LPN DEC14 -JAN15 pdf web - Lanteglos by Fowey Parish Council
Transcription
LPN DEC14 -JAN15 pdf web - Lanteglos by Fowey Parish Council
DEcember 2014– January 2015 From the Vicarage We all think that we know the Christmas story but how well do we really know it? When the Angel meets the shepherds abiding their fields he says, “Peace good will toward men.” But there is a second part of the verse that never gets quoted, curiously our culture ignores its presence. Here is the whole verse: “Peace, good will toward with men, with whom he is pleased.” Then, in Matthew 1:21 another strange thing occurs. The angel tells Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as you wife because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name give him Jesus…” Now that sounds like the Christmas we all know and love. But here is a case of another unfinished verse because it continues, “for he will save his people from their sins.” That baby is the greatest gift ever given. But it’s as if someone handed you a beautifully wrapped gift and said, I am giving you this because I love you. And when you open it it’s a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, or When Bad Things Happen To Good People. You can’t fail to understand that someone is trying to tell you something. Christmas tells me that God has launched a great rescue mission. That is the message that is presented in the Advent story over and over again. It says to us that in the midst of our depressions, our fears, the mundane of living, a rescuer is coming because we need rescuing. At this Advent Season we need to recognize that God is presenting us with this great gift. It is the gift of salvation. And it seems to me that the question you and I have to struggle with is, do we really want it? Are we really willing to make ourselves vulnerable, even as God made himself vulnerable at Bethlehem. I remember an old song that we used to sing in church that bothered me even as a teenager. It went: “Lord we are able, our spirits are thine.” However, the message of the Gospel is that we are not able. We stand in need of a rescuer, a Saviour. But you can’t help a person who does not want to be helped. A great rescue mission has been launched on our behalf. Blood has been shed. And the power of God is available to us if we will admit our weakness and need. The question now is: do we really want to be saved? I wish you all a very happy Christmas. May God bless you, and may 2015 bring peace and contentment to you and all those you love. From the Editor We are so thrilled that Gill Palmer has won a national award for her essay on 'The future of Family Farms' You will find it re-printed in this issue on page 22. Our 'News from Frogmore Farm' piece which Gill writes for each issue has always been a favourite for our readers so we feel this is a well deserved recognition of her story telling talents. As usual there are many Christmas goings on in the Parish and in the area. Something for everyone young and old. People work very hard to provide Christmas cheer and as usual it's the same people who do most of the organising. So another plea from us this Christmas - if you have some free time and could spare a helping hand, please make it a New Year resolution. Thank you. In this issue Women’s Hour is 75 p4 Memories of the Polruan Ferry p6 Mixtow - a history p18 Becoming an Evangelist p19 Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year CHURCH DIARY DECEMBER Thursday 4th 10.00 St. SaviourHoly Communion Sunday 7th Advent 2 09.00 St. Ildierna Holy Communion 11.00 St. SaviourParish Eucharist 11.00 St. Tallanus Morning Prayer 15.30 St. SaviourChristingle 18.00 St. John Carol Service Thursday 11th 10.00 St. Saviour Holy Communion 13.00&17.30 St. SaviourPolruan School Carol Concert Sunday 14th Advent 3 09.00 St. Tallanus Holy Communion 18.30 St. Ildierna Evening Prayer 18.30 St. Saviour Carol Service with Lanteglos Churches Choir Thursday 18th 10.00 St. Saviour Holy Communion 14.00 & 14.45 Polperro School Christingle Saturday 20th 16.00 St. Tallanus Carol Service with Looe Valley Singers Sunday 21st Advent 4 11.00 St. Wyllow Morning Prayer 11.00 St. Tallanus Parish Eucharist 18.30 St. Ildierna Carol Service with Cantate Domino Wednesday 24th Christmas Eve 15.30 St. Saviour Nativity 23.00 St. Wyllow Midnight Mass 23.30 St. Tallanus Midnight Mass Thursday 25th Christmas Day 09.30 St. Saviour Parish Eucharist Sunday 28th 1st of Christmas 11.00 St. Wyllow Parish Eucharist 18.30 St. Ildierna Evening Prayer JANUARY Sunday 4th The Epiphany 09.00 St. Ildierna Holy Communion 11.00 St. Saviour Parish Eucharist 11.00 St. Tallanus Morning Prayer Thursday 8th 10.00 St. Saviour Holy Communion Sunday 11th Baptism of Christ 09.00 St. Tallanus Holy Communion 11.00 St. Wyllow Parish Eucharist 18.30 St. Ildierna Evening Prayer Thursday 15th 10.00 St. SaviourHoly Communion Sunday18th Epiphany 2 09.00 St. Ildierna Holy Communion 11.00 St. WillowMorning Prayer 11.00 St. Tallanus Parish Eucharist ADVENT JOURNEY Monday 17th November was the fourth ‘Experience Day’ for the children of Pelynt and Polruan Schools. This time we focused on Advent and the Church part of the ‘Experience day’ used the ‘Advent Journey’ produced by the West Wivelshire Deanery Link Team. After a welcome and an imaginative introduction to the Bible the children were divided into 5 groups to explore the five ‘stations’ on the ‘Advent Journey’. These were: Revealing – Circle of Light; Proclaiming – John the Baptist; Journeying – The Maji; Waiting – The Shepherds; Illuminating – The Angels. After this the children gathered together for the final session: Expectation – Mary & Joseph, and the stable where ‘All is ready …’. The ‘Church Team’ consisted of Reverends Louise & Marilyn plus people from Lanteglos, Lanreath & Pelynt Parishes. While one group of children were in St Saviour the other 2 groups were at Polruan School, one group making Advent wreathes and the other making Advent calendars. The groups swapped around mid-morning and again at lunchtime so that all the children took part in all three activities. At the end of the day all the children gathered in St Saviour for a very short assembly before returning to their own schools for ‘home time’. The ‘stations’ will remain in St Saviour Church until Friday 5th December so do pop in and have a look. Kathryn Hill for the ‘Experience’ Team Thursday 22nd 10.00 St. Saviour Holy Communion Sunday 25th Conversion of St. Paul 11.00 St. Wyllow Parish Eucharist 18.30 St. Ildierna Evening Prayer Thursday 29th 10.00 St. Saviour Holy Communion Publisher Revd. Louise Courtney Managing Editor John Nuttall-Smith Editor - Susan Shakerley [email protected] Assistant Editor - Janet Downes [email protected] Advertising - John Nuttall-Smith [email protected] Distribution- Mary Toms [email protected] 2 CR EAT E A CHR ISTINGL E T hi s y ear’ s ‘ Messy Chur c h’ Chri sti ngl e ev ent will b e i n St Sa vi our Chur c h on Sunda y 7 t h D ec em b er a t 3.3 0 p.m . D o c om e a l ong a nd m a ke y our ow n Chr isti ngl e, hav e a g o a t other sea sonal c ra f ts a nd a c tivi ti es, j oi n i n the shor t Chri sti ngl e ser vic e a nd enj oy a sea sonal bri ng- a nd- shar e tea . ‘ Cr ea te a Chri sti ngl e’ i s f or all the f a mil y so do c om e al ong wi th y our fa m ily a nd fr i ends a nd j oi n in! K a th r yn Hill for PC C CHRISTMAS EVE NAT IVIT Y As usua l our Na tiv i ty Servi c e i s a t 3 .3 0 on Chri stma s Ev e i n St Sav i our Chur c h. T w o of our y oung peopl e, Sha nnon Wil lia m s a nd Rosi e Tr out, ar e w ri ti ng the scri pt thi s y ea r. I hav e seen pa r ti al dr af ts a nd i t l ooks g ood so w e a r e i n f or a tr ea t. T her e will b e poster s nea r er the ti m e giv i ng the r ehear sa l sc hedul e. K a th r yn Hill Para ble of the poun ds Rev. L ouise's wonderfu l effort You m ay r ec all Rev L ouise em b ar ked on a fa st fr om l ent to ha rv est a nd m a na g ed to lose 2 7l b! She say s she f eel s b etter f or i t a nd ha s m a nag ed to fi nd a w a y of mai ntai ni ng thi s new w eig ht wi thout undue ha r dshi p. A terri fic suc c ess f or her . Better still she has rai sed a substa nti al sum f or c hurc h f unds thr oug h sponsor shi p. Tal la nd hav e rai sed ab out £ 40 0 a nd St Wy ll ow a b out £ 7 00 wi th La nsall os pr omi si ng £ 5 0. T hi s bri ng s the appr ox total to £ 12 0 0 . T her e a r e still a f ew indi vi dual s w ho ha v e pr omi sed m oney b ut hav e y et to pay so i t m ig ht b e ev en m or e. If y ou w oul d li ke to c ontri b ute pl ease dr op of f c ash or c heq ue to St Wy ll ow P CC a t 8 Hoc kens l a ne or g iv e Hel en T horl ey a ca ll on 01 7 26 87 0 94 6 a nd she wil l gl adly c oll ec t all c ontri b uti ons. Ma ny tha nks to all sponsors a nd those w ho hav e c ooked a nd c a r ed f or L oui se a nd to L oui se f or her m ag nifi c ent a c hi ev em ent. 870988 Fro m th e R egisters 870273 870211 Funera ls: 20 t h Oc tob er Ka te Stenl a ke Ca r ne St. Ta lla nus 10 t h Nov em b er Mic ha el P hil li ps St. Il di er na 870627 870273 870462 Buria l of Ash es: 31 s t Oc tob er El iza b eth Anne Bur nha m St. Wy ll ow Cremations: 20 t h Oc tob er K ate Stenl a ke Car ne Lansallos Parish News by John Feesey, Honorary Treasurer The £21,000 project to carry out urgent repairs to the external nave and Lady Chapel walls and to the top of the tower is now complete, the work being partly funded by a £10,000 grant from the Landfill Communities Fund. We are most grateful to Viridor Credits Environmental Company for this support, without which it would have been impossible to have proceeded. We will also be able to benefit from a refund by HMRC of the VAT paid, which amounts to some £3,500, leaving a net cost to the PCC of about £7,500 which has been met from reserves. I've described in a previous article some of the interesting discoveries that have been made as a result of the removal of old cement rendering, including the huge crack from top to bottom of the Lady Chapel west wall caused by the extra weight of roofing and stonework being added when the chapel was enlarged in medieval times. It's also been possible to add extra evidence to the theory, long suspected, that the Lady Chapel is the oldest part of the existing church, originally being a small freestanding building with windows on both the north and south sides. When the rest of the church was added, the redundant windows in the south wall of the original building were removed and re-installed in the east side of the new tower, close examination of these tower windows revealing that they are almost identical to the north Lady Chapel windows. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know what the previous Norman and Celtic churches built on the same site would have looked like? Anyone for time travel? The only substantial remains we have of them is a Norman font made of Caen limestone, still in use today, half of a granite Celtic font found in a field nearby which can be seen now on display in the south aisle and a Celtic granite cross situated now in the churchyard about 30 yards west of the tower. Other work carried out recently includes laying a new copper earth plate, costing some £600, for the north tower lightning conductor, the original having failed its resistance test. Now we've been told that the south side earth plate has failed its test, too, meaning another £600. It's an expensive business maintaining ancient buildings, and we couldn't afford to do it without the generous giving of our small congregation and numerous visitors and well-wishers – thank you all. Churches Together Cornerstone HELP URGENTLY REQUIRED PARISH DIARY DECEMBER Cornerstone the Churches together Charity Shop in West Looe, is desperate for some additional help. If anyone feels able to help (3 hours at a time) please call Jenny Hall on 01503 265059 she would be delighted to add your name to the list of monthly volunteers or on the floating list which means help when you are able. Also if you have any unwanted gifts or nice quality items, you no longer require, we would also be delighted to receive them. As it is a very small shop we are unable to take large items and clothing. It still has a full range of Christian cards. Fairtrade goods as well as books and bric a brac, and we are now able to take working electrical appliances, which we will have electrically checked. Additionally we are able to serve Fairtrade Tea and Coffee. Also a nice slice of cake! The shop, which is on the corner of Quay Road in West Looe, is run by a group of Trustees under the chair of Revd. Marilyn Elliott and volunteers Christmas Trees at Talland Talland Church will be open daily from December 19th until January 4th from 10am until 4pm. Please join us in our lovely church and see our beautifully lit sponsored trees. If you would like to sponsor a tree please contact Barbara Sharples on 01503 273466 Bingo Soup and Sweet 31 January 6:30pm for 7pm. Talland Church are holding a Bingo night with a light supper half way through of soup and dessert. It will take place in Polperro Village Hall Tickets £5 for the supper. Licensed Bar Tickets or further information from Jenny Hall on 01503 265059 Dates for your Diary 19th December to 4th January Christmas Trees at Talland Church 10am – 4pm daily 20th December Carols by Candlelight Service 4pm with the Looe Valley Singers 24th Dec11:30pm. Midnight Services followed by mulled wine and mince pies after the service. 31st January 6:30 for 7 pm Bingo Soup and Dessert in Polperro Village Hall The Benefice of Lanteglos by Fowey with Lansallos & Talland Priest in Charge Lanteglos Churchwardens Treasurer Secretary The Carol Service will be held on Sunday, 21st December at 6.30pm. As last year, we're fortunate to be joined by the Cantate Domino Choir, and the traditional, candlelit service will be followed by free mince pies and mulled wine or soft drinks. Do come and join us! Lansallos Churchwardens Nadelik Lowen ha Bledhen Nowyth Da! ( Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!) Treasurer Secretary Treasurer Secretary Talland Churchwardens Revd. Louise Courtney 01726 870988 Anthony Ware 01726 870696 Colin Payne 01726 870715 Graham Tyson 01726 870221 Sue Shakerley 01726 870211 Brian Langdon 01503 272269 Margaret Phillips 01503 272430 John Feesey 01503 220884 Glen Feesey 01503 220884 David Bailey 01503 262890 Sheridan Hughes 01503 264948 Joe Sharples 01503 273466 Jenny Hall 01503 265059 3 Monday 1st Christmas Whist Drive Whitecross Village Hall Tuesday 2nd Children's Hospice Book Sale Wednesday 3rd Octaves 12.30 WI Hall Thursday 4th Poetry Group 2.30. 870653 Friday 5th Kidz Klub Saturday 6th WI Coffee Morning 10.30 PSA Quiz Night Lugger 9pm Monday 8th Age Concern Christmas Lunch & Party Whitecross Village Hall Thursday 11th Polruan School Christmas Plays and Fayre 2-5 pm Saturday 13th Polruan Regatta & Children's Sports 7 & under Xmas Party Polruan Village Hall. 11.30 Pelynt Male Voice Choir Concert at Whitecross Village Hall 7pm Adm: £5 inc supper Friday 19th - Jan 4th Christmas Trees at Talland Church 10-4 Saturday 20th Carols by Candlelight Talland 4pm with Looe Valley Singers Wednesday 24th Talland Church Midnight Services 11.30pm followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies. St. Wyllow Midnight Mass 11.00 with Choir Wednesday 31st Bingo, Soup & Dessert 6.30 Polperro Village Hall JANUARY Sunday 4th Polruan Regatta & Children's Sports Pantomime trip to Hall for Cornwall Vevery car park 11am Wednesday 7th Octaves. 12.30 WI Hall Thursday 8th Poetry Group 2.30. 879653 Saturday 10th 'Nigeria' Coffee Morning 10.30 Polruan Village Hall Friday 16th KKFK 6 - 7.30 Saturday 24th 'Winter Warmer' Polruan Village Hall 12 - 2 Soup, rolls, tea, coffee & Cake Friday 30th KKFK 6 - 7.30 Sunday Feb 1st Cream Teas in aid of KKFK 3pm Polruan village hall D. Burton Oil Heating • • • • Oil Boiler Repairs Services & Breakdowns New Installations Aga/Rayburn Services Tel: 01208 873494 Mobile 07800609851 penmarlam caravan & camping park Bodinnick’s local shop Tel: 01726 870088 WINTER CLOSING NOVEMBER-MARCH REOPEN 1st APRIL 2015 Thank you for your support See you next year! Polruan Taxi Run by Tony Cottrell, using a Citroen Berlingo (space for four passengers and loads of luggage), the service is on an advance bookings only basis and can be contacted by ringing 07870-280114 or by email : [email protected] www.polruan.co.uk Escorted tours a speciality. So, if you need a lift to Looe, a pick-up from Polperro, a shuttle to the station or a trip to Truro- or e ven to potter round Polruan, get in touch. Personal Trainer Jonathan Fildes B.Sc. Complimentary consultation and assessment 1 to 1 training at home or outdoors Discount f or block of 10 sessions www.jfildespersonaltrainer.com for all information info@jfildes pers onaltr ainer.c om 07450 164414 / 01503 220837 it pays to advertise call 870273 for details WOMAN’S HOUR IS 75! from Kathryn Hill Woman’s Hour started soon after war broke out in 1939 for fellowship and mutual support for the wives left at home while their husbands were away fighting. The members so much enjoyed their meetings that it has continued ever since. We meet in St Saviour Church at 2.30 on a Tuesday afternoon from October to the end of April. The meeting starts with a hymn followed by a prayer, another hymn then a reading which is often, but not always, from the Bible. After a third hymn we listen to a talk which can be on a sacred or secular topic and may be from one of our own members or a visiting speaker. Over the years we have enjoyed a very wide variety of interesting talks. This is followed by notices, a final hymn and a very welcome ‘cuppa’ and biscuit, varying this with a hot cross bun at the meeting before Easter and a mince pie at the meeting before Christmas! About once a month we vary the programme by having what we call ‘Members Meeting’ where, instead of a speaker, each member present reads a poem or similar, requests a hymn for us all to sing, or even sings to us. We also have our annual outing in May and have visited some interesting places. By the time you read this we will have celebrated our special birthday with Afternoon Tea at Crumpets on November 25th. Each time we attend Woman’s Hour we place donations in two jars, one to cover the cost of our refreshments and the other so that we can make an annual donation to the charity we have chosen for that year. We are a friendly bunch and welcome new members so do come along one Tuesday afternoon - you will be made very welcome. REMEMBERING REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY The first time I was aware of Remembrance Sunday and found out what it was about was in 1951. I was a new member of Fowey Brownies - there were Guides in Polruan but no Brownies so several of us crossed the water to join Brownies. I remember how proud I was dressed in my new only-just-came-in-timefor-the-parade Brownie uniform, marching to the War Memorial. I paraded with Fowey Brownies on two more remembrance Sundays, but when I ‘flew up’ to Guides it was, of course, to the Polruan Company so Remembrance Sunday Parade was at St Wyllow Church. As I got older I was first an escort to the Guide flags and later actually carried either our Union Jack or our Guide Flag in the parade. We used to bring pennies to the Guide meeting for weeks before Remembrance Sunday to pay for our wreath – how proud I was the year I was chosen to lay it! There were Sea Scouts as well as Guides in Polruan at the time and we took turns to lay the posy on the Unknown Sailor’s Grave; again I can remember what an honour it was considered to be to be chosen to do this and how privileged I felt to do it. Happy and poignant memories of days gone by! Kathryn Hill 4 The Connection between St Saviours, Polruan and 'Whisky Galore' 'Whisky Galore' was written by the author 'Compton Mackenzie' or to give him his full birth name Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972). Rather confusingly several of his relatives were actors and they used 'Compton' as their surname. He was a prolific writer of books including fiction, histories, memoirs, biography, and much more. He was also one of the cofounders of the Scottish National Party in 1928 although as his biographer Andro Linklater commented 'Mackenzie wasn't born a Scot, and he didn't sound like a Scot'. 'Whisky Galore' was written in 1947 and was almost immediately turned into an Ealing Comedy film. Set on the fictional island of Todday in the Outer Hebrides, and based loosely on an earlier real event, it tells the hilarious story of the consequences of the SS Cabinet Minister carrying 50,000 cases of whisky running aground on the island during World War II just after it had run out of whisky . On 1st October 1907 Compton Mackenzie came to Cornwall to stay with Father Sandys Wason, the Anglo-Catholic Perpetual Curate of Curry with Gunwalloe in West Cornwall from 1905 to 1919. Later in December 1907 Compton Mackenzie met Bernard Walke there when the latter returned with Sandys Wason from an Advent Retreat in Truro. Immediately there was a strong rapport between them: Compton Mackenzie recorded:'I was delighted to find somebody with every one of whose ideas I was myself in sympathy and who himself was in equal sympathy with all of mine'. Compton was pleased to find that Bernard Walke was similarly opposed to capital punishment and Bernard Walke invited Compton back to Polruan the following day to give a talk in the 'Mission Hall'. Rather amusingly Compton was impressed by the ferry crossing from Fowey but not by Bernard Walke's accommodation in Polruan which he described as 'a most uncomfortable lodging'! Maybe this was partly a reflection of their different lifestyles at that time, Bernard Walke's being rather austere compared to Compton Mackenzie's flamboyant style. During that visit Bernard Walke encouraged Compton to become a lay reader and when Compton returned to Cury he submitted a formal application: He was ordained a lay reader in Truro Cathedral during the first week of January 1908. During Lent 1908 Compton returned again to Polruan where he preached once a week to a crowded congregation in the 'Mission Church' for Bernard Walke. I wonder whether any events or ideas from his visits to Polruan were, nearly 40 years later, incorporated into 'Whisky Galore'. I think Bernard Walke would have enjoyed it and its depiction of village/island life but sadly he had died a few years earlier during 1941. Christopher 'Gus' Garrett POLRUAN VILLAGE HALL In addition to the regular users, since I last wrote Polruan Village Hall has been used for a wedding reception, the second ‘Vintage & Home Made Fair’, the PSA Disco and as overnight sleeping accommodation for people on a two-day hike as part of their Queens Guide Award challenges. Polruan Village Hall also makes an ideal venue for Children’s parties with plenty of space for them to run around! There have been several changes on our committee. Firstly Joan Simpson, who was one of the two remaining members of the original Committee set up in 1979, has resigned. Joan had actually been a member of the Church Hall Committee representing the Brownies when the Hall was the Church Hall and ‘transferred over’ to the Polruan Village Hall Committee when the hall became Polruan Village Hall, at first continuing to represent the Brownies and later becoming an elected PVH Committee Member. We are very grateful to Joan for all her hard work for the Hall over many years and will miss her on the Committee. We are however very pleased that she has said she will continue to help at our fundraising events. Dave Wheatcroft has stood down from being Chairman due to health issues, we are grateful for his hard work as Chairman and are very glad that he will continue to be a Committee member. Jenny Cleverly, who was our ViceChairman, has agreed to be Chairman in the short term – thank-you Jenny. Linda Parker, our very efficient Secretary has sadly left the village and thus resigned from PVH Committee, thank you Linda for all you have done. We are delighted that Sonya Smith has agreed to take over as our secretary – welcome to PVH Committee Sonya. During the summer Jean Hill again hosted an ‘O pen Garden’ event at Headlands with the proceeds going to Polruan Village Hall of which she is a longstanding Committee member and past Chairman. PVH Committee is grateful for this, the latest of many contributions to our funds from Jean’s garden. Our next fund-raising event is a Quiz in the Lugger Inn on the evening of Saturday 13th December, many thanks to Pete and Elaine for hosting this. The long-delayed ‘Winter Warmer’ Soup & Cake Lunch will be on Saturday 24th January from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Hall, we hope to see you there! Also why not ‘Try your Feet @ Strickly’ on February 7th? Details in the next issue. You will also be pleased to hear that I have bookings for no fewer than three ‘Vintage & Hand Made’ Fairs next year. Kathryn Hill for PVH Committee “New Dining room” with fantastic river views Breakfast Morning Coffee Afternoon Tea Bar Meals and Specials Board Don’t forget we are open ev ery day Lunch 12pm – 3pm Ev ening 6pm – 9pm Sunday Roasts also serv ed Children’s Hospice South West: Little Harbour from Lynn Bartlett and ‘bella Tyson We are very grateful to the Reading Room committee for allowing us to have book shelves to display books for sale at all times. At present, alongside adult books, there’s a good selection of children’s Christmas themed books, all at 50p each. Our book sales have provided us with a steady income and, with the proceeds of our table top sale, we were able to donate £150 specifically to provide a craft day with a special lunch for the Mum’s who stay at Little Harbour. Recently we have received several donations of lovely books. To make room we have had a grand stock sort out and will be taking books that haven’t sold in the last six months to the CHSW shop. After the December 2nd sale, our next sale will be on Tuesday March 3rd. Our sales of Christmas cards have been excellent with over £300 being sold to date. We were delighted to pass on a generous cheque to Little Harbour for £500 from Polruan Theatre Club. Thank you to the committee for choosing Little Harbour to benefit and to the backstage crew and talented actors who entertained everyone with their sell out run of the very funny ‘Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue, S’il vous plait’. On December 13th, Pelynt Male Choir are presenting an evening at Whitecross Village Hall at 7.p.m. The proceeds from this evening of Christmas music will be shared between Little Harbour and the prostrate cancer Chestnut Appeal. Thank you for your continued support; it is much appreciated by not only us but those who stay at Little Harbour. The Pelynt Male Voice Choir Christmas Carol Concert will be on Saturday December 13th at Whitecross Village Hall at 7pm Admission £5 incl supper In aid of Little Harbour Children's Hospice and Prostate Cancer Research The proceeds will be split half and half . Please come and support this popular event . 5 Family or Friends v isiting? We hav e 12 Letting rooms av ailable to book online Visit our new W ebsite www.oldferryinn.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01726 870237 The Old Ferry Inn, Bodinnick By Fowey, PL23 1LX STEVE STROUD P enleath, C lif f Ris e, P olr uan Tel:01726 870712 BUILDER & DECORATOR CERAMIC TILING, PLASTERING, ROOFING & STONEWORK Pennys Unisex Hairdresser Fore Street Lerryn 01208 872605 Opening Times: Weds & Thurs 11~17.30 Fri 11~18.30 Sat 9~15.00 Prices: Ladies & Gents £7.00 O.A.P £6.00 Children £5.00 it pays to advertise call 870273 for details Computer Problems ? iFix~IT Hones t, Secure & Reliable Servi ces incl ude... Vi rus Removal. Des ktop & Laptops, Ha rdwa re & Softwa re Repai r. Da ta Recovery. Broadband & Wi reless Setup. Reasonable Rates . Conta ct Julian on Pol ruan 01726 870488 07854 982 374 Email : compfi [email protected] KELLY CONTRACTORS COMPLETE BUILDING SERVICES STONEWORK, DRIVEWAYS SEAWALL RESTORATION NE WBUILDS, EXTENSIONS FREE QUOTATIONS 25 YEARS EXPERIE NCE 01726 870590 0752 7129082 Lanteglos Community Bus Timetable St Austell Trago Truro December 2nd & 16th 10th CANCELLED January 6th &20th 14th 28th Please note there will be no scheduled Liskeard trip on 26th December With effect from January, if there is passenger demand the Trago trip will also drop off and pick up in Liskeard The bus leaves the main car park at 9.25 then as requested at Furze Park, Corner, Well, Greenbank and Ferris Way To book, please call in at The Lugger or phone 870007 ( please do not phone before 9am) MEMORIES OF THE POLRUAN FERRY from Stephen Lamb “Keep up, keep up, the tide’ll catch ye!” The words of Bernard Bate, co-owner of the Polruan Ferry, in the early 1970s as he instructed his latest learner driver. They were loud, delivered within very few inches of my ear, and still, more than 40 years on, imperishable. Unlike the present-day boats, the three in service in the early 1960s were all built of wood, two with hoods, prosaically named "Number Four" and "Number Five", and one without, rather more alluringly christened the "Buoy Bob". The noise of the two hooded boats was distinctively substantial, each powered by air-cooled Petter diesel engines which required a slim, vertical exhaust funnel, topped by a bulbous silencer. As a child I was an early riser in search of extramural activity, initially satisfied at the bakery, but my primary fascination was the harbour. Arriving for the school holidays I went straight down to the quay, not least, naively, to check that the ferry was still operational after my long absence. The urge to be a boatman grew, and by my early teens I was bold enough to offer assistance. Unsurprisingly it was repeatedly rejected, until eventually Bernard, demonstrably losing patience, barked at me to board. No more than two boatmen were required - one was enough for up to 12 passengers one to drive and the other to "hook up" to the quays on either side, and collect the fares. My early apprenticeship was to the latter role, arriving on the quay at 6.30am, boarding the small, clinker-built tender for the senior boatman to scull out, "washing out and greasing up", before casting off in readiness for the first trip at 7.00. It was populated exclusively by those paying the four pence workers' rate (the standard adult rate was five pence, children three). After I'd helped in this way for a while, Bernard eventually showed me the driving seat (or rather wooden block) and bellowed: "Get on in there, we'll see what you can do!" Initially this amounted to pathetically little. An overawed novice, I recall putting the boat on the Fowey slip, rather than alongside it. Magnificently, he saw the humour: "All right, do it your way, you'll learn soon enough!" Conditions became familiar, not least the spring tidal rip mid-harbour, which turned the boat appreciably. When things went right - and gradually more often they did - the thrill was in learning how to anticipate and respond to the wind and tide. It is most testing in a south-westerly on the Polruan side, where the wind blows strongly around the end of the quay. Bernard drummed in the need to go in at 45 degrees: "Not like a car!" When his daughter was married and my favourite boat was dressed overall for the occasion, I was overjoyed when he invited me to join the trip to Fowey for the ceremony, and mind the boat for the duration. 6 Joy turned to shocked sadness in 1974, when I found Bernard ill and hardly able to work. By Christmas that year he was dead, of lung cancer, at 49. Fortunately his co-owner Fred Charman saw in me a work in progress, arranging a Boatman's Licence test. How much harder that is now, I cannot imagine. Then, I took the boat over to Fowey with Fred to pick up the deputy harbour master, who came aboard: "Take the boat around the harbour, alongside the quay and a tug, and I'll give you a licence." Barely sooner said than done! Fred gave me my first-ever pay packet, although anticipation turned to dismay when the opened brown envelope revealed no content of any kind. If I was embarrassed to tell him, the fact that the omission was a mere oversight was evident from his own reaction. Memories of a handful of ensuing summers abound. I bore the oft-posed question: "Who pays the Ferryman?" asked as though it was funny and original, with what equanimity I could muster. Occasionally when I was below par going alongside, a passenger told me the bleedin' obvious, which I had to take on the chin. Not in the face, as on one Fowey carnival night, the annual occasion that required all three boats to run simultaneously. As I prepared to hook up at Polruan, the looming ferry steps - and quay beyond - filled with scores of queueing passengers, I felt a warm, liquid slap on my forehead, coursing on to and off the end of my nose. Guano aplenty! Cue raucous, uproarious hilarity among the watching crowd. I wasn't inclined to reflect it, but what else could I realistically do? Given the memories, whenever I step on to the ferry four decades later it still feels special. Those early August mornings, perched on the engine cover looking astern as we made another trip, seeing the sun reflected in the harbour and off so many moored boats as it rose above Pont Creek. What beauty! AGE CONCERN VOLUNTEER HOSPITAL DRIVERS Should anyone need a driver to take them for a hospital appointment could they please make contact with someone from the following list. DRIVERS Jinny Garrett Carol Gripton Eric & Cynthia Lockeyear Charles & Lesley Steele Graham & ‘bella Tyson Kathryn Hill Kevin & Andrea Francis CHARGES Bodmin Plymouth Fowey Penrice Hayle Truro Liskeard 870792 870407 870144 870452 870221 870953 870405 £10.00 £16.00 £ 4.00 £ 8.00 £ 25.00 £16.00 £10.00 Plus – Ferry fares, bridge tolls and parking costs The Lugger Inn The Quay, Po lruan, PL23 1PA Pete & Elaine welcome yo u O pe n no o n ti l l 1 1 pm Food served from 1 2 - 2 . 3 0 & 6-9 Sunday carvery serving lo cal meat Fresh fish from Looe dayboats Fo wey estuary m ussels Common seal in the Fowey Estuary In the last 12 months Cornwall Seal Group have received exciting records of seals in the River Fowey at a variety of locations. Thank you to everyone who has sent one in. Some of these records have included photos and it has become clear that at least one of the seals seen is really rather special! Local Cask Ales & Cider Freshly gro und Italian co ffee free wi-fi Most of the seals seen around the Cornish coast are grey seals - a globally rare seal species and with 38% of the world population, the UK is one of the best places on the planet to see them!! Less numerous in the UK are common seals. Common seals are occasionally sighted in Cornwall and appear to co-exist harmoniously with greys often hauling out in close proximity. Family & do g friendly The two species can be distinguished from each other from their overall appearance, proportions, size and behaviour. For example common seal fur patterns tend to have spots or rings as opposed to the blotches found on grey seals. Relatively the head of a common seal is much smaller in proportion to its body than a grey seal and a common seal head is shorter, more snub nosed and has a forehead dip, whilst the grey seal head is larger, wider, longer with a flat or even roman nose profile. Overall common seals are smaller and considerably more athletic and agile than grey seals – for example commons are capable of leaping from the water and still managing to balance on a large mooring buoy and when turning round, they can elastically launch their bodies vertically in a banana shape right off the ground to do a ‘bouncing turn’! Be aware though that seals are very easily disturbed – they should be left as they are found and flushing them from the land into the sea will have energy and stress impacts on them as well as potential injury implications. The Ticket Shop Generally, common seals do prefer the more sheltered habitats that sandbanks and estuaries such as the Fowey can provide. So it seems the Fowey river has its own common seal and we need to find out if there is just one common in the Fowey! So, if you see a seal on the Fowey – please email [email protected] with a date and location and photos are always a bonus! 01726 870007 & du Maurier Literary Centre Incorporating Tourist Information Bookings for Accommodation National Rail National Express Coaches Isles of Scilly Travel Eden Project Quality Range of Gifts and Books Visit us on-line www.fowey.co.uk Sue Sayer Cornwall Seal Group Telephone orders with a Credit card welcome Chris Mylward F i n d us i n o u r n ew l oc ati on Carpentry and Refurbishment 5 South Street, Fowey, PL23 1AB ( Ne xt t o t h e Ch u r ch ) T e l 01 72 6 8 33 616 F a x 8 34 939 Ema il in f o@f owe y .c o.u k Building work-Roofing-Painting-Tiling Mobile- 07837 831571 Office-01726 870078 [email protected] Based in Polruan 7 CURTAINS & CUSHIONS handmade in Polruan by Sally Tomlin Phone 01726 870798 THE CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND Beacon of light in a wasteland The damage to the old Cathedral Sent by my brother Colin while touring New Zealand in April with his wife Ana in a break from their sailing adventures in Ithaka. - Janet Downes Ana and I visited Christchurch a week or so ago. The city is still suffering badly from the effects of the earthquake which hit the Central Business District (CBD) 3 years ago . Virtually all the buildings were damaged and have now been completely removed leaving only those which are repairable and which have some historical interest. Thankfully Christchurch Cathedral is one such building. The eastern gable crumbled and is now a gaping hole through which birds fly to and fro. The steeple completely collapsed as well so the building is a very sorry sight. Amazingly there was no one inside when the quake hit although it was during the day time and peak holiday time. Not so lucky were about 130 people who were killed in the Canterbury TV building which collapsed completely. The total death toll was 181 and these are all remembered in a poignant memorial consisting of a congregation of 181 empty, white painted, chairs all facing the flattened wasteland which was the CBD. Now the good news. The chairs also look towards a shining white prism which rises from the flat wasteland like a giant beacon. This is the Transitional Cathedral. It was designed, built, and opened only 2 years after the quake. It is founded on 8 x 40’ steel shipping containers. It’s high pitched roof seems to reach up to the heavens rising even higher at the eastern end. The roof is constructed from many cardboard tubes each some 70’ tall and 12” diameter with a wall thickness of about 1”. Translucent polycarbonate sheeting covers the roof allowing light to pour into the building. Inside the pulpit, font, choir stalls and the cross above the altar are also made from cardboard tubes. The building seats an amazing 700 people on simple plywood chairs (no pews) which do have cushions on. The lecturn has been recovered from the old cathedral and looks slightly out of place but provides a very important link with the past. We arrived at this Cardboard Cathedral, as it is now commonly known, just before 6pm on a Sunday and were beckoned in to join in the last prayers and hymn of choral evensong. What a wonderful feeling; a building full of light, resonating with the deep sound of a very beautiful and I think, electronic, organ, a full choir, and some 600 people praising God. It seems absolutely wonderful and appropriate that this first building to rise from the ashes is God’s cathedral. Roof supports, cardboard tubes CLOSING DATE FEB-MAR ISSUE COPY & L ETTERS to Sue Shakerley, Coombeland, Lanteglos-by-Fowey PL23 1NL. [email protected] PHONE 870211 Or use the letterbox in the porch of St Saviours Polruan not later than 14th JANUARY 8 Pulpit and cross, cardboard tubes LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Sue Shakerley, Coombeland, Lanteglos-by-Fowey PL23 1NL. [email protected] PHONE 870211 Or use the letterbox in the porch of St Saviours Polruan The Editor welcomes your letters and contributions however in fairness to others reserves the right to abbreviate owing to limited space available. We regret that anony mous contributions are not acceptable. Please give your name & postal address: this will not be published in full unless you specifically request it. Christmas Greetings Sam and Jan Guy send Christmas Greetings and good wishes for 2015 to all our friends in the Lanteglos Parish. See you when we are in Polruan at Christmas. Anne Allan is not sending Christmas Cards this year, but wishes everyone all the joys of Christmas and in the New Year good health and happiness Robin Rollings will not be sending Christmas Cards this year but would like to wish all family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From Evelyn Montague 21 Greenbank, Polruan I have now resigned from The Fowey Hospital Committee as I am leaving Polruan to live in St. Germans to be near my two sons and my Grandchildren. The Committee is now looking for someone to replace me and to represent Polruan. It is not a huge job with about three meetings a year and the Fete. I should like to thank Fowey Hospital and the Fowey Lions for all the help they have given me. Also Hilary Saunder, Yvonne Menear, Viv Roper, Kath Welsh for all their help collecting donations during the last 14 years. And all the organisations who have given including Sue & Rob Sainsbury; Tom's & Sons; Polruan Stores; Crumpets. The Post Office, The Luggar Inn. Thank you all. I will let you have my address in St. Germans when I have it but meanwhile I would like to say how much I have loved being back in Polruan , which is the place of my birth - right opposite St. Saviour's Church, and I will be back from time to time. Lanteglos Pa rish Pos t Ha ve your Chris tmas Ca rds deli vered any where in the Pa rish for Cha ri ty. 20p per Ca rd. In aid of the Motor Neuron disease Associa tion. And don't forget - last da te Sunda y December 14th Thank you Colin Dolphin of the Winklepicker, sends big hearty thank you to all friends and family for the wonderful cards and messages of good wishes. Joan Simpson and all the family would like to thank The Fowey River Lions for choosing the Motor Neurone Disease Association for their triathlon charity, raising a wonderful £2000. and to everyone who supported the family and donated on that day. We collected £710 amazing. To everyone who took part in the (BRR !) Ice Bucket Challenge, the Paul Scholes football shirt, another £716. The Just Giving account stands at £4600. With the previous donations this year the amount altogether is approx £11000. What a wonderful amount to research this very cruel disease. So on behalf of Gayle. Milo and out families THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Stop Press - Another donation from Woman's Hour of £145 and a wonderful donation from a local family of £120. POLRUAN STORE 14 Fore Street Polruan PL23 1PQ Tel: 01726 870477 Email: kiki @ polruanstore.com Fresh bakery products daily Croissants, pains au chocolat & Danish pastries cooked in-store to order Cornish quality meat from Richard Kittow & Sons Fresh fruit & vegetables daily (Local when available) ~ groceries ~ off licence ~ cold meats Roddas’s Cornish creams & milk Cornish & Continental Cheeses ~ Deli selection ~ traditional cakes Newspapers & magazines ~ photo developing service Paypoint agent: electric key top up/TV licence/ mobile phone top up/bill payments, etc. All debit & credit cards accepted ~ ATM cash withdrawals Home deliveries by arrangement on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays PHONE OR EMAIL YOUR ORDER FOR DELIVERY OR COLLECTION PRE-BOOK YOUR ORDERS FOR BREAD, PASTRIES, NEWSPAPERS & VEGETABLES, RESERVED FOR YOU DAILY Mon-Sat 7.30am-5.00pm Sun 8 am-12.30pm 9 Fowey Library & One Stop Shop Polruan WI from Chris Cox At the October meeting, our Harvest Festival, we had a Produce Auction and a bring and share buffet with mulled wine and a talk about the War Memorial by Helen Doe. The turn out for the meeting was small but those that were there enjoyed it. Helen talked about the people mentioned on the memorial and the lives lost in WW1 and WW2 and the devastating losses suffered by the families left behind. She said how important it was to preserve the Memorial for future generations as a reminder of what our ancestors did for our country and for us. D. SIMPSON & SON BUILDERS ROOFING - STONEWORK PROP ERTY REPAIRS DECORATING ESTIMATES FREE Tel: Polruan 870430 5 Meadow Walk, Polruan PL23 1QT. ACS of Fowey Carpet, rug and upholstery cleaners since 1979 For a free quote call or text Alan 07703 552841 Happy to call you back The November meeting on the 13th was one of the best turn-outs of WI members and visitors. This was due to the fact that the talk was by the Rev John Halkes about' The Newlyn School and Followers' and the fact that for 12 years he was Polruan's Vicar.. He gave us a wonderful insight into the era of art in Newlyn and how both the progress of the railways and the source of light helped to bring more would be artists to the area. Some of the slides he showed us were beautifully presented and together with the talk made the whole experience hugely enjoyable. The Polruan WI would like to urge all ladies in the area to come and "try us out". You will be made very welcome and you do not need to be a member. You can get involved or not as you like, and are most welcome to come and listen to the occasional guest speaker who appeals to you. Our meetings for the New Year are as follows:January 8th 2.30pm Sian Hill 'Working with willow'. A talk on how to make a willow item and take it home. Competition 'A willow basket'. February 12th. 2.30pm Jenny Edrich 'Travels of a Botanist'. Competition 'A Winter Flower'. March 12th The WI AGM. No guest speaker. No competition. www.acscarpetcare.co.uk it pays to advertise call 870273 for details Carpentry & Decorating Services Local Craftsman, 15 Years Experi ence Reasonable Rates Friendly, Reliable Service Quality Craftsmanship CSCS Approved All Contracts Completed Before a New One Started! Resid ential & Commercial Jobs Undertaken For A Free Quote Please Call Your Loc al Carpenter Philip Couch 01726 832720 mobile 07792 160087 10 Memory Café – Thursdays 4th & 18th December, 15th & 29th January 2-4pm Fowey Readers’ Group – Fridays 19th December & 30th January 10.30-11.30 Fowey History Group – Fridays 19th December & 16th January 2pm Craft Group – Tuesday 27th January 24pm Cornwall Carers – Ruth will be here on Friday 30th January 1-3pm Sing & Sign (0-2 years old) – Fridays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th January 10-10.45 We’re asking different readers to write a few lines about their love of reading: Judith Taylor writes - I don’t know about you but whenever a list for a book prize appears, I think, “I’ll read those and make my own choice”. Consequently, when the long and shortlists for the Booker were published, I searched the Library Catalogue and there they all were, Including orders for the yet-to-be published titles. Very impressive. So, don’t just read the winner, have a look at the runners-up and see if you agree with the judges. My favourite: ‘The narrow Road to the Deep North’ by Richard Flanagan. Looking for space for a meeting? We have 2 Meeting Rooms upstairs at Fowey Library which are both available for hire whilst we are open and when we are closed. Sessions are charged per morning, afternoon or evening session – please contact us for details. We have a car park with ample parking, a lift, and disabled toilets on both floors and a small kitchen upstairs with water heater, fridge and microwave. Par Library now has a Computer Buddy but we still need one to help out at Fowey Library to help customers log on to the Public Network PCs, access the internet and email accounts, provide guidance on other software and applications, print from the Public Network PCs, use IT hardware including the photocopier and scanner and access Library and Council websites and online services. If you think you can help do please get in touch. We are also hoping to run a third Ipad course in the New Year at Fowey Library. Please get in touch if you would be interested in attending. Don’t forget you can reserve 6 books free of charge if you reserve via the library website - why not stock up on your favourite authors (or try somebody new!) for those winter evenings (and for any spare time you might have over the Christmas period!) Vicky, Helen, Pauline, Ali and Tim would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Our opening hours are: Monday CLOSED, Tuesday 9.30-5.00, Wednesday CLOSED, Thursday 9.30–5, Friday 9.30–5, Saturday CLOSED Please note we shall be closed at Fowey Library on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th December and Thursday 1st January and Friday 2nd January. Fowey Library & One Stop Shop, Caffa Mill House, 2 Passage Lane, Fowey, PL23 1JS. Tel: 0300 1234 111. Email: fowey.library@cornwall .gov.uk Miyo’s time in Polruan POLRUAN PANTO Would you like to help backstage with; COS TUMES, PROPS MAKE-UP SET CONS TRUCTION SET PAINTING LIGHTING SOUND or FRONT OF HOUSE/BAR? Many young people and adults will remember, with affection, Fumiyo Inaba, a young Japanese lady who came to England to experience and learn about our education system at the end of the 1980’s. Miyo, as she asked to be called, lived in Fore Street with Polruan School’s then cook, Anne, and came to school every day. Her gentle, kind nature soon made her popular with the children. They learnt much about her culture and traditions and she taught them some of her national language; origami was particularly popular! Supported by parcels from her Japanese employers she treated children, staff and parents to a traditional tea ceremony dressed in a beautiful kimono. Miyo soon found herself invited to Birthday parties, family meals and even a visit to the theatre. A particular favourite was to join in with the Brownies at their weekly meetings. Miyo loved Christmas and enjoyed late night shopping in Plymouth where she was particularly thrilled to see Father Christmas riding through the streets on a stage coach. After six months Miyo set off to Gloucester to stay with former Polruan teacher Sharon Cann and attend college to master English shorthand and typing. Following that she embarked on a solo tour of Britain. We were all so pleased when she returned to Polruan in time for our regatta and to meet with the children again before returning to Japan. Miyo returned to Polruan briefly in 1993 to tell us of her impending marriage and to give good wishes to our retiring headteacher Mrs. Rawle. Every ensuing year, at Christmas, Miyo has sent a generous and well received parcel of goodies to the children of Polruan School. This year Miyo would like to send Christmas and New Year greetings to those who made her stay in Polruan so special. Lanteglos Age Concern Christmas Lunch Our Christmas Lunch will be held on Monday 8th December at Whitecross Village Hall. this is always a popular event, and all residents aged 60 and over are cordially invited to attend. Please contact Linda Harrison on 870600 to book. Christmas Vouchers We shall again be sending our Christmas Vouchers this year to all residents aged 70 and over. If you have now reached the age of 70, or know anyone who has, please contact Linda on 870600 to make sure you are included on the list ! Vouchers are redeemable up to January 31st with the following retailers:Bartletts (TV and radio) Fowey D. Libby (milkman) R. Palmer(Coal Merchant) The Russell Inn The Lugger, Polruan The Old Ferry Inn, Bodinnick Crumpets Crumpets Too Polruan Store(Supermarket) The Winklepicker Community Bus If so, contact either Wendy Tomlin (870666) or Tony Cottrell (870794) Polruan Regatta and Children’s Sports from the committee N. NUTLAND ELECTRICAL We’re looking forward to our Christmas activities for the children, firstly the traditional party for the children aged from birth to seven on December 13th. Father Christmas has agreed to fit a visit in his busy schedule and Timbo is coming with his magic show to entertain us. The older children of the Parish are off to the Hall For Cornwall to see the pantomime Robin Hood on January 4th. The Coal Wharf Christmas tree will be put in place and illuminated on Sunday December 7th. The committee wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. REWIRES, EXTRA SOCKETS, LIGHTING, PERIODIC INSPECTION & TESTING REPAIRS Fowey River Lions Club from Tony Bartlett Fowey River Lions Club will once again be accompanying Father Christmas as he tours the village on Monday 8th December starting at 6.00.p.m. at Bodinnick. We are delighted to announce that the proceeds from the 29th Fowey River Triathlon allowed us to present the Motor Neurone Disease Association with a cheque for £2,000. Collections and sponsorship of Team Gayle Force were in addition to this total. The 30th Fowey River Triathlon will take place on Sunday 20th September 2015. Entry forms and details can be found at www.foweyrivertri.com The members of Fowey River Lions Club send good wishes for Christmas and the New Year and thank you for your continued support. FOR ALL YOUR EL ECTRICAL NEEDS TEL 01503 263705 mobile 07876 143184 Des Libby Milk + Dai ry Products F/R Eggs Mineral Wa ter All your Fresh Fruit and Veg for Xmas Local when a vailable Regula r Deli veries throughout the Pa rish Mal col m Ba rnecutt The Quali ty Ba ker Mince Pies/Xmas Ca ke/Dundee Xmas Best Logs/Bes t Saffron/ Xmas Pudding Cornish Clotted Cream by Pos t Orders by Tuesda y 9th for Xmas Gi ft Vouchers (ask for details) Dai ry Diaries 2015. Holl y Wreath Fresh milk now a vailable at The Winkle Pi cker Tel : 01726 870735 Mob: 07854197016 Email :deslibby@hotmail .co.uk RAY TOMLIN PAINTING & DECORATING Phone 01726 870798 THE RUSSELL INN Jamie & Laura would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. Come & see us for good local ales & cider also enjoy Laura's great home cooked wholesome f ood Quiz nigh t - Every Thursday £1 per person, max 6 per team - 9pm start Bingo - 3rd Wednesday of the month - Eyes Down 8.30pm Come and celebrate Christmas with us £20 f or a 3 course meal on Christmas day. 11 Booking required. Lanteglos-by-Fow ey Parish Council Chairman’s Report November 2014 The Council: Council Meetings: The Council meets each month both in Polruan and at Whitecross and we are always pleased to see members of the public at these meetings. We value your comments and questions so please keep attending, and make any point that concerns you during the time allowed for public participation prior to the commencement of the Council meeting. This is the time when you can raise points about items on the agenda. Most meetings take place on the last Monday of every month but when we meet at Whitecross this changes to a Tuesday. The next meeting of the Council will be on Monday, 24th November, at the WI Hall, Polruan. The December meeting takes place on Monday, 15th at the WI Hall, Polruan. Parish Clerk: At the October meeting the Council bade Goodbye to Mr Iain Mylchreest, who has acted as temporary Clerk for six months. During that time he proved himself to be well worthy of the trust we put in him and we value his wise counsel, advice and hard work. Now that he has departed for Devon and crossed the Tamar we wish him and Linda well for their future. We shall miss you. Cllr Helen Doe: has resigned as Councillor with effect from the October meeting. We wish her well in the future and thank her for her dedication to the work of the Council and support for our efforts since being elected in May 2013. Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP): A letter of invitation was sent to 37 businesses and other organisations in the parish and it was pleasing to see so many of you at a well-attended meeting held on 4th November. I should like to thank you all for your interest in this project which should incorporate as many of your views on the future of the parish as is possible. John Adams led the meeting and provided us with a brief insight into the Neighbourhood Plan. Cornwall Council has presented the Parish Council with a comprehensive pack of documents explaining the 5 key stages of the NP as follows: Stage 1……..Defining the plan Stage 2……..Preparing the plan Stage 3……..Independent check Stage 4……..Community Referendum Stage 5……..Legal Force The public were informed this was a preliminary meeting/open forum and were then invited to discuss ideas/concerns for the future development of the Parish for the next two decades. Points/Topics raised were second homes, retail outlets, future employment and building development. However it was explained to the public the main criterion is that of designing a Planning Envelope for future construction, with the possibility to re-define the Conservation Areas of the Parish. The meeting was considered to be a success by Parishioners present and the next meeting to take place should use a computerised presentation, i.e., PowerPoint, to display a large mapping system and incorporating the CC Neighbourhood Planning documents on a large viewable screen. The date of the next meeting is to be decided. Thank you to John Adams for organising. Website: The Parish website continues to attract visitors to the site where you can find local information, parish council minutes and other documents. All businesses who operate in the parish are invited to advertise there for £25 pa which goes towards the upkeep of the website. All not for profit organisations can promote themselves free. The new and important upgrade to the site of the addition of an Events diary continues to be popular. Go to the website to add your event. It is a free facility for use by the Parish: www.lanteglosbyfowey.org.uk Lanteglos-in-Bloom: Brendon Green has been planted with two boats with everything donated. Thank you to Toms’ Yard for the paint, Julian Shakerley for the topsoil, Vic Trueman for the second boat, Mr & Mrs Wilson for the two plant pots, Duchy Nursery for the plants and Cheryl Woodcock for the bulbs. We will be organising a village tidy and more planting soon. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this happen and to Adrian Fisher for organising. PCSO Dave Evans advised us at the October meeting that there had been 3 crimes reported this month in the Parish, a slight increase on the previous year, but, year on year the crime level has fallen and continues to fall across Cornwall. The 3 crimes were theft of fuel from a boat, theft of scaffolding from a farm and one of criminal damage to property. PCSO Evans also reminded everyone about ensuring the fuel oil tanks are secured to prevent theft which tends to happen over the winter period. Questions were invited and prior to departure PCSO Evans indicated if anyone had any questions or issues they were always contactable by website and 101. Polruan Quay Toilets: The Town Trust has made a generous grant to the Council to assist in keeping this facility open for residents and visitors during the winter months. With Cllr Edwina Hannaford’s support representatives of the Parish Council, together with representatives of the Town Trust and Cornwall Council will meet together to set in place a realistic longer term proposal and legally binding agreement on how the facility will be run and maintained. It is our aim and intent to keep these facilities open. 12 War Memorial: A separate report prepared by the War Memorial Committee on the results of the survey are included below. A request has been made to the Parish Council that a few ambiguities in the preamble to the survey should be clarified. These are: The comment about burial rights may have given the impression that the right of parishioners to burial in the churchyard is a recent one whilst this right has existed in Common Law for at least 800 years. The War Memorial in the churchyard, under Faculty Jurisdiction (the Church’s planning regulations) has the same permissions and obligations as any other memorial, headstone, gravestone, tablet or any other approved memorial. To maintain eligibility for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, it has been necessary to invite tenders to repair the memorial and surround only from approved conservation masons. Costings for the refurbishment are now available for the PC to consider and will provide a target for the community to raise the money to ensure a successful refurbishment. War Memorial Survey Results: the results derived from the questionnaire are as follows: 83 Parishioners responded Do you know the current location of the War Memorial? 81 2 Call Laura 01503 273 344 www .pair-of-hands.co.uk SMART DOGS Mobile Dog Grooming Service For details and appointments contact Kate Thistlethwaite Tel 07592 132048 Email smartdogsplus@y ahoo.co.uk Yes. No. Do you think the Memorial should be improved in its current location 64 Yes. 14 No. 5 No answer. Do you think the Memorial should be moved to a more publicly visible location? 13 Yes. 67 No. 3 Gave a different answer. For the record returns received via: 42 37 4 Cleaning, Cooking, Shopping Sewing Gifts … and more! Hard copy. On-line survey. Email to Parish Clerk. The Parish Council would like to thank all those who responded and have provided a clear mandate for the Parish Council to take this community project forward. A special thanks is due to those members of the community who provided many interesting and imaginative ways of how we might remember those men better and these will be published on the Parish Council web site. Meanwhile thank you for your support and please continue to come to our meetings as we value your input. Dr Pat Moore, Chairman Tel: 01726 870340 Email addresses for the Parish Council [email protected],uk [email protected] Polruan Holidays A delightful very select fami ly owned ex ceptionally well maintained exclusive FIVE STAR and GOLD AW ARD winning camping and caravanning park, with no overcrowding and wellspaced pitches, no club or evening entertainment on site just peace and qui et, all within a splendid unique location of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by National Trust and farmland, with the most fantastic panoramic breath-taking sea views. Also Holiday Caravans for sale & for hire Free Wi-Fi now available Web: www.p olruanholidays.co.uk Email polh [email protected] Planning Applications received by Lanteglos-by-Fowey Parish Council PA14/06894 – Application for erection of an agricultural livestock shed. 2 Bodinnick Heights Fowey. RESOLVED to support the application. PA14/07682 – Application for work to trees within a Conservation Area namely to remove one Pine tree. 52A Fore Street Polruan Fowey. For information only. PA14/08312 – Part demolition and rebuilding of existing dwelling to include raise in ridge height and dormer windows to accommodate loft rooms (amended proposal following approval PA13/01576). 77 Fore Street Polruan Fowey. Application supported. PA14/07468 – Demolish/Remove existing external cladding to Bathroom area and replace with timber shiplap to match that (in design but not colour) of adjoining building. The Winkle Picker The Quay Polruan Fowey. RESOLVED to support the application. PA14/09088 Proposed extension and remodelling of existing dwelling, 1 Barrs Close Old Road Bodinnick Fowey. RESOLVED not to object and to support as long as all the design considerations in the application are carried out. Planning Results received from Cornwall Council PA14/05808 Approved - Two storey side extension and loft conversion at Trefurze Park Polruan. PA14/06894 Approved - Erection of an agricultural livestock shed at 2 Bodinnick Heights PA14/07682 Approved - Work to trees at 52A Fore St Polruan PA14/08312 Approved - Part demolition and rebuild to include raising ridge height and dormer windows and new vehicular access and parking at 77 Fore St Polruan. PA14/05346 Granted - Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing use as a dwelling house at The Retreat, Lanteglos Highway. 13 it pays to advertise call 870273 for details KOOL KIDZ FUN KLUB More problems at Dawlish Apologies to anyone who turned up to Polruan Village Hall for the planned Cream Tea on Saturday 25th October and found no-one there. Early in the week leading up to the date, and before I had done the posters, I saw that there was a Coffee Morning that same morning! Now those who come to a Cream Tea and those who come to a Coffee Morning are mainly the same people and no-one is likely to attend two such events on the same day, so cancelling seemed the only sensible option. However the Cream Tea will now take place on SUNDAY February 1st from 3 p.m. in Polruan Village Hall – we hope to see you there. With the main rail line closed again last month due to storm damage, Neill Mitchell, reminds us that this is a problem for which a credible solution was developed in the 1930s The number of youngsters attending the younger section of the Kool Kidz Fun Klub is quite low, and is down to 2 or 3 some weeks which is not viable, nor is it much fun! So we have decided to amalgamate back into one group which is how we started off. Kool Kidz Fun Klub will now run from 6 – 7.30 p.m. and is for school children up to and including Year 7. This new arrangement will start with our Christmas Party on December 5th. During this term there have been various art challenges which will be judged and prizes presented at the party. Parents and other family members are invited to attend – there will be mulled wine and mince pies for you as well as the party food for the children. Dave, our PCSO came to the meeting on September 26th but was unfortunately called away on an emergency before the older group started. Eight KKFK members/Young Leaders came to the ‘K KFK Extra’ to decorate St Saviour for Harvest and did a great job – pictures are still up in St Saviour in one of the windows, do go and have a look. The weather was ideal for our ‘Night Hike’ which the National Trust kindly organised as usual, and we all had a wonderful time; the junior section also enjoyed their ‘Scavenge Hunt’ on the same night. On November 7th we had a ‘Bonfire Night’ theme. After enjoying hot dogs and hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, we then toasted marshmallows over a fire in a metal ‘fire pit’ on the verandah – great fun! By the time you read this we will also have enjoyed our annual ‘Christmas Crafts & Cooking’ night. Next year Holiday Club will be from Monday 24th August to Thursday 27th August, this is the week between Fowey Regatta and Polruan Regatta – please note this date in your diary if you or your children are usually involved. KKFK meetings in December/January are: December 5 th Christmas Party and Awards Night · January 16 th and 30th Remember that these are at the new time of 6 – 7.30 p.m. for all! Kathryn Hill for KKFK Leaders Today, we might perhaps be wondering if the hapless spirit of King Canute has returned to taunt us once more! For, despite Network Rail’s repeated assurances concerning protection of the Great Western main line from the ravages of the sea at Dawlish, some 109 miles of the solitary arterial railway serving the Devon and Cornwall peninsula west of Exeter are – yet again – completely isolated from the UK’s InterCity rail network. This is totally unacceptable. In the 21st century, the economic and social resilience of an EU region’s strategic rail connectivity should not remain exposed, year upon year, to the vagaries of a “Fair Weather Railway”? An economic artery whose services may be terminated or interrupted at short notice, merely by the effects of wind and wave, landslips or engineering works? Something must surely be done! Well, unfortunately, since its closure on May 6, 1968, we no longer have the storm contingency option of diversion of services along the former LSWR/Southern main line to Waterloo via Okehampton. So, maybe that “Something” has to begin simply with the drawing of a line upon the map? A line to delineate the route which an inevitable future deviation of the Great Western Main line will have to follow and, hence, to germinate into DfT/Network Rail’s regional and rail infrastructure investment priorities over the coming years. This is not a new idea. Indeed, just such a deviation has been mapped previously, backed by the force of statute and known as the “Dawlish Avoiding Line”. It was the product of pre-war surveying, civil engineering, rail operational and marketing expertise of the most accomplished of all regional rail companies – the Great Western Railway (GWR).Planning of the Dawlish Avoiding Line (DAL) dates from the year 1935, at a time when the national rail network was ailing amid the global economic recession. Discussions between HM Treasury and the then “Big Four” Railway Companies duly led to an agreed programme of rail enhancement works to be instigated nationwide, all for completion by January 1, 1941. The funding mechanism was set out in a document dated November 13, 1935, signed by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Neville Chamberlain. The Treasury would establish an independent special purpose vehicle finance company, backed by a government loan guarantee limited to £26.5million. The GWR was empowered to draw upon “eleven fifty-third parts” of that facility, to support the numerous projects it had submitted for inclusion in the agreement. Principal amongst these, featuring as just a single line in the Treasury agreement (First Schedule, Part 1, Clause 2) read: “Construction of a new deviation line from Dawlish Warren to Newton Abbot” . This led rapidly to the GWR planning the 16-mile DAL in minute detail, down to the level of drainage culverts and pedestrian accesses, culminating after consultations in the sponsorship of two enabling Bills through Parliament. First to reach the Statute Book was the Great Western Railway (Additional Powers) Act 1936 in which the DAL is cited as “Railway No 1” (amongst several listed). The legislative authority was summarised as being for a railway extending to 8 miles 6 furlongs and 1 chain in length, from Newton Abbot (deviating near the rail bridge over the Hackney Canal Channel) and re-joining the main line at a point 62 chains north of Dawlish Warren station (alongside the River Exe Estuary). This legislation was followed and amended by the supplementary Great Western Railway Act 1937 in which the deviation featured as “Railway No 2” and extending the route further north (past Kenton and Powderham) to Exminster. It added another 7 miles 3 furlongs and 7 chains of new railway, commencing with a junction outside Dawlish on the initial deviation route (authorised earlier by the 1936 Act) and terminating close to Exminster by a junction with the main line at a point 5 chains south of a bridge carrying Milbury Lane over the line. The surveyors’ markers were then set in place early in 1939 with a view to work commencing during the summer. But, in September, Hitler invaded Poland prompting the onset of the Second World War, followed later – in 1947 – by the nationalisation of the railways. Work was never restarted and BR subsequently sold the purchased land in the 1950s, and the construction powers of the associated Act of Parliament lapsed in 1999. There are now proposals to reopen the line from Tavistock to Bere Alston for a through service to Plymouth. Network Rail are also considering reopening the Tavistock to Okehampton and Exeter section of the line as an alternative to the coastal route. The object of re-routing of the line would be to ensure resilient, all-weather high speed InterCity rail passenger and through freight services, west of Exeter onward to and from Penzance – consigning regional dependency upon the “Fair Weather Railway” to history. Neill Mitchell is an independent regional transport analyst based in the Westcountry 14 Christmas Fare Christmas Spiced Chocolate Cake A Nigella recipe with a delicious topping For the cake 150g chopped dark chocolate 150g soft butter 6 large eggs 250g granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 100g ground almonds 1 tsp cinnamon 1 pinch ground cloves zest of 1 clementine or Satsuma 4 tsps instant espresso powder minute or so and begin to caramelize before adding the almonds. Stir everything together and occasionally tip the pan to keep it all moving. You want the liquid to disappear and the nuts to look shiny and be coated thinly in a fragrant orange scented toffee. Remove to a plate and cool. Transfer the cake to a plate and scatter with the almonds. Remember this cake is intense and elegant within but has a rather ramshackle rustic appearance on the outside. Serve with whipped cream, possibly with a little Cointreau or Grand Marnier added. The cake without the topping can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to a month. For the topping Juice of 1 clementine or Satsuma 15g butter 1 tbs caster sugar ½ tsp cinnamon 50g flaked almonds Parmesan Shortbreads Take everything you need out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature, most importantly the eggs. Preheat the Perfect with drinks and the dough can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. oven to 180°C/Gas 4/350° F. Butter and line the sides and bottom of a 9” springform tin. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over simmering water and set aside to cool slightly. Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together until thick, pale and moussy. They should have at least doubled in volume, even tripled. Gently fold in the ground almonds, cinnamon, cloves, clementine zest and espresso powder, taking care not to lose the air you have whisked in. Finally pour and scrape in the melted chocolate and butter, folding gently again. Pour into the prepared tin ad bake for 3540 mins, by which time the top should be firm and the underneath still a bit gooey. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Topping: Put the clementine juice, butter, sugar and cinnamon into a small,, preferably non-stick frying pan and melt everything together. Let it sizzle for a 150g plain flour 75g grated parmesan 100g soft unsalted butter 1 large egg yolk Mix all the ingredients together – using bowl and spoon, electric mixer or food processor as wished – until a golden dough begins to form a clump. Turn it onto a work surface and knead for about 30 seconds until smooth, then divide into two. Take the first half and roll into a cylinder, as uniform as possible, about 3cm in diameter. Make sure the ends are flat too. Roll in clingfilm and put in fridge. Repeat with the other half and allow to rest in fridge for 45 mins. Meanwhile heat oven to 180°C/gas 4/350° F. Cut dough into slices about 1cm thick, arrange on baking sheet lined with baking parchment and bake for 15-20 mins until pale gold. Leave to cool before eating. 15 Red S easonal Salad A new take on using up the cold turkey. Another from Nigella. 500g cold cooked turkey, shredded 2 red chillies 1 clove garlic 2 tbs caster sugar 3 tsps rice wine vinegar Juice of 1 lime 4 tbs thai fish sauce 3 tbs vegetable oil 1 red onion black pepper 700g red cabbage 250g radishes 5 tbs chopped fresh coriander Finely chop the chillies with or without seeds depending on how hot you like it, and drop them in the largest bowl you have, then mince in the garlic. Add the sugar, vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce and vegetable oil. Peel and finely slice the red onion into half moons and add to the mixture in the bowl, grind over some black pepper and leave to steep for 15 mins, making sure everything’s immersed in the astringent liquid. Add the shredded turkey and leave to marinate for a further 15 mins. Shred the red cabbage as finely as you can and add to the bowl. Cut the radishes into 8 segments rather as you would open an orange. (This way you get more crunch and more red in each slice than if you cut them in fine rounds. Mix the cabbage and radishes into the bowl with the steeped turkey in its oniony dressing (which is why you needed the big bowl) and toss together very well. Work through about half the fresh coriander and sprinkle the remaining half on top of the salad when you turn it out onto a plate or serving dish. Christmas when I was young by Mavis R. Cocks I’m 80 years old now but I can most vividly remember the lovely Christmas times when I was young. Not many things were shop-bought then like they are today. Our mothers made all of it themselves, mincemeat, Christmas puddings and cakes, ginger wine etc. Even the apples used to be picked and laid out on newspapers and stored for winter use. For weeks before the actual Christmas our homes were filled with the most delicious smells, especially when it was saffron cake that was being baked. We children helped by cutting up the peel - no sharp knives though - and stoning the raisins (all bought ready to use now). We grated the nutmeg and what a lovely smell that was. We helped stir the mixture and always made a wish. My mother always made a “taster” when she made the Christmas puddings and I remember my brother Eric and myself used to race home after school for the first slice of this “taster”. Our saffron cake was delicious and I can remember staying down quite late with my mother and watching her turn the big stug of cake around in front of the coal fire so that with the evenly distributed heat the yeast in the cake would work and made the cake mixture rise. She wouldn’t go to bed till that happened. The mixture was so rich you could have eaten it as it was, but of course it was to be cooked. A most delicious smell and taste. We never bought a tree. My father would pull up Pont way in his boat and get a holly one and this was always tied to the ceiling. We children made most of the decorations to go on it and of course there were the apples and little sugar mice to tie on as well. I believe oranges were rather more awkward. Our stockings were really clean worn ones and in the toe was always an orange and apple and nuts and some sweets and then one or two much appreciated games and toys. We all went to Church or Chapel over the Christmas period and we all learnt the Christmas story at Sunday School and day school. Like today’s children we all loved the carols. However, the memory I have of carols when I was a child is that of my father with lots of Polruan men going all around the district Christmas Eve singing carols and finishing at the Corner in Polruan and it is from those times that Polruan people adopted Rolling Downwards as their own carol. We didn’t have expensive presents. I remember my maternal grandmother gave her many grand-children a silver three-penny bit. My other grandmother bought her grand-children a little Christmas hankie from Mrs Congdon’s shop. I can remember going in to this shop, which was next to my Gran’s, and choosing these little hankies. And we loved it all however little it may seem today. It is wonderful I’m sure that today Christmas poultry can be bought months before Christmas and put in a freezer 16 along with the puddings and mince pies and cakes and gateaux - but oh my! Where are all the lovely smells gone and the excitement and how can you slip eagerly looked for little coins and charms into that tightly wrapped Christmas pudding? Such magic seems to be gone. Lanteglos Parish News December 1996 Memories of Polruan by Mavis R. Cocks Over the years the late Mavis Cocks provided us all with a wonderful insight into life in this Parish before, during and after the second world war through her regular articles in the Lanteglos Parish News. She contributed to practically every issue of the Lanteglos Parish News for 14 years and this book collects together her articles forming a unique record of life in this parish. The perfect gift for anyone who loves Polruan The last 30 copies of her 104 pages of Memories of Polruan are now available - £6.50 incl p&p UK (Cheques to be made payable to Lanteglos PCC ) From Lanteglos Parish News 1 St Saviours Hill, Polruan, Cornwall PL23 1PR OCEAN ONE COME AND VISIT OUR GORGEOUS SHOP SELLING A SELECTION OF BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUAL LADIES CLOTHES, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES INCLUDING PENNY BLACK, HARTFORD, DES PETITS HAUTS ETC & BOOTS AND SHOES BY MANAS AND RIVA Open Mon-Sat 10.30-5.30 JUDY KERR from Roberta, Joanna, Mark & Paul and families at BLUE MILL,STATION ROAD, FOWEY, CORNWALL PL23 1DF Following Judy’s funeral we wanted to record our thanks to all of those who attended and sent their condolences. We were truly touched by the many messages we received. Polruan had been our parent’s home for nearly 30 years but with rapidly failing health Judy recently moved closer to us in Guildford, where she and Alex lived and brought us up before retiring to Polruan. Unfortunately it was not possible for Judy to say her own goodbyes but we wanted to do so on her behalf and to say a heartfelt and deeply meant thank you to the Polruan Community for the help and support you gave to Judy in recent times but also when our father Alex died in 2000. Over the years that support has meant a very great deal to us; “the family”. With 250 miles or more between us and our parents, it gave us great comfort to know that they were being looked out for by Polruan’s finest. We think you should all feel very proud of the fact that you have a community in the true sense of the word with caring and sharing at its heart. We know that when Judy and Alex first moved to Polruan they were made very welcome and quickly got involved in community activities, with amateur dramatics being a particular favourite. They also took their turn in running errands and providing lifts to others who needed a little help and were also active and regular Church goers. In fact they thoroughly enjoyed contributing to and being a part of the Polruan community. When Alex died Judy found life very difficult. But with your collective help and support and some very special friendships, and despite her regularly heard mantra “I want to join Alex”, she wanted to stay living in Polruan. This made it so much easier for “the family” to feel comfortable about her decision and to visit with the grandchildren as often as possible and enjoy Polruan ourselves. We did our best to provide Judy with all the help she needed balanced against her strong desire to live independently in Polruan. However, with deteriorating health this became ever more difficult even with the herculean efforts of her friends and neighbours. We know that in recent times our Mother was not always the easiest or most diplomatic of people, but we loved her dearly none the less. We also know how much we owe Polruan for making Alex and Judy’s lives so happy and for supporting Judy in recent times. Thank you very much Polruan for all your love and support it meant a very great deal to Judy (and Alex) and it meant a very great deal to us. JUST PAST THE LIFEBOAT STATION OPPOSITE CAFFA MILL CAR PARK www.oceanone.co.uk 01726 832823 LANREATH SHOP & POST OFFICE Tel. 01503 220997 Convenience shop in central village location with easy car parking Credit cards accepted SHOP OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Sat 7. 45 - 1.30 2.30 - 5. 00 Sun 9. 00 - 12.00 POST OFFICE Mon - F ri 9.00 - 1.00 HOLIDAY COTTAGE TO LET 'Twixtu' St Saviour's Terrace, Polruan Worried about Inheritance Tax? Still not made your Will or thinking about a Living Will? Considering an Enduring Power of Attorney ? Problems with a planning application? Letting Property? Victorian ch aracter cottage w ith wide harbour views fro m bedroom w indows. Comfortably furnished, 4 bedrooms, 2 bath rooms , lounge , dinin g roo m, kitchen. Sleeps 7. Contact 01208 821666 www.twixtu .co.u k www.cornco tt.co m For friendly professional advice telephone Kevin Francis on 01726 870405 it pays to advertise Home visits easily arranged call 870273 for details 17 The Artist Annie Walke (nee Fearon) – To Polruan Part 2(Part 1 was published in the last issue) Annie was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College. During the 1800s young ladies were expected to be accomplished musicians and artists, with drawing and painting being regarded as important social skills. Annie and her next younger sister Hilda were close in age and both became artists but their artistic training and development differed markedly. Of the two sisters, Hilda appears to have been the more outgoing and to be definitely the leader with respect to their painting, she having developed the interest and studied it whilst at school. When the sisters subsequently went to Dresden, Hilda studied Art there (from1897 to 1899) whereas Annie studied Music and the pianoforte. Hilda then attended the Slade School of Art (1899-1904) but it is thought that Annie's development as an artist was slower following several years behind her sister. Annie attended London School of Art and Chelsea School of Art during which time she studied under Sir Frank Brangwyn (1867 – 1956), Sir William Nicholson (1872-1940), Augustus John (1878- 1961) and Sir William Orpen 18781931). As will be seen Annie was actually about the same age as some of her teachers and maybe this was part of the reason she adopted her baptism date, 1888, as her birth date: it was also more in keeping with the birth of some of her fellow students at the London School of Art such as Gladys Hynes and Nina Hamnett. This appears to have been an influential period of her life as Annie is typically described as wearing a long brown cloak as might be seen in an Augustus John painting. Whereas Bernard Walke's appearance is well known from photographs and paintings there is no similar record of Annie's appearance: In the only photograph of her seen so far, probably when she was about 40 years old, she is wearing a similar style of dress/coat, has dark black hair drawn to a bun at the nape of her neck. Her appearance there is similar to images of her sister Hilda and consistent with the description by their friend, the artist, Laura Knight that Bernard and Annie were both 'long and thin'. came to Polruan where Bernard Walke records in ‘Twenty Years at St Hilary’ that she had a studio in a ‘sail loft overlooking the harbour’. Unfortunately so far its location and the dates she utilised it are not known, but it would certainly have been used between late1911 after she and Bernard Walke married and early 1913 when they left Polruan for St Hilary. Maybe that studio or another in Polruan was used by Annie at an earlier date, particularly because sometime between 1907 and 1909 her sister Hilda left St Ives and moved to Chelsea in London as mistress of her tutor Algernon Talmage leaving Annie without that link and base in Cornwall. Such a studio and Annie's presence then in Polruan may only have been 'seasonal' because it appears that, until the time of her marriage, Annie still maintained a studio in London: Annie's address is recorded as ' lA Carlyle Studios, Kings-road, Chelsea, S.W.' when her painting 'A Little Girl' was exhibited at the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1910. Annie and Bernard Walke were married on 6th September 1911 at the Church of England St John the Baptist Church in Great Marlborough Street, Soho, London by Reverend Thomas Henry Passmore (a member of the Anglo-Catholic 'Society of the Holy Cross' formed in 1855). At that date she was approximately 34 (not 23) years old and he 37: She gave her address there as '25 Broad Street' (probably Soho, London now re-named Broadwick Street). After their marriage Bernard and Annie Walke initially lived at No. 1 Fore Street, Polruan then above The Corner Shop, then Varco’s Grocer Shop (now Crumpets). Some, including Hilda, thought it an unusual marriage and when Hilda said as much to the keeper of an art-shop, she apparently replied “If a curate can put up with an artist, surely an artist can put up with a curate!” Christopher ‘Gus’ Garrett Mixtow: A History from Martin Sheppard Three years ago I started investigating the history of the parish of Lanteglos. I was intrigued to see what could be found out about the past of a small area. I tried to discover everything I could about its farms and houses, and about the people who had lived there. This led me not only to the Cornwall Record Office and to the National Archives, but also to a great variety of other sources, including naval charts, census returns, title deeds and many personal interviews. My focus, inside Lanteglos, has been the small community of Mixtow, the area around the tidal inlet below Highway. I have, however, set Mixtow’s history in the wider context of the history of the River Fowey and of Lanteglos, Fowey, Bodinnick, Polruan and Lostwithiel. The result, just published, is a handsome 140-page new book, Mixtow: A History, with 44 illustrations. I have of course gone in detail into the activities of the Fowey’s most notorious medieval inhabitants, the Mixstowe or de Michelstow pirates of the middle ages, They were not marginal men but leading local figures. I have also found details of a visit of to Mixtow and Lanteglos by the Tudor traveller John Leland. The earliest lease I have discovered dates back to 1409. Three sets of official returns, in 1840, 1910 and 1941, give detailed pictures of the houses and landholdings at those dates. Mixtow also played a part in the creation of The Wind in the Willows. For modern times, I have traced the building of new houses and the development of Penmarlam Caravan and Boat Parks. Although separated from them by the river, since the 1860s Mixtow has faced Fowey Docks. I have uncovered full details about the expansion of the docks, including their major rebuilding in the late 1960s. In the Second World War, when the docks shipped large quantities of explosives, Mixtow was used by the US Navy to repair landing craft. Over the last 150 years Mixtow’s principal activities have changed from farming and fishing to holiday letting and yachting. As such, its history provides a revealing commentary on the wider history of Fowey and Cornwall. Annie is thought to have followed her sister Hilda to St Ives where Hilda is first recorded during August 1900, initially living at ‘The Cabin’ studying under Algernon and Gertrude Talmage. Here they probably belonged to or attended the Arts Club, the precursor of the St Ives Society of Artists, the latter being purely a society of artists/ painters whereas the former had a wider remit including writers. It appears likely that it was at St Ives that Annie Fearon first met Bernard Walke and his brother William. It is thought that, after meeting him, religion became an increasingly important factor in her life and her paintings. Martin Sheppard founded a celebrated history publishing business, Hambledon, which published over three hundred books by leading historians. Since selling it, he has taken up writing history books instead. Mixtow: A History is his third book. His aim in writing history is to make it clear and interesting to all readers. His personal connection with Mixtow and Lanteglos dates back to 1975. In 1904 Bernard Walke moved from St Ives to Polruan as Curate of Lanteglos-by-Fowey Parish but more importantly he was essentially responsible for the Mission Church, St Saviour’s in Polruan. It would appear possible that sometime between then and 1911 when they married, Annie Fearon first 18 'Becoming an Evangelist' by Peter Skellern The very word 'Evangelist' frightens the horses…it frightens me! The picture which springs instantly to mind of 'God-botherers' saying "Hi, have you heard the good news?" is terrifying. I don't want to be one of those people. But I do want to help those who don't understand what it is we're selling, to see what it is, and that it's worth listening to. Trouble is…we have to be worth listening to. Not all of us feel we could, or know how, to spread the 'good news'….gossip?, yes, we can all do that, but ‘the good news’? For a start I’d love to get rid of that awful phrase. It comes from the bible, of course. It occurs only once…It’s in Proverbs. “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25: 25). The whole phrase is rather lovely - it soothes, it’s comforting: single out ‘A Far Country’ and it sounds good, and has been used as a title for many books and collections of poems and films, but, single out ‘good news’ and it’s suddenly wearing socks and sandals and is a right pain in the neck down the Lugger. How do we tackle this? How do we become evangelists, how do we get the T shirt but not the socks & sandals? I think it begins with prayer. We each of us meet God, daily, in our own way, but for many millions, me included, it's through prayer. But our prayer, it seems to me, has become parochial...it's as though in our desire to pray for things on earth, our eyes are so cast down that we have lost sight of the bigger picture. "God bless Mummy and Daddy" is a great way to start but somehow we got stuck there. It’s probably a Victorian hang-over, an era when we became more child-centred. We should have been moving on but we didn’t. Two thousand years ago when our understanding of Creation was that the earth was at the centre, the sun and moon circled the earth and all those little twinkly things went round us too, then our prayer was bound to be about earthly matters, we were at the centre and we, humans, were the centre of the centre… unfortunately, as science discovered more and more about how the universe works, we got left behind still praying that Johnny's chicken pox would get better soon…and quite rightly we should pray that too but we have lost sight of the bigger picture…despite the fact that The Lord’s Prayer begins with the big picture… It doesn’t begin… "Our Father, I do hope your cold is getting better” It begins Our Father, which art in Heaven. Now, regardless of what you think heaven to be, it certainly isn’t confined to earth….heaven, 'the heavens’, refers to ‘Creation’, the universe. All of it. The psalmist talks about God living in the heavens. Two thousand years ago we didn’t know there was anything beyond the solar system…and yet we talked about the big picture, ’the heavens’…our knowledge of the heavens has now expanded to the point where we now know there are billions upon billions of stars in our galaxy and billions of galaxies in the universe and no-one knows where the edges of the universe are, if the edge exists at all (NB: If space began with time at the Big Bang then space and time must be finite, anything that has a beginning must have an end…therefore there must be an outside edge to space {and time}) and what do we do?..we look at the ground! People get excited about these discoveries, I do…our prayers asking that "the school bus doesn't break down" are all well-and-good but you’re not going to excite the city kids hanging around street corners and burning cars with that, or the suburban folks who see golf and bridge as a faith, or the ordinary working people who shop on a Sunday because that’s when all the family is together, after the church of football on Saturday…or those scientists who dismiss God from their equations and theories because of what it is we say God to be. I’m not arguing about anything Brian Cox tells me about the universe (though he now thinks there is no sapient life in the universe other than ourselves. Really Brian?…how many stars in the universe?) but I and you know there is something bigger involved, as do many millions of people, even those who dismiss the idea of a deity, a First Cause. We are very, very clever, our species, but even so, I do believe that there is something bigger and cleverer in the universe than Brian Cox or Richard Dawkins! If we were to ‘lift our game and our eyes’ and see that not only is prayer about the domestic matters of our existence -and so it should be -but is also …an expression of our longing to communicate with the unimaginable cause of all things….then we might get Brian Cox’s attention. The church is arguing about homosexual marriage whilst science is discovering the Higgs Boson..the God Particle, for crying out loud! We shouldn't have to be arguing our case but science is perceived as having all the answers, the church is perceived as being in disarray....they tell us of the magnificence of God's creation while we argue about the deck chairs on the Titanic of our faith. The examination of the physical universe shouldn't exclude or supersede the contemplation of the spiritual nature of it. If we were to get people interested in the spirituality thing…people of no faith at all will, after all, talk to us about ‘the spiritual feelings’ they have…”I don’t believe in God but I’m quite spiritual” is what they say....and we should then listen, not start straight off the bat telling them about all the difficult stuff about Christ as our Saviour and Virgin births etc...the spirit is what people naturally understand… and want to talk about. The most powerful sentence in the entire New Testament - to my mind -the thing that grabs my attention beyond any other is the mysticism of what Jesus said to the disciples (in effect to us) on his last night with them…he said I'm not going to be here much longer, people won't see me much longer but you…“you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you.” We are all part of each other, bound together in God. Not just us in church but those people out there too. There is nothing more exciting and spiritual or better news than that. If, when asked about what it is we believe, we did nothing more than tell people about that staggering statement of Jesus’....and said nothing more...unless they ask.... if we did nothing more than add the bigger picture to our prayer- to lift our eyes from the pedestrian to include the glory of the heavens; if we did nothing more than listen to people’s stories of their spiritual feelings and experiences... if we did no more than.. if God comes into our conversations let him, as you would if he were talking about a footballer or a TV personality or someone in the village...then we would be evangelists. 19 NEWS FROM NIGER IA from Kathryn Hill I am writing this the day after we heard about the suicide bomber at the boys school in Potiscum and the resultant loss of life and serious injuries. I have also received news of other horrific incidents which have not been reported in our media. In a recent letter Daniel & Kathleen Gula wrote; The fighting and terrorism still carries on in the N.E as well as parts of Plateau State*, and other areas too. It is so sad to hear of hundreds of lives being lost, and so much property being destroyed. All the villages and towns between Maiduguri* and Limankara (over 100 miles) have been attacked, including Gwoza*, and the Christians and moderate Muslims have now fled to other areas. Many went to Adamawa State, which neighbours Borno, but Boko Haram followed them there, and they had to move again. Some of Yusuf’s* relatives live in Adamawa State and have had to flee too. CORNW ALL AIR AMBULANCE SUPPORT THE AIR AMBULANCE In the past, Boko Haram, operated hit and run tactics – they would terrorise an area, the people would flee, but then they would leave. This has all changed now. Following the establishment of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, Boko Haram have done the same in large parts of Borno State. In Gwoza they have raised their flag, set up a government, and taken control. They are extending from here, and have taken control of Bama (50 miles away) and are surrounding Maiduguri, a further 50 miles away. In the past few months in the Ngoshe Glavda* area over 400 were killed, many buildings burnt, and there are over 50,000 refugees. We will never know the exact numbers, but this gives us some idea of what is happening. We now realise why God brought us to Jos, so that we can encourage many refugees both by phone and by financial help. Thank you to all who have helped us, may God bless you for your generosity. We are grateful to God that we are here in Jos. Sadly our house in Ngoshe Glavda was burnt - and the store and house we had built for a relative on our compound. Some things were saved, but we did lose most of our goods. We are blessed to be here, and our hearts go out to those who have lost everything, and are struggling to live. We hear of miraculous escapes. Here is one story. The young family who lived on our compound went to the hills with thousands of others, and after 3 weeks they decided to go further up – which was a steep climb with children aged 7, 5 and 3 and a 3 week old baby. They came down the other side of the hills and walked to Gwoza (this was before Boko Haram set up their Caliphate there). They then got a car to Mubi and then the following day to Jos. Praise the Lord, they are now settled with a family who offered to give them a house. A Church in the UK was praying specifically for them, and when James heard that, he was amazed that amongst all the refugees folks were praying for them by name. [*Plateau State includes Gindiri where I lived, Maiduguri is the capital of Borno Stata, Gwoza is where Kathleen & Daniel lived and worked for many years, Yusuf is their daughter Grace’s husband, Ngoshe Glavda is where Daniel was born and where they retired to.] On November 1st Stefanos, the Nigerian NGO [Non-Governmental Organisation] that Kathleen & Daniel’s other son-in-law, Mark, works with, and whose purpose is to aid those who have been persecuted because of their faith, have set up an IDP [Internally Displaced Person] Camp in a converted school hostel near Jos. This can house 60 families. I have a brochure about the camp - if you are interested I can send it to you on-line or print a copy for you. It is obviously doing an excellent and much needed job. But renting the hostels, converting and furnishing them for use by families and providing food and other necessities all needs money so I plan a ‘Nigeria’ coffee morning for the Stefanos IDP Camp on Saturday 10th January in Polruan Village Hall from 10.30 a.m. Contributions and offers of help will be gratefully received. The day after I had written the above I received the following e-mail from Colin who keeps me up-to-date with news: A phone call from Kathleen alerts us to pray for Jos and the situation for the displaced people. There are 700 people now in the camp Stefanos have set up, with 60 families inside and the rest outside. Mark is negotiating for another camp but will need a lot more financial help to get it and support the people there. The Church people in the area are giving clothes and basic food stuffs but more is desperately needed. Boko Haram have threatened to follow the people they have displaced from Borno and Adamawa to get them wherever they are, and so the rumour that BH have now come to Jos is taken as a serious threat. The security is pretty good in Jos and some BH have already been caught. Kathleen asks for prayer for the security people that they catch many more. LOTTERY TICKETS £1 FROM KEVIN PARSONS 870409 Sparks Electrical LANGMAID & HUNKING FUNERAL DIRECTOR Local Electrician Competitive rates FOR A CARING AND PERSONAL SERVICE Part P competent person scheme registered (NICEIC) CONTACT PETE R RIPLEY 10 GREENBANK POLRUAN 01726 870380 All work fully insured and carried out to current regulations 20 Ring Steve 07800 663362 01503 273059 Times Past from Isabel Pickering 1 90 4 D ec 2 2 – T he F ow ey Sub di stri c t Educ ati on Co m m i ttee r epor ted tha t the sc hool s a t Boc onnoc , Br a ddoc k, P ol r ua n ( Gir ls a nd I nf a nts) , P ol per r o, D ul oe a nd T y w ar dr ea th (G ir ls) ha d b een c l osed due to a n outb r ea k of m ea sl es a nd sc a rl et f ev er . Mr F A All c hi n m ov ed a r esol uti on “tha t i n the opi ni on of the m eeti ng stri ng ent m ea sur es shoul d b e a dopted f or the suppr essi on of the ha b i t of sm oki ng a m ong st j uv enil es,… Mr All c hi n sug g ested tha t the c a use of the tr oubl e l a y m or e wi th the pa r ents tha n w i th the tob a cc oni sts. T her e w a s no doub t tha t i n m oder n ti m es ther e w as a total l oss of gr i p by the pa r ent ov er the mi nd of the c hil d, a nd tha t, he c onsi der ed, w a s i n a g r ea t m ea sur e w hy the c hi l d ha d b een a ll ow ed so m uc h la ti tude a nd g ot i nto these b a d ha b i ts. ( Hea r, hea r ). T he f ac ili ti es f or ob tai ni ng tob ac c o a nd c ig a r ettes wa s no doub t a nother gr ea t r ea son. T he ef f ec t of tob ac c o on the y oung w as m ost seri ous; so m uc h so tha t i n the c a se of the a r m y one thi r d of the r ej ec ted w a s c a used by sm oker’ s hea r t. I t a lso c a used i ndol enc e a nd phy sic al i nab ili ty to do w or k. T her ef or e i t wa s a m a tter w hi c h c a m e especi all y b ef or e tha t c om m i ttee, w ho ha d c hildr en under their c ar e, a nd w ho w a nted the w hol e of thei r phy si c al a nd m enta l c a pa bi liti es; a nd i t w a s the duty of the educ a ti onal b odi es of thi s c ountr y to ta ke up a nd pr ess the m a tter to the g r ea test possi bl e ex tent. T he evi l w a s b ei ng deal t wi th i n Am eri c a , Ca na da , a nd other pa r ts of the w or l d, b ut i n Eng la nd they seem ed a li ttl e b ac kw a r d to a dopt m ea sur es of r ef or m . T he r esol uti on w a s una ni m ousl y c a rri ed a nd w a s or der ed to b e sent to the other D i str ic t Com m i ttees. 1 90 8 Ja n 3 0 – F ow ey – As a r esul t of c om pl ai nts m a de to the D i str ic t Counc il a t Li skea r d a ga i nst the w a ter supply of P ol r ua n by Ca pt. Edw a r ds a nd Mr Al l en L ee, a c om mi ttee v isi ted P olr ua n on Sa tur da y, a nd exa m i ned the w a ter w or ks f r om the sour c e to the pla c e of c om pla i nt. Dr Nettl e ( m edi ca l of fic er ) a nd Mr E. Ma ll ett (sa ni ta ry i nspec tor ) c er ti fi ed tha t the w a ter w a s suff ic i ent a nd g ood f or dri nki ng purposes. 1 90 8 D ec 1 0 – P ol r ua n Wa ter Suppl y – Li skea r d D i stri c t Counc il on Sa tur da y r ec ei v ed a l etter fr om the L oc a l G ov er nm ent Boa r d wi th a c om m uni ca ti on f r om Mr E Elv y Rob b , on b ehal f of Ca pt HB Edw a r ds a nd Mr All a n L ee, c om pl ai ni ng of the m a nag em ent of the w a ter supply a t P ol r ua n. T he l etter sta tes tha t these g entl em en w er e ow ner s of pr oper ty a nd r a tepa y er s r esi di ng i n P olr ua n, a nd tha t a l oc al Tr i ni ty pil ot a nd f isher m a n na m ed Moses D unn, w ho cl ai m ed to r epr esent a b ody of per sons, w hom he a l ter na ti v el y desig na ted the l a ndow ner s of P olr ua n a nd the T ow n F e off ees, ha d wi th sta tutor y or other a uthor i ty esta blished a w a ter suppl y. T he l etter w ent on to all eg e tha t Mr D unn i m posed w ha t he ca ll ed “a wa ter ra te”, the a m ount of w hi c h w a s one shi lli ng i n the pou nd on the r a tea bl e v al ue of the pr em i ses to w hi c h a supply w a s m a de. T hi s “w a ter ra te” w a s pay a bl e i n a dv a nc e, a nd Mr D unn i ssued dem a nd notes a nd oc ca si ona ll y g av e r ec ei pts, b ut the la ter only under c onsi der a bl e pr essur e. 21 Wi th r eg ar d to sa ni ta ry pr ov isi ons, the l etter pr oc eeded: “the l ac k of pr oper sa ni ta ry pr ov isi on is a gr av e m ena c e to the h ea l th of the tow n, a nd sl ig ht outb r ea ks of ty phoi d a nd di phther i a ha v e al r ea dy occ ur r ed, w hi c h i t is b eli ev ed a r e m ai nl y a ttri b uta bl e to the di sg usti ng sta te of aff ai r s ab ov e i ndic a ted… ”the pr esent sy stem is enti r el y i n the ha nds of Mr Moses D un n w ho som eti m es b eha v es i n a n ar bi tr ar y a nd c a pric i ous m a nner , a nd deci des enti r el y ac c or di ng to hi s ow n w ill a nd pl ea sur e w hether or not he w il l g ra nt a suppl y to a ny par tic ul ar i nha b i ta nt,”… the l etter c oncl uded: “I a m i nstr uc ted on b eha lf of m y cli ents to m a ke f or m al c om pl ai nt to the l oca l G ov er nm ent Boa r d a nd the D i str ic t Counc il of L iskea r d b e m a de def a ul t i n pr ovi di ng P ol r ua n, wi thi n thei r distri c t, wi th a suppl y of w a ter , a nd I a m to r eq uest tha t the Boa r d wi ll hol d a l oc al i nq uir y i nto the m a tter .” T he c om m i ttee tha t vi si ted P ol r ua n i n c onnec ti on w i th the m a tter w er e a ppoi nted to c onsi der the w hol e m a tter a nd r epor t to the Di stri c t Cou nc il . 1 90 8 Ja n 2 3 – Wi nter F ood shoul d b e suc h a s w ill suppl y the b ody w i th enoug h a ni m al hea t to r esi st the eff ec ts of w ea ther , tem pera tur e etc . Cur r a nts a r e 2 /3 thei r w ei g ht na tur al suga r , the el em ent w hic h c ontr ib utes hea t to the hu m a n or g a ni sm . Cur r a nts ar e fr esh g ra pes of a seedl ess v ar i ety , gr ow n only i n G r eec e a nd dri ed i n the open a i r by ex posur e to the sun. T he pr ac tic e of dr yi ng fr ui ts is al m ost a s ol d a s the hi ll s. I t ma kes f ood ec onom i c , a nd i ncr ea ses their nutr i ti v e pr oper ti es. A pou nd of sun- dri ed c ur ra nts c ontai ns all the nutr i m ent of fi v e pounds of fr esh gr a pes. Ben, Simon & Gill Palmer with Rosie Farmer's Weekly and the Family Farmer's Association asked readers for an essay about the Future of Family Farming. Gill Palmer's essay won. Congratulations to Gill - readers of our Parish News have always known what a good writer Gill was. Richly deserved. Read on………………… "I’m sorry, Edith, your baby is too small to survive.”These words were spoken in a cold farmhouse bedroom in the year 1921. Edith held her tiny premature baby and said: “Hello son, you will survive.” By the age of six, with his mother’s devotion, Thomas Talling had fought off pneumonia and was well enough to go to school. Thomas was my father. When the war began, Thomas was working for his father on the family farm. He wasn’t allowed to go and fight because the production of food for the UK was vital. Instead, he joined the Home Guard. He would put in long days on the farm and long nights guarding the Cornish coast or railways. Then the Land Girls arrived from Lancashire to help with the daily chores. Girls who had no experience had to learn how to milk the cows and work on the threshing machines. Very hard work for city girls. Alice was among them. Two years later, she married Thomas. They began married life on a small, hilly Cornish farm, working together to make it a success. Soon they moved to a bigger farm. In the following few years, three daughters were born – I was the middle child. What a wonderful life we had, such freedom to play and roam. I developed a great love for the farm and the beautiful countryside around us. I was determined that, whatever the future held, if I was lucky enough to have children they and their future generations should have the same freedom I was fortunate to have. When Dad reached retirement age, he asked me if I would take on the tenancy of the farm. I had two sons, one said he wanted to become a farmer when he was older. After many sleepless nights, I decided I would give it a go. Dad promised he would advise me, but that he wouldn’t interfere with any decision I made. I don’t know if Dad had a short memory, but every day at crib time (mid-morning coffee break) he would drive down to the farm and issue orders on what would be done that day. I would say: “OK, Dad,” then carry on with the plans I had made. I found trying to buy cattle at auction very difficult. At that time, female farmers were thin on the ground. The cattle dealers would look at me bidding, smirk, and outbid me. I asked Dad what I could do about it. He advised me to play them at their own game. Keep bidding for one animal until it’s knocked down to you, even if you pay over the odds for it. Then when a big bunch came into the ring, bid again. Make it look as if you were going to keep bidding. When the price is high, stop suddenly. When their pockets are hurt, they will leave you alone. Trembling with fear, I took his advice. It worked. The dealer I caught was shocked and very annoyed, but I was then treated with respect. My next fight was with a farmer who wanted us to load some grain from a small barn with a sucker and blower we had at the time. He drove into the yard and said: “Is the boss about?” I said: “Yes, speaking.” “No,” he replied, “I want the organ grinder not the monkey.” His grain remained in 22 the barn for a few years – chewed by rats – and was still there when he died. I was getting tougher. Although I was getting tougher, farming was even more so. Not only had the slump arrived, so had BSE, foot-and-mouth, bluetongue and the dreaded TB. All sent to try us. In Cornwall, we were very fortunate to escape foot-and-mouth, but it was heartbreaking to see the dreadful pictures on television. It was also very emotional to hear my young grandchildren saying prayers for our cattle as they stroked their noses. The only good thing at that time was that the public footpaths were closed. For a change, there were no strange dogs chasing the animals. Now my son, Simon, is taking over from me. His son, Ben, has just finished agricultural college. I feel I can now take a back seat. Just as well, with all European rules and regulations, red tape and paperwork. What changes, I wonder, will Ben see in his lifetime? That tiny premature baby grew up to plough with horses, one furrow at a time, one acre a day. Simon uses a big tractor and a turn-over plough, covering 16 acres or more a day. Dad threshed grain with a labour-intensive threshing machine. Now one man and a combine harvester do it all. Mobile phones, computers, satellite navigation and global positioning for tractors, what else is there to invent? A few years ago I had the honour to be invited to the House of Lords as Frogmore Farm had been nominated for the most beautiful farm award. I know with absolute certainty that Simon and Ben will keep Frogmore as beautiful in the future as it is today. The future of the family farm is in good hands. Fowey Harbour News – another boating season draws to a close Well the settled warm weather of September has left us and October has brought the usual autumnal succession of Atlantic depressions with their attendant wet and windy conditions. We certainly enjoyed the ‘Indian Summer’ which extended the season for us all. On the water our new and ground-breaking afloat payment system has been incredibly successful and efficient for our staff. Visiting yachtsmen have really appreciated being able to pay by card out on the moorings, often staying for more than one night if they don’t have to stump up the cash! The next phase of our upgrade plans will involve all our local mooring holders. Individual customers should not notice any difference but, once complete, we will be able to offer many more flexible ways for individuals to access and manage their own individual harbour accounts. The Harbour Office team remain on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Both Polruan and Albert Quay pontoons are now safely secured for the winter, the latter a little earlier than hoped but with forecast bad weather we took action to prevent damage to these valuable and vulnerable assets. By the time this goes to press the annual boat lift out programme will be nearly complete and the harbour will be empty of its resident boats. We will take this opportunity to start a dredging effort concentrating in Mixtow and Pont. This will be done by our dredger Lantic Bay which has undergone extensive maintenance since her return in March. Our tugs Cannis and Morgawr have been busy both here and further afield, last week Cannis featured on the national news coverage as she assisted the RFA Argus to sail from Falmouth for operations off Sierra Leone. Finally don’t forget the 2015 Fowey Harbour tide calendars are available and selling fast from the Harbour office, they have some wonderful photographs of life around the Port, get your copy soon – a perfect stocking filler! Capt. Paul Thomas Fowey Harbour Commissioners [email protected] or 01726 832471 www.foweyharbour.co.uk RNLI Polruan News Raffle Organiser Your local RNLI group — and, indeed, the whole of our community — is renowned for its success in raising money for worthwhile causes. Here is your chance to help. One of our main activities is our annual raffle, with tickets sold throughout the summer, and culminating in a Grand Draw at the Pig Roast on the Coal Wharf. In 2015 this will be held on 22nd August. We are looking for a new organiser of the raffle, to take over from Robert Davis, who has performed sterling service in recent years. The duties consist of organising and distributing tickets, inviting others to do the ticket selling, arranging the prizes and collecting the money. Full handover notes and mentoring will be provided by Robert. There is no need to attend any committee meetings, though attendance would be welcome. This would suit any local resident with a capacity for organising and a desire to help a very worthwhile cause. If you are interested, please contact: Robert Davis at [email protected] or 01726 870768, or Eric Lockeyear, Hon Secretary, at [email protected] or 01726 870144/07971 651333. Friends of the Fowey Estuary Are you interested in your local environment? Want to get involved in surveys, conservation work or just find out what amazing wildlife can be found around us. The Friends of the Fowey Estuary have a varied annual events programme from guided w alks and talks, to practical conservation, there really is something for everyone. Take a look at our w ebsite www.friendsofthefowey.org.uk Or join us on Facebook Forthcoming Events Tuesday 13th January Talk – Boatbuilding in Fowey By Marcus Lewis Time: 7.30pm Meet: Mission to Seafarers, Fowey Please enter via pedestrian gate by Ferry slipw ay Further info: Claire 01726 833061 Boatyard Chandlery Our chandlery shop has everything for your boat from paints to outboards, lifejackets to VHF radios, all at competitive prices. We are now stockists of Gul clothing. Our chandlery gift vouchers make perfect presents for the boating enthusiast in the family. Services also include: Boat repair & maintenance Launderette with washing machines & tumble dryers Showers Pop in for a visit! Tel: 01726 870232 www.ctomsandson.co. 23 IN THE GARDEN WEATHER “December takes away everything and returns nothing”. Perhaps it is the short days and the cloudy skies of December which make it seem a dismal month, and the relative absence of colour in the garden cannot help. Fine, mild weather is, however, seldom welcomed at this time of the year. “A fair day in winter is the mother of a storm” is often true, and outof-season conditions always seem to prompt a feeling that retribution is to follow. Such unusually fine days in winter are often known as a 'borrowed day' which has to be paid back later. How true - Don’t forget the frost damage to many Cornish gardens in earlier years. It will pay to take a few simple precautions now to protect tender plants. Use horticultural fleece or straw retained by chicken wire. “If the sun shines through the apple trees on Christmas Day, it is said that there will be an abundant crop the next year.” Anemone coronari a - French Anemones Brightly coloured anemones, from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, are favourite cut flowers in January. Anemone coronaria, the poppy anemone of Palestine, is the main parent of these and apparently arrived in Western Europe at the time of the Second Crusade. Bishop Umberto of Pisa, after blessing a contingent of soldiers leaving for the Holy Land, suggested to the sailors conveying the troops that for ballast they brought back soil from Palestine instead of sand. Th is sacred earth was intended to provide a last resting place, at the Campo Santo at Pisa, for the illustrious dead. The mission was fulf illed and the following year, to everyone's amazement, the ground was spangled with unknown red flowers. This was looked upon as a miracle, and the flowers, which of course were poppy anemones, became known as ‘blood drops of Christ’. In due course plants were donated to other religious houses, and eventually some reached private gardens, including that of a seventeenth-century French florist called Maitre Bachelieu who had the good fortune to obtain several ‘sports’or mutations, with flowers of different shades, and even with double rows of ‘petals’. These he grew on and constantly hybridized but would never part with any seeds or plants. For ten long years he retained his unique collection until the Burgomaster of Antwerp, who had long coveted the fine, long-stemmed, richly hued flowers, paid him a visit. While walking round the garden he had the misfortune to drop his fur-trimmed civic robe on one of the beds and, after apologizing to his host, called his servant who took the offending garment back to his carriage. As he had anticipated, the fur had collected plenty of fluffy seeds, which the Burgomaster then sowed. Proud of his successful ruse, the Burgomaster made no attempt to hide the manner in which he had originally obtained the seed, but he was a generous donor and the plants - which later became known as French Anemones - soon reached a wide and appreciative public. The Month i n the G arden If warmth at the end of the year is followed by a cold late spring, with late apple blossoms escaping the frosts, a good harvest may be expected. With the rebirth of the sun at Christmas, the New Year opens up the promise of a new gardening year. WHITECROSS GARDENING CLUB 15 January "A Bucket Full of Colour" by Jon Hoare 19 February "Hellebores" by John Mann Start at 7.30 p.m. New members are always welcome. Cutting win ds and icy rains are the main enemies of winter flowers. Snow does far less damage unless it freezes on buds or open blooms, though heavy falls of snow can weigh down evergreens so much that their branches break. Masses of flowers cannot be expected outside in January, but there will always be some stray blossoms in well planted gardens, and colourful effects can be achieved by growing a few coloured-leaved conifers, or trees with ornamental bark and tw igs. Enquiries: Please telephone Annie Patrick 01208 831041 Some shrubs and trees produce flowers in sheltered places - or even in exposed situations in mild winters - notably certain v iburnums like Viburnum farreri whose sweetly scented blossoms stud the naked branches from the end of October until mid-March. The hybrid V. x bodnantense is another, as well as the evergreen, shade-tolerant V. tinus. The winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, shou ld also be display in g itse lf as we ll as v ar iou s heathers, and the sky-blue Iris unguicularis. As the month advances I. histrioides. the witch hazels (Hamamelis species and varieties), several hellebores and the green-catkined Garrya elliptica put in an appearance, and there are berries to enjoy on skimmias, pyracanthas, hollies and cotoneasters. MARK A.SWIGGS Plants such as these are worth fostering for they shine like jewels against sombre backgrounds. Anyone can have a charming garden in June, but it takes skilful planning and good planting to induce anyone to visit gardens on a cold January day. 24 GARDEN MAINTENANCE 10 FERRIS WAY TEL: 01726 870586 mob : 07989 770546 25 Lanteglos Parish Post NEWS FROM THE TOWN TRUST Unfortunately the signage and the "yellow boxing" of the Vevery Car Park has not yet taken place but this will hopefully be done soon. Instructions have now been given for an initial trim of the Picnic Area adjoining same. Once this has been done and we can see the situation clearer we will consider further works. The area around St Saviours Hill Car park has recently received a trim. The refreshing of the white lining for the Quay and St Saviours Hill Car Parks is still awaited. Orders to replace the gate posts either end of the Hill area have been given to a local business due to the present ones having rotted at the base. We have now received the advice from our Solicitor on the response from South West Water over the Quay area. Their proposals we do not consider are appropriate and therefore we are going back to them on this. There is therefore going to be further delays in this long standing matter. We are also raising with South West Water the problems with the Clock. As you will have noticed this has been stopped for a very long time but only South West Water can access the works of the clock from within the Control Room and we have been frustrated by them not taking action on our original request and many reminders since. We are again "chasing" on this. Have your Christmas Cards delivered any where in the Parish for Charity. 20p per Card. In aid of the Motor Neuron disease Association. And don't forget - last date Sunday December 14th In an October storm the lights around the Wharf became disconnected. The Trustees are in the process of arranging a working party to hopefully re-erect these prior to Christmas. Planning Permission for the proposed external works at the Winklepicker was finally obtained and Building Regulation approval for such works was also obtained. The chosen contractor has now been given the go-ahead to undertake this work as soon as possible. The Trustees are pleased to see that the Parish Council have managed to negotiate with Cornwall Council over opening one of the Quay toilets for this winter [until March 2015]. The Trustees were able to assist this venture with a financial grant. Adverts for the available tender documents in connection with the Concession for St Saviours Hill Car Park for the 2015 season are now out with a closing date of 1st January 2015. As usual, if anyone has any questions, comments or requests regarding Town Trust matters please approach the Clerk or any of the Trustees. LANTEGLOS PARISH COUNCIL IMPORTANT NOTICE As local residents know, there is a ongoing problem caused by seagulls ripping open plastic rubbish bags, strewing around the unsanitary contents and making a general mess of our village. The Parish Council requests that home owners and holiday visitors ensure that any rubbish for collection be put out Early Monday morning and NOT BEFORE! It is strongly recommended that householders put bin bags in a dustbin or seagull proof sack obtainable from the Winklepicker Owners of holiday lets are asked to provide their tenants with dustbins 26 LANTEGLOS -BY-FOW EY PARIS H COUNCIL RE-ADV ERTISEMENT Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you organised and methodical? LANTEGLOS-BY FOWEY PARISH COUNCIL is looking for a new Parish Clerk to work approximately 12.5 hours per week. Hours of work can be arranged to suit the right person. Professional qualification or experience as a Clerk not essential. Training and pay commensurate with experience. General duties include: To attend meetings as required 11 Council meetings a year As a rule, 4 Finance and General Purposes Committee meetings and 2 additional Planning meetings to liaise with the Chairman, to prepare Agendas, prepare and produce Minutes, and support the Council in its work. Ensure the Council makes legal decisions Receive and send all Parish correspondence General Administration Liaise with and manage local contractors Assist in maintaining Council records and accounts in accordance with recommendation of the Internal Auditors (Experience of budgeting and accounts important and desirable). Are you a competent IT user, familiar with Microsoft Word,Excel, Email and Internet? Are you happy to meet and work with the general public on a daily basis? Previous applicants will automatically be re-considered ADVERTISERS AND CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE Deadline for copy The Lanteglos Parish News is published bi-monthly; Please ensure that we receive your copy no lat er than the 14t h of the month prior to publication. 14 Jan; FEB/MAR i ssue 14 Mar; AP R/MAY i ssue 14 May JUN/JUL i ssue 14 July; AUG/S EP issue 14 Sept; OCT/NOV i ssue 14 Nov; DEC/JAN i ssue Editor - Susan Shakerley 870211 [email protected] Asst Editor - Janet Downes 870627 dow [email protected] Advertising - John Nuttall-Smith 870273 [email protected] If you are interested please contact the Chairman for further information and a full job description or submit your CV and a covering letter to: The Chairman, Lanteglos Parish Council, Colquite Farm, Lanteglos Highway, Lanteglos by Fowey, PL23 1 ND, or call 01726 870467 Closing date for applications is 14th December 2014 SUBSCRIPTIONS PENSIONS & INVESTMENT ADVICE, CRITICAL ILLNESS AND LIFE INSURANCE, INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING AND TRUSTS, SECURING YOUR FUTURE TODAY At The Financial Advice Centre, we feel that offering Independent Financial Adv ice is best. We work on behalf of our customers and are not restricted to a limited range of products. Contact your local adv iser today! Email ~ [email protected] Telephone ~ 01726 870100 www.facgroup.co.uk 3 Fore Street, Polruan, Cornwall PL23 1PQ The Financial Advice Centre is a trading name of The Financial Advice Centre (South West) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority. www.fca.org.uk Financial Services Register Number 569616. Registered Offi ce - 40 Par Green, Par. PL24 2AF 27 Keep in touch with the village by having the Lanteglos Parish News sent to friends and relations and yourselves when away. It only costs £5 (£10 overseas) to have the Lanteglos Parish News sent by post on publication for a year. ———— ——— ——— ——–— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— —— To Graham Tyson, Folly Cottage, West Street, Polruan, PL23 1PL. Please send me the the nex t 6 is sues of the Lanteglos Par ish News by post on public ation. PLEASE PRINT CLE ARLY Name_____ _____ _____ ______ _____ _____ ___ Address _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _ _______ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _______ _____ ______ Postcode_____ _____ ___ Name of Addressee (if different) _______ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _ Address _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _ _______ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _ _______ _____ ______ Postcode_____ _____ ___ I enc lose my c heque for £5 (UK) / £10 (over seas ) made payable to Lanteglos by Fowey PCC Photocopies of this o rde r fo rm are accepta ble. The Benefice of Lanteglos-by-Fowey with Lansallos & Talland CHRISTMAS SERVICES & EVENTS St. Saviour, Polruan; St. Wyllow, Lanteglos; St. John, Bodinnick; St. Ildierna, Lansallos; St. Tallanus, Talland SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 6:30 p.m. St. Wyllow ~ Advent Service SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER St. Saviour ~ Christingle ~ 3:30 p.m. St. John, Bodinnick ~ Family Carol Service 6:00 p.m. THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER 1:00 & 5:30 p.m. St. Saviour ~ Polruan C.P. School Carol Concert SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER 6:30 p.m. St. Saviour ~ Carol Service THURSDAY 18th DECEMBER 2:00 & 2:45 p.m. Polperro School ~ Christingle SATURDAY 20th DECEMBER 4:00 p.m. St. Tallanus ~ Carol Service SUNDAY 21st DECEMBER 6:30 p.m. St. Ildierna ~ Parish Carol Service CHR ISTMAS EVE St. Saviour 3:30 p.m. ~ Nativity St. Wyllow 11:00 p.m. ~ Midnight Mass St. Tallanus 11:30 pm ~ Midnight Mass CHR ISTMAS DAY St. Saviour 09: 30 a.m. Christm as Eucharist Please note that there will be no bus running for Midnight Mass this year, but there will be transport for those who need it in private cars from Polruan. PHONE COLIN 870715 or GRAHAM 870221 LANTEGLOS PARISH NEW S IS PUBLISH ED BY THE LANTEG LOS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE P.C .C . GRATEFULL Y ACKNOWLEDGES TH E FINANCIAL ASS ISTANCE OF TH E ADVERT IS ERS. THE EDITOR WE LCOME S CONTRIBUTIONS HOW EV ER RES ERVE S THE RIGHT TO ABBREV IATE OW ING TO LI MIT ED SPACE A VAILABLE. DESIGN ED BY PARICA PUBLI SHING S ERVIC ES, POLRUAN AND PRINTED BY P EGASUS, PAR . © LPCC 2014 28