Members of the Looe Old Cornwall Society (OCS) gathered in the Old Sail Loft Restaurant last week to celebrate their own place in the town's history – marking the 80th anniversary of the organisation's foundation. Guests, who included representatives of neighbouring old Cornwall Societies, were welcomed by John Enever. Among them were Valerie and Tony Otter from Saltash OCS, Keith Shaw, president, and Barbara Shaw, secretary of Callington OCS and also of the Cornish Gorsedd; Ron and Pat Overd, Looe mayor and mayoress and members of Looe OCS and Duncan Matthews, president of Liskeard OCS. Mr Enever presented a certificate for services as well as a life vice presidency and honorary member of Looe OCS to Queenie Shearman. He then gave a talk outlining the history of Looe Old Cornwall Society which was formed on February 26, 1927, in the Guildhall in East Looe as the result of a letter from CK Croft-Andrew published in the local press a month earlier inviting those interested in the project to contact him. Original members included the local writer Miss Elizabeth Steed-Shapcott, who contributed many interesting articles on Looe in Victorian times. Mr Croft-Andrew became chairman and recorder and the society was affiliated to the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. The main objective was the collection of details of life in the past in Cornwall, including the correct pronunciation of Cornish personal and place names – the society's motto was 'Gather ye fragments that are left that nothing be lost'. In 1929 members were keen to seethe monastic settlement of Lamanna together with the chapel on Looe Island investigated. CK Croft-Andrew, with the support of members, excavated the site in 1935/6 and detailed plans of his findings. The Looe OCS link remains to this day fostered by Dr and Mrs Leggatt's excellent books and, right up to date, papers written by an associate member, Mr Daniel Agee, from Warwickshire. 'Pirates and wenches' are a familiar sight in Looe each summer, but in 1625, 80 people from West Looe were taken into slavery by the North African 'Sallee' pirates. In the 1930s, Looe OCS was given copies of 17th century state papers recounting the events. Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch was an honorary member, and several members have been made bards including Carol Vivien, Fred Leese and Jack Sweet. Restoration work done by the society includes the 1931 rescue of Par Looe Cross, now a wayside cross; the 1935/6 Lamanna excavations; St Keyne's Well; St Cuby's Well; Tregoad Cross, rescued from a farmer and set at the end of the drive to Tregoad Farm, later rescued again during road widening and now in Looe Museum; Thomas Bond's Tomb at St Martin's Church; St Mary's Well and St Anne's Well. In addition, through the efforts of the society, the Hall Rings at Pelynt were established by the Ministry of Works as an Ancient Monument. The society continues to endeavour to commemorate the St Piran's Day events, the Gorsedd, Tre- lawney Day and 'Crying the Neck' as well as ensuring an interesting programme of speakers and visits. This year, it celebrates the great contribution made by Joseph Thomas to Looe in the 1890s and in July it plans to hold the official opening ceremony of the unveiling of commemorative plaques and an obelisk funded by the Local Heritage Initiative and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
