Old News

August 2010

The Miracle Theatre's annual performance in Perran Round this year, organised by the Trust, was an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. There was record audience of around 300, and the evening weather was perfect. Perhaps one day, given funds and commitment, we will be able to organise summer festivals in what is certainly the best preserved playing place in the British Isles.'

We have set up a blog site for Perrans & Pirans - http://perrans.blogspot.com/
If you are a Perran or a Piran we want to hear from you.

Click to see the flyer (Adobe Reader required)

ST PIRAN TRUST - PRESS STATEMENT

For immediate release : 28^th February 2009

TRUST LAUNCHES APPEAL

TO HELP UNCOVER ST PIRAN’S ORATORY

We want to bring the story of St Piran alive in the 21^st century

The St Piran Trust is to launch an appeal on St Piran’s Day to raise funds for a project to re-excavate St Piran’s Oratory near Perranporth.

The Oratory is one of the earliest surviving Christian buildings in Britain. It is also an iconic structure for Cornwall, as it is associated with our national saint – St Piran. It has been lost to the people of Cornwall since 1980, when the building was buried in the sands to protect it from damage.

The St Piran Trust is working with the Historic Environment Service of Cornwall County Council to develop a wide-ranging archaeological project to uncover the Oratory, conserve the remains of this important building and make it accessible once again to the general public.

The Trust is also working with all the relevant statutory bodies to ensure that the project can be undertaken with no adverse impact on the environment of the Special Area of Conservation within which it lies.

Speaking on behalf of the Trust, Eileen Carter said:

“We believe this project is extremely important for Cornwall, our history and our heritage. But it will be a massive and complex undertaking and we need your support.

“We have launched an appeal to raise much-needed funds, which can then be used to match monies from the Lottery and other funders.”

On Sunday 8^th March, the St Piran Trust will be putting on a display about their plans for St Piran’s Oratory.

It will take place at the Perranzabuloe Parish Council Offices, situated close to the football and rugby pitches in Perranporth, between 2.00 and 5.00pm.

Refreshments, including home-made jam and scones, will also be served.

It is hoped that many of the walkers who will take part in the traditional walk across the dunes on the 8^th March will attend the event after they return from the procession.

Further information

The St Piran Trust is a locally based incorporated charitable group registered with the Charity Commission. Its main objective is to protect and enhance archaeological sites in the Perranzabuloe area associated with St Piran. In 2005, The Trust excavated the Old Parish Church in partnership with Cornwall County Council's Historic Environment Service. It also maintains Perran Round - the local plen an gwary.

Anyone can support the appeal with a donation. These can be paid directly into the St Piran Trust Project account (sort code: 30-98-76: account number 1450689) at Lloyds TSB, 7 Boscawen St, Truro, TR1 2QT. Alternatively, cheques can made out to the St Piran Trust and sent to the St Piran Trust, Penquite House, Liskeard, PL14 5AQ. All donations will be acknowledged and donors will receive regular progress reports.

For more information on the work of the St Piran Trust, you can visit www.st-piran.com, where you can also see an extensive gallery of photographs of the Oratory through the years.

Contact details

For more information, contact:

St Piran Trust	Eileen Carter	01872 575007
	Helen Richards	01208 816206 or 01726 883564

Historic Environment Service, Cornwall County Council
	Dick Cole	07791 876607

Trustees working at the old church July 2008

Ian Saltern eating croust

Time for a break

St. Piran Tide Festivities 2008

Various activities during July & August 2007

Building the Information Lectern at the Old Church June 2007

St. Piran's Day Celebrations March 2007

Erection of the information lectern at St. Piran's Oratory February 2007

Fri 3rd February 2006

The television programme about the dig was broadcast on the 25th. January on BBC2 as part of their series 'A Passion for Churches'. We have had a lot of feedback from this programme from all over Britain. Thanks to all those who have written.

Thurs 6th January 2006

The archaeological dig at the old church of St Piran will be televised on BBC2 on January 25th at 7.30p.m. The television crew were with us for most of September and were there as the 'finds' were unearthed. We hope you will enjoy viewing.

Wed 16th November 2005

A Sculpture of The Patron Saint of Cornwall.

Bringing Cornwall’s most famous Saint back to the place where the story began.

Sculptor Peter Walker is currently in the process of bringing the Patron Saint of Cornwall St. Piran to the site where, legend tells us he miraculously came ashore after being tied to a millstone. A life sized bronze statue of the saint will be located in the parish of Perranzabuloe and will become a major focal point for the heritage of the area. This will be a welcome sight to all those interested in seeing the preservation and celebration of all that which is Cornish.

In order to fund the statue, Mr. Walker has created a small scale version of the final sculpture which is to be sold in order to finance the costs of the bronze casting and installation of the artwork.

“We hope that this project will allow all those interested in the History and Heritage of Cornwall to share in bringing one of its most significant historical figures back to the county. A Public Sculptural representation of St. Piran will be a wonderful feature for the town, and all of the thousands of people who are interested in the furthering of Cornish Culture.”

A limited edition of 80 copies of the smaller scale St. Piran sculpture, are available to those interested in the project and those who would like to participate in bringing St. Piran permanently back to Cornwall. Interest from not only within Cornwall but also nationally and from interested parties abroad is envisaged. Profits from the sale of this sculpture, which will in itself become a collectors item and unique representation of the Cornish Patron saint, will then finance the life sized St. Piran Monument.

Details For The Limited Edition Sculpture

•Edition Size 80

•Material Bronze sculpture on granite base

•Height 19 inches (48 cm)

•Price £495.00 (+delivery)

The limited edition sculptures are individually cast upon order by a leading international foundry.

If you would like further information reply to walkharp@supanet.com or contact the artist direct at pwalkersculptor@msn.com

LINK TO FURTHER IMAGES OF WORK BY PETER WALKER

http://www.welshartsarchive.org.uk/galleries/peter_walker.htm

(UK) 07968 277610

Wed 2nd November 2005

BBC Television Broadcasts

BBC 1 Southwest aired a short programme on the excavation of the Old Church on Monday 31 October.
Look out in January for BBC2's 'A Passion for Churches' which will run a programme about the excavation and the work of the St Piran Trust, and there will also be a BBC 1 programme, 'Inspirational Britain' in the 'Heaven & Earth' series on a Sunday morning in January (precise date unknown) which will come, in part, from the excavated church.

Sat 8th October 2005

The Trust hosted the open conference day for Gorseth Kernow which was held at Perran Sands holiday centre. 95 bards attended and the programme included a report on the dig at St Piran's old church by Dick Cole senior archaeologist; The people of St Piran related by trustee Eileen Carter. Trustee Angela Penrose spoke of "The work and objectives of the Trust". After a break for tea & pasties we all walked to the old church by way of the oratory to join others at a service held in the old church of St Piran. This was an
historic moment as it was the first in 200 years, being overwhelmed in sand until now. Everyone found it a very emotional moment.
A saunter back through the starkly beautiful dunes sharpened everyone's appetite for a real Cornish treat of splits jam and cream followed by saffron cake washed down with scalding tea. What a good day it was.