The Hidden Stories Behind Cornwall’s Place Names: Oddfellows Members Explore Local History

A Journey Through Cornwall’s Rich Linguistic Heritage

Members of the Oddfellows Friendship Groups in Redruth and Truro recently took a deep dive into the fascinating world of Cornish place names, guided by the ‘Redruth Antiquarians’. The illustrated presentation, titled ‘A Kernow-copia of Cornish Place Names’, explored the meanings behind locations such as Perranzabuloe, Boscawen-Un, Wheal Jane, and Carn Brea.

The talk shed light on the influence of the Cornish language and mining history on local place names, sparking lively discussions among attendees. With St. Piran’s Week shining a spotlight on Cornwall’s patron saint of tinners, the timing of the presentation made it even more meaningful.

Warmth, Friendship, and Homemade Cake

The sessions weren’t just about history; they also provided an opportunity for socialising over a selection of refreshments, including homemade cake, chocolate biscuits, fruit, sweets, and hot drinks. Small prize raffles were held to raise funds for local charitable causes chosen by members.

Attendees also received the monthly puzzle sheets, and a new craft competition was launched alongside a selection of free books.

Oddfellows secretary Peter English reflected on the success of the events, saying, “We are grateful to the Redruth Antiquarians for offering these talks during St. Piran’s week and to all those attending and particularly those who assisted during these events. The questions and discussions afterward clearly demonstrated the strong interest in the topic. It was wonderful to see our members enjoy the event and the sense of friendship within our groups is something we are truly proud of. And of course, the homemade cake was a hit!”

More Than Just Social Gatherings

The Plymouth and Truro District Oddfellows, one of the UK’s oldest and largest friendly societies, aims to enrich lives through friendship and mutual support. Beyond social events, members can access a range of benefits, including care and welfare support, a travel club, and opportunities to volunteer and contribute to fundraising efforts.

For details about upcoming events, or to request a free information pack, contact Peter by email at peter.english@oddfellows.co.uk, by phone at 01209 200810, or by post at The Oddfellows Hall, 49 Green Lane, Redruth TR15 1LL.

More information about Oddfellows and its activities can be found at www.oddfellows.co.uk.