A CORNISH MINING WORLD HERITAGE SITE BID PARTNERSHIP MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT COUNTY HALL FROM 10.30AM-1.30PM ON FRIDAY 9TH NOVEMBER.

There is Cornish mining heritage all over the world. It can be found in countries like the USA, Mexico, South Africa and Australia. International support is a key factor in gaining World Heritage Site Status, which will rank Cornwall’s mining heartland amongst the most treasured places on earth. This will help Cornwall by assisting in the regeneration of former mining communities and boosting tourism and investment in Cornwall’s heritage.

Representatives from other UK Industrial World Heritage Sites will be explaining these extensive economic benefits at a meeting of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid Partnership at Cornwall County Council on 9th November.

John Rodger from Blaenavon in South Wales will be explaining how recently acquired World Heritage status is transforming this deprived former industrial community. Councillor Philip Davis, Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council will be highlighting the economic benefits that Iron Bridge World Heritage Site has provided his local community over the past 15 years.

The Cornish Bid is being part-funded by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and Scilly in anticipation of the economic benefits World Heritage status will bring to the region. Progress on the Cornish Bid, which is being compiled on behalf of the Partnership by Cornwall Archaeological Unit (Cornwall County Council) will be presented at the meeting, including the contacts being made with former Cornish mining communities overseas.

The project team has, for example, been in touch with the past President of California’s Cornish Cousins, Gage McKinney, who has just published a book entitled ‘When Miners Sang’. This tells the remarkable story of Cornish miners who settled in Grass Valley and whose Cornish carols are still sung there today.

Gage McKinney comments "One can hardly conceive of the development of California without the Cornish who, bringing their technological heritage, opened the riches of our famous Gold Country. The Cornish mining heritage played an enormous role here in the industrial age, as it did in mining districts throughout the world. Cornwall’s mining heritage is truly a ‘world heritage’ and should be both preserved and interpreted for future generations."

Many people living in Cornwall will realise that as a world leader in hard rock mining in the 18th and 19th centuries, Cornwall’s miners and engineers took their knowledge, skills and love of their homeland to every corner of the globe.

The distinctive reminders of our former mining industry that survive in Cornwall today can also be found in exotic foreign landscapes. Engine houses still stand in Linares (Spain) and Virgin Gorda in the Carribean. A Methodist Chapel in Moonta, Australia is still in use. What is more, pasties are eaten in Pachuca, Mexico, albeit with additional chilli peppers! And, on a sadder note, Cornish gravestones can be found worldwide, many with epitaphs hewn into specially-exported Cornish granite.

An illustration of the scale of the exodus of Cornish people overseas is the fact that in 1894 over 60% of the population of California’s Grass Valley was Cornish! Cultural links forged at this time still exist in numerous Little Cornwall’s worldwide where they hold Cornish festivals, bake traditional pasties, sing Cornish songs and enthusiastically research their heritage.

Lyn Drew who is of Cornish descent and lives on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, recounts her family folklore. "My relative, John Brenton, was a miner and along with his wife Mary Ann and their two children, travelled from Zelah in Cornwall on 1st May 1851. They eventually arrived at the first mining town in Australia, Burra, and lived in a home carved into Burra Creek."

"In an interesting twist to the story, I discovered that my husband, Greg’s family left Sithney in Cornwall and also went to Burra in 1852. Our families were devout Methodists and would have known each other so we both feel that we have a very important and intertwined Cornish legacy."

Many Cornish people need look no further than their own families and experiences to find wonderful stories of their ancestors and the extent to which they influenced the history of other countries.

Sharron Schwartz, a member of the Bid research team , says "Until I did my mother’s family tree, I had no idea of the number of ‘Cousin Jacks’ are in my family. I have Cornish cousins in Chile and Bolivia today, some whom I have met. One, Bernard Inch, is a Senator in the Bolivian Government."

Cornwall County Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, Bert Biscoe, who is the Chairperson of the Partnership, says "Cornish mining is a very human story. The work of the Bid project is helping to raise awareness of the human story behind Cornish mining. Many Cornish people tell stories of their mining ancestors. The project team hope that many more will emerge as the Bid develops. "

"There is no doubt that Cornwall was one of the crucibles of the industrial revolution and of global importance in terms of mining industry. "

"It is vital to the success of the bid that we capture and celebrate the human story of Cornish mining. This not only completes the story, but holds the key to the future economic benefits of World Heritage Site status."

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

A Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid Partnership meeting will take place at County Hall from 10.30am-1.30pm on Friday 9th November. Key speakers, including those from other UK Industrial World Heritage Sites Blaenavon and the Iron Bridge, will advise on the Bid project’s progress and the extensive benefits of World Heritage Site Status.

MORE INFORMATION

World Heritage Site Manager, Adam Sharpe 01872 322585
A selection of slides and photographs is available for inclusion in articles. Please contact Sharron Schwartz on 01872 322585

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The bid project is being undertaken on behalf of a Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid Partnership made up of over 70 organisations and more than 100 individuals who are experts in mining history and in managing the sites today.

A detailed database is being created for the Bid, which maps and describes the extent and character of Cornwall’s mining sites and landscapes. Nomination documents are being produced and public access will be provided by a dedicated website.

The Cornish Mining World heritage Site Bid is supported by the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall & Scilly (with ERDF funding), English Heritage, Cornwall County Council, all of Cornwall’s District Councils, Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, The National Trust and Tamar Valley Countryside Service.