Engage with Cornwall's Community and History Both Above and Below Ground.
The Inspiration
In 1826 and 1828 Cornwall’s ‘Queen of Mines’ was the site of a key scientific investigation that eventually contributed to the possibility of space exploration. The Dolcoath mine was utilised by key scientists Airy, Sheepshanks, Sedgewick and Whewell, to calculate the gravity/weight of the Earth, a calculation that is still needed in space exploration today. To conduct the experiment two pendulums were placed into the depths of mine shafts with a watch known as a chronometer. These chronometers measured the time of the pendulum swings and they were then compared to obtain the results.
Mayes Creative is highlighting this historic scientific achievement by engaging the local community with Cornish history and wildlife: both above and below ground. This is being achieved through a variety of different activities that are designed to educate individuals about the mining history of Cornwall, as well as being a fun way to meet more people in the local community. Mayes Creative have arranged two guided walks: one in St Ives and one in Redruth. These walks are designed to be accessible to those who may not have a car so nature and history can be accessible to everyone. This is just one of Mayes Creatives aims.
As well as having activities available to adults, Mayes Creative has organised exercises for school children too. Children will have the opportunity to learn about the Dolcoath mining experiment and immerse themselves in the vibrant natural surroundings that Cornwall has to offer. There will be the opportunity to identify wildlife, visit the mines themselves, and make creative art pieces using the surroundings, thus bringing research and creative skills together.
Mayes Creative is highlighting this historic scientific achievement by engaging the local community with Cornish history and wildlife: both above and below ground. This is being achieved through a variety of different activities that are designed to educate individuals about the mining history of Cornwall, as well as being a fun way to meet more people in the local community. Mayes Creative have arranged two guided walks: one in St Ives and one in Redruth. These walks are designed to be accessible to those who may not have a car so nature and history can be accessible to everyone. This is just one of Mayes Creatives aims.
As well as having activities available to adults, Mayes Creative has organised exercises for school children too. Children will have the opportunity to learn about the Dolcoath mining experiment and immerse themselves in the vibrant natural surroundings that Cornwall has to offer. There will be the opportunity to identify wildlife, visit the mines themselves, and make creative art pieces using the surroundings, thus bringing research and creative skills together.
CommunityTake the opportunity to engage with the mining history of Cornwall and explore the county’s natural surroundings. Mayes Creative are running two guided community walks starting in either St Ives (24/08/21) or Redruth (26/08/21). From St Ives, a bus trip to Zennor will allow you to explore Cornwall’s prehistoric landscape and rich mythology in a fun, relaxed environment. The trip from Redruth will take you to Dolcoath, the actual site of the historic scientific experiment. Enjoy these relaxed tours in August and get to know members of the local community as well as local history.
There will also be the opportunity in the activities Mayes Creative are running to learn some new skills through interaction with the local environment. There will be the opportunity to look around the Zennor Hedge Survey which promises views of bees, butterflies and bushes. Through identification and photography projects there is the chance to creatively engage with research and work with your fellow members of the community. Mayes Creative will also be running activities for school children to learn about the Dolcoath mining experiment and immerse themselves in the vibrant natural surroundings that Cornwall has to offer. There will be the opportunity to identify wildlife, visit the mines themselves, and make creative art pieces using the surroundings, thus bringing research and creative skills together. |
Heritage
Mayes Creative is highlighting this historic scientific achievement by engaging the local community with Cornish history and wildlife: both above and below ground. This is being achieved through a variety of different activities that are designed to educate individuals about the mining history of Cornwall, as well as being a fun way to meet more people in the local community. Mayes Creative have arranged two guided walks: one in St Ives and one in Redruth. These walks are designed to be accessible to those who may not have a car so nature and history can be accessible to everyone. This is just one of Mayes Creatives aims.
Mayes Creative aims to engage a range of people from all ages and backgrounds with the local community and history. The Dolcoath Mining experiment lies at the core of this project and has inspired activities directly related to mining and the underground. However, the human connection with nature is also being explored through these activities and it is hoped that those taking part will enjoy the great outdoors whilst making connections with other people. |
The Dolcoath Mine Experiment
In celebration of Cornwall’s 2021 Newquay spaceport, our Above and Below project considers the scientific breakthroughs which made it possible for us to travel into space. We focus on Cornwall’s important contribution to this through its mines experimentation which led to the calculation of the gravity of the Earth. It wouldn’t be possible to leave Earth without knowing this. This value then led later to astrophysicists being able to work out the gravity of the moon in order land on it!
Mayes Creative’s Carolyn Kennett (FRAS) said: “How did we weigh the Earth and why did this go beyond simple curiosity? This may be a question people asked themselves during childhood, and have not considered since. Yet it is a question a small group of scientists, including myself, have returned to as we research experiments conducted in the 1820s in a Cornish mine to measure the acceleration due to gravity of the Earth.”
She added: “We pull focus on the engaging Victorian experiment itself (involving two large pendulums, a bucket and an accident involving fire; nobody was hurt!), where eminent scientists Airy, Sheepshanks, Sedgewick and Whewell visited Dolcoath (‘queen of mines’) to conduct their successful experiment to measure the amount of gravity/weigh the Earth.
“We work with volunteer partners from Rosevale working mine to recreate the story, as Dolcoath is now closed; the mine isn’t so deep but is fortunately more accessible.
“Custom-built precision instruments were key to the experiment and we are working with Rosevale mine volunteers to recreate the pendulum according to original specifications (support: Scientific Instrument Society). Two precision Katar invariable pendulums were used, one at the surface and the other deep in the mine. The difference in the rate allows us to calculate the amount of gravitational pull on the pendulum, as the underground pendulum will swing at a slower rate.
“We use creative engagement activities around Rosevale Mine to bring this story and to life, alongside sharing engaging learning and online talks, with our community participants and local schools.
“Rosevale Mine is situated in an important landscape, both as an SSSI but also for its unique prehistoric field systems and settlements. Also, a local fogou adds intriguing prehistoric ‘below’. We bring together the above and below ground landscape and activity, in partnership with Penwith Landscape Partnership and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust which makes the project more accessible in socially distanced times.
“We highlight, along with teams from the Greenwich Observatory and Royal Astronomical Society, the story of Edwin Dunkin (1821-1898), Cornish astronomer and Assistant to the Astronomer Royal, who played a central part in the mine experiments. Dunkin was also a President of Royal Astronomical Society and of the Royal Institute of Cornwall, which still houses books donated by him on astronomy in its Courtney Library, Truro.”
The publication of Dunkin’s classic astronomy book, The Midnight Sky, can be seen as a key moment in the story of Cornwall’s valuing of its Dark Skies.
Dunkin and Airy also investigated prehistoric West Cornwall stone circles, with particular focus on the role the night sky played.
Mayes Creative’s Carolyn Kennett (FRAS) said: “How did we weigh the Earth and why did this go beyond simple curiosity? This may be a question people asked themselves during childhood, and have not considered since. Yet it is a question a small group of scientists, including myself, have returned to as we research experiments conducted in the 1820s in a Cornish mine to measure the acceleration due to gravity of the Earth.”
She added: “We pull focus on the engaging Victorian experiment itself (involving two large pendulums, a bucket and an accident involving fire; nobody was hurt!), where eminent scientists Airy, Sheepshanks, Sedgewick and Whewell visited Dolcoath (‘queen of mines’) to conduct their successful experiment to measure the amount of gravity/weigh the Earth.
“We work with volunteer partners from Rosevale working mine to recreate the story, as Dolcoath is now closed; the mine isn’t so deep but is fortunately more accessible.
“Custom-built precision instruments were key to the experiment and we are working with Rosevale mine volunteers to recreate the pendulum according to original specifications (support: Scientific Instrument Society). Two precision Katar invariable pendulums were used, one at the surface and the other deep in the mine. The difference in the rate allows us to calculate the amount of gravitational pull on the pendulum, as the underground pendulum will swing at a slower rate.
“We use creative engagement activities around Rosevale Mine to bring this story and to life, alongside sharing engaging learning and online talks, with our community participants and local schools.
“Rosevale Mine is situated in an important landscape, both as an SSSI but also for its unique prehistoric field systems and settlements. Also, a local fogou adds intriguing prehistoric ‘below’. We bring together the above and below ground landscape and activity, in partnership with Penwith Landscape Partnership and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust which makes the project more accessible in socially distanced times.
“We highlight, along with teams from the Greenwich Observatory and Royal Astronomical Society, the story of Edwin Dunkin (1821-1898), Cornish astronomer and Assistant to the Astronomer Royal, who played a central part in the mine experiments. Dunkin was also a President of Royal Astronomical Society and of the Royal Institute of Cornwall, which still houses books donated by him on astronomy in its Courtney Library, Truro.”
The publication of Dunkin’s classic astronomy book, The Midnight Sky, can be seen as a key moment in the story of Cornwall’s valuing of its Dark Skies.
Dunkin and Airy also investigated prehistoric West Cornwall stone circles, with particular focus on the role the night sky played.
School Visit to Pool 9th March 2022
Pennoweth school brought 90 children to learn about the Dolcoath experiments and more about Cornish astronomer Dunkin. They also made twine bird feeders which were taken back to the school. The event was moved from the mine because of the poor condition of the grass site there after bad weather in the previous weeks. It was held at Heartlands in Pool near to Dolcoath Mine . The children also visited the onsite museum.
Morwenna Dunstan, Year 4 teacher from Pennoweth School said:
“Thank you for inviting us to participate in the project, Above and Below: Cornwall’s contribution to the measurement of gravity.
The children had a fantastic time visiting Heartlands where they enjoyed exploring the museum, learning all about the Cornish astronomer, Dunkin, as well as learning more about the history of mining in Cornwall and even making the fruit bird feeders (which are now proudly in place back at Pennoweth).”
Morwenna Dunstan, Year 4 teacher from Pennoweth School said:
“Thank you for inviting us to participate in the project, Above and Below: Cornwall’s contribution to the measurement of gravity.
The children had a fantastic time visiting Heartlands where they enjoyed exploring the museum, learning all about the Cornish astronomer, Dunkin, as well as learning more about the history of mining in Cornwall and even making the fruit bird feeders (which are now proudly in place back at Pennoweth).”
Lowlight walk at Chapel Carn Brea – Wednesday 23rd February 2022
As part of the recent West Penwith Dark Sky park designation and partnership a lowlight walk at Chapel Carn Brea was organised by the National Trust (West Cornwall) and Mayes Creative on Wednesday 23rd February 2022. This guided walk was free and open to the public and was well received with all 30 spaces being booked up quickly leaving a wait list of 22 people. The walk started at NT owned Chapel Carn Brea at 5.30pm with local archaeo-astronomer Carolyn Kennett leading the way to the top of the hill as the sun was setting.
The walk continued around the hill with stops along the way where Carolyn pointed out the beauties of twilight and talked about the benefits of dark skies on the natural flora and fauna of the hillside. As we approached the end of the walk the clouds parted and the first stars came out which Carolyn pointed out to the group, including Sirius and Orion. The walk was thoroughly enjoyed by the group, with many asking when the next event will be. Quotes received after the guided walk:
‘Thank you for arranging this walk. It was really well organised. Many thanks for a very enjoyable walk last night.’
Kate Evans
The National Trust
Image by National Trust.
The walk continued around the hill with stops along the way where Carolyn pointed out the beauties of twilight and talked about the benefits of dark skies on the natural flora and fauna of the hillside. As we approached the end of the walk the clouds parted and the first stars came out which Carolyn pointed out to the group, including Sirius and Orion. The walk was thoroughly enjoyed by the group, with many asking when the next event will be. Quotes received after the guided walk:
‘Thank you for arranging this walk. It was really well organised. Many thanks for a very enjoyable walk last night.’
Kate Evans
The National Trust
Image by National Trust.