Truro has been an important port since the Middle Ages, and its status as a stannary town, allowing it to assay and stamp copper and tin from Cornish mines, also brought prosperity to the town. Wealthy families settled in Truro, benefitting from mining and other industries such as iron-smelting, potteries and tanneries and the town was given city status by Queen Victoria and the foundations laid for a new cathedral. Today it is the administrative and commercial centre for Cornwall. This book explores Truro's history, including personalities such as Richard Lander, the explorer, and his contemporaries in the cultural hotbed of eighteenth-and nineteenth-century Truro. The Assembly Rooms which once stood in High Cross welcomed Sarah Siddons, General Tom Thumb and regular local entertainer Joseph Emidy who was once a slave. The Truro River has stories to tell, as do the cathedral, churches and chapels, and there are tales of law and order in the city, fires and other emergencies. The authors take the reader down the 'opes', alleys and lanes to reveal interesting anecdotes about musical events, clubs and societies, monuments and plaques, gravestones under the pavement and the 106 public houses that once served Truro. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Truro will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this fascinating city in Cornwall.

About the Author
Christine Parnell has had an interest in local history for many years. She was a member of the County Grammar School team representing Truro on ITV, and was also the student on a BBC programme and another ITV show with two adults. Christine was the Secretary of Truro Old Cornwall Society for 30 years and was also the Recorder for several years. She has organised talks and outings to places of local interest (known as pilgrimages) and written articles and books as well as giving guided walks around the City. Sheila Richardson has lived and worked in Truro for most of her life and has a deep affection of her beloved city and its people. As a local historian she has given group talks and guided tours of Truro. For many years she has been a member of Truro Old Cornwall Society and is a past Vice President. She has recently been involved with the archaeological team who have been excavating the current redevelopment of the Pydar Street site, and with her local knowledge of this area she has given talks to schoolchildren and adult groups. Sheila was also one of the voices in Brett Harvey's film called RISE about Truro. This film was shown at the Plaza cinema Truro and can also be viewed online.


Book Information
ISBN 9781445699363
Author Christine Parnell
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 284g