THE first Old Cornwall Society was formed in St Ives over 90 years ago and since then there are now well over 40 organisations throughout the county from Launceston to St Just and Pendeen, and now form a Federation with an executive committee.

Their main aim is to ‘gather up the fragments that nothing may be lost’. Especially with a vast amount of change in the county, their motto is more than ever the top of members’ list, as old areas, field names and much much more are needed to be preserved and remembered.

Launceston Old Cornwall was formed in May 1946 and in 2016 they celebrated their 70th anniversary with a dinner at the Trethorne Leisure Centre. A meeting to form such an organisation was held in the Guildhall, when it was proposed that an Old Cornwall Society should be formed, to help retain their history for future generations and 30 members were enrolled. Their first meeting was to be a visit to Restormel and the Cheesewring. Today it is still an active and thriving society.

People think that because it is called ‘Old’ Cornwall Society it is for older people, but this is not so and people of all ages may join. Meetings are held in the winter on the second Wednesday of the month at the Royal British Legion Headquarters in Westgate Street, opposite the Cornish and Devon Post, at 7.30pm when there are lectures on a wide variety of topics regarding the county.

In the last 12 months members have heard about the formation of Rodda’s Creamery, the history and work of the RNLI in the county and of the Civil War in Cornwall — and how many people have heard of Wilkie Collins and his rambles around Cornwall?

In the summer members visit many interesting places and some off the beaten track and these have included a visit to Veryan and the round houses, followed by a proper Cornish cream tea, a visit to Greystone Quarry, a walk around Marhamchurch village and a private tour of Kelly House and Church at Kelly and also Tredidon Barton, where histories of these houses were given by the owners.

In December, a Christmas evening is held at Launceston Golf Club. This is a fundraising event as is a coffee morning in the summer.

From funds the society has supported the roof appeal of St Stephen’s Church, the angels in St Mary’s and at different time have provided slate plaques at the entrance of Sandford Tymewells Lane, Blindhole and one on the Rowe Dispensary and Launceston Infirmary in Western Road, now the offices of Potter Baker.

Over the years the Society has rescued parts of the Hender Memorial, drinking fountain in Guildhall Square and had it placed at Windmill Reservoir, had a plinth made for the grade two lantern cross in St Mary’s Churchyard, provided a painting in Lawrence House Museum in memory of a longstanding member Alf Perkins and the purchase of two trade tokens of the 17th century of Oswald Kingdon, a Tallow Chandler of Launceston and Digory Bewes, a Mercer of St Stephens at a cost of £720, which was presented to the then mayor of Launceston, which is now in Lawrence House.

With over 40 branches and a membership of over 2,000 countywide, there is an executive committee, which organises a summer and winter festival each year and contribute towards many county projects. There are recorders of archaeology, music, place names, dialect and local history. A publication committee helps and supports local writers and an Old Cornwall magazine is on sale twice a year on various historical and present day topics, book reviews etc.

They also have a shop, selling Cornish items and books, and this can be found online via the Old Cornwall website (www.oldcornwall.net). Officers and the general committee contain representatives from the various societies.

In 2016, the Federation decided to include affiliated Cornish societies throughout Great Britain and those from around the world, many from Australia, America, Canada and Chile to name a few countries, to where miners emigrated and for which their descendants have now formed Cornish societies.

Each society has its own banner which depicts an historic scene of their area and Launceston has the castle embroidered on theirs, which is carried at county gatherings and at the Gorsedh.

Launceston has now commenced their 2018 -2019 season of meeting and anyone interested in the history of the county or want to know more about its aims and traditions can obtain these from the secretary, John Neale on 01566 774683. There is a membership fee of £10.

Why not go along and find out more. The group has members from every walk of life who have one interest — that of Cornwall and who wish to learn more about the county of its aims and traditions which include midsummer bonfires, crying the neck, St Piran’s Day and Oak Apple day celebrations.