October 2019

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:

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:

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

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:

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:

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:

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/

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. Photo: Liskeard Old Cornwall Society

The end of a tough shift. Peter Murnaghan stands to the right of the sign. CAS Area Rep David Edyvean is to the left of it and Co-ordinator Iain Rowe is on the far left of the picture.

The Wikipedia description of the canal is worth reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liskeard_and_Looe_Union_Canal

RECOGNITION FOR SPECIAL PLACES ON BODMIN MOOR

One of Cornwall’s finest walking routes is from Bowithick to Buttern Tor and Leskernick and back. It is wild, remote and takes you deep into time. Yet, as Ann Preston-Jones explains, many features have not been given Scheduled Monument status – until now.

There are relatively few new schedulings in Cornwall but the recent addition of five new sites to the List deserves celebration. Two stone circles, a stone row, a cairn and a very well preserved settlement, all on the sides and slopes of Leskernick Hill on Bodmin Moor are now protected by law. The reason why they remained unprotected for so long is not known but may relate to their relatively remote location on the moor. However, for anyone who takes the trouble to walk out there, the effort is well worth while because as well as the sites, which are all extremely impressive, the views of surrounding hills which include Brown Willy, High Moor, Catshole Tor and Bray Down are superb. The walk should also include Buttern Hill, for its fine collection of cairns, one of which has a fabulous cist, and a number of other remarkable features large and small, like the gullies created by former tin streaming, remains of Red Hill settlement, peat drying platforms and boulders from which granite was split, probably in the 19th century. Fortunately, all these monuments are well displayed under short turf in a well-grazed area, so in excellent condition. Watch out, though, for the ponies that might want to share your lunch

Bowithick Bridge – a great place to start a walk Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Cist on Buttern Hill Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Leskernick Hill, with Brown Willy and Rough Tor beyond Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Leskernick settlement - empty Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Leskernick settlement – new occupants Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Leskernick streamworks Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

Red Hill Photo: Ann Preston-Jones

CLOSURE OF LUXULYAN VIADUCT

Cathy Woolcock, CEO of Cornwall Heritage Trust, has sent out the following message about the temporary closure of the Treffry viaduct/aqueduct (Lanlivery and Luxulyan parishes):

Please be advised that Cornwall Heritage Trust will be commencing the planned investigatory works at Treffry Viaduct on Wednesday 6th of November. Due to the extent of the works we will have to close the viaduct to the public for 5 weeks to ensure safety. The contractors (KPK Builders) will be on site between 8am and 4.30pm every day, however we would be grateful if any enquiries are directed to this office please.

Since the notice was issued heavy rain has caused a delay but the works will now start on Wednesday 20th November 2019.

More information can be found at http://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/temporary- closure-at-treffry-viaduct/.

The Treffry viaduct in 2018

NEWQUAY ROUND-UP

Steve Hebdige is Area Representative for Newquay and 12 other parishes. Besides this heavy commitment, he and Sheila Harper regularly join with a dedicated band of scrub-bashers from Newquay Old Cornwall Society to keep various sites and monuments clear. Very recently the society was given an award for outstanding work in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards. Here is Steve’s update:

With Sheila`s scrub bashers we have continued to clear the following site since April: barrow on Barrowfield; Mawgan Porth settlement; and the Longstone at St Eval. Sheila had informed the council a couple of times about the need for repointing at Trevemper Bridge and asked if something could be done about the tree stump and buddleia which was damaging the bridge.When we arrived at the bridge two weeks ago to scrub bash, Cormac had recently done the repointing and removed the stump and buddleia. Sheila has sent an email of thanks to Cormac and the Council from the Newquay Scrub Bashers Group.

Some of the Scrub Bashers group on Trevemper bridge. The tree stump, as well as another tree which was affecting the wall at the far end, were removed. The buddlea was growing out of the bridge on the outer side on the right. Photo: Sheila Harper

When I was at HER recently , we were talking about what other industries beside fishing and mining were in the county in the past. So I recently sent the HER notes on the knitting factories of Newquay with photos of the original buildings and I have taken photos of the ones that remain.The industry was started by a Madame Hawke in the 1910.There were 10 knitting factories, 2 box factories and 2 shops. The largest factory employed 450 people at it height, at the end of WW1 and 1920`s. The photos below show Madame Hawke`s 2nd shop and how it is today.

Photos: Newquay Old Cornwall Society

In May 2019 Nic Pettitt sent us some photographs of a granite stone with 6/7 large cup- marks on its upper surface located in the disused carpark of the King’s Head. On Friday 31st May 2019 Sheila & I visited the site. The stone had been moved and laid down in a position in front of a wooden five-bar gate elsewhere. The stone is granite so had been brought into the area as Newquay has no granite. The stone is almost square when looking down on the cup-marks, measuring between 81cm- 79cm and thickness of between 35-37cm. More information has been given to us by D. Mann, daughter of the pub licensee. The stone, it appears, was in the rockery garden of the King’s Head pub across the road and must have been moved when the new housing estate at the back of the pub were built. We believe this is an early example of crushing stamps for the breaking of ore. The photos were shown to Andy Jones and Carl Thorpe at CAU, who agree. The site in the rockery garden was probably not the original site for this stone .To the north of the carpark there is the site of the Treloggan Mine but this mine was much later, still working in 1820-60`s, so would have had modern stamps. The Gannel river, just down the hill from the King’s Head, was stream- tinned in the past as Goss Moor drains into the Gannel. At Trevemper Bridge the river runs in land towards Gwills, said to be the highest navigable point on the river in the past, although now much silted up. There was mining in the area, Old Cargoll mine, which straddled the Gannel river near Trevemper Bridge, is the nearest mine, so this may have been where the stone was used.

Looking NE showing cut marks and ranging pole for scale. Photo: Steve Hebdige 18

View looking SW Photo: Steve Hebdige

Report by Steve Hebdige

Newquay Old Cornwall Society has a highly informative website (http://newquayoldcornwall.org.uk/main/index.php) and a Facebook page (https://en- gb.facebook.com/newquayhistory/). (On a tangential note, the compiler of this newsletter can testify visiting Father Christmas in Madame Hawke’s in the 1950s. Possibly readers have had more recent encounters.)

UP IN THE AIR

Emma Trevarthen is now Aerial Investigation & Mapping Investigator at the Investigation & Analysis Department of the Historic England Research Group in York. Before that, she was not only a CAS Area Rep but also worked at the Historic Environment Service in Truro. In her new job she is able to pursue her interest in the use of aerial photography as a means of archaeological enquiry. She has recently been in touch with CAS with news of an exciting venture which could make a vast range of information available to us all. Here is a report, including details of how to submit your own opinions about the project:

There are 112 completed aerial investigation and mapping projects covering about half the country. The information derived from aerial photographs and airborne laser scanning (LIDAR) resulted in over 120,000 archaeological records in local and national historic environment records (for details https://historicengland.org.uk/research/methods/airborne-remote-sensing/aerial- investigation/). We want to make the mapping available as a national dataset with basic information attached including links to the relevant historic environment record.

The following survey is designed to determine user requirements. Not all the desired features will be deliverable within the first phase of this project, but your responses will also help highlight potential future developments. Please follow this link to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y72WJZX. There are 10 questions and it should take five minutes to complete.

The survey will remain open until Friday 15th November 2019. Please forward the link to colleagues, friends and family to maximise feedback.

Report by Emma Trevarthen

Area Representatives would love to hear from fellow CAS members, and the general public, about any feature of the historic environment in their parishes, whether a new discovery, something causing concern, or even just to answer queries. If you have any concerns, or new information, about any archaeological feature, please contact the Area Representative for the parish. If you do not know who that is, just look at the inside back cover of the latest journal, Cornish Archaeology 56, or send an email to [email protected] .

Roger Smith, 12th November 2019