User:Talskiddy/Retew

Retew was a mining village in the parish of St Enoder. Although the village no longer exists due to the expansion of the nearby China Clay works, there is still one house remaining.

Mining and Industry


Some Workings in that area were sold to Henry Remfry and John James of Truro in 1872. Wheal Remfry Clay Brick and Tile co listed in 1906, became part of ECC then Imerys, The Clay pit still is still in operation producing Ceramic grade Kaolins.

Henry Remfry in 1874 purchased shares in Virginia clay pit from Jacob Olver. At the end of a clay slump, he along with John James of Truro and George Rogers purchased Wheal Remfry which had been a iron mine named Wheal Edith in 1878 Remfry and James latter sold out to Joseph Rogers of Newquay who in turn sold his holding to Pochin & Co in 1919. The pit was absorbed into ECLP in 1932. Henry Remfry also owned a Knitting mill in the village of Retew adjacent to Wheal Remfry.

Retew branch Line
A railway line was built by Joseph Treffry, was completed in 1849 and extended from Newquay Harbour to St Dennis. The Cornwall Minerals Railway opened its line from Fowey to Newquay in 1874, incorporating Treffry’s Newquay Railway. Initially, the trains travelling to and from Newquay continued to carry only goods traffic but a passenger service was introduced in 1876. St Columb Road Station was originally known as Halloon but was renamed in 1878. In the 1870s, a separate line known as Retew Branch was constructed. In 1912 it was extended though to Meledor Mill clay works. This line was in operation up until 1983.