Author: Derek Brooks

Rose Village, Surrounding Hamlets & its Residents

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This page shows the history of Rose Village, Surrounding Hamlets and its Residents over the years.

Unfortunately the quality of the scanned images are not as I would like as they were not taken from the original photographs. If anyone has a copy of the photographs on this page and could email mail me a copy I will credit you, and replace my copy.

Rose is a small village with a very small population. It is in between Goonhavern and Perranporth. The people of the village get together and write a newsletter. There is a committee to arrange various activities for the local folk. They have an A.G.M. once a year. The Men’s Institute hold a Fun Nite each year. This year they had a genuine home-made pasty section on their “Home Produce” stall. There was a baking day for the ladies. There is also a Sunday School for the children with a different theme each week. In the chapel they have concerts in the evenings as well as regular services. They write all sorts of news in the newsletter which is monthly. For instance if someone leaves the village they mention it (eg. joining the Army). Even a cuckcoo in a nest can get a mention!

Rose Post Office is owned by Mrs Partridge.She does family allowances,  bills, pensions, stamps and kodak prints. The P.O.is small. She runs it on her own. If anyone came to steal anything they would find it difficult because she has got a very vicious dog. Just the locals use this P.O. Originally it was joined to the shop down the road. Her father had it before her. It has had three moves. At one time it was in her mother’s kitchen and now it is in the old coal house. A bell rings in the kitchen when someone comes. She likes working in the P.O. because its not very busy. She has been working there about 14 years. £35.80 is the basic pension but not many people have that now. A married person gets £21.50. There is a much larger P.O. in Perranporth. Sadly, a lot of small village P.O.’s have had to close.

Article Courtesy of the BBC Domesday Reloaded Project written in 1986.

Central Stores; Masters Garage & The Gables

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This page shows the history of Central Stores; Masters Garage  & Mr Henry Richards/Mr Raymond Ellery Carpenters Shop over the years.

Central Stores:

In 1881 although not named, there was a James Buddle, his wife Ann & son John who ran a grocers shop and carriers which seems to be what we know as Central Stores. They are still listed there in 1893 the last mention of them.

Central Stores had been established for over a century when a newspaper article in “Town and Country News” appeared on December 30th 1932. Then the present Central Stores had been recently rebuilt, but had only been controlled by the then proprietress Miss Elsie K. Hollway for the past few years.

Originally a Grocery store, it widened its scope until today (1932) there are only a few essentials that were not stocked. Miss Hollway adopted the policy of stocking everything that was asked for. Thus if an article is asked for and not stocked, Miss Hollway obtained it specially and in future kept a small stock against future orders. Thus the scope of her stores was ever increasing. Hence the nickname “The Harrods of cornwall” was born. There were many farms in the district and most of the farmers and residents supported Central Stores and obtained as many of their requirements as possible.

Groceries constituted the bulk of the stores sales and a very large and varied stock of all the leading proprietary lines was covered. Next in importance was her Drapery Goods. The stock held is also very varied and taking everything into consideration particularly attractive. Confectionery, Newspapers and innumerable other articles played a leading part.

Behind the store was a field which was let as a camping site to Scouts and others, tents, furniture and utensils being supplied by Miss Hollway. Miss Hollway was still there in 1939.

It continued as the village stores with various owners including Stephen Clark during the war, his Mother in Law, Muriel ran it, Arthur & Elsie Smith in the from 1969, and finally Johnny Morris & his wife Betty sold it in 1997.

It was purchased then by Jim Harvey and converted into a private dwelling with his Barbers Shop in the side building adjacent to the dwelling. It is still that way today.

©2016 Derek Brooks

“Fredliz (Masters) Garage was owned by Frederick (Fred) & Elizabeth (Lizzie) Masters, It served petrol and carried out car maintenance. They owned the garage in 1939 and after Fred died in 1941, widow Lizzie ran the garage for many years, then later with son Philip when he was old enough in the mid 1950’s. Finally it was closed and sold in 1995 and converted into a dwelling.

©2016 Derek Brooks

The Gables:

Henry Richard’s wife ran “The Gables” for Bed & Breakfast in the 1930’s.

In my youth from the 1960’s through to the 1980’s it was owned by Mr Ron Richards and his family.

The Gables changed drastically and became a Residential Home for The Elderly and during 1998-2012 predominantly catering for Physical & Learning difficulties.

It has now been sold, and has been turned into residential accommodation (flats).

The Carpenter’s Shop:

The Carpenter’s shop was situated to the left of the entrance to the Gables, and had various occupants. There are mentions of Carpenters Edward Coombe and William Nicholls being Carpenters in 1901 & 1911 but I cannot confirm it was this location.

However after this we do know that Henry Richards had his Carpenters Shop there in the 30’s & 40’s. In the days of little cars, he used to make wooden wheels for the transport of the day, and also made coffins. They used to say early surf boards were actually coffin lids.

Sometime after Henry Richards, Perranwell resident Raymond Ellery had the Carpenter’s Shop this was in the 1950’s. I believe he left this location in 1980 when the Gables was sold, and then he moved and had his Carpenter’s Shop at Perranwell in the old Wooden building that originally came from Noble’s Explosives Factory at Cligga.

Raymond was the village postman in the mornings during the 70’s and a Carpenter & Undertaker the rest of the day.

Finally, the building was used as a Fishing Tackle Shop probably in the early 2000’s.

The Shop:

Details on this is more sketchy, on the opposite side of the entrance to “The Gables” was another small building. It was occupied at the same time as Henry Richards had his Carpenters Shop, both buildings looking similar in old photos.

©2016 Derek Brooks

Road Signs & Business Signs in Goonhavern

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This page shows Road Signs & Business Signs within the village of Goonhavern.

Road Signs:

BRIDGE ROAD: So named as there were three bridges when the railway was operative, the cutting ran from the first bridge on Perranwell Road (one metal part still visible), the second bridge was by the now Bridge Stores and the third just by Goonhavern Halt.

HALT ROAD: The steam train which travelled between CHACEWATER AND NEWQUAY called at Goonhavern Halt which was situated about 100 yards along the road towards the A 30, it was originally a hump bridge as there was a bridge on the Perranwell side of the track just before the train stopped at Goonhavern Halt, The Line closed in 1963 on the instructions of a Mr Beeching ( Minister of Transport) at the time.

POLLARDS CLOSE: When the close was built by Truro Rural District Council (Carrick District Council) Mr Arthur Paul Grubb was Chairman of the Council so he named the Close, it being his wife’s maiden name, Miss Gertie Pollard and her sister Miss Madge Pollard came to Goonhavern Council School to teach in about 1920 and married two brothers Arthur & Percy Grubb.

ROSE MEADOWS: The land between Rosehill and the Goonhavern School was grazing pasture with a barn and pond alongside the road about l00 yards up the hill from the New Inn. The bungalow development commenced in the early 1960’s.

Business Signs:

Goonhavern Football Club

This page will shows various Goonhavern teams of the past, I am sure you will recognise many locals that played at various times over the years.

Goonhavern Snooker Club – Teams & Players

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Goonhavern Mens 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 fire with a three quarter size snooker table in it, before the inside room was built housing a second full size table.

Then in the late 1970’s & early 1980’s a third room was added, for a kitchen and utility room.

Goonhavern Village Park

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Goonhavern Village Park was built on the “filled in” Railway Cutting that went through the center of the Village between Newquay side of Derek Scott’s Garden Patch through the Park, Carriage Park, Under the main road Perranwell side of Reen Cross Road during 1905 to 1963.

The land between Halt Road and Bridge Road was purchased in 1975 for a nominal sum of under £300 from British Rail and was duly “filled in” and a playing field surrounded by trees with some play equiptment was born. Over the years different volunteers have tried to maintain the now “Park” but a lack of funding was always a concern.

In 2004-5 the park became under the authority of the Parish Council and the Charity Commission. The new committee formed in about 2008 started to revamp the park, with a major landscaping project involving tree felling, removal of tree stumps and landscaping down the left hand side nearest Potters Mews, with new fencing erected on both sides of the park, and re planting of trees and shrubs.

A new committee is now busy being involved in upgrading the old facilities and the site, with funds raised in excess of £100,000. The following photos shows what work has been carried out in the past 12 months. More work is to be carried out as funds become available.

The New Inn

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This page shows the history of The New Inn over the years.

The New Inn was first mentioned as a Public House/Coaching Inn in the 1871 census for Goonhavern. Mr William Grubb was the Publican then and from our records William and his wife Mary ran the Inn from 1866 to 7th March 1878 when they then emigrated to Australia. William Grubb also ran a Stagecoach from the Inn, and had a stable in the front of the Inn where horses etc could be housed.

In 1881 and 1883 Walter & Eliza Chirgwin were the owners. In 1889 new landlord was Walter Prout. By 1891 the new landlord was Felix & Kathleen Bragg. From 1893 through to 1901 John & Sophia Powell were lanlords. During 1910 and 1911 new landlords were Arthur & Sophia Bircham. In 1914 John Edward & Elizabeth Alma Westcott were the landlords. By 1939 Mr & Mrs Percy Westcott ran the pub (wife ran the pub) as well as the Blacksmiths Forge (husband ran the Forge) opposite.

There have been a number of landlords over the past 140 plus years but Mr & Mrs John (Jack) Eslick must have been one of the longest tenants (Devenish Brewery) with over 30 years’ service ending in the late 1960’s when they retired.

Then in the 70’s & 80’s Danny & Maggie O’Leary were landlords. Afterwards there was a spell of short tenancies into the 2000’s. The last tenant before the major renovation was Gary McNaughton who ran the Inn for many years before it closed in June 2013.

After a major refurbishment the New Inn re-opened on August Bank Holiday 2013, with Park Leisure in charge trading as “Oyster Bay” to complement their luxury home development in the village.

©2016 Derek Brooks

The Old Forge

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This page shows the history of The Old Forge over the years.

It is rumoured to have been built around 1650 although I have no proof as yet.

From Census records and other sources this is a brief history: In 1851 Edward & Benjamin Menadue owned and worked there. In 1871 it was Philip Davey. In 1881 Joseph Henry (Rudd) Eplett was the Blacksmith and continued through the 1890’s & early 1900’s.  During  the early 1900’s Mr Joseph Grubb and his son Harlin kept Pigs there.  In 1910 Arthur Salmon is listed as the Blacksmith, and in 1911 Fred Eplett later to be founder of Goonhavern Banjo Band was working there with him. By 1930 Percy Westcott was the village Smithy and his wife ran the New Inn opposite and was still there in 1939.

By the 1940’s Jack Nicholls had the Old Forge, he kept a car in the part that later became the Restaurant (he used the car as a village taxi) and in the part that later became the Snack Bar he used to repair bicycles. Jack Nicholls sold the Old Forge  by 1954.

The Old Forge then became a Tea Rooms / Snack Bar from the mid 50’s until the 70’s under the ownership of Tom Hutchinson. When he retired Mr Harry Penna took over the business.

Finally it ceased being a Restaurant/Cafe in 1999 then being converted into a private dwelling, with an associated Car Sales business.

©2016 Derek Brooks

Goonhavern CP School – School Class Photos

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There are at present 534 photographs in this section of various classes over the years between 1891-2013.  

Many of which now have the names of the pupils but unfortunately some have names missing and probably will be impossible to name today, but, visitors to the site are coming back to me with names now as the word of this site spreads. It’s great seeing the different children in various dress over the decades.

Callestick, Penhallow, Penwartha School, Perranwell, Perranzabuloe & Ventongimps

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This page shows the history of Callestick, Penhallow, Perranwell, Perranzabuloe & Ventongimps over the years.

Callestick Village:

This neat village of 20 old cottages & farmhouses among trees on the east-facing slope of a small valley, was formerly a mining village: the miners walked to work at the lead mine whose engine-house still stands a mile from the village. It is a non-development area with only 4 recent houses, restricted to agricultural housing. Many of the village residents are middle-class people with work in nearby towns.Whereas once people would congregate to chat in the village street, this is not done now. There is no village shop;a weekly shopping trip to Truro is standard. The local pub is the “Plume of Feathers” at Penhallow 1 mile away. Callestick Methodist Chapel was demolished in 1976 due to falling congregations; the Methodist cemetery in 1986 was cared for by members of Perranporth Methodist Church. Callestick or as it was spelt in the 1800’s Callestock had one of the earliest Post Offices in the area.

Penhallow Village:

Penwartha School:

Perranwell Village:

Perranwell was once known as Fenlen Perran. It got it’s name from St.Pirans Well which is in the grounds of the mill. There are less houses in the hamlet now than there used to be,the old ones were built of cob and have now fallen down. There are about forty two houses now in total which includes Lambourne Mill.This was last used as a mill in 1954 and it has now been converted into a house. A granite celtic cross stands in the grounds of a park in Perranwell called Silverbow. This is used to mark the boundary between Lord Falmouth’s estate and Chiverton estate. About two hundred and ten people live in Perranwell and only ten children. The majority of the residents are retired business people.

Article Courtesy of the BBC Domesday Reloaded Project written in 1986.

The village was so named because there was at one time a granite surrounded well, but to-day no one seems to know just where it was situated in the village. The trough and lion’s head of granite can be seen at Chiverton Estate, said to have been removed for safety by Mrs Thomas Peter the owners before the Holman Family, The well was said to have had healing properties for the cure of rickets, the babies were passed through the water then taken to Perranporth and put through a hole in the rocks to give a cure!! The Methodist Chapel built in 1843 was sold in 1986 for £35,000 and the wooden building at the side was used as a Carpenters Shop by Mr Raymond Ellery when “The Gables” at Goonhavern was sold in about 1980, later it became a second hand shop. Perranwell Methodist Chapel was first opened in 1843 the arch of the old doorway could be clearly seen, and it was enlarged in 1867 when the Yard & Porch were added. In the yard there were four hearts picked out with pebbles, which were laid by Nick Pedlar. Both parts of the building are now coverted into dwellings. The wooden building alongside the Chapel was a former Nobel’s Factory Hut from Cligga in Perranporth. The factory made munitions during the 1914-18 war. In 1918 the building was purchased for the sum of £200 and was moved from Cligga to Perranwell for it to be used as a Sunday School in 1918. Originally it was planned to add another gable to the Sunday School but the wooden structure was purchased instead. Both this building and the Chapel closed on 21st December 1986. The pipe organ from the Chapel was given to Rose Methodist Chapel. The buildings were sold by public auction on 15th January 1988.

Perranzabuloe:

Ventongimps:

Many years ago, Ventongimps was called Fenton Gumpus and was a busy place with horses and carts. It is now a picturesque, quiet country village.  Bridge House which was once the village shop. It is about two hundred years old. Over the road is Ventongimps Mill. Part of it is in ruins, but most of it is still in good condition. In Ventongimps there is a spring that never stops. Water in Bridge House is fed from the spring. The water is very fresh. Not many people live now in Ventongimps but they are all very friendly and it is a very pleasant place to live with a very warm atmosphere. Most of the residents have their own transport due to the fact that there is no public transport available in the vicinity.

Articles Courtesy of the BBC Domesday Reloaded Project written in 1986.