Francis Edwards ~ The Cornish Historian
@cornishhistory.bsky.social
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Cornish writer and blogger. See my website:
https://the-cornish-historian.com/
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Do you like stories of food riots, brawling miners, con-men, charlatans, madness, exploitation, police brutality, rugby teams and many other little-heard stories about Cornwall? Subscribe to my website for FREE!
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#cornwall/kernow
#history
the-cornish-historian.com
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Francis Edwards ~ The Cornish Historian
A freelance historian, writer and researcher from Cornwall
https://the-cornish-historian.com/
10 months ago
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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
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The Madwoman of Rosewarne House?
Money, estates, mansions, secret tunnels, family plots, greed, endless litigation, insanity and tragedy…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2024/11/02/the-madwoman-of-rosewarne-house/
about 22 hours ago
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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
5 days ago
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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
7 days ago
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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
17 days ago
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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
21 days ago
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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
21 days ago
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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
27 days ago
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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...
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In Search of John Jackett, King of Cornish Sport: Part One
Film-star looks, artist’s model, champion cyclist, international rugby star…John Jackett had it all, and much more…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2024/06/29/in-search-of-john-jackett-king-of-cornish-sport-part-one/
28 days ago
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*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...
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Roll of Honour ~ Camborne School of Mines RFC
The stories of the Camborne mining students who laid down their lives in World War One…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/11/09/roll-of-honour-camborne-school-of-mines-rfc/
30 days ago
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A new post will be coming out for Remembrance Sunday...
#Kernow
#Cornwall
#Kernow/Cornwall
#Cornish
about 1 month ago
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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...
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Cornish Sporting Heroes, #4: John Collins: Camborne, Cornwall and England Rugby
Camborne man John Collins is England’s oldest living rugby union international. He played for Cornwall between 1950-53 and won three caps for the England RFU in 1952…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/05/03/cornish-sporting-heroes-4-john-collins-camborne-cornwall-and-england-rugby/
about 1 month ago
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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
about 1 month ago
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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...
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The Man Who Photographed the Miners: J. C. Burrow in Cornwall and Wales
Who was the man who photographed the miners? How did he do it? What risks did he take? Didn’t he always operate in Cornwall? Read the story behind the stunning photographs of Cornish mining i…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2022/08/28/the-man-who-photographed-the-miners-j-c-burrow-in-cornwall-and-wales/
about 1 month ago
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On this date in 1958, Sister Helen-Phillipps-Treby died. She had managed St Barnabas Hospital Saltash from 1896-1951. Read on…
the-cornish-historian.com/2021/12/05/s...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
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Sister Helen and Saint Barnabas
Sister Helen Phillipps-Treby was Head Nurse and General Manager of St Barnabas Hospital, Saltash, from 1896 to 1951. The span of her career covered some momentous changes in nursing and society, an…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2021/12/05/sister-helen-and-saint-barnabas/
about 2 months ago
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On this date in 1924, Redruth RFC’s Tommy Harris became Cornwall’s first rugby league international, representing England against an Other Nationalities side. Read on to find out more...
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/06/28/c...
#Kernow
#Cornwall
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
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Cornwall’s Rugby Codebreakers: Part Two
From the 1920s to the present, the stories of the Cornish rugby union players who switched codes and joined the rugby league…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/06/28/cornwalls-rugby-codebreakers-part-two/
about 2 months ago
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On this date in 1898, fortune teller Beatrice Small stood trial accused of defrauding Cornish country folk…read on…
#Cornish
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Kernow/Cornwall
the-cornish-historian.com/2021/12/20/t...
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The Notorious Beatrice Small, Fortune Teller
Beatrice Small made her living telling the fortunes of the gullible folk living in the border country of North Cornwall. Her fanciful tales of spells and hidden fortunes found many willing ears, an…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2021/12/20/the-notorious-beatrice-small-fortune-teller/
about 2 months ago
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On this date in 1873, the biggest anti-police riot in Cornish history took place in Camborne…
the-cornish-historian.com/2023/10/07/t...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
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The Camborne Riots of 1873: Part Two
Concluding the violent story of the biggest anti-police riot in Cornish history…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2023/10/07/the-camborne-riots-of-1873-part-two/
2 months ago
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On this date in 1873, two miners were thrown in jail after assaulting several police officers. What happened next? Read on…
the-cornish-historian.com/2023/09/30/t...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
#Riots
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The Camborne Riots of 1873: Part One
150 years ago, the people of Camborne took part in the biggest anti-police riot in Cornish history…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2023/09/30/the-camborne-riots-of-1873-part-one/
2 months ago
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Many happy returns to Cornish wrestling legend Gerry Cawley! Read my interview with Gerry below…
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornwall/kernow
#cornish
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/06/07/c...
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Cornish Sporting Heroes, #6: Gerry Cawley, Champion Wrestler
An interview with Cornishman Gerry Cawley, champion Cornish wrestler for over 25 years…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/06/07/cornish-sporting-heroes-6-gerry-cawley-champion-wrestler/
2 months ago
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On this date in 1893, seven men were killed at Dolcoath Mine. The photographer J C Burrow had taken an image of 493 fathom, where the disaster occurred, months before it happened. Read on…
the-cornish-historian.com/2022/08/28/t...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
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The Man Who Photographed the Miners: J. C. Burrow in Cornwall and Wales
Who was the man who photographed the miners? How did he do it? What risks did he take? Didn’t he always operate in Cornwall? Read the story behind the stunning photographs of Cornish mining i…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2022/08/28/the-man-who-photographed-the-miners-j-c-burrow-in-cornwall-and-wales/
3 months ago
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On this date in 1924, Cornwall’s best rugby players took on the greatest New Zealand XV in history…read on…
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
the-cornish-historian.com/2024/09/21/t...
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The Magnificent Seven Meet The Invincibles
On September 18 1924 the greatest New Zealand XV in history – ‘The Invincibles’ – played Cornwall at Camborne RFC. Seven players were Camborne men…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2024/09/21/the-magnificent-seven-meet-the-invincibles/
3 months ago
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On this date in 1934, legendary fast bowler let rip against Cornwall’s best cricketers…
#Cornish
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Kernow/Cornwall
the-cornish-historian.com/2023/04/28/b...
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Bodyline at North Roskear
One for all cricket lovers…what do a bandleader, a mine captain, and the world’s fastest bowler have in common?
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2023/04/28/bodyline-at-north-roskear/
3 months ago
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Love thy neighbour: Camborne RFC host Redruth RFC, today, 2.30pm...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
#rugby
the-cornish-historian.com/2023/09/02/c...
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Camborne~Redruth: The Oldest Continual Rugby Fixture in the World? Part One
Cornwall’s greatest sporting rivalry? The world’s oldest sporting rivalry? Here is the warts-and-all account of a great Cornish rugby tradition…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2023/09/02/camborneredruth-the-oldest-continual-rugby-fixture-in-the-world-part-one/
3 months ago
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Cornish Metals are now working on the 195 fathom pumping station at South Crofty. Here’s my maternal grandfather, John Williams, at work there in the early 1980s.
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/#Cornwall
#mining
3 months ago
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Great day at Northampton RFC -
#rwc2025
3 months ago
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No Cornish knitted rugby figure @northamptonsaints for the Women’s Rugby World Cup?!
#rugbyunion
#cornwall
3 months ago
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Bargain Power Rangers, Northampton RFC, for the Women’s Rugby World Cup
#rugby
#rugbyunion
3 months ago
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Many happy returns to Cornish cricketing hero Tony Penberthy!
#Cornwall
#Cornish
#Kernow
#Kernow/Cornwall
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/05/17/c...
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Cornish Sporting Heroes, #5: Tony Penberthy: Troon, Cornwall and Northants Cricket
An interview with Troon-born Cornish cricketer Tony Penberthy, who played professionally for First Class County side Northamptonshire…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/05/17/cornish-sporting-heroes-5-tony-penberthy-troon-cornwall-and-northants-cricket/
3 months ago
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*NEW POST* Back to school anyone?
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
#History
#Strikes
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/30/t...
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The Polruan School Strike of 1922
Child strikers take to the streets of the Cornish village of Polruan…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/30/the-polruan-school-strike-of-1922/
3 months ago
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New post on Saturday! Cornwall’s schoolchildren take matters into their own hands…for more tales of Cornish history, follow the link below…
the-cornish-historian.com
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
3 months ago
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On this date in 1814, there was murder on the streets of Lostwithiel…read on…
#Cornwall
#Cornish
#Kernow
#Kernow/Cornwall
the-cornish-historian.com/2024/03/23/g...
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Gallows Bell: The Murder of Joseph Burnett
The tragic story of a Lostwithiel Town Sergeant’s death at the hands of a British soldier…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2024/03/23/gallows-bell-the-murder-of-joseph-burnett/
4 months ago
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On this date in 1883, 12 men were killed in one of Cornwall’s worst mining disasters. Read all about it below.
the-cornish-historian.com/2023/03/12/t...
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Kernow/Cornwall
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The Wheal Agar Disaster of 1883
The harrowing true story of one of the worst disasters in Cornish mining history…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2023/03/12/the-wheal-agar-disaster-of-1883/
4 months ago
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*FOUND!* A long-lost Cornish artefact has been discovered in America! Read all about it below…
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/10/j...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
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John Hicks Sobey and the Duke of Cornwall’s Cup, 1868
How a long-lost piece of Cornish sporting history was discovered in California…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/10/john-hicks-sobey-and-the-duke-of-cornwalls-cup-1868/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Francis Edwards ~ The Cornish Historian
Alistair Coleman
4 months ago
One mile north of the A30 at Bodmin?
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New post on Sunday! An important piece of Cornish history is discovered…
the-cornish-historian.com
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
4 months ago
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*NEW POST* The story of Joseph Menear, Cornish wrestling’s biggest star on the London sporting scene in the 1860s…
the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/02/j...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
#cornishwrestling
#history
#sport
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Joseph Menear and Cornish Wrestling in London
The story of Cornishman Joseph Menear, London’s champion wrestler of Cornwall and Devon during the 1860s…
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2025/08/02/joseph-menear-and-cornish-wrestling-in-london/
4 months ago
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New post on Saturday! I take a look at the time when Cornwall’s oldest sport was big in the city…for more Cornish sporting history, see:
the-cornish-historian.com/category/spo...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
#history
#cornishwrestling
4 months ago
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reposted by
Francis Edwards ~ The Cornish Historian
Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
4 months ago
The head of Simon of Sudbury, kept at St. Gregory's Church, Sudbury, Suffolk. Sudbury who was Archbishop of Canterbury was murdered in the Peasants Revolt in 1381. 👇 BBC News - Why an archbishop's severed head is stored in a church in Suffolk - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Why an archbishop's severed head is stored in a church in Suffolk
The skull of Simon of Sudbury is on display in a church more than 600 years after his savage death.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jw3650yz2o
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The British Lions tour of 1908 featured two Cornishmen, John Jackett and James ‘Maffer’ Davey. Sadly this tour was one of the most shambolic in Lions’ history. Read all about it, and Jackett’s international career, below…
the-cornish-historian.com/2024/07/20/i...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
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In Search of John Jackett, Part Four: The King of Cornish Sport
Dissatisfaction with the RFU sees John Jackett join the Northern Union…will it be another success story?
https://the-cornish-historian.com/2024/07/20/in-search-of-john-jackett-part-four-the-king-of-cornish-sport/
5 months ago
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Was a fantastic experience to present on 'The Last Years of Holmans' at the Institute of Cornish Studies researchers' conference last week! (I'm behind the victory salute.) I hope to be presenting on this to wider audiences in the autumn, so stay tuned...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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The touring Australian XV gave a war cry at Camborne RFC, then beat Cornwall 18-3 before a crowd of 10,000 in October 1908. From: The Cornishman, October 8, 1908.
the-cornish-historian.com/category/spo...
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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In 1971 three of my uncles (Percy, Ross, Tommy) appeared for Illogan Park RFC against St Day. Result currently unknown…
#cornwall
#cornish
#kernow
#kerniw/cornwall
5 months ago
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There’s the Tate, Bodmin Jail, Tintagel and Eden. And then there’s…
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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More steps to the water, Gillan Creek, near Manaccan
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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Helford only has two residents during the winter months, so I’m told
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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Steps down to the water, Treath, near Helford
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#kernow/cornwall
5 months ago
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Great setting, awesome food, challenging drive - Carn Brea Castle Restaurant, Cornwall
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#cornwall/kernow
5 months ago
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Exodus to St Michael’s Mount…
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#cornwall/kernow
5 months ago
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Reopening in 2-3 weeks! The Basset Arms, Portreath
#cornwall
#kernow
#cornish
#cornwall/kernow
5 months ago
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Holmans admin block/Council offices, Camborne
the-cornish-historian.com
#Cornwall
#Kernow
#Cornish
#Cornwall/Kernow
5 months ago
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