Note: Bird (noun/slang/Cornish colloquial ) A familiar term for a friend or relation.
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Dale and I am a Cornish freelance writer, blogger and podcaster.
I AM NOT A HISTORIAN. I am a writer who loves history and my aim to learn about and share the lesser-known stories from Cornish past.
Born on a farm near Falmouth I can trace my family tree in Cornwall all the way back to 1550, a heritage that I am more than a little proud of. I spent 9 years travelling the world, visiting more than 50 countries but when I came home I realised that some of the best stories and most beautiful sunsets are found right here on my doorstep in Cornwall. I decided that I wanted to share those stories with visitors and locals alike, so the blog was born!
Follow The Cornish Bird on WordPress.com
Part of my aim has always been to preserve local heritage and our cultural history. To tell Cornwall’s untold stories.
What I do:
Writing & Research Work
I write regularly for local publications including newspapers and magazines, as well as providing content for local websites.
If you would like me to write something for you or your website or publication, or maybe review your event, book and business please just get in touch. I also undertake family history research for those with Cornish connections living abroad, please email to discuss.
Walks & Talks
In the past couple of years I have begun giving talks and guided walks.
I am very fortunate to work regularly with Cornwall National Landscape helping people of all ages to engage with the Cornish countryside through history, myth and legend. And also with Heritage Adventures Cornwall and FalRiver Boats taking guests out on trips around the Fal and Helford Rivers.
If you’d like to join me or find out more then take a look at my EVENTS page for links to what I have planned for the coming year!
Media Work & Awards
In 2020 I had the opportunity to provide research for and also contribute to the BBC Radio Four series The Wedding Detectives. And in 2021 I was also a guest contributor for ITV’s Julia Bradbury’s Cornwall & Devon Walks and Devon and Cornwall Walks with Michael Portillo.
I have worked with helping with the research and also appearing in both seasons of Channel 5’s Fern Britton’s My Cornwall series in 2022 and 2023, and her other programme, Watercolour Challenge.
In November 2022 I was extremely proud to have been awarded Cornwall Heritage Trust’s Heritage Champion Award. Each year Cornwall Heritage Trust makes this prestigious award to an ‘unsung hero or heroine’ – someone who gives their time and energy in a voluntary capacity and has made a significant contribution to Cornwall’s heritage.
Below are some testimonials from some of the people I have worked with:
If you would like to work with me please check out my 2022 Media Kit
Brands I have worked with:
Take a look at more of my professional writing HERE
But PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT a professional historian, all the research is my own and I have formed my own opinions and stories from it – nothing should be taken as 100% fact.
All content, both text and images, belong to me and cannot be reproduced or copied without my consent.
I provide all the content on this blog completely free, there’s no subscription fee. If however you enjoy my work and would like to contribute something towards helping me keep researching Cornwall’s amazing history and then sharing it with you then you can donate below. Thank you!
Great stuff, I really enjoyed your blog
Thanks for stopping by Storyteller. — Ray
Hello thanks for clicking to follow and liking my blog posts and liking my IG pictures….I look forward to reading your future blogs!!
I look forward to reading – and learning – much more about the area I’ve made my home recently. Your blog is much more entertaining and informative than any number of Tourist tat websites 🙂
Thank you so much ! What a lovely thing to say!
I am so pleased to have come across your blog! I have visited Cornwall for some 30 years now as my father lives down there. I have recently rediscovered the wealth of stone circles and stone crosses in West Penwith and shall continue to try to find them all and photograph them. Thanks for such informative articles I shall look forward to seeing them pop into my in box in the future!
Yes! Butter and a cheese scone. Not to mention one more cup of tea than I meant to drink.
Love your blog and especially the Box Brownie adventures, my very first camera aged 11, wish I still had it !
Thank you so much 😊maybe you should pick up a second hand one like me, give it a go!?
Hello – I landed here after you liked a post on my site – it’s lovely to meet someone who appreciates their local landscape and history so deeply. Your blog has a lovely personal feel to it.
Hello thank you very much for the follow and I am glad you like my blog, it is taking over my life a little but it does come from a life time of loving where I come from! 😃
Thanks for the follow, from an old ex Grockle
Lovely to find a blogger who understands so well the sense of ‘home.’ You inspire me to get myself back home to England!
Great blog, makes me miss home, I traveled around Cornwall much as a chef and have some places for you to explore!! If you can get to the valley of Trenython Manor, they are nice you can ask for permission…In the valley a forgotton smugglers cave or perhaps the resting place for King Mark as the valley is called Lampetho (valley of the dead). Talland Bay has some great stories too and the wreck at Sharpnose Point 😉
Ooo sounds interesting! I shall investigate! I once read a book about Sharpness point. Many thanks!!
Hi, just to let you know that I’ve tagged you in the ‘Blue Skies Challenge’. I love your blog and just wanted to show my support, but won’t feel offended if you’d rather not take part as I know it does take time 🙂
your contact form not working we would like to ask you about your content, thanks
Hi there you cam email me at elizabeth.dale.writer@gmail.com
Many thanks
Wonderful blog with many suggestions for next holidays in WestCornwall !
-we use to stay near MinackTheatre since years-
First of all I’m a massive fan of the Blog. It’s a wonderful repository of local history that adds yet more romance, intrigue and wonder to an already fascinating collection of weird and wonderful places. I do however have one tiny bone to pick. In Cornwall (or at least ’round Truro, Redruth and Camborne) “Bird” is non gender specific and can be used by and to anyone. Sorry. it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine but any’ow you doin’ sum fiddy job with the witin arn’ee Bird. Bleddy ansom tis, Right on. Cheers n gone.
Fair point, maybe I should change the definition . . .
Good evening – I have been told a strange story about a man who, in the 60s, built his own home made submarine at Lamorran on the River Fal. I’d like to learn more but am stumped – I’d appreciate your advice / thoughts.
Hi Ian, this is not something that I have heard before! Have you tried asking on one of the Falmouth facebook pages, such as Falmouth for Orders, there are many people there who are very knowledgeable about the Fal and the various boats etc, someone might be about to help. Sorry to not know more, E