Real del Monte Cemetery Restoration Project receives support form the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site

On her visit to Cornwall Bridget Estavillo Galsworthy met with Nicolas Johnson, Head of Cornwall’s Historic Environment Service, Deborah Bowden, Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Manager and Ainsley Cocks, Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Coordinator. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the restoration project at the Panteón de los ingleses, Mineral del Monte. The project is being undertaken by a trust, Patronato por el Rescate y Conservacion del Panteon Ingles y Otros Monumentos Historicos de Real del Monte, Hidalgo, A.C.. Bridget is the British Society's representative on the Trust and has been responsible for initiating much of the work that has been carried out in restoring the Cemetery. The World Heritage Site Office confirmed its support for the project and is to assist with historic information for the Cemetery’s web site and database. As an interim promotional measure the Cornish Mexican Cultural Society is to produce web pages within its web site on behalf of the Cemetery Trust. posted 23-04-09 New Pages

 

 

Cornish Mexican Cultural Society Chapter Mexico

On Monday 23rd of February 2009 Ricardo Ludlow signed the Constitutional Document of the Mexico Chapter of the Society at Pachuca. More to follow. posted 23-04-09

 

 

The first eighteen months

The Society has achieved a great deal over the last 18 months, in fact an impressive number of events as you will see listed below. What is not included in the list is the personal achievements of many members who during the visit to Mexico met relatives, some of whom were unknown until the visit, and visited places they had known as children or had been told about in their youth. A number visited graves of their families at the Cemetery at Mineral del Monte. The rededication ceremony at the Cemetery, using water from a Cornish mine, was truly moving. The Society has not only increased awareness of the historic links with Pachuca and Mineral del Monte in Cornwall but has also raised awareness of our joint heritage in Mexico. Not only the built and cultural heritage but also the social heritage. The Society has brought together Cornish descendents in Mexico and through its new Chapter at Pachuca, established by Ricardo Ludlow, has given them a focal point. One example of this is Julio Richards. Until visiting our website Julio was only vaguely aware of the origins of his name. Now a proud Cornish descendent he travelled for 24 hours by coach to join the group in July.
None of this would have been achieved without a great deal of effort by many people. In Mexico Bridget
Galsworthy Estavillo and Ricardo Ludlow have thrown themselves not only into helping to organising the July visit but into continuing and developing the Society in Mexico. I am sure that at times it is a race to see which of the three of us can fill the others email boxes ! Aida Suarez and her partner, Raúl Guerrero Bustamante, assisted with arrangements for the visit and in addition researched the route of the Great Trek from Vera Cruz to Mineral del Monte.
The State Minister of Tourism, Cuauhtémoc Ochoa Fernández and Aunard de la Rocha (now State Minister of
Economic Development) were instrumental in making arrangements and providing transport and escorts within
the State of Hidalgo during the visit and continue to support the Society.
Finally the support of our Ambassador, Giles Paxman, and Bob Hickman, former Chairman of the British Society Mexico, was of great importance in contributing to the success of the visit and of course John Gibbs, President of Amistad Británico-Mexicana, who has actively supported the development of educational links.
In Cornwall our committee has been the moving factor and our thanks go to: Lizzie Hoskins, Vice Chairman who has developed the school links; John Dunstan, Secretary; Ainsley Cox, Treasurer; Sharron Schwartz, Education Officer; Alan Jewell, Press and Funding Officer and Jon Bennett who assisted in making arrangements for the November visit.

In addition the Society has received the support not only of its membership but also of the organisations listed below and of Mr. Michael Galsworthy, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, who’s father was a former Ambassador to Mexico.

Richard Williams,
Chairman, Cornish Mexican Cultural Society

The Society’s Activities and Achievements
2007
· Presentation given to Camborne Town Council in support of developing links with Pachuca
· Presentation given to Redruth Town Council in support of developing links with Mineral del Monte
· Camborne Town Council vote to form Friendship Agreement with the City of Pachuca
· Redruth Town Council vote to Twin with Mineral del Monte
· Educational links established between Redruth School and Magattzi School, Mineral del Monte

2008
July 29 Society members visit Pachuca and Mineral del Monte
· Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, Mexico D.F.
· Friendship Agreement signed between Pachuca and Camborne at Pachuca
· Plaque presented to the City of Veracruz commemorating the arrival of the Cornish miners and the start of
the Great Trek in 1825 at a ceremony at Veracruz
· Route of the Great Trek followed from Veracruz to Mineral del Monte
· Reception and exchange of gifts at the Magattzi School, Mineral del Monte
· Rededication of the English Cemetery, Mineral del Monte and presentation of a plaque commemorating Cornish involvement in the district
· Wreath laid on behalf of the people of Cornwall at the Miners Memorial, Mineral del Monte with the Governor of the State of Hidalgo and British Ambassador
· Opening of the Silver Festival, Mineral del Monte
· Signing of the Twinning Agreement between Mineral del Monte and Redruth at Mineral del Monte
· Presentation to the town of Mineral del Monte of three panels explaining the history of Cornish mining and of Cornish influence in the district
· BBC TV produce and transmit a documentary of the visit September 2008
· Reception aboard the Mexican Navy Sail Training Ship Cuauhtémoc at Falmouth

November visit to Cornwall of the State Director of Tourism, the President of Pachuca and party
· Meeting with the Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site team
· Meeting with the Cornwall Tourist Authority and Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions
· Meeting and lunch with the Chairman, Cornwall County Council
· Meeting with the University of Exeter in Cornwall
· Meeting with the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall
· Tours of the towns of Camborne and Redruth and the Kerrier District World Heritage Site
· Dinner hosted by the Chairman, Kerrier District Council

2009
February visit to Hidalgo by the Chairman, CMCS
· Presentation given to leaders of Hidalgo’s tourism industry hosted by the State Minister of Tourism and
State Minister of Economic Development
· Meeting and dinner with the new President Municipal of Pachuca
· Meeting with the new President Municipal of Mineral del Monte
· Witnessing the signing of the Constitutional document of the ‘Cornish Mexican Cultural Society Chapter
Mexico’ by its Chairman Ricardo Ludlow of Pachuca
· Presentation of a paper to the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
· Signing of letter of intent between the Institute of Cornish Studies, University of Exeter, and Universidad
Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
· Meeting between the Lions Club of Helston and the Lions Club of Pachuca
In production
· DVD of the July visit by Redruth and Camborne Schools
· Booklet of the history of Cornish involvement at Pachuca and Mineral del Monte and the heritage today
Active Projects
· Further development of educational links led by Lizzie Hoskins
· Assistance with developing a State tourism marketing organisation
· Development of social links
· Raising awareness of our joint cultural and social heritage through talks and exhibitions
In May 2009 the Rector of Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo is planning to visit the University of Exeter in Cornwall.

posted 23-04-09

The 2008 Visit