On Sunday 5th July we gathered in the late morning overlooking St John’s Lake at Torpoint. The sun was shining and the view over the river was absolutely stunning. We were joined by members of Torpoint OCS, Torpoint Archive, and members of the public including families to explore the foreshore. Our quest, was a search for historic ceramics – sherds of pottery, which were eagerly gathered into bags and punnets.
In the afternoon we moved on the Brunel Green at Saltash; another fantastic riverside location where we were joined by members of Saltash OCS for a similar exploration of their foreshore.
At both locations many stories were shared of life by the river and historic events. We learnt about the historic gunnery range at St John’s Lake and the outdoor swimming pool at Brunel Green, apparently damaged beyond repair by an American boat.
Guided by our Archaeology Officer, Laura Miucci, participants collected bags of material from the foreshore, uncovering a fascinating range of historic material. Most finds dated from the 19th century, including Mocha ware, Transferware, porcelain, and Cornish micaceous earthen wares. Torpoint offered the widest variety of pottery types and designs, while Saltash produced the oldest material, with sherds of 18th‑century North Devon gravel‑tempered ware and a fragment of glazed roof tile.
Saltash also yielded the majority of metalwork, much of it linked to shipbuilding, alongside three small fragments of 19th‑century smoking pipes. Together, these finds paint a vivid picture of everyday life, industry, and river use across the centuries.
Both events were lively, friendly, and full of shared stories — a wonderful celebration of community heritage along the Tamar. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to these memorable days.