Friday, 17 December 2021

Visiting Camborne, St. Austell and Lots of Trees


We had a fleeting visit to Camborne but, unfortunately, I only had time for five quick photos. Above is the Wesleyan Chapel and below some roadside art work.


Next is the Commercial Square, Camborne Town Centre.


I'm not sure what the next building actually is  ...


... or indeed the stone below, which was in its grounds. It looks old and interesting - but I couldn't find any info on the internet.


Camborne is somewhere I rarely visit. I guess it is probably most known as the centre of Cornwall's copper and mining industry, though this was at its peak in the 18th century and early 19th.

I always think of Richard Trevithick and his Puffing Devil when I think of Camborne. This was the world's first self propelled passenger vehicle. It was steam powered and made its first appearance on Christmas Eve way back in 1801. There is a traditional song to go along with Trevithick's ride up Camborne Hill ...

Goin' up Camborne Hill, coming down
Goin' up Camborne Hill, coming down
The horses stood still;
The wheels went around;
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

White stockings, white stockings she wore (she wore)
White stockings, white stockings she wore
White stockings she wore:
The same as before;
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

I knowed her old father old man (old man)
I knowed her old father old man
I knowed her old man:
He blawed in the band;
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

I 'ad 'er, I 'ad 'er, I did
I 'ad 'er, I 'ad 'er, I did
I 'ad 'er, I did:
It cost me a quid
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

He heaved in the coal, in the steam (the steam)
He heaved in the coal, in the steam
He heaved in the coal:
The steam hit the beam
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

Oh Please 'ave a baby by me
Oh Please 'ave a baby by me
I'm young and I'm strong:
Won't take very long
Going up Camborne Hill coming down

Goin' up Camborne Hill, coming down
Goin' up Camborne Hill, coming down
The horses stood still;
The wheels went around;
Going up Camborne Hill coming down


With the song ringing in my ears I'll move on!

Look who I saw on a house roof. I wondered why the seagulls were squawking and behaving strangely.


I like trees in winter, the branches and trunks have a chance to take centre stage. The new style house below has such a lovely display of winter trees at the back of the property.


An early morning walk at Charlestown showed a perfect silhouette of trees on the distant skyline.


A few trees in the church grounds at Tywardreath.


Small birds enjoying the branches.


As we cling on to life some leaves are also clinging on, and trying not to fall.


Winter trees alongside the beach at Carlyon Bay - and there's a blue sky too.


Signs pointing the way near St. Austell Trinity church.


A fancy signpost in St. Austell pointing the way: left is to the Eden Project (4.5 miles) and Bodmin (10 miles). Look right for Heligan (4 miles) and Mevagissey (6.5 miles). Must say that I'm not too sure about this sign's accuracy. 


While in St. Austell I was near the building below. This is all that remains of the once extensive Pentewan Railway Terminus. This was operational from 1828 to1918. The building itself dates back to circa 1860.


The building was originally 200+ feet long and was used for the storage of china clay This was carted here by horse drawn wagons. The clay was later transported by railway wagons to Pentewan Harbour. There is a 1900 photo of the harbour on my blog post here.

That's all for this week - all good wishes ~ Mike.

8 comments:

  1. I agree about trees in winter, their skeletal structure make interesting shapes. Love the photo of the Bluetits.

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    1. Thanks David. Another dull day so I don't think we'll be travelling too far from home. Enjoy the build up to Christmas!

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  2. Hello Mike, I do enjoy a good potter through Camborne (mostly for a charity shop /greasy spoon trawl) but haven't been over for quite some time. The Wesleyan Chapel is rather fine. Well done for spotting that mystery stone... hmmm, interesting. My old boss says Trevithick Day is well worth a visit. What a brazen Mr Heron! From a fellow bare tree appreciator x

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    1. Hello Lulu. First time we'd been to Camborne for many a year. Like you I found the many charity shops of interest - there's certainly a lot of shops / stores generally - but don't suppose we'll return soon - though the Trevithick Day sounds interesting. Good wishes.

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  3. That building is the Library Institute apparently and I’m still searching for the stone. Of course you’ve given me a challenge! It sounds like an interesting town and the song is amusing. Thank you for the fun post and have a wonderful holiday season, Mike! Best wishes, as always.

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    1. Well done Ann, built in 1842 I believe. I suppose the stone could be the top of a Celtic Cross - lots of them in Cornwall. Thanks for your interest! Christmas is on its way. All being well we'll be with our son and family, that's if the Omicron variant doesn't create any new lockdown rules - it is spreading fast at the moment.
      Anyway, hope you have a wonderful holiday season too. All good wishes.

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  4. Hi Mike, many thanks for the tour of Camborne and also the other photos. I enjoyed the poem, and Tywardreath looks beautiful, as expected, of course. Happy Christmas to you and yours and I'll look forward to more of your posts in 2022.

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    1. Many thanks for your kind words. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and beyond. All good wishes.

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