A deep turquoise coloured sea with jagged cliffs to the right and in the centre a small rocky island. The sky is blue with grey clouds.

Show notes and photographs for: The Legend of Black Humphrey

Posted on by Natalie Doig

Listen to the episode on BBC Sounds, on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the centre Black Humphrey's rock which is jagged and has a rounded point on top. There are caves underneath the rock and along it's sides. Behind it to the right is a large cliff. To the left is sea and the sky is pale blue.
Black Humphrey’s Rock

The Voice Actors

Playing Black Humphrey: Ian Higton, check out his YouTube and Twitch Channels Platform 32 for all your fun gaming content!

Playing Richard Petherick: friend of the show Owen Staton of Time Between Times Storytelling podcast. Owen also has a substack where he shares his writing as well.

Playing Jane Lissum: Emily Elle Watts follow her performing arts profile on insta

Sunset with gold clouds and seagull flying in front of them. In the foreground is sand and rocks then water and a narrow beach with waves washing in. On both sides of the beach are rocks and dark cliffs. In the distance is a headland with a large hotel on it and other buildings in Newquay.
Porth beach with the tide out from a little over half way down.

The Legend of Black Humphrey

Here’s further reading on the legend of Black Humphrey.

Black Humphrey, Newquay Smuggler
A collection of jagged and sharp rocks next to a cliff. There is sand in front and bits of seaweed. IN the distance are houses and a grey sky. There is a child wearing a purple hat on one of the rocks.
Some of the interesting rock formations on the beach at Porth

Black Humphrey’s rock and Whipsiderry

There’s some great photos on these blogs about Porth and Whipsiderry: https://phoenixtrails.home.blog/2022/05/02/beach-walk-cornwall/

Walking Porthcothan to Newquay – Bedruthan Steps, Dramatic Cliffs & Sweeping Beaches
A black and white image of Whipsiderry cove, with waves rushing in. The top of Black Humphrey's rock can be seen above the headland in the foreground. IN the middle distance is Porth Island / Trevelgue head and then in the far distance the headland at Newquay. IN the sky are jackdaws flying.
Looking towards Trevelgue Head and Porth Island from Whipsiderry, the tip of Black Humphrey’s rock poking up.

Here’s the latest information about Whipsiderry beach closure and the campaigns around keeping it safe and free from development:

Campaign page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saveourcliffpath/mentions/

Latest news: https://www.radionewquay.com/news/newquay-now/planning-appeal-over-whipsiderry-cliff-stabilisation-plan-dismissed/

My favourite view in all the world. Dollar rock looking towards Whipsiderry and watergate bay from Porth Island.

Wreckers and their legends

Here’s a link to the doctoral thesis I mentioned by Catherine Pearce: https://share.google/iN1Rl2qdcFAGZofNZ

More articles on wrecking, wreckers and smugglers:

Cornish Smugglers:  The Notorious Cruel Coppinger
Using Gale Historical Newspapers to Explore the Representation of Coastal Wreckers
In the foreground a hedge of beare branches of a red and brown colour. In a gap in the hedge is a wire fence. Beyonmg the fence is a beach with rocks covered in seaweed and algae and then the sea with white waves. The sea its self is a pearly pale blue colour. In the distance is a dark headland with a large hotel building on it.
Some of the hedgerow along Trevelgue Headland looking onto Porth beach

Trevelgue Head and Porth Island

Here’s a blog about the site and the excavation carried out there in the 1930s: https://cornishbirdblog.com/trevelgue-head-cliff-castle/

Here’s all the official details on the heritage gateway website: https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO6584&resourceID=1020

The edge of whipsiderry cove with waves rushing in. IN the middle distance is the undulating headland of Trevelgue Head on Porth Island. In the distance the sun is shining on Newquay. The sky and sea are a pale baby blue colour.
Looking towards Trevelgue Head from Whipsiderry

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Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

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