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A Portrait of Launceston
A Portrait of Launceston documentary
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Portrait of Launceston poster
Jason
'I’ve lived in Launceston since I was three years old. Forty plus years...
I like helping people in the community stay fit and healthy from all ages, children to elderly.'
I like helping people in the community stay fit and healthy from all ages, children to elderly.'
Rev. Pickup
'As a pastor of a church in Launceston, it is a great privilege to help serve our town. Building communities is at the heart of what I do.
There is something special about the town and its people. For a small town, it has a big heart.
The unsung heroes of our community are the army of volunteers who support, help, organise and sacrifice time to ensure our rural community is a welcoming place to be. The range of activities is incredible for a small community, yet many of these projects are run by Christians who also want to serve and help people’s needs being met.
As a pastor, I put my trust and hope in Jesus and I thank Him everyday for what He has done and is doing for the community of Launceston. The kettle is always on at the Gateway Centre for a healthy conversation about faith.'
There is something special about the town and its people. For a small town, it has a big heart.
The unsung heroes of our community are the army of volunteers who support, help, organise and sacrifice time to ensure our rural community is a welcoming place to be. The range of activities is incredible for a small community, yet many of these projects are run by Christians who also want to serve and help people’s needs being met.
As a pastor, I put my trust and hope in Jesus and I thank Him everyday for what He has done and is doing for the community of Launceston. The kettle is always on at the Gateway Centre for a healthy conversation about faith.'
Charlie
'I like that Launceston has a very historic background of the castle, my favourite recent memory was dancing in the street for Prince Charles, Launceston has very nice people and I really like reading Charles Causley poems when they talk about places I know in Launceston.'
Paul
'Lets here it for the Cockney Cornish.
35 odd years.
Still 14 hills to Bude.'
35 odd years.
Still 14 hills to Bude.'
Andrew
'Andrew has lived in Launceston all his life.
Having a learning disability he copes well and is accepted and well known in the community.
Unfortunately the day centre we fought for is closed now, so no meeting up with his friends which he loved.'
Having a learning disability he copes well and is accepted and well known in the community.
Unfortunately the day centre we fought for is closed now, so no meeting up with his friends which he loved.'
Imme
'I’m from the Phillipines and I came over for my nursing qualification 29 years ago and ever since Launceston has been my adopted home.
I have worked in Adult Nursing & Social Care services for many years and I find the people welcoming and helpful, particularly the ‘Cornish Pixies’ but I won’t go into that...'
I have worked in Adult Nursing & Social Care services for many years and I find the people welcoming and helpful, particularly the ‘Cornish Pixies’ but I won’t go into that...'
Craig
'I’m proud to call Launceston my home!
The local community has not only embraced this queer man’s business dreams, but supported and flown the flag over years of growth, change and diversity.
Thank you Launceston.'
The local community has not only embraced this queer man’s business dreams, but supported and flown the flag over years of growth, change and diversity.
Thank you Launceston.'
Katie
'I have worked in Launceston for the past seven years and in this time I have met the most wonderful people.
It gives me real pleasure coming to work in Launceston everyday, and to be able to help the lovely community. '
It gives me real pleasure coming to work in Launceston everyday, and to be able to help the lovely community. '
Sano
'From Cumbria to Cornwall...
From the cold climes of the North West, of which I personally couldn’t get away quick enough from... to the sunnier vibes ‘avin’ it n’ da Sou’ West from where I never looked back...
Burn baby Burn for Lanson has proven to be one 27 year disco in Kernow... and counting...'
From the cold climes of the North West, of which I personally couldn’t get away quick enough from... to the sunnier vibes ‘avin’ it n’ da Sou’ West from where I never looked back...
Burn baby Burn for Lanson has proven to be one 27 year disco in Kernow... and counting...'
Dmytro
'Launceston is my first public performance!
Home for my family and my friends from Ukraine.'
Home for my family and my friends from Ukraine.'
Cathy
'Quite simply, love brought me to Launceston. That relationship endures. Alongside it, something more intangible has also deepened in connection to the place itself, the landscape, history, people and potential future.
I’m not alone in being an outsider here but there’s a Celtic connection that links Cornwall to my own Irish heritage, an invisible seam beneath what’s apparent on the surface – something to do with granite, lost language, saints and spirit. Or so I like to think. With its hilltop castle and glimpses of Dartmoor, Launceston forces the spirit upwards and the eyes beyond.
There’s nothing wrong with looking at what’s at your feet here either: the down-to-earth town itself, rich in culture, with shop windows full of paintings by local artists, with music and poetry events, has a strong sense of itself in relation to Cornwall’s heritage and rural life.
My roots are still finding their way in to the soil. A favourite place for me to feel belonging is at St Cuthbert Mayne Church, on St Stephen’s Hill, built of soft Polyphant stone for the Catholic community here by mason F H Nicholl of Lewannick in 1911.
It’s a place of welcome for locals and those of us who find ourselves here from across the UK and the world alike.
Cuthbert Mayne’s story, martyred in Launceston in 1577, is far from a happy one. The battle scars of a turbulent history are also visible in the town, from medieval ruins and closed railway stations to the evidence, felt across the country, of the changing nature of community life post-pandemic and in the internet age. But perhaps those scars help the newcomer like me find their place in some way, enhancing the realisation that this is a real, rooted, ever- changing place.'
I’m not alone in being an outsider here but there’s a Celtic connection that links Cornwall to my own Irish heritage, an invisible seam beneath what’s apparent on the surface – something to do with granite, lost language, saints and spirit. Or so I like to think. With its hilltop castle and glimpses of Dartmoor, Launceston forces the spirit upwards and the eyes beyond.
There’s nothing wrong with looking at what’s at your feet here either: the down-to-earth town itself, rich in culture, with shop windows full of paintings by local artists, with music and poetry events, has a strong sense of itself in relation to Cornwall’s heritage and rural life.
My roots are still finding their way in to the soil. A favourite place for me to feel belonging is at St Cuthbert Mayne Church, on St Stephen’s Hill, built of soft Polyphant stone for the Catholic community here by mason F H Nicholl of Lewannick in 1911.
It’s a place of welcome for locals and those of us who find ourselves here from across the UK and the world alike.
Cuthbert Mayne’s story, martyred in Launceston in 1577, is far from a happy one. The battle scars of a turbulent history are also visible in the town, from medieval ruins and closed railway stations to the evidence, felt across the country, of the changing nature of community life post-pandemic and in the internet age. But perhaps those scars help the newcomer like me find their place in some way, enhancing the realisation that this is a real, rooted, ever- changing place.'
Al
'I like Lanson because Lanson likes me.'
Kate
'Launceston has always been a huge part of my life. I was educated at Launceston college.
Launceston has become a familiar, comfortable setting for me. I embrace the beautiful countryside and historic castle we are blessed to be surrounded by.
I enjoy walking my dogs, being able to explore many hidden gems Launceston holds.
I have been involved in music and singing in bands for past 32 years, where I have contributed to the many artistic events that Launceston has provided such as Castle Rock, Spring Rock, Priory Rock, Graff Jam and Phoenix Festival.'
Launceston has become a familiar, comfortable setting for me. I embrace the beautiful countryside and historic castle we are blessed to be surrounded by.
I enjoy walking my dogs, being able to explore many hidden gems Launceston holds.
I have been involved in music and singing in bands for past 32 years, where I have contributed to the many artistic events that Launceston has provided such as Castle Rock, Spring Rock, Priory Rock, Graff Jam and Phoenix Festival.'
Andi
'My husband was born here, and it’s our family home.
Launceston for me is about history, culture and commnunity'
Launceston for me is about history, culture and commnunity'
Dorian
[relationship to Launceston]:
'Love/Hate but moving towards love – possibly coming of acceptance with age.'
'Love/Hate but moving towards love – possibly coming of acceptance with age.'
Margaret
'I love the community feel of the town, I know lots of families who I have taught – 38 years at Launceston College has given me lots of generations to know.
My council work allows me to contribute to new ideas for the town. I am very involved with the restoration of the museum.
I help at the Rotary shop as all the funds are put back into the community, helping the young and the not so young of the town.
I would like to see more people in the town centre and more shops used.'
My council work allows me to contribute to new ideas for the town. I am very involved with the restoration of the museum.
I help at the Rotary shop as all the funds are put back into the community, helping the young and the not so young of the town.
I would like to see more people in the town centre and more shops used.'
Pete
'Spent my life in Launceston, grew up here and educated here.
My immediate family live here.
Although my work is largely online and behind a camera, the town always has an influence on me and I am very attached to it and its people.
I would struggle to imagine living anywhere else.'
My immediate family live here.
Although my work is largely online and behind a camera, the town always has an influence on me and I am very attached to it and its people.
I would struggle to imagine living anywhere else.'
Leighton
'Having lived just outside of Launceston for the greater part of my life and the last twenty years here in the Town, and generations of my family before.
I attended School here as did our Children and now our grandchildren, I am proud to
be to be Cornish and part of this community being proud of the Town I call home, is why I became a Councilor hoping to give a little back to the Town and community I love, now serving as Mayor of Launceston is a great honour but also very humbling, I am appreciative of where I live and if able to help to improve the quality of life for others Is all I can ask.'
I attended School here as did our Children and now our grandchildren, I am proud to
be to be Cornish and part of this community being proud of the Town I call home, is why I became a Councilor hoping to give a little back to the Town and community I love, now serving as Mayor of Launceston is a great honour but also very humbling, I am appreciative of where I live and if able to help to improve the quality of life for others Is all I can ask.'
Sharon
'My relationship to Launceston got off to bad start.
Mum and Dad moved our family to just outside Lewannick when I was eleven.
To say that I was not best pleased to be uprooted and re-located, is an understatement.
New life, new school, to a strange town with a castle that ‘would be quite nice once it was finished...’
But I grew to love the place: the people, the characters, the buildings & heritage.
Coronation Park, back in its day with its beautifully tended flower beds, always cheered me when I was faced with the prospect of school swimming lessons in the outdoor pool.
Even Shackleton would have thought twice about dipping in a toe: I always emerged from the icy depths a glorious shade of purple.
So, in 2022, to be doing something creative for the park & residents of Launceston is both a privilege and a joy.
I’ve loved this planting project & am delighted the public are enjoying the flowers nearly as much as the bees.'
Mum and Dad moved our family to just outside Lewannick when I was eleven.
To say that I was not best pleased to be uprooted and re-located, is an understatement.
New life, new school, to a strange town with a castle that ‘would be quite nice once it was finished...’
But I grew to love the place: the people, the characters, the buildings & heritage.
Coronation Park, back in its day with its beautifully tended flower beds, always cheered me when I was faced with the prospect of school swimming lessons in the outdoor pool.
Even Shackleton would have thought twice about dipping in a toe: I always emerged from the icy depths a glorious shade of purple.
So, in 2022, to be doing something creative for the park & residents of Launceston is both a privilege and a joy.
I’ve loved this planting project & am delighted the public are enjoying the flowers nearly as much as the bees.'
Stuart
'My parents was living in Launceston when I was born, so I have always lived here.
I went to school in Launceston.
I’ve been using the swimming pool here for twenty five years.
The countryside here is perfect.
It’s very close to the beach and to Plymouth Argyle – my football team.
The castle is such an experience – to view the surrounding area of Launceston for miles.
One year ago I moved to Plymouth but after about six hours I moved back because I missed it here.'
I went to school in Launceston.
I’ve been using the swimming pool here for twenty five years.
The countryside here is perfect.
It’s very close to the beach and to Plymouth Argyle – my football team.
The castle is such an experience – to view the surrounding area of Launceston for miles.
One year ago I moved to Plymouth but after about six hours I moved back because I missed it here.'
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