Little Petherick

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Little Petherick
Cornish: Nansfenten
Cornwall
Little Petherick.jpg
Little Petherick Church
Location
Grid reference: 9170&y=0 7210&z=120 SW 917 721
Location: 50°30’43"N, 4°56’13"W
Data
Post town: Wadebridge
Postcode: PL27
Dialling code: 01841
Local Government
Council: Cornwall
Parliamentary
constituency:
North Cornwall

Little Petherick is a village in north Cornwall, to be found two miles south of Padstow and six miles west of Wadebridge.

The village lies in the valley of Little Petherick Creek, a tidal tributary of the River Camel, though upstream of Little Petherick the creek ceases to be tidal. The village straddles the A389 Wadebridge-Padstow road, which crosses the creek at the east end of the village.

Parish church

The parish church of St Petroc (SW919721) was restored in 1858 by the Victorian architect William White. It was originally built in the 14th century and is now Grade I listed.[1] (John) Athelstan Riley, 1858–1945, was a notable benefactor of this church and responsible for employing Ninian Comper to restore it in 1908: his work includes the communion table, the reredos and rood screen.

Other features of interest are the monuments to Sir Roger de Lemporu, 13th century, and Andalusia, the Hon. Mrs. J. A. Riley, née Molesworth (d. 1912), ca. 1916; the Flemish 17th century relief in the north chapel.[2] Arthur Mee was impressed by the beauty of this bronze monument.[3]

The official name of the parish is St Petroc Minor (distinguishing it from Padstow or Petrockstow). According to tradition St Petroc passed this way before settling at Bodmin. The parish was until 1830 a Bishop's peculiar and within the episcopal manor of Pawton. The church was rebuilt in 1745 and the Molesworth family have since been notable benefactors.[4]

Mining

A copper mine at Creddis was a small scale venture in Little Petherick.[5] The shaft at Creddis was no deeper than thirty fathoms and employed about forty men. Adjoining Creddis, but in the parish of St Issey, was the copper mine of Legossick. This had a steam engine on it, being a large adventure, it employed many men. There were a few mines of this sort in the area; and one, Wheal Paynter showed a course of lead at twelve fathoms.[6]

Outside links

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References

  1. National Heritage List 11172377: St Petroc’s Church, Little Petherwick
  2. Pevsner, N. (1970) Cornwall, 2nd ed. Penguin Books; p. 105
  3. "She wears a graceful dress with embroidered borders to the sleeves and neck. The memory of her beautiful face is the best thing the visitor takes away from here." Cornwall, Hodder, 1937; p. 124
  4. Cornish Church Guide (1925) Truro: Blackford; p. 183
  5. Hitchins, Fortescue and Drew, Samuel: The History of Cornwall
  6. Berry, Claude Cornwall; p. 136
  • Park, Jo (1982) Athelstan Riley, patron of St Petroc Minor, Little Petherick. Truro: [the Compiler] (includes extracts from the diaries of Athelstan and Andalusia Riley)
  • Riley, Athelstan: (ca. 1910) The Church and Parish of St Petroc Minor of Nansfounteyn, Little Petherick, Cornwall