAGA provided translations into Cornish and requested reference to their Cornish language drama resource pack in the project learning materials. [Appendix 1: Steering Group Minutes] the project is another shining example [of community archaeology], embracing a wide range of sources of information and locally available enthusiasm and specific skills Professor Matthew Spriggs Steering Group Member

3.3 Planning and Timetable The original t Projec Plan remained the major guiding tool throughout the project and proved itself to be purposeful and effective. Some changes to the plan did occur: Coordinate and support volunteer field research/ Create on-­‐line field-­‐guide to known and ‘lost’ sites: we underestimated the amount of time and the duration of the period that these tasks would require, however they have been some of the most rewarding (and engaging) aspects of the project. Produce outdoor touring exhibition/ Produce indoor touring exhibition: the original outdoor touring exhibition was large, attractive and informative but was not constructed robustly enough. he By the end of t summer section of the tour it was beginning to look shabby and needed significant repair work before the autumn/winter period of ‘lost site’ visits. We took the decision to completely re-­‐design it in such a way that the new version of the exhibition would work both outdoors and indoors.

3.4 Activities

A section of the Golden Tree Productions website was provided for the project and material was added to this during the project. The address is http://goldentree.org.uk/portfolios/plen-­‐an-­‐gwari-­‐the-­‐playing-­‐places-­‐of-­‐ cornwall/

4.4.1 Collate Evidence A spreadsheet was made of known probable e and possibl plen an gwari sites, using data from the Historic Environment Record (HER) and references from the works of Rod Lyon, Oliver Padel and Matthew . Spriggs Over the course of the project, additional references to further sites were found in the works of Polwhele and the National Archives. Volunteers also suggested the existence of other additional sites, but on examination many of them, such as Resugga Castle, and Portreath Road Round, were mainly pre-­‐existing monuments with no reference that they were ever re-­‐used as a plen an . gwari One or two sites were admitted on eir the strength of th shape and location alone – for instance Crasken Farm has a circular field that was once an Iron Age round, but its proximity to Helston, and the lack of any known plen an gwari nearby means that it was a likely candidate for a possible plen an gwari site. The final list contained 58 sites.

Project Director studying manuscripts in the Bodleian Library

Other evidence of the wider plen an gwari culture which was collected and collated (some previously unpublished) included church book-­‐keeping records, court depositions, historical descriptions and reports, historical diagrams, old photographs, and personal accounts

4.4.2 Deliver workshops in partnership with Falmouth University (x6) The partnership with Falmouth University’s ‘theatre’ course was productive and successful. We delivered a full week of workshops to usiastic a very enth cohort of students who then took part in both of our launch events (one at St Just and the other at Tremough).

Falmouth University Theatre students reciting medieval Cornish

We also hosted eight site visits by luding the students inc visiting the site of Glasney College, the site of the Penryn plen an gwari and three visits each to Perran Round an and St Just Plain Gwarry.

Falmouth University students at the site of Glasney College

A MIGHTY THANKS for your dynamic guidance osition about and exp of the Plen an Gwary experience in terms of direction, information and sheer inspiration. ct In effe you generated a truly OPEN-­‐air-­‐UNIVERSITY in the earthen walls of Perran Round and en. St Just Pl Dr Simon Persighett Falmouth University Lecturer

4.4.3 Launch vent E s The first launch event was held at St Just plen an . gwari In advance, leaflets were distributed by the members of the steering group and the event was attended by twenty five Falmouth students plus more thirty than members of the public. They were treated to excerpts from d the medieval plays that ha been written in Cornish, presented by the students from Falmouth University who hops through their works had devised ways to retain the use of Cornish language while at the same aning time conveying me bilingually to the audience.

Giant map of Cornwall showing plen s an gwari location Project staff had laid out a map of Cornwall ladly and the audience g made a living map of plen an gwari locations by holding signs of different locations, finding them on a map and standing . in those locations

champions from different plen an gwari locations at the second project launch The second launch was held at Tremough Campus, ic Penryn with live mus from traditional Cornish band Dalla and a packed hall full of students and members of the public (numbers attending 118)

4.4.4 Recruit olunteers V A large number of people signed up as volunteers at the launch event and emails went out to a o list that grew t 112 recipients. Twelve volunteers attended a training day and learned about the HER the Cornish language in the landscape and archival research. A total of nineteen people attended lost site research activities, and twenty nine people engaged in volunteer online research.

Delivering training at St Just Plain an Gwarry

4.4.5 Outdoor Exhibition The project was initially undertaken in parallel with an Arts Council funded project; Gogmagog. This was a new play that explored the way in which the plen an gwari space was used. Instead of “theatre in the round” where the audience sit around the edge, the difference in this ’s play format was that the audience was surrounded by the players, and the action took place around them, and amongst them. So the audience lled mi around and would be attracted to different places ffect. to dramatic e This can be seen as a very modern, site-­‐specific setting for drama, but it is consistent with the stage directions and diagrams in the ancient playscripts, and seems to be the way n i which the plays were performed. Many who were aware of the plays, had previously assumed that the plays were performed to an audience who sat around the edge on the banks. However, when they experienced the immersive nature of the play, this they agreed that was the best use of the space.

That Gogmagog dealt with the staging of medieval Cornish icit theatre was made expl at each performance, and this brought the existence of the plen an gwari to an audience that may not otherwise have known about them. As the play toured around Cornwall, it was seen by a total audience of 2063 many of which were not previously aware of the physical remains of Cornwall’s es. medieval theatr ...the whole concept of plen an gwari with the audience in the centre is a winner... Gogmagog -audience email feedback outdoor exhibition at St Mabyn ‘lost’ site

The play was accompanied by an outside exhibition that explained what plenys an gwari were, and how we think they were used. After the summer tour the outside exhibition was extremely worn and so new exhibition panels were commissioned to meet both outdoor and indoor requirements. These were used at archaeological events, at the final school event. We estimate that over 3000 people have seen the exhibition. After touring the exhibition was put on permanent display in the Knut, which t is the building tha is part of the plen St Just an gwari site. Future visitors to the Knut will hese be able to see t panels that explain what plenys an gwari were, and that they were numerous across Cornwall.

Delivering the nd 2 version of the exhibition for permanent display at the Knut, St Just 4.4.6 Archaeological Survey Promotion of the project moved onto Facebook and ed twitter, which achiev a weekly reach of up to 2666 accounts. This helped generate interest and increase links with volunteers, as well as attracting new ones. Fieldwork was advertised through facebook, twitter, ist and emailing the l of volunteers. As more volunteers arrived through social media, they joined the email list.

Fieldwork consisted of two resistivity surveys; one at Ruan Minor and one at St Hilary. These sites were chosen because they were both uncertain sites. The site at Ruan Minor was thought to be in the car park of a business, but this seemed to be too close to the only historic reference point. Instead, at a better distance there was a field with an oddly shaped hedge and it was was this area that surveyed with the permission of the landowner.

Training in using geophysical ng surveyi equipment

Over two days, olunteers twenty v were shown how to lay out a 20m x 20m grid, how to use a resistance meter, and how to take height measures using a dumpy level. The site archaeologist who led the investigation, Richard Mikulski, was paid for two half days, emainder and gave the r of both days as a CBA volunteer. A total of seven grids were surveyed by our volunteers over two days. A preliminary report irector by the site d showed that there were buried features but results were er, not clear. Howev one of the volunteers found a previously unknown estate map from 1778 which showed that the area we were looking at once had a hedge forming over half a circle around d it an this indicates that our location was probably correct.

As a result of the site survey, a report showing the estate map was sent to update Cornwall’s HER, and a report of the survey was submitted as well. Feeling I have helped contribute in a small way. Adds to my understanding of life in the past in Cornwall. I gained practical skills, and got to teach others about the dumpy level after I had learned to use it. It was very clear and definitely helped me to understand the heritage. Ruan Minor olunteer v comments

Currently, the HER lists three plen an gwari sites in St Hilary; two were identified by the National Mapping Programme (NMP), and one was the “preferred location” on of author Rod Ly , although he was uncertain of it. Because the NMP was entirely -­‐ desk based research looking at maps and aerial photos, gested one site was sug because of a curve in a field’s hedge, while the final site was an oval soil mark seen on aerial photos.

All three sites were in the close to the hamlet known as Plain-­‐an-­‐Gwarry. This time eleven volunteers were shown how to lay out a grid, and how to use a resistance meter, and volunteers carried out the survey. We surveyed the field near the curved hedge and produced four 20m x 20m grids in one day. Unfortunately, rain prevented our return and the equipment was required by its owners, the CBA SouthWest. As before, Richard Mikulski worked a full day, paid half a day by the project and giving the rest of his time voluntarily for CBA SouthWest.

The survey at this site produced clearer results which showed that there was a buried ditch that ran inside the hedge, continued into the existing field describing a curve. There was a second buried ditch which ran parallel and presumably marked the outside of the hedge line. The inner ditch was easier to see, which suggests this had been deeper and such a thing is not a feature of any defensive structure, such as a round or Ker and therefore we can assume that this was a plen an . gwari

At the present nfirming time, co that one of St Hilary’s three logged sites is likely to be a plen an gwari does not mean that the others are not, and it is likely that they will also need further investigation in order to establish if they are ancient sites and if so, what they were used for. A report of our survey was submitted to Cornwall’s HER. Interesting to know what sites were used for and how many there are. Understand Cornwall better. Plain an Gwarry are absolutely unique and a special part of Cornwall. St Hilary volunteer comments

4.4.7 Online Field uide G Following site investigations, volunteers were asked to ng help with produci a field guide. The field guide was benchmarked against the popular website “Megalithic Portal” and so we wanted to produce a th spreadsheet wi links to the HER, aerial photos, local information and various maps. We also asked volunteers to describe their chosen site in their own words. Initially only ten people volunteered for this activity, but as results from our site work was posted book, on face interest grew and more people asked to help with online research. Eventually twenty nine people helped with the online field guide.

This online activity ran from early March until mid-­‐June, and involved exchanging over 250 emails and took an estimated hour per email for the whole activity. This is because an email would be sent to the participants with instructions and guidance, which they would carry out by searching online, and send an email back in reply. The contents of their reply would then be added to the spreadsheet. So approximately 250 hours were volunteered for this activity.

Volunteers celebrating ‘lost’ sites across Cornwall

Desk top research by volunteers identified sly a previou unknown plen an gwari in Mylor parish, and a previously unrecorded one in St Wenn parish. Researchers found documents med and maps that confir the locations of St Ives plen an gwari and Penryn plen an , gwari which were different to the locations recorded in the HER. Online maps were d use to positively identify previously doubtful wari plen an g locations in Ruan Minor, St Hilary and St Buryan. The Project Director was able n to spend time i the Bodleian Library studying the -­‐ original 600 year-­‐old play manuscripts and share his findings with the project. Previously unpublished manuscript evidence was located in the British Library by a Steering Group member. All of the improved identification and location of plen an gwari sites was submitted to HER Cornwall’s .

The results of the desk top research were gathered by our volunteer -­‐ co ordinator, Matt Blewett, and both Will Coleman and Matt Blewett checked the spreadsheet d and edite it for consistency (for instance some volunteers submitted measurements in feet and inches, res) others in met and the descriptions were edited to produce a consistent tone of voice. While it would have been quicker to do the entire spreadsheet by myself, encouraging other people to do it means that they encountered information and websites like the Heritage Gateway that they had not come across before. They were interested in these online tools and followed the guidance to learn how to use them. Some volunteers told me how introducing them to it was helpful to other research that they wanted to do. Matt Blewett Volunteer Co-­‐ordinator

The edited spreadsheet was then uploaded onto the Golden Tree ty website with the facili for visitors to add comments.

4.4.8 Learning Materials Using lush illustrations, supporting sound-­‐flies, original source evidence, our plen an ri gwa learning materials were written by Will Coleman and submitted ering to the ste group who made good suggestions for inclusion. The suggested programme of study included subjects like: 1. What is a Plen an Gwari? 2. What was it like to go a play in Plen an Gwari? 3. What were the Stories of the Gwari Meur shows? 4. Can we Stage our own Gwari Meur? 5. Is there a Plen an Gwari near Us? The learning materials were added to the plen an gwari to project page, available download for free, on application. So far there have been 32 requests for this material (including 3 from USA!).

4.4.9 Teacher Training

Young pupils studying at Perran Round We delivered 4 CPD events to a total of 49 teachers (including teaching assistants from 24 schools (augmented in each case by a few local volunteers). These went through the learning materials and explained some of the techniques that could be used to unlock the heritage for students. The feedback from these sessions was very positive: History comes alive, necessary to realise what is nearby undiscovered Presentation was clear, lively and interactive Perranporth Teacher Training Attendees Adds another facet to this otherwise -­‐ quite difficult-­‐to-­‐spice-­‐up material of history Makes you want to re find out mo about what was going on in these places St Just Teacher Training Attendees

4.4.10 Schools Programme The schools programme was very successful. In addition or’s to the Project Direct drama-­‐based inputs we engaged experienced and talented artists mfield, (Mary Ann Bloo visual art and Jen Dyer, music). he We trained t artists in the plen an gwari heritage content and worked with them to devise a programme that would meet schools’ needs. 2ndry pupils at t St S ephen in Brannel school

We worked very successfully with Falmouth , University delivering workshops in Penryn, visiting s the site of Glasney College and the plen an gwari (now a carpark!) and 3 separate field trips to Perran Round and St Just Plain-­‐an-­‐Gwarry. One highlight ivering was del to young people of 8 different nationalities gathered at Brannel School for the International Schools Theatre Association conference.

4.4.11 Lost Site Visits

‘lost’ site visit at Ruan Minor Visits and events were held at the following ‘lost sites’: Ruan Major, Ruan Minor, St Hilary, Sancreed, Perranzabuloe, Kea, Cubert, Bodmin, Penryn, -­‐ St Stephen in-­‐Brannel, Luxulyan, Redruth, Sithney, Camborne, St Enoder, Landewednack, St Ives, Constantine (2 sites), St Buryan. The nature of these events varied enormously depending on the desires of the local lunteers. organisers and vo For instance, at Landewednack we shared the exhibition to a small number of interested volunteers and ped Dr Caradoc Peters hel us map out the traces of the original plen an gwari now almost obliterated by roads and bungalows.

Pupils, parents and members of the community st’ at Kea ‘lo site

Whereas at Penryn we gathered a large resentatives crowd with rep from the Town Council, Falmouth sity Univer and local traders and the primary school pupils re-­‐enacted a demonic scene from the ancient drama.

Thanks for the bright and animated Ordinalia intervention y in Sunny Penryn toda ‘lost’ site event attendee email feedback 4.4.12 Activity Materials targeted at tors Family Visi

Family Activities at Redruth ‘lost’ site

We created a ‘treasure chest’ of Family hich Activities w included a large -­‐ roll out netting map of Cornwall and a guide to ‘lost ‘sites. Wooden rounds were then placed on the map and hoop-­‐la plen an gwari rings were thrown. Families competed to add favourite locations to their list.

4.4.13 Final Events

We held two final schools events. The first, at Perran Round was somewhat smaller than our original ambition due to the restricted parking and site access difficulties. But it still involved over 70 pupils from 3 different schools plus a good number of staff, parents, volunteers and community members (estimate 18).

Final event at Perran Round

Our major final event was held at St Just Plain-­‐an-­‐Gwarry. This was a wonderful, celebratory occasion involving more than 350 pupils and nearly 200 staff, parents and other adults. Students demonstrated the results of their sessions to the wider audience, including songs, play extracts in both Cornish and English, and choreographed dramatic scenes.

Documentation video at: http://goldentree.org.uk/plen-­‐an-­‐ gwari-­‐final-­‐event/

Demons capture a wicked soul (their teacher) at the Final Event

Pupils with ‘Lost’ site banners at the Final Event

Joining in the medieval dance at the Final Event

I didn’t realise there were so many plen an gwarries in Cornwall…we need to see our plen an gwarries becoming the focus of their communities as they once were Member of the public, Final Event

4.4.14 Book One major output of the project is a beautiful new book featuring the commissioned illustrations explain and ing • how and why plen the an wari g tradition ourished fl and died • what attending such a spectacle would have been like • what the contemporary cultural lessons day are for us to • how we can locate our local ‘lost’ sites

157 people have -­‐ pre ordered this book before it has . gone on sale

4.4.15 Lecture Programme One unexpected outcome of the project has been the demand for lectures and presentations by the Project Director. These include the ‘Raising Glasney’ lecture at Penryn, Oxford University Society oos Cornwall, Goolr Festival Perranporth, Royal Cornwall Museum, Cornwall Society of Friends , Institute of Cornish Studies Conference, International Geographic Society ce Conferen Exeter It was good to hear someone talk with such energy and passion Lecture attendee email feedback

3.5 The difference for Heritage The project submitted amendment forms to the Cornwall HER which will enable it to be updated with the St Wenn and Mylor sites, and better location details of the St Ives and . Penryn sites So as a direct result of this research, Heritage has been ntified better ide and recorded.

The online field guide provides a description with links to the HER and other helpful websites. The field guide and the exhibitions have provided additional information and so heritage has been and etter will be b interpreted and explained. I saw over the weekend that you are very good at advertising the HER and Heritage Gateway on various Facebook pages. I really appreciate that, thank you! Emma Trevarthen, Senior Archaeologist Cornwall & Scilly Historic Environment Record

The lost site events and readers of the book exploring the varied use and social significance of the plen an gwari through history, providing comprehensive, accurate information had the heritage explained and interpreted for them.

3.6 The difference for People All of the public engagement activities; the site launch, the GogMagog play, the educational programme, the “lost site” visits, research, book, and celebratory events all provided information and explained about the heritage and so people learned about heritage. When asked de what difference it ma a lot of feedback expressed in various ways how their engagement increased their understanding of Cornwall; its heritage, history, identity and communities. Very important to understand Cornish culture h and Cornis history – especially local history Important for all in Cornwall to learn about heritage Excellent resource for bringing to life our local history Understanding the places as part of and Cornish culture tradition Raised awareness of the scale & role in Cornish culture Living in St Just, helps me to understand the the background of place, so I can pass on my knowledge Keeps Cornish heritage and traditions alive and real As an ‘outsider’ I now have a better f understanding o Cornish heritage Its really important to learn about and understand local history, and adds so much to our local understanding Ignite interest in drama delivered in alternative ways Drills down better understanding of our locality Gives people a common bond and identity I feel proud here to live and be part of it Gives me a sense of Cornish life in the past Deepens my knowledge and understanding of Cornwall’s history and I’ll use this to learn more Better feel of village life Participants’ feedback

Some of the volunteer hours spent oject on the pr had to be calculated – in particular the online researchers did not let us know how long they took. However, calculating order about an hour per email in to write the email, for the recipient to carry out their research, send a reply and add the results to the spreadsheet was estimated to take an hour in total. With 250 emails exchanged for this activity, the estimate of 250 hours volunteered for this activity is an estimated total (250 hours 33.3 = days).

Other volunteer hours are more precise. the At two sites people volunteered for six hours which across the three days spent on archaeological survey, comes s to 198 hour volunteered. Volunteers on the steering committee contributed 120 hours of their time.

Overall, the amount of time volunteered by everybody over the course of the project comes to a whopping 568 hours, or 76 working days.

It was not just that people volunteered earned time, they l new skills as well. The nineteen people who participated in the resistivity surveys at Ruan Minor and St Hilary learned some basic archaeological survey skills. three participants had survey experience and they imparted s their skill and knowledge to the other sixteen participants who had never had any field experience. They learned how to lay out a survey grid and how to use the resistance equipment kindly loaned by CBA Southwest.

The twenty nine participants in online research included just or two people who had pri knowledge of Cornwall’s HER, and the online Heritage Gateway ular. website in partic Other ites s were totally new and even project staff were introduced to new websites such l as DEFRA’s powerfu mapping tool http://magic.defra.gov.uk, a comprehensive website of historical maps at https://www.old-­‐maps.co.uk and the very useful http://www.nearby.org.uk which translated grid references into co-­‐ordinates and provided a portal to many other mapping tools. Giving guidance means that volunteers earn were able to l how to use these sites and learned new computer research skills. I enjoyed doing the research for the Gwaries. Participants’ feedback

Engagement was designed to be enjoyable by providing a theatrical experience regardless of the . activity This was intended to inspire and entertain rm. as well info When asked what they enjoyed, feedback was enthusiastic and by far the most common response was “All”: All of it Looking at the primary evidence. of Lots fun – great discussions! Acting out the part of the play Doing the activities myself, being able nd to discuss a being entitled to be ‘wrong’ Opening my eyes to appreciate my country me and excite about imparting to others It was fascinating; gave a real insight into many different aspects of Cornish life Found it engaging and made me reconsider ‘what I thought know’ The whole presentation – I am excited by it! Lively pace and delivery Just learning this stuff Will’s company and enthusiasm. Opportunity to share ideas with colleagues Getting to know more about Cornish heritage Seeing people getting enthused Being outside, meeting nice people and connecting archaeology rts with the a and Cornish history Seeing the diagrams of what Plain an gwarrys would have looked like Being given the opportunity to get involved Social and learning the survey work Taking readings on the resistance meter Doing the resistance measurements and feeling I have contributed in a small way Using the machinery I enjoyed the hugely; day practically, educationally, socially, and historically! Trying out the survey technique Chatting about archaeology and doing the surveying Participants’ feedback

3.7 The difference for communities

We did not originally anticipate outcomes making a difference to communities, but in the event this happened. Because the heritage project was linked, specifically to the play “GogMagog”, people came to see the play who would not necessarily know about Cornwall’s e distinctiv heritage and so this introduced the plen an gwari heritage to over 2000 attendees which brought the heritage der to more people and a wi range of people. Between the play, social media and conventional overage, media c the news of this project spread far and wide. I was at a funeral in Newquay and during the pasties, tea rds, and chat afterwa a distant family relation started to go on about the "Cornish Rounds" (Like St. Piran's Round) e and how there was a whol project about them going on...... !. Community Volunteer

Kea Parish council are very keen to find ways to mount some form n of revival Bewnans Ke i the near future. St Hilary Parish council have expressed a rther desire for fu archaeological work at their site.

3.8 Media

Project Director being interviewed by Radio 4 ‘Making History’ This project has generated the following media interest: • BBC th 15 March 20141 • Western Morning News th 4 March 20142 • Western Morning News st 21 July 20143 • West Briton th 5 March 20154 • Cornishman 1st May 20155

1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-­‐england-­‐cornwall-­‐26524682 2 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/medieval-­‐theatre-­‐garden/story-­‐20729829-­‐detail/story.html 3 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/s-­‐Gogmagog-­‐8217-­‐s-­‐travelling-­‐stage-­‐sails-­‐onwards/story-­‐21666964-­‐ detail/story.html 4 http://www.westbriton.co.uk/8203-­‐Cornwall-­‐8217-­‐s-­‐hidden-­‐theatres-­‐discovered/story-­‐26120148-­‐detail/story.html • Radio Cornwall interview • Radio ‘Making 4 History’ programme (to be broadcast early July) • Oxford University website – ‘most read’ article for over a month6 • Cornwall Today article, July 2015

Cornwall Today article

4. Review The project activities achieved all of the uld things we said wo do in section 2 above and went beyond the approved purposes of the grant to carry out archaeological survey work at two sites. The combination of all the activities detailed above and the numbers hed of people reac significantly raised the awareness of and engagement with this previously -­‐ under celebrated aspect of Cornish heritage.

One part of the project that worked particularly well was the education programme. The education materials were devised with lots of interactive ned discussion plan in to them, and going through them with the teachers enthused them and then that was passed onto the students. The children who attended the final event at St Just were proud to show off what they had learned and showed a lot of enthusiasm for the place and the texts.

Another successful part of the project siasm was the enthu of volunteer researchers, who he turned up for t surveys at Ruan Minor and St Hilary, and continued to provide information for the online guide. The reason this part of the project worked well was because professional archaeology and marketing pped skills whi up the enthusiasm among participants, and harnessed it to carry out genuine research.

Less successful was the initial “heritage ambassadors” who were given one day training in heritage and archive research, and then were never heard from again. They were expected to carry out research on their local plen an gwari and then celebrate it in some way in conjunction with the ‘lost . site’ events There are several reasons why members of this group were lost; the training occurred just before the original Project Manager left the project and perhaps they felt too isolated and could have done with more contact perhaps through social media. When follow up emails were sent, none of them responded. The eventual volunteer research was carried out by a new group of volunteers that in the end did not include any of the original ambassadors.

Because the plen an gwari sites are unique to Cornwall, they will never appear in any al nation archaeological programme. Aspects of Cornwall that are unique ised often get marginal and overlooked precisely because they do not conform to an English national hout narrative. Wit this project, these unique places would remain

5 http://www.cornishman.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-­‐300-­‐school-­‐children-­‐perform-­‐St-­‐Just-­‐Plen/pictures-­‐26424612-­‐ detail/pictures.html 6 http://www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-­‐05-­‐11-­‐dramatic-­‐discovery-­‐bodleian unnoticed and be more at risk. They would disappear further from public imagination and people would see places like ran Per Round or St Just plen an gwari as anomalies and not understand their context. This project consciously engaged with theatre because that was what these sites were used for and without it these sites would not come alive in people’s imagination.

Therefore, the difference that would have occurred had this project not taken place would have been negative for the heritage. The heritage would not have received er bett identification and recording and errors would remain in the HER. Likewise, heritage would not have been interpreted and explained and so tle would remain lit known and poorly understood.

Differences for people are harder to determine would not have happened; perhaps another project would give people the opportunity to learn skills, enthuse them ive about heritage and g them an enjoyable experience. Because the plen an gwari heritage is so related to Cornwall’s history of drama, a different project focussing on other heritage would not perhaps have been able to bring that y heritage to life in the wa that the Golden Tree Plen an Gwari project has done and so would not perhaps have given that level of spectacle, experience, and enjoyment to allow a learning space for about Cornwall’s dramatic heritage.

5. Summary of s lesson learnt The subject matter was perfect in that it was previously rich almost unknown yet and intriguing with genuine relevance to contemporary culture in Cornwall and very timely in terms of the renewed desire to learn about the ‘hidden history’ of Cornwall which is becoming more widespread. In terms of management, effectiveness and reach, the Steering Group was a massively valuable asset. Involving learning communities from the youngest school pupils, through university students and including adult volunteers had major -­‐ cross over advantages. Overseeing volunteers and creating -­‐ on line resources are both time and energy intensive. The project targets were achieved but, as is usual, more could have been given done additional funding. As the project progressed, more potential activities were proposed investigations and further were suggested as well, but these were not feasible within the project budget. If we did this project again, we would use social media earlier to enthuse our volunteers and encourage them to form their own community use and it build to social capital. This would help us to retain our volunteers and perhaps extend their work further. The benefits of social media over cannot be -­‐expressed: As well as giving volunteers a platform to share their learning experience, it provides a low-­‐cost marketing tool for the project as to a whole. The cost us was 1 hour a day in a volunteer co-­‐ordinator’s time which led -­‐ to a still growing community of enthusiasts who now want to take the archaeological research further.

Appendix i) Steering Group Minutes

Plen an Gwari Project

Steering Group Meeting 1 Minutes Krowji, Redruth 14:30 9th January 2014 Present

• Will Coleman, Project Director • Sasha Dobrota, Freelance Project Manager & Producer • Jacky Nowakowski, Archaeologist and Team Leader at Historic Environment • Deborah Tritton, Archive Services Manager, Cornwall Council's • Sarah Pym, Theatre Development, Hall for Cornwall • Mary Ann Bloomfield, The Plen Project, St Just • Simon Persighetti, Award Leader for Theatre at Falmouth University and core member / artist researcher of Wrights & Sites • Jack Morrison, Project Manager, Feast • Matt Blewett, MAGA

Apologies

• Malcolm Bell, Visit Cornwall • Lindsey Hall, RiO • Martin Higgs, Penzance Primary Penwith Education Trust • Sue Smith, headteacher, St Ives Junior School • Jan Horrell, Museum Development Team Lead, Cornwall • Alan Kent, writer, Lecturer in Literature for the Open University in the South West of Britain, and Visiting Fellow in Celtic Studies at the University of Coruna. • Peter Kirby, artist, writer, Caliban board member and brand consultant • Rod Lyon, freelance historian, • Ian Saltern, St Piran’s Trust • Gary Tregidga, Institute of Cornish Studies • Mike Wilson, Dean of Research, Falmouth University

1) Suggested other invitees Matthew Spriggs, Professor of Archaeology, Australian National University Sydney Higgins, University of Camerino, Italy Jane Howells, Bewnans Kernow Ross Williams (or other rep), ACT

Action – WC to contact with minutes

2) Purpose of the Group

It was agreed that the purpose of the group is to advise the project team and add value where possible.

3) Project Overview WC assured the group that a ‘visual’ diagram to help explain project structure and outcomes would follow from the meeting. There are two complementary strands of the project. i) The HLF project will involve:

• Working with university, schools, a team of interns and community groups to ‘unlock’ surviving medieval texts and re-create the hidden treasures of our unique theatrical heritage at the two extant sites. • KS2&3 education programme involves insets for staff, research education projects for schools which involve looking for local sites • Undergraduate programme involves working with medieval texts, devising approaches that will work with younger pupils to animate the sites • Creating on-line field guide exploring and interpreting the 'lost' sites. • Touring an outdoor exhibition to theatrical performances (separately funded) and community events at 24 of these sites and tour an indoor exhibition around theatres and museums. • Producing a gorgeous, illustrated book pulling together contemporary accounts, academic thinking and interpretive images. • The project will significantly raise the awareness of and engagement with this previously under-celebrated aspect of Cornish heritage.

Project Feedback

• Jacky high-lighted the Historic Environment’s mapping resource which identifies crop marks, earth works, place names, other evidence such as banks etc. These are accompanied with detailed reports. She also mentioned the Flying Through Cornwall's Past website. • Jacky also presented Matthew Sprigg’s paper "The Cornish Language, Archaeology and the Origins of English Theatre", • SP expressed the uniqueness and excitement of this particular project is the relationship between academia and theatre. • MAB – in medieval times the plens were vibrant, dynamic and socially significant gathering places and this project has the opportunity to bring that back to life. • SD and SP suggested talking to Jane at Creative Skills about the Creative Employment Programme about the intern elements of the project.

• Actions o SD and WC to visit the Historic Environment department o WC to follow up meeting with Phil Stenton at Falmouth University o JN to send Will a pdf of the Matthew Sprigg’s paper mentioned above.

Funding Overview The money that has been confirmed to date:

• 22k from RIO’s Challenge Fund • 58k from HLF

Other funding suggestions from the group;

• 2015 – 750 years of the Glasney College • Big Lottery • BID – St Austell etc • Widening Participation

Advisory Board – Round Table AMB / (St Just) Plen Project – it has taken the project team a long time to get to this point. New build nearing completion. They want to set up as a company by limited guarantee and they want to develop beyond St Just itself. Hoping for synergy between the two projects. WC to sit on Advisory Board. DT – Kresen Kernow is in its early stages of its activity plan. What we learn from this project could feed into their aspirations. It has been indicated that the British Library will loan the archive the original texts and KAK need to bring them to life. DT suggested tapping into the Cornwall Museums and Archive Group. JN – For the Historic Environment Team this project presents a way of updating the records, which are essentially active records. They like the research skills element of the project, encouraging people to learn for themselves and developing an appetite to investigate the heritage of our own back yards. JN raised the point about there could be restricted, limited or no public access to some former PAG sites. SP –is interested in any place / space being considered for a performance. With WC he took a group of student to both existing sites last year. He is particularly interested in people, pan-European, place, landscape, history, language and sea – which is why this project is of particular interest to him. He is particularly interested in the legacy of the project. MB – MAGA have already developed some educational resources regarding medieval Cornish theatre (tabled). It was agreed that there was the potential to build on these resources with this project. Proposed Date of next meeting; Wednesday 9th April 14:30 Krowji

Plen an Gwari Project

Steering Group Meeting 2 Minutes Krowji, Redruth 14:30 9th April 2014 Present

• Will Coleman, Project Director • Ross Williams, ACT • Matt Blewett, MAGA • Pete Kirby, Thisness & Golden Tree Board • Sasha Dobrota, Project Manager • Jane Howells, Bewnans Kernow • Gary Tregidga, Institute of Cornish Studies • Jacky Nowakowski, Historic Environment Service, Cornwall Council

Apologies

• Sarah Pym, Golden Tree Board • Rod Lyon, freelance historian • Jan Horrell, MDO • Sarah Walsh, Cubert School • Jack Morrison, Feast, ACT • Ian Saltern, St Piran Trust

1. Minutes of last meeting • Approved • MB asked for these to be sent again (attached)

2. Project Update a) Work with Falmouth University Students Will was able to report on a very successful series of workshops with first year Theatre students. Original medieval Cornish texts were ‘unpacked’ and the Plen-an-Gwari theatrical form was explored. Creative solutions were found to address 3 major issues: i) none of the students had previously spoken any Cornish, ii) none of the anticipated audience were expected to understand any spoken Cornish, iii) the medieval religious subject matter of the texts seemed, initially, to be unappealing. The course of workshops culminated in a day-trip to Piran Round and to St Just Plain-an-Gwarry where the excerpts were performed with great enthusiasm by the Theatre students and very well received by their friends and colleagues.

Five of these students have also now been recruited as paid interns on Golden Tree’s complementary theatre project, ‘Gogmagog’.

b) Project Launch a. The Launch included:

i. Falmouth Theatre student’s contemporary re-enactment of 5 excerpts from original texts ii. A visual mapping game, which demonstrated the number of plenys na gwari in Cornwall iii. A pilot of our pilot app. iv. Film screenings of the 2000/04 Ordinalia re-enactments, with tea and cake in the Plen Project’s new Knut building v. The event was attended by about 50 people including students, specialists and members of the public.

c) Flyer a. A flyer was produced to promote the project. b. This was handed out at St Piran’s Day and is being distributed around Cornwall. c. GTP expressed their thanks to Maga for the prompt Cornish translations. MB explained that the service was stretched and if further translations were required further notice would be needed. d. JN, MB and JH would like copies for information and to distribute

d) App

The original project brief recommended that the digital components of the project would be discussed with Phil Stenton, Associate Dean: Research & Innovation at Falmouth University’s Academy for Innovation and Research. Phil suggested that rather than specialist online field guide (as outlined in the project plan) the project would benefit from a site-specific app that can be tailored to each location. We used the St Just Plen as the pilot site. SD collated images from the Cornish Studies Library, Geevor & Penlee House, which were overlaid with WC’s recordings of the original plays and with Dalla’s Descent, a tune with the words from Gwryans an Bys - The Creation of the World .

• Pete said that using creative interpretation and digital technology was essential to engage new / fringe audiences – like geo-caching which gives people rewards. • Matt added that Rod Lyon’s book was a very good for locating sites, what was required from the app was an ‘engagement tool’ once sites had been located. • It was agreed that we would need to take a more proactive, site specific and creative approach to engaging digital audiences, which gives people a reason to visit sites.

e) Responses so far We have had 18 enquiries about the project, most of who are offering to help the project in some way. Each of the enquiries has been followed up with a personal email and all of the potential volunteers will be offered the opportunity to attend a training day. See below.

3. Marketing

a. The company formerly called Caliban, recently rebranded as Golden Tree Productions and launched its new Facebook page, with 377 friends to date. b. A press release was sent on the 27/2 to media contacts across Cornwall. c. This was picked up by the Western Morning News, West Briton / Cornishman online, BBC Cornwall. d. Will was interviewed on BBC Radio Cornwall on 8 March e. Flyer mentioned above, to be distributed by ARC f. E-shot was sent out on the 21/2/14

4. Next Steps

a. Schools, young people and higher education. As no-one from the education sector was present, it was agreed to postpone this item

b. Illustrations We will be appointing six illustrators whose brief it will be to produce contemporary illustrations interpreting the sites being used /animated.

c. Exhibition There will be two exhibitions an indoor and an outdoor. The outdoor exhibition will be interactive and experiential and will tour with Gogmagog this summer before being a focal point for site events. The indoor exhibition will feature the illustrations and accompanying text.

d. Interns • The project includes the following five interns – social media, exhibition, events, education and digital. • We are just about to advertise for a social media intern. e. Events The project also includes a programme of volunteer / champion run events at lost sites. It is envisaged that the local school and museum will also get involved in running these events.

f. ‘Champions’ and training The project includes a training day for volunteers. As the group could be very diverse, the steering group discussed the content of this. It was agreed that the training should equip volunteers with a ‘tool kit’ to both research, and animate lost sites (give them a contemporary presence) with a strong emphasis on the Cornish Language.

It was agreed that the training would include:

§. An introduction/overbiew from Will §. Field research delivered by Cornwall Council’s Community Archaeologist §. Cornwall Studies Library §. MAGA §. Creative Heritage Events delivered by Sasha

It was agreed that teachers and local museums could be invited to the training. Jane suggested there would be space at Truro College where this could be delivered. It was agreed for a ‘training sub-group’ to meet on 22 April at 2pm at the historic environment office to plan this. Sasha to invite Chloe from the Records Office. Will to invite someone from the education sector. The date of the training would be Saturday 24th May AOB Gary Tregidga explained that he has under graduate students from Public History degree that are looking for six months placements from October to March. The placements are for 1 day a week. Date of next Steering Group Meeting; 14:00 Weds 9th July, Krowji, Redruth

Plen an Gwari Project

Steering Group Meeting 3 Minutes 14:00 – 16:00, 13/10/2014, Krowji, Redruth

AGENDA

1. Introductions and Apologies Apologies: Simon Persighetti, FU Misha Myers, FU Garry Tregidga, Inst. Cornish Studies Jan Horrell, MDO (now freelance) Matthew Spriggs, NUAustralia Mary Ann Bloomfield, Plen project Jane Howells, Bewnans Kernow Dave Hunter, Cornwall Youth Theatre Jack Morrison, Feast Lindsey Hall, RiO Malcolm Bell, Visit Cornwall Richard Mikulski, Cornwall Archaeological Unit

Present: Will Coleman, Golden Tree Rod Lyon, historian, Gorsedd Sarah Walsh, Cubert School Matt Blewett, Maga Natalia Eernstmann, FU Ross Williams, ACT

Date, venue next meeting: 2pm Monday th 12 January, Krowji

2. Minutes of last meeting approved 3. Project Update visits and meetings from Prof Matthew Spriggs (Australia) and Prof Sidney Higgins (Italy). Both visiting academics had contributed enormously to our understanding and agreed to continue to do so (albeit remotely). Will Coleman, Dee Brotherton and Elaine rt Gill took pa in Sidney Higgins’ illustrated lecture at the Acorn Penzance, performing extracts from original Cornish texts.

Falmouth Uni Interns – feedback from Simon Persighetti “the students nterns who became i had an experience beyond their dreams, living and breathing the and fundamentals of story place… all of the 30 or more students who took part in your ducing workshops, intro them to the Cornish Ordinalia et will never forg how you were able to locate them in Penryn ans its significance as a new place of learning planted on the old one and on the face of the old gods of Kernow…”

Outdoor Exhibition – was toured all summer, it was attractive, informative and successful, but not robust enough in construction and is falling – apart (!) it now needs a major -­‐ overhaul which will have cost ons. implicati

Training Day – the programme of the day and list of attendees was tabled. Inputs from Will Coleman, Nev Meek (Maga) and Richard were very well received. Some discussion of how to make best use of this network of volunteers ensued (see ‘role of Champions’ below)

‘Probable’ and ‘Possible’ sites PaG – our ‘definitive’ list so far was tabled for comments, Lanivet (Innis Downs) -­‐ contact Rob Simmonds, Kowethas project Helston – Crasken Farm has a ‘mystery’ circular field ? Mawgan (Nansidwell) – St Sidwell was Saxon a saint – is there a link with St Mawgan? There was discussion about identifying Plen an Gwari ting sites and differentia them from ‘Cornish Rounds’ (Late Iron Age). Archeaological digs might reveal artefacts from certain periods or geophys surveys might reveal subterranean features. Geophys at St Just has revealed a feature that could be interpreted as analogous to Perran Round’s ‘Devil’s -­‐ Spoon’ this strengthens the argument for this feature to be a performance/theatrical one (no such re structu has been found at an Iron Age site). There are a few sites of ‘Roman theatres’ in England (eg St Albans) but we are not aware site of a single English that matches the medieval/tudor Plen an Gwari.

• Action: ‘Probable’ and ‘Possible’ list to be circulated to all Steering group for comments/additions etc

Schools Programme – INSET flyer tabled – although prioritizing those schools that site have a ‘lost’ near by, this will reach all schools across Cornwall, (it was therefore suggested to remove ng the wordi “Mid and West Cornwall’ in order to be more inclusive) Outline of plans, Will Coleman(drama), ician) Jen Dyer (mus and Mary Ann Bloomfield (banner-­‐making) to lead workshops in schools list of directly–engaged schools signed-­‐up so far (Cape Cornwall, St Just, Marazion, Pensans/Alverton, St Ives, Perranporth, Goonhavern, Kea, Cubert, Penryn, Brannel), not Ruan Major able to take – part over commited (and not advised for – KS1) replacement was suggested Constantine as – have two PaG in the parish, a very active theatre society and arts venue, and the school has always contributed enthusiastically to Golden Tree projects. Schools take part in low-­‐key ‘lost’ site events with support from artists and interns. Dates for final events ; tbc Perran Round 23/04/15, St Just 30/04/15

• Action: invite Constantine School

Educational Materials – examples tabled – it is acknowledged that these represent a ‘stretch’ for KS2 pupils. But it was seen as very important to original expose pupils to quality source material. Resources to go live st from Nov 1 , BUT 2nd tranche based on illustrator’s work will be available in Spring term. These are seen as complementary to the existing Maga materials which forms a good base of information for teachers; these materials focus on the sites, the structures and an artistic interpretation of the phenomenon.

Illustrator commissions – roughs have been received from Trystan Ball, Mitchell, Heidi Brian Hoskin, Emily Henshall. These are beautiful and will form the core content of the book and the indoor exhibition.

Timeline – ‘first stab’ (lifted from s Alan Kent’ chronology and amended with information from the Maga materials) was tabled – looking for comments and – additions particularly significant events at pan-­‐European level – include 1969, 1987, 2001 revivals etc

• Action: circulate to Steering Group for comments/tweaks/additions

4. Next steps Lost site events – there was discussion around the role of . the ‘Champions’ We need to back to the ‘Champions’ and ask what they want to do. The ‘lost’ PaG sites proofing need – will it be possible for Richard /Cornwall Mikulski Archaeological Unit plus volunteer groups to do a minimum geophysical survey, prioritising those sites with physical remains?.

• Action: ask Champions what they want to do next • Action: ask Richard M about geophys • Action: Will Coleman to meet Matt with Blewett to further training etc

On-­‐line Field Guide – advice from Phil Stenton at FU was – to create an app this was piloted at the launch. Phil has now left FU. We are moving back -­‐ towards a simpler on line solution utilizing Brian Hoskin’s ated illumin map. The field guide should include evidence – links most original docs of plays -­‐ etc are on line but church terriers etc would need to be – reproduced could this involve volunteer/intern help? Rod Lyon -­‐ is re drafting his PaG guide-­‐book and wishes xchange to e information freely to arrive at definitive comprehensive list.

Book publishing timeline, copy to Gendalls by Jan 15; hope to launch at Final Events at end of April. Request for circulation of draft text for comment.

Further FU ; plans Will Coleman has been asked to repeat input next spring. There have been several different conversation threads around marking the fact that 2015 wil be the 750th anniversary of the funding of Glasney Colege, Penryn. As yet, there (or is no clarity funding) about might who take the lead on such an event.

• Action: inform the Gorsedd about the date and see if they have capacity/inclination to take – it on council meeting in fortnights time(!)

Indoor exhibition plans still fairly rudimentary, but will involve l the origina artworks of the illustrators. Date, venue next meeting: 2pm Monday th 12 January, Krowji

Plen an Gwari Project

Steering Group Meeting 4 Minutes 14:00 – 16:00, 12/01/2015, Krowji, Redruth

1. Introductions and Apologies Present: Will Coleman, Project Director, Golden Tree Rod Lyon, Gorsedd Kernow Mary Ann Bloomfield, Plen Project, St Just Jack Morrison, Feast Ross Williams, ACT/Krowji Abi Squibb, Marazion School Richard Mikulski, freelance archaeologist Dr Caradoc Peters, Truro College Matt Blewett, Maga, Cornish Languag Partnership

Apologies: Dr Alan Kent, Visiting Fellow in Celtic Studies at the University of Coruna Dr John Freeman, Head of Theatre, Falmouth University Prof Matthew Spriggs, Professor of National Archaeology, University of Australia Martin Higgs, Pensans School Dr Jo Mattingley, freelance archaeologist Sarah Walsh, Cubert School Jane Howells, Bewnans Kernow Dr Garry Tregidga, Institute of Cornish er Studies, Exet University Dr Simon Persighetti, Award Leader for Theatre, Falmouth University Natalia Eernstman, PhD student, Falmouth University Date, venue next meeting: Weds April th 15 2pm

2. Minutes of last meeting Read and approved

3. Project Update New appointment Matt Blewett has been appointed to take on the Community and Engagement str of the project; he will be overseeing Champions, Volunteers, Interns, Lost Site events etc. Educational Materials The irst f tranche of materials are -­‐ now on line at http://goldentree.org.uk/plen-­‐an-­‐gwari-­‐learning-­‐materials/ – there are some limitations with the web-­‐site’s template and they could be a little more ‘user-­‐friendly’. A major overhaul is planned, (to ate incorpor the illustrators’ commissions and use them as a stimulus for pupils’ interpretive art-­‐work) A consultation with Maga has been held e to discuss th materials. The major request was he to incorporate t Standard Written Form -­‐ we are clear that we wish young people to have access to first-­‐hand and original sources wherever possible, but are happy to also include SWF. Action: We will also look for ways to link g to Maga’s existin ‘Drama Kernewek’ booklet -­‐ and the on going ‘Tavas and Tir’ project (run by the Kowethas) Schools Programme – two training days were held (at Perranporth School and Cape Cornwall; feed–back from participants (in addition to appreciating the saffron buns) – included ‘I got excited’, ‘it was very liberating’. Spring Term Dates he are in t diary for most school sessions from Will ic) (drama), Jen Dyer (mus and Mary Ann Bloomfield (banner making). Illustrator commissions The illustrators have been busy, roughs have been approved, final – versions are now arriving lovely stuff. Action: Will to sort some roughs for Matt k to post Faceboo page Mary Ann informed us that Lafrowda commissioned hwork a ‘patc of paintings’ some years ago and that she has scanned versions of quite a few that are directly Plen-­‐related; these might be suitable for inclusion in the book. Action: Mary Ann to send these to Will Action: members to let Will know if they lity have interesting/qua photographs of pictures that might be relevant to the book Book writing Will has completed about 15,000 words to and is close a first draft. Action: Contents and Chapter summary to be circulated nt for comme Action: Will to print off relevant Tithe maps held at Kresen Kernow Action: Rod to send Will photocopy of relevant r Church Terrie docs ‘Probable’ and ‘Possible’ sites PaG Discussion centred around evidence for the two Ruans, St Buryan (Pendrea), Rod’s new discovery , at St Wenn Innis Downs (‘Probable’ or ‘Possible’?) Rod and Penryn. requested members help in locating missing maps; eg St Buryan 1840, Charles Moody. ested Ross sugg that the Kresen Kernow initiative might be keen to host something in Redruth. Action: Caradoc kindly offered to supply his research Penryn into the location Action: Will to Send St Buryan ‘crop-­‐mark’ map to Rod Lyon plus reference Chronology/Timeline The decision had been made to extend the chronology forward, through the discoveries of texts, the publications and the revivals. Action: please add, comment or make suggestions

4. Next steps Final Events – The Final Event at St Just Plain an Gwarry is scheduled for the afternoon of April th 30 – all plans progressing well. Perran Round issues -­‐ The farmer at Perran Round is planting corn in the field adjacent and there will be no parking available during April. Having spent considerable energy on trying to work around this issue an alternative solution was proposed. It is suggested that school groups visit Perran Round separately but as a ‘trip’ that the Final Event for that cluster could ng be held at Playi Place. Action: Will to contact Kea school, Kea Parish Council and then inform all parties of the new arrangements. Lost site events – Matt Blewett Richard explained the possibilities of urveys geophysical s of sites, Caradoc offered access pment to the equi owned by Truro College. By working ts/interns/volunteers with studen the project can achieve more. Richard would set up the surveying process ning on a Saturday mor and would need no more than 6 students/interns helpers. The surveying would then proceed all weekend. However, a chieve whole weekend would not a a full site coverage. There was some discussion whether to concentrate on perimeter mapping or to look for internal ‘Devil’s Spoon’; features or even to look for further internal features at Perran Round. There was some discussion around which to sites prioritise. Two sites that have definite ’, ‘Plen an Gwari Cornish language place-­‐ name evidence and have some physical sweep of hedge suggesting e a partial round ar St Hilary (Marazion) and Ruan Minor. Action: Abi to identify landowner at Marazion and broker contact for permission Action: Will to do same at Ruan Minor Action: Matt to liaise with Richard – and Caradoc organize the weekends; possible dates, first two weekends in Feb. Champions It was suggested that ‘Lost Site visits’ could coincide with the survey weekends eg visit Landewednack and Ruan Major before visiting the team working nd/or at Ruan Major a visit Sithney and Crasken (Helston) and Germoe before visiting the team working at St Hilary. d The Champions coul be involved in recording the phenomenology of each site, also exercises involving measuring and data collection. It would be good to arrive at some statistical data around average diameter of amphitheatres ce and distan from church. Action: Matt to plan the -­‐ above, re contact all Champions, keep informed of plan. Outdoor Exhibition redesign is underway On-­‐line Field Guide – prototype for comment will be available soon Higher Education Will reported that Falmouth University d have suspende their Theatre course. He has been nother asked to lead a one-­‐day visit to Perran and St Just with the final intake of first year students but not nput to repeat the full i from last year. Whilst there are individual members of staff who remain interested and committed, to date, the University as a whole has shown little ngaging interest in e seriously with this material or marking the 750th anniversary of Glasney College. Plen an Gwari Project

Steering Group Meeting 5 Minutes 14:00 – 16:00, Weds th 15 April 2015 Krowji, Redruth AGENDA

1. Introductions and Apologies Present: Will Coleman, Project Director, Golden Tree Jack Morrison, Feast Ross Williams, ACT/Krowji Matt Blewett, Maga, Cornish Language Partnership Dr Jo Ezra, Institute of Cornish Studies, versity Exeter Uni Jane Howells, Bewnans Kernow

Apologies Rod Lyon, Gorsedd Kernow Abi Squibb, Marazion School Sarah Walsh, Cubert School Mary Ann Bloomfield, Plen Project, St Just Prof Matthew Spriggs, Professor of National Archaeology, University of Australia Martin Higgs, Headteacher, Pensans School Dr Alan Kent, Visiting Fellow in Celtic Studies at the University of Coruna Dr Garry Tregidga, Institute of Cornish er Studies, Exet University

Date of t Nex meeting (final wash-­‐up) Weds rd 3 June 2pm

2. Minutes of last meeting Read and approved

3. Project Update Educational materials Will reported that he has completely overhauled onal the Educati materials. The new incarnation has received the critical review ewett. ‘Lush’, from Matt Bl On the Golden -­‐ Tree web site, teachers are given a few taster images and invited to make contact. They are then sent a link to the Dropbox containing als the full materi to download. Teacher feedback has been very positive so far.

Schools Programme Is progressing well, Will, Mary Ann Bloomfield and Jen Dyer have been delivering sessions in schools across mid and West Cornwall. Schools are enthusiastic and looking forward to our celebratory event at St Just Plain an Gwarry.

Results of Ruan and St Hilary surveys With a good crew of volunteer support ted we have conduc preliminary geophysical surveys at ites. two ‘lost’ s Ruan Minor: Matt tabled images and interpretation and is the ‘Trethv Estate map 1778’ Evidence from Rev le Polwhe 1807 suggested we were looking in the right place (although Rod Lyon and the landowner both disagreed with our interpretation). Over the weekend survey, volunteer Rosemary Stone produced the ‘Trethvis Estate map 1778’ showing e n extension of th curved edge h to meet the road. This, in our opinion clinches the location. We surveyed for two whole covered days but still only a fraction of the site. The survey did reveal some interesting features (line of -­‐ hedge now removed, a right angle feature and lines of potential ‘pavilion postholes’). The whole site needs surveying further detailed – there is almost certainly more to be discovered. St Hilary: Our nd 2 day at St Hilary got rained off, but e we did achieve quit a lot in a single day. We showed that there is a ditch inside the existing hedge which d once curved aroun into the centre of the field. he A second feature on t results is probably a second, outer ditch. Once again, the entire site really needs to be properly surveyed. ‘Lost site ‘visits held We had good attendance at both our ‘Lost site’ safaris and on the new outdoor exhibiti boards proved invaluable as an interpretation aid; they were much ed. admired and studi Will reported how much he had enjoyed ites visiting the s in the company of Dr Caradoc Peters who, as a ‘proper archeaologist’ was able to point out clues hat and features t most of us would normally miss. Through his input we have gained important new positioning t details abou the sites at Ruan Minor and Landewednack. ‘Lost site‘ visits to come One and All are welcome to attend the next wo visits Mon th 20 April, Playing Place (Kea) with Kea School, 3:30pm Weds nd 22 April, Islington Wharf, St Gluvias, Penryn with or Penryn Juni School

On-­‐line research by volunteers Matt reported that -­‐l the on ine research process has engthy been very l BUT he has been delighted by the way it has got people involved 26 volunteers so far (the list keeps growing) have engaged in learning

• how to research on-­‐line • that the Heritage Gateway exists and how to use it • how to convert Grid refs to co-­‐ordinates or Longitude and Latitude • how to locate on-­‐line versions of old maps

On-­‐line field guide The -­‐ On line field guide IS coming soon. Again the process has been very complex due to the sheer volume and diversity of the a. dat Matt has been working closely with the web developer (Simon Rickwood of Bang Creative) to make the whole thing attractive and user-­‐friendly. Book publication timetable Will reported what a productive and e rewarding time h had spent studying iginal the or manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford University and that Draft the First of the book is now completed. Will has had interesting and helpful dialogue with Prof Gordon Kipling (Uni of California) and generous support and material from Prof hew Matt Spriggs (Uni of Australia) Will is delighted that both Prof Matthew Spriggs and Jack Morrison have agreed to read er the draft and pe review it. The steering group also suggested milar that a si request be put to Rod Lyon (as author of the original research that uncovered so many lost sites) and to Dr Caradoc Peters (as a leading authority of Cornish Archaeology) Will to action. The pre-­‐publication Crowdfunder campaign goes as live of Monday 20th April. Steering Group members are asked to help publicise this. They may purchase a copy at the pre-­‐publication price of £20 (rrp will be £29.99). Physical publication should be June or July.

4. Next steps Final Event: St Just, th April 30 12:30 – 1:30 One and All are welcome to attend. There will be more than 300 school pupils present performing , exerpts from the plays music , song and dance! The Cornishman ‘ ’ newspaper is coming and we have booked a professional photographer of our own as well. Evaluation Matt is still collating photos, images and feedback. If any Steering Group members have anything they would like to contribute feedback (particularly positive comments about the project’s impact) Matt would be pleased to receive them. Legacy and Development ideas More surveys? There was a general agreement that this project has provoked a great deal of interest and that there is a widespread desire for further work. For instance, there is a need for more surveys re-­‐visiting the same sites but with more thorough coverage and at least 4 other suitable locations. These surveys would help us understand more precisely how to discriminate archaeologically betwee Iron Age round, Plenys an Gwari and those sites that had been used in both ways. A new plen? Will confessed that he has ng been thinki about how and where would provide an iconic (‘brown-­‐field’?) site to build a new Plen an Gwari for future cultural research and dramatological (and thus avoid some of the ‘Ancient Monument’ issues when trying to recreate ce. early practi

Manuscripts return? The Kresenn Kernow (Cornish National Archive) bid to the nd HLF has recently gone in a Will has helped them with a strand relating to the proposed of ‘visit home’ the original manuscripts (which would not be until 2019/2020)

Bewnans Ke? There is (understandably) a great deal of interest in St Kea parish for a revival of Bewnans Ke – it was suggest that perhaps we should be exploring whether the HLF would consider funding such a proposal.

Bewnans Meriasek? Jo Ezra reported that Ellie Rycroft (Bristol University) had contacted the Institute of Cornish Studies saying that she was about submit a bid to the ARC to fund a revival of Bewnans Meriasek at Perran Round in 2016. There was quite some concern around the steering this group at news. The general feeling was that despite years of marginalization there was finally enough nd expertise a interest developing here in Cornwall and to develop deliver such a -­‐ full scale project ourselves. The worry being that, once again, with a Bristol-­‐based initiative, all control, all finance and all benefit would be held outside of Cornwall. Will was able to reassure the group e somewhat that th previous project ‘Staging the Scottish med Court’ see very well managed, academically sound and culturally itive sens and that the team responsible had also approached Wild Works as potential partners (who had declined to be involved). Will promised to make contact with Ellie Rycroft and report back.

Date of Final Steering Group meeting; Weds 15 th July2pm Krowji, Redruth

Cc Matt Blewett , Mary Ann Bloomfield, Tamsin Natalia Daniel, Eernstman , Lindsey Hall, Prof Sydney Higgins, Martin Higgs, Jan Horrell, Jane Howells, Dr Alan by, Kent, Pete Kir Rod Lyon, Ian Marsh, Jack Morrison, Jacky Nowakowski, Sarah Pym, Dr Simon Persighetti, n Ia Rowe, Ian Saltern, Julie Matt Seyler, Allcock, Professor Matthew Spriggs, Dr Garry Tregidga, Deborah Tritton, Ross Williams, Dr Gemma Goodman, Sarah Walsh, Dave Hunter, Dr Misha Myers , Dr Jo Mattingly, Richard Mikulski Dr Jo Ezra, Caradoc Dr Peters, Abi Squibb, Dr John Freeman, Chloe Phillips, Dr Ellie Rycroft, Ben Gilby, Dick Cole, Sue Hill , Prof Gordon Kipling

Appendix ii) Publicity Materials Original Flyer:

Training Day Flyer:

‘Bookmark’ flyer for the Book:

Final version of Exhibition Panels:

Appendix iii) Commissioned Illustrations Brian Hoskin:

Emily Henshall:

Heidi Ball:

Daryl Waller:

Trystan Mitchell: