Roche, Cornwall facts for kids
Roche (pronounced "roach") is a village and civil parish located in the middle of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. Its name comes from the impressive Roche Rock, a tall rock formation about 20 meters (65 feet) high, found just east of the village. The word "Roche" actually means "Rock" in old Norman-French. In Cornish, the village is called Tregarrek, which means 'homestead of the rock'.
In 2011, the population of Roche parish, including nearby areas like Belowda and Carbis, was 3,381 people. The village is close to the towns of Bodmin and St Austell, and also near the famous Eden Project. A well-known civil servant named Charles Knight was born in Roche. Also, Matthew Taylor, a former Member of Parliament, chose to retire here.
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Roche Rock: A Natural Wonder
Roche Rock, known as An Garrek in Cornish, is a striking rock formation that stands about 20 meters (65 feet) tall. It's located on the northern side of the St Austell granite area. Geologists find this rock very interesting because it's a great example of "quartz schorl." This means it's a type of granite that has been completely changed into black tourmaline crystals.
The Rock is considered very important for future research. In 1991, it was officially recognized by Natural England as a geological SSSI. This means it's a special place protected for its unique natural features.
On top of Roche Rock, you can see the ruins of an old chapel. This chapel was dedicated to St Michael. People say it was once home to a leper (someone with a skin disease) or a monk. In 1881, much of the chapel's stone walls were still standing, and some windows were in good shape, even though the steps leading up to it were roughly cut.
Roche Rock is also famous for its many folk tales. Two of the most well-known stories are about Jan Tregeagle, a 17th-century magistrate who supposedly found shelter in the chapel after he died. Another tale connects the rock to the famous legend of Tristan and Iseult.
The rock was even used as a filming location for the movie Omen III.
Roche Parish Church
The church in Roche is dedicated to a saint named St Gomondas or Gonandus. While the church tower is very old, from the medieval period, most of the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1822. Inside, there is a beautiful Norman font, which is a special basin used for baptisms. The churchyard also has a good example of an old churchyard cross.
There are two old Cornish crosses in the parish. One is in a field near the rectory garden and is believed to be in its original spot. The other is in the churchyard and has decorations carved on all four sides of its shaft. This churchyard cross is made from a huge piece of granite from the moorland. It looks similar to a cross found in the graveyard at Merther Uny. The other cross, called Glebe Cross, has cross shapes carved in relief on both sides of its head.
Roche Railway Station
Roche railway station is located about 1 mile north of Roche, in a place called Victoria. It's part of the Atlantic Coast Line. Trains here are run by Great Western Railway. The station has a single track. A sign tells you which way the train is going, either towards Newquay or Par.
Local Businesses
On the edge of Roche, you'll find the Victoria Business Park. This is a nicely designed area with 28 modern buildings. These buildings are used for light industrial work, storage (warehouses), and trade businesses. Most of them have a secure, gated yard.
Cornish Wrestling History
Cornish wrestling tournaments have a long history in Roche, taking place in the 1800s and 1900s.
- Traditionally, these wrestling events were held in the meadow behind Roche parish church. In the late 1920s, the location changed to the Rectory field.
- Another place where tournaments were held was in a field near Roche Rock.
Some very famous Cornish wrestlers came from Roche:
- John Truscott (1766–1848) was a champion Cornish wrestler. He was known for his 'East Cornwall' style of wrestling. He won a famous match against a wrestler known as the Giant Jordan in 1813. John Truscott's grave is right next to the porch of Roche church.
- Harry Gregory was a middleweight champion in 1928, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1935, and 1936.
- Francis Gregory (born 1904) was a champion Cornish wrestler in the 1920s and 1930s. He won the heavyweight title an amazing 9 times in a row starting from 1928! He also won the interceltic title 7 times in a row and was the champion of Britain in 1934. Francis Gregory was a very famous sportsman who also wrestled professionally and was a boxer. He played both league and union rugby, even for England. He was part of the first wrestling match ever shown on television and wrestled in a scene for the film Breakers Ahead.
You can also learn about Cornish wrestling in Victoria, Cornwall.
See also
In Spanish: Roche (Cornualles) para niños
