Helston

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Helston







Statistics
Population:	10,578 (Civil Parish, 2001)
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	SW664273
Administration
Parish:	Helston
District:	Kerrier
Shire county:	Cornwall
Region:	South West England
Constituent country:	England
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county:	Cornwall
Historic county:	Cornwall
Services
Police force:	Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Fire and rescue:	{{{Fire}}}
Ambulance:	South Western
Post office and telephone
Post town:	HELSTON
Postal district:	TR13
Dialling code:	01326
Politics
UK Parliament:	St Ives
European Parliament:	South West England

Helston (Cornish: Hellys or Henlys) is a small town and civil parish in the Kerrier district of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula. Depending on the definition of "town" it can be said to be the most southerly town in Great Britain. In 2001 the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of its Charter, making it the second eldest town in Cornwall after Marazion. The former tin-mining and cattle market town is also known for the annual Furry Dance (known locally as the Flora Dance), said to originate from the medieval period.

1 Geography
- 1.1 Transport
2 Economy
3 Culture
4 Administration
5 Further reading

[edit] Geography

Helston is situated along the banks of the river Cober in Cornwall. It was previously an inland port. However the port declined when access to the sea was blocked by a sand bar (the Loe Bar) creating the biggest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, known as the Loe Pool. This was damaging to Helston but not fatally so, and the town continued to prosper through industries such as tin mining and coining, and its cattle market. Even with the closure of the port the various enterprises persuaded Customs and Excise to maintain a Customs House, which today houses "The Angel Hotel".

[edit] Transport

Helston is not far from the main road and rail links in Cornwall, and the nearest airport is in Newquay. Helston railway station used to be the terminus of the Helston branch line, the other end being Gwinear Road near Hayle, until the closure of the line in 1964 at the height of the Beeching cuts.

[edit] Economy

In recent times, with no tin mines operating in the country and no need for coining in the town, Helston has become more tourist-oriented with many bed-and-breakfasts, cafes and restaurants, public houses and specialist shops. Visitors are attracted to the area because of the wonderful local scenery, such as the Penrose walks, and the relaxing holidays available in the area. The fishing village of Porthleven located next to Loe Bar is the nearest stretch of coast, only about 2 miles away.

Many people come to the town as a result of a posting at the nearby Royal Navy air station RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk). This naval helicopter base provides employment for a large proportion of Helston's population, both directly and indirectly.

[edit] Culture

There are several churches including St. Michael's Church, a humble church with stained-glass windows and a tall bell tower which can be heard throughout the town. In the surrounding graveyard there is a monument to Henry Trengrouse, the inventor of the rocket fired safety line - a device for aiding in the saving of lives in a shipwreck.

Helston is also the birthplace of Bob "Ruby Robert" Fitzsimmons, the first triple world boxing champion. The house where he was born and lived in Helston is still standing and is indicated by a plaque above the door.

Since 1968, Helston has been the twin city of Sasso Marconi, in Italy.

Helston also hosts 'The Flambards Experience', which is a theme park with a selection of rides.

[edit] Administration

The Helston parliamentary constituency elected two members to the Unreformed House of Commons. The Reform Act 1832 reduced this to one. Helston is now part of the St. Ives constituency, which covers the south-westernmost part of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and whose current member is the Liberal Democrat Andrew George.

[edit] Further reading

v • d • e

Cornwall

Districts: Penwith | Kerrier | Carrick | Caradon | North Cornwall Boroughs: Restormel Unitary authorities: Isles of Scilly

Cornwall Portal

Civil Parishes of Kerrier District
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Breage \| Budock \| Camborne \| Carharrack \| Carn Brea \| Constantine \| Crowan \| Cury \| Germoe \| Grade-Ruan \| Gunwalloe \| Gweek \| Helston \| Illogan \| Landewednack \| Lanner \| Mabe \| Manaccan \| Mawgan-in-Meneage \| Mawnan \| Mullion \| Porthleven \| Portreath \| Redruth \| St Anthony-in-Meneage \| St Day \| St Gluvias \| St Keverne \| St Martin-in-Meneage \| Sithney \| Stithians \| Wendron