St Breward History Group

LATEST NEWS…

COMING UP …

Our next meeting will be on

Wednesday 28th October 2026

FEATURING A SLIDESHOW

Photos From The Archives

A rare opportunity to view a presentation of photographs from our extensive collection

6.30 for 7.00pm
St Breward Village Hall
(next to The Old Inn)

Refreshments & Raffle

Members £3 – Non-members £4

All Welcome

EXPLORE OUR TOPICS

Looking for a way into St Breward’s history?

Our growing Topics collection brings together the people, places, events and stories of the parish. Each gives you an introduction to the subject and links directly to related photographs, documents and other records in our Archive.

Start with something that interests you – then see where it takes you.

CLICK TO EXPLORE TOPICS…

DISCOVER ST BREWARD

Our exciting new project, Discover St Breward, was launched on Sunday 20 September 2026 as part of Heritage Open Days.

Discover the people, places and history that have shaped St Breward through a gateway to our extensive archive of photographs, maps, films, aerial views, old documents, audio recordings and much more.

Follow a series of walks linking points of interest around the parish, using our printed map and your smartphone as a guide – or explore from the comfort of your armchair on a tablet or computer. A few simple clicks will lead you from places on the map to their stories and deeper into our constantly growing archive.

Free printed maps are available from St Breward Community Shop at Row and St Breward Parish Church.

From yesterday to the Stone Age – discover the story of St Breward.

CLICK TO DISCOVER…

Why not join us?

We meet monthly in St Breward Village Hall for friendly, informal talks on a wide range of historical topics — with tea and cakes! Membership costs just £5 per year and gives you a £1 discount on entry to each meeting you attend. New members and visitors are always welcome.

Click for 2026 full programme

St Breward is a village and parish on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. It has a rich industrial history of mining, granite quarrying and china clay extraction, and a strong farming tradition. St Breward History Group was founded in 2010 to research, preserve and share the history of the parish and it’s families for current and future generations. Our members record stories of local life — people, places, work, and community. We’re building an archive of photos, documents, and recorded memories that reflect life in St Breward and beyond.

Hubble Bubble…

Taking a rest from casting spells and riding broomsticks, the ladies of St Breward W I enjoy a ride on a carnival float in the summer of 1988. In the picture, (donated to the history group by Margaret Willetts), our motley crew from L-R are: Sue (surname unknown), Jackie...

Opening Meet 1923

One of a series of six, this photo was spotted on ebay and very kindly purchased for the archive by one of our eagle-eyed members. Dated 3rd November 1923, it shows villagers and members of the North Cornwall Hunt preparing for the day's events at Churchtown, St Breward. The...

The Armstrong Family

The Armstrong family is descended from the Border Reivers who lived mostly lawless lives on the border between England and Scotland between the 13th and 17th centuries. Our Armstrongs originated in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland and then some time between 1869...

St Breward Guides, circa 1970

Courtesy of Sheila Nottle, this picture was scanned for the archive some time ago, but has yet to have all the subjects identified. Noted in pencil on the reverse are the names Jacqueline and Sheila. In the background we can see a pin-up of Prince Charles wearing his...

Memories of Evacuee, Ron Vickers

Frank May was co-owner of the quarry (it seemed funny that everybody pronounced it 'Anter, unless that was a slang name for Hantergantick!) I was never aware that Charlie May was a co-owner. From what I remember Harry was the main man, Mabel did all of the paperwork, and Frank...

Smith Group?

A photo from many years ago which was loaned and displayed at an exhibition to celebrate the Millennium in 2000 Retirement? - Work's Dinner? - Family Party? The only clue we have to the identity of any of the group is the word 'Smith' written on the back If you can help, please...

Cyril Pearce & The Woodley Sisters

Sitting on a wall at No.1 Rylands in the early 1930s are Cyril, who was always known by his middle name of John, with Alice and Dorothy Woodley. Cyril was born at St Breward in 1925 to Richard and Emily (nee Boundy). He later worked at De Lank quarry before moving to...

DJB Earthmovers at Stannon, 1978

The DJB Engineering Company was founded in 1973 by David John Brown, a British mechanical engineer. The company was renamed as Artix and the trucks as CAT in 1984 after Caterpillar bought the rights to the designs. After selling the design to Caterpillar, David Brown went on to...

The St. Breward ‘Bheys’

Original History by Trevor Ternouth 1986 Ralph and Roy Kerslake with Trevor Ternouth, their second cousin, started meeting for lunchtime meals around 1986. Ralph, who lived in Torquay, had to come to Liskeard for his monthly Masonic Lodge meetings. Roy lived at Cardinham and...

Who are those clay workers?

A group of clay workers at Wenford - unless our readers know differently!' We have a couple of names, but we need a full set, the date and occasion. Please contact us: enquiries@stbrewardhistory.co.uk

Where was that cottage?

St Breward History Group was approached via its website by the husband of a lady in poor health – they had been reminiscing about a holiday they had had in a cottage named Venn back in 1985. They thought it was in St Breward and sent a photo of the cottage taken at that time....

St Breward Carnival 1928

Courtesy of St Breward Women's Institute, this photo was incorporated in St Breward WI's 1993 entry in the Baker Cup competition when a tableau was put together for the Carnival. The theme for the competition was 'A History of the Year in Which Your WI Was Formed' - which, for...

The De Lank Youth Club

First published in the March 2025 issue of the Community News Magazine One From the Archives – The De Lank Youth Club This month Trevor Ternouth shares his memories of the De Lank Youth Club. There used to be several youth clubs at different times that ran in St. Breward, ones...

The Wenford Inn before Wenford Bridge Pottery

Above: Wenford Inn sketch by Pamela Bousfield The Wenford Inn and brew-house were built around 1834 to meet the demand created by the building of the Bodmin and Wadebridge railway. Inside the building there were numerous wooden partition walls which divided the Inn into small...

‘Tin-Tack’ – Leslie Williams

The unknown man in our December article has been identified as Leslie Williams. It appears that Leslie was known as 'Tin-Tack' and lived in a cottage near Chapel Terrace, in St. Breward. If anyone has any information on Leslie or other photographs, please do contact Brian Hill...

Churchill Monument, circa 1972

Scan of an original photograph, courtesy of Brian (Barney) Nottle. L-R: Brian (Barney)Nottle, Ernie Hillson and Robert Armstrong loading a lorry at De Lank Quarry. The granite base, ( part 1 of 4), for the statue of Winston Churchill. The statue, which stands in Parliament...

A Summer Outing, 1940s

Dora Pearce (nee Marshall) recently came across this photo of herself (centre) enjoying a day out by the sea with her friends Hazel and May. Dora recalls that they travelled there by bus, but can’t remember the location. A clue might be that in the background we can see a...

Trevor Ternouth’s School Days in St Breward

First published in the Community news February 2025 edition One From the Archives – My School Days (1946-1956) It must have been a daunting experience for this youngster aged four years 11 months to walk from 10 Penvorda Cottages to the village school at Hill, St. Breward. Of...

Extracts from Kelly’s Directories 1856 to 1935

(compiled by Jackie Lewis) 1856 - 1883 Ede Joseph, farmer and miller, Coombe 1856 - French Thomas, shopkeeper, Penquite 1856 - 1889 Pett Edward Joseph, carpenter, Keybridge 1856 - Great Onslow...

St. Breward Women’s Institute

1928 The first official meeting of the St. Breward WI was on 13 July 1928. An attempt had been made to start some months earlier, but owing to lack of support it was decided to postpone the opening. Mrs Dawe, the school master’s wife, had suggested this new branch and we...

The Wenford Dries

Above: Drying tanks c1924. Photo: Trevor Ternouth Situated between Wenford Bridge and Poley’s Bridge, the dries were built around 1907 by the Stannon China Clay Company (SCCC). The choice of the site was heavily influenced by the presence of the railway line which was...

Blisland Church & Church-Gate Cottage

A view of the church of St Protus and St Hyacinth circa 1901, not long after it was restored. In 1894, donations from several local benefactors funded works overseen by architect F. C. Eden. The chancel was restored by the rector and the window in the end of the south chancel...

A Boys’ Day Out

Pictured outside a pub or cafe, probably in the '40s or '50s, we know from the back of the photo that two of those pictured here are Harry May and R. May, but can anyone put names to faces for the rest of the gang? Contact us at enquires@stbrewardhistory.co.uk if you can add...

Mrs & Miss Pengelly

This photograph recently came to light courtesy of Alison Masters, from her mother's estate. We know that the photograph was taken by Alison's father, Alec, in about 1927 but have no other information. If we can identify the house where the photo was taken, we might be able to...

The May Family, circa 1910

Joseph May married Anne Lanndry Warne at St Kew parish church on 23 December 1879. Joseph and Anne had six children - Harry, Evelyn, Winifred, Robert Francis [Frank], Joseph Charles [Charles] and Mabel. The family lived at St Kew Highway and Penryn before settling at Higher...

The Royal Oak & Churchtown Cottage, c1900

A view of Blisland around the turn of last century, when Churchtown cottage was also a village store. The grocer's wife stands in front of her home where the front room on the left is being used as a shop. The signs on the wall are advertising 'Home and Colonial Teas', 'The...

Beachy Head Lighthouse

A mystery gentleman poses in front of a section of Beachy Head Lighthouse. The stone was quarried and dressed at De Lank, so he may be one of the masons, or a quarry manager. This picture was kindly donated to the History Group by Sally Holden, curator of Camelford Museum

Leslie Albert Norman Watkins – fallen but not forgotten

Leslie Watkins – 1st Airborne Divisional Signals – Royal Corps of Signals – Rhine Crossing – Op Varsity.

Nellie’s memories

The life story of Mrs Nellie Marshall of Wenford Cottage, St BrewardAt the age of 82, Mrs Nellie Marshall of Wenford Cottage, St Breward, decided to write her life story. Some 19 pages of foolscap paper - spanning four generations. All has been faithfully transcribed by her...

Svend Bayer at Wenford Bridge Pottery, 1969

Svend Bayer was born to Danish parents in Uganda in 1946. He attended six different schools in four countries, but it was while studying economics at Exeter University that he was given a book written by the 'father of studio pottery', Bernard Leach. At this defining moment...

What happened in St Breward 1983?

CLICK HERE to read the year’s Parish Magazines

Names to faces?

Can you help us name some of the people in the hundreds of photographs we hold? Click the button and scroll through the many blog entries where we ask for names and further information. Maybe your ancestors are there?

View photographs needing identification

Exploring and preserving
the history of St Breward

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

St Breward History Group

LATEST NEWS…

COMING UP …

Wednesday 28th October 2026

FEATURING A SLIDESHOW

Photos From The Archives

EXPLORE OUR TOPICS

DISCOVER ST BREWARD

Why not join us?

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

What happened in St Breward 1983?

Names to faces?