Dear All,

This newsletter is specifically written for people interested in the Mylor Local History Group who are on the group's mailing list. It will be emailed to those who have given us their email address, to others on the mailing list it will be delivered by hand. If we have not recorded your email address, it would be helpful if you could send it to the acting secretary at the above telephone number or email address. We will be writing again during the autumn and hopefully, next year, three times. If you know of anyone else who would like a copy, please let us know.

Development of the Group Over ten years ago, a group of people living in Mylor attended courses inspired by Local Historian Joan West. We learnt about Local History with Veronica Cheshire, explored Cornish Buildings with Eric Berry and relived the Civil War in Cornwall with Steph Haxton. Moira Tangye then encouraged us to choose an aspect of Mylor History and to produce an essay. We all felt that this was the beginning of something and we met regularly, usually in Joan West's house, and invited Mylor born people to tell us more about village life. Much of this was recorded on tape.

Joan had also collected, over the years, many interesting memoirs of Mylor life. With all this, and our essays, we planned a booklet about the village. We realised we needed to formalise things and MLHG came into being in order to apply for a grant. The plan grew and we rather ambitiously signed a contract to produce the Book of Mylor. What a task! Knowing what we know now, would we have embarked on it? Possibly not!!

Interviews followed, articles written, research completed, hundreds of precious photographs copied, catalogued and returned safely to their owners. Then came editing – a mammoth task. But finally the book was launched in October 2004 in a packed Tremayne Hall which was ‘spruced up' for the occasion. The first 1000 books were sold over the next year or two, and a reprint followed. When plans were made to refurbish the Tremayne Hall, it was suggested that our vast amount of historical material could be found a home and the idea of the Archive Centre was born.

The rest as they say, is history.

Archive Centre

Our centre in the Tremayne Hall is open every Thursday afternoon. During the last year we have had many very interesting visitors, several from foreign lands either researching family history or reminiscing on life spent in the village. Others have shared local knowledge and just enjoyed the social chat. We are fortunate to have been given or loaned by generous people, many new items, which include pictures now hung in the archive room, many fascinating, valuable books, photographs and old maps etc. All worth seeing.

Projects

Since the book of Mylor has been written, there have been other projects, some of which are ongoing. During 2008 a lot of hard work was put into filming and producing a wonderful DVD called ‘A Year in the Life of Mylor'. We have sold well over 100 copies and they are still available. Also for sale, are about ten DVDs of either individual interviews expressing memories of earlier twentieth century life in Mylor, or of an individual event. All these DVDs will be for sale at the Summer Fair or are available by ringing 376403.

This year we are attempting to date all the dwellings in Mylor Bridge. This is progressing well and the aim is to have a series of overlaid maps showing the development of the village. If you haven't yet been asked the date of your house, you may like to contact Felicity Collins email felicity@radman.co.uk or tel. Jill Quilliam who would be able to add the information to the records. Sometime next year, we should have the maps ready for you all to see.

A second project is to research more about the lives of famous people in Mylor. There is a chapter with this title in our book, but we are, at present, trying to add to this with a view of having a special day during 2011 to celebrate their lives. In fact, 2011 is a centenary celebration for St Mylor who arrived here by boat and was martyred in 411. Also, Robert Rundle, who was a missionary, was born in Dowstall Farm in 1811. If you have any information on these or other people of our village, please let us know.

Events for your diary

This year, we are pleased to be having a stall at the Mylor Summer Fair on Saturday 22nd May. This is the first time we will have been part of the celebrations! Don't forget to visit us! On the fields if dry, in the Tremayne Hall if wet. We will be selling our book, the DVD ‘A year in the Life of Mylor', new beautiful notelets and other items. The programme for this year will be available and we would love you to come and discuss any ideas you may have. There will be an opportunity for you to add your name to our mailing list.

On September 17th this year, we are hiring a bus to visit Lostwithiel. We will be given a guided walk, during which we will be shown many historical places of interest. Free time will be included for lunch and further walking; perhaps by the river. We will be leaving at 9:30 and returning to Mylor by 4:30pm. The fare will be £10 and a donation of £2.50 is requested for their museum. You will need to buy lunch or take a picnic and it promises to be a very enjoyable day. If you would like to book a place on the coach please contact Rosemary Spooner tel. 01326 375892, email rosemary.spooner@tiscali.co.uk or send to her at 9, Bells Hill Mylor Bridge. Please use the attached form if you wish.

The excellent History Group talks have taken place each month during the winter. We have been very pleased with the attendance and we will continue to hold further illustrated, informative talks of local and Cornish interest.

On Saturday October 16th there will be a return visit by Alan Cox talking to us about the Bude canal Past and Present. This unusual canal includes several ‘arms'; one of which follows the Tamar nearly to Launceston. There are six inclines. The massive regeneration project is fascinating. You may enjoy a visit to the area during the summer or attend one of their walks on any of the following Sundays: 25 th July. 15 th August, 5 th and 26 th September. You do need to book on 01288 352298

On Saturday November 13th Mr Russell Holt will present a talk about Pre- historic Cornwall; giving us an intriguing overview of the most interesting features.

Please remember to tell a friend about us. Someone is sure to have exciting information to share with us and we would like lots of people to enjoy what we already have.

Beyond Mylor!

June 10th – 12th Royal Cornwall Show

June 25th -27th Golowan Festival Penzance which includes Mazey Day

August 4th Grand Medieval Joust Pendennis Falmouth

August 29th /30th Falmouth Grand Victorian Fayre

Websites

Cornwall Association of Local Historians  www.calh.co.uk
Cornwall Records Office  www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1729
Mazey Day  www.purelypenzance.co.uk/events/mazey_day_golowan_2010.html