Ertach Kernow - Praise for Cornwall and its achievements
Cornwall has repeatedly been at the forefront of innovation, and forward thinking. Some of its institutions such as the Royal Institution of Cornwall and the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall led the way for research with the collection and sharing of knowledge. These two organisations are still with us today and continue their work from the early 19th century.
For those interested in the history of Cornwall its people and culture the journals and books from long past can prove most enlightening. Taking the Royal Institution of Cornwall (RIC) journal from 150 years ago perhaps the most interesting facts are found in the figures printed in their journals allowing us to see how they lived and the changes over time.
The President of the Royal Institution said in 1876 ‘Every Cornishman would regret that the old Cornish toast of “Tin, Fish, and Copper,’ which at one time truly represented the staple, if not the sole, productions of the county, should ever cease to be appropriate. It is pleasant, therefore, in the present state of depression in the commercial world, to be able to record proofs of vitality, however small, in those productions which are still left to us, and we should endeavour to encourage every effort to improve and revive them.’ The decline in Cornish mining during the 19th century is evident through his words. During King John’s reign Cornish poet Michael Blaunpayn also known as Michael of Cornwall answered a critic of Cornwall with the final poetic line ‘No sea so full of fish, of tin no shore’. This provides some idea of the importance of fishing and tin back to the 13th century.
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For Cornwall the relatively new kid on the block from the late 18th century was china clay and Mr Rashleigh made much of this. In 1809 the total of china clay and china stone quarried amounted to just 2,919 tons rising to 226,309 tons in 1874. By 1910 Cornwall was producing fifty percent of the worlds china clay. Although now well off its peak extraction approaching three million tons is quarried and now days hundreds of thousand tons per annum of sand produced as part of that production is used in the building industry. Mining and quarrying has evolved over the past 150 years and today the potential growth of lithium extraction from far below ground in Cornwall is a new and growing industry. Quarrying of china clay will continue for many decades and Cornwall will soon see the rebirth of the Cornish tin industry at South Crofty.
In his address the President of the RIC mentioned the fishing and the pilchard industry with its chief landing port at Penzance. Fishing was on the decline compared to the huge amounts caught by the pilchard seine fishermen earlier that century and by the end of the century had run its course after many centuries. A change in climate, perhaps overfishing saw pilchards no longer coming close to shore. Today fishing continues in an evolved state with new methods and demand for different species, often to meet the demands of the local tourist industry. The importance of fishing to Cornwall is very often undervalued recent figures showing that some £174 million was added to the Cornish economy sustaining nearly 8,000 seafood related jobs. For every fisherman at sea there are fifteen land-based seafood jobs with a very strong employment links to Cornish tourism. Cornwall has the greatest concentration of seafood restaurants in the UK with the highest volume outside London. Adding figures for Cornwall to England the Cornish fishing industry accounts for five percent of England’s complete seafood sector. Looking at numbers of vessels and fishermen Cornwall has larger numbers than either Wales or Northern Ireland including value of landings.
Although massive numbers of pilchards are no more they have been rebranded as Cornish sardines and are still caught, processed and sold in Cornwall. Shellfish and other species are now caught in great numbers and with sea temperatures increasing through climate change these types have changed even over the past twenty years or so. What is caught now is often determined by quotas, demand and value but diversity helps sustain the fishing industry. A quite recent addition to the Cornish fishing industry is the growth in catching bluefin tuna. United Kingdom licences for this large and valuable fish are limited to just fifteen in 2025 up from ten in 2023 with strict quotas on numbers and tonnage caught for market. There is provision for catch and release recreational fishing, this too being strictly regulated. One of the UK’s most successful and highly experienced fishermen for bluefin tuna operates out of Mevagissey. Anthony Hill is skipper of the charter vessel Peganina a fast Lochin 33 with modern Iveco 280hp turbo-diesel engine and advanced electronic suite. This is another example of Cornish fishing and how it and tourism come together to help sustain the industry and local economy.
Paul Trebilcock former chief executive of the Cornwall Fish Producers Organisation said in 2021 ‘Fishing is woven through the fabric of Cornwall. A lot of people are linked internationally and closely with fishing. That sense of community remains strong, particularly around the coast.’ He emphasised the significance of fishing to Cornwall saying, ‘Cornwall and Cornish fishing and fish related business are big economically, socially and culturally important.’ Smaller harbours such as Cadgwith remained important as ‘fishing provides community life and employment in remote parts of Cornwall where other opportunities are limited.’
Another topic raised by the President of the RIC in 1876 was Cornish farming. Joined with fishing and forestry, farming today forms the largest sector of the Cornish economy helping support tourism with high quality local and often innovative produce. The late 19th century saw Cornish farming producing limited basic crops. Potatoes and broccoli formed the greatest production with onions and asparagus accounting for a smaller amount. Also mentioned was the market in black carrots, now almost never seen, and soft fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and gooseberries. Whereas the area around Penzance and Penwith were favoured for potatoes as they could be harvested early the areas along the River Tamar were ideal for soft fruits and highly exportable.
Today some seventy percent of Cornish agricultural land is grass which supports beef, lamb and milk producing cattle. The 19th century saw large amounts of butter exported to London markets. Today with modern refrigeration milk is also used to produce and export clotted cream, also an important ingredient for Cornwall’s tourist industry. As one drives around Cornwall today people will see fields covered with bright yellow crops. Times and demands change and the produce from rapeseed plants is in huge demand. Rapeseed is a brassica related to broccoli and cabbage and although grown in the UK for many centuries demand increased dramatically from the 1970’s. Whereas up to a few decades ago lard was commonly used for cooking in most homes this has largely been replaced for frying with vegetable oils. Rapeseed is also used in the production of soap and margarine as well as lamp fuel and has a number of medicinal properties and fodder for livestock.
Much is being made of the return of beavers to Cornwall over the past few years after a long 400-year-old absence. It was interesting to read in his report the RIC President refer to some environmental topics, saying ‘It is well to record from time to time any facts bearing on the natural history of our county, which may be new or interesting.’ Of seals Mr Rashleigh said, ‘I am delighted to be able to report that Seals have been seen lately, for the first time, about the Gribben headland, near my own residence, Menabilly.’ He continued; ‘My gamekeeper has also noticed the marks of seals where they have been basking on the low shelving rocks under the Gribben, and upon those parts of them, which, being close to the water, are covered with short grass, where the impress of their forms are manifest. I have given orders that they shall not be disturbed, and I hope the quiet isolation of the Gribben foreland may tempt them to remain, and increase.’ There was also mention of otters ‘There are many otters in this locality, and they generally find food enough about the cliffs and in the sea; but occasionally, when there is a continuance of rough weather at sea, they visit inland.’
Today much is made about people living longer. Longevity of people in Looe was included in the President’s 1876 report saying seven people had died in Looe between the ages of 95 and 81 with an average age of 85. Still living that year were 31 people between the ages of 95 and 82 with an average age of 86. The population of Looe was 2,194. Despite the lack of modern medicines, antibiotics and such like it seems many people throughout Cornwall were living to ripe old ages. Perhaps lack of city smog and simple living without processed foods and plenty of fresh air and exercise was a health benefit. There was still much infant mortality and many health and safety issues with deaths in mining and other industrial accidents.
Mr Rashleigh concluded his report saying, ‘As I love Cornwall so much, I delight in praising it, when praise is due, whether for its science, or literature, or its natural productions.’ Quite right, Cornish folk still have much to be proud of in our nation today as life in Cornwall evolves, but we need to work at it.
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