More than 60 years ago, the Cornish village of Retew disappeared beneath expanding china clay workings. A former resident, Mike Ford, has now brought it back to life in a new book.
Retew, near St Austell, was once home to about 80 people living in 24 houses alongside a factory. The hamlet between St Stephen and St Dennis was owned by English China Clays. It was demolished in the early 1960s when the company expanded quarry operations at Wheal Remfry to extract the clay beneath it.
Ford, who grew up in Retew, spent 15 years researching and writing The History of Retew and its People. The book preserves memories of a community that no longer appears on modern maps. The village had no pub or shop, but Ford said the chapel was at the heart of community life. He recalled Sunday school trips, sing-songs on bus journeys and neighbours regularly helping each other with farming work.
"I always say it, I still say it, I was born in heaven and I hope I die there because I love the place because I always call it heaven," he said.
Although residents knew the village's future
Lost Cornish Village Retew Recalled in 15-Year Project