Newsletter - Issue 25

'9' Anniversaries

Here are some anniversaries of events in our local history which occurred when the year ended with the figure 9.

1549 - The so-called "Prayer Book Rebellion." Many Cornish people were incensed that they were to be forced to use a new prayer book, printed in English in place of the previous Latin.
They marched through Cornwall and laid siege to Trematon Castle, then in the custody of Sir Richard Grenville, whom they enticed from the stronghold by the pretext of wishing to parley, then seized him and his family. This minor incident is the only recorded hostile action experienced by the castle.
The rebels eventually reached Exeter, where they were repulsed and the uprising came to an end.

1689 - A major restoration of SS Nicholas and Faith Church took place. This event, during the mayoralty of Matthew Veale, was recorded on a plaque, still visible on the north wall of the church.

1809 - Nicholas Haly of Boconnoc was refused the headship of the Lancasterian school in Saltash because he was a Methodist. Instead he founded a private boarding school in the town.

l859 - The Royal Albert Bridge, one of Brunel's greatest engineering feats, was opened on 4th May by the Prince Consort, thus linking the Cornwall Railway to the rest of the country's rail network
A consequence of this was the removal of the ancient archway in Fore Street, which spanned the road at the point where the Midland Bank is situated today. The limited access through the archway was deemed to restrict the sizes of the loads of local produce being conveyed by carts to the new railway station.

1869 - Street numbering introduced in Saltash. Initially this applied only to Fore Street, Albert Road, Culver Road, Tamar Street, Silver Street, Port View and part of the North Road and St Stephens Road.
Many alterations made to SS Nicholas and Faith Church, including the tower, which up until that time was of a pyramidal shape, clearly seen in old prints prior to that date.

1889 - St Barnabas Hospital opened. This valuable asset to the town was made possible by the generosity of Mrs Caroline Ley, who financed it in memory of her late husband.

1909 - Pipes carrying water supply from Burrator Reservoir relaid across Royal Albert Bridge. They had previously lain on the river bed, but had been subject to damage and leakage.

1929 - Saltash Volunteer Fire Brigade received its first fire engine, which was named "Mary" after the chief fire officer's wife Mary Venn The engine was housed in the front of F. W. Squires' coachbuilder's premises, now converted to the offices of Messrs. Blight, Broad and Skinnard.

1949 - Saltash Library moved from Saltash Infants' school in North Road to Church House in Alexandra Square. It was there until 1963 when the new building was opened at Longstone.
Memorial to six firemen and one Scout fire-fighter killed during the 1941 bombing raids, unveiled in St Stephens Church

1959 - Work commenced on construction of the Tamar Bridge. Many properties, including the Masonic Hall in Fore Street, were demolished to make way for the project.
Also during this year the Royal Albert Bridge celebrated its centenery with due ceremony and floodlighting of the structure.

1969 - The new STD system in the telephone exchange in Glebe Avenue, became operational. Saltash Rugby Club formed.

1979 - One of Saltash's most prominent landmarks, the water reservoir better known as the "green tank", at Longstone was demolished.

1989 - New Wesleyan Methodist church opened.

David Coles

Saltash Heritage, 17 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6JQ --- Tel: 01752 848466 --- Email: info@saltash-heritage.org.uk --- Registered Charity No. 297525