published in 2004
164 pages

Clive Benney and Tony Mansell have collaborated on previous books and because of their shared interest in the history of this area have pooled their efforts for this project. Clive's magnificent collection of local photographs and Tony's love of writing has produced a book which will be treasured by anyone connected with the area.

The villages in this book are typically Cornish and yet each has its own distinctive character and, of course, characters. The highs and lows of life across the ages have been captured with understanding and empathy as the attention moves from schooldays, religious activity, the world of work and social occasions. The search for historical information has been tireless and to this has been added the stories and anecdotes; the result of many hours of interviewing.

Extract:

Wheal Concord and Wheal Briton stand within sight of each other alongside the road leading from the top of Blackwater North Hill to Skinners Bottom - they have been close neighbours since the 1700s. Wheal Briton closed in 1791 but was reopened in 1810, the same year that work resumed at Concord.

The mines then combined and in 1860 The Wheal Concord Silver, Lead and Copper Mining Company Limited was formed but within a couple of years the low price of tin caused it to close. Some part of it seems to have continued on under a Capt. Phillips of Blackwater and it is suggested that a further attempt was made on the Wheal Briton site in 1896.

When work eventually discontinued it was thought that operations had ceased forever but, under the leadership of Nicholas Warrell from Falmouth and guidance of Jack Trounson, Wheal Concord again began to produce tin in the 1980s. Other mines to the west of Concord - Stencoose and Mawla United - had also caught their eye but it was to be Concord that was chosen for their venture. Considerable clearance work was necessary as the surface area and the shafts had been used as a rubbish dump.

After some initial objections from local residents, work got underway in 1980 under the management of Mr Jack Symons. Both Nicholas Warrell and Jack Symons had considerable mining experience and after a great deal of clearance and preparatory work, and with St Piran's flag flying from the headgear, the mine began to yield up its tin.

In December 1981 Prince Charles paid a visit to Concord and descended into the workings. He was very glowing in his comments and applauded the initiative. The project was, however, short-lived and closed within a few years.

The headgear (hoisting framework above ground) is still in place and is owned by Charlie Palmer who hopes to dismantle and re-erect it at Camborne School of Mines.

One of the early Concord levels extended to Blackwater and finished up near the site where the Women's Institute hall once stood. It was only about twenty feet (approx six metres) below the surface and a sloping path was excavated so that the miners could come to grass (come to surface) there instead of having to go back to the main shaft.