Rights Managed > Royal Cornwall Museum > Agriculture
Collecting kelp, Widmouth Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Early 1900s
Filename: TRURI-1967-26-2.tiff
Size: 6499 x 7916 (51MB)
Date: 5th September 2016
Source: Royal Cornwall Museum
County: Cornwall
Location Name: 50.530483, -4.983143
© From the collection of the RIC
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
Collecting kelp, Widmouth Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Early 1900s
Two men with horse and carts collect kelp from the shoreline. Photographer: T.H. Williams
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : 1967.26.2
Media ID 12501385
© From the collection of the RIC
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print from the early 1900s, we are transported back in time to Widmouth Bay in St Merryn, Cornwall. The image captures a scene of industriousness and resourcefulness as two men, accompanied by their trusty horse and carts, engage in the age-old tradition of collecting kelp from the shoreline. The rugged beauty of Cornish coastal life is beautifully showcased here, with rolling waves crashing against the rocky beach. Against this backdrop, our attention is drawn to the hardworking figures who diligently rake through piles of seaweed strewn across the sand. Their purposeful actions reflect a deep connection with nature and an understanding of its potential value. Kelp was highly prized during this era for its diverse uses - from fertilizers to glass-making materials and even medicinal purposes. Photographer T. H. Williams skillfully captures not only a moment frozen in time but also provides us with a glimpse into an important aspect of Cornish history. This photograph serves as a reminder that communities once relied on their natural surroundings for sustenance and livelihoods. As we admire this remarkable snapshot today at Royal Cornwall Museum, let us appreciate these unsung heroes who worked tirelessly to harvest nature's bounty without any mention of commercial use or profit motives.
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