MORE STORIES OF THE PINWILL SISTERS By Helen Wilson

Talk  |  Seated

HELEN WILSON: Helen was born and brought up in Plymouth, Devon, and studied for a BSc and PhD in Environmental Science as a mature student at the University of Plymouth, teaching there for a number of years. Since retiring, she has developed interests in local history, architecture and churches. Her main project over the last decade has been studying the life and work of the Pinwill sisters, ecclesiastical woodcarvers. This research led to numerous speaking engagements across Devon and Cornwall and in 2021 developed into the production of a book entitled ‘The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters’.

TALK: In 1890 the Pinwill sisters established an ecclesiastical woodcarving company in Ermington and then Plymouth that became one of the best in Devon and Cornwall. After many years researching the Pinwill sisters, Helen Wilson has met or corresponded with numerous people who had associations with them, including descendants of employees and people who had business dealings with them. Some of these had remarkable stories to tell that often led to new discoveries and revelations. After an introduction to the Pinwills, Helen will relate some of these wonderful stories that enhance the talk she presented in 2024.