THIS year is the sesquicentennial anniversary of the death of one of Morwenstow’s most noted figures and to mark the occasion events are to be held in Morwenstow Community Centre and Morwenstow Church.

To commemorate the 150th year since the death of the Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker, the vicar of Morwenstow from 1834 until his death in 1875, a number of events will be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17.

Hawker was a well known local vicar and national celebrity. A poet, antiquarian and writer; he was vicar of Morwenstow from 1834 until his death in 1875.

The parishioners of Morwenstow are celebrating this anniversary with a range of events.

The first event was a St Piran’s Day service at 3pm on March 5 in the parish church of St John and St Morwenna at Morwenstow. It is also the 200th anniversary of Hawker’s writing of Trelawny, or Song of the Western Men. This Cornish anthem was written by him when sitting under a “stag-horned oak in Bevil’s walk” in Stowe Wood.

Further events are planned during the year culminating in a display of Hawker’s life illustrated with items from the extensive collection of Hawkeriana amassed by the late Jill Wellby. The display will take place during the weekend of August 16 to 17 in Morwenstow Community Centre at Shop.

The final event on October 5 will be a traditional harvest festival service in the parish church followed by a harvest lunch in the Community Centre. Hawker is remembered for re-introducing the harvest festival in 1843 and since adopted throughout the Church of England.

A sign erected on the road from the A39 to Shop is a pointer to both the events and the parish. It was funded and supported by Morwenstow Renewable Energy Association, under whose blades it stands and Morwenstow Parish Council whose logo, along with St Piran’s flag and Hawker’s signature are illustrated on it. Thanks also go to Oliver Jones of Cornwall Council Highways for arranging installation free of charge.

Saturday, August 16, in Morwenstow Community Centre - open from 1pm to 4pm:

• Bassline Singers — 2.15pm to 2.45pm and 3.15pm to 3.45pm.

• Morwenstow Hand Bell Ringers - 2.45pm to 3.15pm.

• Cream teas with donations gratefully received, a Hawker memorabilia display collected by the late Jill Wellby, Morwenstow Historical Films and a replica of 'Hawkers Hut'.

Sunday, August 17, in Morwenstow Community Centre - open from 1pm to 5pm:

• Cream teas with donations gratefully received, a Hawker memorabilia display collected by the late Jill Wellby, Morwenstow Historical Films, a replica of 'Hawkers Hut' and a performance from Cousin Jack.

Sunday, August 17, in Morwenstow Church:

• Service to start at 3pm, led by The Right Reverend David Williams the 17th Bishop of Truro and Reverend Teresa Folland, rector of St John the Baptist and St Morwenna Church. The service is to be attended by The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE and the deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall Fiona Hargreaves.

• There will also be a performance from Cousin Jack, singers.