Introduc*on In 2012 the BBC’s John Sergeant presented a series retracing the steps of Victorian photographer, Francis Frith, who a?empted to document every city, town and village in Britain. photography@perranuthnoe thought it would be a good idea to a?empt a similar project -‐ to recreate old photographs of Perranuthnoe -‐ and so we put out a request for material. The response was overwhelming, especially aLer The Cornishman ran an ar*cle about the project on their Yesteryear page. Some 200 images came in (thanks largely to the 2006 Marazion Memories Project), the earliest da*ng from 1857. Amongst many others were photographs of the Sunday School and images repor*ng shipwrecks in these waters. One such shipwreck was the G.I.Jones which ran aground in the bay 130 years ago this month, in September 1883. In January 2013, each of our 40 members was given the opportunity to take part in this project and randomly selected one of the chosen photographs. Each member went about researching the subject and those with outdoor pictures waited for a suitable break in the weather to record today’s interpreta*on of the original photograph. Some members commented on the difficulty of reaching the exact spot where their original was taken. This was mainly due to extensive vegeta*ve growth over the years or considerable changes in the landscape following building works or coastal erosion. The la?er is par*cularly clear in several photographs. One local resident, Kif Wood, who has a model airplane fi?ed with a camera, became an honorary member of the group so that we could have an aerial record of the changes in the landscape. The text accompanying the photographs has been provided from a number of sources. Another local resident, Mary Tudor, was a key player in researching this element of the project, speaking to several other residents in the process. Mary’s help was invaluable in bringing this exhibi*on together. We admit to not having all the answers to these photographs. We have produced a reference book containing most of the photographs we collected, including copies of those on display, so that you can add your comments, correc*ons, names of uniden*fied people in the photographs, and any memories you may have of the recorded occasion. More informa*on on the G.I.Jones is contained in this book. Special thanks go to our member Maureen Gibson who has spent many many hours pubng the reference book together. The book is kept in St Piran & St Michael Church, Perranuthnoe. The exhibi*on was opened on Friday 13 September by long *me resident and re*red village postmistress Muriel Crothers aged 97. She is featured in the photographs. In December 2013 a hardback book was also produced. The book contains these 40 images from the exhibi*on. One copy of the book is kept in the Church and another in the Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe. Mar*n Holland Chairman photography@perranuthnoe Tel: 07714 846849 Email: mar*n.seawards@b*nternet.com September 2013
1: Alfred Brown -‐ Postcard image of the Church around 1920’s. A view taken from the north side of the Church where there is evidence of a flag-‐pole, but no church yard at this Jme.
2. Ali Braybrooks – The house in the centre of the original postcard is Peggy Hudson’s house Longcliffs, which was built in the 1930’s. The house on the right is Downalong, built in 1922 by Francis Rowe. Replaced in 1989, Downalong is now the home of Francis’ granddaughter, Sandra Shaw. It’s interesJng to look at the original postcard and idenJfy what is not there – for example the house known locally by many as ‘The Doll’s House’ has not yet been extended. NoJce too the fields to the leX of the house which are now overgrown.
3. Annie Henry – Village youth group in mid-‐1950’s featuring Leslie Bo[erel, Cyril Rogers, Rodney Bo[erel and Russel George (back row) Rev Winfield, John Jago, Ann Carnell and Kathryn Jago (middle row) Audrey Berriman and Mary Skewes (front row). The photograph on the right features ‘Living On Love’ the teenage youth group of today at the end of a design day creaJng t-‐shirts and bags for their weekend away to Greenbelt 2013.
4. Barry Fellows – Original photograph taken by John Purchas in July 1995 when the slip was built by local builder Peter Richardson.
5. Charles Symons – The original photograph shows Jimmy William’s shop which was in the village unJl about 1970. Either side of the main shop window are Mr and Mrs Williams and the two children are Alice Williams (leX) and Marie Vellanoweth. The lady on the right of the road is Aida Vellanoweth, Marie and Peggy’s mother. Marie was born in 1913 so this postcard was probably made in 1916 or 1917. Marie lived in the village unJl her death in 2014.
6. Chas Gooding – In the original photograph we can clearly see the back of Jimmy William’s shop; neither Men-‐Zar (built approximately 1939) nor Men-‐Dhu have been built and telegraph poles have not arrived.
7. Chas Gooding – Local butchers through the ages from Leslie Lighjoot to Mr Polglaze (Mary Rosewarne buying her products) to our current supplier Vivian Olds of St Just serving Maggi Gooding.
8. Charles Nicolaou – Despite the winds, weathers and passage of Jme, the disJncJve outline of Cudden Point remains reassuringly the same.
9. ChrisJne Kimmerling – The original was painted by Humphrey Noall in 1982 aXer he visited the summer teas. The painJng was given in lieu of paying for his tea. The painJng has hung in the Church Room ever since. The summer teas have been used to raise Church funds for many years.
10. David Harvey -‐ Boats are no longer a feature of ‘Boat Cove’ and the significant coastal erosion which is so clear in these photographs meant that it became necessary to demolish the boat shed in February 2009.
11. Dave Painter – Thought to be taken in the early 1900’s with Wheal Charlo[e on the horizon, the original photograph clearly shows the mining heritage of this area.
12. Dave Robinson – Thought to be taken in the 1930’s the original photograph of the Victoria Inn shows there was no need for a made up road, road markings or a television aerial!
13. Debbie Smith – Original photograph taken in 1970’s shows Harry Laity with his horse at Trebarvah. In the modern version we see the change in the landscape and extensive growth of vegetaJon.
14. Derek Brown – InteresJng to see the progression of farming in Perranuthnoe from the cows in the original photograph circa early 1950’s to the plasJc of today.
15. Derek Norman – In 1960 Muriel and George Crothers were looking for premises to open a post office. George had reJred from his posiJon at Penzance Council due to a physical disability. They asked Jimmy Williams, a relaJve, if they could buy his property, but he refused. They acquired a small piece of land from Tom Reynolds. It was too small for a bungalow, their preferred choice because of George’s illness so built a house with post office and shop. AXer 22 years Muriel reJred and from 1983 the business was run by Mr and Mrs Bra[. The building is now used as a private dwelling.
16. Derek Smith – The fleeJng presence of a visitor to the church contrasts with the permanence of the building. The old photograph circa 1920’s shows the church before the altar screen was installed. Electric lighJng has replaced oil lamps and loudspeakers ensure all can hear. The pews at the front of the church were removed approximately 6 years ago.
17. MarJn Holland – The original image taken at high Jde appears to be circa 1920’s as there is very li[le village development around the ‘doll’s house’, which has not yet been extended.
18. Jinty Symons – This old photograph shows one of the first shops in the village. At one Jme, Perranuthnoe had 8-‐9 businesses including a post office and shoe-‐makers. Nowadays, these are private houses but interesJng to note the emergence of a small stall selling miscellaneous items has appeared outside Perrancliff, Yvonne Grove’s house.
19. John Burrows – A clear example of the extent of the coastal erosion is seen here in these two photographs. Possibly taken in the 1960’s the original photograph shows the remains of mine workings and slag heaps, ‘Cliff House’ which was rebuilt in 2010/2011, but no evidence of the now familiar ‘Coast Path’. Who knows what would have happened if the slipway hadn’t been built supported by the numerous rocks.
20. John Pritchard – Greenways and Boswergy hand coloured postcard. Note the castellated house to the leX on the original photograph where ‘The Fors’ (built by Dr Blay in 1989) now stands. Greenways (originally a li[le pink bungalow) was rebuilt by Ros and John Pritchard in 1990. Also interesJng to note there is no Greeb Way yet in the original photograph.
21. Joyce Fellows – Circa 1920 showing Wheal Charlo[e and the Dubban in the top right taken from the slag heaps and burrows at Wheal Jayne in front of Trebarvah.
22. Karen Foster – Church Choir mid-‐1950’s. Pearcy Curnow holding the cross. The Church doesn’t have a choir anymore but the Perran Music Group works well alongside organist David Ball. The old wooden cross is a permanent fixture on northern wall inside the Church. Note the bush has taken over!
23. Kif Wood – The original black and white photograph is probably about 50 years old. As you can imagine with aerial photography one has to take wind and weather into consideraJon, and also the fact that the remote control is sensiJve resulJng someJmes in the plane veering a li[le off course! Smudges on the lens, and avoiding other flying creatures may also come into play interfering with the desired shot. Today’s photograph isn’t taken from the same angle, but does show changes in the village…. new construcJons and in parJcular a current method of farming using plasJc.
24. Lesley Row – Original image mid-‐1960’s of Pearcy Curnow, Lady the horse and Pearcy’s dog, Flip. Today’s photograph is of Ted Rowe, with his daughter’s horse Belle and locals Steve and Rosemary Jones’s greyhound Maggie.
25. Lynne Smith -‐ Bill Gammar, one of the current Perranuthnoe bell-‐ringers. The old photograph is of Pearcy Curnow who used to ring the three bells (on his own) using his foot for the third bell – a talent Bill says he is yet to master!
26. Maggi Gooding – In 1993 when Joe Laity finally reJred from farming, old and new implements were placed side by side for aucJon.
27. MarJn Holland – This original photograph of Emily Lighjoot (Rodney Bo[erel’s grandmother) with her daughter May is thought to have been taken in the late 1920’s when they were on their way to church from Trevelyan Co[age. Emily’s husband was church (people’s) warden in Perranuthnoe as well as proprietor of The Crown Hotel, Goldsithney. The modern day interpretaJon shows Ray picking up local resident Elizabeth Wright for church in his BMW Z4 cabriolet – a different type of horse power -‐ how Jmes have changed!
28. Marian Neale – This original photograph of Sinclair ‘Curly’ Nicholas in the milking sheds. Today’s version shows Karen Wall milking her rare breed, Whitebred Shorthorn at Trenow Farm, Perranuthnoe -‐the smallest dairy in the country.
29. Maureen Gibson – The best clue to a rough date for this original photograph is that it was taken before Coast View was built. Coast View was built over 100 years ago by Mrs Bridge. It was later in the ownership of her son Ronald Bridge, subsequently Mrs Marze[ee, then Mrs Clements (who painted it white) and finally in the 1960’s Joe and Virginia Laity. In the bo[om leX of the original photograph is the Count House which is now the site of Rev’d Annie HenryHolland and MarJn Holland’s home Seawards.
30. Mike Polley – Muriel Crothers and her husband ran the village post office from 1960 unJl Muriel reJred in 1983. Mr and Mrs Crothers decided to open the post office when the previous one closed and the village lacked this much needed facility. In the photograph Muriel is standing behind the counter. Today’s photograph of Muriel was taken in July 2013 at Courtland’s ResidenJal Home where she now lives aged 97. The third photograph is of Bev Hilton working her shiX at Village CraXs, Lynnfield July 2013.
31. Paul Hayward – See the mine waste in the centre of the original photograph to the leX of land where private residence Wheal Jayne now stands.
33. Peter Bu[erfield – Father Astley in 1898. Look how vicar’s dress’ has changed! Instead of walking sJck Annie holds guitar. New metal handrail to help people up the steps to graveyard. Father Astley died in 1902.
34. MarJn Holland – In November 2001, the farmyard at Lynnfield had become the Lynnfield CraX Centre. Today the craX centre is home to the Peppercorn café, Perranuthnoe Village CraXs and other small units selling arts and craXs.
35. Ros Pritchard – The car in the original photograph suggests that it was taken in the 1960’s when the road was sJll unmade. In the current photograph we can see that the original outbuilding at Church Farm House is no longer there and the chimney stack on the roof of ‘The Co[age’ has been removed.
36. Rob Braybrooks – Taken from Trebarvah Beach, in the 1950’s, the ‘Doll’s House’ can clearly be seen with extensions. Worth noJng that some fields to the leX of this photograph are no longer in use.
37. Sandra Shaw -‐ The erosion of the cliffs is really noJceable in these two photographs. EsJmaJng the date of the original photograph called for some beady eyes and plenty of research. In the top right hand corner of the photograph is a shipwreck. ‘Downalong’ is in the photograph which we know was built in 1922. ‘Longcliffs’ (1930’s) has not yet been built. So it might be reasonable to think that the wreck is the French Steamer SS Ornais II which was driven ashore on 7 December 1929 about one nauJcal mile off Cudden Point and became a total wreck when it ran aground.
38. Sheila Harvey – Lane looking down with wall of Penlayree on right. Further on right is ‘The Mews’ that used to be the site of an egg packing staJon. Garage at bo[om is no longer there now – Yvonne Groves garden with interesJng garden sculpture. Since the current photograph was taken (July 2013) Yvonne has created a driveway in her garden. Note the telegraph pole in the current photograph.
39. Suz Dodds – This original photograph is from the late 1960’s. Today the popular family beach a[racts many more visitors as the previously li[le known spot now receives considerable recogniJon in the press and naJonal magazines.
40. Victoria Johns -‐ A 1970’s original photograph of Pearcy Curnow at the top of the church tower. He liked to show the young ladies the views! The modern image, taken by Victoria Johns, is of local farmer Simon Thomas.