Gweek

Gweek is a village and civil parish in the Kerrier district of Cornwall, England renowned for its Seal Sanctuary. by boundary revision in 1986.

Music

Gweek Silver Band

Like many Cornish villages, it features a brass band [ [http://www.gweeksilverband.org.uk Gweek Silver Band] ] that performs in the local community and provides backing at some Anglican services in the Gweek Mission Church. The band also organises a yearly "band week". This starts with a concert of three local brass bands in a field overlooking the Helford River. Afterwards, there is a pig roast with stalls and entertainment and at the end of the week a clay pigeon shoot.

The Cornwall Fiddle Orchestra

The Cornwall Fiddle Orchestra [ [http://www.cornwallfiddleorchestra.com/index.htm CFO website with music clips.] ] was formed in 2007 by fiddle player Hudson Swan. He was a member of Scottish band, The Tannahill Weavers but now lives in Cornwall and works as a violin teacher for the Cornwall Music Service. [ [http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=499 Cornwall Music Service] ] The orchestra meet on a weekly basis on a Monday evening in Room M1 at Helston School at 7.00pm where they rehearse their repertoire of Celtic traditional music.

Visitor facilities and attraction

The village is served by the Gweek Inn, [ [http://www.gweekinn.co.uk The Gweek Inn] ] a convenience store, a tea garden and a restaurant; the village is home to the British National Seal Sanctuary.

Ancient harbour

Gweek is at the head of navigation of the Helford River. It has been a port since Roman times and was a thriving port in the Tudor period, with its own Customs House. [Bill Scolding "Five walks around Constantine: heritage, landscape, Wildlife"; Constantine Enterprises Company, 2006 ISBN 0-9552816-0-1]

During the mining boom, a tin-smelting blowing house operated at the quayside. [D.B.Barton "A history of tin mining and smelting in Cornwall"; Revised edition 1969; Cornwall Books, reprint 1989 ISBN 1-871060-03-6, Page 20 (Footnote)]

In a Topographical Dictionary of England published in 1848, it was described as: [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=50994 'Gunthorpe - Gyhirn', A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 360-62] . Date accessed: 4 July 2007.]

GWEEK, a small port, in the hundred of Kerrier, W. division of Cornwall, 3½ miles (E. by S.) from Helston. The pilchard-fishery is carried on extensively, 200 boats being employed in taking the fish, which are cured in the various creeks and coves within the limits of the port. In addition to the fishery, the chief trade consists in the exportation of copper-ore, corn, moorstone, and oysters, and the importation of timber, coal, and limestone.

Current activities

Gweek is the home to Gweek Quay Boatyard, [ [http://www.gweek-quay.com/ Gweek Quay Boatyard] ] which houses several boatbuilding, repair and maintenance companies, namely Hardman Jones Marine Services, A2 Rigging, Working Sail (builders of classic pilot cutters), [ [http://www.workingsail.co.uk/ Working Sail company website] ] and David Walkey Yachtbuilders. Also here is Seacore, a marine drilling contractor, [ [http://www.seacore.co.uk/ http://www.seacore.co.uk/] ] which was acquired by Dutch Company Fugro NV to form Fugro Seacore, and as of 2007 is planning to move to Falmouth. [ [http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1566090.mostviewed.marine_firm_moves_to_falmouth.php "Falmouth Packet" 23 July 2007] ]

A directory of business in Gweek, Constantine and Mawnan parishes is published each year. ["Who's where in Constantine ..."]

Location

Map resources for Gweek at gbmapping|SW7026

Trivia

The Meaning of Liff offers this definition: GWEEK (n.) A coat hanger recycled as a car aerial.

References