All talks £2 admission,
free to society members; non-members welcome

West Cornwall Branch, King Edward Mine, Troon, Camborne TR14 9HW

Trevithick Society events

2025 dates

KING EDWARD MINE, TROON, CAMBORNE, TR14 6BW FRIDAY EVENING TALKS

Subject to alteration if necessary. All talks expected on Zoom where possible, a link will be sent prior to talks to all members where we hold an email address

 

October 10th

Ben Sumpter

Kassiteros, Part 3: The Dark Ages. From the Fall of Rome to the Normans

What happened to the Cornish tin industry after the Romans left? The Dark Ages present a challenge for research, however in this presentation we will shed light on gloomy history using original manuscript sources in Latin and Old English. The story concludes with the reemergence of the tin industry under the Normans during a period of civil war known as the Anarchy. What roll did England’s first queen, the Empress Matilda, play in this epic story of stannary skullduggery?

 

November 14th

Len Sheppard

Some Early Visitors to Cornwall – From the 15th to early 20th century.

 

December 12th

Steve Kingston, Cornish Metals

Developments at South Crofty Mine.

 

January 9th

Martin Brockman

The Torrey canyon disaster off the tip of Lands end in March 1967 left a legacy that remains to this day. Martin Brockman, An RNLI education volunteer, takes you through an audio visual journey of the Torrey Canyon’s life, her sad demise and the environmental devastation caused by the widespread pollution. Martin comes from an RNLI family, his dad, Nigel, was one of the crew of the ill-fated ‘Solomon Browne’ Lifeboat lost in December 1981 when Martin was just 10 years old. Martin’s Brother Neil was a crew member of the ‘Solomon Browne’ and was turned away on that night, only to remain as crew for the RNLI for over 30 years, 16 as a decorated Coxswain at Penlee.
Martin’s dad was one of the crew of the Penlee lifeboat that was called to assist the Isles of Scilly lifeboat standing by the rescue and salvage attempt of the Torrey Canyon.

 

February 13th

Michael Blackburn

Trevithick’s Engineering development from its origin in Camborne, Cornwall and its effects on the history of North Wales and the wider aspect on the whole world.

 

March 13th

Trevor Smitherham

Hayle Dynamite Works.

 

ZOOM-ONLY TALKS ON MONDAYS

October 6th

Francis Edwards

The Last Years of Holmans

 

November 10th

Warren Allison

Tiberthwaite Mine 1590 to 2018

 

December 8th

Tim Smith

Angerstein was a Swedish traveller, who spent 15 months recording and commenting on a wide range of industries, agriculture, geology and customs, from Penzance to Carlise. He added many sketches of what he saw on his travels including, in Cornwall, buddles, calcining furnaces and a blowing house. He also records discussions with local mine owners and makes comments on places he visited such as: ‘Having arrived in Redruth, which is an insignificant little place, as most Cornish towns are……..’

For any other information or any suggestions for speakers contact:

Sheila Saunders

membership@trevithicksociety.info