Category Archives: History

St Sampson’s Update September 2026


A big personal thank you for your continued support for St Sampson’s.

Restoration of St Sampson’s Church is progressing, helping preserve a Christian presence in South Hill and ensuring the heritage building remains accessible for community use now and in the future.

We continue to hold a weekly Sunday service. Our doors are open when the building works permit . Our parish hall is home to Sampson’s Supertots, a lively weekly toddler group, providing a welcoming space for local families. In April, we hosted another  well-attended Easter trail and Easter egg hunt, and in the summer we held a children’s’ holiday club themed around Creation. We have hosted musical events, with performances by Barretts Privateers, Sam Sweeney, Aderyn String Quartet, plus the ‘Big Sing’, and a memorable Medieval Summer Fayre with a falconry display. 

Work began on the Manaton Chapel in October  and we had an exciting time with the archaeologist discovering four Manaton burial vaults, which needed to be excavated before the new floor could be built. This culminated in a wonderful and moving  memorial service and concert to re inter the disturbed Manaton remains. We are awaiting the final report, results from facial reconstruction from some of the skulls and DNA analyses.

The week of January 13th 2026 saw the exciting return of our bells after a four year absence and 50 years silence. They are now ringing out once more.  Over 50 people welcomed back the bells and were able to view them closely before they were hoisted back into the tower.

Since the start of the project we have raised an incredible £750,000 from over one hundred successful grant applications, many generous individual donations, and fundraising.

We are truly thriving in this lesser-known part of Cornwall.

2025 has been busy year and 2026 is promising to be equally busy!  Below is a summary of our plans and everything the St Sampson’s Unlocked project has achieved so far.

2026 plans

  • Manaton Chapel renovations and creation of Community Room continues – due to be completed April/May.
  • Tower roof and internal louvre weatherproofing work
  • Nave roof and ceiling replacement £190K
  • Creation of digital trail, virtual tour and church guidebooks
  • More concerts
  • Medieval Summer Fayre

Plus ongoing fundraising for the next phase: the remaining roof and ceiling works ( south aisle and chancel),  south side rainwater goods, WC facilities, kitchen, flooring and redecoration.

The ending of the Listed Places of Worship VAT reclaim scheme has left us with even more funds to find, an extra 20% on all works. Which we particularly now need to raise for the Nave roof and ceiling works scheduled for October 2026. We were told recently our ‘roof  batons are mush and slate nails are dust’,  highlighting the urgency of these upcoming works.

Previous Works

  • Relocation of Font (2020)
  • Installation of mains water supply (2020)
  • External path lighting (2020)
  • Roof valley gutter (2021)
  • Removal and storage of bells and securing the bell frame (2021)
  • Compost toilet installed in churchyard (2022)
  • Restoration of all thirteen windows, including stonework (2021-2023)
  • Porch stonework repairs, including new stone and pointing (2023)
  • External masonry wall repairs (2023)
  • Restoration of the Michael Hill monument, now reinstated on the east wall in the Manaton Chapel (2023)
  • Full Church of England faculty approval granted for roof, ceiling, WC facilities, and kitchenette, with phased work planned (2023)
  • West door restoration (2024)
  • Installation of new overhead heaters (2024)
  • East wall external masonry repairs (2024)
  • Tower stair door restoration (2024)
  • Additional lightning protection on east end (2025)
  • Rainwater goods on north side (2025)
  • Restoration of internal tower screen door (2025)
  • Tomb recess and dragon corbel repaired and restored (2025)
  • Building regulations approval for WC facilities and drainage (2025)
  • Planning approval for air source heat pump in Manaton Chapel (2025)
  • Repointing various areas of the tower (2025) see photo
  • Repair of tower roof door (2025)
  • Tower pointing and downpipe refurbishment (2025)
  • West end rainwater goods (2025)
  • Bell restoration and re-hanging (2026)

Funding and Support

Our work would not be possible without the generous support of a wide range of funders, including: National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Churches Trust, Headley Trust, Cornish Historic Churches Trust, Historic England, Baker Estates, Sabrina Sutherland Charitable Trust, Doctor and Mrs Alfred Darlington Charitable Trust, Jill Franklin Trust, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Cornwall Community Chest (Viscountess Boyd Charitable Trust), Trefinnick Solar Fund, Church Care, All Churches Trust, Congregational and General Charitable Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, Rural Churches Repair Fund, William and Jane Morris Foundation, Beatrice Laing Family Trust, Bells Gives Back, Swire Trust, Tesco Bags of Help, Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund, Kingsgrove Charitable Trust, Lady Neville Charity, Lord Clinton’s Charitable Trust, Abba Charitable Trust, Ian Foulerton Charitable Trust, Peoples Postcode Lottery, Funds for Mission, Penuel Trust, National Grid Electricity Distribution, Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, Buildings for Mission – Truro Diocese, The Saint Andrew Conservation Trust, Quick Wins – Truro Diocese, Benefact Trust, Sharpe Trust, Elmgrant Trust, Choral Evensong Trust, Give to Go Green, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Aurelius Charitable Trust,  Miss Anna Maria Gurney Charitable Fund, Fentogollan Farm, Brags Garden Supplies, and the Woodland Trust.

We are also deeply grateful for the contributions of individual donors and  those who organise and attend our fundraising events and activities,

 

Thank You

A sincere thank you to all our funders, large and small. This is a remarkable achievement for a small rural parish, and a true testament to our commitment to serving the South Hill community.  If you would like to visit and chat with us about what we have achieved and our continuing progress and needs, please contact me below.

Watch this space!

Blessings,

Judith Ayers Local Lay Leader

Stsampsonssouthhill@gmail.com

April 2025 Connection Newsletter


South Hill Connection April 2025 Newsletter

In this edition:

  • Last Newsletter
  • 12th NEW Callington REPAIR CAFE 
  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Hall Extension Planning Approved
  • Parish Hall Jubilee event
  • May 1st Elections
  • Regular Hall events listed
  • List of parish contacts
  • Recycling for Charity project £18,500 raised
  • Lots of local events
  • Support our local advertisers
April25Download

South Hill Remembers George Symonds


George Symonds VC DCM

We also remember George Symons a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was awarded Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Légion d’honneur (France), Medal of Military Valour (Sardinia)

http://www.vconline.org.uk/george-symons-vc/4588315903

George Symons was born in South Hill parish on the 18th March 1826 and baptised on the 2nd April 1826 at St Sampson’s Church. Son of William a farm labourer, and Anne Symons, living at Lower Trewassick with their daughter Mary Ann. (William possibly born 1760 and died in 1842).

The 1841 census shows George aged 15, living with a Blacksmith called Widger and his family at The Lodge which appears to be connected to Manaton Mill. The other various properties surveyed at Manaton Mill were: Manaton Mill, which contained three dwellings containing the miller and family, and 2 agricultural labourers and families; a property listed as Shop where a farmer and his children lived with 3 agricultural labourers, and Higher Ford where a farmer and his family lived.

George enlisted in the Royal Artillery on the 29th June 1845 and by the 1st January 1853 he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.’ The act of his gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross was on 6th June 1855. He recovered from his wounds and was later commissioned into the Military Train, transferred back to the Royal Artillery in 1862 and reached the rank of Captain. On 15 January 1862 he was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Administrative Brigade of Yorkshire (East Riding) Artillery Volunteers.

He retired to Yorkshire, where on 18th November 1871 he died in Bridlington, aged 45 years. He was buried in the churchyard of Bridlington Priory. His medals are held by the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Camberley, Surrey.

An amazing life for the son of an agricultural labourer: Arising from his act of gallantry, he was commissioned at a time when officers were almost exclusively upper class, and eventually reached the rank of Captain.

2023 Barrow Push


Anthony Bagley, the new farm manager at Duchy College led the procession in a tractor on Saturday 24th June for St Sampson’s Church annual medieval barrow push and summer fete. Duchy College came to our rescue at the last minute to pull the trailer of dignitaries from Callington to South Hill.

An assortment of decorated wheel barrows, were entered and wheelie bins from SHARE Recycling for Charity project were pushed the 2 miles from Callington to South Hill preceded by our Knight carrying the St Sampson’s banner, followed up by our local dignitaries; Callington Portreeve – Pete Watson, the town crier – Tony Stentiford and local lay minister Nigel Cooper.

The winning ‘barrow’ was a wheelie bin with a real child inside! They were awarded the trophy made from the old bells headstock.

Continue reading →

Cricket back at Golberdon. 25th June 2023


Our first game after 40 years of playing cricket at Upton Cross was played at our new home of Golberdon on Sunday 25th June, after as much work on the wicket as we have been able to do with the wet winter/spring and then long dry spell after, we were apprehensive of how a wicket that had laid dormant for so many years would react or play.

With our Captain Adam Piper winning the toss against Cornwall over 50’s we elected to bat, with slight trepidation our openers started slowly but within 5 or 6 overs realised that the pitch was playing remarkably well and started to attack the bowling as did the ensuing batsman and at the end of the first 40 overs at Golberdon in many years a total of 273-5 was amassed pretty impressive for a square that hasn’t see much action for many years.

After a filling tea prepared by our amazing tea ladies we took to the field again.

Cornwall over 50s a side that are always up for a challenge took it on but with some fantastic fielding and sharp bowling could only muster 110 all out in reply, we thank them for fulfilling the fixture and their company as always.

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Remember When: Green Shield stamps


Green Shield Stamps where popular during the sixties and seventies, and cluttered up kitchen drawers everywhere. Did you collect them, lick them?

The Green Shield Stamp scheme was introduced into the UK in 1958 by Richard Tompkins based along the same lines as the successful Sperry & Hutchinson Green Stamps in the US.

Essentially a sales promotion or incentive scheme designed to encourage shopping, Green Shield Stamps were given to shoppers with every purchase. It was widely adopted with most shops, supermarkets and petrol stations signed up to the scheme.

Continue reading →

Reflecting on 2022


Russia invaded Ukraine, many people have been killed and displaced, some finding their way to homes around our parish. As a consequence, oil and food prices rose to record highs.
 
COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, rising energy bills, Levelling Up, Climate Crisis, Cost-of-Living Crisis and with it protests, blockades and strikes.

Storms & Flooding & a Heat-wave, record temperatures here and a hose pipe ban.
An earthquake between Afghanistan and Pakistan killed over 1,000 people.
A series of heatwaves from July to August hit Europe, causing at least 53,000 deaths and causing wildfires, travel disruptions, and record high temperatures in many countries.
 
We’ve heard more about Black Lives Matter & Bird Flu.
 
After 70 years on the throne, marked by her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Queen Elizabeth II died on 8th September at the age of 96.
September 10th  Charles III is formally proclaimed King.
 
Other world leaders died: Shinzo Abe, Mikhail Gorbachev, & Jiang Zemin, plus entertainers Sidney Poitier, Olivia Newton-John, Angela Lansbury, & Jerry Lee Lewis. Dennis Waterman, Barry Cryer, Robbie Coltrane, Kirstie Alley, Leslie Phillips, Bernard Cribbins, James Caan, Lester Piggott, Shane Warne, Meat Loaf, Janice Long, Bill Turnbull, Christine McVie, Jethro.
 
Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister, Liz Truss was elected as his successor in September, quit 50 days later, and was replaced by Rishi Sunak.
 
In February The Winter Olympics were held in Beijing, China, making it the first city ever to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
 
May 14th The Eurovision Song Contest UK entry performed by Sam Ryder finished in second place and it felt like a win behind the winners from Ukraine.
 
July England hosted EURO 22 Women’s UEFA and won.
 
October 28th Elon Musk completes his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
 
December FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, Argentina beat France in the final.
 
 
Looking back over the Queens life 1926 – 2022
Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022 | South Hill Connection (south-hill.co.uk)