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Rilla Mill

Rilla Mill photos (17 available)

Old photo of Rilla Mill

Rilla Mill maps (2 available)

Old map of Rilla Mill

Rilla Mill books (5 available)

Rilla Mill memories

The picture house.

How many people remember the picture shows which were held in a hut at the top of the hill. I was one of the London evacuees billeted at Minions, and some of us would walk to the pictures and back again - how far was that! We were at Upton Cross school and I can recall the class being told to bring a lunch to school one day as Mr Bartholomew, our teacher, was to take us up on the moors, I think towards Sharp Tor, to see a bomb crater. Relations of the elderly couple I lived with owned Addicroft Mill, they were George and Ethel Pike, and we loved going there. I believe the Mill was bought at one ...read more here
Contributed by Eileen Banks

Cornwall memories

The picture house.

How many people remember the picture shows which were held in a hut at the top of the hill. I was one of the London evacuees billeted at Minions, and some of us would walk to the pictures and back again - how far was that! We were at Upton Cross school and I can recall the class being told to bring a lunch to school one day as Mr Bartholomew, our teacher, was to take us up on the moors, I think towards Sharp Tor, to see a bomb crater. Relations of the elderly couple I lived with owned Addicroft Mill, they were George and Ethel Pike, and we loved going there. I believe the Mill was bought at one ...read more here
A memory of Rilla Mill contributed by Eileen Banks

St Cleer Church

St Cleer, Church interior 1906

This scene has changed little, except for the addition of carpeted areas and pews that look far more comfortable and inviting! I feel sure that every person who has walked through the doors of this church has been touched by what they have seen and the wonderful people they have met here. Todays community has added many other fine features like their fabulous millenium tapestry and the tea bar!!! I have loved this village, indeed my daughter was born here, and I have loved this church and my wonderful church family. It is with a heavy heart that I will soon have to leave here but St Cleer church will always be my favourite place and my ...read more here
A memory of St Cleer contributed by Michelle Coxeter

Bluecap

I remember well the Saturday Night Dances at the Bluecap Hotel in the 50's & 60's, now pulled down. The Bull's Head was more up-market. I lived at St Dominick and remember the Cattle Market. I was going to Callington Grammer School when King George V1 and family came to open the Royal Cornwall Show at Callington we all had the day off to go to the Show. There was a Youth Club where we played table tennis etc. and learnt to dance. I have nothing but fond memories of Callington.
A memory of Callington contributed by Brian Furse

Extracts From Rilla Mill & Cornwall books

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".

Polkerris, 1888

The old pilchard-curing cellar, or ‘palace’, beside the shore in the foreground was one of the largest in Cornwall. However, by the time of this early photograph the harbour seems already deserted by the fishing fleet, perhaps in favour of Mevagissey on the far side of the bay.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, 1888

A boat sails across the bay, which was known as Polkerris or Par Bay in the late-18th century. The little village of Polkerris is situated at the end of a sheltered valley on the east shore of St Austell Bay. There was an important pilchard fishery here, and the pier (left) was built in about 1735 for sheltering the fishing boats rather than for trade.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, c1950

Polkerris has hardly changed, with virtually no new houses in 70 years. Here we see the village tucked away in its valley, with the great expanse of the bay reaching beyond to Black Head (centre) and the Dodman Point (left). The garden plots of the houses are prominent, sheltered by hedges and mostly on the south-facing slope on the right.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".

Polkerris, the Village c1960

The gable end of the lifeboat house is seen in the background, almost at the end of the road through the village. Stone cottages, teas for sale and no unsightly road markings are the delights of this village.
An extract from from"St Austell Bay Photographic Memories".