Mediterranean Biome Live Cam

The flow of Cornish tin ore has dwindled over the past 100 years and now the future of the only indigenous strategic tin supply in Europe hangs by the slender cable at South Crofty mine. The metal is very precious to anyone who has studied the world's mining history or wants a little part of Cornwall which is pure and beautiful forever.

Very few people know what tin looks like or what are its properties. Of course, we all know of canned goods and the protection from corrosion afforded to the steel by a thin layer of tin. By itself tin has a life and beauty of its own.

Tin is very much like polished silver without the need to polish. It can be combined with a very small proportion of other metals to form pewter which is used for many purposes and can be converted into fine jewellery. Working tin is not easy. South Crofty have been making jewellery from this quality metal by casting it in a centrifuge to ensure perfect replicas. The castings take the appearance of ingots, Cornish Celtic crosses, commemorative emblems, the endearing Cornish pasties and an impression of the spirit who lurks within the mine, heard but never seen, the Tommy knocker. Many items are made as brooches or pendants on silver chain. Some feature as earrings for pierced ears.

Cornish Guernseys or Knit Frocks

Guernseys are traditionally hand knitted garments for the upper half of the body which use five or four ply worsted wool. The name reflects the great wool and hand knitting industry which grew up in the Channel Isles during the seventeenth century. Similar garments, made to keep fishermen warm and known as Guernseys, have been found in coastal villages throughout the British Isles. Towards the end of the seventeenth century a complex industry was growing in Cornwall, producing different kinds of wool and converting much of it into garments. A hundred years later the introduction of the spinning-jenny and other machinery meant a reduction in the demand for hand spinners but the growing need for knitters is illustrated by these two advertisements;

Wanted Immediately, 100 Hands To Knit Frocks J. Elliot, Draper, Liskeard, 1859.

500 Good Frock Knitters, Constant Employment Bowden's, Drapers, Looe, 1869.

Some drapers imported the original Guernseys and so avoided the problems of having to organize knitters, thus;

Agents For Hand-knit Guernsey Frocks. R.h. Lee & Co. St. Austell & Liskeard

It is clear that the garments, Guernsaise or Cornish, were then known as 'frocks' or 'knit-frocks'. Using a tightly knitted yarn the Guernsey frock starts with a narrow welt and a slit at both sides whilst the Cornish frock starts with a deep welt or 'trail'. They both lent themselves to a variety of patterns in the hands of skilled knitters but the Guernsey has developed into a one design style. Jerseys are very similar but have an anchor knitted into the upper chest. Old photographs of Cornish fishing villages frequently show a fisherman's wife busily knitting. The villages soon had their own special designs worked into the garments and, being hand knitted for loved ones, many of the frocks were personalised to the wearer. Sadly, many a decomposed body of a fisherman was identified by his knit frock.

The traditional Guernsey knit frock experienced a resurgence of popularity some twenty years ago and now there is an opportunity for the Cornish garment to become popular again and they are being featured in the Polperro Heritage Centre. Most are made in the traditional dark navy blue colour but a variety of colours are now available. Knitting a knit frock is a long laborious project but the result is well worth it. The result is a very warm, personal, hard wearing garment which will be fashionable and last for years.

The production of Guernseys in Cornwall today is a specialised, limited craft. They are made in a choice of colours and sizes. A variety of traditional patterns from the villages are available and these have been joined by a Celtic cross. Each garment is individually made, hand stitched and finished to make it very personal to the wearer. Prices are in the region of £60.00 and more details can be obtained from the makers by ticking and returning the CW order form.