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Lostwithiel

Lostwithiel photos (112 available)

Old photo of Lostwithiel

Lostwithiel maps (2 available)

Old map of Lostwithiel

Lostwithiel books (12 available)

Lostwithiel memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Cornwall below.

Cornwall memories

Living in Lerryn

I have such fond memories of growing up in Lerryn during the 1960s, the school was such a pleasure to attend, Mr Sillitoe was headmaster. I can also remeber the regatta every year, it was such a treat to have the fair assembled along the riverbank with mud races in the river. I can even remember a dancing horse and other entertainment in the Ethy house gardens. The two shops were owned by Mr Mansell and most of my time was spent working on my freinds(Derek Collins) farm or making go carts from bits we had managed to reclaim from the tip, we were a big family I had 5 sisters and 3 brothers I can remeber 3 of my sisters ...read more here
A memory of Lerryn contributed by DUNCAN HENDRY

Unchanged Lerryn

Lerryn is a place that one almost wants to keep secret so that it does not become a popular destination. It has barely changed in a hundred years.

A beautiful and unspoilt village in a steep sided valley, Lerryn lies at the tidal head of a tributary to the River Fowey.

A place to take gentle strolls through the National Trust's Ethy Wood, said to be the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's "Tales of the Riverbank" and "Wind in the Willows". One almost expects to come across Mr Toad, Ratty and Mole lounging on the riverbank as we stop to watch a heron pick his leisurely way along the water's edge.

Returning the way we came we ...read more here
A memory of Lerryn contributed by Peter Marks

The Cinema

Tha Palace Cinema in St Blazey was one of the longest operating cinemas in England. I worked there as the usherette during the middle to late 60s (I believe it is now closed). We had films three times a week and bingo twice a week - there was a Saturday morning children's cartoon show. I did everything from selling tickets to urshering and during the interval selling chocolates, drinks and ice cream. I have always been an avid cinema fan and as I saw everything that was presented at the Palace I was able to endulge my viewing and get paid for it!

I lived at the top of Rose Hill and would walk ...read more here
A memory of St Blazey contributed by Odette Lind

Families of St Blazey in the 40s/50s.

St Blazey, Fore Street 1956

My father was one of the local butchers, Jack Grigg. He and my mother ran the shop opposite the church.  My grandfather was John Charles Grigg who lived at a house called Mount View at the bottom of Rose Hill. When my father was born he was living at no. 9 Station Road. My greatgrandfather, Charles Rogers Grigg lived at Canal Cottages between the canal and Bailey's corn store. My great-great grandfather was John Grigg from up around Antony/St Germans who came to St Blazey to work at either Fowey or Par Consols mine somewhere around 1830. He married Ann Rogers from Par and they had 10 children, my greatgrandfather being the youngest. When I went to St Blazey boys school ...read more here
A memory of St Blazey contributed by melville grigg

Extracts From Lostwithiel & Cornwall books

Lostwithiel, St Bartholomew's Church, north east 1893

The church dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and is dedicated to St Bartholomew. Viewed from North Street, the main body of the church shows the nave’s clerestory windows and the chancel’s tall east window of five lights, but the spire is its crowning glory. A photograph of the carved font is shown elsewhere.
An extract from from"Churches of East Cornwall Photographic Memories".

Lostwithiel, North Street 1906

The absence of traffic allows the children to loiter safely in the street. Note how the cobbled pavement beside the churchyard wall on the left contrasts with the more modern kerbed paving across the road. At the top of the hill we can see the dome atop the Methodist Free Church in Queen Street.
An extract from from"Cornwall County Memories".

Lostwithiel, Wesleyan Church 1906

Using granite with Bath stone dressings, the Wesleyan chapel in Restormel Road cost £1,600 when it was built in 1880. The top of its 70-feet spire is seen above the roof ridge. The chapel has been demolished and the road widened, although a small part on the far side survives as a private house.
An extract from from"Churches of East Cornwall Photographic Memories".

Lostwithiel, on the road to Restormel House 1906

Labourers have been clearing coppice wood beside the lane from Lostwithiel to Restormel Castle. Motorists drive this way today to visit the shell keep of the medieval castle standing high above the Fowey valley. The castle came into the hands of the Duchy of Cornwall at the time of the Black Prince.
An extract from from"Cornwall County Memories".

Polkerris, Polridmouth Beach near Gribbin Head c1960

This scene has hardly changed for many years; the beach at Polridmouth is still only accessible on foot. Although we are just around the corner from St Austell Bay, this photograph gives us a good view of the prominent day mark erected in 1832 on the Gribbin Head as an aid for shipping entering the bay.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".