Derek Brooks – Goonhavern Cornwall

Goonhavern Carnivals, Brownies, Girl Guides, Harvest Festivals & Tea Treats.

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Goonhavern Sunday School Tea Treat – 1908

Dorothy Mary Ford Stephens – Circa 1923 – Goonhavern Carnival

Sheila Willcocks Goonhavern Carnival early 1940’s

Unknown & Eileen Buddell (Guides) – Circa 1940

Goonhavern Sunday School Harvest Festival – Circa 1946

Sheila Willcocks – Goonhavern Carnival – 1947-1950

Margaret Masters – Goonhavern Carnival – 1947-1950

Margaret Masters & Sheila Willcocks at Tregony Carnival – 1949

Angela Crabb at Goonhavern Carnival – 1947-1950

David Crabb & Shirley White at Goonhavern Carnival – 1947-1950

Goonhavern Tea Treat – Circa 1948 with Foxhole Silver Band

Goonhavern Carnival – Fairy Queen – Circa 1951

Goonhavern Carnival Fairy Queen – Circa 1952-1953

Dennis Carter at Goonhavern Carnival – 1954

Pam and Lance Dyer at Goonhavern Carnival – 1955-1960

Mining in our Area

This page shows the history of Mining in our local area, much sadly now long gone but still there are features still visible today if you look.

Some pictures are of poor quality but better than not having them. Hope you agree.

Wheal Goshen Mine: (No Photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.309444, -5.164444

References:Wheal Goshen was a small lead mine near Goshen farm, just west of Wheal Mithian across the parish boundary. On Brenton’s map of the Chiverton Mining District, dated 1869, this mine is indicated as George the Fourth Mine. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Spargo, T. (1865): The Mines of Cornwall and Devon: Statistics and Observations. Victoria Press (London), 188 pp.
Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 493 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint, p. xlviii).
A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48SW.

Perran Wheal George Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.317778, -5.160833

Perran Wheal George was a small copper and lead mine, variously known as Perran Wheal George, Wheal St George, and Perran Wheal Alfred. It was first known around 1819 under the name of Perran Wheal Prosper when it was working a copper lode from shallow levels, and renamed when it was restarted in 1851.

The sett includes two ENE-trending copper lodes, about 170 yards apart, and a lead lode. The old workings from the first period of activity are on the southerly copper lode. They can be traced at the surface, but are not shown on later mine plans which only indicate workings on the northerly copper lode. The latter was opened up by four shafts, the burrows of which can still be identified in the fields adjacent to Higher Penwartha farm. There are no records of output. Note: Not to be confused with the Perran Great St George Mine near Perranporth. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Davies, T. (1877) VI.— Notes on vauquelinite from Scotland, and cantonite from Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 1, n° 4, 112-114.

Dines, H.G. (1956) The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 492 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Lambriggan Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.316595, -5.146865

An unique example of a mine ore pile left standing at surface. One of very few sites of its kind in Cornwall. (Courtesy of aditnow.co.uk web site)

Lambriggan Mine – 1927. A photograph taken in the early stages of the re-opening of the mine.

Lambriggan Mine – 1927. The portable engine is being enclosed and the pump gearing is well on the way to completion with the balance box and sweep rod clearly shown.

Lambriggan Mine – 1927. The permanent headgear is erected on Main shaft’and the boiler of the portable engine is still providing steam for pumping and the winch.

Lambriggan Mine – 1927. It will be noted that in the headgear there are two sheave wheels. The larger one is for hoisting and the smaller one for capstan work in connection with the pitwork in the pump compartment of the two compartment shaft.

Lambriggan Mine – 1928. By this time the portable engine and Sykes plant had been superseded by a very small horizontal steam winding engine, said by the late Jack Trounson to have been the most diminutive first motion winder that he had ever seen!

Lambriggan Mine – 1930. All the major operations in this re-working were based on Main shaft, which was deepened to 400ft. This view of the plant was taken just after the mine had closed and illustrates the headgear and capstan shears with the two sheave wheels for hoisting as described in the previous photograph.

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 493 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Wheal Golla Mine: (No photos or info) No Grid Ref

Perran Wheal Vyvyan Mine: (No photos or info)Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3025, -5.15953

Trevellance Mine, Bolingey: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.331078, -5.143606

Perran Wheal Jane Mixed Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3305, -5.15296

South Wheal Leisure Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.331862, -5.147875

South Wheal Leisure was a small copper mine, also known as Truro Consols, on the western slopes of Penwartha Coombe, southwest of Bolingey. In 1871, it was worked under the name of Perran Wheal Kitty, and in 1852, it was amalgamated with nearby Perran Wheal Jane under the name of Perran Wheal Jane Consols.

The mine worked on two lodes, which carried copper ores and pyrite. The northern lode also carried some sphalerite. They were opened up by an adit along the southern lode, and by a shallow shaft. In 1911, the property was tried for tin, and 3.5 tons of black tin were raised while development works were undertaken. Another trial in 1930 was not successful. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 491-492 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

New Wheal Leisure Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.337364, -5.144022

New Wheal Leisure was small zinc and copper mine, working two EW-trending lodes, called North Lode and South Lode, below Bolingey village. South Lode was opened up by a shaft, while North Lode was accessed by an adit which commenced in the alluvial tract east of the village and followed the lode westwards for 66 fms, then turned south and connected with the workings on South Lode. A large overgrown burrow remains in the angle between Hendrawna Lane and Chapel Hill Road which marks the site of the shaft. Another large dump is located a little further east, on the opposite side of Hendrawna Lane. The dressing floors and mill noted by Hamilton Jenkin in 1956 have meanwhile been removed.

The mine raised small quantities of lead and copper ores, but sphalerite was the predominant ore mineral in the lodes. During its last period of activity, from 1907 until 1911, it produced 1,624 tons of 37% zinc ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 491.

Reen Wollas Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.342007, -5.138705

Reen Wollas Mine was a small and old mine, with which Hamilton Jenkin associates two shafts that were located in a field just west of Lower Reen hamlet. Today, there are no traces of the workings left. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

East Wheal Leisure Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.331862, -5.147875

East Wheal Leisure Mine in 1833, 1851 and 1852, the mine produced 700 tons of 5% copper ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 450-451.

Wheal Friendship Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.332222, -5.161944

Wheal Friendship, also known as Wheal Blandford, worked in a small way on two ENE-trending lodes crossing the valley of Perrancoombe northeast of Anchor hamlet. The northerly lode was tried by two adits on either side of the valley, the southerly by a line of surface workings along its strike. Dines also notes several lines of surface pits in N-S directions that were probably dug in search for the lodes, but these cannot now be identified. The nature of the lodes is not known, but they are believed to have been carrying tin and copper ores. There also are no records of output.

The sett included another small mine, variously known as Treslow Mine or Polglaze Mine, which was located further west, across the B3285 road, and has now disappeared below the airfield. The grid reference is arbitrarily centered in the western part of the Wheal Friendship sett. There are no traces of the mine workings left at surface. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 492.

Susan Tregay’s Droke: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.337805, -5.160919

A name given to a weathered ditch that was used to carry the water pumped from Devonshire shaft of Perran Great St George Mine down to the stream at Perran Coombe. According to Hamilton Jenkin, this ditch is probably an old opencast working in a stanniferous elvan. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Perran Coombe Stamps: (No info) No Grid Ref

Perran Coombe Stamps – 1924. A horse-drawn cart tipping a load of tin stone into the ore bin of the waterwheel driven stamps.

Perran Coombe Stamps – 1924. Viewed from below the road where the previous photograph was taken. The waterwheel driving the stamps is on the right.

Buddle at Perran Coombe Stamps – Apr 2014

Perran United Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.340576, -5.158292

Wheal Leisure Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.343333, -5.151389

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 452.

Reid, C., Scrivenor, J.B., Flett, J.S., Pollard, W., and MacAlister, D.A. (1906): The Geology of the Country near Newquay. HMSO Publications (London), 131 pp. [on page 97, listed under “Great St George and Wheal Leisure”, the authors give a short account on Calloway’s Lode and Kernick’s Lode. The latter has been worked by Wheal Leisure. It is the same lode as Kernick’s South Lode of Wheal Perran (Dines, 1956)]

Wheal Prudence Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.331667, -5.182778

Wheal Prudence was an old copper mine located on the cliffs to the south and south-west of Hanover Cove. Wheal Prudence forms an amalgamation of the small and older Wheal Jacka, Wheal Cock and Wheal Meadow mines, although the precise locations of these old setts cannot now be determined.

The base of the 70-inch pumping engine house on New Engine Shaft still survives although the shaft itself is choked at the surface. The engine house survived in good condition until its destruction during the construction of the Second World War airfield at the site.

Other shafts can still be seen close to the cliff edge and on the coastal slope.

There are two principal lodes recorded being North (or Prudence) Lode and South (or New) Lode, there are also references to a Wheal Cock Lode and a Caunter Copper Lode.

Records indicate a production of some 7000 tons of copper ore between 1821 and 1865, with 55 tons of tin produced in 1825-6 and a further 1 ton of tin in 1847-9. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Remains of Wheal Prudence Mine – Jul 2020

References:

Kingsbury, A.W.G. and Hartley, J. (1956) Atacamite from Cumberland and Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine, 31(235), 349-350.

Reid, C., Scrivenor, J.B., Flett, J.S., Pollard, W., and MacAlister, D.A. (1906) The geology of the country near Newquay. Printed for HM Stationery Off. by Wyman & Sons, Limited.

Island Shaft – Wheal Prudence Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.333611, -5.180278

Island Shaft was an isolated working of Wheal Prudence on a rock pillar that is detached from the cliff. A wooden bridge once connected the workings to the cliff edge. In the cliff face, erosion and subsequent collapses have revealed the old workings. What looks like trials at the foor of the cliff (south of Hanover Cove) are really erosion caves (Henwood, 1843). (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Henwood, W.J. (1843): On the Metalliferous Deposits of Cornwall and Devon. Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall 5, 1-386.

Hanover Cove Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.334575, -5.180384

Hanover Cove a small cove, earlier known as Vugga Hayle, which owes its name to the Falmouth packet ship “Hanover” that wrecked there on 2 Dec 1784. Rock falls on the cliff south of the cove have exposed part of the workings of Wheal Prudence, whose shafts are located on the cliff egde.

To access the cove, which is located about 1/2 a mile south of Cligga Head, one has to walk around the corner of the cliff at the south end of the beach adjoining Cligga Head. This is only possible at lowest tide, and when the sea is calm.

Note:
The coastal stretch between Cligga Head and the cliff that separates the beach from Hanover Cove forms part of the Cligga Head locality. The mineralization of the lodes that crop out along the beach is the same or at least similar to that found in the lodes at Cligga Head and in the vicinity of Cligga mine. Though, Hanover Cove is a separate locality with a different mineralization. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Ansermet, S. (2007): Kupfermineralien von der Hanover Cove am Cligga Head, Cornwall. Lapis 32(2), 25-26, 50. (in German)

Good Fortune Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.336389, -5.171944

Cligga Head: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.338056, -5.180556

Granite-related mineralization. Cligga Head granite is intruded in Devonian metasediments. The granite is cut by greisens-bordered NE vein-system. The greisens are cored by Sn-W-As-quartz veins. Sulfide mineralization occurs in fractures cross-cutting Sn-W-As-quartz veins. The granite is rimmed by a tourmalinite alteration aureole. Hydrothermal activity : 350-400°C, 0.7 (boiling)-1.7 kb. Na-K-Fe-Ca chloride brines rich in B, F, SO4 (degassing of magmatic volatiles).

This locality includes – Cligga Mine, which is listed as a sub- locality – the exposure of the greisen-sheet vein stockworks (another SSSI, so keep hammers in bags!), located just below the 1940s mine works on the top of the cliff, and – the beach, with numerous vein outcrops and scattered material from cliff falls.

The beach at the entrance to the mine yields arsenopyrite, cassiterite, small scorodites and wolframite without having to look too hard. More minerals are found on the beach around the cliff past the mine entrance, which extends about 1/2 mile farther south. Around the cliff at the southern end of the beach is Hanover Cove (see separate entry), which can be accessed only at lowest tide. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Ansermet S. (2007) Kupfermineralien von der Hanover Cove am Cligga Head, Cornwall. Lapis 32(2), 25-26 (in German). [unlike the title suggests, the paper also deals with Cligga Head]

Kingsbury, A.W.G. (1958) Two beryllium minerals new to Britain: euclase and herderite. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 31, n° 240, 815-817.

Kissin, S.A. and Owens, D.R. (1989) The relatives of stannite in the light of new data. Canadian Mineralogist 27, 673-688.

Moore, F. and Howie, R.A. (1984) Tin-Bearing Sulphides from St Michael’s Mount and Cligga Head, Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine 48, 389-396.

Russell, A. (1911) On the occurrence of phenacite in Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 16, n° 73, 55-62.

Russell, A. (1924) Topaz from Cornwall, with an account of its localities. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 20, n° 106, 221-236.

Smith, M., Banks, D.A., Yardley, B.W.D., and Boyce, A. (1996) Fluid inclusion and stable isotope constraints on the genesis of the Cligga Head Sn-W deposit, S.W. England. European Journal of Mineralogy 8, 961-974.

Weiß, S., Merry, M., and Ansermet, S. (2017) Neufunde aus Cornwall: Cannonit, Arthurit, Auriacusit. Lapis, 42 (1), 20-23; 62 (in German).

Cligga Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.338889, -5.177778

Cligga Mine workings are located on the cliff edge at Cligga Head. Just northeast of the greisen-sheet vein stockworks, and on the same level as those, is an extensive dump packed full of arsenopyrite, wolframite, iron & copper minerals. Note, however, that some of these dumps are from the Perran Great St George and Good Fortune mines, as are the workings further inland, west and north of the airfield that is now used by a glider club.

The mine itself can be accessed through the adit at beach level. The frequent rock slides have exposed some of the mine workings in the cliff face; they can be reached by climbing up inside the mine from adit level. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Cligga Mine – Circa 1939. A scene at the time the mine was re-opened and Contact shaft was brought back into use.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1939. A further view shortly after the re-opening of the mine had commenced.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1939. Showing left to right the headgear which hoisted on the incline cut into the cliff face.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1940. By this time the Rhodesian Mines Trust Ltd had taken over the property and commenced erecting a Mill for treatment of ore on the site, which can be seen under construction.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1940. A little later scene showing the headgear on the cliff incline, Contact shaft winder and headgear with the new Mill buildings in an advanced stage of construction.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1940. A ladder way with sollars constructed through an ‘old men stope during the early period of the re-opening of the mine.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1943. Showing the new headgear (ex Polberro Mine) on Contact shaft and the complex of mine buildings.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1944. The employees of the mine against the background of the headgear on Contact shaft.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1946. After the closure of the mine in 1945 the plant was scrapped within a relatively short time.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1946. The late Jack Trounson is examining the Mill engine at the time when the machinery was being scrapped. This engine had formerly worked at Great Wheal Busy Mine Chacewater.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1946. Another view of the Mill engine which had previously driven the Mill at Great Wheal Busy Mine, Chacewater in the early twentieth century re-working of that mine.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1946. Taken at the time of the scrapping of the Mill plant.

Cligga Mine. A group of visitors to the mine thought to have been taken in the late 1940s and some years after abandonment.

Cligga Mine – Circa 1950s. Taken at a shaft station in Contact shaft.

Cligga Mine – 1950’s. A group photograph taken in one of the long abandoned levels.

Cligga Mine – 1954. A view taken from just inside the portal of a level driven in the cliffs.

Cligga Mine – Aug 1962. At this time Geevor Tin Mines Ltd of Pendeen took a lease on the Cligga sett with a view to assessing the potential of the property.

Cligga Mine – Oct 1962. The new headgear is complete and has temporary wheels at this stage. This work was undertaken by Foraky Mining Contractors whose sign is in evidence.

Cligga Mine – Nov 1962. The new headgear on Contact shaft in use with an electric hoist.

Cligga Mine – Nov 1962. A view of the shaft collar showing the wire rope guides, kibble and jockey (crosshead) from which the kibble is suspended. The shaft doors are closed.

Cligga Mine – Nov 1962. Showing the headgear and winder house on Contact shaft.

Cligga Mine – Contact Shaft – Pulley in contact shaft – 2012

Cligga Mine – Looking up to a false floor – 2012

Cligga Mine – Slusher used for draging dirt with a winch – 2012

Cligga – Nobel Explosives Works (Between 1893-1918)

References:

Kissin, S.A. and Owens, D.R. (1989) The relatives of stannite in the light of new data. Canadian Mineralogist, 27, 673-688.

Moulding, D., Hooper, J., and Green, D.I. (2008) Stolzite from Penberthy Croft Mine, St Hilary, Cornwall. Journal of the Russell Society, 11, 88-90. (referring to a find of stolzite at Cligga Mine.)

Nobel’s Explosives Factory Cligga:

When walking on Cligga, remember these people:

EXPLOSION AT CLIFFTOP WORKS. BLAST FELT AS FAR AS TRURO – 3 DEAD: British and Colonial Explosives factory was established in 1889 and shares issued. St Georges copper mine was reopened and worked near to surface. Crushing stamps for dressing the ore and also buddles were set in place.

The burning house to clean the ore was nearby. A generator provided electricity. This was a rather heavy handed affair, because the company fenced off the cliff path much to the disgust of the locals who were already enraged at having an explosive works so close by.

A licence was issued in 1891 for production with nitro glycerine to begin. When Nobel’s took over the factory in 1893, there were 80 employees. More to enrage the locals, a traction engine was used to pull three trailers, damaging the road to Cligga.

More trouble was to come. On 18th Jan.1902 three men were ‘tramming’ trucks of 500 lbs of nitro glycerine, it reached a set of points and exploded, blowing them to shreds, a man and horse were 4m away. The horse dropped dead but had been a buffer to the man who survived. Another, blown through a door against heavy metal was badly injured.

Truro reported rattled windows. The factory was put under a care order and languished until WW1. The workers filled grenades and shells for the Western front. Many locals were among 1000 people doing their bit for the great war. Closure was inevitable as war ended.

Account courtesy of Mrs Eileen Carter.

Nobel’s Explosives Works – Circa 1893-1918

Perran St George Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.340278, -5.168056

Perran St George shafts are situated to the east of Cligga Head. An ancient mine originally worked for tin, Great St George Mine was first mentioned in 1589. Mining for copper in the area was occurring in the late 18th C, between 1800-04, Great St George Mine raised 1507 tons of copper ore (149 tons copper metal), selling for £14559. However, By 1812, the mine was returning small amounts of ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Dump Material at Perran St George – 2006

One of the shafts of Perran St George Mine – Jul 2020

Another of the shafts of Perran St George Mine – Jul 2020

Inside the Shaft of Perran St George Mine – Jul 2020

Remains of engine house on Perran St George Mine (base of chimney in foreground) – Aug 2021

Remains of engine house on Perran St George Mine – Aug 2021

References:

Dewey, H. (1923) Special Reports on The Mineral Resources of Great Britain, Copper Ores of Cornwall And Devon. pp. 18-19

Dines, H.G. (1956) The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 452-457 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Kingsbury, A.W.G. and Hartley, J. (1956) Atacamite from Cumberland and Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 31, n° 235, 349-350.

Wheal Perran Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.343889, -5.16111

Wheal Droskyn Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.347500, -5.157222

Wheal Droskyn Mine was an ancient and extensively worked mine. The old men’s workings can be seen in the cliffs at the western end of Perranporth beach. The adit level was at 10 fathoms and the lowest workings reached 40 fathoms below the adit. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Wheal Droskyn Mine – Circa 1890’s. Old mine workings in the cliffs at the western beach. These were part of Wheal Droskyn, which was an old and extensively worked mine.

Wheal Droskyn – Workings holed to surface.

References:

Dewey, H. (1923): Special Reports on The Mineral Resources of Great Britain, Copper Ores of Cornwall And Devon. pp. 18-19

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 452-457.

Bullen, L.J. (?): Mining in Cornwall, Vol. 5: The North Coast, pp. 105-106.

Ligger Bay: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.350000, -5.160833

Henwood (1843) noted outcrops of at least one vein, an elvan and two cross-courses in the cliffs near Perranporth, all of which were carrying crystallized quartz. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Ligger Bay – Mineralised veins in cliffs.

Reference:

Henwood, W.J. (1843): On the Metalliferous Deposits of Cornwall and Devon. Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall 5, 1-386.

Great Wheal Leisure Mine: (No info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3449, -5.15391

Water wheel and old engine house at Wheal Leisure mine – Circa 1860.

Wheal Leisure – Circa 1900. The considerable waste burrows of the mine and the derelict engine house are all that remained at this time.

Wheal Leisure Mine – March 1937. The hanging wall of this shaft collapsed and carried away the sollar and fill thus creating the vast cone to be seen here.

Wheal Leisure Mine – March 1937. A further view of the collapse of the shaft and it is rather interesting from a mining point of view to see the layering in the crater.

Wheal Leisure Mine – Early 1960’s. The Count House of this once extensive and productive copper mine.

North Wheal Leisure Mixed Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3487, -5.14713

Wheal Ramouth Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.349785, -5.150467

Wheal Ramouth Mine situated in the sand dune area of Perranporth. The only record of output is black tin, reclaimed from the dumps in 1861, 1879 and between 1882 and 1902. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Wheal Ramoth Mine – Circa 1920’s. A view from the front of the engine house showing the bob wall and an unusually large plug doorway.

Wheal Ramoth Mine – Circa 1920’s. The engine house shown at this very old mine formerly contained a 60in pumping engine which was erected around 1830 during a re-working of the property at that period.

Mining in our Area — Wheal Ramouth Mine – Circa 1920’s. The engine house shown at this very old mine formerly contained a 60in pumping engine which was erected around 1830 during a re-working of the property at that period.

Reference:

The Metalliferous Mining Region of SW England, Dines, Page 448

Perran Wheal Virgin Mine, Callestock: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3006, -5.12991.

Great Callestock Moor Mixed Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3118, -5.11239.

300 tons lead ore, 190 tons lead mined between 1847-1848. Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

Great South Wheal Chiverton Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3094, -5.1024.

Great South Chiverton Mine worked for lead between 1867 and 1873.

It was one of the satellite mines that played on the name of the nearby West Chiverton Mine, which was a large and successful lead mine.

The current remains of the mine comprise an overgrown dump at Engine Shaft, the site of which is identifiable but choked to surface.

The site lies within the grounds of a private residence, which is converted from the former ‘count house’ or mine office.

The site is not accessible for collecting.

It should also be noted that this mine should not be confused with the smaller South Chiverton Mine that was little more than a trial with no recorded production, this latter working lying over 900 metres to the south-east of the Great South Chiverton workings.

Dines in his summing up of Great South Chiverton has made this error and given production figures implied to be for this mine under both of the above names.

The production figure which given the above should be exclusive to Great South Chiverton are:

1867-73: 160 tons lead ore, 3900 ounces silver, 7 tons zinc ore, 22 tons arsenic and unreported quantities of copper and pyrite.

Chiverton Valley Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.309, -5.11642

Chiverton Valley Mine was a small lead and silver mine, working the southwestward extension of the Chiverton Moor main lode in 1870 and 1871, during which time it produced 85 tons of 77% lead ore, 65 tons of lead & 170 ounces of silver. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site) and Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 502.

Chiverton Moor Mine: (orginally Great Callestock Moor Mine) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3118, -5.11239.

Chiverton Moor Mine was a lead and silver mine east of Callestock, first worked in 1847 under the name of Great Callestock Moor Mine and renamed Chiverton Moor Mine when it was restarted in 1866. It was abandoned in 1873.

The workings were chiefly on an EW-trending lode, which changes strike to an almost north-easterly direction in the western part of the sett. It was opened up by three shafts, which are vertical until they pass through the lode and then inclined to follow its footwall down dip. An adit with four air shafts on its back commences near the small stream southeast of Venton Vaise farm and was driven sout-eastwards until it intersected with a minor lode, but it did not connect with any of the workings.

In 1847, Great Callestock Moor Mine produced 110 tons of 60% lead ore. Between 1866 and 1873, Chiverton Moor Mine mined another 2,639 tons of 75% lead ore, 1981 tons lead & 29,715 oz of silver. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site) and Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 502.

Venton Vease Mine (Ward’s Shaft): (No photos) No Grid Ref

A single shaft, called Ward’s Shaft, which is somewhat detached from the Chiverton Moor Mine and was indicated by Spargo as a separate working. Dines lists Ward’s Shaft as belonging to Chiverton Moor Mine and makes no mention of it as having been a separate working, but he also notes, that this shaft tried two lodes which were not worked anywhere else in the sett. According to the mine plans, dated 1869 and 1873, the limited workings on Ward’s Shaft were also not connected with the other workings of Chiverton Moor Mine. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Spargo, T. (1865): The Mines of Cornwall and Devon: Statistics and Observations. Victoria Press (London), 188 pp.
Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 502.
A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48SW.

Batters Engine House: West Wheal Chiverton Lead Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.315833, -5.103056

West Chiverton Mine – Circa 1880. Showing the Count House and in the background the Stamps Engine House.

Wentworth Consols with West Chiverton Engine House in the Background – 1937

Batters Engine House West Chiverton Mine – Circa 2015

Batters Engine House West Chiverton Mine – 2019

Between 1866-1872 – 1177 tons of lead ore, 885 tons of lead & 31,062 ounces of Silver was mined. Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 503-505.

Reid, C., Scrivenor, J. B., Flett, J. S., Pollard, W., & MacAlister, D. A. (1906). The geology of the country near Newquay. Printed for HM Stationery Off., by Wyman & Sons, Limited.

West Wheal Chiverton Lead Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3157, -5.1014

West Chiverton Mine – Circa 1927. A view of the Stamps Engine House and Boiler House at this one time prolific silver/lead mine.

West Chiverton Stamps Engine House Ventongimps.

West Chiverton Mine – Boiler House – Jul 2014

This is the stamps engine house at West Chiverton, destroyed in a military exercise in the 2nd world war. The boiler house, part of which can be seen on the left of the chimney is still standing, but in need of urgent attention. The 26″ engine was sold to South Condurrow mine at Troon in 1881.

Between 1866-1872 – 1177 tons of lead ore, 885 tons of lead & 31,062 ounces of Silver was mined. Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 503-505.

Reid, C., Scrivenor, J. B., Flett, J. S., Pollard, W., & MacAlister, D. A. (1906). The geology of the country near Newquay. Printed for HM Stationery Off., by Wyman & Sons, Limited.

Wheal Wentworth Consols Mine: Ventongimps (No info) No Grid Ref

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 506 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Ventongimps Mixed Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3157, -5.10281

Wheal Chiverton: (Cornubian Mine Marazanvose) (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.318850, -5.096428

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 505-506 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Mineral Bottom Mine Marazanvose: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.322, -5.10041.

Mineral Bottom Mine was a small trial on a lead lode that is believed to have been the eastward extension of one of the lodes of Wentworth Consols. According to Hamilton Jenkin, the mine was worked around 1868 and was 30 fm deep. The area is now largely obscured by a dense overgrowth. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1994): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, reprint, p. l.
A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48SE.

East Wheal Chiverton Mixed Mine Marazanvose: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3223, -5.09199.

West Cargoll Mixed Mine St Allen: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.361, -5.05795.

West Cargoll Mixed Mine was a lead mine, which was active around 1863. The grid reference marks a large burrow that remains in a field NW of Zelah. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48SE.

Great Chiverton Consols: (East Wheal Elizabeth) St Allen (No info)

Wheal Frances Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3279, -5.11625.

Wheal Frances Mine located between Perranwell and Rees. A mine with no records that has an overgrown shaft dump 700 yds. N.W. by W. of Rees (6-in. Com. 48 S.E.).(Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

Wheal Anna Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3343, -5.11245.

Wheal Anna Mine with a large sett to the east and north-east of Perranwell (6-in Corn.48 N.E., S.W., S.E.) and adjoining the east side of the New Chiverton sett. The plan (A.M. R 221 B, dated 1838) indicates diagrammatically several lodes coursing about E.-W. The only workings shown are the sites of a few old shafts and an adit with portal opposite the corn mill in Perranwell, extending thence 60 fms. N.E. and then 70 fms. E. by N. with three air shafts. According to Collins (1912, p. 404) the mine produced 558 tons of blende in 1857-60, as well as some pyrite and mispickel; a tin lode is said to have been worked here at an earlier date.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

Wheal Amelia: (Goonhavern Between Polgoda Road & Engelly Road)(No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3363, -5.10556.

Wheal Amelia Mine was an adit working south-east of the sett of North Chiverton Mine (6-in. Com. 48 N.E., S.E.), with portal on the east side of the stream, 900 yds. N.W. of Rees, and as shown on the Perran Consolidated plan (A.M. R 100 A, dated 1836) follows the valley northwards to a shaft just east of the road, 580 yds. S. by E. of Goonhavem Halt. Thence a drive on a lode underlying 22° S. extends for 50 fms. E.; this is probably the eastward continuation of the North Lode of North Chiverton Mine. It is not known whether any ore was raised.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

North Wheal Chiverton Mixed Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.335278, -5.109722.

North Wheal Chiverton Mixed Mine was located 1.75 miles E by S of Perranporth. 1-in. geol. 346; 6-in. Com. 48 N.E., S.E.; A.M. R 197 A. Country: killas. The chief or North Lode courses E 20° N and underlies 22° S South Lode, parallel to and 3.5 fms. S of North Lode, has a small amount of development on the east, and No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 lodes, proved in crosscuts respectively at 44 fms., 47 fms, and 52 fms S of the western workings on North Lode, are not developed.

Mew’s Shaft, 40 yds. E of the road, 800 yds S by W of Goonhavern Halt, is vertical to North Lode just below the 50 fm. level and on the underlie to the 80 fm; Engine or Old Sump Shaft, 107 yds. E.N.E. of Mew’s, is vertical to the 80 fm. Level passing through North Lode at about 40 fms. depth;

Tom’s Shaft, 67 yds E.N.E. of Old Sump, is vertical to the 30 fm. Level and New Engine Shaft, 53 yds. S. of Mew’s, is vertical to the 116 fm. Level passing through the lode below the 100 fm. The plan (dated 1864) shows no adit and the only development above the 50 fm. Level consists of a short 25 fm. Level west from Old Sump Shaft, the 30 fm. Level that connects Old Sump and Tom’s shafts and the 40 fm. Level that extends 18 fms W from Mew’s Shaft. The 50 fm Level, the longest drive, extends for 12 fms E of Old Sump and 55 fms W of Mew’s, a distance of 120 fms. the 60-fm. Level is only 15 fms. E. and W. of Old Sump Shaft; the 70 fm. and 80 fm. levels each connect Mew’s and Old Sump shafts and extend 12 fms. E of the latter and 25 fms. W of’the former, a total of 100 fms.; the 90 fm. Level is driven for 10 fms. W and 60 fms. E of Mew’s Shaft, and the 100 fm. Level for 14 fms. E. there is no drive at the 116 fm. Level at the bottom of New Engine Shaft. The amount of stoping on North Lode is barely 5 per cent of the ground blocked out; the largest stope is 25 fms. long between the 50 fm. and 60 fm. levels, and there are a few small stopes scattered about the other levels, but none below the 80-fm.

Development on South Lode is mainly from crosscuts south from Old Sump Shaft, from which it has been blocked out for about 12 fms. E and 50 fms. W on the 50 fm., 60 fm. and 70 fm. levels; there is also a 10 fm. drive east from a crosscut south from near the eastern end of the 80 fm. Level on North Lode; the amount of stoping is not known.

No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 lodes are proved in a crosscut 22 fms. S from New Engine Shaft at the 40 fm. Level and in another 27 fms. S at the 50 fm. Level, but the drives on the lodes are all short.

In addition to the above workings, Hick’s Shaft, 263 yds. N.E. by N. of Tom’s shaft, is vertical to 35 fms., and from its bottom a crosscut 10 fms. N cuts a lode on which there are drives 5 fms. E and 2 fms. W.

The only known outputs are for 1864-8 when 100 tons of 75 per cent lead ore, 3,640 oz. of silver, 630 tons of zinc ore and 15 tons of pyrite were produced.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

Perran Consolidated Mines inc Wheal Albert: Temple, Goonhavern (No photos or info) No Grid Ref.

Perran Consolidated 2.5 miles E. of Perranporth. 1-in. geol. 346; 6-in. Com. 48 N.E.; A.M. R 100 A. Includes Wheal Albert (A.M. R 287 A) or Prince Albert Consols. Country: killas.

The two chief lodes, Anthony’s (on the north) and Mudge’s, are about 17 fms. apart on the west where they course E. 5° N., and about 34 fms. apart on the east where they strike E. 20° S.; both underlie 20° to 30° S. They have been developed for a distance of about 1.270 yds. beneath the alluvial tract east of Goonhavem. The plans of Perran Consolidated (dated 1836) show workings only in the western part of the sett and those of Wheal Albert (dated 1867) only in the east; in a distance of 400 yds. between the two sections there are three old shaft dumps, but no plans of the workings there are known.

Plans of the western section are incomplete and show development only at Adit Level. The shafts on Anthony’s Lode are Adit Shaft, 235 yds. S.E. of the Goonhavem Bible Christian Chapel; Diagonal Shaft, 80 yds. E. by N. of Adit Shaft; Footway Shaft, 56 yds. E. of Diagonal, and three unnamed shafts respectively at 83 yds., 196 yds. and 293 yds. E. of Footway Shaft. Adit Level is shown on the plan in three separate sections, but plan No. 478 at the Duchy of Cornwall Offices, Liskeard, shows it as continuous, following the lode from 25 fms. W. of Adit Shaft to 15 fms. E. of the eastern shaft, a distance of about 260 fms. On Mudge’s Lode are Champion’s Shaft, 140 yds. E. of Adit Shaft of Anthony’s Lode; Mudge’s Shaft, 100 yds. E. of Champion’s, and four unnamed shafts, respectively at 57 yds. E.N.E., 85 yds. E. by N., 158 yds. E. by N., and 207 yds. E. of Mudge’s. New Engine Shaft, 120 yds. E. of Mudge’s, is south of the lode, with a crosscut to it. Adit Level on Mudge’s Lode extends for 28 fms. W. of Champion’s Shaft, and for 107 fms. E. of Mudge’s, the ground between the two shafts not having been opened up. The plan at the Duchy of Cornwall Office shows workings on Mudge’s (Madge’s) Lode on the 13-fm., 20-fm. and 30-fm. levels, for 40 fms. E. and 29 fms. W. of a shaft called Engine Shaft; these cannot be located with certainty.

From the shaft 57 yds. E.N.E. of Mudge’s, a crosscut 207 fms. S. 35° E., with four air shafts, cuts a south-dipping lode at 130 fms. and meets a second at the end; on both there are short drives each way. Drainage adit commences on Anthony’s Lode at Footway Shaft and extends 370 fms. to its portal by the stream, 500 yds. N. by W. of the Bible Christian Chapel; it has seven air shafts and intersects Goonhavem Lode at 133 fms. from Anthony’s. Goonhavem Lode, which underlies steeply south, has been followed for 25 fms. on each side of the drainage adit.

The plans of the eastern section show Engine Shaft, 700 yds. E. of Mudge’s and 500 yds. W. by S. of Lanteague, sunk vertically between the two lodes to the 55-fm. Level (below surface;; Footway Shaft, 90 yds. E. by N. of Engine. Shaft, on the underlie to the 15-fm. Level; Whim Shaft, 50 yds. E. of Footway, on the underlie to the 35-fm.; Eastern Shaft, 100 yds. E. of Whim, on the underlie to the 25-fm. Level, and New Shaft, 100 yds. S.E. of Whim, sunk south of the lode, vertically to 25 fms. with a crosscut from it to the 25-fm. Level on Anthony’s Lode. Crosscuts north from Engine Shaft meet Anthony’s Lode, which is developed for about 130 fms. E. of Engine Shaft on the 15-fm., 25-fm. and 35-fm. levels; the 45-fm. and 55-fm. levels are short. The only drives west are the’15-fm. and 25-fm., which are each 15 fms. long. Sloping extends for 120 fms. E. of Engine Shaft between surface and the 15-fm. Level, and there is some between the 15-fm. and 25-fm. at the eastern end; about 60 per cent of the blocked-out ground has been removed. Mudge’s Lode is only opened up from crosscuts south from Engine Shaft, at the 15-fm. and 35-fm. levels, but the drives on it are short. A crosscut at unstated depth, from Engine Shaft, for 170 fms. S. by W., is connected with Shepherd’s Shaft, but there are no drives from it.

The mine is referred to on Symons’ Map of the Chiverton Mining District, 1869, as Tywarnhayle Mines. Dumps are all of pale grey to black, fissile shale with small fragments of vein quartz. The only record of output is 40 tons of 75 per cent lead ore and 70 oz. of silver in 1852-4. Attempts to reopen the mine about 1861 were apparently fruitless.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

Wheal Albert Tin Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3419,-5.09749.

In 1826 Wheal Albert Tin Mine was only 20 fathoms deep and further sinking was precluded by the limited power of the engine. Under the name of Wheal Albert further trials were made in the 1850’s when a 24″ engine was erected. There was a reworking in the 1860’s on a considerably larger scale. The engine shaft was down to 55 fathoms and had been driven east for 25 fathoms. The lode here was unproductive. The engine shaft was later sunk to 100 fathoms. Good quality blende (zinc) was mined, together with mundic and some lead. (Excerpt from Hamilton Jenkin)

Wheal Albert was worked about 1840 on the western extension of the Old Shepherd’s lodes and the north and south lodes of Wheal Peru. Said to have raised “ large quantities of lead and blende (zinc)” 23 and 35 fathom levels driven a few fathoms only by this company. New company proposing to work in 1861 (see “Progress of Mining,” M.J., 1861). In 1864 was 48 fathoms deep. No adit. 45-inch pumping engine. Seventy people employed in 1870. 40 tons of lead ore, 30 tons of lead & 70 ounces of Silver mined here between 1852 & 1854. Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

Wheal Albert Mine Goonhavern Moors – 1935

Wheal Albert Mine – Goonhavern Moors – April 2013

Wheal Albert Mine and Route of Railway from Goonhavern across Moor to Shepherds – Circa 2020

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England, Volume 1. H.M. Stationery Office. pg. 497.

New Wheal Chiverton Mine, Calley Lane, Perranwell: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3338, -5.1321.

New Wheal Chiverton Mine was worked between 1864 until 1878. It produced 300 tons of lead ore: 1300 ozs silver: 64 tons zinc: 15 tons pyrite & 25 tons arsenic. There were 4 shafts in the valley and the landowner is Lord Falmouth. The employees numbered 30 men. 1 woman. 4 boys. increasing to 50 employees by 1870, so not a very profitable concern.

Cap’n Grubb lived at New Chiverton farm, so next door really. The powder house was near the stream. It has been told that long ago a man from Perranwell reminisced about dismantling the boiler, it was towed away by the strength of 22 horses.

The engine house is of local stone and a tiny building nearby was a ‘dry’. The count house remains and is in good condition. A sad note, The mine carpenter, William Jewell was killed while at work there in 1878. William Tamblyn, pumpman was also killed. A reminder of what a dangerous way to try and make a living. Courtesy of Mrs Eileen Carter.

Perranwell Viaduct with New Chiverton Engine House in the Background – 1922 – Official G.W.R. Photograph Courtesy of Derek Brooks.

Perranwell Viaduct with New Chiverton Engine House – Circa 1970

New Chiverton Engine House in Callie Lane – Circa 1974

Perranwell Viaduct on the Chacewater – Newquay branch line between Perranporth and Goonhavern – 2nd March 1974.

New Chiverton Engine House in Callie Lane – April 2015

Leat from New Chiverton Mine in Callie Lane – April 2015

Wheal Hope: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.350769, -5.113973.

Hendra Croft: (No photos or info) Within 1 km of Wheal Hope. No Grid Ref.

East Wheal Budnick: Hendra Croft (No photos or info) No Grid Ref.

Wheal Rose Mine (Budnick Consols): (No photos or info) No Grid Ref.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 448-449.

Wheal Budnick Mine: (No photos or info) No Grid Ref.

References:

Reid, C., Scrivenor, J.B., Flett, J.S., Pollard, W., and MacAlister, D.A. (1906): The Geology of the Country near Newquay. HMSO Publications (London), 131 pp.
Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 448-449.

Budnick Consols: (originally Wheal Budnick & Wheal Rose) (No photos)

Budnick Consols Mine was formed by amalgamation of two small mines, Wheal Budnick and Wheal Rose, in the area between Rose village and Reen sands. They were started in the early 19th century and initially worked for lead and silver, but later also became copper and tin producers. They were abandoned around 1870, but prospected again in 1926-27 and 1934-35.

The mines jointly worked an ENE-trending main lode (Lead Lode), roughly parallel to an elvan dyke, but interwoven with it in some places, which carried galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite near the surface, where some cassiterite was present in the wall rocks. At a depth of 44 fm, rich masses of cassiterite-bearing ores accompanied the lode on either side for several fathoms in height, length and width, and at a depth of 74 fm, cassiterite, galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite ores were mixed. The lead-zinc mineralization thus represents a later infilling of an original tin lode.

During the main period of activity in the 19th century, Lead Lode was exploited on an overall length of 1,200 yards and to a maximum depth of 78 fm. When the workings were prospected for tin in the early 20th century, attempts were made to locate the western extension of the lode, but they remained unsuccessful. In 1934-35, tin showings discovered in an old roadstone quarry in the elvan, just west of the mine workings, were exploited. An old shaft near the quarry edge was opened and irregular strings of quartz with cassiterite were found in the shallow workings. However, the values were erratic and no persistent workable ore bodies were encountered. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

412 tons of Lead Ore (1855-1861 & 1897), 299 tons of lead, 10,515 ounces of Silver & 3552 tons of Zinc ore (contains 40% zinc) mined here . Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 448-449.

Wheal Budnick (2nd Dump) SW770546

Two Chimneys of Budnick Consols bottom of Budnick Hill – Circa 1930

Budnic Stack that would be in the vicinity of Football Club today – Circa 1930’s

Chimney of Budnick Consols bottom of Budnick Hill – April 1984

Budnick Consols opp Haven Leisure – June 1984

Budnick Consols opp Haven Leisure – Jan 1985

Chimney Stack at Budnick Consols – Circa 1985

Wheal Reen Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.353757, -5.136668.

Wheal Reen Mine was a small copper mine, working two ENE-trending lodes in the dunes of Reen Sands that were opened up from a series of shafts along their strike. The line of shafts on the more northerly of the two lodes is still easily located in the area between Tollgate and the Perranporth Holiday Park. The workings on the southern lode, about 150 yards apart, are now largely obscured.

There is some contradiction between Dines and Hamilton Jenkin as to the location of this mine. The latter author does not mark Wheal Reen on any of his maps and attributes the workings marked by the grid reference to Wheal Creeg (see separate entry), probably based on Symons’s map of the Chiverton Mining District, dated 1869. Dines, however, points out that this conflicts with the mine plans of Perran Consols, according to which Wheal Creeg was located 400 yards farther north. From 1832 to 1836, the mine produced 100 tons of 5% copper ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 448.

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Reen Sands Mine: (No photos or info) No Grid Ref.

Wheal Vlow Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.358889, -5.139722

Wheal Vlow Mine formed the central part of the sett of Perran Consols.

The mine produced 120 tons of black tin from 1864 to 1866. The grid reference marks the approximate center point of the workings, now in the middle of a holiday park and largely built over. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

The 1880 OS map shows that Wheal Vlow had 4 shafts, Cowlings, Hallets, Flat Rod & James Shafts along with 2 engine houses. Prior to that in the 1860’s and 70’s there was a 5th shaft – Perry’s. (Courtesy of Mr Colin Retallick)

Wheal Vlow Mine – 1927. Situated in the sandhills east of Perranporth, the mine was also known at one period in its history as Perran Consols. In the 1920s Wheal Vlow was. one of a number of mines which the Anglo Oriental Corporation re-opened in Cornwall.

Wheal Vlow Mine – 1927. Taken a little later than the previous photograph and showing a number of the buildings completed.

Wheal Vlow Mine – 1927. During the un-watering of the mine at this time, the pitwork of the 60in Cornish pumping engine which operated at this shaft in the previous working was hauled out.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. This shows a further selection of items removed from Hallett’s shaft during the shaft recovery.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. The clearing of Hallett’s shaft produces even more relics from the previous working of the mine.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. The steel headgear on Hallett’s shaft is being erected together with the ore bin. The building on the right is the electricity generating station.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. Hallett’s shaft. Left to right: miners dry, electricity generating station, headgear and ore bin being erected.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. Hallett’s shaft. Left to right: generating station, electric winder house, headgear and ore bin.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. The surface plant of the mine is nearing completion. Left to right: winder house, headgear and power station.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. The mine is now fully equipped and this photograph shows, left to right: barracks for the miners, electricity power station, headgear on Hallett’s shaft, miners dry, workshops etc.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1929. An internal view of the electricity generating station showing three diesel powered generating sets with space for a fourth which was never installed.

Wheal Vlow Mine – Circa 1928. A group of miners taken near the portal of the mine adit.

This is the main adit for Wheal Vlow – 2009

Believed to be the remaining wall of a reservoir connected with Wheal Vlow Mine – Jun 2020

Another view of the remaining wall of a reservoir connected with Wheal Vlow Mine – Jun 2020

References:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 447-448.

Wheal Creeg Mine: No Grid Ref:

Wheal Creeg Mine was located just south of Wheal Vlow. It worked two ENE-trending lodes, Wheal Creeg North and South Lodes, about 65 fm apart and trending parallel to the Wheal Vlow Lode. The mine plans show that the northern lode was opened up by crosscuts about 80 fm south from the Wheal Vlow workings. Whether the southern lode was developed or not is not known.

There is some contradiction between Dines and Hamilton Jenkin as to the location of this mine. The latter author places Wheal Creeg about 400 yards farther south, in agreement with Symons’s map of the Chiverton Mining District, dated 1869. These workings however, attributed by Dines to Wheal Reen (see separate entry), show shafts on two lodes that are more than 150 yards apart, which obviously conflicts with the mine plans cited above. It is also unlikely that crosscuts would have been driven from the Wheal Vlow workings for such a distance when there had been shafts on the Wheal Creeg lodes.

Because the extent of workings in the Wheal Creeg section is not known and the area is now largely built over by a holiday park, the mine cannot be precisely located. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Running across Gear Sands parallel with the Tollgate – Mount Road are Wheal Creeg North Lode, Wheal Creeg South Lode and Rowlands Lode.

Wheal Creeg comes from the Kernewek ‘Crug’ meaning barrow. A barrow was recorded on Gear Sands in 1826, but its location is no longer known. (Courtesy of Mr Colin Retallick)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 447-448.
A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Perran Consols: (No photos) No Grid Ref:

Perran Consols was a tin mine in the dunes of Gear Sands, formed around 1870 by amalgamation of several small workings. The main lode was Wheal Vlow Lode, which trends ENE and crops out beneath the dunes. It was worked by Wheal Widden in the west and Wheal Vlow in the central part of the sett. Although the area is now largely built over by a holiday park, some traces of the old mine workings are still visible.

From 1869 to 1874, Perran Consols produced 220 tons of black tin. Another 3 tons were raised in 1894 and 1895. In 1927, the mine was reopened, but this did not result in any further production. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

In an archaeological report by Cornwall Council that Wheal Vlow and Wheal Creeg were both linked to Rose Mine, Budnick and Wheal Hope in 1835 to form an enterprise under ‘Perran Consolidated’ which employed over 100 people. It went out of business 5 years later. In the 1870’s the enterprise was known as Perran Consols and was made up of Wheal Vlow, Wheal Creeg and Wheal Widden. (Courtesy of Mr Colin Retallick)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 447-448.

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Wheal Widden Mine: (No photos) No Grid Ref.

Wheal Widden Mine was a small mine in the western part of the sett. It worked the Wheal Vlow Lode from three shafts at a distance of about 300 yards from the coast. The extent of the workings is not known. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 447-448.

Wheal Mary: No Grid Ref:

Wheal Mary was a small mine in the dunes of Penhale Sands, about half a mile south of the Gravel Hill Mine. The portal of the adit is located at the foot of the cliffs immediately west of the workings. According to Dines, it worked an ENE-trending lode for tin and copper. Hamilton Jenkin, however, states that it worked a NS-trending lode for copper and lead. There are no records of output. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Taking a walk across Perran beach, one traverses the ancient tin mines of Droskyn to the Tudor lead mines of Ligger. The first such examples of the latter to be met with when travelling north is Wheal Mary.

This mine is recorded prominently in the district throughout the mid 19th century on mapping, however no detailed underground plans exist for the mine itself. Two lodes (themselves the continuation of the Penhale/Golden Lodes) were worked for lead, and a crosscourse – which is visible as a rocky outcrop rising above the sand dunes 1/2 way along the beach – from which an adit was driven from adjacent high tide level. The remains solely exist in the form of a few obliterated shafts in the middle of the towans and the odd spoil heap.

(Courtesy of Ben Sum, Helston (12/5/18)

Wheal Mary showing it’s position in relation to Ligger Point – Jun 2020

Wheal Mary Shaft spoil from below (top centre left) Jun-2020

Wheal Mary – WW2 MOD Pill Box gun emplacement

Wheal Mary – MOD gun emplacement remains – Jun 2020

References:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.
Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 447.

Halwyn Pit: (Halwyn Mine) (No photos)

Halwyn Pit was a small opencast working on the Perran Iron Lode. Two open shafts WNW of the pit (SW772567) also belong to the sett. There are no mine plans, nor records of output. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 442.

Perran Sands on MOD Land may be something associated with Halwyn Mine – Jun 2013

Mount Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.365848, -5.121993

Mount Mine was an iron mine on the Perran Iron Lode, originally worked opencast from two pits, a small western one and a large eastern one, about 70 yards apart. The eastern pit was 200 ft long, up to 80 ft wide and 100 ft deep. The oxidation of the siderite stopped at about 50 ft below surface and the workings at the bottom of the pit, which were in two large chambers, exposed massive grey siderite ore with scattered specks of sulphides.

An adit, wide enough to take normal-gauge railway wagons, was driven from 300 yards NNE of the eastern pit to open up the lode at greater depth. It passed 40 ft below the pit, to which it was connected by an ore-pass winze. A mine plan shows that drives were carried out from the tunnel below the pit 100 ft east and 150 ft west at two levels. Several crosscuts from each of the drives cross the position of the lode, but there is no stoping shown, indicating, that the rich orebodies which were certainly expected were not found.

There also are two old shafts NE and NNE of the pit, which are believed to be on the southern extension of Trebisken Lode. According to the plans, the shafts were connected to the adit, but it is not known whether the lode was exploited here. However, some lead and silver ores were sold when the mine was operated as Mount and Trebisken Mine.

Mount Mine was reopened in 1916 without success and during the Second World war (1939-1945), was investigated as a source of iron ore. An inclined shaft was sunk just east of the eastern pit and followed the footwall of the lode. Drives were carried out on both sides to prove the lode, but the values were rather patchy and wartime production remained small. The grid reference marks the site of Engine Shaft. The chimney of the engine house still stands in the field south of the eastern pit, which is now backfilled and overgrown.

From 1858 to 1877, the mine produced 45,826 tons of brown iron ore, 5.5 tons of lead ore, 10 tons of silver ore and some native silver under the name Trebisken and Mount. As Mount Mine, it produced 4,262 tons of iron ore in 1871, 1873, 1880, 1905 and 1907, and 11 tons of lead ore in 1854. As Perran Iron Mine, it returned 164 tons of brown iron ore in 1866 and, for the New Perran Iron Company, another 2,728 tons of iron ore and 49 tons of manganese ore were recorded in 1878. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 442-443 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

At this mine two or three openings have been made, from which many thousands of tons of iron ore have been raised, nearly the whole of which has been brown hematite, as the workings have not been deep enough yet to reach the white spathose. “see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below”

There is nothing to notice here except that the openings have proved the continuation of the deposit or lode. Analyses of ore from this mine, by Dr. Percy, give the following results:- Metallic iron- 52.91 % & Metallic manganese- 2.36 %

(Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877

South Mount Mine: (Crows-an-Carne Mine) (No photos) No Grid Ref:

South Mount Mine was a small open cut in a pipe-like body of iron-bearing carbonates (“spathic ore”). Analysis of a sample collected in 1941 shows a rather low iron content, but much calcium and magnesium; the material thus has to be considered as an iron-bearing dolomite. The pit was located just east of the road leading to Perranporth, but is now completely backfilled. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 443.

Treamble Works & Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.361389, -5.113056

Treamble Mine was an iron mine on the Perran Iron Lode, started in the middle of the 19th century and worked intermittently until the second world war. The lode, which passed about 30 yards south of Treamble farm, was originally worked from two open cuts, located SW and SE of the farm, respectively. When the western pit was excavated, a NS-trending lead lode was exposed which is believed to represent the southern extension of Trebellan lode that also was worked a little further north by North Retallack Mine. The lode is said to have intersected with the Perran Iron Lode, close to which it carried native silver and silver ores.

The pits opened up the lode on an overall length of 235 yards. The extent of workings in the western pit is not exactly known, because it was backfilled early. The eastern pit, also known as Garden quarry, was 60 ft deep and up to 120 ft wide. Later on, shallow shafts were sunk along the strike of the lode, but not much further underground development was carried out. Dines notes that the very limited amount of stoping shown on the mine plans, and the exposures in the eastern pit do not justify the reports by contemporary authors about the amount and quality of the ores raised.

The early period of activity ended around 1892 and the mine lay idle until 1937, when it was taken over by Lloyd’s Perran Iron Company. A new pit, 250 yards long and 150 yards wide, was excavated to a depth of about 20 ft in the eastern part of the sett. However, no continuous ore bodies were encountered and the lode, which was expected to be about 40 ft wide, was not thicker than 14 ft. In 1940, after about 4,000 tons of ore had been raised, the workings were abandoned and the mine was taken over by the Home Ores Department, who did some further development and continued working it until 1943.

The area has now been converted into a caravan park. The pits are backfilled and there are no traces of the mine workings left. The grid reference marks the site where the eastern pit was located.

From 1859 to 1892, the mine produced 15,300 tons of brown iron ore, 958 tons of mixed brown iron and spathic ore, 32 tons of 75% lead ore, 7 tons of 40% zinc ore and 130 oz of silver. From 1937 to 1940, 4,000 tons of iron ore were raised, and another 15,000 tons of ore are recorded for the last period of activity between 1940 and 1943. In addition, up to 500 tons per year of fullers earth were produced from decomposed killas. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 439, 443-444.

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

The lode has been worked away to a considerable extent here by means of an open quarry (H), Plate No. XVI. “see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below” , or cutting about ten fathoms deep. The brown hematite cropping out to the surface, and the white spathose plainly visible in the bottom.

“I” is a shaft worked by a water-wheel in the valley below at the bottom of which a lead lode was cut, from which a quantity of lead ore, highly productive in silver, was raised.

“J” is “Parkin’s” shaft, at which a sixty-inch pumping engine is erected. The shaft is 20 fathoms deep.

“K” is “Berriman’s” shaft and workings, where most of the ore sold from this mine was raised, and where the lode is larger than at any other point which has been opened tip. A kiln has been erected here for roasting the ore, but it is constructed in such a manner that it is very doubtful of its being equal to the work for which it is intended. (Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Treamble Mine, 1920s. Two miles NE of Perranporth. Although situated in an area where principally mined iron ore, a further product at Treamble was the soft talcky substance calk Fullers Earth. Some 500 tons a year was sold for such diverse uses as refining of vegetable for a filler for paint, rubber and bituminous products.

Map showing the Chacewater – Newquay Branch Line.

Map showing a section of the Treamble Mineral Railway from Shepherds Station to Rejerrah showing the locations of Mine Workings in the area – Circa 1888

Ordnance Survey Map section of the Treamble Mineral Line from Treamble Terminus through Rejerrah towards Shepherds – Circa 1900

Ordnance Survey Map section of the Treamble Mineral Line from Deer Park Mine to Shepherds – Circa 1900

Duchy Park Mines Sketch of Working Plan – 1877

Tank Engines being transported from Camborne to Treamble Mine 1938

Tank Engines arriving at Treamble Mine – 1938

North Retallack Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref : 50.363333, -5.111944

North Retallack Mine worked several NS-trending lodes in the area immediately north of the Treamble mine. One of the lodes was the southern extension of Trebellan lode, and it is also believed, that it was this lode that was exposed in the western pit of the Treamble Mine.

The mine formed part of the Great Retallack sett. It produced 5 tons of lead ore in 1869. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 444-445.

Great Retallack Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.359722, -5.106111

Great Retallack Mine worked the Perran Iron Lode for about 300 yards east of the Treamble Mine. The grid reference marks the site of Engine Shaft. Hamilton Jenkin notes that the engine house still standing there in 1953 was wantonly destroyed in 1956. Today, no trace of the workings is left.

Between 1858 and 1880, the mine produced 10,826 tons of iron ore, 11,639 tons of zinc ore, 198 tons of 75% lead ore and 600 oz of silver. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 48NW.

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 444-445 (see also the corrigenda in the 1994 reprint)

The writer has not had the opportunity of personally inspecting this mine, but the owner of the royalty, Francis Retallack, Esq., has been kind enough to supply the following information, which goes to show that it is a very valuable mine. It has been worked for many years for iron, silver lead, and blende, more especially for the latter mineral. Upwards of £2,000 has been paid in royalty dues, which for so small a plot of ground is a considerable sum. The quantity of lead ore sold was very small, but it contained so much silver that it made a very high price, one parcel, it is understood, bringing the unusually high figure of nearly £300 per ton. The pumping engine at the adjoining mine (Duchy Peru) drains the whole of this sett, which at present is being worked for blende only. (Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Duchy Peru Mine: (No photos) No Grid Ref.

Duchy Peru Mine was the largest and deepest mine on the whole Perran Iron Lode. It lies about 400 yards southwest of Rejerrah. Like many other mines on the lode it was formerly worked as an open work. It worked the lode from a number of shafts: Roebuck’s, Vallance’s, Carter’s New, Carter’s Old, Tennant’s and Old Engine (Old Sump) Shaft.

Between 1858 and 1860, Duchy Peru produced: 21,400 tons of Haematite, 11,000 tons of mixed haematite/spathic ore, 760 tons of pyrite, 180 tons of ochre and umber, 20,000 tons of zinc ore (ranging from 20% to 47% metal, and 3 tons of 34% lead ore. In 1860 it raised 185 tons of 3.5% copper ore and 185 tons of silver-copper. Courtesy of Mr Kenneth Rainbow.

The most extensive mine developed on the Perran Iron Lode. The lode was first worked by open casts; then by shafts sunk to a depth of 145 mts at Roebucks shaft. In would appear from Dines (1956) that the ore shoots were confined between NNW transverse planes (?faults). The iron lode is intersected by a N-S lead lode, which has some development on it. The mine is known to have been active at times between 1828-86. The decomposition of pyrite in the mine is said to have been a problem. Due to the high temperatures and bad air it created.

Recorded output between 1858-86: 3 tons of lead ore, 1 ton lead, 22,7151 tons of zinc ore, 34,000 tons of iron ore, 185 tons of Silver (1860) 1,041 tons of pyrite, 180 tons of ochre & 185 tons of copper ore, 26,295 tons of Haematite and over 11, 000 of Spathic ore mixed with hydrated Haematite.

In 1884 the ore being raised contained 42% iron. The Zinc ore contained from 20% – 47% of Zinc and in the best years averaged 45%. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site) and Reported in Geology of Newquay Pg 116.

The most extensive mine developed on the Perran Iron Lode. The lode was first worked by opencasts; then by shafts sunk to a depth of 145 mts at Roebucks shaft. In would appear from Dines (1956) that the ore shoots were confined between NNW transverse planes (faults). The iron lode is intersected by a N-S lead lode, which has some development on it. The mine is known to have been active at times between 1828-86. The decomposition of pyrite in the mine is said to have been a problem. Due to the high temperatures and bad air it created.

Recorded output:
34000 tons of iron ore
760 tons of pyrite
180 tons of ochre
20000 tons of zinc ore
185 tons of copper ore
3 tons of lead ore

References:

Smyth, W. (1882): The Duchy Peru Lode, Perranzabuloe. Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall 10, 120-130.
Reid, C., Scrivenor, J.B., Flett, J.S., Pollard, W., and MacAlister, D.A. (1906): The Geology of the Country near Newquay. HMSO Publications (London), 131 pp.
Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 445-446.

Not only have many thousands of tons of iron ore been raised from this mine, but also quantities of copper, sulphur, mundic, and blende.

“L” is “Carter’s” shaft (Plate No. XVI.) “see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below” sunk down to the forty-fathom level, the brown hematite (of “cellular” character) from this point was unexceptionally good and free from all impurities; stones of white spathose were frequently met with towards the bottom of this shaft, enveloped in a shell of cellular brown ore of about an inch in thickness.

“M” is “Roebuck’s” shaft, which is the most important one of all which have been sunk on the lode, proving, as it does, the existence of while spathose ore to a depth of nearly seventy fathoms, and thirty fathoms at least below the datum line of high-water mark. A sixty-inch cylinder pumping engine is erected here, which draws about 500 gallons of water per minute. This engine is draining the water from the next mine (Deer Park), a distance of about one and a half miles.

“N” is “Vallance’s shaft sunk for winding purposes, and is fifty fathoms deep. An inclined tramway connects this mine with the Treamable Mines and the Cornwall Minerals Railway. (Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Deer Park Mine: (No Photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.357917, -5.082095

Deer Park Mine was an unsuccessful venture, working the furthest eastern extensions of the Great Perran Iron Lode for iron from 1875 to 1879, but is known to have been at work long before this date. In about 1814 whiel an adit level being driven towards the iron lode it intersected a lead lode (Dines says there were 3 or 4 north-south lead lodes). A few dumps and pits are left in the fields near the abandoned Shepherds branch railway line. The iron lode has been traced for a further 1.5 kms east, but there are no recorded workings.

Recorded output: 267 tons of iron ore; 3 tons of lead ore & 10 tons of zinc ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 446-447.
Atkinson, B. (1994): Mining Sites in Cornwall, Vol. 2, Dyllansow Truran (Truro), 51 pp.

This is the most easterly point at which the Perran iron lode has been opened, and is in close proximity to the celebrated East Wheal Rose and Shepherd’s Lead Mines, the former having divided about £287,000 in twelve years, and the latter about £80,000 in sixteen years. See Plates XVI. and XVII. “see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below”

In the Deer Park sett there are three lead lodes, and the iron lode discovered, and the writer will now give detailed particulars of the workings, which he thinks go to confirm the theory that this large deposit of iron, is merely the “back,” or gossan, of lead and copper lodes respectively.

No.1 lead lode (Plate No. XVII.) “see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below” is an east and west one, which was discovered by means of an adit taken up from the “Whipsey” Pit, about fifty fathoms west of the “Old Engine” shaft, and worked upon about fifty years ago. This adit was driven on the course of the lode, producing iron pyrites and lead ore. The result induced the company to put up steam power at the “Old Engine” shaft, which was sunk twenty- five fathoms below the adit, and levels were driven east and west on the lode eleven fathoms below it, which yielded about one ton of lead ore per fathom. From the bottom of the “Old Engine” shaft a quantity of white spathose iron was raised, but at this time, in the year 1882, there being no demand for Cornish iron ore, and the price for lead being only about £8 per ton, the mine was stopped. The iron ore has, however, been picked out of the burrows lately and sold. This lode (lead) is about 2 feet 6 inches wide, mid is composed of floogen, decomposed elvan, spar, and small lead ore; it has been also cut about 100 fathoms east of the ^u Old Engine” shaft, and galena taken from it at this point, within ten fathoms from the surface, yielded about 70 per cent, of lead and upwards of 15 ounces of silver per ton.

At the “Whipsey” pit the lead lode comes in contact with the iron lode, and the latter is so impregnated with lead ore that it is found profitable to stamp it by hard labour for the lead alone. If it were probable that this lead-bearing iron ore was to be found in any bulk in depth, proper stamps would he erected to crush it; but the writer is of opinion that the iron lode will die out in depth, and give place to the lead ore.

No.2 lead lode, also an east and west one, was cut near “Barton’s shaft in the year 1875, and since that time several parcels of lead ore has been raised, yielding about 22 ounces of silver per ton, and it sold for about £18 per ton. These parcels were got within four fathoms of the surface.

“Barton’s” shaft has now been sunk down to the eleven-fathom level “old workings” where the operations go to show that although large quantities of lead ore have been stored away, yet nothing has been done on the iron lode which is impregnated with lead here again. By sinking this shaft ten fathoms deeper the lead lode will be intersected in the shaft.

No.3 lode is about 18 inches wide, producing stones of lead ore, which were analysed by Captain Champion, and found to contain 30 ounces of silver per ton and 80 per cent, of lead.

From the iron lode about 10,000 tons of iron ore have been raised by the late company who worked the mine, all of which has been quarried from openings of about three to four fathoms deep, but hundreds of tons have been of this quantity have been full of lead ore; in some cases stones of iron ore have contained so much as 40 per cent, of lead, and the percentage of lead in one cargo of iron sent away was 20 per cent. But taking the iron lode at the depths to which it has been proved to be productive at the various mines, it must yield a very large quantity of ore; and if in depth it should give place to either lead or copper, the latter deposits will no doubt be unusually rich ones from the fact of having such a rich “gossan” overlying them. (Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Old Shepherds Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.346389, -5.069444

Old Shepherds Mine was 1.5 miles S.S.W. of Newlyn East. 1-in. geol. 347 ; 6-in. Com. 48 N.E.; A.M. R 77 A. Country: killas.

The only plan of this lead mine is really a longitudinal section and the shafts cannot be located with certainty. From their alignment on the Ordnance map the lode probably courses about N.E., but neither the underlie nor whether the shafts are vertical or inclined can be determined. Engine Shaft may be that surrounded by a small dump nearest the centre of a field 650 yds. N.W. of Shepherds village.

Engine Shaft is down to 120 fms. below adit (10 fms.); Flarvey’s Engine Shaft and Teague’s Shaft, close together about 80 yds. S.W. of Engine Shaft, are each sunk to the 100-fm. Level and Footway and Boundy’s shafts, respectively 105 yds. and 200 yds. S.W. of Engine Shaft both reach the 34-fm. Level; East Shaft, 150 yds. N.E. of Engine Shaft, is to the 92-fm. Level. The ground is blocked out by levels at approximately 10-fm. intervals for about 100 fms. N.E. and 100 fms. S.W. of Engine Shaft, down to the 92-fm. Level; the 100-fm. Level is a little shorter and the 110-fm. extends just over 30 fms. each way; there is no drive at 120 fms. below adit. Adit Level is shown on the plan as continuing 60 fms. N.E. and 100 fms. S.W. beyond the limits of the lower levels. There are several adit shafts and adit portal is probably near the stream a quarter of a mile S. of Deerpark Mine.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 498

Peru Mine: (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.367198, -5.105203

Peru Mine a small lead mine, located on the south side of the valley SE of Trelaske farm. It worked a NS-trending lode and two EW-trending lodes, about 100 yards apart, that cross the former. Several shafts and some overgrown dumps are remaining in the woodland near the river. Not to be confused with the Duchy Peru Mine. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956) The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 440.

Wheal Mexico Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.368611, -5.112222

Wheal Mexico Mine a small lead mine, working a NS-trending lode (Trebellan lode) in the valley south of Trebellan farm. It was already worked before 1584, presumably for silver. Around 1785, rich silver ores were discovered and the mine was restarted under the name Wheal Mexico. Although the deposit was not extensive, it yielded £2,000 pounds worth of ore (Carne, 1818). The later workings were on both sides of the river, straddling the border between the parishes of Cubert and Perranzabuloe.

According to Hamilton Jenkin, the Tithe map of Perranzabuloe, dated 1843, shows Wheal Mexico immediately north of Treworthen farm, on the south side of the river (in Perranzabuloe parish). These workings are probably identical with the Treworthy Mine described by the German Ulrich Frosse in 1584. An earlier working by the German Burkhard Kranich is recorded at the time of Queen Mary, between 1553 and 1558. Philip Rashleigh visited the mine and obtained a specimen of native silver.

The southern extension of the lode runs through the sett of North Retallack Mine and enters that of Treamble Mine (see separate entry), where it is said to intersect with the Perran Iron lode. About 20 fm north of the presumed intersection, it carried silver ores and native silver in addition to argentiferous galena. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Carne, J. (1818) On the discovery of silver in the mines of Cornwall. Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, Vol. 1, pp. 118-126.

Dines, H.G. (1956) The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 439, 507 (also see addenda in the 1994 reprint).

Hamilton Jenkin, A.K. (xxxx) Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Treamble Mineral Line – Railway going past Cornwall’s oldest Mine – Wheal Mexico.

Gravel Hill Mine & Quarry – The Big Iron Pit: Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.374167, -5.145000

Gravel Hill Mine (earlier known as Penhale Iron Mine and Cliff Iron Mine) worked the western end of the Perran Iron Lode. Where the lode crops out in the cliff, it consists of two branches that are separated by a course of killas. Both branches were worked from the cliff face, and the stopes still stand as large caverns. About 170 yards SE of the cliff workings is a small but deep opencast called the Big Iron Pit. Another excavation just north of the caverns is from an old quarry in an elvan dyke and not related to the mine workings.

Underground development was carried out from an adit at beach level, which follows the north branch of the lode, and from shafts near the cliff edge. The base of the oxidized zone is about at adit level. Below this, the lode is reported to narrow and to consist mainly of blue fluccan (clay) with fragments of sulphides. About midway between the cliff and the Big Iron Pit, the lode is crossed by a NS-trending lode, which is believed to represent the southern extension of the lode worked at the Phoenix Mine.

The mine is known to have been active before 1728, but output figures are only available for the later workings. Between 1874 and 1882, it produced 7,400 tons of brown iron ore grading at 47% Fe, 10,379 tons of mixed limonite and spathic ores, and 30 tons of 40% zinc ore. Another 165 tons of brown iron ore recorded in 1866 under the name Perran Bay may refer to the cliff workings. When the mine was reopened around 1916 (Cantrill et al., 1919), it apparently did not produce any ores. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Cantrill, T.C., Sherlock, R.L., Dewey, H. (1919) Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain, Volume 9 – Iron Ores. HMSO Publications (London), pages 61-67.

Dines, H.G. (1956) The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Volume 1, pages 441-442 (see also corrigenda in the 1994 reprint).

Hamilton Jenkin, A.K. (xxxx) Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Nearly the whole of the surface of this sett or royalty is covered with sandhills. A reference to the geological map of the district will show it marked “blown sands,” which consist of the detritus of sea shells. Analysis shows them to contain from 80 to 85 per cent, of carbonate of lime and some phosphates. These sands are so light that they are blown for miles inland, and a Church, “St. Piran’s,” which was built in this district, was enveloped in sand to such an extent that about the year 1800 it was found necessary to pull it down and build it further inland.

The workings consist of an adit “C” on Plate No. XVI., see Longitudinal Section of some Workings on The Perran Iron Lode – 1877 below”, which has been driven in from the base of the cliff (a few feet above high-water mark) by the side of the lode which intersects at about 60 fathoms in from the cliff. The bearings differ at this point from the general bearings of the lode, which has, together with other indications, led many to believe that this is either a distinct lode, or a branch from the main one. “D” is a shaft sunk down to this level, going through the brown hematite overlie, into a mixture of that ore and white spathose. “E” is “ Borlase’s” shaft;. In the 13 fathom levels here is found the brown cellular ore, nine fathoms wide, and the analyses given are from ore taken from this level. Dynamite has been found far better than powder for blasting this “cellular” ore. “F” and “G” are also shafts sunk to prove the continuation of the lode.

The engine which is erected near “ Borlase’s” shaft is adapted both for pumping and winding. It draws the ore up a steep incline from the workings at the foot of the cliff to the summit, where a self-acting drum lowers the ore down the opposite side of the hill into railway waggons. (Courtesy of “On the Perran Iron Lode in Cornwall & The Mines in the District by Charles Parkin)

Map showing the complete route of the Gravel Hill Tramway from Penhale towards Treamble.

Map showing location of Gravel Hill Engine House, Gravel Hill Mine and The Quarry located on Penhale Beach – Circa 1870

Map of the Gravel Hill Mine Tramway – Starting where the Mineral Line Terminus at Treamble cutting across Penhale Sands finishing up at Gravel Hill Mine off Penhale Beach – Circa 1870

Ordnance Survey Map section of the Treamble Mineral Line from Gravel Hill across Penhale Sands to Treamble Terminus and on towards Rejerrah past Peru Mine – Circa 1900

Gravel Hill Mine – 1937 (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

Top Tunnel leading into Gravel Hill Mine – 2009

Bottom Tunnel leading to Gravel Hill Mine – 2009

Gravel Hill Mine Pond – Reappearing from Sump – 2009

On route of Gravel Hill Tramway to Quarry – Circa 2016

Image of the Big Iron Pit and Tramway making its way up the cliff/dunes – Circa 2016

Close up of the Big Iron Pit and Tramway making its way up the cliff/dunes – Circa 2016

Chimney Base of Gravel Hill Mine Quarry in the background and Ligger Point on the left – Jun 2020

Another angle of Gravel Hill Engine House remains – road to MOD Army camp on right – Jun 2020

Faced stones were no doubt once part of the demolished Gravel Hill Engine House – Jun 2020

Shaft to south of road at Gravel Hill – Jun 2020

Gravel Hill Quarry from above – Jun 2020

Gravel Hill Quarry – Open Cast branch of lode underneath quarry photographed from coastal footpath – Jun 2020

Gravel Hill Engine House remains – Feb 2021

Penhale Iron Mine: Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.378333, -5.149444

Penhale Iron Mine is known to have been at work in 1777 when it produced 41 tons of lead ore, but in common with other mines in this area it is probably much older. From this date Penhale appears to have been at work untill about 1826.

It was reopened in 1830, but only lasted a year due to the low price of lead. In 1848 the mine was amalgamated with Wheal Golden to the north, and East Wheal Golden. There was a further reworking from 1867 to about 1870. Dines records that iron ore was also worked possibly from the Perran Iron Lode. Which the Wheal Golden-Penhale lead lode must intersect with.

Recorded output: 100 tons of copper ore; 1475 tons of lead ore; 7150 oz of silver (from lead ore) & 7100 tons of iron ore. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Penhale Mine Pumping House & Whim (Winding House) (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

Penhale Mine with Wheal Golden in the distance

Count House of Penhale Mine – Circa 1985

Penhale Mine, Penhale Sands, Penhale Point – 2006

Penhale Iron Mine – The adit of this mine – 2009

Penhale Iron Mine – A darker view of the adit – 2009

Shaft at Liggar Point Jun 2020 – Could have been for Penhale Mine

Shaft on edge of cliff at Ligger Point near Penhale Mine – Jun 2020

Remains of Penhale Whim (winding) Engine House – Jun 2020

Main shaft at Penhale Mine with former Count House – Jun 2020

I believe this to be the site of the pumping engine house of which there is no trace above ground except irregularities in the topography – Jun 2020

Fenced off “old men’s workings” near Penhale Point – Jul 2020

“Old men’s workings” near Penhale Point – Jul 2020

Wheal Phoenix Mine: Penhale Sands (No info) Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.378790,-5.142541.

Reference:

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, p. 439.

Wheal Phoenix – Circa 1920’s (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

One of the shafts of Wheal Phoenix Mine – Jun 2020

Wheel pit of former lead & silver mine – East Wheal Golden, otherwise Pigeon Green Mine. on bank of Holywell stream. A shaft above was worked by flat rods from a distant engine house in the 1850-1860 era – Jun 2020.

Circular floor near Wheal Phoenix Mine – Jun 2020

Wheal Golden Mine – Penhale Point: Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.388364, -5.154432

Wheal Golden Mine worked a nearly north-south striking lead lode extending from the tip of Penhale Point for around 500 metres southwards where the lode passes into the sett of Penhale Mine.

The course of this lode can be clearly seen in the cliffs, marked by the major gangue mineral of a comby structured quartz.

Extensive shallow workings are present on the lode and can be clearly seen in the cliffs as well.

The pumping engine house that formerly stood on Engine Shaft had a fine castellated chimney stack of the same style as that which still survives at Wheal Ellen, Porthtowan.

Unfortunately this engine house and those of the neighbouring Penhale Mine and Phoenix Mine were all demolished following a daylight air raid on the adjacent Penhale army training camp in World War Two.

Wheal Golden’s ore was noted as being quite argentiferous with considerable silver being produced along with lead. It is noted that during its working Wheal Golden was equipped with its own smelting house.

The site of Engine Shaft of Wheal Golden lies under the car park of the secure compound that lies on Penhale Point and has been plugged securely following a recent collapse. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Dines, H.G. (1956): The metalliferous mining region of south-west England. HMSO Publications (London), Vol. 1, pp. 438-439.

Wheal Golden – Circa 1900 (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

Wheal Golden – Circa 1929 (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

Wheal Golden – Circa 1930’s (Blown up by MOD in WW2)

Penhale Farm with Wheal Golden in the distance – Circa 1939.

Coastal Workings at Wheal Golden – Shaft & Stope in Cliff

Coastal Workings Wheal Golden – Stope visible in Cliff

Coastal Workings Wheal Golden – Stope holded to surface

Shaft at Penhale Point – Jun 2020 – Could have been associated with Wheal Golden

Pidgeon Green Mine (Wheal Phoenix): Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.388889, -5.149444

Pidgeon Green Mine was a small lead mine on parallel lode to Wheal Golden. Shaft dump and adit in roof of sea cave. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Wheel pit of former lead & silver mine – East Wheal Golden, otherwise Pigeon Green Mine on the bank of Holywell stream.

Mellingey Mine: (No photos) : Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.382572, -5.135756

Mellingey Mine was a small silver and lead mine, active in the early 20th century. Hamilton Jenkin indicates a shaft and an adit just NW of Mellingey farm. This area forms now part of the Holywell Holiday Park, and all traces of the mine workings have disappeared. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Ellenglaze Mine: (No photos) No Grid Ref

Ellenglaze Mine was a small lead mine, abandoned in 1839. Hamilton Jenkin indicates the portal of an adit just south of Ellenglaze hamlet, and several shafts north and NW of it. The grid reference marks a small overgrown burrow in the corner of a field, where one of the shafts was located. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

Reference:

A.K. Hamilton Jenkin: Annotations to Ordnance Survey map, scale 1:10,000, sheet 39SW.

Trebisken Mine (Trebisken Green Mine) (No photos) Latitude & Longitude Ref: 50.371425, -5.115326

Trebisken Mine was a small lead mine SE of Trebisken farm, working a NS-trending lode crossed by an EW-trending lode from a single shaft sunk on the intersection.

Trebisken Mine produced 861 tons of 65% lead ore and 9,190 oz of silver. Under the name Trebisken Green Mine, 7.5 tons of lead ore and 4 tons of black tin were raised in 1861. (Courtesy of mindat.org web site)

References:

Penhallow Moor Mixed Mine: (No photos or info) Latitude & Longitude Ref 50.3564, -5.06047.

Shepherds Station – Treamble Mineral Line – Gravel Hill Tramway

This page shows the history of the Shepherds Station to the Treamble Mineral Line to the Gravel Hill Tramway over the years.

Excerpts courtesy of The Cornwall Railway Society website – http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/

Stepherds Station showing Treamble line off to right

Shepherds Station.

Also well known and well documented was the removal of the rails from Shepherds Halt to Treamble, allegedly to help with the overseas rail lines during the First World War. The track bed was still used by the War Office as an alternative route to the Camp and a massively over engineered bridge was built over the track just to the east of the Halt.

As clouds darkened over Europe again in the 1920s, a decision was made to re-instate the Treamble branch, with a cover story that the mines in the area had re-opened. In reality, the War Office and the American War Department wanted somewhere in Cornwall to store munitions and other non-perishable supplies in preparation for an assault on the European mainland, should the ‘Peace in Our Time’ intuitive fail. Deerpark Mine, just to the south west of Rejerrah was chosen as the adits were still sound and relatively water free.

It was at this time the track plan at Shepherds Halt was altered to that seen in the popular railway publication and press. This re-connection of a direct link to Penhale Camp made it much easier to move troops and supplies, as trains could now run from London straight to the camp itself.

The fact that Shepherds was never an efficient or important station, as far as the GWR were concerned, can be seen by their reluctance to develop the site to their normal standard. There was no goods shed, the ‘cattle dock’ was built using old track rails rather than the usual fence post & rails, the platform itself was only wood, unlike the solid brick and stone constructions elsewhere on the line. The signal box was a short affair, placed on the platform rather than a separate building.

The War Office & The Camping Coach

With no road access to Deerpark Mine, goods to be moved out of the stores were re-loaded onto wagons and brought the few hundred yards back to Shepherds Station. The wagons were unloaded onto lorries out of sight of the station, the lorries then used the over bridge to join the main road network at Fiddlers Green.

The bridge also stretched across the wide yard to the south of the lines – this area was used for marshalling the lorries.

As the cattle dock was not really intended to be functional, much to the War Office’s dismay the GWR installed a camping coach in the siding. However, this proved to be of benefit as it was commandeered and used by the British and American military top brass to discuss the D-Day preparations.

Closures

Following the end of the war, the Treamble branch saw less and less military traffic and was closed in 1952. In 1963, the complete line from Chacewater to Tolcarne Junction was closed. In order to maintain the secrecy of the smaller Penhale Camp and the role it played, it was decided to remove all traces of Shepherds Station. This exercise was not completely successful, for the sharp eyed there are still some remnants to be found.

Courtesy of stubby47 on RMWeb.

Treamble Branch – 3 miles 20 chains long
The line was an extension of the Treffry Tramway route from Tolcarne to East Wheal Rose the extension having been carried out by the Cornwall Minerals Railway in 1874. The branch was further extended to by a mile to Gravel Hill however this section closed in 1888.

The Minerals Branch line from Shepherds to Treamble had a chequered history. The mine closed in 1892 but the track was left in place.

In 1905 part of the route between a new Junction at Shepherds to Tolcarne was upgraded to form the Perranporth to Newquay section of the Chacewater to Perranporth branch which had opened in 1903.

In January 1917 it was taken up and shipped to France as part of the war effort. However, after the War there was an upturn in the minerals market and the rails were re-instated, the line being in use again by 1926.

Further prospecting took place at Treamble in the 1930’s & 1940’s but the revival of mining was short-lived. The branch was used by troop trains for Penhale Camp during World War 2 The line from Treamble to Shepherds closed 1st January 1952 and the track taken up in 1956.

The Treamble Mineral Line is always quoted as closing in 1956 ‘last revenue-earning traffic 1949’. The reason for this unusual terminology is that the line was used for the storage of wagons after 1949. Some are visible on one of the web site pictures.

N.B. It is understood that during WW2 a passenger train travelled the branch – this was a troop train. Also a witness remembers seeing a steam hauled demolition train on the branch during 1956.

Item in the Old Swindon Museum of the Treamble Branch

The track of the Treamble Mineral Line – Circa 1990

Rejerrah Bridge
The Treamble Mineral Line which ran from Shepherds to Treamble Mine had a chequered history – it was opened in 1873. Closed and lifted w.e.f. 1st January 1917. Relaid December 1925, reopened 16th Feb 1926. The last revenue earning traffic was carried 8th August 1949. It was finally closed w.e.f.1st Jan 1952 The track was removed on 31st March 1956. (Rlys of Cornwall C.R. Clinker)

As a schoolboy my only sporting achievement was to run for my school at Cross Country. In those days a special bus laid on for school sports was a rare occurrence. I have clear memory of seeing a train on the Treamble Mineral Line from a Bridge on the original A375 at Rejerrah.

Until today I thought that this bridge must have disappeared under a road improvement scheme. However, looking along the old road using Google Street View I found that the old bridge is still there, somewhat chocked with rubbish. Today 17th May 2014 the spot was revisited – the pictures are below. It is understood that the branch did see one passenger train – a troop train during WW2. Courtesy of Mr Keith Jenkin.

Courtesy of Google Street View. — The Old Bridge where the original Goonhavern – Newquay Road A3075 crossed the old Treamble Mineral Line at Rejerrah.

The Shepherds side of the Bridge – 17th May 2014.

The Treamble side of the Bridge – Somewhat overgrown – 17th May 2014.

The Treamble side of the Bridge well filled with undergrowth – the Shepherds side was almost totally filled – 17th May 2014.

The Old Bridge where the original Goonhavern – Newquay Road A3075 crossed the old Treamble Mineral Line at Rejerrah.

Gravel Hill Tramway

Mr Colin Burges provided much of the information and all of the photographs, it was only by his exploration in recent years we have gained more knowledge of this very short lived line.

”Possibly the least photographed and documented railway outpost in Cornwall lies at the end of the former extension from Treamble serving the iron mines on Penhale Sands, abandoned in the late 19th century.

Much of the area was M.O.D. property attached to Penhale Camp. It is still private and the only permitted way to reach the terminus is by means of the coast path.

On a miserable day last summer (2016) I ventured out from Holywell, walking twice the distance I would have done had I entered the camp. Last month (August 2017) I left my bike in the car park on the far side of the holiday camp and went down to the wonderful expanse of Perran Sands”.

Gravel Hill Tramway – Extract from an 1880 OS map

The Tramway extended from Gravel Hill Quarry out on the coast to the left to run up to the Treamble Terminus bottom right hand side of this map.

The Gravel Hill Mine end of the line. It split into two with one siding continuing on to the Mine engine house. The other line descended towards the mouth of the Mine by means of a rope worked incline. The incline was powered by a 11.5″ steam engine. From Old Maps – OS 1880’s.

At Gravel Hill the lode was developed from a beach level adit (tunnel) and also from shafts on the cliff top. The lode was also worked about 170 yards inland in an opencast pit called the ‘Big Iron Pit’. The Iron lode is crossed by a N-S lead lode worked a short distance to the north in Wheal Phoenix, and East Wheal Golden.

You can see ‘The Big Iron Pit, an evil looking working by clicking below – https://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Gravel-Hill-Mixed-Mine_5842/

Production

Originally the mine was known as Penhale Iron Mine, Gravel Hill is known to have been at work before 1728, also in the 1840’s; and from 1874-82. Output figures are only available for the last working. When it produced about 8000 tons of iron ore, and 30 tons of zinc ore. In excess of 35,000 tons of ‘Spathose’ ore was extracted during the life of the mine.

My understanding is that the Gravel Hill extension was laid in 1888, but without parliamentary sanction (new railways required an act of parliament). Perhaps the Cornwall Mineral Railway was just chancing it. Records seem to agree that Gravel Hill Mine was abandoned in 1882, so was the railway a wild-west style attempt to revive the mine?

The OS 25 inch map for 1906 shows not the slightest trace of any railway to Gravel Hill. My guess is that the tracks lasted for no more than a year or two. It needs to be borne in mind that OS maps were not revised systematically – hence something which caught the surveyor’s eye in one year, may be gone in the next. Article courtesy of Mr Roy Hart.

Another important acquisition for the Alan Harris Collection which he kindly shares with us. This is the Terminus of the Treamble Mineral Line.

The Treamble Mineral Line terminus – the branch from Shepherds comes in from the right. The Gravel Hill Tramway rose up alongside to make a trailing connection with the main branch. Colin Burges kindly advises us that –

“I hadn’t noticed before that the Treamble line’s mileage was originally measured from Fowey, the furthest reach of the C.M.R. Look for M.P. 32 on the first map. In later years, possibly after the line was re-laid, the mileage was measured from Shepherds”.

Notes re Colin’s photographs :- Photos of the Bridges – Railway and Stream – were taken where it says “Ford” on the map. The old M.o.D. gate is where you see “Spring” and “Weighing Machine” at the bend in the road. The road beyond the gate is not the Tramway but he is sure it joins the formation a little way along.

Recent work on the bridge on the right has made possible this view of the former level crossing near Treamble. The gate marks the course of the Gravel Hill Tramway

From the bridge that was a ford when the Gravel Hill Tramway was open, the remains of the Treamble Branch line bridge can be seen centre left.

From the bridge that was a ford when the Gravel Hill Tramway was open, the remains of the Treamble Branch line bridge can be seen centre rear.

The Gravel Hill Tramway must have made a level crossing of the road up to Trebellan just beyond the bridge.

At Treamble – Gates to Penhale Sands. These are thought to be an earlier set of gates to Penhale Sands to those shown above these were taken back on the 2nd March 1974

The easiest way of getting to the Mines would be to go through this gate. However, it is private beyond this point. The road beyond joins the course of the Gravel Hill Tramway.

Another look down the Gravel Hill Tramway incline from the Quarry.

The incline can be seen descending almost to beach level before turning to the Quarry Mine Workings in the cliff face.

Creation of the Halt

In 1903 the GWR opened the line from Chacewater to Perranporth. The War Office pressed for the line to be extended to join with the Treamble branch, and Shepherds farm was chosen as the most inconspicuous spot. In order to help with the subterfuge, the original direct link to Treamble (& Penhale Camp) was re-aligned, and a simple halt with a kickback siding installed.

This simple arrangement allowed freight trains arriving from Truro to leave a wagon or two in the siding, from where they would be collected later by the small loco running the Treamble branch. Similarly, wagons could be left in the siding and collected by any passing Newquay/Par bound freight. These collections were usually timed to be between any scheduled passenger trains.

Penhale Camp

In the late 1800s, the War Office saw the potential of establishing a large training camp on the dunes above Perranporth. The camp was split into two for operational and security reasons. The main part of the camp was positioned on the headland between Ligger Point and Penhale Point, the other smaller part of the camp was hidden in the valley to the southwest of Cubert.

Here, well away from prying eyes, troops were trained in all sorts of offensive combat, including demolition and sabotage. Whereas the Cornish population were usually keen to avoid any entanglement with government officials, especially the Excise Men, this ‘not seen anything’ attitude was encouraged by the War Office in order to keep the camp and its activities as quiet as possible. In exchange, the Government itself discouraged too much involvement of its officers with the locals’ nocturnal dealings. Even today, only the main part of the camp on the headland is marked on OS Maps of the area.

With the arrival of the railway first to St Newlyn East, and then later to Treamble, the War Office were able to move troops and supplies to and from Penhale Camp far easier and with even less fuss.

Bolingey Viaduct – Goonhavern Halt – Shepherds Station

This page shows the history of Bolingey Viaduct to Goonhavern Halt to Shepherds Station over the years.

Excerpts courtesy of The Cornwall Railway Society website – http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/

Truro – Newquay Branch line

So ended the last run over the line originally constructed in two sections. The first section of about eight miles to Perranporth, was opened on July 6, 1903. The contractor was Arthur Carkeek, who was knighted in 1916. Hundreds of men, without mechanical aids, cut their way through high mounds of stone and rubble, shovelled thousands of tons of rocks into gullies to make embankments, built some thirty bridges and the fine five arch viaduct near Goonbell.

The 10-mile second section from Perranporth to Newquay was completed on January 2, 1905, well behind schedule, as it had been hoped the line would be in use for holidaymakers in the summer of 1904, but the engineers had met considerable difficulty. It was opened on 14th August 1905. At Goonhavern, sand instead of stone was found, and there were many falls.

Ripping up of Newquay line

The final blow came when on 2nd January 1964 when there was a short item in the ‘West Briton’. The final episode in the 60 year history of the Chacewater – Newquay line was begun yesterday, when a start was made on the removal of the rails. A train drawing five trucks went from Chacewater to Shepherds, and this will continue once a week until the rails are removed back to Chacewater.

Shepherds Halt – the true story of Shepherds Station

Recent research into the history of Shepherds Station has unearthed a hitherto unknown and quite interesting story. What most books would lead you to believe is mostly true, but there are sinister undertones involving the War Office, and the British and American Militaries.

Shepherds Station

Shepherds was a sizeable station, one of only three on the branch (Chacewater – Newquay line), built on traditional lines with a weighbridge, passing loop, separate “up” and “down” platforms and a stationmaster.

The Passenger Service

In the early days of the branch line, passengers were conveyed between Newquay and Chacewater by Steam Railcars but these were not popular and were soon replaced by steam locomotives hauling conventional carriages. To start with, the service was planned to meet the anticipated travelling requirements of potential passengers and in 1905 six trains operated each way between Chacewater and Newquay with one extra train on Saturdays only and no trains on Sundays. lt appears that the running of trains on a Sunday was never contemplated, probably because of the strong Methodist following in the area.

Travel to Truro by train was now cheaper than going via Par and quicker, all be it still by a roundabout route. For example, the ordinary return fare from Newquay to Truro was 2s 6d as opposed to 6s 8d via Par. As traffic increased so the service became more frequent and was eight trains in each direction in 1927 and twelve in 1938 but dropped back to eleven in 1958. From 1962, diesels took over all services. Passenger traffic was light but constant during the winter months and usually heavy during the summer. Beach Halt at Perranporth, opened in July 1931, was the last halt to be built on the line and was popular with those wanting a day out on Perranporth Beach. For those wanting a Railside holiday, there was a camping coach in a siding at Shepherds which was generally well booked.

By the 1960s growth in the ownership and use of cars had significantly reduced the number of passengers travelling by public transport. The Government was looking to reduce subsidies and set in motion a review of railway operations. The so-called “Beeching Plan” was the outcome and proposed the closure of many branch lines where annual expenditure exceeded income. The Chacewater to Newquay branch came into this category despite the fact that, even in winter, it was reckoned that 600 passengers made return journeys daily, and that the line carried a total in excess of 250,000 annually. The economics of operation were considered to be the key factor and receipts only covered about two-thirds of the annual expenditure of £38,000 Economies were made, one being to make Mr. Badcock, the stationmaster at Shepherds, redundant and pass control to the stationmaster at Perranporth, but income never quite matched expenditure. The line always remained “rural” and, in winter, it was part of the guard‘s duty to set up and light the oil lamps at the halts before it became dark and then, on the last train of the day, to switch them off and put them on board the train.

Excerpts from the book on St Newlyn East & Surrounding area.

The following video is entitled “The Perranporth Railway Steam Train Murder”

Cocks Hill & Bolingey:

Cocks Hill Railway Bridge Nr Perranzabuloe before demolition – Circa 1963

Milepost between Perranwell & Bolingey – 1980

Perranwell:

Great Western Railway Boundary Marker 1904 – April 2015

Mile Post now visible on Saints Trail between Perranwell and Goonhavern. Represents 8 miles and 60 Chains (3/4 mile). Oct 2021

Goonhavern Halt:

Glen Pedlar Signalman & his son Ian at Perranporth Station – Circa 1962

Working on the line, the engine was called Pluto

Perranporth to St Agnes opening day of the line 6th July 1903

G.W.R. Boundary Post dated 1904 when Railway opened in Goonhavern

Railway Bridge at “GreetU” Goonhavern – Circa 1960’s

Perranwell Road from Railway Bridge – Circa 1970

Railway Bridge Perranwell Road near Greet U – Circa 1998

Perranwell Road Goonhavern Iron Road Bridge – 2009

Perranwell Road Goonhavern Iron Road Bridge – 2011

Perranwell Road Goonhavern Iron Road Bridge – Jan 2013

Perranwell Road Goonhavern Iron Road Bridge – 2014

View from Bridge in Bridge Road Goonhavern to Iron Bridge at Perranwell Road – Circa 1965

View of Goonhavern from Bridge Road – Circa 1905

Bridge Road leading to the village – Circa 1972-73

Bridge Road before the Park and Carriage Park Built – 1980

The Plymouth Railway Circle Cornwall Mineral lines Railtour near Goonhavern on Saturday 28th April 1962

View from top of Hump Back Bridge in Halt Road looking towards Bridge Road and the cutting now the Park & Bridge Stores in distance – Circa 1975

View from Hump Back Bridge in Halt Road Goonhavern to Bridge at Bridge Road – Circa 1965

The cutting between Halt Rd and Bridge Rd Goonhavern taken on the 2nd Feb 1974, eleven years after closure.

Halt Road – Bridge Road section of Railway Cutting now the Village Park – Circa 1975

View from Bridge in Bridge Road, along the cutting now the Park looking at Hump Back Bridge in the distance – Circa 1970

View of Goonhavern from Halt Road – Hump Back Bridge – Circa 1935-36

View of Hump Back Bridge from Halt Road – Circa 1970

Halt Lane, Halt Road & The Hump Back Bridge – Circa 1970

The Hump Back Bridge leading to Halt Road – Circa 1970

Now hears a first. Yes the first train through Goonhavern in 1905

The early days of Goonhavern Halt before the shelter was built

Goonhavern Halt – Circa 1905 – Note the Wooden Platform at that stage, later concrete.

Goonhavern Halt viewed looking towards Shepherds Station – Late 1921

Goonhavern Halt – 1922 – Official GWR photograph – Courtesy of Derek Brooks

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock working for Great Western Railway – Circa 1930’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock (middle front with flat cap) working with gang for Great Western Railway – Circa 1930’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock (Trilby hat) working with gang for Great Western Railway – Circa 1930’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock working for Great Western Railway – Late 1930’s or early 1940’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock (with hat) late 1930’s or early 1940’s

Goonhavern Halt looking towards Chacewater – 5th Dec 1957

Goonhavern Halt from direction of Shepherds Station towards Chacewater – 5th Dec 1957

Between Halt Road & Bridge Road – Now where the Park is situated

Goonhavern Halt – 1957 – Courtesy of Derek Brooks

GWR 5562 at Goonhavern Halt on 1st April 1961

GWR 5562 at Goonhavern Halt 1st April 1961

Goonhavern Halt view from Chacewater bound train. Note the three over-bridges in the distance all in a line – Circa 1963

Goonhavern Halt view from Newquay bound train – Circa 1963

Train going through Goonhavern Halt – Circa 1963

The December 1963 shadows lengthen over Goonhavern Halt as it awaits it fate. Next month the rails will be polished by the demolition trains.

Goonhavern Halt – Taken before 21st February 1964 when track removed

View from Goonhavern Halt towards Shepherds Station – Circa 1975

Railway Mile Post at Croft Farm Goonhavern in Oct 2006

Railway Mile Post at Croft Farm Goonhavern 2020

Railway Mile Post at Croft Farm Goonhavern in 2020

Before the Dismantling of Goonhavern Hump Back Road Bridge on Halt Road – Circa 1980

Dismantling of Goonhavern Hump Back Road Bridge on Halt Road – Circa 1980

Goonhavern Halt after the line removal & infilling starts – 1980

Goonhavern Halt after the line removal – 1980

A piece of discarded rail unearthed at Goonhavern Halt – Feb 2015

A section of Goonhavern Halt Platform – Feb 2015

Shepherds Station:

Lanteague 16th May 1985 – Road Bridge Nr Scotland Farm Nr Goonhavern

Road Bridge Nr Scotland Farm Nr Goonhavern

The ‘Planet’ at Lanteague – 16th May 1985 – Now at Poldark.

“The Planet”, “The Hunslet” & “Brake Van” at Lanteague – 16th May 1985

The ‘Hunslet’ with “Brake Van” at Lanteague – 16th May 1985 – Now at Bere Ferrers Railway.

“Brake Van” at Lanteague – 16th May 1985

Shepherds – Goonhavern 3rd Class Monthly Return Ticket

Shepherds – Perranporth 3rd Class Ticket

Shepherds – Mitchell & Newlyn Halt 3rd Class Ticket

Shepherds Station – Date Unknown – Between 1952-1957

Shepherds Station – Date Unknown – After 1956

Shepherds Station from Newquay bound train – Circa 1962

Train arriving at Shepherds Station – September 1962

Shepherds Station in December 1963. Demolition will start the next month

A close up of the main building. In January 1964 this station and yard became the railhead for the demolition contractors who had started lifting the line from Tolcarne Junction.

Shepherds Station and Signal Box taken from the Newquay Bound Platform 21st Feb 1964.

Shepherds Station – Looking back at the Station from the goods yard – 21st Feb 1964

Track removal train on line 21st Feb 1964

Scrapping operation in progress 21st Feb 1964 looking towards Goonhavern

Miscellaneous locations

This page shows various miscellaneous properties and items within the village over the years.

Cornerways:

Cornerways was situated on the crossroads in Goonhavern opposite Winnie Grigg’s shop. When the road was widened in the early 1970’s both Cornerways and Winnie Grigg’s shop were demolished. Today there is a bungalow on the site of Cornerways but it is set well back from the road and is smaller than the original.

Crossroads Goonhavern – Showing Cornerways before demolition in 1971/2

Carnkief, Wheal Anna & Wheal Francis scenes:

Wesley Chapel Wheal Francis – Early 1900’s

Lane leading down to Wheal Anna & Wheal Frances – Circa 1980

Lane leading to Perranwell from Wheal Anna – Circa 1980

View looking towards Perranwell from Wheal Anna – Circa 1980

View from Edward Wills’s farm at Engelly looking over to Mine Burrows at Carnkief

Public Footpath from Carnkief to Wheal Francis – 2015

Goonhavern Bible Christian – Methodist Chapel:

The Methodist (Bible Christian) Chapel (a listed building) was built in 1876 the same year as the Goonhavern School. The Sunday School was built in the 1860’s and was used as a Chapel until the main building was built. The last service to be held in the Chapel was on Sunday 15th October 2006.

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel and Sunday School before closure – Circa 1998

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel before closure – Circa 1998

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel & Jim “The Barber’s” – Aug 2000

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel Interior 15 Oct 2006

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel – The Last Service 15 Oct 2006

Goonhavern Community Hall:

The Goonhavern Community Hall was built between 1950 & 1954. The land was purchased in about 1950 from Miss Lizzie Knight of Perranporth and the hall built by voluntary contributions opened in 1953, improvements were carried out in the 1960’s when the entrance was built on to the exterior instead of being inside the hall and the concrete floor was replaced with “wayrock”. The Hall celebrated 60 years in 2014.

The Grand Opening of Goonhavern & District Village Hall – August 1954

Opening of Goonhavern Community Hall Aug 1954

W I Shield for Goonhavern Show made by Jack Eustace who worked at Holmans

Goonhavern Community Centre built between 1950-1954 – Circa 1998

Goonhavern Community Hall Golden Jubilee “Long Service” Presentations 14 Aug 2004

Goonhavern Village Hall 50th Anniversary 2004

Goonhavern Garden Centre:

Goonhavern Industrial Estate:

Goonhavern Snooker Club:

Goonhavern Institute was built for the community back in 1926 and has an engraved stone in the front wall dedicated to Mr William Henry Eplett. The front original building was built in 1926 and had an open hearth with a three quarter size snooker table before two extensions were added in later years.

Goonhavern Snooker Club, Newquay Road, Goonhavern – 2013 (formerly the Men’s Institute)

Goonhavern Village scenes:

Temple – Originally the Count House for Wheal Albert Mine – Circa 1900

View of Goonhavern from Bridge Road – 1903

Carpenters Shop next door to Fir Cottage – Circa 1920 – Owner by Mr Gregory (Builder)

Pencrennow in Reen before it burnt down – Circa 1920’s

View of Goonhavern from Carnebo Hill – Circa 1920

Pencrennow in Reen before it burnt down – Circa 1930’s

Mrs Millie Salmon’s Bungalow Halt Road – Circa 1940-1960

Cornerways & The New Inn at the Crossroads – Circa 1960’s

Railways Bridge & Greet U Goonhavern 1960’s

Yvonne & Cyril Parkes bungalow at Martyns Close – Late 1960’s

Rose Hill leading down into village crossroads – Circa 1970

Cyril Parkes Morris 1000 at Martyns Close – Circa 1972

Main Road up to the Village Shop (Chandler’s) – 1975

Main Road up to the Village Shop (Chandler’s) – The New Chandler’s Shop on Bridge Road to the right – 1975

View across Railway Cutting to Pollards Close – View from Mrs Trembath’s – 1975

View of John Nicholls site where the filling of the Railway Cutting was taking place – View from Mrs Trembath’s – 1975

Entrance to Silver Bow Park – Circa 1980

Kernewek Pottery before the fire – Circa 1980’s

Eplett’s Bungalow (During renovation) – Circa Mid 1980’s

Eplett’s Bungalow (After renovations) – Circa Mid 1980’s

View of the New Inn, Forge Cafe & Kernewek Pottery (before the fire) – Sept 1986

View from New Inn Car Park looking at new Carriage Parc developement – Sept 1986

Croft Farm Halt Road Goonhavern – Circa 1985-86

Croft Farm Halt Road Goonhavern – Circa 1995

Silver Bow Campsite Goonhavern – Circa 1996

Main Road through Goonhavern in the Snow Feb 2009

Halt Road, Goonhavern in the Snow of Feb 2009

Outside Croft Farm, Off Halt Road, Goonhavern in the Snow of Feb 2009

Halt Road, Goonhavern in the Snow Feb 2009

Insdie Croft Farm, Goonhavern in the Snow Feb 2009

Bridge Road, Goonhavern in the Snow Feb 2009

Winter Scene in Bridge Road – 27 Nov 2010

The New Avalon on Perranwell Road Goonhavern – April 2016

Epletts Bungalows 2017 before redeveloping site

Air Raid Shelter at Fred Epletts Bungalow Corner of Reen Cross Road & Perranwell Road

Epletts Bungalow before redevelopment – Sept 2018

Near Halt Lane – Goonhavern Industrial Estate:

Refurbishment of Penvounder Lodge Halt Road/Lane Oct 2006

Cottage Brick & Stone Bridge Road Oct 2006

Public Conveniences:

The Public Conveniences were built at the Bridge Road entrance to Goonhavern Park some time after the park opened.

Reen Cross Farm:

Reen Cross Farm – Barn Conversations – 2009

Trebarthen Terrace:

On the 16th October 2006 a Lightning strike caused extensive damage to No3 & No4 Trebarthen Terrace.

Lightning Strike at Trebathen Terrace Rose Hill Goonhavern

World in Miniature:

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) 2009

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) – Windmill – Easter 2004

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) – Sphynx – Easter 2004

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) – Leaning Tower of Pisa – Easter 2004

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) – Mount Rushmore – Easter 2004

World in Miniature (Now Oyster Bay site) – Buckingham Palace – Easter 2004

World in Miniature Closed in October 2008

Memorials:

Village seat outside Epletts on Reen Cross Road Goonhavern – Circa 1998

In memory of Mr Arthur Paul Grubb 1901-1973

Cross from St Piran’s Oratory (The Lost Church) relocated at Perranzabuloe Parish Church – Circa 1980

Goonhavern Post Office; Goonhavern Stores & Bridge Stores

This page shows the history of Goonhavern Post Office at the three different locations in the village over a hundred plus years; Goonhavern Stores (now demolished) & Bridge Stores.

Goonhavern Ye Olde Shoppe as the wording said over the shop entrance started (Mr Bill Chandler put the wording up in late 1965 or early 1966) life as a Stores in about 1892 with Mr & Mrs John Ford. John Ford had traveled all over the UK as a Mine Captain but returned to Goonhavern to retire from that life. Unfortunately he passed away in 1904 with a young family leaving Mrs Mary (Granny) Ford to run the business. By 1910 the Shop incorporated a Post Office. It continued as such until 1942 when Granny Ford died and widow Hilda Stephens her daughter moved the Post Office down the road to the property built by her husband Charlie Stephens “Charlens” in about 1943.

Goonhavern Ye Olde Shoppe now became the property of Oscar & Winnie Grigg (brother & sister) and they ran the shop as a shop only until mid 1960’s when after their death Mr & Mrs Reg & Betty Chandler bought the shop. This they ran until Easter 1971 when it was compulsory purchased by the council, so it could be demolished for a road widening project in 1971/72.

The Ford Family at Goonhavern Stores & Post Office – Circa 1910

Ye Olde Stores & Post Office, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1920

Ye Olde Stores, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1960′s

Goonhavern Ye Olde Stores, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1960′s

Aerial view of Old Goonhavern Post Office & Stores, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1963

Goonhavern Ye Olde Stores, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1970

Once Widow Granny Ford died her daughter Hilda sold the shop to the Grigg’s and a widow herself moved the Post Office to the other side of the road to the house (Charlens) built by her late husband Charles Stephens.

“Charlens” now a Post Office in 1943 remained a Post Office and Sorting Office with five postmen, inc one a lady (who used to cycle her round) covering Callestick, Penhallow, Ventongimps, Perranwell, Rose, Wheal Hope & Goonhavern.

Hilda Stephens lived there with her daughter Mary McCameron a widow and her grandson Chester McCameron. Both Hilda & Mary ran the Post Office, until 1953, when Mary remarried. Mary & Joe Brooks moved down to Avalon just down the road and had a son.

In 1959 Hilda Stephens retired and moved down to Avalon with Mary’s first son Chester McCameron, and Mary, Joe & young Derek moved up to run and live in the Post Office. Hilda tragically died in 1961.

Mary again became a widow in 1965, and soon married Henry Rodda, who briefly incorporated a Butchers Shop within the Post Office building. This was the late 1960’s early 1970’s. In 1978 Mary Rodda retired on ill health, and both stayed living in the village.

The Post Office was now taken over by Welshman Mr Jones. Not a friendly chap, perhaps his disability did not help his mood.

Finally Jim Gilbert took over from Mr Jones, and lived there until he retired in 2005 on ill health, and the building reverted back to a dwelling.

Post Office, Perranwell Road, Goonahavern – Circa 1960

Post Office, Perranwell Road, Goonhavern (1965 – 1970)

Goonhavern Post Office in Perranwell Road – Circa 1998 – Mr Jim Gilbert Postmaster

Aerial view of Goonhavern Post Office and Hilmar next door – Apr 2004.

Goonhavern’s Postman – Rodney – Retirement

The Redevelopment of the Old Goonhavern Post Office – Jan 2017

The Redevelopment of the Old Goonhavern Post Office – April 2017

The Redevelopment of the Old Goonhavern Post Office – July 2017

The Redevelopment of the Old Goonhavern Post Office – Dec 2017

Bridge Stores:

Mr & Mrs Reg Chandler moved to a new premises built on the entrance to Carriage Parc (what was once the Railway cutting – the old railway bridge stonework can be seen by the verge on the edge of the car park into the park) on Bridge Road at Easter in 1971 after their Stores on the main road (ex Granny Ford-Winnie Grigg’s) was demolished by Cornwall County Council Highways.

After Betty Chandler various new owners took over the Stores only keeping it for a short time.

These owners were Barry and Beryl Oakley, Dennis and Pam Shepherd, Roy and Joan Stratton (-1987), Bob & Janice Kemp (1987-1995), David & Jean Allsop (1995-2001) and Peter & Maria Gartan (2001-2008).

In November 2006 under Peter & Maria Gartan it became a Stores and Post Office with the closure of the previous Post Office at “Charlens” when Mr Jim Gilbert retired. However it was short lived as by 2008 the Stores & Post Office ceased trading at a great loss to the village.

Luckily it was a brief closure, as on 30th March 2010 it reopened under the ownership of the “White family” Susan (Sue), Husband Ashley & Daughters Claire (now a Tonkin) & Michelle.

On 4th May 2010 the Village Post Office returned to the stores. Since then the business has thrived. In August 2013 work started on an extension of the Store and Post Office, and by the end of January 2014 the work was completed enlarging the store by at least a third to cater for increased business. It is now modern, spacious and well laid out. A new store room is being built in August 2016.

Bridge Stores, Bridge Road, Goonhavern – Circa 1998

Cornwall County Council Mobile Library Service regular visitor at Bridge Stores Goonhavern – Circa 1998

Midland Mobile Bank Service regular visitor at Bridge Stores Goonhavern – Circa 1998

Mrs Maria Gartan (Owner) & MP Matthew Taylor Opening Goonhavern Post Office 12 Nov 2006

Mr Peter Gartan (Owner) & MP Matthew Taylor Opening Goonhavern Post Office 12 Nov 2006

Goonhavern Stores & Post Office – Nov 2006

Goonhavern Stores reopens 30 Mar 2010 with the Post Office on 4th May 2009

Grand Reopening of Goonhavern Stores with Radio Cornwall and Sue & Claire White – 30 Mar 2010

Miss Claire White puts finishing touches to Goonhavern Stores before reopens on 30 Mar 2010

Goonhavern Stores reopens on 30 Mar 2010 – A brand new look inside

Village Shop & Post Office – Oct 2013 Foundations laid

Village Shop & Post Office – Nov 16 2013 Foundations laid and Walls are erected

Village Shop & Post Office – Dec 2013 Steel and Roof goes up

Village Shop & Post Office – Jan 2014 nearly ready for re-opening

Village Shop & Post Office – Jan 2014 For a week the temporary shop out the back

Village Shop & Post Office – Feb 2014 Business as usual in the new store

Village Shop & Post Office – Feb 2014 The Store has a face lift outside too

Bridge Stores, Car Park Extension – May 2014

Churchtown Farm – Kernewek Restaurant/Pottery – Park View/Potters Mews

This page shows the history of Churchtown Farm – Kernewek Cottage Restaurant – Kernewek Pottery – Potters Mews/Park View.

Back in my youth during the 1960’s there was a farm called Churchtown Farm once owned by Mr Joe Nicholls in the centre of our village, hard to visualise today.

Mr Nicholls kept a number of “North Devon cattle”. Mr Nicholls passed away in 1965, and some time afterwards the Farmhouse was converted into a Restaurant (The Kernewek Cottage Restaurant) but the outbuildings remained on site.

After a few years this closed and the Restaurant was converted into a dwelling. Mr & Mrs Reg Foster moved there, and built Fosters Pottery. The outbuildings still remained. There were other brothers that owned separate Fosters Potteries, one at Scorrier and one in Redruth.

In 1995 a fire in the Kiln Building destroyed the potteries ability to make pottery on site and it was then solely used as a Pottery Factory Shop. Eventually closing down completely in 2005.

Mr Foster then started a housing development on the site including the outbuildings which were also converted. The development took a number of years to complete, the old Kiln building gone by 2009, and the last dwelling built in 2014. This site is now known as Potters Mews and Park View.

What was Kernewek Cottage Restaurant – Circa 1980’s

Kernewek Pottery Fire (Kiln Building) Goonhavern – Nov 1995

Kernewek Pottery Fire (Kiln Building) Nov 1995

Aftermath of Fosters Pottery Fire (Kiln Building) – Nov 1995

Fosters Pottery Fire (Kiln Building) Aftermath Nov 1995

Kernewek Pottery Factory Shop Sign Goonhavern – Circa 1998

Kernewek Pottery Factory Shop Goonhavern – Circa 1998

Thelma Rowling & Mary Eley at Kernewek Pottery Shop – Circa 1995

Shirley Trembath & Thelma Rowling at Kernewek Pottery Shop – Circa 1995

Mary Eley at Kernewek Pottery Shop – Circa 1995

Mary Eley & Shirley Trembath at Kernewek Pottery Shop – Circa 1995

Ex Kernewek Pottery site Goonhavern – Apr 2009

Ex Kernewek Pottery site Goonhavern – 2011

Goonhavern – Individuals of the Past

This page shows just some of the many Individual Characters of the Village of Goonhavern over the past hundred and fifty years .

Earlier than 1900

The Rowland Family of Pencrennow, Reen – Late 1890’s

Period 1900-1909

Mrs Mary Trenerry nee Clymo – Circa Early 1900’s.

The Goonhavern Branch of the Independent Order of Rechabites – 1902

Annie Powell 1878-1959 & son Richard John Baden Powell 1901-1979

Goonhavern Sunday School Teachers and Adults Group – 1908

William Hoskin – Joan Bidwell’s Gt Grandfather – Circa 1910

Annie Powell 1878-1959, son Ernest (Ernie) Powell 1910-1993 & daughter Stella Doreen Powell later Crabb 1909-1992

Mrs Eplett with Mabel & Fred – Circa 1910

Period 1910-1919

The Rowland Family at Pencrennow, Reen – Circa 1910

Mr Frederick W Masters who went to America in 1909 as a Copper Miner in Calumet, Michigan, USA

Goonhavern School Class – At the School Garden – 1912

Miss Eliza (Nellie) Rowland later Mrs Eddie Pascoe of Carnebo Farm – Xmas 1913 age 17.

The Rowland Family at Pencrennow, Reen – Circa 1914

Brothers Edgar Buddell & Alfred “Alfie” Buddell – Circa 1918

Mr Eddie Pascoe back from the War – 1918

Period 1920-1929

Doris Pearce & William Willcocks – circa 1920’s

Richard Eplett (father), Annie Powell nee Eplett (daughter) and Richard Baden Powell (grandson). – Perranporth Beach Car Park – Circa 1920’s.

William “Willie” Barber with horses at Pencrennow Farm, Reen – Circa 1920

William Willie Barber & William John Penna – Circa 1920

Sydney Grubb (1867-1953) Milking in the Farmyard at Reen Cross Farm – Circa 1920

Richard Clymo Master Shoemaker and Repairer in Goonhavern (1841-1921)

Mr Sydney James Brock (left front) – Circa 1920’s

Walter & Susan Fursman outside Temple – Circa 1920’s

Wallter & Susan Fursman outside Temple – Circa 1920’s

Penwartha School 1923 – Mr Tamblyn’s Class

Ernest “Ernie” Powell outside Red House Garage Perranporth – Circa 1925

Rose Buddell & Eileen Buddell – Circa 1927

Young Stan Pascoe & his Sister Gwen of Carnebo Farm – 1927

Penwartha School 1928 – Mr Tamblyn’s Class

Wedding of Edgar Buddell & Gertrude Gill – 1929

Wedding of Edgar Buddell & Gertrude Gill (Both sets of parents) – 1929

Wedding group of Edgar Buddell & Gertrude Gill – 1929

Cocking, Solway & Penna family members – Circa late 1920’s

Doris May back row left with family – Circa 1920/30

Period 1930-1939

Betty Thomas’s mother sitting – Circa 1930’s

Perranporth Carnival – Circa 1930 – Colville Greet with his winning team.

Alfred “Alfie” Buddell – Circa 1930 (1907-1935)

Mr Henry Richards & Mr Joe Nicholls (1903-1965)

Alfred Hoskin on Binding Machine – Circa 1930’s

Doris May kneeling in front of her parents and siblings? – Circa 1930’s

Doris May with her mother on her left – Circa 1930’s

Mrs Jane Brock nee Hawkey and husband Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock at Temple – Circa 1930’s

Susan Fursman (1865-1940) outside Temple – Circa 1930’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock at Temple – Circa 1930’s

Mr Sydney James Brock (1905-1986) (son) with Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock ( 1875-1947) and wife Jane Brock nee Hawkey – Circa 1930’s

Mr Thomas “Tom” Brock and wife Jane Brock nee Hawkey – Circa 1930’s

Mrs Rosalie Penna nee Solway wife of William John Penna – Circa 1930’s

Sisters Edna & Stella Doreen Powell – 1932 – On Doreen’s Wedding Day – Taken at Silver Bow.

The Solway – Penna connection – Circa 1934

Miss Beatrice Iris House later Mrs Furse – Circa 1935

Mr Joe Nicholls (1903-1965) at Churchtown Farm – Circa 1935

Young Stan Pascoe & his Sister Gwen a Carnebo Farm – Circa 1936

Millicent Doris May later Mitchell – circa 1930’s

Dorothy Mary Ford Stephens – Circa 1936 – Age 16.

Perranzabuloe Mothers Union 1937. The may be residents of our area in this photo.

William Stanley Rowland (1892-1940) & Fred Eplett (1893-1965) – Circa late 1930’s

Howard Rule right rear, Beryl’s father Eldred left and Beryl Rule 2nd down on right.

Period 1940-1949

Mrs Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Masters of Fredliz Garage Goonhavern – Circa 1940’s

Dorothy Mary Ford McCameron – Widow – Circa 1941

Gervaise Trenerry collecting water at Goonhavern Standpipe late 30’s early 40’s

Aunty Myra, Rose Buddell & Edith Buddell – Circa 1940’s

Mrs Jane Brock nee Hawkey with son Sydney James Brock at Temple – Circa 1940’s

Mrs Jane Brock nee Hawkey at Temple – Circa 1940’s

Mr Fred Eplett (Founder of Goonhavern Banjo Band) and his wife Elizabeth Eplett nee Inch – Circa 1940

Mr Sydney James Brock (middle) – Circa 1940’s

Mrs Jane Brock nee Hawkey and Son Sydney Brock – Circa 1940’s

Sydney James Brock & Doreen Ball (sitting) – Circa 1940’s

Mr Joe Nicholls (1903-1965) at Churchtown Farm – Circa 1940

Miss Edna Powell – Ernie Powell’s Sister at Perranporth – Circa 1940’s

Locals outside The New Inn Goonhavern – Circa 1940’s

Stanley & Rose Buddell nee Fursman – Circa 1940’s

A young Denis Solway standing up against block wall on left of Iron Railway Bridge – Early 1940’s

Doris, Sheila & William Willcocks o/s No2 Railway Villas Goonhavern – June 1943

Angela, Doreen & David Crabb – Circa 1943

Doreen Crabb with Angela and David – Circa 1944-45

Stanley Pascoe aka “Boysie” of Carnebo Farm – Circa 1945

Mr Joe Nicholls 1903-1965 at Churchtown Farm – Circa 1945

Betty Dingle nee Thomas and her mother 1939-1945

Dorothy Eileen Buddell – 21st Birthday – 1945

William & Doris Willcocks outside No2 Railway Villas Goonhavern – Circa 1940’s

Landlord John Rickless Eslick behind the bar of The New Inn in 1945

Sheila Willcocks on Teignmouth trip – 1947

Margaret Masters, Frederick (Jack) Master & Annie (Lizzie) Masters on Torquay trip – 1947

Philip Masters; Shirley Mather Mrs Mather; Mrs Henry Richards (carpenter’s shop); Little girl unknown. – 1947

Harry Osborne & Gertrude Ridding’s Wedding 1948

Joan Buddell at Goonhavern School – Circa 1948

Betty Thomas (godmother) and Terry Arthur – Circa 1948

Dennis Marks, Dank Flamank & Syd Retallick Goonhavern Carnival 1949

Wedding of Fred Bennetts & Eileen Buddell – 1949

Goonhavern Sunday School Group – Late 1940’s

Gervaise Trenerry collecting water at Goonhavern Standpipe late 40’s early 50’s

George, Denis & Winifred Solway o/s The Villa Ventongimps – Late 1940’s

Jonathon Greet (Lived at Carnebo Goonhavern) Policeman at Blue Hills

Eldred Greet father of Beryl Rule nee Greet.

Eldred Greet, Unknown, Rose Martin, Unknown & Maud Rosevear nee Greet.

Howard Rule left & probably Eldred Greet turning his head.

Avril and husband Fred Carne at Luxulyan – 1949

Frederick Masters and daughter Margaret Masters, Unknown & Unknown at Luxulyan – 1949

Fred Carne & Derek Rule – Luxulyan – 1949

Philip Masters & Shirley Mather in the garden at Garage – 1949

Shirley Mather & Philip Masters at Holywell Beach – 1949

Margaret & Philip Masters at Fredliz Garage Goonhavern – 1949

Chester McCameron & Philip Masters St Agnes 1949

Sheila Willcocks & Margaret Masters Teignmouth Trip 1949

Margaret Masters & Sheila Willcocks Teignmouth Trip 1949

Margaret Masters & Sheila Willcocks Dawlish Trip 1949

Philip Masters with his rabbit at Fredliz Garage Goonhavern – 1949

Mrs Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Masters at Fredliz Garage Goonhavern – 1949

Sheila Barber, Sheila Willcocks & Margaret Buddell 1949

Period 1950-1959

Philip Masters at Truro Cathedral School Sports Day – 1950

Margaret Buddell & Sheila Willcocksearly 1950’s

Sheila Willcocks & Sheila Barber – Ealy 1950’s

Christine Morgan, Sheila Willcocks & Margaret Buddell – early 1950’s.

Clarence White, Margaret Masters & John Reynolds Bideford Trip 1950

Perranporth Girl Guides – Early 1950’s. There may be local girls in this group photo.

Goonhavern School Class – Mr Leslie Crabb (Headmaster) & his Staff – 1950

Jean White & Bruce the dog – Circa 1950 – At Chynhale Callestick.

Four Burrow Hunt at The New Inn – Circa 1950’s

Landlord John Eslick & Irene Eslick – Circa 1950’s

Mrs Irene Eslick (Landlady) & John (Jack) Rickless Eslick (Landlord) of The New Inn Goonhavern – Circa 1950’s

David Carter, Dennis Carter & David Buddell – Early 1950’s

L-R Betty Arthur, Unknown & Betty Dingle – Circa 1950’s

Tony Westlake outside St Piran’s Oratory (The Lost Church) – Circa 1950’s

Dennis Carter working at Reen Cross Farm – Circa 1950’s.

Eileen Carter working at Reen Cross Farm – Circa 1950’s

Sharman Andrea Bennetts – 1952 – Age 5 1/2 mths.

Arthur Grubb working on his farm at Reen Cross – Circa 1950’s

Arthur Grubb & Eileen Carter coming up from Perranwell to his farm at Reen Cross – Circa 1950’s.

Norman Whitfeld (1902-1991) Bus Operator (One Smoking a Pipe)

Solway’s Garage Marazanvose – Circa 1950’s

Stanley & Rose Buddell nee Fursman – Circa 1950’s

Christopher Bennetts, Elizabeth Bennetts & Son Fred Bennetts – Circa 1950’s

Group photo at the beach – Doris Mitchell front right and young Betty Dingle on Doris’s right.

Mrs Gertie Osborne & Daughter Elizabeth – 1951

Methodist Chapel outing May 1951 Brian Delbridge, Margaret Masters & Keith Dunstan

Goonhavern School Class – Headmaster – Mr William (Bill) Curnow – Circa 1952

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) & his Staff – Circa 1952

Dennis Carter and Arthur Grubb planting potatoes at Reen Cross – 1952

The Buddell & Bennetts Family – Circa 1952

Alan & Cynthia Kempthorne on Joe Nicholls’s horse – Circa 1952

The wedding of Miss Joan Carter & Mr Victor Meek – 1953 at Perranwell Chapel

Phillip Buddell, Rose Buddell & Edith Buddell with Sharman Bennetts – Circa 1953

Cousins Francine Edson & Sharman Bennetts – Circa 1953

Goonhavern Womens Institute production of “Princess Ju Ju”

Back row: Shirley Trembath nee Westlate, George Pullam (Belvoir) Ronald Kohn, Sheila Kohn nee Barber, Eileen Smith nee Commons, Front Row: Jacky Flamank & boy unknown. 1953

Rejerrah boy Dennis Carter and his first car an a 1932 Austin 7 in Gear Road Rose.

Barry Carter & Brother Brian Carter @ Pauls Terrace, Goonhavern – Circa 1953-54

Sharman Bennetts (Middle) Birthday Party – Circa 1954

Fred Bennetts, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell & Daughter Sharman – Circa 1954

The Buddell & Bennetts Family – Circa 1954

Hugh Spargo & Thora Barkle Wedding – 1954

Mrs Buddell, Mrs Masters & Mrs Willcocks

Dorothy Mary Ford Brooks nee Stephens – Circa 1954

Goonhavern Banjo Band outside Mr Fred Epletts bungalow – Circa 1955

Mrs Beryl Rule’s Banjo when she played in Goonhavern Banjo Band, with her Husband Howard Rule on Drums, and possibly her son Derek Rule on Keyboards.

Twin Sisters Rita & Roma Jacka of Trenance, Newquay.

Denis Solway & Shirley Westlake’s Wedding – Jan 1955

Goonhavern School Class – Circa 1956 – Mrs Doreen Crabb & Maureen Carter

William Willcocks, Sheila Willcocks, Unknown, Doris Willcocks – July 1955

Sharman Bennetts outside Buckingham Palace, London – 1956

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) & his Staff – 1956

Wedding of Anthony Carter & Margaret Buddell – 1956

Rose Buddell, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell & Fred Bennetts – 1956

Wedding of Anthony Carter & Margaret Buddell at Goonhavern Chapel – Circa 1956

Wedding of Kenneth Retallick & June Carter at Perranzabuloe Parish Church – 1956

Sydney Retallick standing at Kenneth Retallick & June Carter’s Reception at Goonhavern Village Hall – 1956

Wedding of David Buddell & Frances ” Betty” Cook – 1956

Wedding of Donald Waters & Wendy Barber at Perranzabuloe Parish Church – 11th July 1956

Best Man Glyn Grigg & Groom Donald Waters at Perranzabuloe Parish Church – 11th July 1956

Reception of Donald & Wendy Waters after Marriage at Perranzabuloe Parish Church – 11th July 1956

The Four Burrow Hunt meets in Goonhavern – 25th Jan 1957

Shirley Solway and son Paul 1957. Taken at Winnie Solway’s home.

William Rowland (Winifred Solway’s father) in car with Winifred Solway, her son Denis Solway with a young Paul Solway in 1957

Lynette Pedlar, Carol Pedlar & Ian Pedlar with a young Paul Solway – 1957

Sue Westlake, Lynette Pedlar, Carol Pedlar, Ian Pedlar with a young Paul Solway – 1957

Goonhavern Civil Defence Rescue Section 1957-58

David Crabb o/s Silver Bow Goonhavern – Circa 1958

Maureen Carter & Marjorie Jackett nee Stephens working at Jim Keast’s photographic shop “The Cornershop” in Perranporth – Circa 1958

Brenda Retallick Perranporth Carnival Fairy Queen Sat 9th Aug 1958

Peter Brock in his British South Africa Police, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) uniform – 1958

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) & his Staff – Circa 1959

The Old Forge Cafe & Four Burrow Hunt – 28th Nov 1959

Four Burrow Hunt at The New Inn 28th November 1959

Audrey Jewell – White top 2nd row and Derek Rule front right

Beryl Rule at Greet U c1957 – Old Cottage re built.

Listen to a track played by Goonhavern Banjo Band.

Listen to a vocal track by Glen Pedlar singing with Goonhavern Banjo Band accompanied by his Daughter Carol.

Listen to Rita Jacka playing a Banjo solo.

Period 1960-1969

Ada and Fred Penhaligon of Trispen & Beryl Rule.

Beryl & Derek Rule outside The Central Hotel, Newquay.

Millie Salmon wife of Arthur Salmon – Circa 1960

Wedding of Peter Brock & Angela Crabb – 1960

Goonhavern School Class – “The Flora Dance” in St Agnes – Circa 1959-60

Mr George Solway Owner of Solway’s Garage Marazanvose with Dr Barbara Moore – 1960

L-R; Chrissy Greet, Margaret Carter, Susan Greet nee Daws (mother of Lillian Greet) & Eileen Carter – Circa 1960’s

The Pedlar Family o/s Carolyn, Goonhavern – Circa 1960

Eric Dyer & Verhona Margaret Dyer nee Philp – Circa 1960

The Buddell Family outside Sunnyside – Circa 1960

Amy Hoskin & Ellen Pedlar at Perranwell – Circa 1960’s

Morley Grubb, Richard “Dick” Stephens & Arthur Grubb at Reen Cross Farm – Circa 1960.

Richard “Dick” Stephens, Morley Grubb & Arthur Grubb at Reen Cross Farm – Circa 1960’s

Goonhavern Table Tennis at Village Hall Early 1960’s

Mr Joe Dyer on the tractor, and his brother Stanley Dyer (who lived by Perran Church) working on Mrs Shepherd’s farm on the way towards Perranwell – Circa 1960’s

Goonhavern Table Tennis players – Early 1960’s

Muriel, Fred & Edith Bennetts – Circa 1960’s

Baden Powell at the Fly Wheel with Paul Clark & Will Annear two gents by the Wheel – Circa 1960’s

The Bulawayo Police first league snooker team – Circa 1960’s

Bert Westlake (rear) and Stan Carter (bricklaying) working on a new drainage system at the Lost Church – Circa 1960’s

Barry Solway working on a new drainage system at the Lost Church – Circa 1960’s

Barry Solway, Stan Carter and unknown working on a new drainage system at the Lost Church – Circa 1960’s

Bert Westlake (rear) & Barry Solway (right) and brick layer Stan Carter working on a new drainage system at the Lost Church – Circa 1960’s

The Girls at the C.S.O.S Station – Circa Early 1960’s

The Smith Family at the C.S.O.S. Station – Circa Early 1960’s

Goonhavern School – Parent Teachers Association (PTA) plays put on during the early 1960’s

Royal Cornwall Show with Wesley Wilton Young Farmers Club & SW Young Farmers Club Secretary.

Edward (Jumbo) Richards Age 5 – Goonhavern School 1961-2

Adelaide Robins & Daughter in Law Peggy Robins at Firs Farm, Wheal Anna, Goonhavern – Early to late 40’s or 50’s

The Hawkey – Pascoe – Rowland – Solway connection – circa 1963

Mrs Ivey Crook with daughter Jennifer – Circa 1963

A family get together at Busby Place, Palmerston North, NZ – Circa 1963-64

Marriage of Roy Lavin & Elsie Roberts – November 14, 1964.

Goonhavern girls in Red Cross in Truro – Circa 1965.

Rosemary Nicholls & William Hoskings – 1965

Sidney Kempthorne & Mona Kempthorne – Circa 1965

Mrs Lilian Sims nee Buddell, Mr Bill Sims, Sharman Bennetts & Edith Buddell o/s Sunnyside – 1965

Sharman Bennetts, Rose Buddell, Stan Buddell, Elizabeth Bennetts nee Buddell & Edith Buddell o/s Sunnyside – 1965

Margaret Carter nee Buddell, Sharman Bennetts & Rose Buddell at The Royal Cornwall Show – 1965

Trip to Seaside 1965 – Taxi Driver, Edith Buddell, Mrs Lilian sims nee Buddell, Mr Bill Sims, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell

Sharman Bennetts, Margaret Carter nee Buddell, Rose Buddell, Stan Buddell & Eileen Bennetts – 1965

Stan Buddell, Gordon Gifford, Heather Nicholls, Eunice Wills nee Nicholls, Rose Buddell, Edith Gifford & Sharman Bennetts – 1965

Rose Buddell, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell, Margaret Carter nee Buddell, Stan Buddell & Tony Carter – 1965

Mrs Lilian Sims nee Buddell, Rose Buddell, Edith Buddell & Mr Bill Sims o/s Sunnyside – 1965

Sharman Bennetts, Rose Buddell, Eric Dyer & Stan Buddell at Temple – 1965

Edward Wills & Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell with Bruce the dog at Polgoda Farm – Circa 1965-66

Rose Buddell & Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell on the way to shop – Circa 1965-66

Rose Buddell & Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell o/s Temple – Circa 1965-66

Stan Buddell tealing the garden at Temple – Circa 1965-66

Mrs Brock and Grandson Sean Brock at Central Stores Goonhavern – Circa 1967

L-R: Derek Brooks, Gwen Pascoe, Zoe Solway, Paul Solway & Shirley Solway – 21st July 1967

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) with his Staff – Circa 1967-68

Jackie & Ray Parkes at their building plot in Martyns Close – Circa 1968

Group of locals at the wedding party of Carol Pedlar & Alan Nicholls – 1968

Eddie Pascoe, his wife Eliza Pascoe nee Rowland & son Stanley – late 1960’s

Sharman & Eileen Bennetts, Betty & David Buddell with Kim, Stephen & Phillip Buddell – Circa 1969

Fred & Eileen Bennetts, Betty & David Buddell with Kim, Stephen & Phillip Buddell – Circa 1969

Jack & Doris Mitchell – Circa 1960’s at Carn Moor Goonhavern

The Flamank Family 50th or 60th Wedding Anniversary – 10th Jan 1970

Period 1970-1979

Scotland Trip – Beryl Rule, Margaret Pedlar & Derek Rule

Scotland Trip – Beryl Rule, Glen Pedlar & Margaret Pedlar.

Scotland Trip – Derek Rule & Margaret Pedlar.

Scotland Trip – Beryl Rule, Glen & Margaret Pedlar.

Scotland Trip – Derek Rule, Margaret Pedlar & Beryl Rule.

Beryl Rule down at Greet U, Caravan in their garden plot.

Miss Lorna Nicholls Perranporth Carnival Queen 1970

Perranporth and District Snooker League Presentation Evening Circa 1971

Mark Reed, Wayne Nicholls, Patricia Hoskings – Circa 1970

Siblings Maria, Wayne & Warren Nicholls – Circa 1973

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) & his Staff – Circa 1972

William & Doris Willcocks – circa 1970’s

Glen Pedlar with his winning Begonias at Goonhavern Village Show – Between 1969-1974.

Goonhavern School Class – Mr William Curnow (Headmaster) & his staff – Circa 1974-75

Edward (Jumbo) Richards & Mother Mrs Lena Richards at sister Susan’s Wedding – 1974

Goonhavern PTA at Perran Carnival – Circa 1974

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – 1975

Foster’s Pottery Staff Party at The Ponsmere Perranporth – Circa 1975

Willie Hosking, Viv Moses and Tony Hosking marking out the Village Park – Circa 1975

Members of “The Roseillians” – Circa 1975

Heather Nicholls & Richard Todd’s wedding in 1976

Silver Circle Dinner at Reen Cross Farm Buscombe, Trevethan & Willcocks.

Philip (Titch) May & Angela May nee Hawke Wedding Apr 1976

Edward Wills with Eileen & Fred Bennetts – 1977

Mrs Lilian Sims nee Buddell & Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell – 1977

Margaret Carter nee Buddell, Stan Buddell, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell, Fred Bennetts with Melanie Carter – 1977

Stan Buddell, Belle Cottell, Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell & Mrs Cottell – 1977

Doris Mitchell, Annie White & Lorna Child – Circa 1979

New Year’s Eve at The New Inn – Late 1970’s

Concert at Goonhavern Village Hall – Late 1970’s

Goonhavern Silver Circle Birthday Lunch The Royal Duchy Hotel Falmouth

Period 1980-1989

Vic ? Lived nr Breafel Garage Rejerrah. Frequented The New Inn every evening.

Beryl Rule, Doris Mitchell, Marjorie Kurzewski from Michigan USA & Derek Rule. – Circa 1980’s

Derek Rule & Marjorie Kurzewski from Michigan USA – Circa 1980’s

Apr 12th 1980 – The Wedding of Miss Zoe Solway & Mr Martyn Clements

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – Circa 1980

Yvonne Parkes & Trevor “Jumbo” Richards New Years Eve – Circa 1980

Melanie Carter & Jacqui Bennetts Stan & Rose Buddell’s Grand Daughters at Temple – Circa 1981

Stan Buddell & Great Grand Daughter Jacqui Bennetts at Temple – Circa 1981

Shauna Dawson’s Wedding with her father Sandy – 1981

New Year’s Eve at The New Inn – Circa 1981

New Year’s Eve The New Inn Gang – Circa 1982

Terry Johnson at Kernewek Pottery – 1982

Yvonne Parkes & Peter Squance at Kernewek Pottery – 1982

Yvonne Parkes at Kernewek Pottery – 1982

Peter Squance at Kernewek Pottery – 1982

Ron Richards on car-park duty at Perranporth Beach Car Park – 1982

John Nicholls being presented with the Chain of Office – Circa 1982

Moving the Taj Mahal to The World in Miniature site – Circa 1982-83

Goonhavern School Class – Mrs Margaret Manfield Caretaker retires in Nov 1983 after nearly 14 years.

Goonhavern Schgool Class – Mrs Margaret Manfield Caretaker retires in Nov 1983 after nearly 14 years.

Tree Planting in the Village Park – Circa 1984

Shauna with her father Sandy Dawson – Circa 1984

Sylvia Reed & Peter Wilkins – Circa 1985

Jackie Parkes & Carole Nicholas at Goonhavern Village Hall – Circa 1985

Dedication of a seat at Droskyn, Perranporth – Circa 1987-88

Yvonne Parkes & Derek Rule @ New Inn – Undated

Period 1990-1999

Mr Glyn Richards & Mrs Lena Richards – 1990

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – Circa 1990

Goonhavern School Class – PE Lesson with Headmaster Mr Tom Delbridge & Mrs Alison Dunn – Circa 1990

Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell, David Buddell & Doreen Deighton nee Buddell – Circa 1991

Jo Todd & Sue Hoskings @ Penrose Touring Park Shop – Circa 1991

Eileen Bennetts nee Buddell & Doreen Deighton nee Buddell in Adelaide – 1992

Derek Rule and Philip May St Columba Celtic Male Voice Choir c1993 Bedfordshire

St Columba Celtic Male Voice Choir c1993 Bedfordshire

Marjorie Jackett School Caretaker’s Retirement 1994

Perranzabuloe Parish Council Centenary – 1994

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – Circa 1994-95 – Mrs Gillian Whitford.

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – Circa 1994-95 – Mrs Pat Tonkin & Mrs Barbara Wright

Goonhavern School Class – Canteen Staff – Circa 1994-95 – Mrs Barbara Wright

County Councillor Ken Yeo with “Sick Visitor” Edward Wills – Oct 1998

Alfred “Dank” Flamank, Rose’s Hearse Driver & Rose’s oldest resident with Funeral Director John Nicholls – Oct 1998

Bridge Stores Owners David & Jean Allsopp with Shop Assistant Zoe Clements – Oct 1998

Ray Menhenett’s Prize Winning Sweet Peas, Best Exhibit Veg Open & Best Exhibit Horticulture Open – Goonhavern Show 1999

The Carter Family at Goonhavern School Reunion at Haven Holiday Park, Perran Sands in 1999.

Mrs Sheila Francis Mrs Margaret Sampson, Derek Rule and Mrs Lillian Martin – Circa 1990’s

Mrs Sheila Francis Mrs Margaret Sampson, Mrs Lillian Martin & Derek Rule – Circa 1990’s

Period 2000-2009

Beryl Rule sitting up at Droskyn Perranporth.

Maureen and her father Bert Bidwell – Circa 2000

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Penhale Camp

Goonhavern Silver Circle – 50th Anniversary 1952 – 2002

Bert, Mo & Joan Bidwell at Pine Trees, Reen Cross Road – Circa 2004

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Heligan – Sept 2004

Brothers David & Steven Bidwell at Pine Trees, Reen Cross Road – Circa 2004

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society Christmas 2004

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society Christmas 2005

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Goonhilly – June 2006

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Boscastle – Sept 2006

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Culdrose – Sept 2006

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society – Banner Being Blessed

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society Commitee following blessing of their banner – 29 Sep 2006

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to St Ives – Sept 2007

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society – Annual Christmas Lunch at Ponsmere, Perranporth – Jan 2007

Period 2010 – 2019

Ex Caretaker Mrs Margaret Manfield returns to Goonhavern School in 2010 after retiring back in 1983.

Goonhavern Village Show Exhibits – June 2011

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society trip to Lappy Valley Railway Sept 2011

Father Christmas Parade – Christmas 2011

Father Christmas Parade – Christmas 2011. Anthony Armshaw & Ben Parker

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Xmas Lunch – Perranporth Golf Club – Jan 2012

Carol Andrew nee Pedlar & Sister Lynette Duckham nee Pedlar – 2013

Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary – 16th Aug 2014

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society’s Book stall with the Society’s Treasurer Carolyn Wilkinson and helpers Mary Eley and sister Marjorie Jackett standing with long standing resident Doug Trevethan at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society’s Book stall with one of the four helpers, the Society’s Treasurer Carolyn Wilkinson at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014.

Goonhavern Garden Association’s stall at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014.

Christine Johns & helper on Goonhavern & District Women’s Institute stall at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014.

Derek Brooks (Recorder) for Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society preparing for the rush of interested residents looking at a photograpic history of the Village at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014.

A delighter young Perran wins a Coconut at Goonhavern Fete 60th Anniversary on 16th Aug 2014.

Jackett’s 54th Wedding Anniversary & Marjorie’s 74th Birthday 24 Sep 2014

Memories of Goonhavern Facebook Group Get together

Mrs Joan Clark (1930-2015) widow of the late Nobby Clark of Brockley, Goonhavern.

Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones presenting Lt Cdr Jake Dray with his commendation

Jackie Hannon (Eileen Buddell’s Granddaughter) & Angela Brock at Temple – 2014

Goonhavern & District Old Cornwall Society – Annual Christmas Lunch

Rosemary & William Hoskings Golden Wedding Anniversary – Feb 19th 2016

Philip (Titch) May & Angela May nee Hawke 40th Wedding Anniversary – Apr 2016

John & Stephanie Thornton’s 20th Wedding Anniversary on September 14th 2016.

Richard Todd & Heather Todd nee Nicholls 40th Wedding Anniversary 18th Sept 2016

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society Annual Lunch 2019

Dennis Carter 90th Birthday 3rd June 2019

Wendy Greet, Bill Solway & Adrian Greet – 3rd Dec 2019

Bill Solway & Adrian Greet – 3rd Dec 2019

Period 2020 –

Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society Annual Lunch 10th Jan 2020

Goonhavern C.P.School

This page shows the history of Goonhavern County Primary School over 140 years (1876-2016).

Goonhavern County Primary School opened on the 17th October 1876 and its first Headmaster was Mr William Tresidder who lived at the School House with his wife and young family. William was born in Feock but married a local girl Elizabeth Trebilcock and raised a family. Mr William Tresidder was Headmaster until he retired on April 20th 1916 after 40 years at the age of 65 years. During this period his son John and daughters Olga and Martha were also teachers at the school.

After Mr William Tresidder retired Mr Hugh Peters took over on 1st May 1916. His tenure was cut short as on the 15th July 1916 he left to join His Majesty’s Forces in the 11th Pioneer Battalion during World War 1.

On September 11th 1916 Mr Matthew Hoskin Keast took over as a temporary headmaster, the position made permanent in 1919. Mr Matthew Hoskin Keast, his wife Ada and only son Leslie lived at the School House. Mr Matthew Hoskin Keast was Headmaster until he retired at the age of 60 years on 5th January 1941.

After Mr Matthew Hoskin Keast retired Mr Leslie Crabb took over as Headmaster on 6th January 1941. Mr Crabb was appointed as a teacher in May 1930, before leaving on 31st December 1932 to be appointed Headmaster at St Gennys Bude. Mr Leslie Crabb, his wife Doreen also a teacher and children Angela & David lived at the School House. Mr Leslie Crabb stayed until leaving suddenly under a cloud on 1st May 1950.

On 2nd May 1950 a Mr C Iveson (Supply Teacher) took over as the temporary Headmaster until a new one was appointed.

Mr William (Bill) Curnow started as Headmaster on 7th September 1950, with his wife working in the office. Mr William Curnow, his wife and daughter Marilyn lived at the School House. Mr & Mrs Curnow retired in July 1974 and they moved to a bungalow on the Reen Cross Road, Goonhavern until his death.

In September 1974 popular Mr Tom Delbridge took over as Headmaster and carried on till his retirement in July 1993. Mr Delbridge was instrumental in organizing the School Sports Day and School Fete, which on those days you could hear his voice booming out across the village with his PA System.

After Mr Tom Delbridge retired Mr Roger Arend arrived in September 1993 and saw a modernisation of the school between 2000-2003, something that had been talked about for 25 years before.

In 2000 major works commenced over a four year period to upgrade the school and completely refurbish the school inside and out with additional permanent buildings being built to replace the old Elliott Classrooms that had been there for nearly 50 years. Mr Arend left in December 2008.

After Mr Arend was Mr Craig Hayes who started at Goonhavern in January 2009 and finished in July 2017.

The latest Headmaster Mr Mark Lloyd started in September 2017.