Creative Kernow
This project shares the underappreciated story of Victorian photographer-scientist-astronomer Mary Lockyer, in the anniversary year of her acceptance as one of the first women fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). Mary’s importance for Cornwall communities is that she photographed the stone circles which were included in her husband’s book on archaeoastronomy (the first of its kind); the Lockyers also set up the first archaeoastronomy society in Penzance, meeting in St John’s Hall to further the understanding of possible alignments of ancient stones with the stars. Mary also undertook important community work and activities in promoting female suffrage, education and welfare.
The project follows the Cornwall part of the Lockyer’s tour of ancient sites, using this as inspiration for creative film, photography and star-gazing activities.