On Monday 8th December, St Austell Old Cornwall Society marked its 100th anniversary with a superb evening of music, memory, and celebration — a fitting tribute to a Society that has spent a century gathering, recording, and promoting the heritage of Mid-Cornwall.
Formed in December 1925, St Austell OCS has long been one of the movement’s most active and dedicated Societies. Over the decades they have cared for some of the area’s most important historic sites, including the clearance of Towan Holy Well at Pentewan in 1937, the restoration of Menacuddle Holy Well in 1953, the rescue and re‑siting of the West Hill school plaques in 2002, improvements to the setting of the Mengu Stone in 2018, and many other projects that have safeguarded the heritage of the district. More recently, they have collaborated with Pentewan OCS to replace the footbridge on the path to Towan Holy Well, and supported further improvements at Menacuddle.
The Centenary evening celebrated this proud legacy while looking forward to the next hundred years.
A Night of Warmth and Community
Guests were welcomed by speeches from President Valerie Jacob and Chairperson Sandra Heyward, both of whom reflected on the Society’s remarkable journey and the dedication of its members past and present.
The evening was enriched by the music and storytelling of Richard Trethewey, whose performances brought Cornish history and humour to life.
A fantastic buffet was enjoyed by all, followed by a superb Centenary cake generously donated by Brian and Valerie Jacob. The honour of cutting the cake fell to Pentewan legend Maureen Prettyman, to warm applause.
Former mayor John Keast then took everyone on a delightful walk down memory lane, sharing stories of his life and his memories of St Austell — a reminder of how deeply the town’s history is woven into the lives of its people.
A Book, a Badge, and a Legacy
A highlight of the evening was the launch of the Society’s new publication, St Austell Old Cornwall Society – A Celebration of the 100th Anniversary 1925–2025. This beautifully produced volume brings together articles on St Austell’s history alongside sections celebrating the many achievements of the Society over the past century. Copies were circulated during the evening and were warmly received. To mark the occasion, the Society also produced a special Centenary badge.
A Century of Service to Cornish Heritage
The celebrations were a reminder of just how much St Austell OCS has contributed to the preservation of Cornish culture. From holy wells to historic plaques, from ancient stones to community memories, the Society has spent a hundred years ensuring that the fragments of our past are not lost.
This December celebration marked the centenary of the Societies formation meeting. They are planning a dinner in January 2026 to mark the centenary of their first meeting.
Meur ras bras to everyone involved — and here’s to the next hundred years. Kernow bys vyken.
