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Cave dwellers, Downderry, near Seaton, Cornwall
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Cave dwellers, Downderry, near Seaton, Cornwall
Cave dwellers, Downderry, near Seaton, Cornwall. These folk were mostly Irish people who came from Plymouth and lived in the caves on the beach from March to September harvesting shellfish. They wore rags on their feet instead of shoes and walked to the railway station at St Germans to send their harvest to Plymouth. Date: 1905
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Media ID 14254898
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Apr17 Baskets Cave Cornish Dwellers Gatherers Harvest Harvesting Pans Seaton Shellfish Unusual
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the daily life of the Cave Dwellers of Downderry, near Seaton in Cornwall, during the early 1900s. The community, mostly made up of Irish immigrants from Plymouth, lived in makeshift homes within the caves on the beach from March to September, harvesting shellfish to sell in Plymouth. The image shows several figures, dressed in rags and wearing only foot coverings, as they go about their work. They carry large baskets filled with their catch, while others tend to their simple fires, used for cooking and keeping warm. The scene is one of simple, hardworking existence, with the vast expanse of the sea and sky stretching out behind them. The Cave Dwellers' lifestyle was an unusual one, and they were often the subject of curiosity and fascination among locals and tourists alike. Despite the challenges of living in such a rugged environment, they managed to eke out a living through their resourcefulness and determination. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into a bygone era, providing a fascinating insight into the lives of these intrepid gatherers and their unusual home.
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