Cornish wrestling trophy discovered at Tuckingmill

          In July, contractors working on a highway scheme at Tolvaddon Road, Tuckingmill, discovered an artefact which sheds light on a fascinating part of the Cornish Mining story.

          Paul Richards, an excavator operative with Cornish highways contractor Cormac, discovered an engraved presentation trophy while working on road improvements at the site at Gas Lane. Paul was engaged in the removal of excavated material as part of the development and noticed an object glinting in amongst the heap as material was being transferred between vehicles.

          The discovery was at the site of the former North Wheal Crofty, near Sump Shaft, in an area which had been used in part for landfill after the closure of the mine. While appearing to have suffered a few dents from mechanical handling, the trophy proved to be in surprisingly good condition considering that it had been under around two metres of waste fill for several decades. Paul considers that it was most probably discarded following a house clearance in the area.

          The trophy is around ten inches in height and bares the engraved inscription: ‘Wrestling Cornish Style won by Sam Ham, Manor House, Jeppestown, S. A.’. Wrestling in Cornwall is of a distinctive kind whereby a wrestling jacket has to be worn, and this is used to grip the opponent when attempting to bring him or her to the ground. Wrestling, along with other Cornish traditions were exported to many mining fields around the globe as mining migration took hold during the early-to-mid nineteenth century.

          Research initiated by Wayne Wilford, a Site Agent for Cormac, has revealed that the Manor House was formerly a hotel at Jeppestown, now a suburb of Johannesburg in South Africa. This South African city was a very important destination for mineworkers migrating from Cornwall at the turn of the twentieth century, all eager to take up employment in this important area for gold mining. While today it is a design and furniture outlet, the Manor House was a hotel and sportsmen’s bar of some regard during the early years of the city, a favourite gathering spot for many and one of the main venues for boxing.

          A report in the Cornishman newspaper for the 15^th September 1910 also gives more information on Sam’s achievements as it records him as the Middleweight Champion of South Africa at this time with a W. Littlejohn of Gunnislake as Heavyweight Champion.    

          Upon recognising the importance of the find Wayne fortunately contacted Cornwall Council Historic Environment with the view to finding the trophy a suitable home. After it was subsequently brought to the attention of World Heritage Site Office, the Cornish Wrestling Association was contacted with a view to learning more about Sam Ham and his wrestling background. Gerry Cawley, the Archivist with the Association, proved to be most helpful and provided a copy of an Association programme from the 1930s covering a tournament of Cornu-Breton wrestling which took place in Redruth on Saturday, August 26^th 1933. This indicated that Sam was acting as a ‘stickler’ - a Cornish Wrestling umpire - at the contest, who was invigilating alongside fellow sticklers Mr A. Pinch and Monsieur Le Corre. 

          Further research by Truro based genealogist Steve Colwill revealed that the UK Census returns for 1881 record a Samuel Ham living at Condurrow near Camborne, with his parents William and Elizabeth, and sisters Ellen, Edith and Elizabeth, and brother William. William senior is shown as having been born in Grampound around 1845 with his occupation given as ‘sawyer’, perhaps working in connection with one of the major Central mines active at the time. His partner Elizabeth is recorded as originating from Camborne and all the children were to be born there also. In the 1901 Census both William senior and junior are shown as tin miners with Sam, at the age of 21, recorded as a farm labourer, a common occupation at the time.        

          In March 1906 a passenger S. Ham, aged 25, is recorded as having arrived back in the UK on the “Walmer Castle”, docking at Southampton having sailed from Cape Town, South Africa. Again in October 1913, Samuel Ham is noted as disembarking from the “Dunluce Castle” at Plymouth, his port of embarkation recorded as Cape Town. His occupation on both passenger lists is shown as ‘miner’, indicating that he probably gained mining experience with his father and/or brother prior to his original departure. Mineworkers from Cornwall, known as ‘Cousin Jacks’,  were in high regard at this time, benefiting from a well established reputation of being pre-eminent in the field of hard-rock mining. Sam would have gone, like thousands of others, to seek his fortune and would no doubt have been encouraged by the knowledge that an established Cornish community awaited his arrival in Johannesburg.

          It is intended that in due course the trophy will be included in the Cornwall Wrestling Association Archive and take its place alongside the wealth of wrestling information and artefacts which the Association holds.

          Deborah Boden, the World Heritage Site Co-ordinator said that “The fortunate discovery of this trophy highlights a particular aspect of the story of Cornish Mining, specifically the role of mineworkers from Cornwall in living and working overseas. Cultural traditions including Cornish Wrestling, Methodism and the pasty were transferred to many mining areas around the globe and these traditions maintained as part of daily life. The story of Sam Ham is part of the rich legacy of Cornish Mining and the World Heritage Site is delighted to have been able to help bring this to a wider public.”     

          The World Heritage Site team would very much like to thank Paul Richards and Wayne Wilford for bringing the trophy to our attention, to Gerry Cawley for valuable information from the Cornish Wrestling Association Archive, and especially to Steve Colwill for his detailed research of Census and shipping records which has shed so much light on Sam’s itinerant past.

For further information on Cornish wrestling, please log on to: www.cornishwrestling.co.uk


 

Mineral Tramways Mining Trails Celebration

          Eager crowds gathered at Cambrose on Saturday 26th September for the official opening of the extended Mineral Tramways Trails network. Since work commenced in the early 1990s the Mineral Tramways Project has worked to create a total of 56km of multi-use trails for the benefit of walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Using former tramway and railway routes, the trails link the major mining areas of Camborne, Redruth and St Day with the mineral ports of Portreath and Devoran, on the north and south coasts.

          The celebration day commenced with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Bike Barn, Cambrose, at the Elm Farm Coast to Coast Cycle Hire Centre. Wendy Houvenaghel (left), Olympic Silver Medallist at Beijing and Double Team World Champion in 3000m track cycling, was on hand to do the honours, and led a guided cycle ride along the trail network.

          In addition to a number of cycling events, King Edward Mine, Troon, held a free open day where the public could discover the techniques of Cornish mining and mineral processing, and the significance of the Great Flat Lode. Sparnon Silver Band entertained the crowds during the afternoon and walkers joined naturalist Rory Goodall on a much appreciated guided walk of the Great Flat Lode, during which he highlighted the varied ecology which exists alongside the impressive mining heritage.

          At 3pm Wendy was again on hand at King Edward to light the first of a number of mine chimney fires, which in doing so simulated how the landscape would have appeared during the area’s tin mining heyday in the latter nineteenth century. This event followed on from the hugely successful Smokin’ Chimneys day in June 2008 which saw around twenty chimneys in smoke along the full 6km extent of the Great Flat Lode.

          Events also taking place on the day included a book signing by local mining historian Joff Bullen, face painting, live music, barbeques, cycle demonstrations, a mountain bike assault course for children and other two-wheeled events, many at the Bissoe branch of the cycle hire centre, Bike Chain. Over 1,000 people are estimated to have enjoyed the new trails over the weekend.

          The 25km of trails recently completed as part of the Project also link with existing routes specifically the Coast to Coast and the Great Flat Lode Trails. Being mainly traffic-free, these offer improved and safer access to schools, places of work, local facilities, historic settlements and visitor attractions. The trails also offer a unique opportunity to access a landscape which is rich in metalliferous mining heritage and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The network is also very popular with horse riders and a guided horse ride was held along the Tehidy Trail, commencing at the Gwel an Mor Holiday Village, Portreath.  

          In addition to the creation of trail routes the Mineral Tramways Project has undertaken major conservation works on twelve historic mine sites in the area, preserving these for future generations and improving access for education and enjoyment. Also thirteen mining villages within the project area have had streetscape improvements made and new interpretation materials produced which tell the exciting story of an area that was at the forefront of the production of industrial minerals, principally copper and tin, for much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

          Champion cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel said: "The Grand Launch of the Mineral Tramways Network of Trails is an excellent initiative by Cornwall Council which will allow the beautiful Cornish countryside to be explored by those who are interested in the outdoors. The trails will provide a fantastic off road alternative for individuals and families who enjoy cycling, horse riding, walking and running whilst having the opportunity to appreciate the mining history associated with the Trails. It was great to be involved in the formal opening of the Trails and to take part in Saturday's action packed event.”

          Cornwall Councillor and chairman of the Mineral Tramways Partnership Mark Kaczmarek joined Wendy at the official opening. Mark said: “I am delighted that the creation of the 56km network of trails offers people a unique opportunity to access a wide area that is rich in mining heritage. The project has combined better access to the carefully conserved buildings and the landscape of our proud mining past with spectacular views, exceptional wildlife diversity and the health benefits of getting out and using the trails.”

          The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project is a £6 million Regeneration Project, managed by Cornwall Council and funded by Objective One, the South West Regional Development Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Parish and Town Councils in the Project area.

For further information please see: www.cornwall.gov.uk/mineral-tramways

For further images of the day, please click here

World Heritage Team present Cornish Pennies to Portreath schoolchildren

          Children at Portreath School have received a very special present from the Cornish Mining World Heritage Office. On 24^th September they were presented with commemorative Cornish pennies, struck from copper rescued from the wreck of the SS St. George, as a thank you for their part in the Portreath to Poldice Tramway Bicentenary Celebrations (31st July/1st August).

          The summer event was attended by thousands of people from Cornwall and beyond. Held to mark 200 years since Francis Basset, Lord De Dunstanville (in whose memory the monument at the summit of Carn Brea was erected), laid the first piece of track to the North Cornish port, the celebrations featured the arrival of a Cornish Lugger into Portreath harbour and a parade in period costume, which was led by Cornish fiddlers alongside Richard Williams of Scorrier House, Francis Basset’s Great Great Great Grandson. Many of the children from Portreath School took part in the festivities, adding to the atmosphere and helping to celebrate this important era in the history of the area.  

          “We think it’s vital that children are given the opportunity to learn about their local heritage,” says Deborah Boden, Co-ordinator of Cornish Mining World Heritage.

          “The Portreath event was a unique and incredibly poignant reminder that this port was once a thriving hub for the Cornish copper industry. The tramway linked the inland mines with the sea, enabling huge growth in the trade in copper ore and Welsh coal. The Portreath Bicentenary Celebration Committee decided that giving Cornish pennies to the schoolchildren would be a fitting legacy that they can treasure for generations to come, and we were delighted to organise this for them.”

          Bill Dodge, Chair of the Portreath Bicentenary Celebration Committee adds, “The students from Portreath, and indeed those from Pool, who made banners for the procession and a replica ore-wagon, played an invaluable role in the Bicentenary event. There was a real sense of community spirit and it was charming to see them learn more about the history of their home. These coins from Cornish Mining World Heritage are a wonderful reminder.”

For further information on Portreath and to view the newsletter ‘Parish Tram’, please see: www.parishtram.co.uk

The reproduction Cornish Penny of 1812 which has been specially minted to commemorate the Portreath Bicentenary event

St Agnes Miners and Mechanics Institute reopens to the public

          The Miners and Mechanics Institute (MMI) in the centre of St Agnes has long been regarded as a fine historic building and an important part of the heritage of the area and Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

          On September 18^th the community were able to appreciate the building afresh upon the completion of a major building refurbishment and development programme. The work was achieved using a total of £900,000 of investment from a number of generous funding partners including the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Funds.

          The MMI was constructed in 1893 following a generous bequest by John Passmore Edwards (1823-1911), the well-known London newspaper proprietor and philanthropist, who gifted many similar institutions and public libraries in Cornwall around the turn of the twentieth century. Born within St Agnes Parish at the village of Blackwater, two miles to the south, Edwards is known to have funded 72 public buildings, many in Cornwall, and in doing so was instrumental in bringing opportunities for education to the working classes of the day. Dedicated to the memory of his late brother, William P. Edwards, John was to lay the date stone commemorating the start of construction on June 7^th 1893.
 

          The recent renovation work has preserved all of the historic character on the Victorian building while giving the remainder a light and spacious feel which compliments the former well. Beyond the refurbished entrance hallway, with reinstated Victorian coloured glass, is an impressive atrium with an  octagonal opening to the first floor and similarly shaped sky light above. Dawn Brown, Chair of the new St Agnes MMI Committee, commented "The building has been completely updated with a modern look as a place St Agnes can be proud of" while former Committee Chair Mario de Pace added that “people literally do walk in and say ‘wow’, especially people who remember it from before.” The refurbishment has also included a dedicated ramp and lift, which, when completed, will permit ready access for disabled to the Institute and first floor level.

          The World Heritage Site team were involved in discussions with the MMI Committee during the initial stages of the funding bid and congratulates them for all their hard work and initiative in conceiving and delivering such a worthwhile project. The Committee have also committed themselves to support World Heritage Site objectives and have kindly dedicated one of the refurbished rooms, included as the Heritage Room, as a permanent space for this purpose.

          Deborah Boden, World Heritage Co-ordinator, commented that “The World Heritage Site team is proud to have played its part in supporting this exciting project, which we regard as an outstanding example of what a dedicated community group can achieve when working alongside committed partners with common aims.”

For further information on John Passmore Edwards and the Miners and Mechanics Institute, please see: www.passmoreedwards.org.uk

Prehistoric discovery at Poldark given national monument status

          Historians and archaeologists have welcomed the granting of National monument status to an ancient hand tin-crushing site unearthed at Cornwall’s Poldark Mine, which forms part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

          The only known evidence of this early practice in the South West, the extremely rare ‘mortar outcrop’ is a granite slab with at least 17 circular or oval shaped hollows worn into its upper face. Its existence proves that tin was crushed by hand in Cornwall long before the invention of machinery in the medieval period, and, as a result, the site has been officially registered as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

          Although the precise dating of the outcrop is impossible, it is believed to have been used during the latter half of the prehistoric period which ran from approximately 2000 BC to 43 AD. Well-preserved until 2001 by a layer of soil, the feature at Poldark further extends the historical importance of Cornwall as a mining stronghold and sheds valuable light on the roots of our industrial heritage.

          "It’s an impressive and important discovery and we’re delighted that is has now been officially listed,” says Richard Williams, Managing Director of Poldark Mine. “We already knew that local areas such as the Wendron Valley were used as sources of tin during Roman times

  Chris Fletcher (left) and Richard Williams of Poldark Mine

  with the mortar outcrop © Poldark Mine

but this is something even older and it is incredibly lucky that it was found. What makes it so special is that, unlike detached mortar ‘stones’, which do exist in Cornwall and Devon, the outcrop here is not something that was moved in from elsewhere. It proves, without doubt, that thousands of years ago people were crushing tin by hand right here in this exact spot. It’s absolutely fascinating."
 

          Deborah Boden, Co-ordinator of Cornish Mining World Heritage Site adds, “The mortar outcrop at Poldark is a unique and valuable asset which emphasises the longevity of mining activity in Cornwall. Discoveries like this are incredibly rare and so we are extremely fortunate that it will now be protected for generations to come.”
                                                                                             Close-up of the mortar outcrop which has received Scheduled  

                                                                                             Monument status © Poldark Mine

For further information on Poldark Mine please click here

Carn Brea Mining Society

The next indoor meeting of the Society will be a joint one with the Trevithick Society and will be held on Friday 18th September, 2009, in the lecture theatre at King Edward mine near Troon, at 7.30pm.

At this meeting there will be a video shown, entitled: “The Slate Industry of Cornwall”, by John Potter.

Why not come along and enjoy an interesting evening!


Also visit the new Carn Brea Mining Society website at: http://carnbreaminingsociety.co.uk and also the King Edward Mine Museum site at: www.kingedwardmine.co.uk , and the Trevithick Society at: www.trevithick-society.org.uk