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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 John Evans
Minutes Secretary Christine Bone
Treasurer Andy Trudgian
Editor Emily Ould
Events Secretary Malcolm Gould
Membership Secretary Vacant
Other committee members

Mike Harris, Colin Bristow, Mike Grigg, Mike Blake and Jo Moore.

Contact

Telephone: 01726 850362

Email: [email protected]

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

2022 events and activities

Expand

cchs members outside


Carloggas Downs Walk

Saturday 2 July 2022

A morning walk at Carloggas Downs (formerly Singlerose), which will take in the extensive views mainly of the eastern area of the China Clay district.

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Books and Barbeque

Thursday 15 September 2022

A social evening at Wheal Martyn with a barbeque and opportunity to buy second hand books on the industry.  More details to follow.

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AGM and Film Show

Thursday 17 November 2022

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 [email protected] ”




Published: 6th December, 2019

Updated: 11th May, 2022

Author:

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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: 1st September, 2022

        Author:

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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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        • Our museum

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          China clay mining has shaped the landscape, lives of people and economy of mid-Cornwall for over 250 years. It is Cornwall’s largest mining industry. A fully Accredited Museum, we are based within two Victorian china clay works, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We tell the story of this fascinating industry and the people who worked and lived in the shadows of Cornwall’s iconic ‘white pyramids’.

        • Why visit

          Why visit

          Dig deep and discover the special ingredient in your everyday life that still shapes Cornwall and the world today…china clay! It hides in your toothpaste, your paper, your car tyres and even your cosmetics. It’s a billion pound, global industry. We are telling the story of Cornwall’s secret, and the people who brought it to you, from the heart of Clay Country.

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        Wheal Martyn
        St. Austell
        Cornwall
        PL26 8XG

        01726 850362
        [email protected]

        Registered Charity No. 1001838

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