In this interview, Jane Sloan of the Grampound Heritage Centre offers a wide-ranging account of the area’s distinctive cultural and historical legacy. She begins by highlighting fascinating uses of traditional materials—such as Grampound leather, which was famously used in the soles of Roger Bannister’s running shoes for his historic four-minute mile, and in the construction of the Brendan Voyager, a leather-hulled boat that sailed from Ireland to North America.
Jane also recounts a lively episode from local history involving the Grampound coat of arms. Originally stored in a private house in Garlennick and marked for auction, the coat of arms was spirited away by concerned townspeople who believed it rightfully belonged to the borough. A dramatic chase and a series of pub hideouts ensued before the matter was settled in court, with the magistrate ruling in Grampound’s favour. The coat of arms remains in the town today.
Another unique local story involves the discovery and development of titanium. A former vicar of Creed, also a chemist, played a key role in experimenting with the metal, leading to the creation of a titanium christening cup now regularly used in the village—an enduring symbol of local innovation.
Jane also discusses a more recent event: the unfortunate destruction of the Grampound Heritage Centre when a car struck the building on Christmas Eve. Although much of the collection is currently in storage, plans are in place to rebuild the center by the end of the year.
