Search for Mining Heritage information in the Tamar Valley
Images, postcards and information on the mining heritage of the Tamar Valley are being sought by a Project working to celebrate and tell the story of the Valley’s remarkable history.
History societies, museums, libraries, associations, Women’s Institutes and individuals are being targeted by the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project, as the search for oral history records, photographs, maps, postcards, artifacts and written materials (such as letters) relating to life in the Tamar Valley continues.
The scope of the study covers the mining heritage, but also market gardening, fishing, transport (railways, paddle steamers, etc.), churches & chapels, local customs, celebrations and much more.
This part of the Project consists of a mini desktop survey in the form of a questionnaire, and identifying and carrying out a series of oral history interviews. It also aims to highlight themes/subjects for possible future study, such as refugees, the emigration of miners to Australia, South Africa, India, America and, in some cases, their subsequent return to the Valley to work in the booming market gardens of the early 19th century.
The oral history recordings are directed at capturing the authentic voices of community members in order to interpret picture collections and artifacts (e.g. miners brooches, woodland workers tools) to bring out the flavour of the varied social and working life of the Valley.
Because of the very tight time constraints of this Project, we have endeavoured to contact as many organisations and individuals as possible to gauge the extent and range of items held. However, we are certain that there is still much information that we have no idea about. Please do get in touch if you have anything that you feel could be of interest to the project, community or for educational purposes.
In addition, a Memory Swap Tea has been organised on the afternoon of 13th March to thank all those who have contributed their memories and specialist knowledge to our search for hidden gems about life in our Valley. Stories including the Tea Lady of Kit Hill, the Calstock Regatta Marathon, Garland Day in Tavistock and Shrimping in Saltash have been gathered so far. This is a ticket only event, but if you have some special memories that you would like to share, there are a very limited number of places available.
If you would like to get in touch, please contact Vanni Cook and Jo Lewis (on behalf of the Project) - tel: 01822 615610 or email: vc@myfanwy.fsbusiness.co.uk.
