Ertach Kernow - Cornwall's Heritage Open Days
Cornwall's Heritage Open Days have been marketed as the largest festival of history and culture throughout Cornwall and England. From 10th September to 19th there’s huge numbers of free entry opportunities taking place as part of the annual Heritage Open Days. Here’s a summary of them to help folk perhaps take advantage of these events.
Trengwainton Garden, Madron - Sunday 12 September: 10.30am – 5.00pm: In Cornish Trengwainton is Trengwenton meaning farm of spring perhaps to the mild climate there. There has been a property here for upwards of 700 years first mentioned in 1319 and the current house although much altered during the 18th and 19th centuries was there in the 16th century. Early Cornish families associated with Trengwainton were the Cowlin’s during the 16th century and later being owned from 1688 by Francis Arundell a twice great grandson of John Arundell of Trerice. Purchased by Sir Rose Price c1810 he enlarged the house also carrying out extensive work to the gardens including adding ponds. After being purchased by Henry Stephens in 1836 one wing was demolished as he considered the house too large, but partially retained as a farm. From about 1882 under Bolitho family ownership remodelling of the house took place and garden work continued. It was under Sir Edward Bolitho who inherited the estate in 1925 that the gardens really flourished and were first opened to the public in 1931. Large acreage and the gardens were made over to the National Trust in 1961.
Godolphin House & Gardens, Helston – From Sunday 10th September: Lots of opportunity to do different things on various days at Godolphin House & Gardens near Helston. The house is open on Friday 10th and Sunday 19th September for talks led by local experts taking place in the King’s Room at 11.00am and 2.00pm on both days, numbers are limited so act quickly. Godolphin House is a grade I listed building the remnant of an earlier much larger structure dating from the 15th century. Originally built and owned by the historic Cornish Godolphin family who come to prominence in the 12th century, originally called Godolgun. The first property was apparently built close by during the 13th or 14th century being first mentioned by traveller William of Worcester as ‘ruined’ Castle Godollan in the settlement of Lodollan in 1478 and later by John Leland in the late 1530’s.
Moseley Heritage Museum, Tumblydown Farm, Tolgus Mount, Redruth - Friday 10th to Sunday 12th and 17th to 19th September: 10.00am - 4.00pm: Somewhere I’d not heard of is this museum which sounds like a treasure chest of different things to see and poke about with. It sounds especially family oriented especially for dad’s who like trains and looking for an excuse to indulge their interests and keeping children engaged.
Kresen Kernow, Little Vauxhall, Redruth - Saturday 11th September (Behind the scenes tours) 10.00am , 12.00noon and 2.00pm (free creative workshops) are 10.30am, 12.00 noon and 1.30pm and 3.00pm: If you’ve not been to Kresen Kernow this is a must visit opportunity. It’s the home of the largest repository of Cornwall’s documents and archival history, stored out in strong rooms with miles of shelves. There are wonderful facilities for researchers and completion of this multi-million-pound facility is one of the greatest recent achievements for helping preserve Cornwall’s historic and cultural heritage.
Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Carthew, St Austell - Saturday 18 September: 10.00am – 5.00pm: Wheal Martyn as always is keen to share new experiences and this open day features part of New Wave something aimed at young people especially created for this year’s Heritage Open Days. Large variety of outdoor activities including live music and activities using the beautiful woodland site surrounding the main museum building. See equipment used during the industrialised past of this site which has something to interest all ages.
‘Stret an Levow’ (Street of Voices) Redruth: High Street Sound Walks are available via the Historic England website from 10 September: You can listen any time via your smartphone or other personal device with a duration of 20 minutes. The Redruth edition is something a bit different with artists Anna Maria Murphy, Sue Hill and Ciaran Clarke. With high street stories from all ages this will be of great interest especially to Redruth folk. Having worked with Anna Maria Murphy on the Kneehigh Theatre Rambles project I have no doubt that this will an interesting fun digital experience.
About the project CLICK - www.sounduk.net/news/high-street-sound-walks-interview-artists-redruth/
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Falmouth and Penzance: The CWGC are carrying out two events telling participants about the history and work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The tours will explore the graves they care for in both these cemeteries. Firstly, the Old Chapels, Pennance Road, Falmouth cemetery on Saturday 11th September at 10.30am and 1.30pm. The following day on Sunday 12th September at Penzance Cemetery at 2.00pm.
Liskeard: Between 10th to 18th September Liskeard will hold an event known as Liskeard Unlocked, with numerous events and activities taking place throughout the town. There will be guided walks carried out by Liskeard Old Cornwall Society’s President Brian Oldham whose knowledge about Liskeard is immense. There are over fourteen sites and events throughout Liskeard many historical buildings and sites will be open, including the museum and church. Numerous other experiences including bee keeping, cooking exhibitions and even spices from the bible at Liskeard Methodist Church. Check out the full list on the downloadable pdf on our website as with all of these Cornish events.
St Lawrence’s Church, Westheath Avenue, Bodmin Open 10th to 19th September by appointment: Linked to the history of St Lawrence’s Hospital the St Lawrence Community Church was first opened in 1861. Having been saved by Bodmin Town Council who now own the building, it operates as a community church. Visitors can, we are informed have a go on the organ.
Bodmin Keep, Castle Canyke Road, Bodmin - Saturday 11th September 10.00am – 4.00pm: Home of the former Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, with its marvellous military collection, featuring here will be information and artefacts relating to the Boer War and Cornwall’s own Emily Hobhouse. As a welfare campaigner, feminist, and pacifist Emily drew attention to the British concentration camps in South Africa during the Boer War of 1899 to 1902. Happily, Emily is at last receiving greater recognition within Cornwall.
Trenance Cottages and Newquay & Newquay Heritage Archive & Museum - Sunday 19th September 11.00am to 4.00pm: At Trenance Cottages Newquay yours truly will be making an appearance. Newquay Heritage Archive & Museum a partnership of Newquay Old Cornwall Society and Association for Cornish Heritage will be partnering this event with Trenance Cottages. The cottage museum will be open for those wanting to appreciate the hard work put into the renovation and collection of historic artefacts there. The exhibition being held in the function room is entitled ‘Newquay’s Sea Story’ and will tell some of the tales, including about the lifeboat, pilot gigs, ship building and 19th century coastal vessels visually and by way of video and audio. There are plans for one of Newquay’s historic two-hundred-year-old pilot gigs to be on show, courtesy of Newquay Rowing Club.
Please check the information about attending as some of these events will need to be booked in advance. There is a readable and downloadable pdf available on the home page on our website at www.cornwallheritage.com or search the Heritage Open Days website at www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/map This is a great chance to see somewhere you may not have visited before at no charge and learn something new about Cornwall’s heritage, or just have a fun day out.
Click for here for all Cornwall events - detailed information website
