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  • china-clay-history-society
  1. Our work
  2. China Clay History Society

China Clay History Society

Established in 2001, the China Clay History Society is an integral part of Wheal Martyn. It was formed to stimulate interest in the study of Cornwall and Devon’s china clay industry and of industries related to it, while helping to further the charitable objects of Wheal Martyn Trust. Since 2001, membership has grown to nearly 250.

The Society organises walks, talks, field trips and film shows, produces a newsletter three times a year containing articles on the history of the industry, responds to research enquires, supports Wheal Martyn with research for exhibitions and oversees on behalf of the museum a substantial archive.

Recognition of our volunteers
CCHS members with Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall

The work of the China Clay History Society is only possible as a result of the significant effort by its volunteers over the last 20 years.  This was recognised in June 2019, when they were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their own communities - the MBE for volunteer groups.  This is wonderful recognition for our group of volunteers, who now number over 20. They are tireless in their work on the archive and in running the activities of the Society.

visitors using CCHS archive

A brief history

In recognition of the importance of the china clay industry, the Society was formed in 2001 by its founder Chairman, Derek Giles (retired in 2015), along with a small group of volunteers. Its purpose was to ensure that the substantial archives of material which existed within Cornwall’s china clay mining companies were successfully preserved, recorded and made accessible for study.              

Derek worked in the industry for most of his life, and for several years as Group Financial Controller of English China Clays Ltd. It is thanks to Derek’s passion, determination and foresight that this vast archive has been successfully collected, having successfully rescued the contents of numerous offices and facilities within the industry as they have closed or been rationalised, as well as searching out and securing important collections from individual donors.

Getting involved

Several members of the Society meet on Wednesday and Friday mornings to carry out research, document and care for the archive and CCHS members during an eventdeal with public enquiries. They are pleased to welcome all those interested in the history of china clay – social, technical, religious, commercial and demographic. Enquiries are welcome from those wishing to research aspects of china clay history and from those wishing to volunteer time to work in the archive.

The Society is very pleased to help schools and individual students by supplying information or providing research facilities relating to the china clay industry.  It is also interested in acquiring material (written and photographic) relating to china clay extraction and the resulting change in lifestyles in the clay community. To get involved email the Society. 

Membership

Membership of the Society costs £15.00 (individual) or £20.00 (couples/families) per year and includes three printed newsletters. To become a member, please print and complete our membership application form and return to Wheal Martyn (address below) along with a cheque made payable to ‘China Clay History Society’.  Alternatively payment can be made annually by completing the standing order form and issuing it to your bank.

Committee

The society is managed by a committee of volunteers:

Chairman Colin Vallance
Deputy Chairman Vacant
Minutes Secretary Christine Bone
Treasurer Diane Bassett
Editor Mike Harris
Events Secretary Jenny Moore
Membership Secretary Maureen Hooper
Other committee members

Malcolm Gould, Kingsley Rickard, Colin Bristow, Mike Grigg, Mike Blake and Jo Moore.

Contact

Telephone: On Wednesday and Friday mornings, call 07985 305144

Email: [email protected]

Address: China Clay History Society, Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Wheal Martyn, Carthew, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 8XG

2020 events and activities

Expand

Talks Evening

12 March 2020, 7.00pm, at Wheal Martyn

A talk by Max Pemberton on ‘Clay Processing’, ECLP Style, followed by a talk by Jonathan Currell of British Lithium Ltd. on ‘Hardrock Lithium Exploration in the St Austell Granite.’cchs members outside

Booking not required, please come along and support our speakers

Summer Walk

4 July 2020

A guided walk from Whitemoor to Old Pound.

Further details to follow.

Field Trip

Date TBC, September 2020

A coach trip to Park Pit at St. Neot to see the reclamation work done by South West Water.members walking outside

Full details to follow.

AGM and Film Show

12 November, 7.00pm, at Wheal Martyn

Free for members, £2.00 donation for non-members. Refreshments on the evening, £1.50.

To register an interest or book a particular event, email us. 

Published: 6th December, 2019

Updated: 21st February, 2020

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Related topics:
  • China Clay History Society
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Newsletters

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A list of past newsletters with details of their content can be found here. These are available for a small fee by contacting us. 

pit captains

        Published: 6th December, 2019

        Updated: 27th February, 2020

        Author:

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        • China Clay History Society
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        Publications

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        The following DVDs and CDs produced by the Society are available to purchase from the shop at Wheal Martyn or over the telephone. There will be a small charge for postage.

        Films

        (£8.50 each)

        The Clay Industry in Past Times

        Taken from 16mm cine films from the English China Clays collection, kindly made available by Imerys Minerals Ltd. Each DVD runs for approximately 48 minutes.                 

        Volume 1 - Includes three films:

        • Cornish Pyramids, 1936, an award-winning black and white film
        • E.C.L.P.’s first advertising film, 1954
        • World of Colour, 1973, advertising film by ECC Paper Division

        Volume 2 - Includes two films:

        • E.C.L.P. Clay and China Stone, an amateur film by Archie Perry
        • Self Portrait, an excellent general view of ECC

        Volume 3 - Includes two films:

        • Moving towards the Markets of the World, 1984
        • The Perfect Combination, Devon and Dorset ECC Ball Clays
        St Austell Clay District

        A brief study of past working sites – presented by Ivor Bowditch.  Filmed and produced by John Potter.

        World of Clay

        Par, Fowey and Charlestown Docks. Blackpool Pit, Refining Plant and Dryers. Laboratories and John Keay House.

        DVDs/CDs

        (£8.50 each)

        • China Clay Works Cornwall and Devon

        by English China Clays c1919 (copy of limited edition book in PDF format)

        • China Clay History Society Newsletters

        Issues 1-25, April 2002-October 2010 (PDF format)

        • Clay Lines

        235 Photographs taken by Maurice Dart between June 1965 and August 2003

        • Clay Lines 1

        230 Photographs from China Clay History, Wheal Martyn and Maurice Dart Archive compiled by Maurice Dart

        • Earth Moving Equipment

        100 photos of Scrapes, Dumpers, Bulldozers etc used within the China Clay Industry

        • Lorries

        80 Photographs of lorries from China Clay History and Wheal Martyn Archives

        • ECC Reviews: 1957–1970

        (PDF format)

        • ECCs Press - February 1971-December 1981 (PDF format)
        • ECCs Press - January 1982-May 1994 (PDF format on DVD)
        • The China Clay Trade Review - July-November 1919 (Photo & PDF)
        • The China Clay Trade Review - December 1919-June 1920 (Photo & PDF)
        • The China Clay Trade Review - July-December 1921 (Photo & PDF)

        Published: 6th December, 2019

        Updated: 27th February, 2020

        Author:

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        • China Clay History Society
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