2020-12 OCS Newsletter

Kowethas Kernow Goth - Gerens ha Porthskathow
News
Newsletter – December 2020
Nadelik Lowen – Happy Christmas
The OCS are considering events for 2021/22. Hopefully we will be able to resume
our programme of talks next Autumn, but as the coronavirus vaccine rolls-out in
the new year and restrictions ease there may be an opportunity to get out and
about in the Spring and Summer as well. Let us know what sort of activities you
would like us to arrange.
AONB Monumental Improvement Project – Dingerein
On Friday 4 th December 2020 we held
a second scrub clearance day at
Dingerein. We consolidated the work 1
previously completed on clearing the
central ditch and made a good start on
clearing the inner rampart.
At lunch time a small group walked to
Roundhouse. The view of Gerrans Bay
was spectacular.
This was a great opportunity to get out and complete more necessary work on this
fantastic monument. The following comments from members are indicative of
how much everyone enjoyed the day:
"Absolutely fascinating ... Thanks for organising it and for taking the time to
show me around. An excellent Project."
"I enjoyed it ... - nice to meet some new people & do something useful in such a
nice spot."
There will be opportunities to get involved in further work in 2021.
1
Note: All work was conducted within current COVID-19 Guidelines, was subject to a risk assessment and was
approved by Cornwall Council.

Kowethas Kernow Goth - Gerens ha Porthskathow
New Project - Mapping Methodism
Cornish Story 2 and the Federation of
Old Cornwall Societies have initiated a
new project to collect information on
the Methodist Chapels across
Cornwall.
If you have any information,
documents, photos, ephemera, or
memories concerning any of the
chapels in Roseland please do let our
Recorder know so that we can fully
contribute to this worthwhile project.
Roseland Stile Survey
We have previously completed surveys of the stiles in Gerrans, St Anthony,
Philleigh, St Just and Ruan Lanihorne. We now want to survey the stiles in
Veryan Parish, focusing initially on footpaths 1 to 10. If you feel you could help
please get in touch with our Recorder.
OCS 2020 Scrapbook
Please continue to forward any information, photos etc. of any community events
during 2020 to our Recorder.
Maritime Churches Project
Figure 1 Former Gerrans Methodist Chapel
Information about the project, and the churches involved, including St Anthony
and St Just, can now be found on the Internet at:
https://cornishmaritimechurches.co.uk
We look forward to the release of a book on the project later this month.
Cornish Buildings Group – Buildings at Risk Project
If you are aware of any buildings across Roseland which are at risk please do
continue to notify our Recorder.
Place-name of the Month – Trewothel ~ Treworthal
Cornish place-names have undergone a lot of change over the course of history,
and this accelerated in the period after Cornish ceased to be used as a community
language. That being the case, it is important to examine early spellings of many
2
Cornish Story is an initiative of the Institute of Cornish Studies.

Kowethas Kernow Goth - Gerens ha Porthskathow
names in order to untangle its original meaning. In this case we find that
Treworthal was spelled Trewoethel in 1292, showing that the “r” has been
inserted at a later date.
Treworthal is another two-element name put together to form a name phrase.
The first element is <tre> ‘farmstead’. These early tre-settlements were often
farmsteads surrounded by sufficient land to sustain one extended family, and are
typical of the early settlement pattern across Roseland.
The second element is the less familiar Cornish word <gothel> ‘watery ground’.
In common with other Celtic languages Cornish has an interesting grammar. One
feature of this grammar is that the initial letter of some words changes (or mutate)
according to a regular set of rules. In this place-name we see this grammar in
action.
The word <tre> is feminine, and causes the initial letter of the following word to
mutate from “g” to “w”, thus <tre> + <gothel> becomes Trewothel.
Dialect of the Month - Brok
The word brok n. (pl. broks) meaning badger is still in regular use locally. There
are twin, probably interrelated derivations: -
1. Kernewek <brogh> ‘badger’
2. Saxon <brocc> ‘badger’
Let’s make sure that these wonderful words continue in everyday use.
Contacts
Chairman: Ralph German - ralphgerman@outlook.com
Membership Secretary: Jean Rigley - jeanrigley@btinternet.com
Recorder: Nev Meek - nev.meek@sky.com
www.stgandpocs.co.uk
www.facebook.com/gerransoldcornwall
www.twitter.com/GerransSt