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with gulls, fish, seaweed, rope, crabs and crab pots, the work of Herbert Read of Exeter in 1967-68 (Hugh Harrison, unpublished).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. At first sight, the pulpit appears to be a good candidate, as it is very similar to several others in Cornwall designed by Edmund H. Sedding and/or carved by Violet Pinwill. A newspaper report on the dedication of the pulpit in July 1910 confirms that it was indeed designed by Sedding but that John Northcott of Ashwater carried out the carving work (Cornish and Devon Post, 1910). The report 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.
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Hugh Harrison (unpublished) List of plans submitted for tenders by Herbert Read Ltd (plans deposited at DHC 6854B).
Cornish and Devon Post (1910) Linkinhorne Pulpit Dedicated. p. 7.