Veryan
Coordinates: 50°12′50″N 4°55′52″W / 50.214°N 4.931°W
| Veryan | |
| Cornish: Elerghi | |
 The war memorial outside Veryan churchyard, Veryan Churchtown |
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 Veryan
Veryan shown within Cornwall |
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| OS grid reference | SW9139 |
|---|---|
| Civil parish | Veryan |
| Unitary authority | Cornwall |
| Ceremonial county | Cornwall |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | VERYAN |
| Postcode district | TR2 |
| Dialling code | 01872 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | South East Cornwall |
| List of places: UK • England • Cornwall | |
Veryan is a coastal civil parish and a village on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The main settlements are at Veryan Churchtown, Veryan Green, Portloe and the smaller hamlets of Trewartha, Treviskey, Carne and Camels.[1] The parish itself is situated along 1.5 miles of coast with sandy beaches, notably Carne and Pendower.[1]
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[edit] History
Veryan was originally mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the manor of Elerchi (now Elerkey in street names etc.), which name was derived from 'elerch', the Cornish for 'swan'.[1] The origin of the name is by corruption of "Symphorian" to "Severian" and then "Saint Veryan".[2] The church is one of the few in west Cornwall for which there is no evidence of its existence before the Norman Conquest. The church was given by the lord of the manor of Elerky to the monks of Montacute in Somerset, ca. 1110, but a later lord, John de Montacute, gave it to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, ca. 1220, and they held it until 1859.[3]
[edit] Carne Beacon
Carne Beacon, lying a mile from Veryan is said to be the burial place of the Cornish saint, King Gerennius (Geraint). Local folklore suggests that the burial mound contains the golden boat with silver oars, on which his body was brought across Gerrans Bay.[4] There is no archaeological evidence for the existence of this boat.[5]
During World War II, Carne Beacon became the site of the very first Cornish above ground aircraft reporting post. It opened in January 1940 as part of No 20 Group Truro and was designated the name of T2 Veryan Post.[6] The site was chosen because of its advantageous views over the sea. Local residents strongly objected to its placing on such a hallowed point but they were overruled by the Air Ministry.[6] The view was excellent for this post which was a wooden structure some 3 metres by 4 metres square. The post consisted of an observation area with aircraft plotting instrument and a small space for making refreshments and gaining shelter. They communicated by a land line telephone to Truro where the main operations room was based. It was continuously patrolled and had to report every aircraft in a ten mile radius. It was later equipped with high frequency radio which enabled it to communicate with aircraft that sent out distress signals.[6] It was later refurbished with concrete and remained in use after the war mainly manned in villagers spare time. In 1962 the site closed and moved to Nare Head. The site was demolished and some remains are viewable at the Veryan Post Museum.[6] In present day all that remains of the post are its concrete foundations.[6]
[edit] Notable buildings
The parish church of St Symphorian has an unusual plan with a tower south of the south transept and a north aisle. Parts of the church are Norman and others Decorated in style.[7]
The village is probably best known for the five Round Houses built in the early 19th century for the Reverend Jeremiah Trist, each with thatched roofs and a cross on top; they stand two at either end of the village and one in the centre. They are often said to have been built round so that there was no corner for the Devil to hide and that the crosses on the roofs were intended to drive the Devil away but there is little or no evidence for this.
[edit] Tourism
Veryan attracts tourism due to its location on the Roseland Peninsula and has bed and breakfasts, hotels and guest houses.The round houses are also a factor in the parish's tourism interest and are rented out for accommodation.[8] Veryan is also popular because of its location near the South West Coast Path, a route for keen walkers in Cornwall.[8] Locals also let visitors use the Indoor Bowling Green. The village also has a Sports Pavilion with provision for tennis, cricket, bowls and a children’s playground. Carne Beacon also attracts visitors as its open to the public with prior contact.[6]
[edit] Film and television
Various scenes for the 1992 television drama series The Camomile Lawn, based on the book of the same name were filmed in Veryan (Broom Parc House) and on the coast at nearby Portloe.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Webmaster (2001). "Veryan". GENUKI. http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Cornwall/Veryan/index.html. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Mills, A. D. (1996). The Popular Dictionary of English Place-Names. Parragon Book Service Ltd and Magpie Books. p. 341. ISBN 0752518518.
- ^ Henderson, Charles (1925). The Cornish church guide. Oscar Blackford. pp. 214. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=b2UsAQAAIAAJ&q=Cornish+Church+Guide&dq=Cornish+Church+Guide. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- ^ "Walker’s Britain: Cornwall Coastal Path". Sherpa Expeditions. October 2009. http://www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk/tours/britain/wtrdos.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Online Editor. "You are here: The Hurlers". MysteriousBritain.co.uk. http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/cornwall/hurlers.html. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Royal Observer Corps: 67 Post Veryan". Truroca.co.uk. 2004. http://www.truroroca.co.uk/Veryan%20Post.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Pevsner, N. (1970) Cornwall, 2nd ed. Penguin Books
- ^ a b Editor. "Self Catering Holidays in Veryan". roundhousecornwall.co.uk. http://www.roundhousecornwall.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
- ^ "Channel 4 - The Camomile Lawn". Channel 4. 2007. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-camomile-lawn/video/series-1. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Veryan |
- Veryan's official website
- Veryan on the GENUKI website
- Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Veryan
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