BLOWHOLE No 46 Summer 2004 £1

Sportspersons of the Year see page 43 for full story

Contents: View of the Village p3 Iceland Revisited p6 Parish Council p11

Church & Chapel p12 Marathon Runners p14 Clerihew Compendium p22

Fanfare p32 Crossword p37 Experience of D-Day p38 Sports Review p40

Editorial

It was good to see our Village Hall filled and overflowing at the Public Meeting in May. It was good because it made our feelings quite clear to South West Water. But it was also good because it brought together a cross section of our village. (It seemed like the entire village) People forgot their differences and joined forces with a common aim.

Understandably these joining of forces invariably happen at a time of crisis and usually at the eleventh hour leaving little time for action. Such situations can be avoided by planning ahead. If people get together when there is more time to spare, deciding what they want to do and making their decision known, there will be a far better likelihood of things being done their way.

At present we do not have a Village Plan. Whilst the spirit prevails, let us prepare one, or better still a Parish Plan. Let it be known what we want. We must publish our feelings about housing, roads and traffic, the environment, tourism and leisure, education, services and utilities, transport and education. And we must do it now.

Boscastle Blowhole Editorial Team

The editorial team reserves the right to edit, accept, or reject any material submitted for publication in The Blowhole. The views expressed within the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team.

The team are, Jim Castling, Arthur Bannister, Chris Rodda Philippa Arthan, Daphne Rogers, Joan Cork, Hilary Allen and Noel Ward.

To advertise in the Boscastle Blowhole, please contact Daphne Rogers on 01840 250244

Copies of the Blowhole are available by post at a cost of £1.75 per issue. Contact Philippa Arthan on 01840 250483 or email [email protected]

The Blowhole is published 4 times a year and printed by Swiftprint, Unit104, Carclaze Industrial Estate, Treverbyn Road, Tel: 01726 70700

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if they can consider View of the Village extending the existing facilities. The Harbour, Boscastle, In Committee would need the Parish of Forrabury to know their exact & Minster requirements before a Namely Opening of decision could be made garden for eight and a meeting was occasions each year for arranged for Wednesday fundraising events for 9 June 2004 at 6.00pm in charitable purposes." the Hall to discuss the proposal. Details will be Boom Shewula Wula published in the next by Arthur Bannister A coffee morning held at issue of the Blowhole. Hole in the Road Forrabury House in On Monday 24 of June Boscastle WI Old Rectory, April raised £150 for the New Road was closed People popped into Boom Shewula Wula Open Garden Poppies in Trefleur Close whilst boreholes were Charity. The Charity was Chris and Sally Searle's when June Swanson made to ascertain the set up by College Garden at The Old opened her house in aid of nature of the ground to provide funds for Rectory, St Juliot. raised Boscastle WI funds. The before repair works AIDS orphans in the £1,400 over the weekend "Bring and Buy" together begin to reinstate the Shewula district of of the 8th and 9th of with a Raffle and Cake road and prevent further Swaziland. The money May when it was open to Stall brought in over one subsidence. collected, together with the public for the first hundred pounds. June £75 donated by time in 15 years. Criminal Act extends her thanks to all PCC and other college They would like to thank Vandals have visited those who supported the fundraising activities, all the people who Forrabury Church and event. has now reached a total helped in any way to badly damaged the

of over £2,000. The floodlights. The police Valency House raise this money and for Jane Castling has received money will go towards all the people who came have been notified and a Notice of Approval for the provision of medical to support it. are treating it as Development. Dated 26 equipment, tables, pens About 280 people came Criminal Damage. May 2004. It reads as and paper in the orphans' over the two days and follows: schools. Anna David and the plant stall, cake stall Public Toilets - Cleaner "The NORTH her fellow students and teas were busy both In spite of numerous DISTRICT extend their thanks to all afternoons. advertisements in local COUNCIL, being the those who supported the The money raised is newspapers and the District Planning event. being split between the Blowhole there have

Authority HEREBY Boscastle group of been no applicants for Sure Start Parishes and the Sunrise the job of cleaning the APPROVE permission for Having abandoned their the development proposed centre in Truro where public toilets. For the search for a plot of land Sally had her time being they remain by you in your application in Boscastle Sure Start dated 10 March 2004 in radiotherapy treatment. open and are being have decided to ask the serviced Under the respect of land situated at: Village Hall Committee Valency House, The NCDC contract.

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View of the Village …10 years ago items from the Blowhole of Summer 1994 Wind Power Worthyvale and . The debate continues ......

Janet Latham completes London Marathon Now we come to the highlight of the year with our first Boscastle woman, Janet Latham, completing the London marathon in the official time of 4 hours, 56 minutes (which comes down Effie Brewer clutching her 10 minutes if you allow for Maundy Purse the massed start). Well done as result of her devotion New Seat on coastpath faithfully and diligently perform the duties of their Janet. Have we any others to the Church and to the The old seat, on the cliff path waiting to emulate her next facing the Blowhole, had office. community that she was year? recommended to receive come to the end of its days The twelve churchwardens the Maundy purses. and was due to be removed for the Boscastle Group of Visitor Centre Effie, now living in and replaced by the Parish Parishes remain unchanged. The Boscastle Visitor Centre Lanivet, will be 90 on the Council. The They are: is open and is already offered to dispose of it but : Jack Sanders and proving popular. The doors twenty first of June went further. They built an David Lamond. were opened at 2.00pm on (2004). Happy Birthday attractive new structure in Forrabury & Minster: Bob 21st May (1994) and 150 Effie. stone with a curved elm seat, Clark and Shirley Bannister. visitors took advantage of it Webbie's Birthday which blends in beautifully : Simon McNair- before teatime. The Centre with its surroundings. Surprise Scott and Don Henderson will be officially opened in Miss Webb (Webbie) had (pictured above) St. Juliot: Colin Wadey and late June, but Boscastle the surprise of her life Phillip Taylor Churchwardens Admitted residents will be invited to an when the taxi arrived to Otterham: Beryl Northcott th "The office of Open Evening on June 15 , take to take her to her one and Ken Clarke churchwardens is a venerable from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. hundredth birthday party Trevalga: Arthur Nicholls one" according to the nd and Bob Pethick Effie's Maundy Money on 2 March (1994): her st Handbook for 31 March (1994), was a taxi turned out to be the Churchwardens and Computer Classes rather special day for Effie helicopter used by Parochial Church At the time of going to press Brewer. It was the day on Anneka Rice in her Councillors. The book goes there is no news of further which the Queen came to television programmes. on to cover all aspects of the computer classes so look out Truro Cathedral to distribute Miss Webb had always office and lists the functions for the Adult Education wanted to fly in a of churchwardens. One of the Maundy Money and Effie brochure. Meanwhile, your helicopter and thoroughly these functions is the was one of the recipients. correspondent will notify Effie has been a faithful enjoyed the flight from maintenance of order and it those on the last course as member of Forrabury church St. Minver to on seems that a churchwarden soon as any information is for about thirty years and a such a beautiful morning. could "properly remove a received. man's hat if he refused to churchwarden for ten. It was remove it during divine Thanks service after being requested Shirley and I would like to to do so". extend very many thanks to all those who conveyed their Before entering upon their best wishes when I made a duties the nominated hasty departure from the churchwardens must be village. It is wonderful to admitted to office. This takes live in this beautiful place place at a visitation, which is and have so many caring sometimes performed by the friends. It is also most . To this end the comforting to know how nominees assembled at efficiently the Medical Werrington Parish Church Centre and the emergency where Bishop Bill officiated. services perform in times of They made a solemn need. declaration that they would Arthur Bannister

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provided and run by Mark's wind & rain gazebos were Dear Grandpa Pasty and Punch parents -our thanks to raised to protect the ‘sellers’, On May 29th around 200 them. not the plants! The Browsing through his people were attracted to With plenty of room for Gardening Tombola sold collection of old photographs Treworld Farm, the home children to run around in out . Any plants left over will Basil Jose came across a post of Mark and Wendy the lovely garden it was a be offered for sale at other card showing the blowhole in Drayson, to share a Pasty very happy day and the functions throughout the action. The card was sent by a and Punch fundraising PCC would like to thank summer, so if you want more girl to her grandpa and post event for Lesnewth Mark and Wendy for look out for further events. marked 11.45am 16 August Church. Fortunately the allowing us to share their The wet and weary 1932. weather forecasters, who home and for all the work volunteers were pleased to predicted heavy showers, and thought they put into end the day with a profit of Mr A Phillipson were wrong and the sun this event. The church £950 – fantastic. 10 St Dunstans Road shone all day on benefited by about £1100. Margaret Kemp Hanwell Treworld, which is one Lesnewth Parochial Church Council

W.7 of the hidden beauty Some Dates for Dear Grandpa, spots of . Grand Plant Sale a fund raising event for the your Diary: Thank you so much for the There was plenty to Boscastle Group of stamps. Yesterday, after a entertain all ages, testing bathe in the pool, we spent a Churches organised by Friday 25 June 2004 at skills such as knowing a 6.00pm. Strawberry Fair lovely day at Boscastle. Mary ‘Open Doors’. boiled egg from a fresh in the Rectory Garden and Mother swam in the pool Early on Bank Holiday one and quizzing our and Dad and I swam across the Monday morning, in the knowledge of the Sunday 11th July 2004 harbour. Although we have relative quiet and wet of countryside, a chance to Duck Race Day been to Boscastle several times Boscastle, cars began to have a go at putting and we have never seen the pull up outside the Valency croquet and opportunities Friday 16 July 2004. blowhole working before but Lawn (by kind permission to win or loose on the Trevalga Village Fete we just got there in time of Mr & Mrs J Castling) tombola and original yesterday. The water goes in human fruit machine. and from these cars came Saturday 31 July 2004. one side and is forced out the Natasha was a beautiful trays, buckets, boxes, & Long House, Tregrylls. other shooting a large spray as Strawberry and it is bags full of plants. Don & Open day shown. We hope to go to lucky that she was not Caroline’s project was Trebarwith Strand today. added to the delicious underway. All the months Sunday 29 August 2004. Well I suppose we shall be strawberry and peach of sowing, pricking out, Boscastle Group of seeing you soon. based punch made by planting on, watering & Churches Fete on Valency Love Mark. Our thanks to all nurturing had been Lawn Marjorie who donated the very worthwhile. With thanks generous raffle prizes. to everyone who grew Sunday 5 September Please let us know if you have There were plenty of plants and to those who 2004. Otterham Fete any photographs or other cakes on offer for those fostered plants to give the evidence of people swimming with a sweet tooth and experts room to grow more; Saturday 18 and Sunday in the harbour. They would gardeners were delighted there were hundreds if not 19 September. Carole help our efforts to raise the to find a well-stocked thousands of plants for Vincent's Exhibition. Half level of sewage treatment. plant stall, which was sale. In a fight against the Acre

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Iceland Revisited Fred Siford relates his 80th birthday adventure board a Boeing 707 ‘IcelandAir’. There was plenty of space and leg room. After take-off the stewardess came round with the usual miniatures of whisky etc – a very good start for the 4 day break! Next they came with the in flight meal and June and Fred by the statue of Leif above: Fred outside the Governor’s house in 2004 coffee. By this time we Ericsson, Viking explorer were well on our way; I below: the Governor’s house in 1943 a very friendly reception was wondering what then went straight to bed changes had been made. I – after a drink (duty was 19 years of age, 60 free!) before turning in. years ago when I was Breakfast was there lst! ‘continental’ style then With the 1 hour time out into Reykjavik change it was about armed with old 10.30pm when we arrived photographs to see if at Keflavit International anything in them was Airport, which is in still there. To my keeping with all similar surprise we were able to airports. My last time trace several places; I What a surprise my always wanted to go back here, 1944, there was a was very touched to wife, June gave me having been stationed at control tower, hangers think that after 60 years celebrating my birthday Reykjavik during 1943 and Nissen huts, used for I was there again. I was with the family present and 1944. refuelling USA and very lucky to be able to and friends too. Well, we set off for Canadian bombers before do this (thanks, Wendy, Grandchildren and great Heathrow midday on flying on to who Les and June). grandchildren were Saturday, 24th April. were in great need at that Les was quite thrilled to there to present me with Wendy was the driver – time of World War II. think he was taking travel tickets to she did it extremely well, We landed safely then photographs where I Reykjavik, Iceland for a along the M4 and into were taken by coach to had stood 60 years ago. four day visit. This was Heathrow. We found the Reykjavik to a family run After all the walking all arranged by June, parking ok then caught hotel in the centre of the around the next day we Wendy and Les; I had the bus to Terminal 1 to old town. We were given had a trip to the ‘Blue

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Iceland Revisited cont. Coastwatch In its first year of training and examining of operation, National new members.’ Coastwatch – Boscastle On top of their duties, has produced some Boscastle Coastwatch are staggering performance hoping to repaint the figures. Out of 581 Lookout, update scheduled watches, 576 equipment, and to do this were completed, totalling they will once again be 4000 man hours. raising money – standing Station Manager at with their collecting tins in Boscastle, Mike Morrell, all weathers. Leif Ericssson’s statue in 1943 - the said he was very proud of Geoff Mills man in the foreground is on skis! members’ commitment. ‘Our efforts to ensure the Lagoon’, a natural pool hotels are being built, safety of coastpath The editorial team with warm water and but that’s life. It was a walkers and those at sea is received this letter from minerals that help very poor country until paramount,’ he said, Roger Little and publish people with skin after the war, so ‘Outside the Lookout we it here as we echo its problems. I’m sure I perhaps they are now give information on the sentiments: could do with a month reaping the benefit. weather conditions and to cure my itch! Wendy, Talking to our guide tides, so all of the many Thanks Jim

Les and I enjoyed an we discovered that the visitors have a clear idea As an avid reader and hour in the lagoon. June health service is very of the current situation at sometimes contributor to kept an eye on us from good, also that the care any given time.’ the Blowhole, I would the viewing point. for the elderly, Mr Morell also mentioned like to take this Everything was all disabled and mental there were many walkers opportunity to thank one and holidaymakers modern to attract the patients is excellent. of its editors, Mr Jim requesting other Castling, for all his hard visitors; Iceland is well Well, I’ve said enough information from those on work and expertise to worth a visit – clean and except for many, many duty in the Lookout our village newspaper. way up with it. Their thanks, June, for concerning wildlife, local I know Jim feels that due tourist trade started in making my dream history and names of to his current illness he 1970. The roads are up come true. various rocks and is unable to devote as to our motorway PS June wants to go headlands. much of his attention to standards, if not perhaps back and also visit ‘To achieve our current the editorship of the better, no old lava tracks Greenland – they do standard, everyone has Blowhole as it deserves. had to work very hard – Jim, thank you for all like we had in 1943 – trips there from your valuable input. 44. Reykjavik, so who and the results prove that fact. We have recently Take care of yourself Iceland has come a long knows, health promoted four and we all wish you a way: I hope they don’t providing, we may just speedy recovery. Watchkeepers to senior spoil it with all the do that. Watchkeepers. They are Roger the Potter tourist trade etc. Many Fred Siford now helping with the

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 7

Boscastle Sewage Works (. . . or will it?)

South West Water's exhibition and usage figures were accurate.’ While remaining good-humoured, presentation on 13 May drew a Earlier Mr Field had been asked the audience became increasingly massive audience. Displays of the to supply the figures upon which restive at what it perceived as Mr proposed new sewage treatment these calculations were based. He Field’s vague and evasive plant and pumping station were declined to do so and indeed answers. If 2,000 inhabitants was closely examined by interested stated that the figures were still the cut-off figure, asked Rob members of the community during being calculated. It is unknown as Lloyd, then why did Treknow, the afternoon session and at the to whether Mr Field was aware with a population of just 258, evening presentation representatives the Seaside Parish team was merit Tertiary Treatment? Ms from South West Water and the filming him at the time. He was Proctor representing the Environment Agency were faced by asked repeatedly throughout the Environment Agency replied that a barrage of probing questions. The meeting to supply the figures and the large number of summer panel included: Keith Field of continued to refuse. bathers at Trebarwith Strand was SWW; Roger Saxon and Judy the deciding factor. Boscastle was challenged figures Proctor of the Environment Agency; not designated as one of a large Andrew Stubley of Biwater; and Graham King challenged SWW’s number of coastal bathing waters. Alison Fell of Nicholas Pearson summer population figures. The swam in the harbour Associates in charge of the Planning basic flaw, he contended, was to Application. George Findlay of the rely on Census returns. In winter At this juncture several of the Parish Council chaired the meeting. only he and one other lived in a audience pointed out that they, terrace of seven cottages. In their children, and summer visitors Blowhole readers will have seen summer this number swelled to frequently swam in the harbour. Arthur Bannister's article in the twenty-eight. Through his Indeed the 19th Century map Spring edition (no 46) that gave detailed research of car park English Nature uses of Boscastle details of the three levels of figures, B & Bs, hotels and other on its web site has the harbour treatment available. Primary businesses in Boscastle, overall marked as a bathing pool. Ms treatment merely separates solids visitor numbers reached 300,000 Proctor suggested that it was up to from liquids, Secondary treats waste last year. With hotel and the village to supply them with to remove about 99% of toxic guesthouse bed capacity, and photographic evidence of the material. The Tertiary stage Visitor Centre numbers at 6,500 harbour being used for removes virtually all faecal bacteria. per week in August this easily recreational activities, i.e. In 1998 the government announced demonstrated that real usage swimming, fishing, diving. that Secondary treatment was the figures were well above those Keith Field was eventually forced minimum required for all calculated by NCDC. to concede that actual figures communities above a population of 2,000. Herein lies the hub of the decision. WESTERN SUPPLY COMPANY

In 1998, SWW carried out a five Builders Merchant & Decorator Centre for Trade & D.I.Y Come and see our wide range of products including: year review to determine what level of sewage treatment, within Oak ½ Barrels♦Fencing panels♦Plasterboard♦Plywood♦Cement♦ budgetary constraints, was Planed Timber and Mouldings♦Graded sawn Timber♦Treated Timber♦ Decking♦Concrete Blocks♦Sand♦Chippings♦Insulation products♦ considered necessary in each area. Plumbing Fittings♦Electrical Fittings and Cable Screw Fixings♦Hardware♦ In Boscastle the audience was told New & Second Hand Doors♦Windows♦Sinks♦Baths♦ that probable usage had been Plastic Facia Board♦Barge Boards etc., etc., etc. calculated on the basis of a Thanks to our paint-mixing machine we can offer complicated formula supplied by thousands of different colours whilst you wait

North Cornwall District Council. It ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES envisaged a peak summer Just in…Hundreds of quality Terracotta Pots and Planters population of about 1,700 inhabitants. COME AND HAVE A LOOK Atlantic Road, Delabole (01840) 212580 Given the reported population of Open 7 Days (Sat & Sun morning only) –Ample parking –Deliveries arranged less than 2,000, Boscastle supposedly requires treatment only at the Primary level. Keith Field declared that he was ‘confident that Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 8

would not be available until use of had immediately opted for the treatment system had been Tertiary Treatment despite monitored. The level of treatment it being above legal required would be upgraded if requirements. Keith Field figures were wrong. At this point denied knowledge of other John Barton raised a cheer from water companies' policies the audience. ‘We pay the highest regarding levels of water rates in the country,’ he treatment. He also seemed asked, ‘Why don't we get the best unaware of concerns treatment available?’ Mr Frank expressed to the Parsons of Highview House stood Environment Agency and made the point that; ‘This regarding pollution levels proposal stinks!! We want the best in the harbour. It emerged treatment, not the cheapest!’ the Agency had carried out a limited survey the Ian Kemp from the National Trust the placards say it all previous October which assured the audience that releasing revealed the presence of a ‘small the bottom of Valency Valley land to build the treatment plant amount’ of faecal matter in the adjacent to the car park. Solids was conditional to Secondary harbour. Further tests would be from settlement tanks would be Treatment being made available carried out shortly. emptied every five or nine days by 2010. His own view was that depending on demand. The Secondary Treatment should be cost of treatment remaining liquid waste would then installed from the outset. Asked to estimate cost of be pumped along the present David Brown, North Cornwall treatment Keith Field gave that of harbour pipe to be discharged District Council's Chief Executive, the Boscastle area alone at about untreated alongside the blowhole's was in the audience and said the £500,000. Secondary treatment entrance. The Pumping Station Council would be closely would add another six to seven will be located next to the Youth examining the planning hundred thousand pounds. Hostel. It was disconcerting to application submitted by SWW. It Challenged to produce a figure for learn during the afternoon session saddened him, he said, ‘to see, that the highest level, he quoted ‘about that SWW was unaware it would today, minimum standards have ten times’ that amount, a figure be underwater on a high tide. The become the maximum’. It would disputed by several informed drawing actually showed seats on be a tragedy if the community and members of the audience. top of the station (no doubt to take SWW could not agree a credible in the view of the tide lapping at set of figures that was the location of works one’s feet). imperative on which to base the The location of the Pumping application. pipeline inadequate Station and the treatment works John Maughan and Graham King The point was made that was another area of concern. The were concerned that the present and areas in the North of England treatment works will be placed at pipeline, laid in 1948, was woefully inadequate to withstand ********************** the pressures of a Pumping Station. It already leaks constantly Log on to and repairs have little effect. The www.thisisnorthcornwall.co.uk fact that it was liquid and not solids - ‘brown windsor soup To find jobs and to win cash prizes rather than stew’ as Arthur Bannister helpfully remarked - Log on to advertise almost anything was scarcely relevant, but, as on our local notice boards pointed out, less of a hazard if properly treated. In fact why Log on and add your business to the North bother with treatment at all, it was Cornwall Directory asked, if the net impact on the environment was detrimental, an Go on … it’s free ugly treatment plant at the head of www.thisisnorthcornwall.co.uk a beautiful valley, but with no A resource for promoting North Cornwall to the masses, resulting improvement to the quality of bathing waters? that exists purely through sponsorship. The Environment Agency ********************** expressed its concern at the

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 9

Boscastle Sewage

Works continued

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Market Place 42 Fore Street The Rock Port Isaac 01840 212315 01208 72328 01208 880355 frequent discharges of effort and disruption toxic waste. ‘If I were a caused by the proposed small farmer,’ said works will not be tolerated Raymund Rogers, ‘and I unless there is a tangible emptied a small amount benefit to the community. of slurry into a river, I Boscastle is a special would be swiftly place and deserves the prosecuted. Why is best there is to offer. South West Water proposed timings getting away with it?’ In The proposed timings reply the EA stated they from start were now preparing a to finish are as follows: case file on the matter Planning Application – and asked local people to end May 2004 report any infringements Discharge Consent they noticed. Application – end May 2004 The mood of the meeting Detailed Design – summer was possibly best 2004 summed up by a Discharge Consent Issued concluding remark from Sept 2004 John Maughan who said Planning Approval Sept/ it was ‘outrageous’ that Oct 2004 SWW had planned in Construction Oct 2004 1998 to install a sewage Completion May 2005 plant but were unable to WEBBERS provide tangible figures Estate Agents (Estab 1924) The plans for the Residential & Commercial Agents at a public meeting just three weeks before sewerage system are on SELLING BOSCASTLE PROPERTY NATIONWIDE submitting a planning display at Boscastle Voted “BEST UK INDEPENDENT ESTATE application for a start Community & AGENTS” 2003 BY Homesale Network date in September. Recreation Centre DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR HOUSE IS WORTH? For your FREE market appraisal, At the end of the evening with no obligation, contact: audience and presenters A group organised a count Webbers Estate Agents left with something to of vehicle passengers 11, Lansdown Road, reflect on. Intelligent and leaving the Cobweb carpark on May Bank , Cornwall, EX23 8BH determined objections by Holiday Sunday. Tel: 01288 353661 Fax: 01288 359392 many of Boscastle's Over 3000 people were Email: [email protected] residents have shown counted. Website: www.webbers.co.uk SWW that the village “Webbers, going further and achieving more!” feels strongly that all the

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 10

votes against that the Council would recommend that six occasions be permitted. Correspondence The parish council have determined that written Parish correspondence that is received Council usually meet in the Village before the beginning of a meeting Hall on the last Thursday of each can be considered at that meeting. month. Meetings begin at 7.00pm. Members of the public are invited to The Annual General Meeting of attend. Forrabury and Minster Parish Boscastle Sewage Treatment Council was held on Thursday Scheme 27th May 2004. At the meeting held on 29th April it Clr Findlay was elected Chairman was agreed that the Parish Council and Clr Bannister as Vice would write to SW Water, Chairman. Environment Agency and the Several members of the public National Trust to seek support for attended and there were some the full tertiary treatment scheme. angry exchanges by those who felt Bathing Beach Status that the Parish Council had done An application for Boscastle little to persuade the various Harbour to receive bathing beach agencies that primary treatment of VENNINGS status has been lodged with DEFRA the sewerage was inadequate. Fishing Tackle Toilets Glenton Brown the County There has been little or no response Councillor urged all parties to FORE STREET, to the advertisement for cleaner of work together for the common (Next to Lloyds Bank) the public toilets in Boscastle. A good and suggested that a Tel: 01840 770 212 way forward has yet to be decided. spokesman be appointed to present Boscastle Web Site the case for an improved system. Barbour and Bridgedale The Boscastle Web Site is now up It was proposed by Clr Bannister clothing with accessories and running and can be found on: - that the National Trust be invited * www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk to join a joint working party of the Parish Council and representatives Hiking poles and sticks At the April meeting of the Council of the residents, in order to collate * John Wakelin gave a demonstration nformation to enable progression Binoculars, Swiss army of the site, and was thanked by the to full tertiary treatment. The knives etc Council for all his efforts. proposal was carried unanimously. *** Management of the site and its financial policy has yet to be agreed. Clr Bannister will discuss with John Wakelin. Sure Start Efforts to find land within Boscastle for this scheme have failed. There is no further news on how the Playgroup will proceed. Valency Lawn Sales A planning meeting was held on 6th April 2004 to consider an application for the opening of Valency House garden for eight occasions each year for fundraising events. Several members of the public gave a historical perspective on the use of Valency House lawn for charitable functions. Following lengthy discussion it was agreed by six votes in favour and 2

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 11

In a previous circuit, I had a friend first Pentecost. He comes to The outside of one of the Churches who told me that he would be empower us and to unite Christians will not be the only difference in the attending services on the special of all denominations. Full church next few months, many of the occasions. At Harvest Festival he unity is not yet here, but we are on services inside the Churches are would say "see you at Christmas", the way to closer cooperation. changing, in that they will be at at Christmas, "see you at Easter." However we can experience God's different times. The present pattern at Easter, "see you at Harvest." He Spirit in our hearts. Let us make this of services has been in place for was always true to his promise. Of our prayer, and if you missed the about 20 years now but will change th course I would have wished that Pentecost services this year, make from 5 September. (see next page) he would attend every Sunday, or sure that you don't miss them in You may ask, why change it? Two at least more frequently. However future. Better still join us week by reasons mainly: 1st: a change of it occurs to me, that I should have week. priest, and this one hates rushing suggested that if he was going to Rev. Andrew D. Sowden from one Church to the next on a attend on special Sundays, he Sunday, not because I’m not fit should include Pentecost. enough, but simply because I hardly I am writing this on Ascension Church & Chapel even get time to say hello to people, Day, always a Thursday, so Contact Details: never mind ask how they are!

Pentecost Sunday will be in 10 Boscastle Methodist Church: 2nd: times change, our communities days time, not long before the Rev Andrew Sowden, change. What worked 20 years ago Blowhole publication date. The Manse, Tintagel doesn’t necessarily work now, and I Pentecost Sunday is often called Tel: 770274 have tried to look at each individual Whit Sunday. In the past it was Sunday Services at 11am and 6pm parish and determine what timing always a Bank Holiday weekend. : and style of worship is right for each Now the Bank Holiday is fixed on Rev Christine Musser one. the last Monday in May, whereas The Rectory, Forrabury, Boscastle I probably haven’t got it exactly Pentecost moves with Easter, Tel: 250359 right! There are limits to what you always 50 days later. As some still Roman Catholic Church: Fr Storey can do with one priest and six use the term Whitsun to refer to St Paul’s Church, Tintagel parishes, but hopefully the new the Bank Holiday, it is less Tel: 770663 pattern will work and will not be too confusing to use the name Religious Society of Friends: difficult to get used to. Pentecost. Quakers meet each Sunday at 10am in We are all creatures of habit and Having celebrated the wonder of the John Betjeman Centre, change can be tricky stuff. One creation at Harvest, the birth of thing about being a Christian is Jesus at Christmas, and his death What do you think of our new, knowing that God doesn’t change, & resurrection at Easter, at modernistic sculpture gracing the we can rely on God’s constancy Pentecost we remember the skyline over Boscastle? The through all the changes and chances coming of the Holy Spirit. He Church tower looks pretty amazing of this mortal life. What does came in power on the disciples of I think, with all its wrappings; change though, is our understanding Jesus 50 days after his resurrection welcome to the team of builders and knowledge of God; faith is when they were celebrating the who will be toiling away up on the never static, but constantly growing Jewish feast of Pentecost, and so hill for about 6 months. When it’s and altering our perspectives, as we began the Christian church. completed, we hope to invite discover what new things God may Without Pentecost, there would be everyone to join us for a big be asking of us. no church celebrating Harvest, celebration. I’ve been warned that Christmas or Easter. Whenever you want to worship with the tower will look quite different us as we continue that discovery Christians also believe that the at first, as all the pointing will be together, I hope you don’t find it too Holy Spirit has been made new and it will take time to difficult to track us down! available to all believers since that weather and blend in. Revd. Chris Musser

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 12

Charles James Webb 1924 - 2004 Charlie Webb was born in south London on 12th September 1924. He was one of six children, three boys and three girls. When he was 12 years old he joined Fitzroy Lodge Boxing club and later in life went on to box for the Army. Two years later he started work as a messenger boy, just before the outbreak of the second world war.

He was called up into the Army in 1942 at the age of eighteen years. His brother Joseph was already Charlie at home earlier this year serving in the Royal Artillery and Business as usual at Forrabury! years of marriage and had two claimed him into his Regiment. children, Jimmy and Eileen. They have Church Times Charlie was the youngest member of th six grandchildren and one great from 5 September: the Regiment. He and Joseph grandchild. together with Charlie's future father- st Charlie loved fishing and golfing and 1 Sunday each month: in-law Eddie, were in France on D- he partook of many jars in the Cobweb. Holy Communion at: day. Charlie also served in Belgium, He will be missed by his colleagues, Lesnewth-10am; Otterham-11.30 Holland and Germany. who say his help, laughter and jokes Morning Worship at: On one of his leaves he met Peg at made life easier, and by his friends and Forrabury-10am; Trevalga-11.30 the station where she was seeing her ‘Together @ 3’ Forrabury 3pm. family who loved him dearly. father off. He stole a kiss and a hug nd 2 Sunday each month: before saying goodbye and after Peg has asked for her thanks to be Holy Communion at: many letters and another snatched given to Dr Jarvis and colleagues and Lesnewth-9am; Forrabury-10am four days leave they decided to Charlie’s many friends and neighbours Davidstow-11.30; St.Juliot-3pm. marry in 1946. for all their help and support. Morning Worship at: Charlie was demobbed in June 1947 Trevalga-11.30am rd and went back to his job in 3 Sunday each month: advertising in London. His hard Holy Communion at: work and study saw him rise from Lesnewth-10am; Trevalga-11.30 messenger boy to Chief Accountant Otterham-3pm. staying with the firm until he retired Morning worship at: at age fifty-nine. Forrabury-10am; St.Juliot-10am th Charlie and Peg had spent many 4 Sunday each month: years holidaying in Boscastle and Holy Communion at: Trevalga and dreamed of spending Forrabury-10am; Davidstow-11.30 their lives here and so the day after St.Juliot-3pm. his retirement they moved here to Morning Worship at: Morwenna. They enjoyed fifty eight Otterham-11.30

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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 13

energy drink in my hand and a T-shirt that told everyone who I was, where I Marathon Runners was from and why I was running! Then there was a big cheer- the Two local ladies took part in this London Marathon had started! year’s London Marathon, both fantastic atmosphere running their first ever full Well, twenty minutes later I crossed marathon. the start line. I started at a slow pace, I Rose Squires was running to raise had no choice due to the amount of funds for Mount Edgcumbe runners, but already there were people Hospice. She suffered from a bad lining the streets shouting my name, leg from the 19th mile but accompanied with encouraging nonetheless she continued to the comments. Where they really finishing line. shouting ' Come on Claire', it felt Rose says ‘It was tough going, strange and at first I kept saying very wet and very miserable. I was 'thank-you', it made me feel really pleased to finish. It was the special. I got into a good steady thought of the charity that kept me pace really easily and the first three going. It was a real experience and miles passed by in a daze, still I’m just pleased that I got having to convince myself that I through.’ was running the London Marathon. She completed the event in 5hrs The atmosphere was fantastic, loads of 40minutes and raised over £1250 Rose Squires, raising funds for people cheering and clapping, pubs for the Hospice Mount Edgcumbe Hospice spilling out into the streets with photo courtesy of www.tintagelweb.co.uk Clair Bolton, Practice Nurse, ran to be running a marathon for the first raise funds for FLEET - Front Line time, including me. Emergency Equipment Trust, a Yes, after a year of training, there I charity run by Ambulance was, standing at the red start in personnel and friends that buys Greenwich Park. In 12 months I had extra equipment for front line gone from not being able to run 500 Ambulances in the region. yards to running up to 18 miles. Now F.L.E.E.T has recently financed I was facing my biggest challenge, the placement of paramedic bags running my first marathon. I had on some of the Coastguard mobiles trained hard, four times a week, in in the region so that if the the wet, cold, wind and even hail and ambulance cannot get to a position snow. Why, I hear you cry, well to close to the casualty the crew have raise money for F.L.E.E.T and to a kit on the off road Coastguard achieve a personal ambition, mobile unit. although as I stood shivering at the Anything used from the bag is then red start, that question was replaced from the Ambulance so uppermost in my mind. ensuring a complete kit ready for entertainment and BBQ's. I passed buzz of excitement immediate use. runners in all sorts of fancy dress, Standing, waiting for the start, there even a rhino, and many like myself Here Claire gives the Blowhole a was a buzz of excitement. I wasn't personal account of the day: were running for charity. I was nervous, I had spent the last two conscious to ensure I took enough weeks in a state of blind panic, and I fluids on board, and there were water It was Sunday April 18th, a cold had had the sleepless nights, now I stops every mile. Apparently Johnny wet morning, and today would be couldn't wait to start. I was under no Wilkinson was dishing the water out at the culmination of a demanding illusions that it would be easy, in fact the three-mile mark, if he gave me training schedule. For years I had I was expecting it to be the hardest some water I had no idea, it was like I watched this event on the TV thing I would ever do, but this was was in a world of my own - with wishing I could be there. Yes, I am what all the training had been for. All 30,000 other people. talking about the London Marathon. those hours of plodding up and down Over 30,000 runners braved the the Camel trail, now I was about to My family had planned to support me drizzle to compete in one of the run the London Marathon, I along the way and just after the Cutty largest and most popular marathons couldn't believe it. There I was a Sark about 7 miles into the Marathon, in the world, and over 13,000 would few glucose sweets in one pocket, an I spotted the St. Piran flag and several bedraggled wet adults and

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 14

pouring, but it was what I was used to guilty for walking, but I did a bit of running in, and at least I would have a that anyway. Eventually I went good excuse for looking awful in the under Tower Bridge and along the photos. The support from the crowd embankment. I was soaking and so was endless and hearing them shout wishing to see the finish line. I heard 'come on Claire from Cornwall' put a someone say only 1km to go oh God smile on my face and urged me on were they right? Could it be true and mile after mile after mile! Yes it did then I saw the finish line. I held seem like that, I had no idea at times back the tears, have you ever tried to where I was or how far I had run, the run and cry at the same time, it's not mile signs were invisible to me. The easy. We had gone passed only landmark I recalled was Tower Buckingham Palace but I didn't Bridge and it was here that the care, I just wanted to cross the finish F.L.E.E.T support team shouted words line. of encouragement, again it lifted my ‘Well done Claire’ spirits and now only another 13 miles 5 hours and 13 minutes after the to go. starting gun went off I crossed the grit and determination Clair with her medal finish line of the London Marathon My family was waiting for me at 14 2004. I stood there and shouted 'Yes!' children (was it really raining that and 21 miles, I felt good and and then cried my eyes out. A lady much I thought?). It was my Mum, apparently looked good at 14 miles, came up and gave me a hug and a Dad, Husband and three children; my but at about 18 miles it got really medal. Everyone was saying 'Well sister, brother-in-law and they're two tough. I was tired, wet, disorientated done Claire' I had done it, I had children, My brother and his wife and and had had enough of running, but I achieved my ambition. It was a very my Godfather! Yes, they had all made kept going. Everyone had slowed emotional moment, even more so there way to London to support me - down by this stage, my legs were tired when I met up with my family and the I don't think they thought I would do but sheer grit and determination kept other F.L.E.E.T runners. I was relieved it! When I saw them I went ballistic, me going, I was going to finish this and happy and God my legs hurt! The shouting at them and waving, dancing marathon, I had to, it was what I had support of my family and the crowd around like a women possessed, it was been working so hard for. At 21 miles was overwhelming and restored my such a great feeling to see them. I I waved and cheered at my family, faith in human nature. It was the was so relieved that I had managed perhaps lacking the gusto that I had hardest thing I have ever had to do to spot them in the crowds of had at 7 miles, but their support and but a fantastic experience, would I spectator. It was a really emotional seeing my children's smiling faces do it again? NO ...... well maybe. moment, and I wanted to cry, but I had from under their raincoats gave me Thanks to everyone who has supported to remember still another 19 miles to encouragement. People handed out me and helped to raise money, I have go. orange segments, sweets and raised approximately £1,500 for I continued running, and the rain kept bananas along the way clapping and F.LE.E.T. encouraging every runner, you felt Claire Bolton, Practice Nurse

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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 15

Boscastle Language school

www.language-school-cornwall.co.uk

youngsters find the understanding the night life in complexity of the Boscastle as least language is the keynote as enjoyable as – while afternoons are back home – the designed to appeal to visitors’ book those who want to learn Chris on the steps of Tremorvah English mainly for Boscastle Language middle and Far East in section echoes their glad cries of appreciation – the social reasons. Students School is the brainchild of order to study for basic are encouraged to find Chris and Di Johnson, English qualifications pubs, the singers, the ‘crazy’ people of homes with local respectively an advertising (the First Certificate in families and for this will copywriter and graphics English is roughly Boscastle. Older students –what Chris calls the pay £160 per week, full- artist. ‘I write the words, equivalent to GCSE) or board, a chance for she provides the pictures,’ more advanced studies Swiss Connection – business people who want villagers to welcome in says Chris, who (Cambridge Advanced friendly visitors and relinquished the rewards English). Chris is a to polish their communications skills learn a little of others’ and pressures of Surrey to qualified TEFL teacher way of life themselves. move westwards seven who wisely used it as recommend to each other Chris is author of two years ago. After brief fall back position when the advantages of personal internet publications – periods in Polzeath and St contemplating life tuition in a small friendly World Cuisine and The Mabyn finally the right outside the fast lane. His environment. London Guide. The first property came up. clients range from Anxious that his students introduces the reader to Tremorvah in Fore Street adolescents to mature gain as much diverse the international food is big enough to individuals, and from a experience as possible and scene available in accommodate both Di’s variety of backgrounds an opportunity to practise London – the history bed & breakfast business but all share a their language skills and cultural background and Chris’ language determination to mornings are devoted to to a country’s traditional school. improve either their students demanding – and foods, their preparation social skills or career demanding is often the Students come from all and serving methods as options. Working as au key word – intensive over Europe, and from the well as a guide to pairs or waiters, grammar sessions where

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 16

Boscastle lifestyle. Whether here for Language a just a week or several School Continued months their comments all restaurants. The second reflect a joyful communal volume covers all that experience. Students speak London has to offer a of the ‘warm atmosphere’ Boscastle has entered the visitor, from museums to of the ‘beautiful village transport systems to its which is very BEST KEPT nightlife. Influenced by friendly’ (Leyla from his new surroundings as Turkey). ‘Learning is a lot VILLAGE soon as Chris came to of fun,’ writes Ute from Cornwall he began Germany, ‘I didn’t want to leave.’ Perhaps the best COMPETITION gathering material on a new topic: a work based compliment of all comes Points are awarded for: on the Arthurian legend. from Alberto of Milan who confesses that he is both No litter or unsightly refuse dumps There is no doubt that the lazy and loves pasta, ice- Tidy churchyards and war memorials Language School cream and bananas. ‘Last explodes the myth that summer,’ he wrote, ‘my Well kept fences, verges, gardens, learning a language is wife and I spent two weeks allotments etc boring. As well as with Chris. He is much Clean bus shelters and telephone meeting a diversity of more than a teacher. In his locals, students quickly school you can study in the kiosks make friends with Chris’ room with a piano, in the Up-to-date notice boards neighbours, get to garden and, why not, also explore the beaches and in the kitchen where Chris Judging takes place during countryside and generally is preparing some good revel in a relaxed June and July food for you.’ CR

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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 17

District Councillor Janey Comber SUPPORT FOR CARERS Do you look after a after relatives or friends family member, friend are happy to do so, it can or neighbour – someone also be very demanding of any age who is and stressful, calling on disabled, elderly, frail or all your reserves of unwell who cannot emotional and physical manage without your energy. So it is important help? If this describes to get as much help and you, then you are a support as you need, and carer. to know who to turn to

Many people are carers for advice and and everyone’s situation information. is different. You may be Carers Support looking after an older, Workers can provide The proposed sewage continued efforts. elderly, unwell or advice, information and system for Boscastle is On a brighter note, I am disabled person full- support to Carers, and rightly causing a lot of delighted to let you time, possibly 24 hours help you to access the concern at the moment, know that North a day, 7 days a week. services you need. and I would like to say Cornwall is now within You may be simply Denise Hare is the Carers that I fully support the the top ten councils for helping out on a regular Support Worker for the large number of residents recycling. This is basis. You may be North Cornwall area and who think that primary wonderful news, and young or old, looking can be contacted on : settlement is not what is what we want to do now after your husband or 01872 261035 or mobile needed. I personally think is try and increase the wife, an elderly parent number 07968 605320. that it is totally number of households or a relative or a child A Carer’s tea party is unnacceptable nowadays that participate in the with disabilities. The being held at Crackington to be putting raw sewage scheme. I know that for person you care for may Institute on 16th June at into our seas, and will do some people storage is a be physically or 2pm. Anyone who is whatever I can to help problem, but please do mentally unwell, or just looking after a relative, Boscastle get the facilities give it a try. For all too frail to manage friend or neighbour is that it deserves. I was those who have a alone. welcome to come along. It is hoped to set up a very sorry not to be able holiday property, please Whoever you are and to attend the S.W.W. encourage your visitors regular support group for whatever type of caring carers to provide them meeting in the village hall to recycle as much as you do, it is important in May, but due to the possible. Don't forget with information and not to forget your own support and enable them very short notice it was that you can recycle all needs. Caring can be not possible to re-arrange your plastic bottles now, to meet others in a similar very rewarding, and situation. a journey to a wedding. but remember to take many people who look However, David Brown, the lids off first and put who is the Chief them in your rubbish Executive of the District bin. At the moment, Council, did attend the because residents are so meeting, and has since good at sorting their been working to see how recycling, over 99% of we can support you best. what goes in to the I would like to thank centre gets recycled, a everyone who has taken really high figure. JC the time to write to me, and assure them of my Contact Janey by phone on 01840 230497 email: janey.comber@ saintgennys.co.uk.

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 18

THE PLOT: A PUNNY ROMANCE Happy Birthday, Adeline (Note- this definitely has to be say next. read aloud to make any kind of “Arum,” she hesitated, “Geum not sense!) sure, alum, think about it!” William gave a shrub of his Anise of mine, Florrie Culture, shoulders, saying, ”I’m very worked in her allotment, even umbel. Hyssop to you, humus when winds would freesia. It never salvia conscience but iris my looked like she had dung mulch case.” and however tendril she was, her “Well, lime free! It’ll be a laurel, plants would drupe. Close to the laurel fun, as Scilla would say! sedge, she felt grotto, ready to do a Cumin for a bramble in the runner and bolt. meadowsweet William? There must be a ruta mung the phlox of She watched the mandrake the sheep!” allotment opposite. “Where did he They fell hedera heels in love, comfrey? His grass is definitely never rowan, vowing they wood Many friends and family greener!” always beetroot to each other and gathered recently at the Tintagel Florrie took a closer look, “Aloe, not be a prickly pear. William Social Hall to celebrate the 90th aloe! Hebe a bit of all right too! elder tight at New Year, singing birthday of Adeline Beard. Acacia could say he’s got savoy “Furrow Lang Syne!” and said, fir!” “Swede heart, let’s tie the knot- Adeline settled in Boscastle over Sorrel to say, butternut was turned, weed be so happy together. Derris 70 years ago, firstly as cook to Dr making her plum crazy – paving no-one for me but you dill the end & Mrs Hillier where she met Les the way to stalk him like anenome. of thyme!” Beard, who was then working as She knew the daisy went to the “Thistle be grand! I honesty knew a gardener at . They allotment and would posy in her weed have a fuschia best cloves. It was a folly but she were married in her hometown of together!”Florrie simpered, with a Hickley in Northumberland in could hardy container self. “I feeling of euphorbia. canna help it! Alpine away!” She April 1937. She became Mrs Florrie Bunda. was cress-fallen! Propagating in privet became a His allotment was his favourite Adeline received over 100 cards dahlia currants, fertilising tree from friends including members hobby. He really, really dug it and children. Of gorse alder family of the Senior Citizens Club in mused on the trowels of life. He lived happily heather after! found himself thinking mower and Ends Boscastle and the Camelford mower about Florrie. Disabled Club. “Kew blimey! Have you cedar?” © Cheryl Maughan May 2004 Royston Hancock He asked his big bud, Peat. “Cor-i- ander would get on so well. I’d be vine with herbicide me butt I daren’t aster out!” “Hoe,hoe,hoe!” laughed Peat, “Manure really hooked. She’s a fine specimen, has she got any cistus?” “Don’t know her roots -I’ll cultivator friendship! Inigo with both feet!”He mustard up his courage with impatiens, waiting for her to turnip. “Elodea, howea doing? I yam Bill Bunda,” he called, feeling a little sickle! He began to gerbera bit, “Wood, yew loamy to take you out? Is that a friable proposition?” he hedged. “Cashew!” Florrie sneezed. She went pink and pursed her tulips, wondering what on earthy might Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 19

The Mills of Boscastle

Anne Knight looks into the history of the village mills deemed illegal by the lord of the manor and his bailiff would search them out and if found they were confiscated and smashed and the local inhabitants forced to use the manors grinding corn with a rotary quern millhouse and pay a fee for the privilege. Part of the Norman system The Wellington Mill early last century of government was to set up and For those of you who know me I rights to the mill but they also lost regulate markets for the sale of such am not referring to my family of Worthyvale Manor which became goods as corn. Mills but to buildings used for part of the Bottreaux estate. stone corn measure grinding corn. Those around granite querns Now located in the war memorial Boscastle were water driven as Prior to the arrival of the Normans garden is a stone vessel that was opposed to the windmills of East most houses had a quern or small once in Potters Lane, before the road Anglia and contained the hand mill for grinding corn. These was widened, where it was being machinery for milling flour. used as a water trough. It is very querns were often made of granite The oldest known mill in the and their use goes back to similar to a stone corn measure in village was at Jordan Mill. There prehistoric times. In their earliest the Market House at Bodmin with are records of a mill here in 1234. form they were a simple saddle the same type of opening and lip at Set just below the Norman Castle quern set outside the door of the the bottom. It is between 21 and 22 where the Butts and Jordan Rivers round Celtic huts and corn was inches in diameter and 12 inches meet it had a strong head of water rubbed on the surface under a hand deep. It has the capacity to hold 16 that was controlled by sluice gates held smaller top stone which was gallons or 2 Winchester bushels to regulate the water flow. Inside which was the local measure of the present building there is a capacity for corn, fruit and so on. It carved stone bearing the date has been said that it was used as a 1309. During renovations to the measure in the castle but it is more building many years ago the stone likely that it came from Boscastle's was rendered over. own Market House, like the one in only six mills in Cornwall Bodmin, where it formed the standard measure. When the Doomsday survey was grinding corn with a saddle quern carried out in the eleventh century The Cornish word for mill is melyn the Jordan Mill was one of only six gripped in both hands. The grain or melynjy for a millhouse. This mills in Cornwall. It was the was crushed into a coarse word melyn - ty mutates to give us property of the Bottreaux family wholemeal flour which also the descriptive name Valen - cy. who milled corn there and contained small amounts of the as Valency Valley is the source of the permitted the monks from Minster well! leat, which fed the Wellington Mill, priory to use it free of charge and it also provided the power to The more familiar rotary querns provided they waited their turn and drive mills at Anderton, New Mills were constructed from two round used it after the manor had and near its source Halamelin. You flat granite stones. The top stone had finished their own milling. The will see the references again to the a hole in through its centre through mill became the subject of a court at Halamelin. Hal which small amounts of grain were ruling in 1306. The Haccombe is Cornish for moor or down and fed whilst it was being turned by family of Worthyvale Manor were again melin for mill. hand. The grain sandwiched claiming the mill belonged to them Wellington Mill between the two stones was ground and the sixth William Bottreaux to flour; these querns were an The Wellington Mill had two took a case to Launceston assizes innovation of the Iron Age. waterwheels, one on either side. It to prove his ownership. As a result was worked before the First World In Norman times these querns were the Haccombes lost not only any War by women who carried grain

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 20

Boscastle’s

Mills continued sacks that would weigh up to two hundredweight. Houses beside the mill once housed the mill workers and were known as Island Cottages because they were built between the Valency, the leat and the Jordan. At harvest time women and children gathered grain left beside the hedges and paths after the main harvest. It was put into paper sacks and taken to the mill where it was ground for them. The Wellington Mill was last used during the Second World War when it also generated electricity for the hotel. Manganese mill The ‘Wellington Millwheel’ with Tim Sharp, who is hoping to get it turning again (more info on Tim’s restoration project on page 27) A mill, of course, could be used for as a cart-house, workshop and survives and although overgrown grinding other materials. On the garage, had been bought from the and needing maintenance the mill south side of the Valency river manor by Norman Webber. He leat is still traceable. If someone beside the lower bridge is the found it still contained traces of had the time and energy it would property now called Seagulls. This manganese and one of its be very interesting to see it at one time was a Manganese mill. millstones was buried in the floor. working again and it would show Manganese was mined in quantity Another millstone was found today’s youngsters how, what I locally. It is a black mineral used in buried in the road outside during think of as ‘real’ machinery, glass making and was exported the laying of the sewer in 1947. works. through the harbour. Shipments of Although the manganese mill and Anne Knight manganese ore from Boscastle amounted to 200 tons in 1820, 1000 Jordan mill do not show much of The Blowhole would like to tons in 1830 and 180 tons in 1840. their origins nowadays you can congratulate Anne and Rodney still imagine the Wellington mill Knight on the publication (as we The building had a waterwheel on working with its more modern go to print) of their ‘Book of its south side that was fed by a waterwheel on the north side, Boscastle’. It will be reviewed in subterranean leat from the river some of the mill machinery the next edition. Jordan. In the 1830's and the 1840's the mill was occupied by Messrs Williams & Co of Scorrier. The Williams family were joint holders of the manor of St Day and Poldice mine, and their wealth was based on mining. The family estate was on land at Scorrier from where they managed the family business. The family was one of the constructors of Plymouth breakwater and they had mining interests locally, nationally and internationally. bought from the manor In January 1850 the mill was advertised for long term let. It was described as having a large stream of water and suited to the flour trade, brewing or paper manufacture. By 1950 the building, which had been used by Mr Burnard

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 21

Jim Castling on Clerk was one of Ron Hart, Camelford Town Clark R the very first Cleri- Celebrates 10 Rock climbing instructor, School Governor, hew subjects we carried, Years of Writing Wrinkly Super-Biker. here seen helping take down a Cobweb sign ob- and taking jected to by the NCDC at Pictures for the the time. Later we carried one for Blowhole The Rev. John Ayling but it was rather too frivolous as a ne of Jim’s first ideas when memento for what he con- O he joined the Blowhole tributed here in Boscastle so Team in Winter 1994 was to run a Jim has produced the new Clerihew in each edition, a short ‘retro’ below. verse about as particular person This double-page and clues to their character. Only spread is intended as a cele- four lines were allowed. bration of ten years of in- sights and, hopefully, witty portraits of some of the on Hart can keep smiling people who make the vil- R Teaching abseiling. lage tick. The six selected Rather less of a lark here are those Jim thinks Is the job of Town Clerk. are among his best verses. There is only one new one: that for Graham King, Pro- prietor of the Witchcraft Revd. Canon John Ayling Retd. Museum.

Rector of Boscastle Group of Churches, poems and verses Rural Dean, Canon of Truro Cathedral Jim, whose illness pre- vents him from taking up his normal role on the Blowhole, is working on an anthology of all the rhymes he has written for the Blowhole over the years. It will be mixed with many other poems and verses he was written. Jim thinks it will be a helpful adjunct to the sec- ond series of ‘A Seaside Parish’ scheduled for next Spring. ever one for s snags We owe to John’s inventive He will be making N bewailing ways contact with those people Quiet endeavours of With joyful hymns, canons who have featured in Cleri- John Ayling and rounds hews, verses and Rhy- Leave achievements safe In concert with the harbour Rhymes over the years for and sound sounds. In Boscastle’s established their permission to repro- Another most important round. duce them in his book. role Any proceeds from sales, Our great Millennium To found our very own Celebrations, Blowhole after contribution to print- Inspired by Join’s And, in valedictory zeal, ing costs, will be donated deliberations, The Church Tower Fund village charities. And VE Day’s great Jubilee Appeal. He hopes to reproduce Were fostered with his the pictures in colour and to energy. Our August Sing-Fest, print on good quality art Songs of Praise paper. Costs have yet to be explored !

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 22

Graham King Bill Perry

Witchcraft Museum Proprietor Boscastle Builder, Sexton, A Man who Auxiliary Coast Guard has ‘Worked on every Roof in Boscastle’ Great Promoter of Village Interests

ystic incantations One Hallowe’en, he thought M there, he’d buy this unique ill Perry’s work is all around to see; As fast you can say ‘em emporium; B Witness to his skills and industry. Nether spirits everywhere, Rapidly developed the world’s His other calling beckons all in town. As fast as you can lay ‘em. most famous witch museum; Starting at the top and Magic spells so powerful, Joined the Coast Guard, working No mortal could gain-say ‘em. turning out for dark, cliff All the daily livelihood rescue missions his way Of spirited King Graham. (Totally unfazed by all those down ghastly apparitions !)

Raymund Rogers Philippa Arthan

Artist, Athlete, Man of Ideas, Researcher, Parish Councillor, Great Contributor to Village Affairs. Folk Musician, Founder Blowhole Team

henever there’s vil- Councillor, musician, jew’ller, oiling up the Cornish Allotment holder, resolute lage undertaking, mother, hills, Horticulturalist. W T Whenever there’s a movement Member of the founding Cruising down the dales. needs support Blowhole Team; Improving on his latest time; Raymund Rogers, singular; She’s the natural; project- Devoted to Boscastle like no His stamina prevails. Devoted village dweller: Amateur astrologer leader in the making; other, Gifted artist of repute; And true, insightful fella. It’s Philippa they call to hold Philippa’s commitment stands Accomplished portraitist. the fort. supreme.

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 23

will be memorable ones. The Good Food Catering Company With the experience Mike has gained in sales and dishes such as ‘dill project management, he is muffins with smoked aware that event planning salmon’, ‘thai coconut is key to the success of chicken sticks’ and any celebration. To that ‘caramelised onion end The Good Food tartlets with gruyere and Catering Co. offers a thyme’ - just a few complete service, which delicious sounding ideas can include menu from the huge selection planning, china and of suggestions from tableware hire and which to choose. Of providing staff to course, you could use replenish plates and pour their bespoke service - the tea.. Lucy and Mike will Although a lot of people thoughtfully tailor their enjoy cooking these days, menus to match your hosts exhaust themselves Lucy and Mike of the Good Food Catering Company specific requirements, by making such a super- whether you want a Having spent many years their principles. Their human effort to impress traditional or visiting North Cornwall first priority is to provide their guests or cater for contemporary style of for their holidays, Lucy interesting, tasty dishes large numbers that by the menu. Barber and Mike Shone using the best quality time it comes to eating, were delighted to make seasonal ingredients - Lucy, who has a the last thing they want to Boscastle their with locally sourced Diploma in professional do is eat anything. Lucy permanent home a year ingredients where Catering, hopes that this and Mike aim to remove ago. Lucy is a familiar possible. They prepare combination of creative that stress and strain so face to many, as she all their food from flair and personal service that the hosts can relax works part-time in the scratch, using no will ensure that their and enjoy their party as Post Office. commercial catering client's special occasions much as everyone else". Food is Mike and Lucy’s products. This means passion and they are that they can provide excited to have launched food that is individual their outside catering and reflects each clients

company. own tastes, which often means food with a twist: The Good Food Catering at a recent christening Company specialises in party the client asked for providing delicious a cake that looked like a Whether you’re holding an informal supper for buffet food for both bundle of fluffy nappies! friends or a buffet party for 100, our delicious private and business imaginative food will mean that you can relax as functions. Browsing their menus, much as your guests. Lucy and Mike are your appetite is determined to stick to immediately whetted by Dinner Party Dishes Finger and Folk Buffets Weddings and Celebrations Private and Business Functions Canapés for Drinks Parties Holiday Cottage Deliveries Funerals and Receptions Meals for the Freezer Children’s Parties Celebration Cakes

We offer bespoke and themed menus to match your exact requirements. Why not contact us to discuss yours?

Lucy & Mike 01840 250885

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 24

Boscastle Community and Recreation Centre

The Short Mat Bowls entered the North Cornwall Winter Bowls League and finished fifth out of eight teams after

THANKS some exciting matches. photo courtesy of www.tintagelweb.co.uk The Club night is on Monday evenings at 7 pm. At the recent Annual Parish Meeting, Vivien Hircock and Mike Hircock were presented with tokens of appreciation following Mike’s stepping down from chairman of the Parish The Table Tennis will be Council, a post he held for 25 years. He continues to serve as a councillor. Full report of taking a break during the the meeting on page 28. summer months, but will Pictured, from left: Pat Day, Vivien Hircock, George Findlay and Mike Hircock. start again in September. Mike Hircock has sent the There has been very little following letter to the Sunrise Barbara Kenyon would interest in the use of the Blowhole: like to thank the nursed gym despite repairs having I would like to thank Ruby Scott would like to and doctors at the Duchy been made to the various councillors and ex- thank Mandy especially of Cornwall, following exercise machines. As a councillors for the generous for organising the coffee her recent stay in result of the lack of use, gift of a £200 voucher morning at “Penlea” for hospital for a hip the committee will towards a camera on my the Sunrise Unit at operation. consider the closure of the retirement as chairman of Treliske, and to everyone She also thanks all her gym. Forrabury & Minster Parish else for the donations I friends, family and received and the prizes Council. relations for the flowers, The Pop-In mornings of given for the raffle and Vivien would like to thank gifts and cards they have Mondays and Thursdays the cake stall. everyone for the beautiful kindly sent her. are still welcoming anyone I am pleased to say the bouquet of flowers. Barbara is making good for refreshments and a amount raised was £265 Both gifts came as a progress and hopes to be chat and could do with Thank you one and all! complete surprise - once back collecting Air some more support again, a big thank you. Ruby Ambulance monies Carole Flower Mike and Vivien dreckly

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 25

The Cave of Harmony Harbourmaster’s News looks ahead . . . After end of the winter razorbill on the front Michael Turner reveals some of the plans for next spring’s ex- travaganza and requests some assistance storms the boats are lawn (lost in the fog?!) coming back in for the Mike from the National June is the beginning of the last eight years we have summer season. Ken Trust arrived with nets summer. It is also time to built up a quite a large col- Cave with Peganina is and got it safely into start planning the details of lection of costumes, male back to start his potting Jane’s cat carrying box. next year's Music Hall. The and female. We must now and his popular angling Jane rang the RSPCA Cave of Harmony has a find somewhere where and sightseeing trips. We who arrived by 11am and challenge before it. Last they can be safely have 7 or 8 boats on their their collection officer February's production was housed, somewhere dry moorings and maybe took the bird away. generally agreed to have and reasonably accessi- more by the time this 22nd May: Much Jane’s been the best so far and we ble: in an empty garage, for goes to print. are determined not to rest on instance. If anyone reading delight, the RSPCA our laurels. this knows of such a place, ‘William’ (the seal) officer came with the hasn’t appeared lately – razorbill and released it As usual, we try to select we'll be very grateful for a telephone call to Myrna Les- maybe he is on better to its probable home a theme for a show that fishing grounds! territory on the cliffs. will please audiences, suit ter at 01840 250520.

the talents of the cast and, if Our second vital need is 20th May 8 am: Jane Fred Siford possible, has a link with for someone to operate Castling discovered a Boscastle. It has become our stage lighting. We clear that the most promis- have an excellent modern ing subject, an ambitious system in the Village Hall, one, is one that we have had and anyone who has seen in mind for some time: the one of our first seven produc- sea. tions will know how effective So, we plan our next ex- it can be, as operated by the travaganza in February talented Ross Yates, now at 2005 to be a Maritime Mu- college. Age and experi- sic Hall, with a choice set of ence are not the most im- numbers, some familiar, portant qualities we seek, some rediscoveries, some for we can arrange basic hilarious, some sad, some training. The operation of real surprises, many with the computerised lighting choruses for the audience to desk (which can also be join in. So, you may expect used manually) and the traditional sailors' songs, lanterns is not only crucial jolly shanties, music hall to the success of the show, songs about the seaside and it can also be very satisfy- its delights - especially ing. Anyone tempted to those concerning the attrac- learn more should telephone tions of young ladies sport- me on 01840 250250. Christopher Key ing in the waves - nautical It would also be gratifying if ballads about bravery in we could find persons to take Solicitor battle and the perils of charge of wardrobe and cho- Trebiffen, Boscastle PL35 0BN

shipwreck, maidens pining reography. Myrna Lester can Tel: 01840 250200 Fax: 01840 250900 for their loved ones across the provide the details on ocean, comic ditties sung by 01840 250520. Finally, any Established 1997 pierrots on the beach and... ambitious person who serving the local community well, some ideas we'll keep might like to try his or her under wraps at the moment. talents on stage is wel- conveyancing and wills However, we do have a come to contact me on probate, general litigation, etc few problems to be solved 01840 250250, and perhaps Member Law Society Personal Injury panel and we hope that we may come to an audition. Agricultural Specialist find solutions in Boscastle or Michael Turner Harbour Secretary nearby. To begin with, over

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 26

by the new arrivals the swiftly realised that with no wraith’s presence convenient means of manifested itself in controlling the sluice gate at various bumps and the top the whole mill area crashes, objects being could be flooded. It is now moved or flying through Tim’s intention to control the the air. Following advice, sluice by electronic means. Tim and Judith offered the Maintenance is a constant poltergeist a libation – a problem but with financial glass of champagne and a support and help from the biscuit – since when the other Mill residents they problems seem to have hope to provide at least an eased. illustration of how the building worked in its POOP DECK Judith Sharp at the Poop Deck in The Old Mill Apart from making The heyday. Poop Deck a success, Welcome to Boscastle’s Bosnia they were billeted Tim’s other ambition is to Tim and Judith hope to latest business venture: next to a minefield. restore the mill wheel to expand their business to The Poop Deck at The Old Finally the children found working order. It was last include pictures and artefacts Mill. Since 1 April Tim boarding school lives in original use in 1936. In such as driftwood sculpture and Judith Sharp have preferable – William is the 1980s one of by local artists so if anyone launched a new shop presently at Shebbear Boscastle’s real originals, is interested they should selling a range of College, Milly near Bath David Turner, got the contact The Poop Deck collectibles – furnishings, on a geology bursary. wheel turning with the aid immediately. china, kitchenware and Like many who have of an electric motor. It ornaments - all with a With his interest in the moved to Boscastle the survived until different welfare of ex-service nautical theme. rates of water flow and Sharps found the area at personnel uppermost, Tim Tim is an ex-lieutenant- first congenial and then a sludge burned out the has also launched an ID card colonel who, for nineteen series of holidays motor. scheme that would act as a years, flew helicopters in throughout the year Tim first dug down to the discount card for purchases most of the world’s persuaded them they could bedrock under the wheel of household goods, trouble spots – Bosnia, stand the vagaries of and lined the reservoir groceries, holidays and save Northern , Cyprus, Cornish weather. Having with bitumen. He rebuilt on travel costs and hotel Afghanistan. Judith and lived all over the world the motor and repaired the accommodation. Any ex- their two children endured they have now decided elm buckets. Initially he forcepersons living in the the upheavals of a service that most of all they would and son William, along area should contact Tim at existence, moving posts like to stay here. with friends Ian Dawson, The Old Mill or via his every eighteen months or Shortly after setting up in Barry Knowles and Mike website two years. Whilst in The Old Mill they Shone - intended to dig www.britishveterans.co.uk

Armagh the family kept discovered its resident out the mile-long leet guns in their quarters, in leading up the wheel but See page 20 for Anne Knight’s feature ghost. Possibly disturbed on the Mills of Boscastle

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 27

St George’s Day Quiz ANNUAL PARISH MEETING in the Village Hall This was held on Thursday 27th May the local community. It was hoped Angela Pethick Chairwoman of the 2004. The Chairman of the Parish that work would be completed in Open Doors (the fund raising Council gave a report on the various early – mid November. activities of the Council during the committee for all the Boscastle The wooden screen behind the altar past year. Group of Churches) had this great had been removed revealing the The clerk to the Council gave the idea to have a Quiz Night. ‘You glass window to be in a poor state of financial statement and reported that can do it’ she encouraged as she repair. It is hoped to commence the precept had increased almost asked for volunteers. This first work on this repair fairly soon. It is 100% this year. The increase had ever effort was a steep learning suggested that application be made been necessary in order to fund the curve for all concerned, but it to have the screen permanently employment of a cleaner for the turned out to be a very successful removed. public toilets. As yet, no such person evening well attended by 10 eager has been found. Women’s Institute: June Swanson teams of 6 people each. reported a successful year with many District Councillor report: Cllr interesting activities taking place. Many thanks to the Boscastle Comber reported that Cornwall was New members are always welcome. Ladies Team who enlivened the now in the top10% of Councils for Village Hall: Michael Parsons evening by organising the raffle efficiency in re-cycling. She will reported that the Village Hall is self and winning half the prizes! arrange a visit to the re-cycling plant financing mainly thanks to Michael sometime in August for anyone Despite declaring they did not Turner and the Cave of Harmony. interested in seeing the process. have a ‘man’ on their table (to The Playgroup is the main user of Cllr Comber ended her report by answer the sports questions of the hall and will probably continue emphasising the importance of course!), they were very happy to to be so as they have been unable to County, District and Parish Councils win the sugar mice. Going by the find alternative premises. working together for the common smile on Brett’s face we knew good. The Blowhole: Arthur Bannister Rev. Chris had got the religious reported that the 46th Blowhole is question correct, where other County Councillor report: Cllr about to be issued. Glenton Brown thanked Mike vicars have been known to fail! Sales are going well and costs are Hircock who had given over a Too many musical questions covered. It is hoped to increase the quarter of century of service to the meant that the Mussers had an numbers printed. unfair advantage. Sorry folks you Parish Council many of them as Chairman. He retired early this year The meeting ended with the can win next time. The hard work due to ill health. Chairman making a presentation of a and nervous tension for a new gift token to Mike Hircock in event was well worth while. We Church: Rev Christine Musser recognition of his years of service as raised approx. £225 but it was a reported that work on the tower was Chairman of the Council. His wife very sociable evening and requests now well underway and that it was Vivien was presented with a bouquet an amazing achievement that the full to repeat the event have been of flowers. (see picture on page 25) cost of repairs had been raised by noted. Margaret Kemp

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 28

Lancashire. The executors of the late Mr John Hargreaves, aided by Pete’s Peeps their active agent, Mr Waddington, have made Burnley a village of Cornish miners. 27 Nov 1873 Returning Miners at the Past It is now a fact that the next few weeks will bring into the county 23rd April 1868 Busy Time For from1500 to 2000 of our Cornish The Fish Business miners who have left or are leaving the American ports for The Mount’s Bay Fishery was a 28 May 1872 Regatta splendid success as was seen as the home because of the break up in boats arrived in having Padstow has been foremost in the mines and factories and the 7,000 fish downwards. One boat (an country to commence the Regatta gloomy state of things in North East Countryman) had 11,000 fish. Season. This annual event was America. Many Cornishmen have The price varied from £1 down to witnessed by a large crowd, been out of work and are unable 12s.6d and then remained firm at including many visitors from other either to return or gain a living. areas. The marks were moored off 15s and 16s. All day fish were being 1 Jan 1874 A Review of 1873 carted to which kept the Bray Hill, Cant Hill and Dennis, The year 1873 will be memorable roads, streets and railway very busy the passing of which could be seen for the Depression in Cornish with the total being around 115 tons. from all points. At the end, a mining and its predecessor for its Five thousand baskets of fish were competition took place for a leg of exciting prosperity. The ‘furore’ of rapidly dispatched by three specials lamb tied to a greased bowsprit of 1872 relapsed into utter stagnation and the mail train. On the same day a smack. After several duckings and failure in the year that about 20 tons were sent from . the winner was a lad called Tippett. Music was supplied by the followed. Legitimate Cornish 9 July 1868 A Native of the Green No 1 DC Volunteer Artillery mining has suffered materially, but Isle Band. that it will survive we have no A big mistake was made by the doubt. Its merits are sufficient to 20 Oct 1873 A Village of outlive much more than this and police constables at St Austell. A Cornish Miners lunatic Irishman escaped from when the dust and debris of the Bodmin Gaol, and seeing an Up to Thursday last over 900 tumbling, rickety concerns have Irishman in the town and evidently picked miners had left Cornwall to been cleared, honest mining will thinking all natives of the Green Isle supply the places of the locked-out stand out again as clear as ever. are rather cracky, and that this one colliers of one coal mine in would do quite as well as the other, marched him off to the lockup. He had resided in the higher quarter of the town for years and said that he had been to pay his rates but they PARKWAY didn’t believe him. After arriving at ESTATE AGENTS, BUSINESS TRANSFERS, SURVEYORS & VALUERS the police station, however, he was soon liberated. Contact Parkway Estate Agents for a Free Market Appraisal 1 Sept 1870 War Between France and Germany • ESTATE AGENTS • INSURANCE Scilly Islands. There are now 34 N • SURVEYING & ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING German vessels in our harbour, • PERMANANT TENANCY LETTING having been warned of the war • MORTGAGE AND INVESTMEMT between France and Germany • STROUD & SWINDON BUILDING SOCIETY (Franco Prussian War). French • BUSINESS TRANSFER gunboats cruise very near our islands and have made some captures. A few left our port for www.parkwaycornwall.co.uk Liverpool, others for Havre, having OFFICES AT cargoes on French account. They are allowed to enter, discharge and CAMELFORD, 6 MARKET PLACE 01840 212121 leave without risk of capture. TINTAGEL, FORE STREET 01840 770825

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 29

wish she had not! If you have any problems in any Camelford & District Postie Tracey way please speak to us – we are human. Cardiology Foundation

On another note, when you move At the recent A.G.M. it was pleasing house you are required to do an to report that we had donated £4000 official redirection. If you don’t in the past 12 months to the and your post is refused by the Plymouth Heartswell Fund. This new owner then we are obliged to now brings our total contributions to send it back, marked ‘gone away’. £62,500 in the eleven years of fund As always, time is something I raising !! have little of, so have a great time The disappointing part of the in our lovely countryside. Enjoy it meeting was that we don't seem to at its best. attract any more people to help / Hi, well what a glorious summer Love Postie Tracey advise /suggest future fund raising so far. It is such a joy to be out events. and about in this lovely sunshine There followed our usual bi-monthly and as I drive through the valley meeting to discuss at length the fund back roads, all I can see are raising events for 2004. different shades of green with It was decided to have our usual blankets of bluebells and there’s Summer Draw, with monetary a strong smell of wild garlic. prizes of 1st £150 2nd £75 3rd £50

With this glorious weather my plus other prizes. work toll gets more: more grass A sponsored walk will be held at to cut, more weeds to pull, more Little Oaks, East Dizzard, St hedges to trim, more work all Gennys, on Sunday 27th June, at round. All work and no play 11am by kind permission of Mervyn makes me a dull boy, so don’t be & Mary Northcott. This will surprised to find that I do have a Postie Karen conclude with a Bar-Be-Q. Please week or two’s holiday now and wondering who let the dogs out try and come to this walk as it has then . . . but if our holiday relief been very successful in the past! man is going to crunch Pat’s van Sponsor forms will be obtainable when I’m off, I will have to from 01840 770 671. think twice about it if only for BOSCASTLE CP There will be (provisionally) a musical evening at Camelford Hall Jess’ sake! We all have SCHOOL accidents. on 11th September 2004. The Christmas Craft Fayre this year Normally when you cannot see will once again be held at Forrabury Tower it is because of Wadebridge, on Thursday / Friday sea mist, but now it has been 25th/26th November 2004. This disguised with scaffolding and decision was not taken without a lot sheeting. Is this a helicopter DUCK RACE DAY of discussion, and it was eventually pad? decided that a lot more money might

I do apologise for the amount of 2004 be raised. Volunteers / helpers will be needed to serve refreshments and election material going through th your letterboxes, but our hands Sunday 11 July sell raffle tickets, any offers of help nearer the time will be appreciated, are tied. (must make delivering difficult. Ed.) All the usual don't forget, the more help the easier it will be for everyone concerned. Obviously most of you love attractions plus There may be some coffee mornings hanging baskets, but my head does held throughout the year, so keep not so please bear in mind the entertainment watching the local papers and height when you hang them. On a serious not, dogs: both Karen The Duck Race Auction posters!! Thanks in anticipation of another and myself have been bitten in the and Raffle will be held last two weeks. We have nasty bites successful year, but remember that on our legs. We both love dogs on your committee are a year older, and usually, so please restrain your Friday 9th July at The more limited in their involvement. beasts or next time we might bite D Brown back, and in Karen’s case you will Cobweb Inn

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 30

Valency Giant Plymouth-Dakaar Rally Feb 2005

John and Cheryl Maughan vehicle (capable of crossing have been accepted for the the Sahara!) that you could Plymouth-Dakaar Rally, sell to John and Cheryl for leaving in Feb 05. The main £100, its real value will go thrust of the rally is to raise directly to help needy funds for chosen Gambian Gambians. There is no back- charities but John and Cheryl up for any of the cars and any will also be taking unforeseen problems have to sponsorship for Mount be sorted out en route by the Edgcumbe. contestants. They have taken up the challenge but need The rally entry conditions your help! state that all cars must be You can contact John and left-hand-drive, preferably Cheryl. through the website less than five years old and www.boscastlebusker.com cost less than £100 to the or via the Blowhole. drivers. At the end of the Working with children from Boscastle rally, all cars are auctioned to Colin Bond has also been School, sculptress Serena de la Hey the direct benefit of Gambian accepted so if you have two created and installed this figure in an oak charities and the drivers fly bargain left-hand drive cars, tree in the Valency Valley as part of the back to the UK. If you have a I’m sure he would be National Trust’s Creative Partnerships redundant left-hand-drive interested. Arts Project. The figure forms part of a trail of ten giant sculptures located in various sites around North Cornwall. Ms de la Hey is also creator of the willow man beside the M5 in .

Answers to Crossword Across 1. Campanile 24. Red 42. Led 5. Ait 27. Scud 9. Abelia 26. Bourn 44. Neophyte 6. Nainsook 29. Ngaio 10. Stria 27. Slug 46. Eternally 7. Longeron 31. Ibis 12. Legation 28. Aeon 47. Shah 8. Stem 35. Bop 14. Tee 30. Omotic 48. End 10. Stun 36. Scythe 15. Drag 32. Nog 49. Pelisse 11. Rebel 39. Onion 16. Nag 33. Nebula Down 13. Oakum 41. Ate 17. Umber 34. Dab 1. Caldera 18. Emulate 42. Lille 20.Ed 37. Aid 2. Aberdeen 19. Rug 43. Dayan. 21. Skean 38. Folio 3. Mega 22. Anteater 45. Heap 23. Emu 40. Cats 4. Plage 25. Doodle

TINTAGEL CARNIVAL Saturday 14th August 7 pm Raising funds for Tintagel Pre- School & Tintagel Youth Football Lots of fun to be had Supported by Pirate FM For entry forms, please phone 01840 770877

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 31

possibly can, is the thinking behind the ‘Blue Note Club’. Conversations (guess where) re a jazz café sort of thing seemed too complicated to get off the ground but led Pete Carole O’Rouke writes to think of promoting about the brains behind bands in the village. The village hall was the Boscastle’s Blue Note chosen venue, so to Club create the atmosphere required he designed TROUBADOURS, backdrops and made a bar, though you have to dictionary definition: Pete Rothwell, modern day troubadour Medieval French, Romantic take your own tipple, strings of blue lights and Amatory Poets/ performing with other does get a look in, but the add the final touch to Musicians. musician, especially with big L rules OK! whether it give a nice easy blues In Medieval times they also his mate Paul on the bass. is covers or his own songs feel to the hall. Here had ‘minstrels’ who played You may have heard them – and he is writing like you can relax, be in galleries and ‘jongleurs’ do a set at the Nap festival crazy at the moment. It sociable, listen to some who wandered about last summer. Its great to begins with a single excellent bands and singing. Pretty much the be in Cornwall, where melody on the guitar, then have a dance or two. same as today really, there is such a wealth of the words until the except, of course, with only talented musicians and the virtual sell-out arrangement is complete. 4 candle power, everything venues to go with them. The guitar speaks for itself was acoustic. No heavy Being able to give so It’s no surprise that the with his own playing metal or punks with such much pleasure to others club has been a success style, which he describes names as ‘Johnny le Merde through music and shring from the very first, with as ‘indescribable’! Not et les Sales Crapeaux’, as much music as we each gig being a virtual (they would have been surprising really, when sell-out. In May the hurled into deep dungeons you discover his eclectic anyway). Oh no! It was taste in music, from jazz, Romance with a touch of blues, the in-between and the Amatory and Courtly beyond, left of Love for them, and the mainstream, never pop as such. number one star was the troubadour. natural rhythms

Troubadours are still about Pete’s arrangements are today, if you are lucky individual, giving the enough to find one, and cover versions a fresh here we have an up-to-date original feel. Time spent example if ever there was in the Gambia soaking up one. Singing his song, only the natural rhythms and for you, please welcome harmonies of Africa give Pete Rothwell. an added spice to the mix, songs about love but explaining something

The approach Pete has he feels so passionate towards his music is one of about is almost complete generosity, no impossible. So it’s best to possessive chords for him. listen and find out for yourself. It’s all about sharing. ‘You see, the moment you sing a talented musicians

song it belongs to the one Being a solo artist can be a who listens; you can’t just lonely row to hoe write for yourself.’ Being a sometimes, so he enjoys troubadour, his songs are playing sessions and invariably about love, life

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 32

continued EGYPTIAN DANCER

advertised around the village – we’ll all be talking about it anyway! doors opened for Mike Finally Pete has asked Silver & Nils Tuxan with me to thank all the out very own Roger Boscastle crew, who turn Nicholls harmonising. At up in true village style, the end of the month the to help set up the club Bucket Boys played their and then clean up and selection of bluesy music clear away afterwards. with a decided country Also thanks to all who feel. come along to the show. Without you, none of enjoyed the venue this could happen. So Pete has had great come on down to the feedback from the bands Blue Note, I’ll see you themselves who have there. enjoyed the venue so By the way, I’d just like much that they want to to mention ‘Nothing for come back – not Miles’: Tom, Baz and Odette at Boscastle Harbour necessarily to play but to Rick have made their photo courtesy of www.tintagelweb.co.uk enjoy the atmosphere. own cd, so buy, buy, buy Odette van Rensburg, who there. After some Tickets are available on please! It’s all original has been living in New research, Odette returned the door or from Pete and material and will make a Road for about 3 years, is to Cornwall with the you are sure of getting happy addition to your a keen dancer, with a express aim of returning to really good value for your collection. Available particular liking for belly the Egypt as soon as blue note. Future from the boys for £6. dancing. possible - to teach belly programmes will be C o’R Odette set up a belly dancing! dancing class in Boscastle Odette is currently in the Village Hall with Jacqui Sinai dancing to tourists Spiers, from Lifton, as and holding workshops to tutor. Odette has teach the art of the dance. performed in public on She plans to be away for many occasions: she was a about three or four star attraction at last year’s months. Duck Race Day. Meanwhile, back in Returning from a recent Boscastle, the belly trip to visit her family in dancing class continues on Zimbabwe, Odette stopped Sunday evenings in the in the Sinai. Whilst Village Hall. visiting a club, the Jacqui has set up a website manager offered her a job www.letsshimmy.co.uk Boscastle Gallery

The Bridge, Boscastle. (01840) 250248

Paintings by local artists A wide selection of prints and cards plus an unusual mix of gifts and gadgets.

Open 7 days a week April. to end October Most weekends throughout the year

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 33

rose-tinted view A Seaside this edition - Jim remarked with While using Christine’s ministry as typically sardonic good humour, ‘If parish a springboard, the second series I survive long enough for the would extend its remit to look more broadcast, that’ll be good for sales. . . . Revisited widely at the work of the other If I don’t, that’ll also be good for parishes under her care. It was felt, sales’. with some justification, that the first Chris Rodda opines on the series had been too much a rose- spontaneity and naturalness proposed second series, material tinted view of Boscastle’s scenic for which is currently being filmed So what made A Seaside Parish a harbour and cliffs, leaving other success? While being young, parishes out in the cold. attractive, female and photogenic Three million viewers watched the There was some criticism too of the are televisual plusses, Christine first series of BBC2’s A Seaside shorthand identification of stock Musser was only one of a number a Parish (reviewed in the last ‘baddies’ versus the heroine, and of candidates considered by the Blowhole), a remarkable perhaps too much significance made production company. “Yes, the achievement for a religious affairs of the Witchcraft Museum camera liked her”, said Nigel programme competing with (absolutely not a centre for pagan Farrell, but what impressed him Coronation Street. No wonder that goings-on) and the innocuous most was Christine’s and her the production company Tiger practical joke element of the jelly “ability to listen”. Aspect and its producer Nigel gifts. The policy of the diocese has The response to the programme is a Farrell were anxious to approach been made clear, that no individual matter of record. The Visitors’ Bill Ind to set up a or group should feel diminished by Book at the Tourist Information second series. the programme. But all in all it has Centre marks the delight of the voice of God calling been reckoned a great success, and hundreds of signatories who Bill Ind put the question squarely bound to increase hotel bookings discover in Boscastle so much more to a meeting of church members this summer if nothing else! than they expected. They are and parishioners. The initially encompass social questions reminded that there exists still in this understandable reaction was a Nigel Farrell has stated that while country real communities in which desire to grasp Christine Musser to there was no agenda as such, the church is an essential part. It is themselves - “but she’s our vicar” previous shortcomings would be not called the Church of England - but gradually the realisation came remedied by a closer look at the for nothing. The building is “like a that such was the importance of daily life of other parishes and its Tardis”, as Bill Ind puts it. Come the Christian message she was ordinary parishioners. The inside and the vistas open out espousing that to deny it to others programme’s brief would also enormously. Even with the was tantamount to selfishness. As encompass social questions such as contraction of time and space caused David Lamond, churchwarden of the lack of employment for young by the globalisation of culture and Davidstow Church felt, “It was the people, and the impact of the large communications people need “more voice of God calling.” number of second homers on the and more a place we can call home.” Certain ground rules were laid area. The series will probably kick mixed feelings down. The Reverend Christine off on the Harbour Sewage issue, Musser had willingly endured the the villagers’ battle with South West Christine Musser, it is fair to say, pressure put on her by the first Water to get tertiary sewage had mixed feelings about continuing series for the sake of the church, treatment. the project, not least because she but Bishop Bill and Jeremy But good stories centre on the lives wanted to “get on” with her work in Dowling, the diocese’s of individuals. The programme will the parishes. She paid tribute to the communications officer, were follow the progress of a young “quiet endeavours” of John Ayling, determined that editorial control of couple who have forsaken the rat in providing the foundations of a the second series should be even race to achieve a better life in the successful ministry. Never before tighter than the first. Christine’s country, and an in-depth look at the had she experienced such sense of family, her husband and daughters, backbone of Cornwall, its farming belonging and was amazed at the had tolerated cameras poking over community. The work of the way people rallied around to help the shoulders virtually every ‘backroom staff’, church wardens good causes. Her real concern was moment of the day for weeks at a and other lay officials, without to involve those who had either time. She had seen each episode a whom the church could not function, drifted away or never been week before broadcast and had will also be featured. Another strand introduced to the faith: with the sometimes requested changes, not is Jim Castling’s battle with cancer. secularisation of schools she had to the images which were shot, but While being filmed producing his little contact with adolescents or the their interpretation via the volume of clerihews on village newer housing estates outside the voiceover. characters - featured elsewhere in villages.

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 34

Seaside Parish Revisited continued Coastguard’s universal accessibility

It does not matter to Christine Report whether someone is a church-goer or not, or what faith, if any, they 16/5/04 1208hrs Boscastle Team espouse. She is not just vicar of paged by Falmouth. Forrabury and Minster, as everyone Missing diver Castle Beach has come to realise : universal Tintagel: on scene 12.19hrs also on accessibility is what the church is all scene Rescue 169, Port Isaac I.L.B about. She is not above politics and Frank Jones North Cornwall because politics involves people. Hello again Sector Manager H.M.Coastguard. She trusts in and has used the power 25/3/04 13.07hrs Call from Returned to station 15.15hrs .In of prayer to heal and comfort the Falmouth to A.Williams L.Siford Attendance L.Siford-G.King- bereaved and give quietude to those paged - Missing person Tintagel: B.Mills-T.Little-R.Alexander- nearing their end. The record of her liaison with the Police at Tintagel D&A.Williams-D.Roots. year’s ministry did more than show car park, two search teams of four people how the contemporary search the cliffs north from Glebe 19/5/04 2015hrs Called by church operates. It appealed to cliff and south from Rocky Valley. Falmouth while on training theologians who felt she had The missing person (male) was exercise. redefined the church’s attitude to found at Tregatta corner. Returned Missing person Glebe Cliff Tintagel: society, it appealed to those who to station 15.00hrs. Casualty found, returned to station sought an ecumenical joining of In Attendance L.Siford-T.Little- 21.30hrs. In Attendance L.Siford- hands with all Christian and other D.Roots-A.Williams-D.Williams- G.King-B.Mills-T.Little- faiths, and it touched those of her Port Isaac Team-Port Isaac I.L.B- R.Alexander-D&A.Williams. correspondents who confessed they Police. had lost their faith but were 20/5/04 1431hrs Boscastle Team consoled by its message of 29/3/04 13.16hrs L Siford paged paged by Falmouth forgiveness. Her own marriage, her by Falmouth. Two adults and a baby in trouble on relationships and her experiences Assist Ambulance crew at Rocky the cliffs between Trebarwith and had struck a chord with many who Valley with a Lady who had fallen Hole Beach 14.49hrs on scene the had equally suffered all kinds of on the footpath, 1318hrs stood down two persons were on the cliff top, disappointment and loss but seeing en route, not needed. 13.36hrs safe; 15.15hrs returned to station. In how she had surmounted her returned to station. In Attendance Attendance L.Siford-G.King- problems felt that for them, life L.Siford-T.Little-D&A.Williams. T.Little- A.Williams, Frank Jones could also begin again. North Cornwall Sector Manager 9/5/04 Call from Falmouth to L H.M.Coastguard. As a footnote to the above, Jeremy Siford at home Dowling is pleased to report that, in Assist Police in a search for a Training continues on the cliffs now the Truro diocese alone, three missing person last seen Tintagel the light nights are here. As you can hundred and fifty applicants have Castle Hotel: casualty found on the see we have been very busy in May, come forward for training as lay cliffs Barras Nose. 18.15hrs returned unfortunately we have had two leaders. And, since their first to station In Attendance L.Siford- fatalities. Well that’s all for now; ordination ten years ago, half of G.King-B.Mills-D.Roots-T.Little- take care on our coastline those entering the priesthood are D&A.Williams. Les Siford S/O. now women. Chris Rodda

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 35

Opening Hours and Useful Phone Numbers

Boscastle Post Office Emergency Services: for Coastguard, Tel: 01840 250259 Fire, Police, Ambulance Dial 999

Police Station: 08705 555444 Monday 8.30—1.00 2.00 - 5.00 Central Switchboard - 24 hrs Tuesday 8.30—1.00 2.00 - 5.00 Wednesday 9.00—1.00 2.00 - 5.00 For reporting non-life threatening Thursday 9.00—1.00 2.00 - 5.00 but urgent crime: 08705700400 Friday 9.00—12.30 Closed Saturday 9.00—12.00 Closed Harbourmaster: 01840 250453

Doctors’ Surgery and out-of-hours Cash machine during business hours for emergency doctor: 01840 250209 Alliance & Leicester and Barclays. Cheques cashable for Alliance & Leicester NHS Direct (24 hour helpline): 0845 4647 Lloyds TSB, Co-op and Barclays Hospitals: (* with Minor Injuries Units)

*Bodmin (East Cornwall) 01208 251555

*Launceston General 01566 765650 Boscastle Newsagent *Stratton 01288 287700 Tel: 01840 250419 Truro (Treliske) 01872 250000 Plymouth (Derriford) 01752 777111 Cash Machine during business hours Open daily at 7.00 am Dental Helpline: 0800 371192

RSPCA: 08705 555999

Boscastle Visitor Centre 01840 250010 Mobile Bank Local Churches: 01840 250359 HSBC Bank plc Parish Council Clerk: 01840 250440 Mondays and Wednesdays 10.30 - 10.45 am Boscastle Village Hall: Barn Park, Tintagel Road Bookings: 01840 250558 Pay Phone: 01840 250171

Mobile Library Boscastle Community & Recreation Centre: Tel: 01208 812202 Bookings: 01840 250627 Calls on alternate Thursdays Cornwall County Council: Wellington Hotel: 11.35 - 12.00 Switchboard: 01872 322000 Barn Park, Tintagel Road: 12.05 - 12.30 Bottlebanks: 01872 323913

North Cornwall District Council: 01208 893333

Camelford Library Town Hall, Market Place, Camelford Tel: 01840 212409 Waste Tip, Bowithick Quarry Sanding Road, Penpethy, Tintagel Tuesday 10.00 - 5.00 Tel: 01840 770778 Thursday 10.00 - 5.00 Monday - Friday 8.30 - 4.15 Friday 10.00 - 4.00 Saturday 9.30 - 12.30 Saturday 8.30 - 12.00

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 36

Bottreaux Filling Station Moira Hart’s Fiendish Tel: 01840 250 108 Twin Piers Crossword Fresh locally produced meats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fresh bread daily 9 10 11 Wide range of groceries Fresh fruit and vegetables 12 13 14 and 15 16 17 18 19 Off Licence 20 21 22 23 Opening hours 24 25 26 27 Mon-Fri 8am-8pm Sat 9am-5pm 28 29 30 31 Sun 10am-2pm 32 33

Support your local shop 34 35 36 37 Bottreaux Filling Station 38 39 40 41 42 43

44 45

46

47

48 49

31 on page answers

Across 38. Book of paper sheets 19. Mat 1. Bell Tower 40. Felines 22. Animal 9. Asian Honeysuckle 42. Showed the way 25. Scribble 10. Groove 44. Novice 27. Move Fast (Windpower) 12. Diplomatic Mission 46. Everlastingly 29. New Zealand Tree 14. Golf Ball support 7. Eastern Monarch 31. Large Wading Bird 15. Haul 48. Terminate 35.A Quick Punch 16.Old Horse 49. Woman’s Cloak 36. Cutting Tool 17.Yellow/brown Pigment Down 39. Edible Bulb 20. Man’s name 1. Volcanic Crater 41. Consumed 21. Dagger 2.Scottish Town 42. French Town 23. Flightless bird 3. Huge 43. Senior Rabbi 24.Colour 4. Sun’s bright Region 45. Pile 26. Small Stream 5. Small Island 27. Garden pest 6. Fine cotton Fabric 28.Long Period 7. Part of fuselage 30. Asian Language 8. Stalk 32. Peg of Wood 10. Knock unconscious 33.Clouded spot on cornea 11. Rise in opposition 34. Pat 13.Rope Fibre 37. Assist 18. Imitate

Trevalga Fête Friday 16th July, 7pm Traditional Village Fête

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 37

t dawn on June 6th, A BOSCASTLE MAN’S then onwards we always 1944 the greatest seemed to be travelling: A offensive military EXPERIENCE OF THE first to Clacton on Sea force in history (still today) where we stayed in Butlin’s landed on the North Coast of GREATEST MILITARY Holiday Chalets, then to German occupied France. Barmouth in Wales, next Aboard 7,000 ships, more than OFFENSIVE IN HISTORY on to Forfar in Scotland. 300,000 men had set out from Then, as D-Day southern England on the last approached; down to phase of the expulsion of Nazi Blandford in , on to forces from the lands they had Shirley in Southampton. seized since the outbreak of the Finally, after touching Second World War on 3rd on Horsham in Sussex, September, 1939. Reigate and Oxted in The landings were made on Surrey, we passed through 5 designated beaches between London and embarked, on Cabourg and the Cherbourg 5th June, on an American peninsular: from the east, they landing craft and sailed out were Sword beach, Juno, Gold, of Tilbury and down the Omaha and Utah. The main Channel for Normandy. British forces landed at Sword, Miles of telephone wire between Ouistreham and Lion- sur-Mer and Gold at We arrived off Arromanches, where the Normandy among famous prefabricated Mulberry countless ships and harbours were used. There deafening noise but had to were also British troops wait until D Day plus One amongst the Canadian forces before we could land at assigned to Juno Beach where Courseilles. Our little the Canadian forces were group comprised Pop deployed. Eric Nicholls, aged 18, before embarking for Normandy Oatway from Bideford; he

Epic British achievement that right, boy?” he always was L-Cpl in charge, Tony at Tilbury, in the Thames ended. Meyer, driver of our 15cwt Estuary on 5th June, to It was inland from Sword After six weeks’ square- truck, Jim Parry from Hay- make their long, choppy that, perhaps, the most epic of bashing we had to take on-Wye and myself. way to Normandy. British achievements that first different tests and I was Loaded up with miles of night took place: the taking of sent to Rhyl in North telephone wire, ladders and Eric has written down the Pegasus Bridge crossing Wales for twelve weeks all sorts of tools we made his own, strangely calm, the River Orne by a Horsa training in driving and our way ashore. Our job account of his experiences: glider-landed task force of the maintaining vehicles and was to lay and maintain the 6th Airborne Division: the key telephone lines between the Mother in a terrible way motor-cycles. I came home approach to the strategically on leave after that for ten gun emplacements and vital city of Caen. “On August 7th, 1942 I days for Christmas at battery HQ. They were This issue of the Blowhole was called up to join the home. When the ten days always being broken as coincides with the sixtieth Army at Colchester. Still were up I got a telegram to tanks and other vehicles anniversary of D-Day. And only 18, I had never been report to HQ in Barrhead, constantly ran over them. the reason for carrying a 60 on a train before; I had only Glasgow to join my final It was, in a way, a very year-old story about it in the been to Plymouth by car a operational unit. From exciting time. village magazine of a small couple of times and that Cornish fishing port is, of was as far as I had ever course, the men that made up been out of Cornwall. Poor that vast force came from just old Mother was in a terrible such places as Boscastle. way to see me go that day; Indeed, one of our best known perhaps she thought she personalities, Eric Nicholls, was seeing me for the last was there. time. He was a Driver/Linesman Anyway, after I got to with the 86th Honourable Colchester I met P.C. Artillery Company, City of Morecombe who had been London Regiment, Royal Boscastle’s policeman a Artillery, and was landed at little while before. He used Courseilles, Juno Beach on D- to tell me yarns about his Day plus one. One day later exploits and the people than the onslaught opened, but around our village. “Ain’t his unit had already embarked Pegasus Bridge as it is today, crossing the River Orne

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 38

plenty of the local drink Eric Nicholls in which I think was Calvados, Action - D-Day a form of apple brandy. From there, on into Plus One, 1944 Belgium, with the guns in constant action. They were However, coming up the 3.7 calibre, heavy anti- beach on that second day and aircraft guns but they could seeing all the Canadian be timed to explode at 15 to soldiers, killed the day 20 feet above the ground. before, piled up on top of the With 3 guns to a battery, this beach; and later, when 1,000 was a very effective pattern bombers came over to bomb against ground forces over a the German emplacements wide area of ground. around Caen, kept us only Then the flying bombs too aware of the dangers we started to fall on Antwerp, faced. the port where most of the

German anti-naval gun emplacements on the cliffs east of Arromanches were turned onto the troops landing on the beaches. They remain in situ today as an official war memorial

When we started to Army’s supplies were POOP DECK advance we saw the gliders coming in. We had to move scattered around where they very quickly to take our guns & had crash-landed to take the up that way to Ossendrie, bridge across the Orne just which was just a few miles LAURIE HOOCH outside Caen. From then on, into Holland. We had quite a after a fierce battle to take time there, shooting down Caen, we made our way the flying bombs. They were along the north coast of most alarming at night times; The Old Mill, Boscastle France to help with the the engines would suddenly capture of Le Havre and then cut out and you had no idea Honfleur. Then on to Dieppe where they were going to where the regiment had new fall. radar equipment issued. For After some weeks we A WIDE SELECTION OF two weeks, our line section moved to Arnemuiden, a few was given food for a week miles inside Holland and it STYLISH AND DESIGNER and sent back to collect as was while we were there that HOME ACCESSORIES. much telephone cable as we the Germans surrendered and could. the war was over.”

A very good arrangement Eric’s group then broke OPEN DAILY FROM 11am

We stayed on a farm, up and he spent some time as where we were given an old a supply-train guard between shed to stay in. We gave the Brunswick and Berlin, where TEL: 01840 – 250552 French family all our food he was fascinated to be and they gave us an evening shown around Hitler’s meal, using some of it. It bunker by a Russian soldier. www.boscastleoldmill.com was a very good arrangement Eric was demobilized in and we learned to enjoy March, 1946. French cooking, along with

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 39

Sports Column Annual Review Martin Pethick looks back at some of the year’s highlights only trouble was that he Dec 03 - All the village Wickett and Derek Mason ended up in Plymouth! teams continue to fulfil each score a maximum of Sept 03 – After much their fixtures with only he 180 while “Tacker” Wickett deliberation the two billiards team of Dave could only manage 5 points managers relent and once Scott and Mike Burnard in a snooker match, with four again take charge of the occupying a top of the of those given to him football teams, but Robin table position. following a foul shot by his “The Badger” Haddy Jan 04 – After copious opponent. misses the start of the amounts of food and drink Mar 04 – The football season through suspension. over the Christmas period matches continue, with both Anthony Biscombe also Nev “The Tank” Turner teams maintaining a mid- End of May 03 – Everybody misses the start of the can’t fit into the table position. Sam “The was astonished by the news season as he damages his goalkeeper’s jersey so he Phoenix” Washer makes a that Ivor, Vera and Doreen wrist in a pre-season puts a Slim Fast diet plan rare appearance, whilst John were booked in to the same friendly match. into action. Mugford was seen to roll and hotel room for the night of the Alex Higgs has returned John Mugford scores a lot smoke three cigarettes while football dinner. Later it was from a spell in Australia during this month but not he was substitute for the revealed that Ivor couldn’t but as he couldn’t get a in the opponent’s goal. second team. He was completely puffed out when swallow the Viagra pill visa to bring his pet Feb 04 – Assistant he eventually came on. properly and suffered from a kangaroo with him he may groundsman Johhny ‘stiff neck’ while Vera and yet go back. Brewer gets his van stuck After making yet another Doreen each went home with Oct 03 – Dave and Phil in the football field when comeback Paul Safhill the wrong set of false teeth successfully complete the marking out the pitch. The suffers a setback when an old following a mix-up. New York Marathon, both match had to be postponed knee injury flares up. Is this finally the end of a June 03 - At the football club finishing in less than five because of the mess made A.G.M. the two respective hours. while towing him out. distinguished playing career? managers, Richard Pethick The darker evenings see a Second-team manager Apr 04 – All the various and David Bosley relinquish return of the Pool, Darts Dave Bosley receives his leagues reach their their positions. Meanwhile, and snooker leagues, which first ever yellow card conclusion. There were club linesman George Brown see our pub and club teams following comments made successes for the billiards is elected as Chairman while compete against the towards the referee! team of Dave Ferrett and Stephen Jose is promoted to neighbouring villages. Cobweb dart players Mike Burnard who won the Vice-Chairman. Simon Biddick shocks the Richard Pethick, Steven Camelford and District July 03 – Cobweb’s cricketers football world by continue to do well in the announcing his retirement Tintagel Evening League even from the game, which is a though Phil Higgs has major blow to the team’s managed to run out the entire title ambitions. team in turn. The only man Nov 03 - Antony and Liz person he is yet to run out is Brewer hold a cider and himself. pasty evening to raise Aug 03 – The cricket team money for football club reaches the final of the K.O. funds. After drinking too Cup but is defeated by the much “apple juice”, Tintagel Country Club which Anthony Biscombe locks was indebted to a man-of-the- himself in one of the match performance by Nev outhouses to sleep it off. “The Tank” Turner. Stephen “The Vice” Jose Phil Higgs and Dave Scott are shocks the community by in training for the New York posing nude for the Marathon. Phil was advised Builder’s Calendar. His by his doctor to run six miles rotund figure covers two every day, which he did. The months!

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 40

Sports Review he is still on the bench. of the Year continued And finally, Cricket Captain Phil Higgs completes the scratch league, (with Mike full set when he does recording the highest break eventually run himself out of 112) and Johnny Brewer during a recent match. who won the Singles Knockout Snooker Trophy. Other players who were Recovery losing finalists were Dave Ferrett in the Billiards Boscastle football club is Singles Final, Steve Martin delighted to hear that one of and John Washer in the their ex-players, Tony Cann, Darts Double Final, and is well on the road to Russell Nute, Johnny recovery following a recent Brewer and Ian Routley in kidney replacement the Sunday night Pool operation. Trebles Final. After waiting many months for a suitable kidney and One of Boscastle Football having his football career cut Club’s most loyal short because of his illness, supporters, Eric Smith, Tony is now fit enough to couldn’t start his car work even though he doesn’t following a recent football think he will ever pull on a match. He had run the football shirt again. battery down whilst Throughout his footballing listening to a Des O’Connor career Tony has received tape as he was watching the many cards (mainly of the game. Afterwards he said yellow and red variety) but it that he didn’t know which was cards of a more pleasant was the most boring! variety that he was pleased to Beginning of May 04 – receive since his recent visit to hospital. Boscastle 1st team reach the Since he packed up playing divisional cup final after football, the secretary of the defeating Cornwall F.A. has had to take over two legs on the away a pay cut because the coffers goal rule, and in another aren’t as full as when Tony game Nev “The Tank” graced the field, as he was Turner receives a yellow frequently in trouble with the card for dissent even though man in black!

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 41

Sports * League Tables: Premier Division P W D L F A Pts Biscovey are promoted Biscovey * 28 26 2 6 104 23 82 to the East Cornwall Column League; St Dennis and Godolphin 28 23 2 3 93 19 70 St Columb Minor are Southgate 28 20 2 6 90 30 62 relegated to Division 1. South Petherwin are St Dominick 28 15 5 8 61 45 50 promoted to Division 3. Polperro 28 12 7 9 82 51 43 St Merryn Reserves and St Teath Reserves are St Newlyn East 28 12 4 12 62 55 40 relegated to Division 5. Boscastle 28 12 4 12 48 48 40 St Columb Major 28 12 3 13 55 45 39 their teams. Despite St Mawgan 28 12 3 13 64 59 39 this the second team reached the semi- St Stephen 28 9 4 15 40 57 31 final of the Master’s St Minver 28 6 8 14 43 62 26 Cup where they lost Sticker 28 5 6 17 41 74 21 to St Stephen’s and Gunnislake 28 5 5 18 49 87 20 the first team has St Dennis * 28 4 5 19 36 100 17 Martin Pethick, Blowhole booked its place in sports correspondent the final of the St Columb Minor * 28 5 0 23 43 153 6 Duchy Premier Club News Divisional Cup Division Four P W D L F A Pts As yet another season against St Dominick, draws to an end it will which is due to be Sth Petherwin * 28 20 3 5 90 49 63 give the players of played in late May. Edgecumbe 27 20 3 4 103 31 60 ‘advanced years’ time Hopefully this will Calstock 28 17 6 5 93 37 57 to reflect on their be the first silverware Grampound 28 18 3 7 75 40 57 future in the game. the team has won Hopefully if they since they won the Lanreath Res 28 15 4 9 84 59 49 don’t feel able to Junior Cup some five St Dominick Res 28 13 2 13 86 54 44 continue playing first years ago. St Mawgan Res 28 15 3 10 53 53 44 team football, they At the Annual Dinner Stoke Climsland 28 14 4 10 76 56 43 will drop down to the and Dance there will reserves and help be trophies presented Boscastle Res 27 9 8 10 55 57 35 bring on the bunch of to the best player in Pensilva Res 28 10 3 15 46 66 32 impressive each team, which Mount Charles 27 6 4 17 34 79 28 youngsters. There sometimes throws up seems to be a lot more a few surprises but St Columb Major Res 28 7 1 20 54 91 22 of the village the name of the St Newlyn East Res 27 5 3 19 45 112 18 teenagers showing an second team top goal St Merryn Res * 28 4 2 22 39 92 14 interest in playing scorer is eagerly St Teath Res * 28 4 3 21 34 95 12 next season, so for awaited. With just once the future looks one game remaining a little more Johnny Mugford and ‘propitious’. Mike Casey are neck Both teams have & neck in the goal- secured a mid-table scoring chart so it finish, which is quite will be interesting to satisfying considering see which one of the amount of them will win. weekends when both See the next managers have Blowhole for details struggled to field of cup winners. enough players for

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 42

Boscastle Rugby Club Award Ceremony at Sir Jim’s

Boscastle Rugby Club Nowadays, Boscastle was founded in the late doesn’t play as often as Seventies when such often but it does keep up household names as two important annual Frank Munden, Denis fixtures. These are the Kilby, Roger Cheshire, ‘Phil Washer’ Memorial Johnny Bamford and Trophy against the late Phil Washer got Launceston and the “Paul together and formed a Jury” Memorial Trophy team known as the against Bude. ‘Boscastle Nomads’. Up until now Boscastle This was a very has never won either of appropriate name, as these two fixtures but Boscastle have no home earlier this month ground available so all Boscastle won the ‘Paul the fixtures are played Jury’ Memorial Trophy at the opponents ground Josh Lockyear with the Barbara Eversley Memorial Shield for the first time, defeating and are always of a Bude in a hard fought ‘friendly’ nature. At the annual presentation Nikki Abbott, Lewis encounter by just a single Over the years, of certificates at Sir James Sullivan and Rhys Dawe point. Boscastle has played Smith’s School, Camelford. received special There were impressive matches against nearly Six former Boscastle commendation certificates, performances by local every club in Cornwall, School pupils were highly awarded for merit in at least boys Phil and Rob even crossing the commended. four subjects Headon, Pete Whitehead, border to play against The presentation took place Alex Munden, John Leah Pethick and Aaron Tiverton and at the end of the spring Statton and Tom David, Washer (pictured on the Kingsbridge. term. Past and present but it was team stalwart front cover) were awarded Throughout the last few students gathered together Ray Carthew who turned the trophy and shield for decades well over one to collect their awards. The in a man-of-the-match Senior Sportspersons of the hundred people have school hall was packed with performance, creating one Year. Both are good all donned the colours of visiting parents, governors, try and scoring another, all rounders and have played Boscastle Rugby Club teachers as well as the this in his first game as for the school in several on at least one occasion, students. The various team captain. sports.. Leah plays hockey just turning out for the for Bude, Aaron plays in trophies, prizes and privilege and honour of the Boscastle football team certificates were presented playing for such a and both of them play by Paul Tyler, OBE, unique club. badminton for Camelford Member of Parliament for Badminton Under 18’s. North Cornwall.

Josh Lockyear (pictured Congratulations to them on above) was awarded the their fine achievements and Barbara Eversley Memorial good luck to all the students Shield. - award winners or not - for

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 43

BOSCASTLE GROUP EXHIBITION Held at the Camelford Gallery, 22nd May to 6th June

The Boscastle Group is a gathering of a blaze of colour and interest, of almost 20 members, mostly glowing most enticingly from the from Cornwall and Devon though white background, and some a few live further afield. They swift buyers eagerly reserved range from full-time professional their choices. Despite the artists and sculptors to avowed amazing number of pictures in ‘weekend amateurs’ and thus their the space, the gallery gives an talents reflect a very varied range impression of light and of of styles and media. They uncrowded welcome, and John constantly seek to expand the Blight must be thanked and extent of their vision, and their congratulated on the skill and exhibitions, which have hitherto sensitivity with which he been at The Mariner's Gallery in managed to hang a remarkably St. Ives and at Half Acre Gallery disparate collection of works so truth is the fact that their individual in Boscastle, have a reputation for that they created a coherent aptitudes - whether for composition being exciting and innovative. exhibition. It is not easy to place or colour, for still life or

abstraction, for skilled brushwork The Group's first exhibition at the glazed and unglazed pictures in or wild abandon - have been Camelford Gallery, 23 Market the same area; some paintings individually nurtured and have Place, Camelford, opened on 22nd were small and meticulous while become valid extensions of their May: ten painters and two others were large and artistic personalities: there are sculptors showed a total of 88 flamboyant; pastels vied with definitely no 'tutor's clones' among pictures and 5 sculptures. The oils and acrylics for attention them - and that is the ultimate impression as you walked in was while the concrete or stoneware sculptures added an air of compliment for any tutor. serenity. The Boscastle Group grew out of The extraordinary variety of various classes held by Carole styles, materials and Vincent, and now meets about four interpretations drew many times a year. Anybody who has comments from those attending missed this most exciting the Opening. A frequent question exhibition in Camelford will be was 'how do they all manage to able to see works by these artists be so different?' The unguarded and many others at the Half Acre answer was 'they are all obstinate Exhibition on the 18th and 19th egoists who insist on doing their September - PUT IT IN YOUR own thing...’ Perhaps nearer the DIARY. F Hutton.

NORTH CORNWALL MUSEUM AND GALLERY

The Clease, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9PL Tel 01840 212954 [email protected]

Exhibitions 2004

28th June – 23rd July: Landscape and Still Life by Derek and Jennifer Jenkins Wood Turning by John Theobald

26th July – 20th August: Swings Prints by Lynda Ward Pottery by Paul and Rosie Jackson

23rd August – 30th September Venice Revisited Paintings and Lino Prints by Bridget Holden Pottery by Svend Bayer

Gallery and Museum are open Monday - Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm 1st April - 30th September

Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2004 page 44