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Civil parishes in Cornwall facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Cornwall UK mainland parish map (blank)
A map showing the different local areas in Cornwall called civil parishes.

A civil parish is the smallest type of local government area in England. Think of it like a small community or neighborhood with its own local council. In Cornwall, there are 218 civil parishes, including the Isles of Scilly. Almost all of Cornwall is divided into these parishes. Only a tiny, unpopulated rock called Wolf Rock is not part of a parish.

Back in 2001, about 501,267 people lived in these parishes, which was the entire population of Cornwall at the time. The last parts of mainland Cornwall that weren't parishes, especially around St Austell, became parishes on April 1, 2009. This change happened when local government in England was updated.

The size of these parishes can be very different. For example, Falmouth is the biggest with 26,767 people living there in 2011. On the other hand, St Michael's Mount had only 29 residents. Cornwall is managed by two main local authorities. Cornwall Council looks after mainland Cornwall, while the Isles of Scilly have their own separate authority.

How Parishes Started

Parishes first began as areas managed by the Church of England. Over time, they started taking on jobs for the local community, not just for the church.

In 1555, a law called the Highways Act 1555 made parishes responsible for keeping roads in good condition. Everyone in the parish had to work on the roads for four days a year, bringing their own tools and horses. An unpaid local person, called the Surveyor of Highways, was in charge of this work.

Before the 1500s, monasteries helped look after people who were poor. After the monasteries were closed down, new laws were made. In 1572, local leaders called magistrates were given the power to check on the poor and collect taxes to help them. This system became more official with the Poor Law Act of 1601. This law made parishes responsible for managing help for the poor. People called overseers were chosen to collect a special tax, called a rate, to support the poor in their parish.

During the 1800s, parishes gained more responsibilities. However, the power to help the poor was moved to larger groups called Poor Law Unions. In 1872, the Public Health Act grouped parishes into Rural Sanitary Districts. These districts later became the basis for rural districts, which were larger local areas.

Parishes used to be run by groups called vestries. These groups met once a year to choose local officials. Usually, these civil parishes were the same as the church parishes. However, some larger areas, called townships, managed their own poor relief. In 1882, a law made all special areas and townships that collected their own taxes into independent civil parishes.

The civil parishes we know today really started with the Local Government Act 1894. This law got rid of the old vestries. It created elected parish councils in all rural parishes that had more than 300 voters. It also grouped rural parishes into Rural Districts and made sure parish borders matched county and town borders. Civil parishes also existed in towns, usually covering the same area as the town itself. Many big towns had several parishes, which were often combined into one. Town areas didn't have parish councils, and the only job of the parish was to choose guardians for the Poor Law Unions. When the Poor Law system ended in 1930, these town parishes had very little to do.

The Local Government Act 1972 kept civil parishes in rural areas. Many old town districts and boroughs that were being closed down were replaced by new parishes. Larger town areas that were too big to be a single parish became unparished areas, meaning they didn't have a parish council.

Parishes Today

In recent years, governments have encouraged new town and parish councils to form in areas that didn't have them. The Local Government and Rating Act 1997 gave local people the right to ask for a new civil parish to be created.

A parish council can decide to call itself a town council whenever it wants. A civil parish can also become a city, but only if the King or Queen grants it this special status. The leader of a town or city council is called a mayor. In 2007, a new law allowed parish councils to choose other names, such as community, village, or neighborhood council.

In Cornwall, the 2007 law led to big changes. Six smaller district councils and the Cornwall County Council were removed. In their place, one large local authority, Cornwall Council, was created. All civil parish councils then became part of this new authority. At the same time, four new civil parishes were created in the St Austell area. This meant that the last populated part of Cornwall that didn't have a parish now had one.


Images for kids

  • The Dam at Crowdy Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 380089

    Advent

  • Altarnun - The Kings Head, Fivelanes - geograph.org.uk - 511738

    Altarnun

  • The River Lynher at low tide - geograph.org.uk - 1049579

    Antony

  • Blisland, Horse and Riders. - geograph.org.uk - 224948

    Blisland

  • Brooks - geograph.org.uk - 1006496

    Boconnoc

  • Fore Street, Bodmin from Turf Street - geograph.org.uk - 846665

    Bodmin

  • St Mary's church - Botusfleming - geograph.org.uk - 1599446

    Botusfleming

  • Bennacott Methodist Church - geograph.org.uk - 498493

    Boyton

  • Detail, Lesceave Rocks, Hendra - geograph.org.uk - 230971

    Breage

  • View to Milldown Wood - geograph.org.uk - 1006505

    Braddock

  • View SW towards Rushy Bay from Samson Hill, Bryher - geograph.org.uk - 15831

    Bryher

  • Bude Haven - geograph.org.uk - 1487587

    Bude–Stratton

  • Argal Reservoir Dam - geograph.org.uk - 162835

    Budock

  • The Road to Kelly Bray - geograph.org.uk - 1262813

    Callington

  • Calstock and the Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 293332

    Calstock

  • Two ancient crosses in the grounds of Camborne Parish Church - geograph.org.uk - 1017203

    Camborne

  • Manor Farm Camelford - geograph.org.uk - 1808500

    Camelford

  • Cardinham Parish Church - geograph.org.uk - 1046395

    Cardinham

  • Mills Hall, Carharrack - geograph.org.uk - 145461

    Carharrack

  • Magnificent Magnolia at Pine Lodge - geograph.org.uk - 1240162

    Carlyon

  • Michell's whim - geograph.org.uk - 688695

    Carn Brea

  • Chacewater Literary Institute - geograph.org.uk - 148043

    Chacewater

  • Barn, Bosoughan - geograph.org.uk - 1965647

    Colan

  • Constantine - cottage near Polwheveral Mill - geograph.org.uk - 981968

    Constantine

  • Crantock Beach - geograph.org.uk - 178578

    Crantock

  • Clowance Estate - geograph.org.uk - 336982

    Crowan

  • St Cubert's Church, Cubert - geograph.org.uk - 904461

    Cubert

  • Two chapels at Cury White Cross - geograph.org.uk - 367242

    Cury

  • Davidstow Creamery - geograph.org.uk - 735475

    Davidstow

  • Barrett's Zawn - geograph.org.uk - 1946940

    Delabole

  • Sunrise over Whitsand Bay - geograph.org.uk - 342935

    Deviock

  • Bosent Cross

    Dobwalls

  • Duloe, West Looe River - geograph.org.uk - 138444

    Duloe

  • Cattle in the River - geograph.org.uk - 202965

    Egloshayle

  • Egloskerry - geograph.org.uk - 722290

    Egloskerry

  • The keep at Pendennis Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2017920

    Falmouth

  • Sunset on Carrick Roads - geograph.org.uk - 320991

    Feock

  • Sunrise view, Boscastle Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1577301

    Forrabury and Minster

  • Fowey from the water - geograph.org.uk - 1240367

    Fowey

  • St Germoe's Chair - geograph.org.uk - 985678

    Germoe

  • Portscatho - geograph.org.uk - 233819

    Gerrans

  • Cadgwith Cove - geograph.org.uk - 9871

    Grade–Ruan

  • Fore Street Grampound - geograph.org.uk - 1816580

    Grampound with Creed

  • The View from Gunwalloe Cove - geograph.org.uk - 266924

    Gunwalloe

  • Gweek - Bridge over the creek - geograph.org.uk - 1827530

    Gweek

  • Engine house at Cusvey - geograph.org.uk - 1051186

    Gwennap

  • Surfing at Gwithian Sands - geograph.org.uk - 526303

    Gwinear–Gwithian

  • Hayle viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 1880018

    Hayle

  • Helland Church - geograph.org.uk - 1631379

    Helland

  • Coinagehall Street Helston - geograph.org.uk - 1300507

    Helston

  • Samphire Island - geograph.org.uk - 189805

    Illogan

  • Road into Jacobstow - geograph.org.uk - 713508

    Jacobstow

  • Come To Good Friends' Meeting House, near Feock and Truro, Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 47198

    Kea

  • A Row of Terraced Houses at Green Bottom - geograph.org.uk - 148053

    Kenwyn

  • Pasture to the North West of Penstowe (Kilkhampton) Castle - geograph.org.uk - 407228

    Kilkhampton

  • Ladock - geograph.org.uk - 195681

    Ladock

  • Lizard RNLI lifeboat station, Kilcobben Cove - geograph.org.uk - 229727

    Landewednack

  • Circular lawn big

    Landrake with St Erney

  • Quay Cottage at Salter Mill - geograph.org.uk - 469698

    Landulph

  • Stone cross on Laneast downs - geograph.org.uk - 2002536

    Laneast

  • Gatehouse and Garden at Lanhydrock House - geograph.org.uk - 455917

    Lanhydrock

  • Lamorick village - geograph.org.uk - 1816031

    Lanivet

  • Lower Tregantle - geograph.org.uk - 1226543

    Lanlivery

  • Baronet's Engine House, Pennance Consols - geograph.org.uk - 145190

    Lanner

  • Cottages in Lanreath - geograph.org.uk - 1139940

    Lanreath

  • Fowey Harbour from Polruan - geograph.org.uk - 535297

    Lanteglos

  • The Post Office, Grimscott - geograph.org.uk - 1198120

    Launcells

  • Launceston - the castle - geograph.org.uk - 571477

    Launceston

  • Lawhitton Church - geograph.org.uk - 330652

    Lawhitton Rural

  • River Valency valley. - geograph.org.uk - 846884

    Lesnewth

  • Gravestones, Trevadlock - geograph.org.uk - 638447

    Lewannick

  • Trekenner Village - geograph.org.uk - 423683

    Lezant

  • Mine engine house, near Minions, 1979 - geograph.org.uk - 66066

    Linkinhorne

  • 2007 at Moorswater viaduct - old and new piers

    Liskeard

  • East Looe River, Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 1909483

    Looe

  • Lostwithiel - the Stannary Palace - geograph.org.uk - 571361

    Lostwithiel

  • Eglos Farm - geograph.org.uk - 539822

    Ludgvan

  • China Clay for export - geograph.org.uk - 1664157

    Luxulyan

  • Early Morning Mist over Argal Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1277191

    Mabe

  • Anemones in National Trust gardens at Trengwainton - geograph.org.uk - 469854

    Madron

  • The Cremyll Ferry on the Tamar - geograph.org.uk - 1184611

    Maker-with-Rame

  • Quay at mouth of Frenchman's Creek - geograph.org.uk - 1371500

    Manaccan

  • St Michael's Mount causeway and the town of Marazion - geograph.org.uk - 1852186

    Marazion

  • Footpath to Widemouth Bay - geograph.org.uk - 1460008

    Marhamchurch

  • Mawgan Cross - geograph.org.uk - 418405

    Mawgan-in-Meneage

  • Beacon Cove - geograph.org.uk - 620373

    Mawgan-in-Pydar

  • Bream Cove - geograph.org.uk - 236875

    Mawnan

  • Bridge and garden - geograph.org.uk - 2025529

    Menheniot

  • Mevagissey Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1643196

    Mevagissey

  • Duckpond at Tregawn Farm - geograph.org.uk - 379810

    Michaelstow

  • Anderton and Millbrook Lake - geograph.org.uk - 106806

    Millbrook

  • Chûn Quoit - geograph.org.uk - 974

    Morvah

  • Looe train at Terras bridge - geograph.org.uk - 737616

    Morval

  • Cattle and Church - geograph.org.uk - 1907364

    Morwenstow

  • The Harbour, Mullion Cove - geograph.org.uk - 1817468

    Mullion

  • Launching pilot gigs, Flushing Beach - geograph.org.uk - 459478

    Mylor

  • Atlantic Hotel, Newquay, and headland from Tolcarne Beach

    Newquay

  • Kilmar Tor - geograph.org.uk - 7112

    North Hill

  • Tamar Otter Sanctuary - geograph.org.uk - 147424

    North Petherwin

  • Track to Haydon Farm, North Tamerton - geograph.org.uk - 1005051

    North Tamerton

  • The St. Tinney Arms - geograph.org.uk - 233019

    Otterham

  • Padstow, inner harbour - geograph.org.uk - 94724

    Padstow

  • Pelynt - geograph.org.uk - 77845

    Pelynt

  • Kings Arms - geograph.org.uk - 2015067

    Penryn

  • Pentewan Sands Caravan Site - geograph.org.uk - 31461

    Pentewan Valley

  • Pilchards - "Cornish Sardines" - geograph.org.uk - 73778

    Penzance

  • Cottages on the Valleyside - geograph.org.uk - 147739

    Perranarworthal

  • Vegetable production land by Mounts Bay - geograph.org.uk - 748338

    Perranuthnoe

  • Bolingey - geograph.org.uk - 66038

    Perranzabuloe

  • The Fal chain ferry at Trelissick - geograph.org.uk - 1660080

    Philleigh

  • Cornish fields at Kernock near Pillaton - geograph.org.uk - 1395823

    Pillaton

  • Polperro - Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1691231

    Polperro

  • Ponsanooth - geograph.org.uk - 166832

    Ponsanooth

  • Sunset 6

    Porthleven

  • Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter passing Western Hill - geograph.org.uk - 189510

    Portreath

  • The Northern Beach on Widemouth Sand - geograph.org.uk - 1494895

    Poundstock

  • The Old Methodist Church, Probus - geograph.org.uk - 197343

    Probus

  • Maids House - geograph.org.uk - 413969

    Quethiock

  • Cornish Miner Statue, Redruth - geograph.org.uk - 1903992

    Redruth

  • Old Hermitage - geograph.org.uk - 1650790

    Roche

  • Pond at Ruan Lanihorne - geograph.org.uk - 1260447

    Ruanlanihorne

  • Royal Albert Bridge -Saltash -England-17Dec2009

    Saltash

  • Carn Euny ancient village - geograph.org.uk - 658610

    Sancreed

  • Costa Del Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 498396

    Sennen

  • Entrance to the path by Tregantle Fort - geograph.org.uk - 74921

    Sheviock

  • Gardens at Trevarno - geograph.org.uk - 32885

    Sithney

  • Inscribed Stone in South Hill Churchyard - geograph.org.uk - 261575

    South Hill

  • Farmyard in South Petherwin - geograph.org.uk - 428044

    South Petherwin

  • Trevaunance Cove - geograph.org.uk - 315674

    St Agnes

  • Lighthouse sunset - geograph.org.uk - 84855

    St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

  • St Allen Church - geograph.org.uk - 231696

    St Allen

  • Stepping stones, St Anthony-in-Meneage - geograph.org.uk - 625355

    St Anthony-in-Meneage

  • Trenance Road - geograph.org.uk - 1313459

    St Austell

  • Dock, Charlestown - geograph.org.uk - 225038

    St Austell Bay

  • The Hot, Dry Biome, Eden Project - geograph.org.uk - 219410

    St Blaise

  • A Grand Day Out, 2006. - geograph.org.uk - 309364

    St Breock

  • Old Inn, St Breward - geograph.org.uk - 212902

    St Breward

  • Boats and Capstan at Penberth Cove - geograph.org.uk - 319246

    St Buryan, Lamorna and Paul

  • Trethevy Quoit - geograph.org.uk - 651

    St Cleer

  • St Clement on the Tresillian River at sunset - geograph.org.uk - 711466

    St Clement

  • St Clether, Tregulland - geograph.org.uk - 67236

    St Clether

  • West Street - geograph.org.uk - 1591759

    St Columb Major

  • Vogue Hill - geograph.org.uk - 836667

    St Day

  • View over St Dennis Village - geograph.org.uk - 54631

    St Dennis

  • St Dominick Primary School - geograph.org.uk - 291857

    St Dominick

  • Harbour Entrance to Port Isaac - geograph.org.uk - 218855

    St Endellion

  • Preaching Pit - geograph.org.uk - 1592671

    St Enoder

  • Muck Spreading under the Powerlines. - geograph.org.uk - 231635

    St Erme

  • Chapel Hill, St Erth - geograph.org.uk - 1222206

    St Erth

  • House by the Crossroads - geograph.org.uk - 206812

    St Ervan

  • Former married quarters of St Eval airfield - geograph.org.uk - 50568

    St Eval

  • Spring Heligan Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 735741

    St Ewe

  • Crackington Haven - Pencannow Point reflected - geograph.org.uk - 1466130

    St Gennys

  • St Germans Viaduct evening train - geograph.org.uk - 738793

    St Germans

  • Hemmick Beach - geograph.org.uk - 1643378

    St Goran

  • Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Relubbus, Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 21349

    St Hilary

  • Just Shorn, near St Issey - geograph.org.uk - 1416812

    St Issey

  • Pensilva Street - geograph.org.uk - 376324

    St Ive and Pensilva

  • Painting St Ives from the Malakoff - geograph.org.uk - 748656

    St Ives

  • Ninney Rocks (2) - geograph.org.uk - 529723

    St John

  • Crumbling Rusey Cliff - geograph.org.uk - 437355

    St Juliot

  • War memorial - geograph.org.uk - 11265

    St Just

  • Celtic cross in the churchyard of St Just in Roseland - geograph.org.uk - 966970

    St Just in Roseland

  • St Keverne Village Square - geograph.org.uk - 1815453

    St Keverne

  • St Kew - St Kew Inn from the highway - geograph.org.uk - 1392757

    St Kew

  • St Keyne, Lametton Mill - geograph.org.uk - 77456

    St Keyne and Trewidland

  • Jesus Christ Superstar at the Minack Theatre - geograph.org.uk - 1903089

    St Levan

  • St Mabyn, St Mabyn’s church and the St Mabyn Inn - geograph.org.uk - 95338.jpg

    St Mabyn

  • Looe Monkey Sanctuary - geograph.org.uk - 54998

    St Martin-by-Looe

  • Trelowarren Chapel - geograph.org.uk - 746605

    St Martin-in-Meneage

  • Scilly Point - geograph.org.uk - 822406

    St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

  • Beach in Hugh Town - geograph.org.uk - 694439

    St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

  • Coryton Arms, St Mellion, Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 178812

    St Mellion

  • Solitary surfer at Treyarnon - geograph.org.uk - 1473756

    St Merryn

  • Converted chapel at Trelowth - geograph.org.uk - 1675142

    St Mewan

  • Porthluney cove from the east - geograph.org.uk - 105598

    St Michael Caerhays

  • Tresillian River - geograph.org.uk - 1451282

    St Michael Penkevil

  • St. Michael's Mount and Mount's Bay - geograph.org.uk - 862924

    St Michael's Mount

  • Hayle Bay Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 288998

    St Minver Highlands

  • Red ochre sails off The Greenaway, Trebetherick - geograph.org.uk - 1473362

    St Minver Lowlands

  • Carnglaze Caverns

    St Neot

  • Metha Road, St Newlyn East - geograph.org.uk - 185129

    St Newlyn East

  • St. Pinnock church, east end - geograph.org.uk - 492458

    St Pinnock

  • Clay empties cross Golant harbour - geograph.org.uk - 738713

    St Sampson

  • Horses near Carloggas - geograph.org.uk - 81218

    St Stephen-in-Brannel

  • Steam Engine at Newmills - geograph.org.uk - 1193294

    St Stephens by Launceston Rural

  • Barrett's Zawn - geograph.org.uk - 1946940

    St Teath

  • Eliot Arms, Tregadillett - geograph.org.uk - 587667

    St Thomas the Apostle Rural

  • The Manor House at Hengar Manor - geograph.org.uk - 64097

    St Tudy

  • Building next to the River, Lerryn, St Veep (Community) - geograph.org.uk - 56436

    St Veep

  • Cransworth Common Farm, Rosenannon - geograph.org.uk - 221603

    St Wenn

  • St Winnow snow - geograph.org.uk - 269723

    St Winnow

  • A Bulb Field - geograph.org.uk - 159711

    Stithians

  • Millennium Stone - geograph.org.uk - 409241

    Stokeclimsland

  • The Ruins - geograph.org.uk - 401663

    Tintagel

  • Torpoint Chain Ferry - geograph.org.uk - 224097

    Torpoint

  • Trevalgan Hill - geograph.org.uk - 901196

    Towednack

  • The Old Town Hall Tregony - geograph.org.uk - 1261047

    Tregony with Cuby

  • Church of St Winwallo, Tremaine - geograph.org.uk - 714430

    Tremaine

  • Treneglos - towards Treskellow - geograph.org.uk - 556976

    Treneglos

  • The Abbey Garden, Tresco - geograph.org.uk - 15825

    Tresco

  • Tresmeer - old station - geograph.org.uk - 556998

    Tresmeer

  • Grower Rock - geograph.org.uk - 1378404

    Trevalga

  • Rescorla, Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 52065

    Treverbyn

  • Pipers Pool Methodist Chapel - geograph.org.uk - 437310

    Trewen

  • Truro rooftops

    Truro

  • Par beach in August - geograph.org.uk - 2018638

    Tywardreath and Par

  • Veryan Round Houses - geograph.org.uk - 38223

    Veryan

  • Anneka's Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 43657

    Wadebridge

  • Warbstow Cross houses from Warbstow Bury - geograph.org.uk - 712297

    Warbstow

  • Boulders on Carburrow Tor - geograph.org.uk - 1544495

    Warleggan

  • Wooded valley side, on Goscott Farm - geograph.org.uk - 983568

    Week St Mary

  • Higher Garlidna Farm - geograph.org.uk - 339031

    Wendron

  • Werrington - at Yeolmbridge - geograph.org.uk - 457064

    Werrington

  • Swannacott Wood - geograph.org.uk - 929479

    Whitstone

  • Mill houses at Withielgoose - geograph.org.uk - 30930

    Withiel

  • Phare de Wolf Rock - 3

    Wolf Rock

  • The pine, the pub sign and the church - Zennor - geograph.org.uk - 1807780

    Zennor

See also

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Civil parishes in Cornwall Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.