View of the site of Winston Graham's former home Nampara Lodge, Perranporth today. It unfortunately had to be demolished because it was originally built of a material containing "Mundic"....
"The equity value of many mainly pre 1950 houses in Devon and Cornwall has been adversely effected by uncertainties in the nature of the concrete building material used in their original construction. Mundic is a Cornish word used to describe a mineral of iron containing sulphur, known as pyrite or iron pyrites. This mineral occurs frequently in the lodes or veins of tin and copper mined for centuries throughout Cornwall and Devon. Vast quantities of mine waste were extracted and dumped on the surface. During the early part of the 20th century builders used this cheap and readily available source of aggregate for the production of concrete blocks and concrete for construction.In the presence of moisture, the pyrities chemically alters and expands causing concrete to deteriorate. In the 1950s standards for aggregates used in concrete minimised this contamination. Whilst it is still possible that some properties built after 1950 may be affected the problem is more likely to affect concrete properties built between 1900 and 1950. Mortgage lenders currently insist that all pre-1950 concrete or concrete block properties are screened."
Pictures of "Nampara Lodge" hotel Winston Graham's former home since just before the war at 4, St Michaels Road, Perranporth, Cornwall. The subsequent hotel was demolished about 10 years ago due to ground subsidence.
Winston Graham's bedroom overlooking Perranporth beach about 1 mile distant.
(First picture upper bay window. Interior fourth picture.)
Advert placed by the owners of Nampara Lodge after Winston Graham.
"Only four minutes walk to both the shops and the beach, and set in secluded gardens for the enjoyment of the guests. The property has been beautifully converted into a ten bed roomed hotel, and Perranporth is an ideal place for the family; famous for its miles of golden sands and the breathtaking cliff views. It is with Deep Regret we announce the death of Winston Graham, The author of more than 40 books. Winston Graham died after a short illness at the age of 93. With Deepest sympathy The Parton Family.