Sticker is a small village set in rolling countryside between St Austell and Truro, with a population

of about 1,100. There are several derivations of the name Sticker, the earliest being Stikier, or

Stekyer, believed to come from the Cornish ?stockyer? meaning tree stumps, which as the area

was reputed to be forested, would make sense. There is some evidence around the area of ancient

inhabitants believed to be circa 200 BC to AD 300.

The village was at one time almost entirely dependent on mining, the last working mine being

closed down in the early 20th century. One engine house remains standing on the outskirts of the

village, South Polgooth mine, and another at the nearby hamlet of Hewaswater. Most mines

produced black tin with some copper.

An interesting point of note is the now isolated Paramore Methodist Chapel at Lower Sticker, built

by miners in their spare time in 1836, the present updated building having been opened in 1859.

When the chapel was originally built, there were over 100 dwellings nearby, occupied by the miners

and their families, almost all of which have disappeared totally with the decline of the mining

industry, although the building built as Sticker board school in 1878 and used until July 1961 still

stands, and is occupied by a local doctor. Another Methodist chapel was built in Chapel Hill in

1876, and the church of St Mark in 1877 ? the land on which the church stands cost £17 at that

time!

One of the oldest buildings is now known as the Hewas Inn, originally named the Great Hewas Inn

after the mine at Hewaswater. This suffered a devastating fire in 1825 but was rebuilt. Until the

1940s there was a working forge in the village, but this was demolished in 1983. There used to be

several shops and inns, but over the years these have either been demolished or changed to just

living accommodation, so that today Sticker is served by a small supermarket and one inn. The

village hall in Retanning Lane is an extension of the reading room, which was built in 1890.

Farming is carried on extensively around Sticker, with the central village being mainly a dormitory

for villagers working in St Austell and Truro. It is difficult to believe now, when enjoying the many

lovely walks through the lanes, that mining once thrived here. In 1992 when the bypass around the

village is completed, taking away the heavy traffic from pounding through the centre, Sticker hopes

to become even more peaceful.

Taken from ?The Cornwall village Book? published in 1991 by the Cornwall Federation of Women?s Institutes.

If you would like to add to these pages please email Chris Passmore on cpass22@hotmail.com

Extensive details of Sticker can be accessed on the dedicated Sticker website - HERE