A Brief History
On Wednesday, December 21st, 1928 a public meeting was held in the Council Chamber for the purpose of forming a branch of the Old Cornwall Society in Newquay. The first President was Col. Sir Hugh B. Protheroe Smith.
Our Society is a member of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies and many towns and villages in Cornwall have such an organisation.
A number of our members have been honoured with Bardships of the Gorseth Kernow, the Gorsedd of Cornwall.
The Society has a banner, one of the finest in the County, which was recently renovated by the School of Needlework at Hampton Court. In its centre is a pilchard on a shield.
Activities
Projects
The Society has various ongoing local history projects e.g.shops survey, the Gannel Estuary etc. Would you enjoy doing this?
Ancient Monuments
The Society takes care of various ancient monuments in the area and always needs volunteers to inspect them and for example clearing Holy Wells - fun but mucky!
Preserving the history of the local area
For over forty years the Society has been actively recording and collecting artifacts, memorabilia and ephemera, past and present for Newquay and the surrounding area. This work continues today. We have one of the finest private local history collections in the County.
Use of the Collection
At present our Records can be accessed, and information given, on Wednesdays, Room 27 at The Council Offices, Marcus Hill from 10am to 4pm. Enquiries can also be dealt with by post or telephone Newquay (01637) 872 878. Our Records have now mostly been catalogued, but this work, and interpretation of material is always ongoing. We need volunteers for this fascinating work.
Artifacts and Memorabilia
From time to time the Society has displayed the collection to the public. Its contents range from china, pictures, photographs, archaeological finds, to the jet jewellery and lace collar of Newquay's first postmistress.
The Society needs a permanent and secure home for its records, artifacts and memorabilia and so works towards this.
The aim is to have an independent museum in Newquay for use by 'One and All'. Sadly, we lack the funds for this venture which would benefit everyone - especially the children of Newquay - if they understand and enjoy their past they will have a sense of responsibility for their town present and future.
Fund Raising
To raise funds for the conservation of our local history collection and additions to it and display the Society holds coffee mornings, has stalls at various functions and special occasions in town i.e. Newquay 1900 Week and holds walks, talks and slide shows etc.
The Society is a registered Charity No. 285004
Collecting and Recording Areas
Newquay
Crantock
St. Columb Minor
Cubert
Colan
St. Newlyn East
Wartime St. Mawgan
Quintrell Downs
Winter Programme
A series of talks are given, once a month throughout the Winter and Spring. These meetings are held at the Women's Institute Hall, Crantock Street, Newquay on either Tuesday evenings of Monday afternoons, depending upon the time of year. Most talks are illustrated with slides and cover a variety of subjects from local history to life in the wild and are of interest to all. Tea and biscuits are served at the end of the meeting. Visitors are welcome.
Special Meetings
AGM
The Annual General Meeting is held in April every year.
Annual Dinner
Some years the Society holds a Annual Dinner to which members, friends and family are welcome.
Annual Lecture
The Society hosts, at a large venue in Newquay, annually when possible a special lecture open to the General Public and Members for which a charge is made, to raise funds for the maintenance of the Society's local history collection.
Local History Walks
The Society provides a number of local history walks throughout the year, for which a charge is made, to raise funds for the maintenance of the Society's local history collection and a MUSEUM for Newquay. These walks are open to the general Public and Members. Please ask if you would like us to host a walk for your group.
Two of the many letters of thanks received from local school children for educational walks givenby Steve Hebdige on behalf of the Newquay Old Cornwall Society.
Membership
The membership fee of £10.00 is due annually on 1st October and may be paid at any meeting or directly to the Membership Secretary:
Mr Mervyn Mitchell,
7 Esplanade Road,
Newquay,
Cornwall,
TR7 1PY
tel:(01637) 850841
mail [at sign] mervynmitchell [dot] co [dot] uk
You will be sent our latest Programme of meetings and Newsletter.
Payment by cheque made payable to 'Newquay Old Cornwall Society' through the post is preferred, avoiding delays and congestion at meetings.
Membership will be determined as lapsed if the fee is not paid within five months from October 1st, unless the Committee determine otherwise.
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY
To advance the education of the public in Cornish pre-history, history, topography, place names, folklore, traditions, dialect, music, industries and other subjects (with special reference to the Newquay area) and in the Cornish Language. In furtherance of that object the Society shall have the power -
1. To aquire, preserve, repair and restore exhibits, objects and collections of Cornish antiquities and other items of educational value and to exhibit them in a museum or otherwise;
2. To arrange exhibitions, lectures, visits and seminars;
3. To publish, print and disseminate (gratuitously or otherwise) litery, visual and aural educational material including reports, periodicals, books, pamphlets and other literature;
4. To raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person(s) whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise;
5. To do all such other lawful things as shall further the attainment of the Objects of the Society.
Newquay Old Cornwall Society is a registered charity. No.285004
Officers
President
Mrs Moira Tangye (Bard Kevrenores Kernow hag Ameryky)
Chairman
Mrs Stella Jenkin MBE
(01637) 873547
Vice Chairman
Mr Peter Hicks (Bard Map Towan Porth Lystry)
(01637) 874902
Secretary and Programme Secretary
Miss Rosemary Pritchard
11 St. Aubyn Crescent, Newquay, TR7 2RQ
(01637) 873076
pritchard.rosemary[at]talktalk.net*
Membership Secretary
Mr Mervyn Mitchell
7 Esplanade Road, Newquay
(01637) 850841
mail[at]mervynmitchell.co.uk*
Treasurer
Mr Chris Shinner
8 Alexandra Court, Porth, Newquay, TR7 3NJ
(01637) 873064
chris.shinner[at]fsmail.net*
Warden of Ancient Monuments/Archaeology Recorder
Miss Sheila Harper
14 Bay View Terrace, Newquay, TR7 2LR
(01637) 872878
sheila.harper[at]virgin.net*
Committee
Mrs Pat Bransgrove
Mrs Irene Karkeek
Miss Rachel Parry
last update May 2010