Monday 29 April 2013

Perranzabuloe Museum, Perranporth

As a loyal museeme fan my mother went to Perranzabuloe (best name ever) Museum in Perranporth, North Cornwall the other day and decided to review it. It sounds to me, especially when I read their website too, that this is a great example of a true community museum and what can happen when dedicated locals who care about where they live and want to share its history come together. Here is what she had to say:

This small museum, in a room above the library (a lovely building refurbished with the help of volunteers in the '80s) in the surfing village of Perranporth, was an unexpected pleasure. It has been supported by a large network of financial friends and this shows in the large display screens which subdivide the space and look very professional - yet it still has the eccentric appeal of a private collection, with objects ranging from leather boots worn by the pony who mowed the golf course, to the earliest surf boards, which included old coffin lids from the local undertakers!

There is also a lot of information about Perranporth's mining history - I'd had no idea of the variety of minerals which were dug up - silver, lead, copper as well as tin and even arsenic! There was also information about the ancient chapel of St Piran, currently reburied beneath the sand dunes, and the local fishing industry. There is also information about the village during the war, farming history and the local railway. One thing that amused me was the quote from a 19th century ship's captain who had been wrecked in numerous places around the world, and who said that no where had he come across savages such as the natives of Perranporth! Luckily for me this is no longer the case, and the staff at the museum were charming, friendly and helpful!

There was also a delightful re-creation of a 19th century cottage interior, which would appeal to all ages, as would many of the other exhibits. Entry is free, but donations are invited. I would recommend this museum to all visitors to Perranporth.

Their website can be found at http://www.perranzabuloemuseum.co.uk/



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