Sithney

Sithney ( kw, Merthersydhni) is a village and civil parish in West Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. Sithney is north of Porthleven. The population including Boscadjack and Crowntown at the 2011 census was 841.

It is named after Saint Sithney recorded in 1478 that the body of the saint lay within the church.

History

Church

In 1230 the church belonged to the Antrenon family who attached to it a charge of 4 shillings yearly to the priory of St Germans. In 1267 it was appropriated to Glasney College; the last rector ceded his benefice to the college in 1270.

The parish church is of Norman foundation but the present structure is more or less of the 15th century. The old Norman font of this church was removed to the new church of Carnmenellis (since demolished). A 13th-century coffin slab was brought to the church from St John's. In the churchyard is a monument to John Oliver, 1741. John Rogers, the landowner, mineral lord and biblical scholar, is buried here. On 30 May 1882, Messrs Hele & Co of Plymouth installed an organ at a cost of £200.

Bridges

St. Johns area is included in the parish of Sithney. The bridge across the main road has two dates carved into granite stones; 1833 and 1861 after it was completed. Nearer Sithney Common Hill stands St. Johns Bridge (Helston Bridge) that, although originally completed by 1260, has only the central west archway section remaining. Otherwise, the older sections left were built in the 16th century.

Hospitals and houses

At St Johns near Helston Bridge a hospital was founded c. 1250 by Henry de Bollegh, Archdeacon of Cornwall, and endowed with the manor of Penventon by the Reskymer family. This foundation consisted in 1324 of a prior and two brethren. The hospital was abolished in 1545; by this time the priors had been non-resident for 50 years, the building was ruinous and a lone chaplain served the chapel. A leper hospital was founded nearby in the 15th century and dedicated to St Mary Magdalene.

At Truthall was the medieval mansion of the Nance family which has an old chapel of c. 1500. The mansion forms the right wing of Truthall manor; the centre is dated 1642 and the left wing 19th century. The gate piers, courtyard, walls and central building linking the old mansion and Truthall manor are Grade II* listed. Truthall was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as having half a hide of land. It was part of the royal manor of Winnianton. In 1903, a halt station was built for the Manor, called Truthall Halt, situated on the Helston Branchline.

Truthall has a derivation from "tre" "Iudhael", i.e. Iudhael's farm. The same derivation applies to Truthwall in Ludgvan; however Truthwall in Crowan and Truthwall in St Just in Penwith derive from "tre" "Godual" (Godual's farm).Weatherhill, Craig (2009) ''Concise Dictionary of Cornish Place-names'' ; edited by Michael Everson. Westport, Co. Mayo: Evertype ; p. 81

School

Since 1912 there has been a small school about half-a-mile away from the village. The school is called Sithney Community Primary School and has 36 pupils. The accommodation includes three classrooms, a hall, and a pre-school room. Outside there is a playground and a field with play equipment.

References

External links

Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Sithney

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Civil parishes in Cornwall
Villages in Cornwall