A fundraising campaign has been launched to protect and preserve the historic site of the old tannery in the mid-Cornish village of Grampound, writes Tom Howe.
The tannery, which was operational for nearly 300 years, played a crucial role in the local economy and community before its closure in 2000. Remnants of the industrial site provide a glimpse of the area’s rich history, and efforts are underway to ensure its legacy continues.
Members of the Carrick University of the Third Age (U3A) recently gathered at the site for a talk and tour, titled ‘Tales from the Tannery’. The event included films showing the tannery in operation, and remarkable stories of the leather it produced, which, amongst other things, was used on the boat sailed by Tim Severin across the Atlantic (The Brendan Voyage – 1976/77) and on shoes worn by Roger Bannister when running the first four-minute mile.
The gathering allowed participants to connect with the past, showcasing the unique craftsmanship and stories associated with the tannery’s leather, as well as providing a vision for the future and the plans being put in place to recover and maintain the remaining buildings and fittings.
“The tannery helped support the people of Grampound for nearly 300 years,” Liz Fisher, chair of the Grampound with Creed Heritage Project, told CHAOS Radio. “It was quite sad when it closed in 2000 but the housing estate that’s been built behind the tannery has boosted the village so it’s a win-win situation.”
Ongoing preservation efforts aim to maintain not just the physical site but also the collective memory of the tannery and its contributions to the community. The current volunteers, who meet weekly, focus on environmental restoration and aims to make the area safer for visitors.
“At the moment, it’s not really safe; there are pits that are open, and there’s a building that has collapsed,” explained Fisher. “A little bit of safety work will be good.
“We’ve added a really nice meadow, so there was a lovely floral display this year. The industrial section, of course, we need archaeologists to help with, so we are trying to raise funds at the moment.”
Fisher opened the door to other groups, like U3A Carrick, to go along and learn more themselves, with the talk coming highly recommended by their history group lead, Sheila James.
“Older people need something to stimulate them occasionally and keep the little grey cells working,” she said. “A visit like this, with all this history, just makes you think. It’s good for social contact.”
For those interested in supporting the campaign, donations can be made through a GoFundMe page created by the Grampound with Creed Parish Council, which can be accessed HERE.
Meanwhile, for more information, search Grampound with Creed Heritage Centre on Facebook or visit grampound.org.uk.
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