Tansys Golowan 2022
Sprucing up St Lalluwy’s Well in Menheniot.
In the Coronation year of our current Queen’s father, King George VI, the first President of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society, Albert de Castro Glubb, engaged local architect E.C. Higman to draw a plan for the enclosure of St Lalluwy’s Well in Menheniot. The Vicar of Menheniot approved the plan and agreed that St Lalluwy Church would purchase the Well and the land on which a retaining wall would be built.
Being an Attorney by profession, Glubb prepared the Conveyance in which Archibald Harold Hill, Farmer of Pool Hall, Menheniot, and Elias Easterbrook, Retired Farmer formerly of Pool Hall, sold the Well and the piece of land to The Reverend Canon Edward Spry Leverton, for the sum £1.00. The Vicar’s signature on the document was witnessed in October 1937 by W.M.J. Laundry, Schoolmaster of School House, Menheniot.
According to the Conveyance, which is held in the Liskeard OCS archive, the Well was ‘in a ruinous state’ and ‘the only approach to it is through a field owned by the Vendor’. So a complete restoration of the Well and the laying of an access path from the Highway was begun. On November 12th 1937 the Cornish Times’ headlines were ‘Menheniot Well Renovated’ and ‘Durable Memorial of the Coronation’. The article continued, ‘the work is of most solid and durable character and intended to remain for centuries as a memorial of what was done in the year 1937, the Coronation year of King George VI’.
Moving forward to the Platinum Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth II, 2022, current members of Liskeard OCS have joined forces with parishioners of Menheniot to give St Lalluwy’s Well a rather overdue spring clean, in good time for the celebratory weekend of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of June.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
A Peek into Liskeard's Past, is a personal project by Brian Oldham, President of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society.
January 2022 saw the publishing of this new book about Liskeard by Brian Oldham, President of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society and published by Liskeard & District Museum. This is available from The Book Shop in Barras Street, Liskeard and also Liskeard & District Museum in Pike Street, Liskeard. Online purchases from www.thebookshopliskeard.com
Please click the Preface below for more information, this will open up in a larger readable form.
Responsibility for the canal lock taken on by the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society
A group of volunteers who have been uncovering an old canal lock below Lodge Hill in Liskeard have been given a licence by Network Rail to continue their conservation work. Coordinator, Peter Murnaghan said "Since 2019, when we started to clear the vegetation from this old lock, we have had to obtain special permission from Network Rail to access the site. They have now issued us with a Community Licence, which will allow us to work more freely within a newly fenced-off area, accessed by a new gate".
Responsibility for the canal lock has now been taken on by the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society, whose president Brian Oldham said "This is a really significant part of our historic transport infrastructure and we are really pleased that its future can be looked after by volunteers under this Licence".
The Looe Valley Line has its history in the movement of goods between Looe and Moorswater. Initially it was a canal that linked these two points, with the Liskeard & Looe Union Canal opening in 1828 with 24 locks between Terras Bridge tidal lock, near Looe and a basin at Moorswater. Its principal purpose was to bring sea sand, lime and seaweed inland to help farmers in the Liskeard area to make their land more fertile. Later, when copper ore was discovered around Caradon Hill and the granite quarries opened, the canal was used to convey these commodities southwards to Looe. The copper went to ships waiting at Looe Quay to take it to South Wales for smelting and the granite for transporting around Britain and the rest of the world to construct bridges, lighthouses and harbours.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Crying the Neck 2021
The members and friends of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society who braved the remains of Storm Evert were greeted at Pengover Green on Friday evening by an hour’s sunshine and accordion music by Hella Tover of Liskeard. Their purpose was to celebrate the once lapsed ancient pagan custom of Crying the Neck, giving thanks for a good harvest. The ceremony became Christianised and was revived by the OCS Movement in 1928.
This year’s proceedings followed the traditional format starting with a welcome and a brief history of the event from Brian Oldham, current President of Liskeard OCS. Thanks were given to the Martin family, four generations of whom were present, of Tregartha Farm for the use their field which contained a fine crop of winter barley surrounded by a magnificent border of colourful wildflowers. Visitors are welcome to view the display and make a small donation to local charities, over £1000 was raised last year.
The Opening Prayer was read in Cornish by local man Rod Sheaff and then in English, followed by a Reading, by Father Gilmour of Our Lady and St. Neot Church in West Street, Liskeard.
After giving a scything demonstration, local Farmer James Moon raised the last “neck” of barley to North, East and South (to the West would have brought bad luck) shouting “Yma genef!”. The crowd of over 40 present were in fine voice, asking “Pandr’us genes?” James replied “Pen Yar!” then our response of “Houra”. All repeated three times.
It was then the turn of Deputy Mayor of Liskeard Christina Whitty to perform Crying the Neck, but this time in English. The translation being “I hav’n!” “What have’ee?” “A Neck!” and “Hurrah!”
After the Lord’s Prayer in Cornish and English and a blessing from Fr. Gilmour, came a rousing rendition of Trelawny led by James Moon, who is also a member of Pelynt Male Voice Choir. Thanks again were given by Brian to all those attending, particularly the Martin family and those officiating and playing, all combining to result in an enjoyable evening whilst keeping an ancient Cornish tradition alive.
Prayer Book Rebellion Service 2021
The Liskeard OCS banner hadn't seen the light of day for 12 months and now it's had 3 outings in as many weeks; the Prayer Book Rebellion Service, Beating the Bounds and Crying the Neck. Its regular monthly outings will resume on September 10th when our 2021/2022 programme of talks begins with "Bees & Beekeeping" by Dale Wood.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Ongoing project maintaining St. Keyne Well
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the 2020 Liskeard OCS team to give St. Keyne Well its annual clean-up was reduced in numbers to just one able-bodied (well almost) member. On Nov. 29th 1934 our then President, Albert de Castro Glubb purchased the Well from the Rashleigh Estate for £2. He raised the funds for its restoration, got the job done, and then gifted it to the Parish of St. Keyne. Members of Liskeard OCS have cleaned up the Well every year since. I hope you can tell which are the After photos from the Before!
![St Keyne Holy Well [1]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-1-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [1] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well [2]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-2-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [2] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well [3]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-3-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [3] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well 'Getting there' [4]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-Getting-there-4-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well 'Getting there' [4] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well [5]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-5-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [5] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well [6]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-6-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [6] - Copy")
![St Keyne Holy Well [7]](https://kernowgoth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/St-Keyne-Holy-Well-7-Copy.jpg "St Keyne Holy Well [7] - Copy")
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Granite Drinking-Trough outside Liskeard Railway Station
Our application to Historic England to have the "Granite Drinking-Trough outside Liskeard Railway Station" listed has been successful and it is now a Grade II building. For the full listing go to the website "historicengland/listing/the-list" and enter the number 1471873 in the search box.
This is the historic background that supported the application:
In the C19 provision began to be made in towns for drinking facilities for cattle, horses and dogs. Granite troughs were usually presented by charitable associations or by individuals as sentimental tokens. An inscription was usually present to record the donation, and the troughs placed in convenient public locations, such as squares and near churches.
The borough of Liskeard was presented with three granite drinking-troughs in 1893 by Mrs Mary Hermon (1854-1926), the wife of the Reverend George Hermon (1852-1911). Reverend Hermon was the curate and later (1896-1900) vicar of St Neot and a local benefactor (he had donated an iron mission church to the hamlet of Draynes in 1887; and also paid for the Church Institute in St Neot in 1896). The Hermons lived at Doublebois House (Grade II listed), and built other buildings in the Liskeard area.
Liskeard railway station was opened in 1859 as part of the Cornwall Railway, with the main station building located on the road above a deep cutting containing the two platforms and railway lines. The 1907 Ordnance Survey map (1:2500) shows that the granite trough was originally located on the west corner of the crossroads by the station; at some point (after 1978) it was moved to the south corner of that junction directly outside the station building.
The other two drinking troughs donated by Mrs Hermon are located outside the Church of St Martin and on the Parade; both are listed Grade II.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Crying the Neck 2020
To mark the occasion of James Moon retiring from Bolitho Farm, were his family have been Tenant Farmers since 1875, a small socially distanced invited gathering saw what could possibly be last Crying the Neck ceremony at this marvellous location on the outskirts of Liskeard. This celebration of the thanksgiving of the harvest goes back to pagan times when some rather gruesome sacrifices were involved. With the coming of Christianity a more civilised event was adopted which lapsed at the end of the 19th century. The Old Cornwall movement revived the Crying the Neck celebration in St Ives in 1928 and the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society soon followed suite.
For obvious reasons the 2020 event, held on September 9th on the Bolitho Farmhouse lawn, was on a much smaller scale the in previous years, but followed the traditional format. A welcome and introduction was given by the President of Liskeard OCS Brian Oldham, but only after he had presented James Moon with a photograph from 1983 show three generations of Moons attending that year's Crying the Neck. An inscribed glass trug was also presented in appreciation of the use of Bolitho fields for the event for so many years.
Prayers and readings were given by Father Gilmour of the Roman Catholic Church with translation into Cornish by Rod Sheaff. James Moon, for last time at Bolitho, raised the last cut of corn, the Neck, to the North, the East and the South shouting "Yma genef!", the gathering responded with "Pandr'us genes?", James replied "Pen Yar!" and we all shouted " Houra!". All became clear when Mayor of Liskeard Rachel Brooks repeated the process but in English; "I have'n!", "What have'ee?", "A neck!" and "Hurrah!". Proceedings ended with a rousing rendition of Trelawny and James' friends from the Rotary Club enjoyed a socially distanced picnic on the lawn.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal
In 2019 a Liskeard transport enthusiast gained permission, obtained funding and gathered together a group of volunteers to remove the trees and vegetation concealing the best remains of a lock on the 1828 Liskeard & Looe Union Canal, Lock No'21. By pure coincidence, having applied through different channels, 3 of the volunteers working on the same shift were members of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society.
In October 2019 the work commenced and the group of volunteers were allowed access to clear the trees and undergrowth which hid lock No'21 on the Liskeard & Looe Union Canal, disused when the railway replaced it in 1860. Three Liskeard OCS members were in that group; Rosy Hanns, Mike Smith and Brian Oldham. Last weekend 12 months of vegetation was cleared from Lock 21 by a smaller social distancing team. Sadly and unexpectedly Rosy has since passed away leaving Mike and Brian to join this year's team.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Clearance Work - Tremabe Bridge Plaque at SX25448 66937
The 17th railway bridge from Looe, that carried the former turnpike from Liskeard to St. Cleer over the Liskeard & Caradon Railway, was demolished and filled in in 1985. A section of the bridge, a portion of rail and a plaque on the site is kept tidy by members of the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society.
It was originally planned to build a 44 yards tunnel here, but eventually the bridge was the preferred option. The first section of the L&CR from the Cheesewring Quarry and South Caradon Mine to Tremabe opened in November 1844, making Tremabe the temporary terminus until the line to Moorswater was finally completed in March 1846.
Until locomotive power reached the L&CR in 1860 the wagons, loaded with granite and copper, descended by gravity following the contour, with just a brake-man on board. The empty, or sometimes carrying coal or timber, wagons were hauled back up the line by horses.
The inscription on the plaque reads “Site of Tremabe Bridge/which carried the road over/the Liskeard & Caradon Railway/until its demolition in 1985/a portion of the railway is incorporated below/Erected by/ The Cornwall County Council/and/The Liskeard Old Cornwall Society”.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Liskeard OCS supporting St Neot 'Oak Apple Day'
For many years on the 29th May the village of St Neot near Liskeard has closed the main street to safely celebrate Oak Apple Day. On many of these occasions the Banner Bearer and members of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society have supported this ancient event.
Those joining the parade through the village gather in the Car Park in the early evening. Led by the bearers of an oak bough, then the main participants in the proceedings, the marchers make their way to St Neot Church to the applause of the onlookers who then follow behind.
When all have settled in the Churchyard, a local historian tells the story behind Oak Apple Day, the Vicar gives a blessing, last year’s bough is removed and its replacement is winched to the top of the Church Tower, where it remains for a further 12 months. Music, dance and refreshments then follow inside the Church.
The Battle of Worcester, the final battle of the English Civil War, took place in 1651 ending in defeat for the Royalists. Charles II managed to hide in the boughs of an oak tree and eventually escape to the Continent. The 29th May 1660 saw the Restoration of Charles II to the throne and that date in future years was declared a Public Holiday.
In 1663 the Mayor of Liskeard resolved that all his Burgesses shall wear their decent gowns and cloaks every 29th May, both at his house and in the Church, defaulters to be fined.
Photographs are from celebrations in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
St Piran's Day Celebrations
It has become a Springtime tradition for Liskeard OCS to join the St Piran's Day march in the City of Truro every year. Fortunately March 5th 2020 fell before Lockdown. This year photography duty was handed to new member William Finnegan and this is his view of the big day from Liskeard Railway Station to Truro Cathedral.
Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - Heritage Events & Projects
Cemetery Clearance - Zacharias T. William (1818-1877)
Why in February 2020 did members of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society meet in Lanchard Cemetery, Station Road to tidy up the grave of a relatively unknown Liskeard resident, Zach Williams? The answer can be found in the streets of Liskeard and the pages of the Cornish Times. Zach founded the Liskeard Iron Works around 1860 and examples of his products were uncovered in recent years and some still exist.
The history of Zacharias T. Williams, his Liskeard Iron Works at Moorswater and the earlier Roseland Vale Foundry at Menheniot are contained in a new illustrated talk by Liskeard OCS President Brian Oldham entitled “Liskeard’s Iron Foundries”.
The photographs you can see here are:
- Photo 1) Zach’s grave after the tidy up which would have looked magnificent if its railings had not been removed during WWII.
- Photo 2) Drain cover in situ in Doctor’s Lane.
- Photo 3) Ramps in situ leading to the yard of the Barley Sheaf Inn.
- Photo 4) Rainwater goods still in situ in Church Street.
- Photo 5) Stove discovered in No.3 Fore Street.
- Photo 6) Cooking range uncovered in No.1 Barn Street.
Tansys Golowan 2019
Tansys Golowan 2018
