Rescorla
The home of Cornish culture in mid Cornwall.
Find us in the centre of the hamlet of Rescorla, near St Austell.
January 2021 update - Cornwall is now in lockdown therefore all gatherings are stopped until conditions improve and it is declared safe to meet again. We hope to be back in the Spring.
Cornish History Group
Due to the current lockdown the history group meetings have stopped for the time being.
A new history group was started at Rescorla. The aim is to record people's personal histories of Cornwall and to move on to looking at cultural and historical aspects of Cornwall.
We began by looking at personal objects that tell a story. The stories were recorded and will be broadcast in a podcast at a later date.
If you feel this is something you'd like to be involved in, please get in touch either via the email on the website or via the facebook page. We look forward to restarting the meetings once it is safe to do so.
A new history group was started at Rescorla. The aim is to record people's personal histories of Cornwall and to move on to looking at cultural and historical aspects of Cornwall.
We began by looking at personal objects that tell a story. The stories were recorded and will be broadcast in a podcast at a later date.
If you feel this is something you'd like to be involved in, please get in touch either via the email on the website or via the facebook page. We look forward to restarting the meetings once it is safe to do so.
Rescorla Podcasts.
Music Sessions
Music sessions started again at Rescorla in September and continued until December.
We held a few sessions and we made recordings of the sessions for future podcasts.
If you are interested in joining in with a session please get in touch via the email on the website or via the facebook page when it is safe to meet up again.
We held a few sessions and we made recordings of the sessions for future podcasts.
If you are interested in joining in with a session please get in touch via the email on the website or via the facebook page when it is safe to meet up again.
Bagas Keskewsel Kernewek -Cornish conversation Group
Bagas Keskewsel Kernewek started to meet again - however we kept the group to 6 members. We met as before on Tuesday afternoons from 1pm. However due to the lockdown all meetings have stopped for the time being.
If you would like to join the group, once it is safe to meet again, please get in touch - if there's enough interest we could run a second group.
If you would like to join the group, once it is safe to meet again, please get in touch - if there's enough interest we could run a second group.
Rescorla Reading Group
The Rescorla Reading Group met for the first time in December. However we are, in fact, 2 small groups of 6 to comply with Covid restrictions as they were in December. The meetings have stopped now due to the lockdown, however as soon as it is safe to do so we will restart our meetings. The meetings will be held on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays in the month.
We began by reading 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier. We had a lively and enjoyable discussion about the book!
If you would like to join please contact us either via the Facebook page or the website.
Rescorla Book Group
1st Newsletter December 2020.
Welcome to the first newsletter of the Rescorla Book Group. After a delayed start – our first meeting was postponed due the second lockdown – we were able to meet in December. Our group is split into 2 groups of up to 6 in each group to comply with the restrictions. So when talking about the group it is, in fact, the 2 smaller groups that are being referred to.
We’d read ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier which we then discussed at our first meeting. What a lively discussion! We all agreed that we enjoyed the book and found much to talk about! We discussed how the main character – we never find out her name – develops through the story. We discussed the strange relationship between Rebecca and Mrs Danvers. Much time was spent discussing Mrs Danvers and her motivation. We enjoyed the descriptions which were made all the more real for having visited the area around Menabilly and Polridmouth. We also compared the book to the various film versions. We felt that the latest version didn’t really capture the tension and menace that Mrs Danvers creates.
We discussed other books that we were reading at the moment and genres that we enjoy.
Our next book is ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ by Audrey Niffenegger. The book has been made into a film and we have a DVD of it. If you would like to borrow the DVD please let me know. You can contact me either by email: tpithie@googlemail.com or phone: 07761443733.
We are able to resource our books via the St Austell library. Kathy, the librarian there, has been very helpful. We’ve selected a variety of books from the library list that we’d like to read, so hopefully in time we will read them!
Our next meetings are: 7th January 2021 at 2pm and 14th January 2021 at 1pm.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
We began by reading 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier. We had a lively and enjoyable discussion about the book!
If you would like to join please contact us either via the Facebook page or the website.
Rescorla Book Group
1st Newsletter December 2020.
Welcome to the first newsletter of the Rescorla Book Group. After a delayed start – our first meeting was postponed due the second lockdown – we were able to meet in December. Our group is split into 2 groups of up to 6 in each group to comply with the restrictions. So when talking about the group it is, in fact, the 2 smaller groups that are being referred to.
We’d read ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier which we then discussed at our first meeting. What a lively discussion! We all agreed that we enjoyed the book and found much to talk about! We discussed how the main character – we never find out her name – develops through the story. We discussed the strange relationship between Rebecca and Mrs Danvers. Much time was spent discussing Mrs Danvers and her motivation. We enjoyed the descriptions which were made all the more real for having visited the area around Menabilly and Polridmouth. We also compared the book to the various film versions. We felt that the latest version didn’t really capture the tension and menace that Mrs Danvers creates.
We discussed other books that we were reading at the moment and genres that we enjoy.
Our next book is ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ by Audrey Niffenegger. The book has been made into a film and we have a DVD of it. If you would like to borrow the DVD please let me know. You can contact me either by email: tpithie@googlemail.com or phone: 07761443733.
We are able to resource our books via the St Austell library. Kathy, the librarian there, has been very helpful. We’ve selected a variety of books from the library list that we’d like to read, so hopefully in time we will read them!
Our next meetings are: 7th January 2021 at 2pm and 14th January 2021 at 1pm.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Events 2020/2021
Whilst we have been closed we have been able to make some improvements to the kitchen in Rescorla. We also have worked planned to treat and repair the back wall and the flooring of the raised section.
However now that we are currently in lockdown all meetings that had restarted have now stopped.
We had started music sessions, a history group, the Rescorla Book Group and Bagas Keskowsel Kernewek - the Cornish Conversation Group.
If you would like to join any of the groups please contact us either through email or the Facebook page. Once it is safe to re open we will and we look forward to seeing everyone again.
However now that we are currently in lockdown all meetings that had restarted have now stopped.
We had started music sessions, a history group, the Rescorla Book Group and Bagas Keskowsel Kernewek - the Cornish Conversation Group.
If you would like to join any of the groups please contact us either through email or the Facebook page. Once it is safe to re open we will and we look forward to seeing everyone again.
Things of Interest.
Due to Coronavirus all meetings and future events are postponed for the forseeable future. On this page we will upload links to things that we think might be of interest to you during this time.
We hope that you are all well and we look forward to seeing everyone again when it is safe to do so.
How many can you get right?
Ivan's memories, part 2.
An Eos Hweg (Sweet Nightingale in Cornish) sung by Noor accompanied by her dad Howard Tresidder Tonkin
ntroducing... #WhealMartynCreate! We challenge you to re-create our historic photographs. We will post new images each Monday and share our favourites througho... See more
For Palm Sunday we have a look at a Pathe Film from 1939 of St Enodoc on the coast. It was uncovered from sand by the 1860s.
Today's film is an excursion through Cornwall in 1916
If you are looking for something to do on the cultural front while self-isolating then read some of the articles on Cornish Story.
Ivan has recorded some of his memories. We will be playing them in installments. You can listen to the first installment of Ivan's memories now.
This week's Cornish language radio show - including a singing session like you would have at the Cornish language weekend. Agan towlen an seythen ma - hag ynni yma sesshyon kana kepar dell gevir dhe Bennseythen Gernewek.
A selection of Cornish songs with the words to sing-along to and some readings. Something to help break the boredom of the staying at home. Feel free to share. A collection of Cornish Songs to sing a long to with some Cornish readings too. Songs including Camborne Hill, Lamorna, Proper Job, Little Eyes, Hail to the ...
Cornish around the home.
More of Ivan's memories.
Cornish dance.
Cornish kilt in 1961.
Cornish story.
A week of 20 minute virtual talks.
A song by Viv.
More of Ivan's memories.
A new series on Cornish Story exploring the work of artists in mid Cornwall.
Another testimony film about the Gunwen area from the Institute's Tallys anTyr project by Sarah Trevillion.
Another cultural series on Cornish Story. In this case the legends and drolls of Cornwall's Wivelshire by Robert Burroughs Robert Burroughs explores the legends and drolls of Wivelshire in the introduction to a new series. South East Cornwall is often referred to as ‘Cornwall’s Forgotten Corner’ in part due to its geog…
Events
Celtic Service to celebrate Lent at the Rescorla Centre. This will be followed by pancakes. All welcome.
Read MoreFilm night at Rescorla. Starts at 7pm. Tonight's film is 'Stocker's Copper' - a film about the 1913 strike at a Cornish clay pit and the tensions that arise when Welsh police are sent in to keep order. Light refreshments provided. Film Night is free however all donations made are gratefully received and go towards the funding of events at Rescorla.
Read More
Come along for the Saturday Kitchen. Good food, join in with some Cornish songs, music provided by Kana Rescorla, listen to dialect readings, meet friends. There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla however all donations are gratefully received. All the money goes towards funding the events at Rescorla.
Read MoreCome along to Rescorla for the film night with old films on the theme of Coastal Cornwall by Bob Keys and Malcolm Gould. Light refreshments provided. There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla, however all donations are gratefully received. All money donated goes towards the funding of the events.
Read More
Come along to Rescorla for a Cornish Hogmanay! There will be hog's pudding, haggis and a vegetarian option. Music and song provided by Kana Rescorla. All events at Rescorla are free however donations are gratefully received. All the money goes towards funding the events.
Read MorePicrous Celebration at the Kings Arms, Bridges from 8 pm
Read More
Enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch at Rescorla. This is very popular so please ensure to book - final date to book is Saturday 30th November. Contact us via the email on the contact page.
Read MoreEnjoy delicious food - please bring something to share if you can, it will be greatly appreciated, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and join in with singing traditional Cornish songs.
Read More
Come along to a service held in the Cornish Language. The service will be followed by a traditional Cornish tea.
Read MoreLuxulyan and District Old Cornwall Society Talk by Roger Smith “Protecting Luxulyan’s Heritage”, Luxulyan Memorial Institute, 7 pm
Read MoreFilm Night - an opportunity to see a selection of short films about the history and culture of mid Cornwall. The film that we will be showing is by Johnny Frenchman filmed in Mevagissey in the 1940s. It's a lovely film that looks at fishing and the relations with the Breton fishermen. Light refreshments are provided and a warm welcome awaits. The Rescorla Centre is a charity. There is no charge to any of the events but donations are gratefully received. All money raised goes towards the charity and funding future events.
Read More
Come along to Rescorla for a traditional Celtic Harvest. There will be music by Kana Rescorla, delicious food - please bring along something to share if you can - a harvest auction and 'Crying the Neck'. This is a Cornish tradition to give thanks for the harvest and to look forward to next year's harvest. The Celtic Harvest at Rescorla is a wonderful celebration! We look forward to seeing you!
Read More
Come along to Rescorla for a Harvest Celebration as part of the Saturday Kitchen. Delicious food will be provided by Enid - please bring something to share if you can, it would be greatly appreciated. Make corn dollies with Jo Tagney. Listen to the wonderful singing of Kescana and music provided by Kana Rescorla. Also if you have any donations for the Harvest auction, which will take place on Sunday 27th October, please bring them along with you. A wonderful morning awaits!
Read MoreLuxulyan and District Old Cornwall Society Talk by Hazel Harradence “The Home Front in the Great War”, Luxulyan Memorial Institute, 7 pm
Read More
Enjoy delicious food, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and chat with friends.
Read More
Crying the Neck, a Cornish tradition to celebrate harvest, followed by a Harvest supper at Gunwen Chapel.
Read More
Come along to Rescorla for a one-off workshop about working with clay. Zenna Tagney is leading the workshop, in association with the White Gold Festival. Light refreshments form the Cornish kitchen will be provided by Enid. There is no charge for this workshop, but donations would be gratefully received.
Read More
Enjoy great food, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and chat with friends.
Read MoreGuided Walk to Castilly Henge.
Read More
This is a free community lunch. Booking essential. Please contact David Michael.
Read MoreSpeak Cornish.
Speak Cornish Week 20th to 27th June 2020.
The theme is: my a gar ....... I love......
My a gar ow tyski kernewek drefenn ow bos abel kewsel orth ow howethes neb dyski kernewek ynwedh.
Yma agan bagas keskewsel kernewek, ni a wra metya pub dy'Meurth dhe unn eur yn chapel Rescorla.
Lowenna dhywgh hwi oll.
Kim Hopewell
Kernewes woedhus ov vy ha my a gar pup-tra a-dro dhe Gernow. Yma rychedh dhe ertach ha gonisogeth Kernewek ha pals yw an henhwedhlow. An havysi a dheu dhe Gernow rag vysytya an porthow ha trethow po kerdhes an halow . Yma neb traow meurgerys genev yn arbennik. My a gar an mor yn y’cheryow oll hag agan niwellaw Kernewek. My a gar an eythin owrek, smat kepar ha Kernowyon. Ynwedh y karav agan pastiow Kernewek, dyenn molys ha tesenn safron. Feusik ov vy bones Kernewes, dell dybav. Y’n geryow a’n gan na gans Harry Glasson “Rag bones ow Hernow, rag bones ow thre.”
Diana Trudgeon
Thanks to Lianne Wilson for this:
The theme is: my a gar ....... I love......
My a gar ow tyski kernewek drefenn ow bos abel kewsel orth ow howethes neb dyski kernewek ynwedh.
Yma agan bagas keskewsel kernewek, ni a wra metya pub dy'Meurth dhe unn eur yn chapel Rescorla.
Lowenna dhywgh hwi oll.
Kim Hopewell
Kernewes woedhus ov vy ha my a gar pup-tra a-dro dhe Gernow. Yma rychedh dhe ertach ha gonisogeth Kernewek ha pals yw an henhwedhlow. An havysi a dheu dhe Gernow rag vysytya an porthow ha trethow po kerdhes an halow . Yma neb traow meurgerys genev yn arbennik. My a gar an mor yn y’cheryow oll hag agan niwellaw Kernewek. My a gar an eythin owrek, smat kepar ha Kernowyon. Ynwedh y karav agan pastiow Kernewek, dyenn molys ha tesenn safron. Feusik ov vy bones Kernewes, dell dybav. Y’n geryow a’n gan na gans Harry Glasson “Rag bones ow Hernow, rag bones ow thre.”
Diana Trudgeon
Thanks to Lianne Wilson for this:
Saturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn.
Kegin dy'Sadorn will not be running for the forseeable future due to the lockdown.
Saturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn.
Come along to Rescorla on the last Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 12:30pm for the Saturday Kitchen.
Enjoy delicious food, please bring something to share if you can - it would be greatly appreciated, however please label incase of allergies, chat with friends, hear dialect stories and readings, listen to music by Kana Rescorla and join in with the singing. We look forward to seeing you!
There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla, however donations are greatly appreciated. All money goes towards funding the the events.
Saturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn.
Come along to Rescorla on the last Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 12:30pm for the Saturday Kitchen.
Enjoy delicious food, please bring something to share if you can - it would be greatly appreciated, however please label incase of allergies, chat with friends, hear dialect stories and readings, listen to music by Kana Rescorla and join in with the singing. We look forward to seeing you!
There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla, however donations are greatly appreciated. All money goes towards funding the the events.
Films/Talks
At the moment the film nights have been postponed due to the restrictions. We hope to start again as soon as restrictions allow.
Celtic Services.
At this time the Celtic services have been postponed. We hope to begin them again as soon as the restrictions allow.
Gallery
Archive
The Rescorla Centre is the home of Cornish culture in mid Cornwall. The centre is based in a decommissioned chapel in the hamlet of Rescorla, close to St Austell and in the heart of the clay country. The centre is committed to the preservation and development of Cornish culture - through music, film, talks, walks, workshops, food, Cornish language and dialect and the annual festival of The Snail Creep which tales place over a weekend in July.
This year the Rescorla Festival took place over the weekend of 20th and 21st July 2019.
However there were events leading up to the festival itself:
21st June at 2pm meet at Helman Tor for music and a talk, then return to Gunwen Chapel for refreshments. Either walk to Helman Tor from the car park at Gunwen Chapel or drive there.
22nd June at 3pm meet at the Welcome Home pub in Par. There will be music and the traditional 'Snail Creep' dance. Try 'Snail Creep' beer brewed especially for the occasion!
30th June at 6:30pm at Gunwen Chapel there will be a traditional Sankey Evening with refreshments to follow.
13th July at 4pm meet at the Bugle Inn in Bugle. There will be music, the 'Snail Creep' dance and another opportunity to try the 'Snail Creep' beer.
20th July - the weekend of the festival itself.
20th July at 9:30am at Wheal Martyn Museum, St Austell, for a heritage day. The day will begin with a guided walk which will take in the industrial and social history of the Ruddle valley, returning to Wheal Martyn for about 12:30pm. The walk is classed as 'easy walking'.
There will be the opportunity to take some refreshments in the cafe, or bring your own refreshments.
At 2pm we will meet in the conference room at Wheal Martyn for a more in depth look at the where we walked using archive photos. We will finish at about 3:30pm.
20th July at 10:30am at the Rescorla Centre there will be an accordion festival. Refreshments will be available.
20th July at 8:30pm at the King's Arms in Luxulyan the traditional 'Snail Creep' dance will be performed accompanied by musicians playing traditional Cornish music.
From 9pm at the King's Arms the well known sea shanty group: The Stun'sls will be singing! The 'Snail Creep' beer will also be available!
21st July at 2:30pm will be the Grande Finale of the festival at the Rescorla Centre. There will be a procession with banners to begin. There will be traditional Cornish music and songs. The 'Snail Creep' will be danced. The Coastal Belles, Harry Glasson, Malcolm and Angie will be playing music and singing. There will be dialect readings too! And of course there will be the traditional Tea Treat!
Something for everyone! Come along - we look forward to seeing you!
Service in Cornish at Gunwen Chapel 24th November 2019
The service was held in Cornish with the Cornish/English text on screen making the service accessible for all. The prayers, readings, a poem, the sermon and all the hymns were in Cornish. The Rescorla Chapel Band provided the music and the organ was also played. Afterwards a delicious tea was provided. It was an enjoyable evening and it was good to see it well attended.
Let's hope it's the first of many!
Saturday Kitchen - Celtic Hogmanay.
A great morning celebrating Celtic Hogmanay! Delicious food by Enid which included hog's pudding and vegetarian Haggis. Songs and readings were shared and the morning ended with communal singing.
This year the Rescorla Festival took place over the weekend of 20th and 21st July 2019.
However there were events leading up to the festival itself:
21st June at 2pm meet at Helman Tor for music and a talk, then return to Gunwen Chapel for refreshments. Either walk to Helman Tor from the car park at Gunwen Chapel or drive there.
22nd June at 3pm meet at the Welcome Home pub in Par. There will be music and the traditional 'Snail Creep' dance. Try 'Snail Creep' beer brewed especially for the occasion!
30th June at 6:30pm at Gunwen Chapel there will be a traditional Sankey Evening with refreshments to follow.
13th July at 4pm meet at the Bugle Inn in Bugle. There will be music, the 'Snail Creep' dance and another opportunity to try the 'Snail Creep' beer.
20th July - the weekend of the festival itself.
20th July at 9:30am at Wheal Martyn Museum, St Austell, for a heritage day. The day will begin with a guided walk which will take in the industrial and social history of the Ruddle valley, returning to Wheal Martyn for about 12:30pm. The walk is classed as 'easy walking'.
There will be the opportunity to take some refreshments in the cafe, or bring your own refreshments.
At 2pm we will meet in the conference room at Wheal Martyn for a more in depth look at the where we walked using archive photos. We will finish at about 3:30pm.
20th July at 10:30am at the Rescorla Centre there will be an accordion festival. Refreshments will be available.
20th July at 8:30pm at the King's Arms in Luxulyan the traditional 'Snail Creep' dance will be performed accompanied by musicians playing traditional Cornish music.
From 9pm at the King's Arms the well known sea shanty group: The Stun'sls will be singing! The 'Snail Creep' beer will also be available!
21st July at 2:30pm will be the Grande Finale of the festival at the Rescorla Centre. There will be a procession with banners to begin. There will be traditional Cornish music and songs. The 'Snail Creep' will be danced. The Coastal Belles, Harry Glasson, Malcolm and Angie will be playing music and singing. There will be dialect readings too! And of course there will be the traditional Tea Treat!
Something for everyone! Come along - we look forward to seeing you!
Service in Cornish at Gunwen Chapel 24th November 2019
The service was held in Cornish with the Cornish/English text on screen making the service accessible for all. The prayers, readings, a poem, the sermon and all the hymns were in Cornish. The Rescorla Chapel Band provided the music and the organ was also played. Afterwards a delicious tea was provided. It was an enjoyable evening and it was good to see it well attended.
Let's hope it's the first of many!
Saturday Kitchen - Celtic Hogmanay.
A great morning celebrating Celtic Hogmanay! Delicious food by Enid which included hog's pudding and vegetarian Haggis. Songs and readings were shared and the morning ended with communal singing.
