A crowd of 12,000 fans at Redruth RFC watched Cornwall draw 3-3 with Gloucestershire in October 1949. Cornwall were leading until the final minutes, when a monster drop-goal taken two yards inside the Cornish half spoilt the party. Image from the Cornishman, 13 Oct 1949. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish

A gathering of 5,000 convened at Gwennap Pit on Whit-Monday, 1949 to sing hymns and hear the preaching of Rev. F Greeves. Image from the Cornishman, 9 Jun 1949. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Who remembers the first incarnation of Mount's Bay RFC? They were an old boys' club formed in Cornwall at the end of the war. Image from the Cornishman, 28 Apr 1949. No names, sadly. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1908, an unfancied Cornish rugby team of miners and fishermen made history at Redruth RFC when they won the County Championship. Follow my link here: the-cornish-historian.com/2025/03/28/1... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

16,000 fans crammed into Camborne RFC in September 1947 to watch the touring Australians beat Cornwall and Devon 17-7. The image, of Australia about to score, is from the Cornishman, 18 Sep 1947. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

A very early image of Mennaye Field, Penzance, from 1945 the home of the newly-formed Penzance & Newlyn RFC. Here the 1947 touring Australians limber up. From the Cornishman, 4 Sep 1947. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Billy Renfree, fish jowster, doing the rounds with his daughter on Morrab Rd, Penzance, early 1900s. From the Cornishman, 27 Mar 1947. #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall

*NEW POST* Mass unemployment in 1930s Cornwall gave rise to a new sporting phenomenon…read all about it below… the-cornish-historian.com/2026/03/21/s... #Cornwall #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall #Cornish

New post on Saturday…now, where was this photo taken? #Cornwall #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall #Cornish

*NEW POST* On this date in 1928, Cornwall took on Yorkshire at Bradford in the RFU County Championship Final. Read all about their seldom-told campaign below… the-cornish-historian.com/2026/03/10/j... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

New post on Tuesday morning...now, where are these chaps? #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1998, the day after South Crofty, Cornwall’s last mine closed, parades starting at Camborne and Redruth’s rugby clubs culminated at the mine. Mining and rugby has always been closely linked… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/12/26/r... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1930, Camborne RFC became the first Cornish club to play in London when they took on Old Blues RFC. Before the game, they were photographed at the Cenotaph. To find out why they were playing Old Blues, follow the link: the-cornish-historian.com/2023/08/26/c... #Kernow #Cornwall

People of Cornwall, #6: model, lover-boy, cycling star, international rugby player and arguably Cornwall’s greatest sportsman: who else but John Jackett… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/06/29/i... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1920: riot and looting in Redruth Market, Cornwall over the cost of butter. Read all about it below... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall the-cornish-historian.com/2023/04/16/t...

People of Cornwall, #5: Paul Rabey was a Gwennap-born con artist who made a living selling shares in mines that didn’t actually exist… the-cornish-historian.com/2022/04/09/p... #Corwnwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

People of Cornwall, #4: Joseph Burnett was at home enjoying a summer’s afternoon in Lostwithiel, when duty called… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/03/23/g... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1931, Padstow’s Missouri Minstrels performed before a local audience. Immensely popular in their day, Cornwall’s minstrel bands are all-but forgotten now. Follow my link in the comments to find out more… the-cornish-historian.com/2025/01/25/c... #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish

People of Cornwall, #3: what was the story behind pioneering underground photographer J C Burrow’s amazing images of Cornish miners? Read on… the-cornish-historian.com/2022/08/28/t... #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

People of Cornwall, #2: the story of the amazingly dedicated Sister Helen Phillipps-Treby, manager of a Saltash hospital for over 50 years… the-cornish-historian.com/2021/12/05/s... #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall

People of Cornwall, #1: the eventful life of Richard Holloway, a Redruth lawyer in the late 1800s… the-cornish-historian.com/2022/09/06/m... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Redruth Wanderers RFC were a team of old boys and shop assistants who only played on Thursdays, which was early closing day. The trophy is the Cornwall Old Boys RFU Cup. Image from Tom Salmon, The Story of Rugby Football in Cornwall. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

In 1930s Cornwall, newer industries began to form their own sports teams. Here are the Cornwall Electric Power Company RFC, who like their firm were based at Carn Brea. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1922, the striking pupils of the Cornish village of Polruan marched on the school in protest and vandalised the building. Read the full story below… the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/30/t... #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1874, the children of Polwhele were treated to a minstrel performance as a Christmas treat. Minstrel bands were a popular aspect of Cornish entertainment, though they are all-but forgotten now… the-cornish-historian.com/2025/01/25/c... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Redruth County School RFC joined the Cornwall RFU in the 1938/39 season and were cutting their teeth against such seasoned junior clubs as St Day, Troon and Lanner. Here they are in 1937. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Rugby in east Cornwall was trailblazed by the St Austell based Hornets RFC. Formed in 1933 with Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as President, by 1939 they were a senior club boasting Cornwall players on their books. Here they are in 1936. #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Though officially formed in 1909, Lanner RFC had several gaps in their playing record until they notched up 15 consecutive seasons as a junior Cornish club between the wars. Here they are in 1932. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornwall #Kernow/Cornwall

Happy New Year! Last year was: 20 new posts, 37,000 website views, over one million social media views, 39 new website subscribers, six interviews, three presentations, several chapters of a book on the history of Cornish rugby...bring on 2026... #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Cornish side Troon RFC came into their own from the mid-1920s, playing in fields behind what was The Grenville Arms. Here they are in 1926/27; my grandfather stands in the middle row, second-left. #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Continuing my interest in Cornish rugby XVs of the 1930s, here’s Redruth Albany, who joined the CRFU in 1930. #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Cornwall's Sparnon Gate RFC only existed for a few seasons in the 1930s. Their coach – the man in the white shirt – is the Redruth RFC, Cornwall and England legend Bert Solomon. #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

It’s 26 December, and that can mean only thing: Camborne RFC hosting Redruth RFC in the 111th Boxing Day Derby! Let’s take a trip back to Camborne’s 1977/78 Centenary Season to see who won THAT encounter! the-cornish-historian.com/2022/12/26/c... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

During Christmas week 1921, former Camborne RFC player Harry Rodda donated £11 (£450 today) to the Cornish Miners’ Distress Fund. Follow my link to find out more about the relationship between mining and rugby in Camborne… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/12/26/r... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish

*NEW POST* The stories of the Cornish rugby players good enough for international trials but who the England selectors ultimately overlooked… the-cornish-historian.com/2025/12/13/c... #Cornwall/Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow

New post on Saturday! What do a miner, a dentist, a wrestler and an artist’s son have in common? #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1819, a man sold his wife by auction at a Cornish market… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/12/10/t... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Cornwall/Kernow

On this date in 1843, Cornish heiress Mary Hartley was found insane at a commission organised by her in-laws… the-cornish-historian.com/2024/11/02/t... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/#Cornwall

On this date in 1903, Cornishman Charles Carkeek, mayor of Blackall in Queensland, died. He had been a founder-member of Camborne RFC. Follow my link to find out about the club's origins... the-cornish-historian.com/2023/08/26/c... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Ever fancied a turn on the potter's wheel?? I highly recommend Sarah Sullivan Ceramics, Redruth, for a Christmas present with a difference... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall #Redruth #Pottery #Ceramics

The first Cornishman to win an international trial cap was Camborne RFC’s Fred Rodda in 1901. He later emigrated to South Africa and appeared for Randfontein United RFC. He stands sixth from left in the back row. #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall

Following yesterday, people have been asking just how good Redruth RFC's Roy Jennings was. I recommend Nick Serpell's excellent book 'Hellfire Awaits', but here's a few snippets from the national 'papers of the 1930s. He was THAT good - and that unlucky. #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

Redruth’s Roy Jennings (left) and Camborne’s Bill Biddick never played rugby for England, but were told to be ready for the trial at Camborne in 1928. Neither got a chance, Jennings having to run touch. It was the first trial in Cornwall. #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow #Kernow/Cornwall

Delighted to report that my talk on the last years of Holmans was well received by the Trevithick Society last night... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1935, Cornish sporting legend John Jackett died. Read all about his amazing career below… #Cornish #Kernow #Cornwall #Kernow/Cornwall the-cornish-historian.com/2024/06/29/i...

*NEW POST* Lest we forget, here are the stories of the men of Camborne School of Mines RFC who fought and died in World War One. #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall the-cornish-historian.com/2025/11/09/r...

A new post will be coming out for Remembrance Sunday... #Kernow #Cornwall #Kernow/Cornwall #Cornish

Happy 97th birthday to England rugby's oldest international, Camborne's John Collins. I was privileged to interview John earlier this year. See my link to find out more about his career... #Kernow #Cornwall #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall the-cornish-historian.com/2025/05/03/c...

On Monday, 10 November at 7.30 I will be giving a Zoom presentation to the Trevithick Society: ‘Pride and Anger: The Last Years of Holmans’. If you’re a member I hope to see you there! If you’d like to join, go here: trevithicksociety.info/index.php/me... #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall

On this date in 1914, pioneering mining photographer J C Burrow died. Read all about his amazing work below… #Cornwall #Kernow #Cornish #Kernow/Cornwall the-cornish-historian.com/2022/08/28/t...