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History of Perranarworthal
Perranarworthal - the origin of the name
The name of the village derives from the Manor of Arworthal. It has gat a number of spellings throughout history including - Hareworthal - 1187, Arwoethel and Arwythel. By the 18th century two names appear on maps “Perran Arworthal” meaning St Piran’s by the creek or estuary.
The Church of St Piran Perranarworthal
St Piran is only one of the patron saints of Cornwall, but the most popular. He arrived from Ireland in about 460 AD, landing at Perranporth, where he performed many miracles for the local people.
Although there is evidence there was a church on this site in Norman times, little remains bar a fragment over the south door bearing the Lamb and Cross. Key dates in the church’s history include 1450 when the tower was built. The church chalice dates from 1576 and in 1767 Charles II's lettering and coat of arms was added to the church - Cornwall supported the Royalist cause. In 1882 the current church was erected at a cost of £1800.
St Piran’s Well
A short walk down Norway Lane on the footpath towards The Norway Inn will take you to St Piran’s Well. It is accessed by foot via a private garden by kind permission of the owners. Water from this beautiful shrine is used for Christenings at St Piran’s church.
The name of the village derives from the Manor of Arworthal. It has gat a number of spellings throughout history including - Hareworthal - 1187, Arwoethel and Arwythel. By the 18th century two names appear on maps “Perran Arworthal” meaning St Piran’s by the creek or estuary.
The Church of St Piran Perranarworthal
St Piran is only one of the patron saints of Cornwall, but the most popular. He arrived from Ireland in about 460 AD, landing at Perranporth, where he performed many miracles for the local people.
Although there is evidence there was a church on this site in Norman times, little remains bar a fragment over the south door bearing the Lamb and Cross. Key dates in the church’s history include 1450 when the tower was built. The church chalice dates from 1576 and in 1767 Charles II's lettering and coat of arms was added to the church - Cornwall supported the Royalist cause. In 1882 the current church was erected at a cost of £1800.
St Piran’s Well
A short walk down Norway Lane on the footpath towards The Norway Inn will take you to St Piran’s Well. It is accessed by foot via a private garden by kind permission of the owners. Water from this beautiful shrine is used for Christenings at St Piran’s church.
Perran Foundry
In 1769 a Quaker, George Croker Fox, bequeathed a legacy of gardens in Cornwall and purchased an area on marshland at Perran Creek. This area was then developed into a port serving local mines with cargoes being transported upstream from the quay at Devoran by flat bottom barges that could cope with the shallower tidal waters.
In 1791 Perran Foundry was built by Fox’s two sons, George Croker Junior and Robert Were. The foundry developed and grew and from 1815 great beams for steam engines (used in mining) were being cast at Perran. In its heyday some 400 people were employed at the foundry, mostly living in and near Perranarworthal.
The site, although presently derelict still exists as a monument to the engineering that was used locally and exported all over the “mining” world. For instance, examples can be found in Australia and Mexico, where Cornish miners travelled to and were employed for their knowledge and skill in mining.
Population Census
In 1801 the very first national population census took place and has been repeated every ten years to this day. From this a picture of the local population shows that there were 884 persons registered in the village. This rose to a peak of 1634 in 1851 (when Perran Foundry was in high production) and most recently totalled 1558 in 2001.
The Railway
In 1863 the railway came to Falmouth. The line from Truro, to this day runs via Perranwell Station, which serves our community. I K Brunel’s engineering stretched deep into Cornwall and the bridges and viaducts, seen locally are a monument to the skills of these pioneering engineers and the workers who built them.
In 1769 a Quaker, George Croker Fox, bequeathed a legacy of gardens in Cornwall and purchased an area on marshland at Perran Creek. This area was then developed into a port serving local mines with cargoes being transported upstream from the quay at Devoran by flat bottom barges that could cope with the shallower tidal waters.
In 1791 Perran Foundry was built by Fox’s two sons, George Croker Junior and Robert Were. The foundry developed and grew and from 1815 great beams for steam engines (used in mining) were being cast at Perran. In its heyday some 400 people were employed at the foundry, mostly living in and near Perranarworthal.
The site, although presently derelict still exists as a monument to the engineering that was used locally and exported all over the “mining” world. For instance, examples can be found in Australia and Mexico, where Cornish miners travelled to and were employed for their knowledge and skill in mining.
Population Census
In 1801 the very first national population census took place and has been repeated every ten years to this day. From this a picture of the local population shows that there were 884 persons registered in the village. This rose to a peak of 1634 in 1851 (when Perran Foundry was in high production) and most recently totalled 1558 in 2001.
The Railway
In 1863 the railway came to Falmouth. The line from Truro, to this day runs via Perranwell Station, which serves our community. I K Brunel’s engineering stretched deep into Cornwall and the bridges and viaducts, seen locally are a monument to the skills of these pioneering engineers and the workers who built them.
The Present Day Village
Perranarworthal and Perranwell have thriving village communities with numerous organisations e.g the Royal British Legion, Women’s Institute and many clubs and societies.
Local businesses include our village stores and post office, garage and other small businesses that serve our community.
A good example of a local club, traditional in country villages, is Perranarworthal Cricket Club, founded in 1883, although it is known that cricket was played in the area some thirty years before.
A pavilion was obtained and used on various grounds, being erected on the present field in 1903. This lasted over eighty years until the present clubhouse was built. The original pavilion therefore served the club well and in latter years was used as an equipment store - a very good investment at £14!
The first record of a match in a local paper was against Mullion on 29th May 1886. Perranarworthal lost by 28 runs because, chasing a total of 52, they were all out for 24!
Perranarworthal and Perranwell have thriving village communities with numerous organisations e.g the Royal British Legion, Women’s Institute and many clubs and societies.
Local businesses include our village stores and post office, garage and other small businesses that serve our community.
A good example of a local club, traditional in country villages, is Perranarworthal Cricket Club, founded in 1883, although it is known that cricket was played in the area some thirty years before.
A pavilion was obtained and used on various grounds, being erected on the present field in 1903. This lasted over eighty years until the present clubhouse was built. The original pavilion therefore served the club well and in latter years was used as an equipment store - a very good investment at £14!
The first record of a match in a local paper was against Mullion on 29th May 1886. Perranarworthal lost by 28 runs because, chasing a total of 52, they were all out for 24!