1 FROM YOUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS AN UPDATE FROM CORNWALL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S AREA REPRESENTATIVES Any opinions or errors in these articles are those of the authors and must not be assumed to be those of Cornwall Archaeological Society. OCTOBER 2019 Issue 35 THIS MONTH’S FEATURES HERITAGE AT RISK REGISTER 2019 DISCOVERY OF A CAIRN CHAPEL MILL NEWS FROM PENWITH CANAL SECRETS UNLOCKED RECOGNITION FOR SPECIAL PLACES ON BODMIN MOOR CLOSURE OF LUXULYAN VIADUCT NEWQUAY ROUND-UP UP IN THE AIR HERITAGE AT RISK REGISTER 2019 Official reports sometimes make uncomfortable reading. This can mean that some never see the light of day, as current events show. However, this is not the case with Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register and the 2019 edition is now available online for all to read. Let us hope that politicians and decision-makers are aware of the contents of this report and the need, as a presumably civilised society, to act and invest appropriately to manage our historic environment well. Regional reports, including that for the South-West, can be found at: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/har-2019-registers/. For a national overview, with an analysis of trends and a description of the numerous challenges, go to: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/. 2 There is an interactive map facility showing the location of at-risk. By clicking on the dots information appears. There is plenty of cause for concern in Cornwall, as this map indicates: Source: https ://englishheritage.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html ?id=e7b85d3427e14588a9760eaa4f8a88d0 Although many sites are at risk, progress is being made. For example, there are 87 fewer sites on the national register than in 2018 and 310 historic buildings have been saved, often in schemes involving an imaginative, yet sensitive, re-use. One battlefield was removed from the Register this year and that was at Braddock Down in Cornwall. The verdict of Bevil Grenville (the victorious commander in this 1643 clash) might be applied to this decision: ‘It hath pleased God to give us a happie victory…for which pray joyne with me in giving God thanks’. Sometimes putting a site on the register is an essential step for action to occur and sites like Trethevy Quoit (now removed from the register) and Wheal Martyn have seen recent, exciting changes. Nonetheless it is disappointing to think that so much urgently requires intervention. The number of churches on the list is a concern. One, standing at the geographic centre of Cornwall, is the Church of St Nivet in Lanivet: 3 Identification of problems can trigger funding for individual monuments as well as for larger schemes such as the High Streets Heritage Action Zone initiative (which will be of benefit to Redruth). Historic England is able to make grants and in 2019 it awarded £8.5 million to 319 projects nationally, but to put that figure in context, you’d be hard-pushed to buy a decent Premier League goalkeeper for that amount, so perhaps as a society it is time to reconsider our priorities. Money spent on conservation, restoration and research is not wasted: it is an investment. Participants are employed and they spend into the economy, creating a multiplier effect which also boosts tax revenues. And the result is the enhancement of an asset, whether it is a building, a site that attracts visitors, or a restored place that just makes people feel better because they cherish their historic environment. In Cornwall, for example, where tourism is a major part of the economy, would visitors be enticed more by buildings and sites that were kept in good condition through adequate grant-funding, or by trudging around dismal scenes of unloved decrepitude? Ten minutes spent in or around the Kresen Kernow building is enough to show how spending on heritage assets is money well- spent. Meanwhile, Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Project officers, like Cornwall’s Ann Preston- Jones and Dan Bashford, continue to visit, investigate, monitor, report, negotiate, and offer support. For their hard work, they deserve the support and thanks of anyone who believes Cornwall to be a distinctive, special place. DISCOVERY OF A CAIRN The Minions area on Bodmin Moor is renowned for its industrial and prehistoric archaeology, yet it seems that there are discoveries to be made. Brian Oldham has located what experts believe may be a Bronze Age cairn which is not recorded on the Historic Environment Record. View from the west Photo: Brian Oldham Here is Brian’s report: 4 This site on the Western slopes of Caradon Hill has all the hall-marks of a Bronze Age Cairn, including attempts of robbery on its summit and an exposed section of man-made construction. Previously unrecorded, further inspection is necessary to establish its authenticity. The site is within the Minions Conservation Area. Nearby are Caradon Quarry, Gonamena Streamworks and South Caradon Mine all of which may have an effect on any future identification decision. Approximate measurements are 7m North to South, 5m East to West and 1m in height. View from the north Photo: Brian Oldham View from the south Photo: Brian Oldham View from the north-west Photo: Brian Oldham 5 Further investigation is needed but if Brian’s find is confirmed details will be added to the Historic Environment Record. CHAPEL MILL In Issues 32 and 33, there have been features on Chapel Mill, St Stephen-in-Brannel, which is not only a Grade II* Listed Building but also, according to Adam Sharpe and John Smith’s 1985 report, ‘is now the only china stone mill in Britain which still retains most of its equipment and detail’(http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/1985/1985R004.pdf). Val and Brian Jacob have become increasingly concerned about its deteriorating condition, particularly the corrugated-iron roof which in places is now entirely absent. They have carried out vegetation clearance but a major intervention is now essential. A meeting was held on site in October which included John Smith and Ann Preston-Jones, as well as representatives of the Tregargus Trust and China Clay History Society. There had been a slight hope that corrugated-iron sheets generously made available by Wheal Martyn could be used to repair the roof. The visit was a sobering experience. First of all, here is a photo provided by Malcolm Gould of the China Clay History Society showing the structure as it was once: Photo copyright: The China Clay History Society The rear (left-hand side) of the building is now inaccessible. The October visit was on the right-hand side of the site but the first challenge was to clear the rampant vegetation, a task undertaken by Brian and Val Jacob: 6 It quickly became apparent that the roof was in more fragile than condition than had been thought, requiring new timbers as well as covering materials. Even so, much survives inside the mill, such as grinding pans with the mechanism in situ: 7 Below the grinding floor gears and the drive shaft can be seen: The water-wheel (made at Charlestown Foundry) is still there but is rusting badly. Worse still, a slumped roof timber is resting on top of it: 8 Malcolm Gould’s research unearthed the following photograph, which gives an idea of what the wheel looked like not so many years ago: Photo copyright: The China Clay History Society None of those at the meeting underestimated the challenges involved in effectively stabilising and conserving this unique structure; however, action is being taken right now to see what can be done. Quite rightly, Cornwall’s metalliferous mining heritage has international recognition but isn’t a similar focus on its china clay and china-stone industries long overdue? NEWS FROM PENWITH Really exciting things are happening in Penwith as part of the First and Last – Our Living Working Landscape (Kynsa ha Diwettha – Agan Tirwedh Bewa ha Gonis) project. For example, support and grants are being made available for farmers wishing to restore, repair or convert redundant farm buildings with historical, cultural or landscape value. This is being done not only because it is inherently worthwhile but also because of the economic stimulus it will give. In other words, it is an investment. Anyone wishing to learn more about the project in general, download walking trails, research sites, take part in its activities or receive its newsletter should go its very engaging website: https://www.penwithlandscape.com/ 9 CANAL SECRETS UNLOCKED Cornwall is not famous for its canals, yet some were built. Iain Rowe, our Area Reps’ Co- ordinator, and local Rep Brian Oldham, were among volunteers involved in a recent scrub- bashing effort near Liskeard, which was masterminded by Peter Murnaghan. This is Iain’s summary: Local volunteers and CAS Area Reps were busy in early November clearing scrub and overgrowth from Lock 21 of the Liskeard and Looe Union Canal, which was in operation from 1829 to 1860 – when it was replaced as a mode of transport by the Liskeard and Looe Railway, today’s Looe Valley branch line. The lock, as all of the canal remains, is on Railtrack land and without the persistence, patient planning and fundraising abilities of Peter Murnaghan this window of opportunity to prolong the life of this important structure would never have happened. We all owe him a huge thank you. Iain Rowe, CAS Area Representatives’ Co-ordinator The lock before trees and other vegetation was removed. Photo: Peter Murnaghan The lock revealed. Photo: Peter Murnaghan 10 Peter Murnaghan, who led the project, is on the right. Brian Oldham, the local Area Rep, is at the back.