|
The Modern Antiquarian Forum » Crowan Beacon » Error! |
Log In to post a reply
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic View: Flat | Threaded |
|
Andy Norfolk 58 posts |
Dec 09, 2007, 20:04
|
||
|
Black Rock is not the same as Crowan Beacon. Black Rock is south-west of Crowan Beacon, the other side of the road junction. You can see it quite clearly from the road to Crowan. On the top of Crowan Beacon there is the rock outcrop which would have been covered by a large cairn. Some of the cairn stones remain in place. This would have been very large, but now has a trig point on top. This hill top has enclosures around it suggesting that it was a Neolithic ritual enclosure. Also on the top, and close to the cairn with the trig point, is a ruined burial mound. Two rings of kerbs are clearly visible and looks as though could once have been a Scillonian entrance tomb, but may have been a bit like Carn Gluze/Ballowal Barrow. However it is very battered. There appear to have been a number of individual burials within the structure.
|
|||
|
TMA Ed 615 posts |
Dec 09, 2007, 20:16
|
||
|
Perhaps Chris was just referring to the nearby settlement? In any case, I've deleted 'Black Rock' as an alternative name as perhaps it is confusing. Thanks, TMA Ed.
|
|||
|
chris s 211 posts |
Dec 09, 2007, 20:28
|
||
|
In my defence, was always called Black Rock by my father and members of my family, who farmed the area most of the last century! Though happy to be corrected. Andy, do you know of Uncle Ned's Rock at Bolenowe? Chris
|
|||
|
Andy Norfolk 58 posts |
Dec 10, 2007, 12:15
|
||
|
chris s wrote: In my defence, was always called Black Rock by my father and members of my family, who farmed the area most of the last century! Though happy to be corrected. Andy, do you know of Uncle Ned's Rock at Bolenowe? Chris Sorry if I was a bit keen there! The carn I've referred to is what is known as Black Rock now in Crowan village, where I live. Crowan Beacon is seen as being a quite different location as I've said. I don't know of any old references to Carnsew or Carndhu as a place name which might help settle this one and there are no useful clues on old maps. Other people I've spoken to are also quite sure that Black Rock is the same carn I think it is. However there could actually be another candidate. I was told yesterday that someone I was talking to - in a gale on Crowan beacon - was taken years ago to see another black rock and he says it was just that, a round black rock. I don't know of Uncle Ned's Rock at Bolenowe. Whose uncle and where?
|
|||
|
chris s 211 posts |
Dec 10, 2007, 16:48
|
||
|
No worries there Andy...I'm with William Blake on this one, 'tis only through opposites that progression can be made...reckon that precision has slipped in colloquialism, and that perhaps Black Rock in some quarters applies to cover the whole area? I stand corrected happily! As for Uncle Ned's Rock, it's one that just pokes its head up nomenclaturally out of obscurity...it's deep in family lore as a meeting / trysting place, apparently has good sightlines from the north, Troon, Four Lanes, Beacon and the like; enquiries reveal nothing as to its nomenclature or who Uncle Ned was - guessing some colloquialism akin to the wellspring Jimmy Vincent's Well in Bolenowe village ( marked on the 1:25 000 as Vincent's Well, in that 'antiquity' typeface). I've also seen it referred to in a local poem - whether by the Bolenowe poet John Harris or not I shall have to investigate, been scouring for the reference, but I suspect the poet is later than 1900, even mid-century...which triggered my interest that it has some fading local acclaim and was at some point known outside family lore. Never been myself, but again it seems an odd survivor in an area super-intensively mined; really close to Grenville and the Great Flat Lode, it's on the OS sheet at Bolenowe Carn Moor (SW671374) (interestingly locally known as Scare Moor?)and I think is the one just above the 'r' in 'Carn'. It isn't very big, but has survived plunder on the moor which does show evidence of several shallow quarries and delves. Again this evidence comes from my family who can trace their Bolenowe roots back well into the 1700's. Might be worthy of further investigation I was thinking, if not ina strictly megalithical sense then at least for it's whispered position in fading local cultural tradition? Oh how did the dowsing expedition go? Chris
|
|||
|
Andy Norfolk 58 posts |
Jan 03, 2008, 12:39
|
||
|
On New Years Eve while everyone was sober I asked some old Crowan residents about Black Rock. They were quite certain that it is the outcrop close to the old Blackrock Methodist chapel, now a B&B at the crossroads at gr 661349. The outcrop close to the chapel is where the Methodists preached in the 18thC. Those I spoke to were quite adamant that Crowan Beacon is not the same place as Black Rock. Unfortunately although John Wesley does mention Crowan in his he does not say where he preached. The following extracts are fun though... Rev Mr John Wesley's Journal Monday 9th September 1765 About one I preached at Porkellis; at six in Crowan. I admire the depth of grace in the generality of this people; so simple, so humble, so teachable, so serious, so utterly dead to the world! September Sat. 13. 1766 — I preached at noon in the new House at Crowan, it being a very stormy day. Wesley letter To Thomas Rankin [23] LONDON, November 6, 1764. DEAR TOMMY,--If the Crowan or Buryan Society are able to bear the expense of building themselves, we have no objection; but we must not increase our debt this year. This is what we determined. If you do build, build large enough. In general, we do not pay rent out of the public stock, but get help from friends in the circuit. For once we may allow forty shillings. I shall write to Plymouth Dock this post. I hope John Catermole (a sound man) will come and help you. I shall either mend William Darney or end him. He must not go on in this manner. Spread the little tracts wherever you go. You know the solid good which results therefrom. Go on; spend and be spent for a good Master.--I am, dear Tommy, Your affectionate friend and brother.
|
| The Modern Antiquarian Forum Index |
