| Gweek | |
| Cornish: Gwig | |
The east bank of the river, viewed from the quay |
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Gweek
Gweek shown within Cornwall |
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| Population | 581 (Civil Parish, 2001) |
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| OS grid reference | SW705268 |
| Parish | Gweek |
| Unitary authority | Cornwall |
| Ceremonial county | Cornwall |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HELSTON |
| Postcode district | TR12 |
| Dialling code | 01326 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Camborne and Redruth |
| List of places: UK • England • Cornwall | |
Gweek (Cornish: Gwig) is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately three miles (5 km) east of Helston.[1] The civil parish was created from part of the parish of Constantine by boundary revision in 1986. The name Gweek is derived either from the postulated Cornish word gwig, meaning "village", or from the Old English wic, meaning "hamlet".[2] Both originate in Latin 'vicus' correctly pronounced with a soft 'u' and essentially meaning 'neighbourhood'.
Gweek village has a pub, the Gweek Inn,[3] a shop, a tea garden and a restaurant. The village is also home to the National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek.
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.[4] During the mining boom, a tin-smelting blowing house operated at the quayside.[5]
In Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England published in 1848, the village was described as:[6]
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.
Gweek has a silver band[7] which performs locally and provides music 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[8] 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.[9] The orchestra rehearses weekly at Helston School.
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