On the evening of Thursday 24th September, we welcomed Dr Garry Tregidga to the Harrowbarrow and Metherell Village Hall, for a fascinating and wide‑ranging talk on the significance of the Tamar as a border. Garry guided us through the river’s long history, from its role as a trading artery at the heart of Dumnonia, to its later position as a political boundary under Athelstan, to the present day. He explored how the Tamar was crossed during the 1497 Cornish Rising, again in 1549, and how the Cornish Army operated across Cornwall and Devon during the War of the Five Nations.
The evening was highly interactive, with the audience contributing local knowledge, historical insights, and reflections on Cornish identity. This created a lively and thoughtful atmosphere, demonstrating just how deeply the Tamar continues to shape the cultural life of the region.
A particular highlight was the involvement of Harrowbarrow residents, whose enthusiasm added a strong community feel to the event. The hall team made everyone extremely welcome, helping to create a warm and relaxed setting for discussion.
The audience included a notable number of Cornish language speakers, and no fewer than eight Bards of Gorsedh Kernow, whose presence underlined the cultural significance of the evening.
Overall, it was an excellent event — intellectually stimulating, community‑minded, and full of the shared curiosity that makes Tales of the Tides such a rewarding project. Tales of the Tides is a collaboration between the Federation, and Callington, Saltash, and Torpoint OCSs. In this particular case we are grateful to Callington OCS in organising this event.