St Melor
Linkinhorne church contains some good modern carving. In particular, the tower screen includes a delightful border crowded with gulls, fish, seaweed, rope, crabs and crab pots, the work of Herbert Read of Exeter in 1967-68 (Hugh Harrison, unpublished). This church is listed by Chaytor as one in which Pinwill work may be found on the basis of plans of work submitted for tender that no longer exist.
Pulpit – Chaytor (1990); 1910
This pulpit is so similar in design to those at Crantock, Creed, Gorran, Lanteglos by Fowey, Lewannick, St Breward, St Buryan and St Erme that it has to be from the Pinwill workshop, although there is no real documentary evidence to substantiate this. A newspaper report states that the Bishop of St Germans dedicated a new pulpit in July 1910 (Royal Cornwall Gazette, 1910). It also revealed that during the carving of the panels two bullets were found embedded in the wood, judged by an expert to be 200 years old and of the type used in deer hunting but, unfortunately, it did not mention the name of the carver.
Lady Chapel Furnishings – Chaytor (1990); possibly 1954
Chaytor states that ‘this was a reconstruction of the Lady Chapel which Miss Pinwill was invited to undertake and which involved her in a new role’ (Ibid. p. 68). This was to choose the materials for curtains around the altar and for kneelers, etc. The implication is that V. Pinwill also carried out carving work for the reconstruction, such as the altar, cross, candlesticks and riddel posts, all of which are in a modern style. A clergy stall and an altar rail in the Lady Chapel may also be her work, although there are no photographs of any of these items at PWDRO to verify this. A faculty for work in the Lady Chapel was raised in 1954 (Warner, 2022).
Sources
Chaytor, E. (1990) Ermington Days. Melinga Publishing, North Cheam.
Hugh Harrison (unpublished) List of plans submitted for tenders by Herbert Read Ltd (plans deposited at DHC 6854B).
Royal Cornwall Gazette (1910) Local Gossip. 28 July. p. 4.