Farmer's 1900s Cornwall diaries going on display

Diaries written by a Cornish farmer covering 60 years are to be preserved in an archive after being found in a derelict house.

John James Morris was born in 1894 and started writing his diaries in 1913. He also kept newspaper clippings, letters, food labels and seed packets he bought.

They were found in rubbish near Zelah by a 13-year-old boy and his mother.

The 42 volumes are being given to the Kresen Kernow in Redruth after preservation work was carried out.

The diaries came to light 18 years ago after Jo Poland and her son Cerin investigated the derelict house where a lady who occupied it had died and squatters had been living.

Ms Poland said Cerin found a "classic tin trunk" and said she should "come and have a look".

She said: "We opened it up and there were all these massive tomes ... waiting to go out with the rubbish. I couldn't believe it."

They brought three wheelbarrow-loads back to their nearby home and felt compelled to save them because one had instructions for readers, she said.

Mr Morris, who lived his life in Lanivet, near Bodmin, wrote: "Those into whose hands this journal of mine may fall, had better preserve it, as it may be of interest in the years to come.

"I would give anything to see a journal kept in my grandfather's or great grandfather's time to have a picture of the conditions then, but none were kept by them."

Having been found in Zelah, Jo Poland worked on finding someone in Lanivet who could help her find out more about their writer.

She met Carol Miller and they have been trying to expand his story by meeting people whose families have been mentioned.

Ms Miller said: "John James Morris was an ordinary person who has done something extraordinary".

The pair have also carried fundraising events for work to preserve the diaries, which the Kresen Kernow has agreed to house and ensure they are publicly available.

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