The above photographs show the original Victorian railings and archway at the front entrance of St Martin & St Meriadoc, Camborne Parish Church, Church Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 7DF The original 1887 cast iron railings were removed from the front wall of the church in c1942-1943 during the Second World War.  The Victorian decorative arch and lantern were also removed back in the mid 1960's leaving the frontage of the Church looking incomplete ever since. However, in 2006, the proprietor of JW Engineering, John Woodward, was invited to tender for a project to design, make and erect new cast iron railings to this Grade 1 listed building. After spending many hours studying three Victorian photographs of the church frontage provided by David Thomas  (President of Camborne Old Cornwall Society), John submitted a set of drawings based on the original design and his tender was accepted. JW Engineering then went on to carry out refurbishment works to the large entrance gates.   Once these were shot blast many more blow holes became apparent than first envisaged.  The gates had obviously been made from poor quality cast iron which consequently deteriorated over the years and a large crack appeared in one of them.  After repair work had been carried out, they received several coats of undercoat and gloss and new fittings included a new lock, brass plates and brass knobs.  Finally a specially made stainless steel ‘shepherd’s crook’ was fitted to the bottom of one of the gates in order to fasten it open when required. JW Engineering was then asked to reinstate the decorative scrolled archway and lantern.   The original arch which hung above the entrance gates was removed over 40 years ago and relocated in a nearby parishioner’s garden.  Although half buried in soil and concrete, measurements were obtained and accurate drawings produced of this irregular octagonal lantern holder. The only photograph available to work from showing the original lantern is shown above and from that, John was able to design an impressive replacement.  Made from mild steel and solid brass, it now hangs from the archway between the two granite pillars. Finally, JW Engineering was asked to design and make a second lamp for a surviving Victorian post on the south side of the church - again, having only one solitary photograph to work from.

The above photographs show both the original and new lamp taken from the same position.

Originally powered by gas, both of the new lamps, made and installed by JW Engineering, have now been fitted with the very latest energy efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights and sensors.  For more information on the lighting systems used visit the website of our supplier The Optoelectronic Manufacturing Corporation (UK) Ltd Using the photographs provided as guidance, John is confident that all his designs for Camborne Parish Church are as close as possible to the original Victorian architecture that once surrounded this beautiful medieval church.