Talskiddy
Talskiddyis a small rural village about two miles north ofSt Columb MajorinCornwall,England, United Kingdom. Originally a manorial settlement belonging to theEarldom of Cornwall,the place prospered in the 19th century as a centre of thewool-combingindustry.
History
[edit]Talskiddy was once anancient manorbelonging to theDuchy of Cornwall.Previous to the formation of the Duchy, it was one of 17 manors belonging to theEarl of Cornwall.[1]It is recorded thatRichard, Earl of Cornwallpurchased three Cornish acres at Talskiddy. These seventeen 'ancient manors' were known collectively as theAntiqua maneria.The manorial custom of "Free Bench"was practised here. It was once a centre for thewoolcombingindustry. Many of the older houses in the village are built ofcob.
Etymology
[edit]The meaning of the name is supposed to bebrow of the hill of shadows,fromTaltheCornishword forbrow,andskeusythe Cornish word forshadyorshadows,but could include the Cornishskawmeaningelder trees.
Amenities
[edit]Talskiddy is probably one of the smallest villages in Cornwall, the only facilities being onered telephone boxand aVictorianpostbox.It is one of only a few villages in Cornwall that has avillage green.It also has a duck pond, known by the residents as "the harbour".[2]There was once a "kiddlywink"or beer shop in the village. Two woolcombing sheds remain, now converted to dwellings. Close by are the farming settlements of Rosedinnick, Pennatillie and Pencrennis. The nearest main roads are theA39(Atlantic highway) which provides good links to North Cornwall, and the provides goodA30links to the rest of Cornwall.
In literature
[edit]Daniel Defoewrote a book about a man from Talskiddy calledDickory Cronke: The Dumb Philosopher: or, Great Britain's Wonder(1719). It is not clear whether Cronke was a real character, or the work of Defoe's imagination.[3]
A true life character who lived at Talskiddy was George Hawke. He spent his early life working as a wool stapler for the Allanson family. He was a very determined man indeed. He was born inSt EvalParish on 2 October 1802 at his father's farm nearBedruthan.Following losses in an economic recession, George decided to emigrate to Australia. His words were recorded in a letter at age 70 years to a nephew back in Cornwall. The letter was later reproduced in full in Yvonne McBurney's book,The Road to Byng.[4]
Cornish wrestling
[edit]John Capell (1859-1932),[5]from Talskiddy, was heavyweightCornish wrestlingchampion of Cornwall in 1890[6]and 1898[7][8]and Champion of the West of England in 1890.[9][5]
References
[edit]
- ^Cornwall, Earl Richard, and the Barons' War
- ^"It's the big clean-up at Talskiddy".This is Cornwall. 25 November 2008.Retrieved1 August2011.
- ^Dickory Cronkeby Daniel Defoe, text on Project Gutenberg
- ^Cornish Settlement (Byng)
- ^abPassing of Mr J Capell, St Columb,Cornish Guardian - Thursday 11 February 1932, p2.
- ^Wrestling at Redruth,Cornish Post and Mining News, 26 September 1890, p8.
- ^Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser, 23 July 1898.
- ^Royal Cornwall Gazette, 21 July 1898.
- ^Cornubian and Redruth Times, 26 September 1890.
50°27′N4°57′W/ 50.450°N 4.950°W
External links
[edit]
Media related toTalskiddyat Wikimedia Commons