n Launceston, Cornwall

n History

n The town twins

Références 

 Launceston, a town in Cornwall 

Location

Launceston is located in the center of Cornwall, in an area of considerable beauty and charm with easy access to both North and South Coasts as well as to the cities of Exeter, Plymouth and Truro.

Some figures

Launceston is a busy Market Town with numerous shops and businesses located in and around the Town Square.

The population is in the region of 7000.

There are outline planning permissions in place to enable some 200 new homes to be built. 

Development features

Sites and grants are available for commercial enterprises relocating to one or other of the Towns two industrial estates and bearing in mind Launceston's excellent road access and close proximity to airports at Exeter, Plymouth, and Newquay. 

Taking into account he surrounding beautiful moorland areas of Bodmin and Dartmoor and the nearness of beaches on both North and South Coasts, it would be difficult to find a more pleasant place in which to establish a business enterprise.

Local facilities 

Local facilities include hotel and pubs, a sports centre, two 18 hole golf courses, 2 bowls clubs, football, rugby and cricket teams, salmon and trout fishing, squash, tennis, keep fit, etc...

There is a cottage hospital and medical centre to serve the local population.

 History 

Dating back to Celtic times the whole of Launceston is steeped in history and is dominated by its Castle built by Brian de Bretagne the first Norman Earl of Cornwall in the 11th Century. 

Once the site of the Royal Mint and the only walled town in Cornwall the Launceston of today has much to offer and to reward both business and leisure interests.

There is a town trail for visitors to follow which highlights the ancient architecture and historical features including the 16th Century Church of St. Mary Magdalene which has one of the most lavishly carved exteriors of any Church in England. There are three other churches as well as a Methodist Chapel and Kingdom Hall, three Primary Schools, one private school and Launceston College, so both spiritual and secular needs are well served.

Other places of interest include Lawrence House which has on display an astonishing variety of historical artefacts and is recognised as one of the finest museums in the South West, the Northgate and Prison where the Quaker George Fox was imprisoned, Southgate arch which now incorporates an Art Gallery, the Town Hall with its fine clock and quarterjacks to chime hours and quarters and of course the Town Square and surrounding narrow streets where Georgian houses stand in splendid array.

Lying below and to the North of the Town is the Parish Church of St. Thomas which stands close to the ruins of Launceston Priory founded in 1126 by the then Bishop of Exeter and alongside the River Kensey over which pedestrians can still cross by means of the ancient Clapper Bridge

Launceston Priory was at one time the wealthiest in Cornwall and after its consecration it was dedicated to St. Stephen the Proto-Martyr and the Monks who were placed in the Priory professed to the rule of St. Augustine.

By the 14th Century the Priory had become a stately monastic building and by the 16th Century had achieved its peak in both influence and wealth but following the dissolution of the Monastries it was razed to the ground and never re-erected.

The site was rediscovered in the late 19th Century during the construction of the railways and enough of the foundations were revealed to enable its size and layout of the building to be determined.

The Town Council, District Council and Local Archivists are at present time actively engaged in securing the site, and preserving the remains thus ensuring that the site will continue to be a place of important historic interest. 

 The Town twins 

Launceston&district twinning association

The association was formed 18 years ago when the link with Plestin-les-Greves in Brittany was created. 

Groups from Launceston have made visits to Plestin every year since, hosting reciprocal visit by the Plestinais.

Twinning with Plestin

The association makes all travel arrangements, keeping costs to the minimum. 

Families with children are especially welcome. 

Individual members or families are twinned with like persons in each town, staying in their homes during visits. Usually, the link results in a lasting friendship.

It is worth to note that twinning brings together people in friendship and understanding despite national disagreements and in the long term, forges friendships, which might change the climate and reduce international unease.

Group activities are arranged during visits including a buffet/dance or similar get-together. Host associations normally pay the costs for such activities.

The Launceston Association places no emphasis on speaking French, as usual we are some way behind the French in this aspect. Many association members converse well in French but those who do not, seem to manage.

During the year, the association arranges social events, most of which are for the purpose of raising funds.

Membership is open, the annual subscription is £5-00 for families and £2-50 for single membership.