Saint Gulval
The parish is named after the 6th century saint, Gulval, the original form of which was Wulvela. Baring-Gould thought this was Wilgitha, the sister of Saint Juthwara. Doble, however, favoured an identification with both the male Welsh missionaries, Gudwall and Gunwall. Neither identification has been widely accepted by modern scholars. The parish church is dedicated to Gulval and his/her feast is celebrated on 6 June
History
During the Iron Age there was much activity in the area, and a few miles from Gulval, beyond the hamlet of Badgers Cross, are the remains of the Chysauster settlement. The site shows the remnants of nine courtyard houses, of a type only found on the Land's End peninsula and Isles of Scilly, and was inhabited from the first century BC for the following four hundred years. The historic Celtic site is now under the protection of English HeritageTwo inscribed stones attest to continued occupation in the early Medieval period. The first is a memorial for "Quenatucus, son of Dinvus", and has been dated as carved sometime between fifth and eighth centuries; it stands near one end of a footbridge in Balowena Bottom. The second is a cross-shaft lacking base or cross-head with a now illegible inscription; it was found in a wall of the church in 1885, and now stands in the churchyard.
In ancient times Gulval was known as Lanisley , derived from Lan, a church, and ishei, low, (i.e the low church) A latinised version of this, Landicle, is mentioned in the Domesday Book:
- "Roland holds [LANDICLE](GULVAL) from the Bishop; In the time of King Edward (the Confessor, i.e before 1066) it paid tax for 1 hide (around 120 acres); 1½ hides there however. Land for 12 ploughs (requiring, perhaps, 8 oxen each); in lordship 1 plough; 3 slaves. 13 villagers and 4 smallholders with 3 ploughs. Meadow 2 acres, Pasture, 2 leagues long and 1 league wide. Value formerly and now £3. 1 virgate (about 30 acres) held by the lord, 1 hide 3 virgates by the villagers; also “1 cob; 3 cows; 30 sheep” .
Legend
Within the bounds of Gulval Parish lies the disused Ding Dong mine, reputedly one of the oldest in Cornwall. Popular local legend claims that Joseph of Arimathea, a tin trader, visited the mine and brought a young Jesus to address the miners, although there is no evidence to support this
Gulval Church
The current church building is predominantly 12th century with subsequent additions. Most notably of these are the tower, built in 1440 and containing eight bells and a large stone lych gate that was added in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The graveyard is famously home to the remains of local pirate and smuggler John Thomas of Marazion.
Local Government
For purposes of local government Gulval is included in the civil parish of Penzance and has its own single member ward on Penzance town council. The principal local authorities in the area are Penwith district council and the Cornwall County Council. For the purposes of the election to Penwith District Council Gulval is part of the Gulval and Heamoor Ward, elections to Cornwall County Council are by way of a three member Penzance electoral division.Amenities
Gulval is home to a Post Office and general store, a Public House, and a primary school that houses 144 pupils Example.jpg
Sport
Gulval has two football teams competing in the One & All Sports Mining League. Gulval has two Cricket teams competing in the Penwith area League. The Old Inn - a public house in Gulval Churchtown - was given to the Coldstream Guards Association in memory of Capt. Michael Lempiere Bolitho and renamed “The Coldstreamer”
He was killed on H.M.S. Walney, a Royal Navy tug. Her task was to crash through the boom at the entrance to Oran Harbour in Operation Torch November 8, 1942.
Notes
External links
- Pictures of Gulval
- Gulval Church Image
- Information on the history of the Parish Church.
- Junior Men's football team
- Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Gulval
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Last updated on Monday February 25, 2008 at 06:57:41 PST (GMT -0800)
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