A BRASS plaque has been installed next to a memorial to the Seventeenth-century slave trader Thomas Corker, in King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth, by “a lone individual” who did so without the permission or knowledge of the PCC.
A group of statements concerning the incident has been issued by the diocese of Truro with its approval and people of the PCC, Black Voices Cornwall, and Clinton Sealy, the operations director for Transformation Cornwall, who was one among the unique campaigners in regards to the memorial within the Grade II* listed constructing.
The vice-chair and secretary of the PCC, Pip Horton, who can also be a member of the sub-committee tasked with the Corker work, said: “We understand that a lone individual, who purports to be ‘the people of Falmouth’, has taken it upon themselves to enter the church and erect a plaque without our knowledge or the right permissions.
“Quite frankly, we don’t feel this is useful in any respect and detracts from the superb and inclusive work we’re doing in partnership with others, including Black Voices Cornwall. We understand that some people can have concerns about what they see as a delay, but this will not be helpful to our efforts, and has caused unnecessary distress.”
The latest plaque reads: “Thomas Corker was England’s Chief Agent for the Royal African Company on York Island. He oversaw and profited from the kidnap, enslavement and sale of slaves. The Royal African Company shipped more enslaved men, women and kids to the Americas than every other trading company on this planet.”
A general statement from the church said: “Any works to the material of a church constructing are covered by law and must follow the school process. Given that this plaque has been erected with none permissions by individuals unknown, we’re investigating what motion might must be taken.”
The statement acknowledged that the Corker memorial “is an offence to many individuals. There are different views on how best to reply to its presence in an ancient, historic constructing which is strictly governed by laws.”
The diocese, church, and campaign groups, amongst other interested parties, had, it continued, “been working closely together to seek out one of the best solution, including an honest description of the history of Thomas Corker’s involvement in slavery.
“We also hope to inform the story of Joseph Emidy, a black musician and composer, who was a freed slave who settled in Cornwall and already has a smaller memorial within the church, and to explain and challenge the evils of contemporary slavery.”
The statement continued: “Part of the discussion around what’s displayed in relation to this memorial features a trigger warning due to sensitive nature of the subject and we’ve got an obligation of care to all visitors. Our consultations have made clear that there are a number of views across Falmouth, and we’ve got been listening and dealing with all perspectives.”
The sub-committee for the work were “mostly volunteers” working through the right legal processes. “We haven’t been giving regular updates on the method because we were waiting until we had tangible news to share but we recognise that consequently some people can have thought the method had stopped.”
In 2021, the Church Buildings Council and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England issued guidance for parishes and cathedral chapters on what to do about contested heritage of their buildings (News, 14 May) — statues, inscriptions, and other monuments which might be commemorate individuals who have been related to racism and the slave trade.
The Acting Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, who’s the Suffragan Bishop of St Germans, said: “The slave trade was a terrific evil which continues to cause harm to hundreds of thousands of individuals today. The presence of a memorial to a person who benefited from trading human beings in a constructing that points to the God of justice and freedom is deeply troubling. I actually have been encouraged by the careful work and shut partnerships which were built up as solutions are found.”
