Saltash

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Coordinates: 50°24′31″N 4°12′46″W / 50.4086°N 4.2127°W / 50.4086; -4.2127

Saltash
Cornish: Essa
Saltash  Saltash shown within Cornwall
Population	14,964 (Civil Parish, 2001)
OS grid reference	SX424579
Parish	Saltash
Unitary authority	Cornwall
Ceremonial county	Cornwall
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SALTASH
Postcode district	PL12
Dialling code	01752
Police	Devon and Cornwall
Fire	Cornwall
Ambulance	South Western
EU Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	South East Cornwall
List of places: UK • England • Cornwall

Royal Albert Bridge emblem

Saltash (Cornish: Essa) is a town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a population of about 17,000. It lies in the southeast of Cornwall, facing Plymouth over the River Tamar. It was in the Caradon district until March 2009 and is known as "the gateway to Cornwall". Saltash means ash tree by the salt mill. Saltash is the largest town within the East Cornwall area and is one of the largest in Cornwall.

Description

Saltash is the location of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge, opened by HRH Prince Albert on May 2, 1859. It takes the railway line across the River Tamar. Alongside it is the Tamar Bridge, a toll bridge carrying the A38 trunk road, which in 2001 became the first suspension bridge to be widened whilst remaining open to traffic.

Saltash railway station is close to the town centre. It was hoped that the empty buildings could be restored as a visitor centre for the bridge, but they have instead been purchased by a property developer. The station is served by a regular train service, with some direct High Speed services to and from London Paddington.

The cottage of Mary Newman, Sir Francis Drake's first wife, can be found in Saltash on Culver Road downhill from Saltash railway station.

Nearby are the castles at Trematon and Ince, as well as the nature reserve at Churchtown Farm, where there are some wonderful walks, with stunning views of the river.

The town expanded in the 1990s with the addition of the large new estate Latchbrook, and is currently growing further with the recent building of another housing area, Pilmere. In the summer of 2009 the Saltash postcode area was judged as the most desirable place to live in Great Britain in a survey that included statistics from school results and crime figures.^[1]

History

Saltash Ferry

There is no doubt that the history of Saltash is linked to the passage, or ferrying place across the Tamar. The original ferry became established by fishermen for those passing to and from the monastery at St Germans and to Trematon Castle.

After the Norman Conquest, Robert, Count of Mortain, who held the castle and manor at Trematon, took the market from the canons at St. Germans and established it at Saltash. The Count granted Trematon and other manors to the de Valletorts, who had then to provide for the ferry boat. In the twelfth century a borough was founded (1190), and Saltash became the only franchised seaport between Dartmouth and Fowey. This fact has given rise to the Saltash saying, Saltash was a borough town, when Plymouth was a fuzzy down ('fuzzy' = 'fursy' i.e. covered in gorse), as the town of Plymouth and its seaport did not exist in 1190. In medieval times the ferry was part of the manor of Trematon, held by the Valletorts.^[2]

Tamar Bridge & Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash Waterside

Toponymy

The Charter of Incorporation refers to the place as 'Essa' (Latin for 'Ash'). However, the spelling of the town has changed over the years. For example, in Edward the Confessor's time it was called and spelt 'Aysche'. In the 1584 Charter it is stated that Essa is now commonly called Saltash. A family called Essa lived in the twelfth century at their property near Ashtor Rock, where the Manor Courts were once held. The 'Salt' part of the name was added to distinguish it from other places called Ash.

Early history

Roger de Valletort (Reginald de Valle Torta) sold out in 1270 to Richard, Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans while Edward, the Black Prince, became the first Duke of Cornwall, and a visitor to Trematon Castle.

in 1549 there was a Cornish insurrection against the introduction of the Protestant liturgy, and the rebels under Humphrey Arundell, for which he was beheaded at Tyburn, gained possession of Trematon Castle by treachery, capturing Sir Richard Grenville, the elder, in the process. They then carried out acts of barbarity on their surprised visitors.

Parish church

The parish church of Saltash was until 1881 at St Stephen by Saltash, one mile from the town. Though of earlier foundation the structure of the building is largely 15th century: there are two aisles and the tower is west of the north aisle. There is a fine Norman font.

Education

The community school in Saltash was designated as a Science and Mathematics & Computing Specialist College in September 2004, and renamed saltash.net community school. It recently topped the list for schools in South East Cornwall.^{[citation needed]}

Festivals

Saltash hosts a number of annual festivals: Saltash Mayfair takes place in and around Fore Street during early May, and Saltash Town Regatta brings music and entertainment to the Waterside area in the summer. On the water there are intense Gig races with the best teams taking part, along with Flashboat rowing and dinghy racing, and the now infamous 'England and back' race between local organisations. For 2008 a new five towns challenge has been added to the list of events, pitting Saltash against Liskeard, Callington, Looe and Torpoint. Ashore you will find many stalls, music and marquees. See the Regatta and Mayfair websites listed below for more information.

Notable residents

• Sir Evan Nepean 1st Bt was born near Saltash.
• George Carter Bignell, the eminent entomologist, lived in Home Park Road until his death in 1910. A large collection of his insect specimens is held at the Plymouth Museum.^[3]
• Moura Lympany the pianist was born in Saltash in 1916.
• Ann Glanville, born 1796; champion gig rower who lived all her life in Saltash^[4].
• Mary Newman, first wife of Sir Francis Drake^[5].

Twinned towns

Saltash is twinned with:

• Plougastell-Daoulaz, France
• Buzançais in France

Sport and leisure

Saltash is the home of Caradon Pilot Gig Rowing Club.

Saltash Leisure centre is not far from the town centre, providing a leisure pool, gym and fitness facilities. Not far to the north is the China Fleet Country Club which has a 18 hole golf couse, a swimming pool with sauna and other facilities. The Farmhouse restaurant is located in South East Cornwall with head chef Marc Slater.

The Saltash Sailing Club caters for all ages with over 100 cadets out on the water on a Friday night. There are dinghy and yacht races and activities organised for those less competitive. Members have won many local and international trophies and compete at national and international levels.

A BMX and skatepark are available in the Saltmill Park. Located here are pieces of public art, often missed by visitors. Saltmill is also home to a newly developed All Weather pitch available to local organisations.

Saltash Tennis Centre, which is located behind the Leisure centre. The tennis centre consists of two grass courts and two hard courts, along with a clubhouse with male and female changing. The club currently has 3 mens team in the Plymouth and District league (P&D league) and a womans team in the associative ladies P&D league. The club also has two junior teams in the U19 P&D leagues.

Local attractions

Other things named Saltash

There have been both real and fictitious Royal Navy ships named HMS Saltash. "Saltash" is also a popular traditional Cornish tune.

References

• Vosper, Douglas C. (1968) A Glimpse of Saltash Liskeard: Snell & Cowling
• http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/museumgeorgebignell George Bignell

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saltash

• 150 Years of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash
• Aspects of Saltash history
• Old photos of Saltash
• thisisSaltash Forum, Image Galleries, News, local Events, Everthing Saltash
• Official Site for the Royal Albert Bridge with Live Webcam
• Save Saltash Railway Station campaign
• saltash.net community school
• Saltash Town Council
• Saltash Wesley Methodist Church
• Saltash Rail Users Group
• Saltash Mayfair Website 2nd and 3rd May 2009
• Saltash Regatta Website 4th and 5th July 2009
• Online Catalogue for Saltash at the Cornwall Record Office
• Saltash Town Band

v • d • e Civil Parishes of the former Caradon District Cornwall Antony • Boconnoc • Botusfleming • Broadoak • Callington • Calstock • Deviock • Dobwalls and Trewidland • Duloe • Landrake with St Erney • Landulph • Lanreath • Lansallos • Lanteglos • Linkinhorne • Liskeard • Looe • Maker-with-Rame • Menheniot • Millbrook • Morval • Pelynt • Pillaton • Quethiock • Saltash • Sheviock • South Hill • St Cleer • St Dominick • St Germans • St Ive • St John • St Keyne • St Martin-by-Looe • St Mellion • St Neot • St Pinnock • St Veep • St Winnow • Torpoint • Warleggan