Little Petherick

Little Petherick (Cornish: Nansfenten) is a village and civil parish in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated two miles (3 kilometres) south of Padstow and 6 miles (9 kilometres) west of Wadebridge.[1] As of the 2011 census its population is included in the civil parish of St Issey

Little Petherick

Little Petherick Church
Little Petherick
Location within Cornwall
OS grid referenceSW 917 721
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWADEBRIDGE
Postcode districtPL27
Dialling code01841
PoliceDevon and Cornwall
FireCornwall
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament

Little Petherick lies in the valley of Little Petherick Creek, a tidal tributary of the River Camel: however, 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, at grid reference SW 919 721, was restored in 1858 by the Victorian architect William White. It was originally built in the 14th century and is now Grade I listed.[2] (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 high altar, 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.[3] Arthur Mee was impressed by the beauty of this bronze monument.[4]

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.[5]

Mining

A copper mine at Creddis was a small scale venture in Little Petherick.[6] The shaft at Creddis was no deeper than thirty fathoms (55 m) 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 (22 m).[7]

Little Petherick Creek

The village gives its name to the tidal creek of the River Camel, the location most likely being chosen as the highest navigable point with evidence of quays here still being visible.[8]

Between Little Petherick and the River Camel is Sea Mills. Here a tidal lagoon was created to capture the rising tide, the outflow being diverted via a tide mill used to grind flour.[9]

References
  1. Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 200 Newquay & Bodmin ISBN 978-0-319-22938-5
  2. Images of England
  3. Pevsner, N. (1970) Cornwall, 2nd ed. Penguin Books; p. 105
  4. "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
  5. Cornish Church Guide (1925) Truro: Blackford; p. 183
  6. Hitchins, Fortescue and Drew, Samuel. The History of Cornwall
  7. Berry, Claude Cornwall; p. 136
  8. "Little Petherick Conservation Area Character Statement" (PDF). www.cornwall.gov.uk. North Cornwall District Council. 1997. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2019. Some of the wharves and quays where goods such as lime and grain were loaded are still clearly visible on the west side of the creek
  9. Reid, Neil (1996). Map & Guide to Exploring the River Camel & The Camel Trail. Friendly Guide (First ed.). Penzance: Cormorant Design. p. 24. ISBN 0 9520874 1 3.
  • 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.

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