Kelly Bray Explained

Country:England
Map Type:Cornwall
Static Image Name:Disused mine buildings, near Kelly Bray - geograph.org.uk - 67232.jpg
Static Image Caption:Old mine buildings near Kelly Bray
Coordinates:50.5201°N -4.316°W
Label Position:top
Official Name:Kelly Bray
Civil Parish:Callington
Shire County:Cornwall
Region:South West England
Constituency Westminster:South East Cornwall
Post Town:CALLINGTON
Postcode District:PL17
Postcode Area:PL
Dial Code:01579
Os Grid Reference:SX359715

Kelly Bray (Cornish: Kellivre) is a village in east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated one mile (1.6 km) north of Callington, immediately west of Kit Hill[1] in a former mining area. Kelly Bray is in the parish of Callington and lies within the St Dominick, Harrowbarrow and Kelly Bray division on Cornwall Council. The population was 3,949 at the 2011 census.[2] Kelly Bray is first recorded ca. 1286 as Kellibregh (Cornish "Kellybregh", meaning "dappled grove").[3]

Kelly Bray was formerly the venue for the Royal Cornwall Show until it was moved to Wadebridge. The village was the location of Callington railway station - terminus of a branch line to Plymouth via Gunnislake. The line was closed beyond Gunnislake in 1966.

Industrial history

Prior to the industrialisation in the 19th century agriculture was the main activity in the land surrounding Kelly Bray.

During the 1820s and 1830s a significant capital investment enabled the development of tin copper and lead mines in the area. In 1843 the mine at Kelly Bray amalgamated with the neighbouring mines of Holmbush and Redmoor to form the Callington Mining Company employing a workforce of over 250 people. The mining activity around Kelly Bray continued until 1946.[4]

In the present day various light industrial businesses are situated in the Florence Road Business Park area of the village.

Cornish wrestling

Cornish wrestling tournaments, for prizes have held at Kelly Bray[5] with a first prize of a silver cup.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 201 Plymouth & Launceston
  2. Web site: ward of Kelly Bray 2011 census. 6 February 2015.
  3. [Weatherhill, Craig]
  4. Web site: Cornwall Industrial Settlements Initiative | Historic Cornwall. 11 December 2020.
  5. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 2 June 1927.
  6. Western Morning News, 21 August 1926.