Over the years Trio has been very lucky with contributors who regularly write “historical” articles including George Steer with his ‘Ramblins' and David Castle with ‘Backalong'. Neither are with us any more but one of their legacies to the village are their Trio anecdotes of days long gone. Jon Cleave's Lobber's Point, along with lots of other contributions, add to this rich heritage. Here are just a sample of a variety of things “historical” (or “hysterical” as Ann Steer used to say) - to read the full articles go to our touchscreen or our website - www.portisaacheritage.co.uk
Some years ago my wife HOLICOME PORT ISAAC ROAD STATION The train in my picture is the The venerable engine shown is a and I lived at Twelveacres, Yes - Holicome was an annual, Padstow to Exeter afternoon one 'T9' class 9-9-0, built 1899 in How many people can remember usually called 'The Perisher' for Glasgow, stabled at the ExmoutF George’s ramblins At the beginning of the twentieth Trewetha. Prior to that great event, held on Ascension when Port Isaac still had its own the 'Perishable Goods', it had Junction shed in the 1990's ahi_ Day, Holy Thursday, Friday, and railway station? Opened in June a van full of fish from Padstow withdrawn in June 1961. Mrs. Cann had lived there 1895 and closed in October 1966. at the rear! century, Queen Victoria was still on Saturday, consisting of many The station buildings and yard Those of you that navigated the for many years when it was A mere 3| miles away, perched More familiar to holidaymakers are now the premises of Messrs. caravans with the roundabouts 900 feet above sea level and in was the 'Atlantic Coast Express’' , W.T.Tucker & Sons. lower reaches of Trewetha Lane the throne as she had been since called Homeleigh. and swings belonging to well- St. Kew Parish actually, near to from Waterloo. In later years it Robin . Treliil. It was the direct link to was driven by streamlined 'West Penna. 1837. Curry might have been the Recently a local farmer known names of Birshell, and Launceston, Okehampton, Exeter, of England' class locomotives. during the summer may have and Waterloo in one direction - told me it was known in the Hancock, and various side Wadebridge and Padstow noticed that the water feature by cause as she was Empress of India. old days as Green Gripes. shows. The typical sweet stalls in the other. AT ' our bungalow has been switched with home made rock, pepper Until 1965 there were I wonder if any of your * 1 j/' mint, nut, and cinnamon, from off. What you might not know was readers could explain the Delabole Cummings, Dawe, and that, in conjunction with SWW and Port Isaac had two chapels and the origin of such a name. steam trains, but in the last two Hawke from Bodmin. The chief years local trains consisting of 51 TJ Brent, it was designed as a focal church - the church being for the E. Tipson, Wadebridge. stall to be patronised would be the comparatively modern diesel The 'Perisher' leaving 'multiple-units' were used. July 1982 the one who put an extra 'corn- the station at about 4.20pm. point for gossiping, a place where bettermost folk, but many of the fit' (now sugared almond) in March 1985 hot feet could be cooled and a your packet if you spent a few chapel people would not set foot in (Re. Mr. Tipson, July) extra coppers at one purchase. watering place for passing pigeons, the rival chapel. Comfit was recognised as Holi prides of cats (or whatever the My family lived at Trewetha come Sweet. It was all gathered collective noun for cats is) and from 1906 onwards. ’’Green together, sometimes at the end Gripes” is the name of the January 1987 Jeremy Brown’s dog. Jeremy, 1895 was the year of two big events two fields at Short Lane - apparently, is teaching his dog to - the Temperance Hall was built and just before ’’Gwelva”. ’’Twelveacres” used to be BIRDCAGE COTTAGE sing. He has a wonderful range - the London and South-Western ’’Buller1 s Tenement" Surely the most unusual cottage in the vil the dog that is - from basso lage must be the 3-storey high cottage Railway (LSWR) arrived at Port Isaac Mrs. Sam Blake. called The Birdcage. Stuck high above the profundo to top tenor. Should find main heart of what is arguably one of the Road. August 1982 most picturesque villages in Cornwall, this a star spot with the Fishermen’s pentagonal building, with its slate hung Friends next year! We think we Dear Sir, The path across the , elevations, draws the eye as one negotiates the steep hills to the harbour. It is not might turn on the water feature back of the allotments leading known exactly how old the Birdcage is but up on to Lobber - Father always f' it would appear to be between 150 and 200 - again early next year if we get a called it 'Rowland'S Way’ - nets years old. It was built by a man called Val sharp frost, especially on pension entine Powell Richards and, appropriately, An 'Artist’s Impression ’ of the first London and South Western train used to be dried up. there, wheel was occupied by a Mr. John Lark in the was occupied by a Mr. John Lark in the to arrive at Port Isaac Road Station on the first ofJune 1895 days! ed up in a wheelbarrow by the middle years ot the 1900s when it was used June 1995 fishermen. Sorry I cannot confirm as a cobbler’s shop. The National Trust acquired the cottage in 1980 under the will it though! of Mrs. Alec Gorton and for some years it Talking of pensioners, I was giving Mrs. Tim May senior. was let. However, in recent years it has Peter Rowe a hand with marking out become increasingly difficult to find a Dear Sir, The name 'Rowland's suitable tenant for the Birdcage due to its Now, for many the football pitch at Homer Park. Way' refers to a path which led tiny proportions and therefore it was de of you,the cided that the most appropriate use would Liz usually helps but she had from the beach at Port Isaac, up. be to make it into a holiday cottage so that fore-boding the cliff and on to the bottom others might enjoy its wonderful character. dungeon nipped off to photograph people’s of the: allotments. This path was The National Trust has put a large amount beneath the innards or whatever she does. Pete of work into restoring the building to its used by a fisherman named original character. The slate peggy roof and Penhaligon was doing all the loustering (*) and I 'Rowland'who lived, at Lower hangings were removed and replaced in the Rooms must traditional manner using chestnut laths and be a mystery. was providing the technical backup Trefreock, and was his shortest et on. It must be Point route home; hence the name wooden pegs. Lime plaster has been used Perhaos it is a like holding the end of a piece of inside and the exterior has been painted nearly a year since black hole? A mortuary? The entrance 'Rowland's Way'. The name is with white limewash in the traditional G rope or the end of a tape measure manner. Unsightly electricity cables have Lobber’s first point was to Port Isaac’s catacombs? Someone still used by local people when once ran up to me, panic-stricken, ‘He’s and explaining the intricacies of referring to the cliff below the been removed and the chimney rebuilt us published and it was fully The population of the parish was ing old bricks in the original design. The intentioned to dwell (in gone!’ she said, ‘Cone into that.....that Pythagoras’ Theorem and 3,4,5 allotments. :H.-: . v,: n stairs are only 12" wide in places and the place. The door beneath the Penhaligon ■ R.L.Brown, Port Isaac. ceilings only 6' high, making it very diffi part at least) on local triangles because we wanted to get the same then as it had been in cult to put furniture into the cottage. How institutions. You know, Room stairs. He’ve gone where his each census return from 1821 and Dear Sir, Re the correct name ever, trap doors, or ‘coffin hatches’, came jumble sales and the like. father and granfer before him went. the right-angles vitty (**). We ended in very useful when installing the double He’ve joined the Liberal Club!’ of the footpath area: near the ' bed. It is obviously not going to be a cot Anyway, it has occurred up with loads of stakes in the is still similar today - about 1100, J allotments. The correct name is tage suitable for those with a wide girth or to me that for the past indeed much above average height! It is And there, in a room that still reeks of ground and the field looked like a give or take a few. The only ’Rowland's Way'. I was told ; twelve months I’ve done hoped that the cottage will be let from the stale tobacco even though smoking has hedgehog. many years ago that a fisherman middle of February 1995 and we believe little but nag and jaw difference being that Port Isaac’s named 'Rowland' (I do not know it will be exceptionally popular with its been banned for at least ten years, in a wonderful position, superb views and idio about various local room where faded velvet drapes prevent boundary was the First and Last, the if it was* his Christian name or irritations. You know, How’s that?’ says Pete. his surname) kept his boat in ' syncratic character. The first ‘tenants’ have any daylight from entering in, there is a already taken occupancy in advance of the dog mess, council tax, Near nuff’ says I. Temperance Hall and Dr George’s Silvershell Gug on the shingle. official opening - a pair of herring gulls on full size billiard table. In Port Isaac, if His ’way’ home to Lower Tre- the roof! If anyone wishes to have a holi garbage disposal, you wish to vote Liberal Democrat, you Near nuff’s no good,’ says Pete, house next door, Deepy Hill and freock was up the cliff by way day at the Birdcage it may be booked un-helpful people, dog must first be proficient at snooker or Got to be zact’. North Terrace. Only Valencia and through the mess, parking, car spaces billiards. of a chain handrail fastened to National Trust Holiday Bookings Office, 'Well, ‘tis zack’ says I rather testily. The Rock had been built on the the cliff face. This was still PO Box 536, Melksham, Wiltshire. and, of course, dog mess. SN12 8SX Telephone 01225 791199. All very fine, but not Many of us have misspent our youths in That’s near nuff then’ says Pete. opposite side of Trewetha Lane there when I was a boy and was Simon Ford, frequently used by us. Hence really painting much of a there. My own were in the glorious hey Countryside Manager, North Cornwall. day of Harry May, Jess Steer and Jack from the Temperance Hall. the name 'Rowland's Way'. : picture of everyday life We got most of it right by eye Ian C. Honey, Port Isaac. -. March 1995 (did I mention dog mess, Rowe’s dog, Oi. When Oi sat next to you,you December 1999 by the way?). as you watched a game, you daren’t ... anyway - so much for geometry. Dear Sir, In the deeds for our calling at the front March 20002( October 1999 property [’Rogues' Retreat'] it , Backalong door the Police mentions, "...part of field known Authority had a sign installed in New Did you know, for instance, that John Wesley came to Cornwall first in 174! as ’Rawlins's Wav*...” ...... J poking back at Port Isaac signs Road that said ‘POLICE AT THE when he was 40, and in all visited 36 times. He came to Port Isaac on mori HENRY ¥111 "s PIER At the top of Church Hill at the junction BOTTOM OF than half of those visits, the first time in 1747 and the last in 1789. Dear Sir, An article about Port of the St Endellion to Longcross road was GARDEN’. a signpost which read, ‘PORT ISAAC - Do you know Isaac in the 'Oaily nteil’ of 24th. Impractical for Motors’. It’s a pity it’s When George not there now as it would help to ease Thomas had an He didn’t stay long in 1 747, the natives were none too happy and when August refers to 'the old part of the traffic chaos at the bottom of Church antique shop (which the village (with a pier built in Hill. is now Sandie May’s Quaker Scantlebury saw a mob converging on the beach and the skittle alk Orcades), he had a he quickly lost interest in John Wesley at his door. Henry Vlll's days).' Can anyone tell In the 1930s and 40s, at the top of Back sign which said, us exactly where this ancient pier Hill (opposite the bus shelter), was a cast ‘CLOSED - if iron direction sign which indicated required, playing their real names? is located? I certainly never heard ‘TINTAGEL’ on one side and TINTAGLE’ dominoes in the After the disruption of 1835, when the Methodists split into various factio my husband tell about it. on the reverse. It would appear that the Golden Lion’. a Wesleyan Superintendent, came to the village and one kindly lady of the late Highways Department could not make up or many years, men in Port Elizabeth May, Withy Garden, P.G. their minds even in those days! Clive Hester put a opposite faction suggested that ‘they should go to hear him in a spirit of sign in the old Isaac have been know either by When Leslie Hore Belisha introduced Lifeboat House - peace and pull’n from the pulpit!’ On page 24 of my recently published traffic signs in the mid 1930s, the speed which is now in the Ftheir nicknames or derivatives of book I wrote, 'A rough rectangle limit signs at the top of Port Gaverne hill new Lifeboat House On another occasion, the Rev Aquila and in Church Hill were duly installed - which is very apt, their family names. of large stones, to be seen Inside without cementing them in. The young ‘RUSH SLOWLY’. Barber was hooted down by a mob lads of the day (me included) very soon as they only leave their the east breakwater at low tide, found out that the signs could be moved A sign spotted in Buckfastleigh, which footprints’. From our man in of sailors, fishermen, pilots and round so that they read opposite to that would be very suitable if placed on the T ~l . is the base of the Tudor pier from intended. Cliff Path - ‘Dogs are welcome as long Fuerteventura, When the school register was called which corn would have been export DavidCastle strumpets. Who said that religion is ed '. The stones look like the base Port Isaac had a resident policeman until and there were several boys with boring? All the Methodist factions the early 1970s and his Station House April 2000 of a stone wall when examined care was 16 Tintagel Terrace. A small office the same surname, the full names came together in 1932 but my fully and I am pretty sure that (the outhouse) was used at the back of the house. To refrain people from • I < ■ were used and these remained they are remnants of a breakwater memory is of armed neutrality until which may have been reached by a Rowland s Way throughout their lifetime. For well after that. path down from Lobber, rather like KfKflany |any years ago, the area around the allotments near Lobber was known as example, William John Honey was the old Rowland's Way that led up Rowland's Way. It was said that a fisherman named Rowland, who lived at Trefreock, walked over the fields and climbed down into Searchy Gug (Silvershell), where he kept always known as William John; See you at the Exhibition, there will from Silvershell Gug. Robin Penna. his boat moored. Apparently he thought that this was a quicker way than walking down Church Hill. I havehave never seen or heardheard of any proof of this.this. Samuel Dyer Thomas was Sammy be much of interest, FOOD, and we October 1991 February 2010 Dyer; William Harris Steer was shall be selling our fist book. TIDDLY WINKS William (Bill) Harris; Jack Lovell zzz. pi./snore Trelights was a very small, close-knit hamlet, David's backalong blog - "riitii call you!" Brown was Jack Lovell. July 2000 almost everyone was related. Tiddly Winks was Today we take the telephone system for granted, but the Port Isaac Exchange started just after the World War 1. It was based the lowest cottage facing Letterbox Green, and on the area of St Endellion Parish with the Exchange in Richard Prout's house, Fernlea, next to Pride of Place. Richard Prout Finally, two visitors from the little the cave was in the garden at the back, built into was the agent for the L & SW Railway and had the contract to take parcels and fish boxes/fish barrels to the Station. The The origins of nicknames are telephone exchange for the village was installed in the front room of Fernlea House. Initially it had 40 subscribers and 10 trunk the old Cornish hedge. Some farm workers lines to Bodmin exchange. The manual operators were Richard Prout's daughters, Ashley and Aura. varied. Some are easy to old US of A passed by our garden a would come and remove the stone frontage and Some of the early subscribers were L Chapman & Sons - PORT ISAAC 2, Trelawney Garage (John & Mark Prout) - PORT after the booty was collected, these experts in ISAAC 8, G Sherratt, Bakers - PORT ISAAC 10, HM Coastguard - PORT ISAAC 25. understand how they came about couple of times. They were staying hedge building would quickly put back the By 1935 the demand for telephones increased in the Parish increased and a semi-automatic exchange was built in Doctor's whilst others may have been due to at Port Quin and walked to Port stones. The contents would stay until it was safe Meadow. This handled all local calls without an operator. All other calls were connected to Bodmin exchange by dialling 0. Taxes to distribute them. Rita Cowling. The building in Doctor's Meadow was enlarged in the late 1950s. playground banter. Isaac most days, suggesting that The growth of the telephone system changed in the 70's when STD dialling was available throughout the UK. Finally, after Gordon Brown’s I suppose 'Tiddly Winks ’ could be connected David Castle Cornish miles were longer even with 'tiddly'meaning ‘slightly drunk’. Ed. Here are some nicknames for past budget, I was thinking of taxes and April 1996 October 2013 and present males. How many can howto avoid them. Taxes have than American ones. I bet you David's backalong blog didn’t even know that it was a Dear Trio People trading in Church Hill years ago you remember? been with us for yonks and even I enjoyed the write-up in Lobber’s Mrs Tremain used her front room as a shop selling 101 things such as Statute of Parliament in 1593 that haberdashery, small household goods, some fishing gear and even glass 1. Tank 13. Cogs income tax has been around for Point about the Liberal Club. As a eyes, for those unfortunate people who lost an eye! No 12 Church Hill is fixed the mile at 1760 yards. There young man I spent many hours named Tremain Cottage. 2. Dry 14. Tinker 200 years. It was temporary - to there with Harry May and Jess Steer A little further up through a courtyard entrance was Harry Morman, a local were still local or customary miles preacher who had a boot and shoe repair business. You could watch him 3. Nibs 15. Harry Bluff help us beat Napoleon. Politicians and my father, Leslie Keat, who working at his last as you walked by. 4. Squeak 16. Weeds used over a century later, up to later became a member. Also in Church Hill was a tinsmith, Mr Crockford, who repaired kettles, pans were always weasly with words. and other metal household goods. He also made metal model boats and 5. Billy Pom Pom 1 7. Gaggy 2500 yards. This is probably why displayed them in his window hoping to sell them to the passing visitors. One of the old taxes was the Hearth I remember well the day when Harry 6. Boulder 18. Russian our Cornish mile is, by custom, May made the dent in the wall, for I 3 ' 7. Kipper 19. Nimbo Tax of 1662. You were exempt if was playing against him and September 2013 about one and a half miles English. A follow-up on last month's 8. Kenty 20. Bramble you were on poor relief, if you watched it happen. In the same match, another of his shots just Backalong Blog 50 years ago 9. Squib 21. Baler didn’t pay Parish rates or if your missed Edgar Bates’ head as he Further to David Castle's September 12 1964 10. Tuffy 22. Jordan house was worth less than £1 per ducked out of the line of fire. As I 'Backalong1 article in last 11. Yank 23. Wiffle month's Trio, there were "A former arsenic mine - annum. The tax was 2/- (1 Op) per watch modern snooker on the other outlets and things of 9^---- said by villagers to be 12. Cockeye 24. Ningy television I think back and my interest on Church Hill. where gold was once struck hearth, payable in two instalments Port I60.0-C children chant, ‘We know, Harry May Above Mr Morman's shoe - was the scene of a wouldn’t have missed that!’ workshop lived Mr Dan gallant rescue on Answers to Real Names from page 3 at Lady Day and Michaelmas. Mutton who crewed on the Saturday. At Treore . 3 QFYE GORKI I2H famous Cutty Sark and next 1 - Kevin Burt; 2 - Charles Thomas; People were blocking up their fire Barton, Port Isaac, four 3 - Frank Brown; 4 - Michael (Billy) door was Mr Jack Collins There was also a keen group of pigs were trapped down the Hawkins; 5 - William (Bill) Brown; who was quite a famous places in droves to escape the tax. draughts players. The two mine, which has a 50ft 6 - Barry Cleave; 7 - John Ridge; singer in the 1920s and 30s. shaft." 8 - Donald Kent; 9 - Cyril Spry; champions to spring to mind as I 10 - Jack Spry; 11 - Mark June An interesting point was that, in St Further up the hill lived Mr Townsend; 12 - Leonard Mitchell; think back are Dick Rowe and Bill Edgar Bate who had one leg 13 - Michael Collings; 14 - Edwin considerably shorter than October 2014 Brown; 15 - Harry May; 16 - Michael Endellion parish, Dorothy Grenville Oliver. Collins; 17-William Hoskin; the other. He was a reserve 18 - Thomas Clover; 19 - Norman had a house (manor, mansion) with postman and used to deliver Tamsett; 20 - Eric Donnithorne; At that time no ladies were allowed telegrams to outlying farms in the Club and the phrase ‘sex for sixpence (21/2p today). 22 hearths. There were only a discrimination’ had no place in our Up again was Mr Dick Pooley who had a son, Dereck, who dozen places in the whole of vocabulary. Should it be necessary became a Professor in the nuclear industry. The ongoing saga of education in Cornwall with more and they were to reach one of us, someone would Across the road is the entrance to the Old Mill which played a knock on the door and wait outside major part in Port Isaac's history. Further up on the right was the owned by people who were Port Isaac Conservative Club. This closed down about the time Port Isaac has reached the position for one of the men to answer and that the Liberal Club opened in 1911. The Snooker table was seriously rich. I haven’t seen pass on the message. transferred to the new club and is still played on to this day, well over John Tinney Keat 100 years later. that a mixed Board School was built Richard Sloman since I read about Telford Across the road was the Killing House where animals were slaughtered from Mr Worden's Homer Park farm at the very top on the site of the Good Intent Cellar the tax, but I wouldn’t mind betting April 2000 of the Hill. The meat was then sold in his butcher's shop opposite Tremain Cottage. in 1877. It cost £2400 and was (1 Op) that Roscarrock was owned by Up a bit from there is the Old Quarry, now a private car park, August 2000 Local where men used to break stones in various sizes. Lots of the said Dorothy Grenville. April 2004 fishermen used to do land jobs when they couldn't get to sea. built to hold 300 children. My father used to say that when the Inspector or someone they didn't like visited, the men were adept at making stone chippings foobpabhs fly around their head - they never stayed long! July 1999 Near the top, another Port Isaac butcher, Mr Jack Hicks had a Piggery. A spy in the camp! froiw two who lonow Church Hill today, like all the narrow streets in the old village, is nearly 100% holiday homes. In answer to Robert’s (Manders) article in last T* wonder how many Port Isaac people know that there was once a real live month’s Trio about local pathways and their names, October 2013 JackRowe we would like to correct one or two things. For