HELSTON

'Helston' () is a small town and civil parish in the Kerrier district of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula. It is the most southerly town in the UK, being 3 km south of Penzance. In 2001 the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of its Charter, making it the second eldest town in Cornwall after Marazion. The former tin-mining and cattle market town is also known for the annual Furry Dance (known locally as the Flora Dance), said to originate from the medieval period.

Contents

Geography

Transport

Economy

Culture

Administration

Schools

Local Newspapers

External links

Geography

Helston is situated along the banks of the river Cober in Cornwall. It was previously an inland port. However the port declined when access to the sea was blocked by a sand bar (the Loe Bar) creating the biggest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, known as the Loe Pool. This was damaging to Helston but not fatally so, and the town continued to prosper through industries such as tin mining and coining, and its cattle market. Even with the closure of the port the various enterprises persuaded Customs and Excise to maintain a Customs House, which today houses "The Angel Hotel".

Transport

Helston is not far from the main road links in Cornwall, and the nearest airport is in Newquay. Helston railway station used to be the terminus of the Helston branch line, the other end being Gwinear Road near Hayle, until the closure of the line in 1964 at the height of the Beeching cuts. Railway services are now provided by the Helston branch line Truronian (T34) bus service from Redruth railway station to Helston and RNAS Culdrose [[1]].
Currently the Helston Railway Preservation Company is undertaking the restoration of part of the line.

Economy

In recent times, with no tin mines operating in the country and no need for coining in the town, Helston has become more tourist-oriented with many bed-and-breakfasts, cafes and restaurants, public houses and specialist shops. Visitors are attracted to the area because of the wonderful local scenery, such as the Penrose walks, and the relaxing holidays available in the area. The fishing village of Porthleven located next to Loe Bar is the nearest stretch of coast, only about 2 miles away.
Many people come to the town as a result of a posting at the nearby Royal Navy air station RNAS Culdrose (HMS ''Seahawk''). This naval helicopter base provides employment for a large proportion of Helston's population, both directly and indirectly.

Culture

There are several churches including St. Michael's Church, a humble church with stained-glass windows and a tall bell tower which can be heard throughout the town. In the surrounding graveyard there is a monument to Henry Trengrouse, the inventor of the rocket fired safety line - a device for aiding in the saving of lives in a shipwreck.
Helston is also the birthplace of Bob "Ruby Robert" Fitzsimmons, the first triple world boxing champion. The house where he was born and lived in Helston is still standing and is indicated by a plaque above the door.
The Helston folk museum, founded in 1949, occupies the building originally designed as the town's Market House in 1837, with two separate buildings - one for Butter and Eggs, the other the Meat Market. The exhibits are mostly concerned with Helston's agricultural and market town history.
Since 1968, Helston has been the twin city of Sasso Marconi, in Italy.
Helston also hosts The Flambards Experience, formerly the Helston Aero Park, which is a theme park with a selection of rides together with a few remaining aviation exhibits. Nearby Wendron is home to the Poldark Mine theme park, where visitors can go underground into the old workings.
The town also boasts an active sporting scene, with Helston RFC, Helston AFCand Helston Cricket Club all having prominent roles within the community. Also, the Swallows Gymnastics Club is also extremely popular within the area.
The town has a King George V Playing Field.

Administration

The Helston parliamentary constituency elected two members to the Unreformed House of Commons. The Reform Act 1832 reduced this to one. Helston is now part of the St. Ives constituency, which covers the south-westernmost part of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and whose current member is the Liberal Democrat Andrew George, former pupil of Helston School.

Schools

Helston School has a long and distinguished history. As a grammar school it boasted Samuel Taylor Coleridge as a headmaster, one of his pupils being Charles Kingsley. The School Houses in grammar school days were Coleridge, Kingsley and Tennyson.
Alfred Tennyson's local connection was through his writing. Much of the Arthurian Legend was set in this area.
Helston has three primary schools. These are St. Michael's, Parc Eglos and Nansloe. The catchment area of Helston School includes these and many other schools from the surrounding villages.

Local Newspapers

Helston is served by two local newspapers, The Helston News & Advertiser and The Helston Packet. The Helston News & Advertiser is a freely distributed weekly tabloid sized publication delivered through the door throughout the area, and The Helston Packet is a paid for tabloid sized weekly newspaper. The area is also covered by a small advertising only publication called the Helston & District Gazette

External links

★ Helston Town Council

★ Helston History

★ Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Helston