BOSCASTLE BLOWHOLE No 62 Summer 2008 £1
Torrent Returns to the Harbour After a long absence, Torrent is again launched from Boscastle harbour to the delight of the gig club. See page 34 for more gig club news.
Contents include: Diamond Wedding page 4 Church & Chapel page 12 Pickwick Papers page 18 Trees of the Parish page 26 Correspondence page 30 Sporting Briefs page 42 Editorial The editorial in the Spring edition and, of course, the sewerage scheme. Congratulations to the editorial boldly stated that “by the time the South West Water have lodged an team of The 4 Parishes News. The Summer edition of the Blowhole appeal against the County Council’s Blowhole team wish the publication is out, the work should finally be planning decision to reject the every success. completed and the village will have scheme at Tresuck. There will be an been ‘formally handed back’ to its Appeal Inquiry but the date & venue residents”. This turns out to have have not yet been announced. been a somewhat optimistic notion As mentioned in the last edition as work continues both above and of the Blowhole, the WEA is keen below the bridge. The toilet block for Boscastle to run courses or events is completed and open, but the and we are looking out for feasible ‘riverside walk’ is not finished and ideas. Phone 250483 or email the Carillion still have their headquarters Blowhole (address below) with any at the end of the carpark, though the suggestions. site area has been reduced. The 1st issue of a new bi-monthly Let’s hope that by the Autumn newsletter has recently been edition all that will be left to complete published. It is aimed at the residents is the National Trust’s refurbishment of the parishes of Otterham, St of the former Cornish Goodies shop, Juliot, Lesnewth and Davidstow. Boscastle Blowhole Team The editorial team reserves the right to edit, accept, or reject any material submitted for publication in the Blowhole. The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the team. The editorial team are: Philippa Arthan, Arthur Bannister, Joan Cork, Gloria Quinlan, Daphne Rogers, Ann and Chris Rodda, Mary Shepherd. The next Blowhole will be published in September. The deadline for copy is 23rd August Please ensure that your copy reaches us by then or we may be unable to include it, and the publication date may be delayed. Thank you. For advertising queries, contact Daphne Rogers 01840 250244 Copies of the Blowhole are available by post at a cost of £2 per issue. Please either email the Blowhole or phone 01840 250483 for subscription enquiries. Communications to the Blowhole can be sent c/o Boscastle Post Office, Dunn Street, Boscastle, PL35 0AA or by email: [email protected] The Blowhole is published 4 times a year and printed by Easyprint of Red Post, Nr Bude. HIGHFIELD MOTORS Proprietor: F Luffarelli Servicing, Repairs & Tyres at Highly Competitive Prices for all cars, motorcycles and vans MOT’s Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 Highfield Road Industrial Estate, Camelford, PL32 9RA Tel: (01840) 212666
Page Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Boscastle School Association Our Spring Auction on Friday 18th April was a great success, raising over £850 which will go towards school trips and additional equipment for our children. The School would like to thank everyone who helped; our hosts at the Cobweb, Laurence Reed our auctioneer, all those individuals and businesses who kindly Pictured above from left to right - Shirley Wakelin, John Tillinghast (Chairman) Mary Dummett donated promises and (Vice Captain) Roy Christie, Muriel Symons (Captain) John Wakelin and Carole Flower (Secretary). items and, of course, all Boscastle Bowls are in aid of the National Charity Gig those who so generously Club Winners Gardens Scheme, which There will be live music at bid for and bought supports a variety of Members of the Boscastle the Village Hall on Saturday items. A big thank you charities. There will be 5th July. Two bands, The to you all, your support Bowls Club attended a painting exhibition Alpha Dogs and Beggars is greatly valued. the Cornwall Bowls at Half Acre and teas Belief will be playing to raise Our fund raising Association Dinner on will be provided by the money for Cancer Backup, 4th May where Boscastle combined churches. continues this year with was presented with the Children with Leukaemia, a Garden Safari Supper Shield for winning the MacMillan Coffee Ovarian Cancer Action and on 21st June, Duck Race Northern Area Division Morning Lymphoma Association. Day on 20th July and an 2 (see picture above). evening of entertainment This year’s MacMillan Tickets cost £3.50 and Next winter they will be at the Boscastle Food Fair Coffee morning will the doors open at 7.30pm. competing in the Division on 2nd October. Everyone be held on Friday 26th Everyone is welcome. For more 1 Northern area. is welcome. Tickets and September from 10am information call 250320. Duck Race stall/table Open Gardens - 12noon at Lynn & Best Kept Village application forms are Malcolm Biddick’s, The The gardens at Half Acre Judging for this annual available from the school Willows, White Smock and Wildwood will be competition takes place in and also from the Visitor Meadow. open again this year on June/July. Please try to keep Centre. Saturday 21st June and There will be cakes etc to hedges and walls bordering Geoff Showell nd buy. Donations are very Sunday 22 June from pavements and roads of Contact Boscastle school 1.30pm - 6pm. Proceeds welcome. . properties tidy. on 250329 PENNING M. BIDDICK & SON LTD PAINTING ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Private and commercial painters and decorators
The Willows National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting Boscastle Building & N CEIC PL35 0AS APPROVED CONTRACTOR Property Maintenance Cornwall Devon Telephone: 01840 250448 01840 250047 01626 337596 Mobile: 07966 498733 or 07974 676583
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page Diamond Wedding
Bob & Vi Biddick An Open House for remained his home until family and friends was he married. held at 5 Potters Lane, on Vi was born in 5th June, to celebrate 60 Camelford, one of five years of marriage for Bob children, to Horace & & Vi Biddick. Mary Hicks. The family This was continued moved to Boscastle, when on Saturday 7th June she was 8 years old, living with a large gathering at Hillside (now known as from both families. A Linhay & Kiddlywinks), congratulatory telegram, again her home until she was received from Her married. Majesty The Queen and is They both attended proudly displayed on the Boscastle school, where the Happy Couple with their Guard of Honour sideboard. they first met. of honour led by Boscastle are still keen to baby sit Bob was born at the They married at Band members met them whenever needed. harbour in Honeymoon Minster Church on 5th as they came out of the Carolyn, one of their Cottage (now known as June 1948, the Rev. church. grandchildren, shares the Harbour Cottage), the William James officiated. The reception was held same wedding date and eldest of four sons to Best man was Arthur at the Mission Room will celebrate 15 years of Cyril and Ethel Biddick. Biddick, Bob’s brother (now The Village Hall), marriage this year. His next home was at 5 and chief bridesmaid was where Bob played his Music has played a Valency Row and this Vi’s sister Francis. A guard accordion to entertain the great part in their lives guests and for dancing in and Bob still entertains Boscastle Pottery the afternoon. on his accordion. Est: 1962 The honeymoon was They are both keen spent at Vi’s aunt and gardeners, but are finding uncle at Bude. it more difficult now. No Their first home was doubt though there will A family run studio pottery, we are probably the at Pentargon (now The again be an abundance of World’s largest established dedicated Mochaware Old Coach House) until colour in their garden this nakers. We can decorate our pots with the most 1954, when they moved year and there are 2 rows to 5 Potters Lane and have of runner beans already delicate trees and ferns as if by magic. been there ever since. planted. So come and watch the trees grow! They brought up three No presents were OPEN ALL THROUGH THE YEAR children, Malcolm, Beryl requested but donations Nanette, Tim amd Roger Irving Little and Keith, have seven were split between the The Old Bakery, Boscastle grandchildren and six Air Ambulance and The Tel: 01840 250291 great grandchildren and Precious Lives Appeal.
Page Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Sculpture, Stars and More Doctor’s Corner Only about 25% of There are two possible dates We would like Summer Solstice chemists in Cornwall Sculptures so that the leader can select to alert you to the best. The actual date changes that may are independent, the rest Sat 21st June will be confirmed at the impact on this being owned by major Meet at 10am top of beginning of the week. community. multinational companies Boscastle car park , 5 Wed 30th or Thurs 31st July who are unlikely to respond minutes level walk to site The government has Wed 27th or Thurs 28th Aug to the needs of scattered in valley. recently published a ‘White Meet at Visitor Centre rural populations. £2.00 per person Paper’ on the future of 9pm Join in and help create pharmacy services. As well The Department of Cost: adults £5, children sculptures to replace the as plans to incorporate Health says it wants to £3.50. willow figures that were in Pharmacists further into put the patient and the the Valency Valley, using Boat Trips the Community team, the patient’s choice at the a mixture of natural & The landscape always looks Government is proposing heart of the NHS recycled materials. Bring different from the sea, the changes to the rules Don’t let your surgeries something along to include cliffs much larger and the allowing GPs to dispense go the way of rural Post to make it your own! land much emptier. There is medicines to patients who Materials and tools supplied. Offices. geology, history and possibly live more than a mile from •Write to your M.P. Booking is essential, wildlife to explore from here a pharmacy. •Write to the Minister phone 01288331372 or so why not book as soon as About 140,500 email mike.simmonds@ possible so you can ensure a of Health nationaltrust.org.uk place on a unique seascape patients in Cornwall have •And PLEASE sign the exploration. their medicines directly petition in our surgery Stargazing Stroll 17th July 4pm dispensed by their GP Drs Jarvis Garrod & This is a chance to go out 18th August 7pm surgery, and the proposed Abbott with an expert and discover 10th September 2pm changes might leave Contact addresses: the magic of the night sky. Cost £8 per person, places 80,000 of them losing Dan Rogerson MP, Astronomer Brian Sheen limited to 11. this choice. The payments Church Stile, from the Roseland Booking is essential for made to dispensing Market Street Observatory will give an both these activities.Book doctors go some way to Launceston,, PL15 8AT introductory talk about what via the Visitor Centre deferring the costs of rural Dawn Primarolo MP, we are likely to see - not only on 250010 or email branch surgeries, without Minister for Health the stars but the bats, moths [email protected] and other creatures of the this income, they may not House of Commons, night. As it gets dark we Harp Music be viable. London, SW1A 0AA will walk up to Forrabury Harper’s Bizarre, playing Common and have a chance traditional, classic & to gaze at the stars. The contemporary pieces will leader will have several pairs play outside the Visitor Pickwick of binoculars which can be Centre at 11.30am & 1.30pm used by the group. on 15th July & 5th August Antiques The Old Mill Boscastle Chi for Life Telephone: 01840 250770
Movement in Nature Therapeutic Massage Always good stocks of Limited Edition Prints Silver - Plate - Glass - Porcelain - Pictures 01840 - 770622 Small Furniture and much, much more CHI MOVEMENT ART MASSAGE HEALING If you are looking for a special gift or momento www.jeannehampshire.co.uk then do look us up. We have a wide selection [email protected] of small items that make ideal presents. We also like to buy old and interesting items!
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page was told that this was a decision and the outcome matter for the District of that appeal is awaited. Council and should In the meantime, the be reported to them. result of the Tintagel/ Parish Council News He further complained Bossiney appeal has been Forrabury and Minster Football Field Pavilion about the speed of some published. The Secretary vehicles on New Road. of State has upheld the Parish Council meet in the It was suggested that A 30mph speed limit refusal for all three outfalls Village Hall on the second money from the flood exists and the Chairman and has also said that these Thursday of each month. fund could be used said he regretted that it areas should not be treated Members of the public towards building a new is unlikely that Highways as separate locations. are invited to attend and pavilion in the football would agree to a further Together they have a public participation is field. It was pointed out reduction of speed on a B population equivalent of permitted before the start that this would not only class road. over 2,000 and Secondary of the meeting at 7 pm. benefit the football club, treatment will be a Public Participation: but would also be used by Unitary Authority On March 13th Janey minimum requirement. Parish Precept the school and would be a Comber gave a progress Flood Fund A member of the public valuable village amenity. Parking Valency Row report on OneCornwall. Discussions continue on asked the Parish Council This will take over from how best to spend the A complaint was made at the March meeting the County and District remaining money in the about parking at the why it had been necessary Councils on 1st April flood fund. There are entrance to Valency Row. for the Council to raise 2009. Many decisions on now six items open for This was making access the precept by 13.1%. boundary changes and consideration. A Village for the residents difficult. The overall increase numbers of councillors clock, Notice Board, Bus Concerns were also for council tax having have yet to be made, but shelter, Trees, Church Path expressed that emergency been just 5.3%. The it is expected that there and Playing field hut. vehicles might have chairman said that the will be more local centres There have been no difficulties in reaching accounts were available to provide services and suggestions received from homes in that area. for scrutiny by contacting advice. She said that members of the public the Parish Clerk. It was Noise in the Jordan great efforts were being in response to the appeal agreed that the accounts Valley made to ensure a smooth in the last issue of the should be published in A local resident complained transition. Blowhole. the Blowhole. A copy of about the level of noise South West Water Inserted in delivered these can be found on the occurring at certain times The County Council copies of the Blowhole is facing page. in the Jordan Valley. He refused the application a questionnaire that the from SWW to site Parish Council would WESTERN SUPPLY COMPANY the sewage works for like local residents to Established 1965 Builders Merchant & Decorator Centre for Trade & DIY Boscastle at Tresuck Farm. complete to indicate Come and see our wide range of products including: However, SWW have their preference for the ♦ An Extensive Range of Decorative Slabs & Decking ♦ lodged an appeal on that projects mentioned. ♦ Fencing Panels ♦ Plasterboard ♦ Plywood ♦ Treated Timber ♦ ♦ Planed Timber & Mouldings ♦ Graded Sawn Timber ♦ The Old Coach House ♦ Sand ♦ Concrete Blocks ♦ Chippings ♦ Cement ♦ Relax in this ♦ Plumbing Fittings ♦ Electrical Fittings & Cable ♦ ♦ Screws ♦ Fixings ♦ Insulation Products ♦ beautiful 300 ♦ Hardware ♦ New & Second Hand Goods etc ♦ year old coach ... and a paint mixing machine that can mix thousands of colours! house and stables COME AND HAVE A LOOK! Open all Year Atlantic Road, Delabole (01840) 212580 Open 7 days (Sat & Sun morning only) Ample Parking Deliveries arranged All rooms are En Suite with TV & radio Jackie & Geoff Horwell Tel: 01840 250398 www.old-coach.co.uk
Page Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Forrabury & Minster Parish Council Precept THE BOSCASTLE SKETCHBOOK 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Explore the landscape of this Income unique and historic location. Precept £18,000 £22,000 £25,000 Author/artist and qualified lecturer, Deborah King, Agency £1500 £1500 £1500 invites you to work with her Interest £260 £260 £260 to create your own Other/NTrust £0 £1600 £0 sketchbook, visual diary, portrait of a place. Donations ______VAT For further details please ring: 01840 250456 Total £19,760 £25,510 £26,760 www.boscastle-sketchbook.co.uk
Expenditure Admin £15,500 £16,800 £17,350 Section 137 £250 £325 £345 Parks/Open spaces £2400 £2900 £3050 Capital 0 0 0 Churchyard £1000 £1500 £1500 Loan repayments £1880 £1880 £1880 Other Agency £900 £735 £775 Total £21,930 £24,140 £24,900
Change on year +£2170 +£1370 +£1860 Opening balance £15,076 £12,906 £14,276 Closing balance £12,906 £14,276 £16,136 No of Band D properties 420 440 443 Boscastle Post Office Approx precept (for a £52 £50 £56 YOUR LOCAL BANK band D property) FREE cash withdrawals for: Statement of Accounts Nationwide year ending 31/03/2007 31/03/2008 Barclays Balances brought forward £14,137 £12,047 Lloyds TSB + annual precept £18,000 £22,000 Alliance & Leicester + total other receipts £1749 £3171 CO-OP - staff costs £12,279 £12,440 All other Banks basic accounts - loan interest/repayments £1881 £1881 PLUS: - total other payments £7680 £7943 ● Motor vehicle licensing = balances carried forward £12,047 £14,953 ● Bill paying total cash & short term £34,963* £15,201* investments ● Photocopying and laminating total fixed assets & long £3195 £2906 ● Mobile phone top-ups term assets ● Greetings cards and stationery total borrowings £21,246 £20,578 *includes Regeneration/Partnership & Objective One David and Susan The accounts books and other Parish Council documentation is available for inspection. Tel: 01840 250 259 Contact FMPC’s clerk, Bob Smith on 01840 250440
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page Report from the PCC Chairman for the evening. Representative, Health would like a copy by Following the election & Safety Officer, and email, please apply to of the Churchwardens, Children’s Activities [email protected] cheese and wine was Representative. however we regret that we served while the meeting One question that was cannot offer individual continued with the asked during the public printed copies. Our Annual Parochial election of the officers of part of the meeting was The church has also Church Meeting was held the PCC. whether the Minutes of been allocated a section on 14 April in Boscastle The Annual Report PCC meetings could be of the new notice board Village Hall. It was well document had been made public in future. in the car park, and we attended this year, with printed and circulated as We are only too pleased will be deciding the most as many members of widely as possible before to let all parishioners appropriate use of that the public as members the meeting, contents know about our tasks, our space. We always welcome of the PCC, which is included full reports different roles, current any opportunity to let all very encouraging, and a from the Treasurer, issues, work in progress local people know what is trend that we would like C h u r c h w a r d e n s , and the decisions that are happening in the churches to see continued! Father Secretary, Deanery being made. We thought in the parish, as they are Rob Yeomans, who has Synod Representative, perhaps a good way to an integral part of our helped us so much during Electoral Roll Officer, start would be to send a community. the interregnum, kindly Flowers & Cleaning Co- report of the meetings of We had our first agreed to be Acting ordinator, Lunch Club the PCC to each edition meeting with our new of the Blowhole, outlining Priest-in-Charge Father NORTH CORNWALL our achievements Robert Thewsey, on 14 and future needs, and May at The Rectory and MUSEUM & GALLERY we would welcome are all looking forward The Clease • Camelford • PL32 9PL comments. Hopefully, very much to working this will benefit every Tel. 01840 212954 with him. parishioner, and help us Sue Stickney email: [email protected] all to understand the work Secretary to the PCC of the church within the 23 June - 25 July broader spectrum of the parish. It was also agreed Cornish Songlines that a printed copy of the Paintings by David Penhale full minutes of each PCC meeting would be placed Pottery by Deborah Mitchell in church once they have 28 July - 29 August been approved. If anyone Paint on Canvas by Jane Swan 1 Sept - 30 Sept Clouds and Trees by Bridget Holden The Gallery and Museum are open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm,, 1 April - 30 September (Wheelchair access to Museum only)
Page Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Sam Hancock 1917 - 2008 News from the Lookout After the extremes of weather we’ve seen up at the Lookout in the last few months, from storm force winds to heat wave conditions, we hope that our visitors find a more settled summer. But, while the weather may have let us down from time to time, our volunteers have not. During the last 12 months we’ve welcomed 14 new fully qualified watchkeepers and still have 7 in training, so we are hoping to manage more early evening The funeral service and Throughout his long life Sam was a people shifts at Bank Holiday celebration for the life of Sam’s main pleasure has person, a ‘proper’ weekends. Sam Hancock took place undoubtedly been the Cornish character, who On 2nd May Boscastle at Boscastle Methodist outdoors and farming. enjoyed life to the full – lookout was involved in Church. The chapel was Until very recently he still one of the last of a dying an incident when one of full for a memorable farmed land at Minster and breed. His presence teams was able to keep service conducted by the stitches on Forrabury in Boscastle, sense of track of a ketch that Glenton Brown, with Common – Sam being humour, tales of the had engine failure and Richard Uglow, preacher. the longest serving tenant past and gift for telling was drifting off Bude. Maria Nicholls, organist, of the National Trust. a ‘yarn’ will surely be Reporting the sighting led the rousing singing remembered. As a young man much to Falmouth Coastguard of Sam’s favourite Sankey of the work carried out We will miss you hymns with a moving, they were tasked to on the farm was done Sam. maintain a watch until and sometimes amusing, using horse power but eulogy by Martin Pethick. Thank you. Padstow Lifeboat took the this was replaced latterly vessel in tow. The extra Interment followed at Delia, Iris, Sarah and by his famous red Massey eyes on the coast proving Forrabury Churchyard all the family would Fergusson. This was his useful once again! with prayers and only form of transport like express their sincere Here’s wishing everyone committal by Mr. Michael as Sam never acquired a thanks for all the cards, in Boscastle a good Parsons. His special day full driving licence. Even sympathy and support of summer and, as always, if ended fittingly at the after his amputation last friends and neighbours you, or anyone you know, Cobweb Inn with friends, summer the tractor played and all who attended would be interested in fellowship and singing. its part in allowing him Sam’s funeral and made joining the team, John Sam was one of a to pursue his favourite it such a special day. Davis can arrange for you family of seven children pastimes. His friends Thanks also for the to visit the lookout and born to Mary and William would take him in his generous donations spend some time with an Hancock at Trevilla wheelchair in the link which went to the experienced watchkeeper Cottage, Tresparrett. box, behind the tractor, to Precious Lives Appeal, to see what is involved. Charles, who now lives follow the North Cornwall Boscastle Methodist You can contact him on in Hayle, is now the Hunt and to the pubs to Church and Forrabury 07791761502 last remaining sibling. enjoy a game of Spoof! and Minster Churches. MW
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page THE NATIONAL TRUST Access on Forrabury Stitches It has been 7 years since the creation of the permissive paths that were provided for increased access to and enjoyment of Forrabury Stitches. Through consultation --- Public Footpath with the Parish .... Permissive Footpath
Council and local Open Access community the conflicts between leisure use and the farming and wildlife of the site were map of Forrabury Stitches showing the footpaths and Open Access land addressed back in 2001 evident. It now seems “Open Access” (freedom and a way forward was Coast Path National Trail) prudent to re-visit the to roam land). found. We are pleased & permissive paths created issue via the pages of the that the paths have always by the National Trust Thanking you in Blowhole. As the summer been well used and we (WHITE ARROWS. anticipation for your season gets into full swing, have strived to maintain Dogs should be kept help in managing the it is also important that them to a high standard. on leads or under close access on Forrabury the right message is given control. Stitches However it has been to visitors unfamiliar with The paths are all For your interest, noticed that some walkers the area as regards where footpaths only and, as on the following page and regular visitors are it is OK to walk. no longer so aware of the such, vehicles, cycles and is an edited version of Walkers should stick to previously agreed access horses are not allowed. an article previously the way-marked footpaths, on the Stitches. With The recent CROW printed in The Blowhole, which are a mixture of some unofficial paths (Countryside and Rights which gives some history dedicated public rights developing, damage to of Way) Act mapped only and information on the of way (YELLOW crops and stock worrying the Willapark headland as stitches. ARROWS including the MS by dogs is becoming Urchins The Bear Shop Boscastle Gallery The Old Mill Boscastle The Bridge, Boscastle (01840) 250248 Paintings by local artists 01840 250800 A wide selection of prints and cards plus an unusual mix of gifts and gadgets.
Page 10 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Forrabury Stitches or When is a Common not a Common?
History of the Atlas’ shows that common the shift towards individual ownership Forrabury Common is had already begun. a site of great historic, By the time of the landscape and wildlife Tithe Survey in 1844, value. Forrabury Common The strip fields are a rare was no longer in survivor of the stitchmeal common ownership system once widespread and 14 separate owners in the county. were recorded. These stitches are The National Trust unusual in that they show was sold the majority Forrabury stitches from the air an open field farming of the stitches by Mr There are stitches which system. Over the last few In winter the stubble Thomas Percy Fulford are managed as hay meadows centuries there was a flurry on the arable stitches in 1955 and then in and these contain a wide of enclosing agricultural provide cover for over 2000 bought the final variety of plants including land with hedges and wintering birds such as three stitches so that orchids, hay rattle, bird’s foot walls. So much so that finches and buntings. today there is one trefoil and sawwort. by Victorian times places Today’s use owner of the whole The ploughing of the such as Forrabury were Common. So perhaps The land is farmed by regarded as curiosities. stitches allows plants such tenants of the National it is a bit of misnomer as the ‘arable weeds’ to The stitches at Trust and an essential part to call the area ‘a exist. These are wild flowers Forrabury is one of the of the management is that common’ when it occurring within an arable best three examples each stitch is ploughed hasn’t been for almost crop, which rely on ploughing of open field farming at least once every four two centuries. to survive. Most of the species in the country. The years. The crops grown are Wildlife of the are common eg Speedwell, other examples are at usually oats, barley and Bindweed, Fat hen – but Braunton in North common grass. The latter being cut some, Lesser Snapdragon Devon and Laxton near As well as the for winter-feed for stock. and Corn Marigold, are Nottingham. history the stitches Mike Simmonds nationally rare. The stitches were are home to some Area Warden farmed under common important wildlife as ownership until at least recognised by the area CORNISH STORES the seventeenth century. being a Site of Special THE VILLAGE SHOP In 1694 the ‘Lanhydrock Scientific Interest. Open daily all year round For all your Grocery and every day essentials Wholesale / Retail Fruit and Vegetables available to the catering trade Why not give us a ring to discuss your catering needs? THE BRIDGE, BOSCASTLE 01840 250344
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 11 From the Methodist Minister on just before the 6p.m. News on The challenge is to ask ourselves Dear Friends, some evenings. At the conclusion of what role are we fulfilling in the It is possible to be in the right place that programme the two remaining shaping of our society. It demands our at the wrong time as I experienced contestants deliberate together how serious thought. on a Sunday morning last year whilst to share the prize money and then Every Blessing, making my way from a 9.30a.m. select either a Split or Steal ball. Bryan Ede Often contestants agree to split the Service at St. Breward to an 11 a.m. From the Church Minister: Service at St. Tudy. I was on my prize money and the ‘con-artist’ selects the ‘steal’ ball and wins the May I first say a huge thank you to usual route but was following the low the people in the various Parishes for loader which was taking the ‘Seed’ prize. The underlying messages for those watching the programme are making Margaret, Matthew, Rebecca sculpture from De Lank quarries to and I feel so welcome. It has really the Eden Project. disturbing for me especially bearing in mind that many families will been a delight and pleasure to be here. I have since seen the sculpture in be tuned in at that time. It raises I will admit that we did feel a small its display area at Eden. One can only questions about trust, winning at sense of trepidation when I accepted marvel at the skill of the sculptor all costs, being truthful etc. the offer of becoming the Priest in and his team who started with a Charge of Boscastle with Davidstow, Our media - television, radio, large block of Cornish granite and as the Parishes are very different from newspapers, magazines and the shaped it patiently into the finished the single Parish in which I was serving internet all play their part in product. They were working toward in Manchester, but the welcome, the shaping society, perhaps so much the achievement of a vision. warmth of the people meeting us, and so that we feel powerless to affect I thought of the ‘Seed’ and its the sheer beauty of the area has made any change. Consequently the us feel at home straight away. creation as I began thinking about current negative tides of thinking the fact that each of us are a part of and action shape our society. I though that in this article it might a team which is shaping our present be nice for you to find out a little bit society, and of course the future of When we face up to the question about myself and where I come from, our society. The big question is, of what vision should we be working as quite a few people have already ‘What is the vision toward which we toward for our society the Bible asked this very question, so…… becomes extremely relevant. Two are working?’ I was born in Stretford, Manchester, of its themes are firstly that we are I have an elder sister, Angela and The reality is that there are several a people created to live in harmony a younger brother, Andrew. I was visions of how our society should with the Creator God and his way educated at the local Grammar School be espoused by different groupings for life and living, and secondly then worked at National Westminster in our present era. Some of these that we are invited to start on that Bank. I worked for the bank for 14 ½ visions are developed from motives path each time that we recognise of personal gain, power, wealth years, and took voluntary redundancy, we have strayed from it – a new when Margaret was expecting our first creation, and short-term easy-living beginning is always possible. whilst others take a long term view child Matthew, I was then unemployed and incorporate motives of the well- The ‘how it is’ and ‘how it ought for 6 months as I needed to decide being of all people. to be’ voices need to be heard in our what I should do. society from all of us who share in As a part of the shaping team of I eventually took the post of the God-vision. Jesus reminded his ‘Administration and Finance Officer’ at our society it is not only what we do followers that they needed faith as that has an impact, either positively Norton Priory Museum and Gardens big as a mustard seed – the smallest in Runcorn, Cheshire. This is a small or negatively, but what we permit to known but it could grow into a tree happen. independent museum which looks – to bring about the Kingdom of after the remains of a 12th century This latter point is illustrated God. (See Matthew 17 verse 20 Augustinian Monastery, a museum, for me for instance in the ITV and Mark 4 verse 32.) a 2 ½ acre Georgian Walled Garden, programme ‘Golden Balls’ which is and 62 acres of Woodland walks.
Page 12 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Brian (Tacker) Wickett 1938 - 2008 Brian, known as Tacker to all his family and friends was born in March 1938, near Dizzard at St Gennys. Aged four he moved with his parents and brother Gordon to Churchtown Farm, Trevalga. Tacker farmed for many years with his family until his father retired. He chose not to take on the farm and worked for Tintagel Margaret, Rebecca, Robert and Matthre Thewsey copyright photo courtesy David Flower I loved working there, I dealt Deacon in Manchester Cathedral in Dairies for many years until the with all the front of house, ran the 2000, and then served my title at St death of Les Uglow. gift shop, coffee shop, managed the Clement’s, Chorlton cum Hardy in He then bought the Boscastle reception staff…the list goes on. Manchester. I was then offered the side of the business which he But I still felt that I needed to do living at All Saints’ in Stretford - the enjoyed running for several years. something more with my life. I have parish next to where I was brought After selling he took a more laid- been involved with church really all up as a child. back approach to life. As long as my life as I joined the choir when I I am sure you can gather living he had a spare pound in his pocket was 6 ½ years old, and it was through here in Cornwall is very different and diesel in his car he was happy, singing in one of the Cathedral from Manchester, but we are loving and became a maintenance man Choirs that I met my lovely Margaret. being here and I really hope that I ready to help anyone at any time. Needless to say we had a huge joint can journey with as many of you as He helped his cousins at choir for our wedding, and the music possible over the coming years. was superb. Bossiney Holiday Farm where Finally can I wish you all God’s he will be remembered as quite I started looking at my vocation blessing and please, please bear with a character with the tourists. to ministry in about 1997 and was Margaret and I as we will probably There-in lies a lasting memorial accepted for training at Cuddesdon, take quite a while to get to know all to Tacker in the beautiful stone Oxford , in the Autumn of 1999, and of your names. it was in Oxford in 2000 that Rebecca Yours in Christ, hedging which he did. He also arrived on the scene. I was ordained Fr Robert Thewsey became part of the Stephens and Harris team as the sexton for AD.‘John’ Lewis some years. Tacker played with REG PRIVETT 1924 - 2008 Boscastle and St Genny’s bands I would like to express my for years and also sang with the Bernice and family wish to thank heartfelt thanks to everyone who Tintagel Orpheus Male Voice all those who have offered and has been so kind and supportive Choir for a short time. He was given help or sent messages of following the death of my dear a keen supporter of Boscastle sympathy following John’s death husband, Reg. Football Club, where a seat will on February 21st. I was deeply moved to receive be donated in his memory, and The kindness and support I so many cards and expressions of also very big fan of Manchester have received has been very much sympathy. United. appreciated especially from my May I also say a big thank you He died peacefully at Treliske ‘doggie’ friends who have kept to all those who made donations Hospital and was buried next me going. to the children’s Hospice Precious to his parents at Tremayna The amount raised for the Lives appeal in lieu of flowers. Methodist Church. Fittingly, the Cornwall Air Ambulance instead floral tribute was in the shape of Sincerely, of flowers was £451, for which we a football. Tacker will be sadly Marianne Privett thank all who donated. missed but not forgotten.
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 13 the Royal Mail, depend take for granted from the on marketing mail to Royal Mail would be very Postie‘s Corner stay in business. It has different. postal sector is generally been reported that more So my only advice with referred to as direct companies and businesses the junk mail is read it if marketing mail. This is are now spending less on you want and if it’s offering the post that you receive postal services and are something you like then for which you were not using the Internet more. good, if not recycle it. expecting and didn’t ask This is putting more and By the time you read for. This marketing mail more pressure on the type this in the Blowhole I is from various businesses, of service that the Royal will be on holiday for 2 financial institutions Mail provides. I really weeks. Mike Sleep will be and anyone else who has enjoy my job as a postman covering for me whilst I products and services that even when it is pouring am away. they want to promote. with rain and blowing The creation of the North Marketing mail can come a gale but without the Darius and Cornwall delivery office as leaflets and addressed junk mail my job and my four legged for all us Postmen and mail. All us posties do get the type of service we assistant, Tilly. Postwomen of North an extra payment for the Cornwall has still yet to leaflets that we deliver with happen. Finding a suitable your mail once a week, it’s Lesnewth Official Rain Station property for all us posties not a lot but as the saying and our equipment is goes it all helps. Since the very difficult. So for the growing popularity of Rainfall totals: time being Tracey and I mobile phones and the continue to work from the Internet fewer and fewer Post Office as normal. people are using the post I thought I would to communicate or pay 2007 2008 write about an issue that bills. Of the millions of affects us all in some way items of mail processed March 86.7mm 151.2mm or another. Yes Junk mail everyday the percentage seems to be the biggest of mail which the likes April 22.2mm 88.1mm problem that people have of you and I would send with the post I deliver. This is very, very small, so all May 144.2mm 73.9mm type of post within the postal operators, including
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Page 14 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 than those offered now. We also have to ensure that they continue to work over the change- One Cornwall Councillors there will over period. At North The work of the be for the new Council, Cornwall we are trying to Implementation Executive I personally hope it will keep all the staff informed is gathering pace now, be much fewer than130, about the changes, as it with decisions starting to as I think this number is and about service will is a very difficult time be made about the shape unmanageable for making continue, and increase for them, especially with of the new Council. It has decisions. However we its role to visit even developments happening been decided that services shall be told what their more villages than it all the time. will be delivered in three recommendation is in July presently covers. This On a more local note it areas, East, Mid and West and everyone will have the will provide information is lovely to see the harbour Cornwall. It looks like opportunity to put their and advice about all the area gradually losing all its there will be a planning views forward. Council services. The machinery and workers, committee for each of The customer Community Networks and moving forward. these three, and that all contact centres are being are starting to look quite I know it has been a other services will be developed, and there will exciting, and I hope difficult time and would along the same lines. The be one in Camelford. I will offer opportunities like to thank all those who Boundary Committee has am trying to ensure that for local priorities to be have been so patient in not yet decided how many the current NCDC out addressed. I am working the last few years. There with the officers of the have been many problems One Cornwall Team to to overcome but they have develop these networks, mostly been dealt with and I want them to have without too many harsh a reasonable budget to words, and I hope all spend in the area. the work done serves its Boscastle As an Executive purpose. Janey Comber Gates, Railings, Fire Grates we are committed to Weather Vanes, Security Bars making sure that the NCDC Councillor Ornamental Ironwork, Welding services provided by the Tel. 230497 new authority are at least [email protected] Tel: 01840 261340 as good, or even better,
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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 15 Boscastle Champions! Congratulations to our 17 cross county runners who entered the Deli farm run and to our first five finishers who made up our team; Ben Nicholls – 5th Jade Bowker – 2nd girl and 6th overall The Deli Farm runners with their certificates and medals Holly Fanshawe – 3rd girl As always the Summer ..... a very cold, wet and involved covering their and 8th overall Term seems to be flashing bedraggle bunch trooped faces with cling film and Tom Showell – 17th past! Class 2 have just back to school having had then laying strips of mod Finn Larratt- 19th returned from a very to cut their beach visit roc on top, smoothing The course was 2.5 exciting trip to Cotehele short due to inclement it to copy the contours miles of tracks, mud, where they dressed as weather. They all looked of their faces. And (the puddles, fields, puddles, Tudors and entertained like they had been best bit from our point hills, valleys and more the tourists with their made to walk the plank! of view)lying still for puddles and yes we dance on the lawn and However dry clothes and a 15 minutes to let it set! jumped in most of them! then had a puncture in good film to watch in the Finally we painted them Thanks to our coach the mini bus on the way afternoon revived spirits! – they looked fantastic! Janet Lathom - all of our home! (Probably the most Class 3 have been studying Each week on a Friday children were fit for the exciting part of the day!) Ancient Egyptians this we have a special assembly. race and crossed the finish Class 1 have discovered term and Mrs Haden and It is organised and run by line smiling having had that being a pirate is not I decided to mummify our the children and is a time great fun! all it’s cracked up to be class! The children made when children celebrate mummy masks of each their achievements, share other’s faces using Mod their home news and Valency Roc (similar to plaster discuss ‘school issues’! A of paris). The process Taxis few weeks ago Jess, Sophie, Near Boscastle SUE WALLIS Anita & David DESIGNER DRESSMAKER (01840) 250434 ALTERATIONS Tel: 01840 211702 DRESSMAKING - LADIES Licensed Private Hire GENTS & CHILDRENS WEDDINGS & EVENING WEAR Mobile: 07974 835 084 SOFT FURNISHINGS etc ...
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Page 16 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Terry looking – as usual and nourishing smell of – like a fluffball with a bale of hay steps in. beady eyes, indignant A day that was really at being shut in his getting at my feelings hutch. I walk carefully has just turned into down the wooden steps, en extraordinarily the usual scuttles and pleasing one. All around scrapes floating to me I can see a paradise my ears. Entering the of green except to house, the aroma of tea the north which in the wafts towards me. far distance I can see the auburn, red sky catching the glittering and pure blue sea. My Favourite Place I can just hear the sponsored skippers, Jess, Sophie, Ella and Holly by Holly Fanshawe vague squealing like a Ella and Holly announced The Guinea Pig Shed I step through the pig in pain I wander to loose and ragged gate to that they wanted to by Lauren Henderson the source of the sound the pony yard and all my organise a sponsored skip and see both of the As I enter the guinea feelings are released, in aid of the Precious ponies with their heads pig shed, the familiar I get a little whinny on each other’s backs, Lives appeal and to raise sound of squeaking from Kezzy and Cassie, they must have nibbled money for playtime awaits me. Sizing up as they are hoping for each other. When they games equipment. The the occupants of the some more grass. I just come towards me I girls wrote a letter to hutches, I decide to can’t resist it I wander, give them both a pat it inform the parents of the start from the top merrily through to the gives me the soft and event, designed a sponsor down today. Messy hay field, I can just feel fluffy feeling of pony form and ran the event is soon replaced by the happiness returning hair. Out of the corner on the day. Ella even clean, white sawdust. to my body, the ponies of my eye I can see an managed to skip and talk After emptying the come trotting over inquisitive cow wanting when they realise is to Radio Cornwall at the food tub into the last to join in the fun. I shut hutch, I straighten up happening. I move same time! The skip lasted my eyes to feel the full and listen with pleasure electric fence just glory but suddenly the 1 hour with children as they scoff their an inch so mum won’t ponies get all excited. organised into groups of lot. My mind begins realise, their heads are What is it I ask them three skipping in turn to wander and I stare straight down, I won’t they look back at me for one minute at a time around taking in my be hearing anymore with those beady eyes, (the staff were in a group surroundings. from them for a while. trying to say Jess has of 9, but we did skip for To start with , in When I return arrived, when I see her the whole hour!) Since the front of me is my tower to the yard I get a I suddenly remember skip the girls have been of hutches, with all the waft of the fresh and I haven’t tacked up, busy sorting and counting guinea pigs could ever strange smell of a dung but I’m sure Jess won’t the money and taking it want slipping down the heap, swiftly the sweet mind. to the Post Office with sides. Leaning on the Janet. So far they have luxurious window with w r perry & Son raised over £500. Well its thick, white painted wood, my attention done girls! averts further afield. Building contractors Finally Lauren Tom’s run is to my right, stone masons Henderson and Holly with the door on my roofIng specialists Fanshawe read us some left, the cool evening renovations/extensions writing describing their air on my cheek. favourite places. We Peering through the family business - established for enjoyed it and thought gloom from the outside 40 years we’d share it with you. of the window (by now tel: Boscastle 01840 250081 I am outside) I spot Sarah Duffy Headteacher
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 17 is something of a dirty shopping scientifically Pickwick word - haven’t I reached interesting, not to say the age when we take life challenging - and armed easy - isn’t exercise at my with a magnifying glass age some form of Russian I scan the typical values Papers roulette? for 100 grams of the The sensible answer product trying to look abdominal obesity and seemed to be to experiment as if I understand what my abdominal obesity a little by simply altering I really do think was not something that I ones current eating habits there should I suppose we never see was quite ready to throw which had, after all, been be night school ourselves as others see us out for general discussion the culprit in the first place classes in and if we need proof of just yet and of course we - too much of the wrong that remark it can surely do have to pay to belong stuff in the weekly shop understanding be found by looking at to the club. Next stop the and at the local eatery. A nutrition values a recent photograph internet, the answer to all trawl of the supermarket on packaged and then hear ourselves of life’s many problems, shelves, coupled with the products because exclaim “do I really look where frankly I found too knowledge that we all need thus far it’s all like that?” So when we are much information, lots of to take less fat, less salt, less Greek to me. described as abdominally my abdominal sugar, and one might say obese, as I was recently, we obesity was less food seemed central it is all about; I really do are somewhat affronted, to my new eating regime! think there should be to say the very least! Once not something Oh! I forgot to mention that I was quite night school classes in over the shock of being the five-a-day that we understanding nutrition told we are fat, albeit that ready to throw are constantly being told values on packaged it is politely described in out for general about and which, by the products because thus far medical terms as obese, discussion way, refers to fruit and it’s all Greek to me. Well we really feel that we have vegetables and not fags I am down to skimmed sites, and I mean millions, to do something about it. or glasses of el vino! Food milk, two eggs a week( I all telling you how to lose So what to do; a club like producers do go to a lot of cheat and buy extra large weight and the more one Slimmers’ World seemed time and trouble to label ones as they make a bigger read the more confusing the answer but they do their products with a list of omelette) brown bread, it became - low sugar, low like you to go and be ingredients and nutrition whole wheat breakfast salt, low fat, and hundreds weighed in every week, information - makes cereal, low fat spread……. not always convenient, of low everything else continued on next page can be embarrassing followed by the dreaded since it attracts mainly word “exercise” and for THE WELLINGTON HOTEL someone whose main form women who, it seems, ETC ** AA** RAC** don’t mind discussing of exercise is getting up in such personal things as the morning “exercise” * The Waterloo Restaurant English cuisine with a ‘twist’ * Free House with Real Ales * Good Home-made Pub Food * Beer Garden * Singers: Wednesday nights
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Page 18 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Pickwick If nothing else I have part cracked the national Papers obesity problem and the continued answer seems to lie in the Yes I do know what you price of goods today. I are thinking - boring, have found that “healthy” boring, boring and where “healthy” on earth are the Mars products ... like bars!! The latter, two left from a pack of six, are good quality still in the cupboard and fruit, wholegrain have been sitting there for breads, lean at least a month, which is meat, fish and something of a record in things marked our house. After all has “low fat” are all been said and done I am DAVID WASHER actually getting used to more expensive what I suppose is eating Building Contractor sensibly and the weight products which includes loss so far is over a stone things like good quality ‘Penlea’, Tintagel Road, Boscastle in five weeks, and that fruit, wholegrain breads, actually has made me feel lean meat, fish and things Tel: 01840 250635 good about myself - if marked “low fat” are all only because I can now more expensive than their Mobile: 07967 507457 get into my dinner jacket counterparts - and so if we and trousers without the are having to make a little feeling that I am being money go a long way then crucified - whether it is pie and chips is infinitely Comfortable has done anything for my cheaper than poached contemporary blood pressure, cholesterol salmon and a green salad, accommodation. and blood sugar levels will just as satisfying but not so all be revealed in the next healthy in the long run. Superb breakfasts blood test - exciting isn’t using local produce Bon Appétit! and fish. it? Rooms with breakfast THE OLD MILL en-suite non-smoking BOSCASTLE Discounts available for local bookings 01840 250418 www.orchardlodgeboscastle.co.uk
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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 19 The Switchover to Useful Phone Numbers Emergency Services: Coastguard, Digital (part 2) Fire, Police, Ambulance: Dial 999 Police Station: Following on from my the cost of the digital box For non-urgent issues: eg to report a crime or article in the last issue - as around £50 or £120 criminal damage, to request police advice or Switchover to Digital - one for the HD digital box. attendence, to enquire about lost property, to of our eagle-eyed (though You can only purchase an be connected to a police station, service or I should say ‘eared’) ‘Integrated Digital TV’ department: 08452 777 444 editorial team heard a after the ‘launch’ since Doctors’ Surgery and out-of-hours programme on her car they are not yet available. emergency doctor: 01840 250209 radio dealing with the The box and dish can NHS Direct (24 hour helpline): 0845 4647 Digital Switchover be purchased at leading . The Hospitals: information they provided retailers such as Argos, Bodmin - East Cornwall 01208 251555 was to do with Freesat, an Comet, Curry’s and John Minor Injuries Unit open8 am – 10 pm, seven alternative to Sky but with Lewis as well as some days a week a similar arrangement independent retailers, of satellite dish and box. eg Woolacotts, who can Launceston General 01566 765650 Don’t confuse this with arrange installation. If Minor Injuries Unit open8 am – 10 pm, seven Freeview which is a digital you already have a ‘dish’ days a week terrestrial television you may be able to use it Stratton 01288 287700 service (TV through your but ‘should check in-store Minor Injuries Unit open 24hrs, seven days a aerial). for details’ and if you have week The name Freesat more than one television Truro -Treliske 01872 250000 is confusing since it you will need a box for Plymouth - Derriford 08451 558155 is not entirely ‘Free’... each television set. Dental Helpline: 0845 5000 230 what is!! It is a one-off The May ‘update’ on payment arrangement, Freesat’s web page states NHS Emergency Dental Appt: 01872 354 385 offering - ‘over 80 digital that ‘due to the very high RSPCA: 08705 555999 TV and radio channels; demand there is a shortage Boscastle Visitor Centre: 01840 250010 subscription free; no of Freesat HD boxes in contract, no subscription, the shops at the moment. Local Churches: just a one-off payment; Some retailers will allow Church of England 01840 250359 available to almost every you to reserve HD boxes’. Methodist 01840 770274 home in the UK’. The So you pays your Catholic 01840 770663 ‘almost everywhere’ may money and you takes Harbourmaster: 01840 250200 arouse doubts in your your choice, as the saying Parish Council: mind, but as long as the goes!! And please, if you website: www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk installers can position hear of any other way of clerk: 01840 250440 your dish with ‘a clear Switching to Digital, don’t email clerk: [email protected] line of site to the sky in ring me, I’ll ring you!!! the South East’ your will GQ Village Hall: receive the satellite signal. Bookings: 01840 250558 See also: Pay phone: 01840 250171 The service is provided ‘by the nation’s two most www.freesat.co.uk/ Community & Recreation Centre: popular broadcasters’ who www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ Bookings: 01840 250442 form a ‘not–for-profit technology/2008/05/ Cornwall County Council: freesat_will_it_fly_or_ company’. However, Switchboard: 01872 322000 flop.html standard installation costs North Cornwall District Council: are around £80 and one of Main Switchboard 01208 893333 Freesat’s web pages quote Pest Control 01208 262800
Page 20 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 If you ever go across the sea to Ireland….. I have recently returned fail to notice the first sign Americans who are on their Mind you, the Irish do from a visit to Ireland to see and so, out of the kindness way Lisbon, Portugal, or not necessarily have the last my latest grand-daughter, of their hearts, have had Barcelona, Spain and Venice, word on splendid notices and Martha, who will soon be the foresight to jog the old Italy. The centre of the town signs. On a ferry not too far five months old. Martha memory. itself is dominated by a fine from here only today, I saw a has, fittingly, a good head As luck would have it, cathedral of almost fairy- wide open door bearing the of red hair, and eyebrows pretty well all the signs are tale proportions with lofty legend ‘Keep Closed at all which look like ginger written in the two languages, towers, and inside filled with Times’. This does remind me Velcro in the sunshine: both English and Gaelic. If the finest carvings and stained of the injunction on some quite delicious. The Irish you though for a moment glass windows. Martha was cupboard doors to ’Keep people that I met were, that English spelling was christened here during my Locked at all Times’. How on without exception, friendly, in any way tricky, think last visit, wearing, for the earth can you get anything hospitable and charming. again and spare a moment’s occasion, my grandfather’s out of the cupboard if the It did, however, take me sympathetic thought for any christening robe, a beautiful door is …., you know what a little time to get used to passing student of Gaelic garment about 120 old, I mean. The same ferry had some of the expressions who may have a touch of which consisted of a robe a notice about emergency they use in their day to day dyslexia. Taoiseach! Prime in fine cotton and a cotton procedures. Quite right, talking. Naïvely, I assumed Minister seems a doddle overdress covered in dainty too. In case the phrase that whenever someone said by comparison. Although pintucks, both dresses about ‘Emergency Instructions : ‘I’m after doing such and now I come to think of it, 3 feet long, so, for a small will be broadcast’ is too such a thing,’ such as, ‘I’m ‘Wrong Way. Turn Back’ child she took up a lot of terse for you, the notice read after visiting my uncle,’ that was only in English. What room. Five children were ‘Instructions of ‘what to do’ they were on the point of are they trying to say? Do being baptised at the time, in the emergency will be doing whatever it was, by they think you would not four boys and Martha. ‘Ladies broadcast’. The finest notice analogy, I suppose with the bother to obey the sign first!’ declared the priest, so on the same ferry, however, idea of a dog going after a if it was in Gaelic? Along Martha was the first one to read ‘Safety Clothing bone, that is chasing it and one residential street where receive the sacrament. I have Donning Instructions’. So, hoping to acquire it shortly. the house numbers are never heard such a courteous get your clothing donned, No such thing! Quite displayed, the sign reads offer in all the christenings you landlubbers! I must say sensibly, ‘I’m after visiting rather enigmatically ‘27 to I have attended in this I can recommend the use my uncle’ means ‘I have 1, and 54’. Presumably poor country. The christening of this particular verb when just been to see my uncle old 54 got separated from his tea, with ‘just a few friends getting the children ready and have, in fact, finished numerical mates and had to and relatives’, between 70 for school of a morning. visiting him.’ Makes sense, get added on at a randomly and 80 people, was riotous! ‘Come along, children! Don I suppose. If you’re after convenient point, next to It took 4 hours to clear away your garments hastily! Is this doing something, then the number 1. This must make the debris the following not so much more effective something has got to be a rookie postman’s first day morning! The hangover took than a plaintive, ‘Will you before you are, hasn’t it? on the job a trying time a little longer. Just for clarity, get dressed?’ Come on, wake up at the indeed. I should add the party took AR back. place at home, and not in I was staying on Great the cathedral itself. I found some of the road Island in Cork Harbour just signs most endearing. At the outside the town of Cobh, start of a long one way street, pronounced Cove. All right, as you might expect, is a sign all right. Cobh, in Queen saying ‘No Entry’. So far, so Victoria’s day, was called good. Never underestimate Queenstown and had the the powers of anticipation honour to be the last port and prediction of your Irish from which the Titanic set sign providers. About thirty sail. It has a massive natural yards down the same one harbour and frequently way street is a second sign welcomes gigantic with the legend, ‘Wrong cruise liners carrying, it Way. Turn Back’. You see, seems, countless friendly they just knew you would
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 21 translate and liaise between doctors and patients and In the also assisting WI calendar April marks and supporting the beginning of a new, c o n c e r n e d varied and interesting relatives. programme of events. Also at the This year’s programme, May meeting, like many before, has members were got underway with the required to Cornwall Federation’s discuss, digest “Spring Countdown ”, and vote on where representatives the National from all WI’s in Cornwall F e d e r a t i o n meet, at the Hall for of Women’s Cornwall, to discuss I n s t i t u t e ’ s vitally important issues. Sue Viner and Jil Clark at Caerhays r e s o l u t i o n This year the speaker, the everyone with a strong desire guide to pruning and shortlist for 2008. The Rt. Hon. Ann Widdicome to make a visit of their own. Edna Trudgeon’s floral first resolution “urges HM MP, talked about her life Members also enjoyed demonstration using spring Government to urge the as a politician, author a super spring outing to flowers was enjoyed by all. EU to ban bottom trawling and broadcaster. It was Caerhays Gardens. The Moving from flora to which causes catastrophic said that she is exactly mature gardens are amassed forna, Tintagel WI were the loss of marine life”. It’s as you expect her to be, with colourful, magnolias, hosts of the spring group hard to imagine open nets knowledgeable, witty and camellias, rhododendrons meeting. The speaker, the size of a rugby field very down to earth. and azaleas, including Wendy Winstanly of Parfell scraping the bottom of the Gardens, a favourite magnificent specimen trees Animal Sanctuary, talked ocean, destroying sponges, topic for many of the and a picturesque view about a rather unusual coral and all manner of Boscastle members, from the castle out to sea. animal, the sloth. As is fish species in their path, featured early in this year’s Speaking of which, some the custom, the ladies of this sadly, is a global issue. programme. Margaret intrepid members, including Tintagel WI concluded the The call for a bottom Shillaber a member of the president, thought it evening with some light- ban on trawling is deeply Camelford WI gave an would be a good idea to take hearted entertainment. controversial. There is an amusing and evocative a paddle. With summer holidays inherent tension between account of a visit to County House, Chy fast approaching, have those environmental Highgrove House, in Noweth an Conteth, was you ever wondered who organisations which believe Gloucestershire, the the venue for “a day with to turn to in the event of a that bottom trawling family home of the Prince spring in mind”. An event holiday illness or accident? should be banned and is of Wales and the Duchess where George Kestell At the May meeting, completely unsustainable, of Cornwall, which left gave an excellent, idiot’s Boscastle WI were given an those environmental enlightening and amusing organisations which feel insight into the life of that an outright ban is a Thompson Holiday’s unnecessary but very careful Hospital Representative, management is crucial and Miss Penny Praille, who industry, which does not had worked on the Greek support a ban and believes islands as an interpreter that it is doing enough to to assist English-speaking achieve sustainability. A lot holidaymaker’s who to digest! required medical assistance. The second resolution: Her work included sitting “In view of the adverse in on operations and effect on families of the examinations, in order to imprisonment of people
Page 22 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Some will know that a continued few members of Boscastle Muts Cuts with severe mental health WI rather enjoy a tasty Qualified City and Guilds Groomer problems, this meeting meal out and the early urges HM Government summer luncheon this year Gable Cottage to provide treatment was held at The Bossiney Newhall Green and therapy in a more House Hotel, Tintagel. Near St Teath appropriate and secure Need I say that the WI residential environment”, food tasters were again in was an equally difficult attendance! subject to discuss. Many In the hope that this Ring Kerri on 01840 211786 prisoners are suffering summer will be warm and from mental disorders sunny, the members are such as depression and looking forward to pleasant schizophrenia and some afternoons visiting gardens, older prisoners suffer enjoying a relaxing chat WESTERINGS dementia. It is therefore with a good cup of tea and felt that in being isolated of course sampling some Spacious Self-Catering from families prison can delicious cake. Accommodation exacerbate their problems. If you are interested Prisons are often bleak in becoming a member, - Open All Year - and overcrowded and can or would like to come Shirley Wakelin cause confusion to some. along as a visitor, meetings Forrabury, Boscastle It is suggested that prison are held on the second actually leads to an acute Tuesday of each month Tel: 01840 250314 worsening of mental health at the Village Hall, 7.30 Website: www.westeringsholidays.co.uk problems. After hearing pm March to September the case study of a WI and 2.00 pm October to member’s son, who had February. You will be made gained a first degree in very welcome. MS physics and at the age of 22, WI Recipe whilst studying for a PhD Chocolate Crunch in astrophysics, suffered Ingredients: a nervous breakdown. 1 small packet biscuits Thirteen years later he died (digestive or rich tea) by suicide in prison. The 4 ozs of butter case study suggests there 1 dsp sugar were no systems in place 4 dsp drinking chocolate to give him the appropriate powder care. 1 tbsp golden syrup 4 ozs cooking chocolate With two very emotive Method: subjects member’s felt Place biscuits in a plastic neither situation could be bag and crush with a resolved overnight, but the rolling pin. Melt butter, H. VENNING vote was almost unanimous sugar, chocolate powder in favour of supporting and syrup in a pan. Add - MASON - both resolutions. biscuit crumbs and mix For Professional and Quality Work Fund-raising is very well. • RENOVATIONS •EXTENSIONS Press mixture into 8” much part of village life and square greased tin. Put •PLASTERING • STONEWORK the recent coffee morning into fridge to cool. • ROOFING was again a great success. Melt cooking chocolate Many thanks go to Janice and spread on top. When Lundy House, Boscastle and John Dunning for the cold mark into squares and use of their home. dust with icing sugar. TEL: 01840 250113
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 23 NOEL ERSKINE WARD Feb 9th 1925 - March 4th 2008 large, warm Aunty Flo and see his parents again for five Uncle Claude. They loved years! visiting the local theatres in Then Marlborough Harrogate, often retrieving where, to the horror of his a performing celebrity music teacher, he started a to join in an impromptu jazz band. Noel played sax musical ‘eat, drink and be or drums, whichever was merry till the small hours’. required. It was during He had one memorable this time, rationing being holiday back to India, his in force, that he earned mother having had a very the soubriquet ‘Prune’, strong premonition that as he finished off all the war was imminent. During prunes all the other boys this visit, Noel was taken wouldn’t eat, - 46, I was up river on a fishing trip told! One wonders if by family friends, one of their lasting effect on his whom was Jim Corbett, visage much later lead Ivor well-known author and Bright of the Cobweb to exponent of jungle craft, dub him ‘Auld Wrinkly’! who made a considerable However, they must have impact on the young Noel. done him some good as It was on this trip he matriculated with five he had his first spiritual credits and a distinction in Noel was born in Shillong, abiding favourite, Indian encounter, with a sadhu, a Mathematics! Assam, N.W. India. His food, along with a life-long holy man, who told Noel The war beckoned, grandfather had been empathy with India. He that there was going to be governor of the Province, accompanied his parents offering the opportunity to a great war. ‘And, I hope,’ train as officers in the Indian and his father was a in their energetic social said the sadhu, ‘you will successful tea planter and life, but at the age of nine Army. Noel’s original choice not have to kill anyone. had been the Navy, but he breeder of race horses, the idyll ended and like so You will probably forget greatly interested in many ‘colonial’ children realized the Indian Army our conversation, but after would provide him with horticulture. His mother Noel was taken ‘home’ the war you will remember was a fine pianist often to start his education in the best chance to see his the things of which we have parents again before the war persuaded to give concerts. England. Characteristically, spoken.’ An absolutely Noel would sit close to her he adapted well. Excellent ended. He was accepted on accurate prediction! Back an Officer Training Course, piano listening, fascinated: teaching at his prep school to school and an exciting the sounds resonated all in Horsham strengthened drilled by a fearsome ex journey by sea lasting five RSM of the Welsh Guards: his life, seeding his abiding his interest in music, weeks, but he was not to love of good music. At the encouraged his delight in ‘That’s not a Piccadilly tart spacious house, Red Gables, mathematics and offered built for his parents, he a new love, - cricket! He enjoyed the freedom of its became captain of the huge garden and orchards, Vacancies exist for adults and children school team! Furthermore, (beginners or advanced) to have fringed by jungle, against he started learning to the magnificent backdrop dance, fortunately for his Piano or Keyboard Lessons of the distant Himalayan to be taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere by a junior later years in Cornwall! school teacher with over 20 years of experience of piano teaching snow peaks. An only child, Because of the lengthy in Cornwall. Parents are welcome to attend the lessons. For further details please ring he was much pampered voyage to India, most of Peter L Henry BA, LTCL by the house staff whose the holidays had to be language he spoke fluently spent with friends or family, 01840 770470 before English, who and including sailing and joining introduced him to another the musical family of his
Page 24 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 you’re holding, that’s a Boscastle. When he retired RIFLE! Smack it hard! he very much enjoyed Back to India in May his work as treasurer of 1943 after three months the Village Hall and the vigorous training, he was Blowhole, helping with allowed to visit his parents events at Playgroup and on compassionate leave, as School, particularly when his mother was ill. After a his camera could be at the three week stay his father ready. drove him down to the We shared great times foothills and he witnessed together with family and unforgettably the appalling friends, and enjoyed many Bengal famine of 1943, interests in common, above station platforms littered all dancing to good jazz! with the emaciated bodies Give us a good rhythm and of the dead and dying. Sadly, we’d be away to the floor, when he bade farewell to where I frequently had to his father it turned out to steer his more expansive be the last time they spent moves away from our together. fellow dancers! Noel liked One of only eight to have LOTS OF SPACE! candidates selected for the We were lucky to have been demanding role of an officer Noel in his power boat racing days able to indulge ourselves on the dance floor for so long! in the Gurkhas and training 1964, a decision he deeply Nepalis, eating their food in desert warfare, with regretted later. After an and enjoying their cheery Joan Cork typical Army logic, after unhappy start in Kent, still company. For him, the trip fourteen months training, The family thank all ‘in tea‘, through his interest had all the significance of a their kind friends who he was posted off to train in in power boat racing, Noel pilgrimage, a release, amidst jungle warfare because Jim sent cards and helped came ultimately to Rock the great mountains he had in so many ways and Corbett had mentioned in 1972, making many gazed on in his childhood. especially for their very to General Lentaigne that friends, joining Westerly Afterwards, he put together Noel was a natural jungli! Boats full time as a marine his slides, with appropriate generous donations to He ended his war in the engineer. music, to make a delightful the Gurhka Welfare Trust Burma front, bidding a in his memory. Over Noel married, firstly, travelogue. Soon after his sad farewell to his beloved great adventure, he moved £700 was raised - enough Gurkhas, but feeling a deep Jane, in India, with whom he had two sons, John and into Penrowan with me to maintain a Gurhka desire to remain in India. and soon became part of pensioner for 3 years. By chance he met an old Graeme. They divorced after family friend in Calcutta their return to England. He who suggested he followed married secondly, Jacqui, CLOVELLY CLOTHING his father’s footsteps and and was step father to her join the Tea Estates in two children, Bruce and The Bridge, Boscastle Assam. Problem solved! Susie, coming to the South Noel enjoyed his successful West with them in 1972. tel: 01409 281 381 career as a manager ‘in Noel was first introduced tea’, inheriting his father’s to me by our mutual love of horticulture, and friend, Lyn Maton. We REGATTA WRANGLER accumulated a lot of started socializing shortly practical know-how, making before he set off to fulfil a CRAGHOPPERS many Indian friends, both long-nurtured ambition, FULL RANGE OF WATERPROOF/BREATHEABLE as colleagues and within the to go back to his beloved CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR workforce. ‘The Planters’ Himalayas and walk to lifestyle often led to rather Annapurna base camp. In unsettled relationships and 1987 he went alone with The best of British Clothing Noel decided to return to his Nepali guide, Teki, England permanently in spending more time with the for the worst of British weather
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 25 Distinguished Trees of the Parish Mike Simmonds introduces us to another of the broad leaved trees that grow locally In our Parish we are blessed with Buds: unmistakable in winter/ Uses: The tree has been to date having considerable areas of broadleaved early spring with large, brown, grown solely for ornament, the woodland compared with much of North sticky buds on very stout twigs. The timber having little commercial Cornwall. In celebration of the fact I sticky covering being a deterrent to hope to highlight certain trees that I find value. However it is light, works remarkable during my wanderings and hungry birds and insects easily and does not splinter and has look into their ecology, history and value had some history of being used for to us in the landscape. toy-making and for artificial limbs. Its absorbent properties also caused The Horse Chestnut - it to be used for making fruit racks Aesculus hippocastanum and storage trays as this kept fruit dry and fresh. Like many a countryside and wildlife lover, each spring and early summer, I keenly look out for what flora and fauna is amongst the first to emerge. In terms of local trees it is hard not to notice that one of the earliest to come into full leaf in the Parish is the horse chestnut. Whilst horse chestnut twig &buds the other common broadleaves of the parish – oak, ash, lime, beech, Flowers: tall white spiked flowers, in hazel and sycamore – lag behind April and May amassed like candles with budding out, there are horse on a Christmas tree. The flowers chestnut trees which all of a sudden are asymmetric in design and have seem to have huge and full crowns downward curving stamens acting of those familiar large hand-shaped as landing points for nectar-seeking leaves and tall white flower candles. bees. Orange patches on each flower darken once fertilised thus telling candle-like flowers The distinguishing features: the bee to look elsewhere for a fresh Leaves: large, compound leaves, flower. The flowers also have an Growing from seed each of the 5 – 7 leaflets resembling insect-attracting pattern visible in Collect the ’conkers’ in the autumn that of the sweet chestnut. This ultra-violet light and float in water and use the ones accounts for it being classed in Fruits: After the petals have fallen that sink; you can sow immediately the same family. In winter the the ovary at the base expands in a pot or seedbed of moist, sandy dropping leaves leave a horse-shoe rapidly to form the familiar spiky soil protecting from predators and shaped scar on the twigs complete green husk that houses the horse frost through the winter with small swellings which look like chestnuts or ‘conkers’. Another Champion tree nail heads, this may account for the reason for its name may be that in The largest specimen of trees name its native Turkey the nuts were given hippocastanum in the UK is in to horses for food and medicine Screens Wood, West Sussex and Bark: reddish brown to dark grey stands at 39 metres tall but relatively brown, breaking into long plates slender at 144cms trunk thickness with rising scaly ends Shape: huge tall dome, branching History, culture & folklore at narrow angles. Weak timber The horse chestnut tree is an combined with heavy branches in introduced species to our islands full leaf often lead to collapsing and being brought from the Balkans in shedding of limbs southern Europe in 1616. It was horse chestnut leaf
Page 26 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Distinguished Trees of the Parish continued first raised in northern Europe by botanist Charles de l’Ecluse in 1576 using seed from Constantinople. Thirty-six years on there are records of it being part of collections in London. Now, of course, the tree is common across the UK countryside, naturalised in our woodlands and hedgerows – a symbol of village peacefulness and a superb shade tree – it has had considerable impact on our culture. row of horse chestnut trees However it was slow to escape Famously, Capability Brown from cultivation and were originally planted 4800 in the Tottenham Conkers The nuts of the tree – its autumn regarded as mysteriously romantic Park estate and Sir Christopher fruits – are perhaps its most well and powerful trees. Wren created a mile long carriage known feature. They provide the raw avenue for William III at Bushy An early record refers to a group material for what is still the most Park, Hampton Court in 1699. of three planted near Wribbenhall widely played childrens game using After Queen Victoria opened Church near Kidderminster which plants. were reputed to be on the site of Hampton Court to the public in Remarkably the first record of a burial ground for black plague 1838, a tradition began of vast playing ‘conkers’ is from the Isle victims (c. 1660’s) numbers of people, of all classes, of Wight in 1848. This date seems The majority were planted as gathering to admire the trees in flower one Sunday in mid- strangely late given that references ornamentals in private estates at to similar games appear from earlier first, and later in public parks, May. It was known as ‘Chestnut Sunday’, and despite the custom records e.g. cobnut fights in the streets of spa towns, churchyards, seventeenth century (using hazel Oxford colleges on village greens diminishing in the 1920’s and through the war period, a group nuts); ‘conquerors’ – an eighteenth and the like. The word ‘Chestnut’ century boys game doing battle with appears no less than 56 times in the of enthusiasts revived it in Jubilee Year, 1977. snail shells. However it seems likely London A-Z of street names. continued on page 28 Bottreaux Filling Station MYRTLE COTTAGE Boscastle Tel: 01840 250 108 BED & BREAKFAST & TEA GARDEN Visitor Fresh locally produced meats Centre Fresh bread daily Telephone:(01840) 250010 Wide range of groceries E-mail:[email protected] www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com Fresh fruit and vegetables Open Daily 1st March - 31st October Off Licence 10.00am - 5.00pm 1st November - 29th February Opening hours 10.30am - 4.00pm FORE STREET, BOSCASTLE Wide selection of books and leaflets on: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Wildlife, Local History, Walking guides, CORNWALL Maps, Tide Tables & Geology guides. Sat 9am-5pm PL35 0AX Accommodation Booking Service Sun 9am-1pm Eden Tickets on sale 01840 250245 Photo copying & Fax available Support your local shop TEA, COFFEE, TV, CENTRAL HEATING Public Internet Access Bottreaux Filling Station £27.50 per person per night
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 27 A One-er – a game winning conker Distinguished Trees of the Parish A two-er – a conker that goes on to continued from page 27 win again against a first timer A three-er – you get the picture! A twelver – e.g if a twoer overcomes a tenner! In 1952 the BBC staged a conker contest where the winner emerged as a 7,351-er!! Ashton in Northhants has hosted a World Conker Championship since the mid 60’s on the second Sunday of October. Now a major event it can attract crowds of over 4000 and as such is typically eccentric England! Some uses of conkers Horse chestnut on New Road :- moth deterrent, shampoos and shower gels, a Victorian that children at that time did not Baking, pickling, deep- recipe for flour, their starch was turned have easy access to chestnut trees freezing and microwaving – all to acetone for use in the World Wars, a that were mostly planted on private methods of artificial hardening natural remedy for sprains and bruising estates where there was massive – will be familiar to almost all (which was why the Turks historically landscape rearrangement ongoing of us! fed them to horses). The Forestry and draconian game-keeping in Commission plan to grow plantations place! Later on, as planting took Some terminology! Cheggies; Obblyonkers – of horse chestnut to supplement this place in public, urban areas, there alternative names for conkers use for the pharmaceutical industry was much more opportunity for Cheeser or Cheese-cutter – flat conker collecting. conker one of a pair from a Police Authority Liaison Meeting There are some regional single case Wednesday 10th September differences in how the game Water baby – an under-ripe, School Hall, Wadebridge Primary developed but the basic rules remain softer conker School, Gonvena Hill. the same and the array of techniques Yearsie – a shrivelled and An opportunity to meet senior local used to increase your chances of toughened conker stored in the police officers, discuss local policing & honing a ‘champion’ are well known dark for a year community safety issues. amongst school children. See also www.dcpa.police.uk
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Page 28 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 “Tales from the Potting shed” “It’s been a funny old day”. The of bulb growers, is planted by hand. long leaved varieties. So far there has words of Ronnie Barker from the sit- The theme of the gardens is changed been very little slug and snail damage. com Open all Hours. So often I have every year and this year the theme (Fingers are firmly crossed). The first found myself quoting those same was “China – the Olympic Games of the roses, a fragrant white hybrid words. Probably caused by either, 2008”. I have always had a hankering tea known as Pascal is also in bloom, the inability to work as hard and as to visit the gardens and even though with other varieties budding up well. long as I once did, or by what seems the early daffodils were over, the vast In order to avoid “checking” from to be the nations favourite topic of displays of tulip and heavily perfumed the cold wind and rain the decision conversation, “the Weather”! hyacinth presented a kaleidoscope of to delay putting out hanging baskets Certainly there have been a few colour which more than made up. Set and tubs was made. Hopefully this strange hiccoughs weatherise in in mature parkland, with spectacular action will be rewarded with plenty recent months. In early March the fountains and calming ponds I of bloom later. barometer plummeted to 950mb and definitely recommend a visit. Suffice Visitors Storm force winds of up to 80mph to say I was not disappointed. Wild life in the garden continues created havoc. Our own garden The first May bank holiday was to surprise. On the recent warm faired pretty well, the main casualty, a bit of a shock, extremely warm sunny days one or two slow worms “acacia longifolia” being bent virtually temperatures in the 20’s had me have been seen basking on the paths. horizontal. The constant rocking reaching fro the sun block and shorts, The badger continues to visit his almost uprooted it, so prompt action (not a pretty sight), to spend 3 days favourite area of the garden, to leave to securely stake, lash and heel into the in the hot sun stitching together rather a big hole, unlike a cat it is ground was needed. (So far, so good). netting for the fruit cage. No way are not filled in after use though, if you Many other local gardens did not fair the birds going to get their sharp little know what I mean. Our friendly so well, some suffered considerable beaks into my lovely soft fruit. mole is leaving fresh evidence of his damage, including spring flowers Airing cupboard being completely flattened, tree whereabouts, with mounds of soil braches down and damage to sheds In the potting shed and greenhouse wherever the mood takes him. There and greenhouses. the spells of cold weather has played was one somewhat unwelcome visitor to the summerhouse that needed to One expects April showers, but havoc with germination of peas be evicted, a rather big hornet looking most people were a bit put out to and runner beans. In desperation for a home. say the least with snow showers on I resorted to “the airing cupboard”, 6th April. Should we expect pack ice sowing beans and peas in 3” pots of Despite all, everything seems to in the harbour next year? The poor damp compost under a polythene be greening up and looking good, I bag. It did the trick, germination hope your garden is too. plants, no wonder they get confused. MS within 3 days. I think even “the head Spring flowers gardener” was impressed. However, I have been lucky The flower garden has done pretty enough to visit two special spring well considering the changeable Pop-In events this year, which, in spite of weather conditions. Most of the The Pop-In is open every Mother Nature’s somewhat fickle flowering shrubs, vibernum, wigeila, Monday morning from behaviour, tested the dedication and lilac etc., have been a mass of flower. skill of the growers. One was the As I write this azaleas and magnolia 9.30 am - 11 am Bocconoc spring show, which plays are in bloom. Luckily, due to the Call in to the Boscastle host to local growers and some from orientation of the garden, we enjoy the Community Centre for further a field, displaying stunning flowers later than most, when the fear prize-winning camellias and bright of frosts has all but gone. The colours a cup of tea or coffee, cheery daffodils. Flowers you most range from the fragrant varieties of a chat, to meet friends definitely associate with Cornwall. white, yellow and orange, to deeper old and new and to The other was a trip to the Keukenhof pinks and purples. One other variety catch up on news. gardens in Holland, being the largest of plant doing particularly well so far bulb flower park in the world, this year has been the hostas, ranging Everyone is welcome. covering 32 hectares. Each of the 7 from the little bright three-inch leaved The more the merrier! million bulbs, supplied by a group variety, through to the strapping foot
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 29 Correspondence Dear All from NCDC and no good As far as pensions go, if we were flying in on a trip As a long term resident reason has ever been given. Mr. Pickwick can hang on between islands, much of Boscastle, I write as Earlier this year the excuse a while, when he is 80 he to the alarm of the other a villager who wishes to given was that it would set will receive an extra 25p a passengers and the rest support local business a precedence in spite of the week! How they can send of my family. Something . If I wish to purchase fact that this system has been a letter telling you about it I did with relish even operating in Tintagel since a newspaper or another I cannot imagine. It must though it was 46 years the regeneration scheme item from any shop, is it cost them many times as since I had flown with was carried out there. reasonable to expect me to much just to send it. I the RAF. I landed it too! pay 90p for parking my car Dear Blowhole. suppose it is a reminder Bragging again I’m afraid. as has happened today? I So Mr.Pickwick is 65 of the days when 25p, Health and Safety in this wanted to purchase a card and seems to think the or five bob (shillings in country would have had for someone very sick in end is nigh. At 85 I can old money) as it was a fit. hospital. To shop before assure him, that barring when introduced, would So gather ye rose buds 8.30 am is a reprehensible accidents which can actually buy several pints while ye may. Life goes on & inconvenient, restriction. happen to anyone, he of beer or a packet of fags. until it stops. Let’s hope it Can a scheme not be hasn’t started yet. I would I can only assume it has is suddenly. devised enabling residents agree that things change. been going on so long the To close, perhaps I various governments who to display a pass on their There comes a time can quote a short poem have handed it out haven’t cars for 30 minutes? when you find you are written by the American the nerve to either stop it Anyone abusing this somehow discounted, later poet the late Ogden Nash. or increase it in line with scheme could and should you even become invisible. It is called ‘Old Men’. inflation over the years in be heavily penalised. Attempts to contribute are People expect old men case they draw attention This concession would ignored, which leaves you to die. to their meanness Even so aid local shops and allow wondering if you have there is something rather They do not really residents the privilege spoken out of turn or said insulting about it, perhaps mourn old men. that any well managed something insulting. Your they believe we are so ga Old men are different. community should be memories go so far back ga that we think it is still People look afforded. that young people don’t worth its original value, With eyes that wonder Yours in anticipation know what you are talking or, perhaps, are unable when... about. Values become Arthur Bradley to work out the decimal totally different. Evan war People watch with Editor’s comment: The difference. I have news takes on a new aspect. unshocked eyes; Parish Council has been for them - I’m not. On Casualties come one at a But old men know asking for something the other hand, the Basic time now not in hundreds when an old man dies. similar for at least ten Pension is so low adding - that is unless you are a years. Every request has met 25p isn’t out of line. Take care with stubborn resistance foreign civilian. Whatever, it’s a farce. Richard Swale If it will cheer him up D SCOTT ELECTRICAL a little I can tell him that Mr Pickwick would like to at his age my wife and I say that in his article, he 1, JORDAN VALE OLD ROAD BOSCASTLE CORNWALL PL35 0AJ travelled Western Europe was trying to highlight was for several years with a car the plight of the pensioner SALES & SERVICE and caravan. Also, we had in a declining economy, a two month trip to visit amongst other things - not ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS our son who was working just the fact that he was to in the South Pacific be 65. That occasion had during which time at the merely brought home to him TEL OR FAX: 01840 250155 age of 70 I was invited to the problems of an aging fly the Twin Otter aircraft community.
Page 30 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Can you help? N PART ISTA RICK To whoever borrowed my into Katie Humble, from TR shopping bags from the Springwatch); we also D. ROOTS Methodist Schoolroom, visited The Lizard. would they kindly return We first visited CONSTRUCTION them to the Schoolroom. Cornwall in 1964 as EXTENSIONS • RENOVATIONS One bag was new, teenagers (44 years ago); NEW BUILD • BATHROOMS made of jute and had this was to be a nostalgic ‘OCEAN’ written right trip back, revisiting, we Call Mobile 07989 327 873 across with a few little would never be able to OR 07968 808 135 fishes; the other bag was a return again. FREE QUOTATIONS Marks and Spencers bag, We arrived in the navy blue. village about 12.45. I I would like them took some photographs of Kernick Curtains back, please. I filled the the village shops, the last bags full of goods for the photograph I took was of Bespoke Curtain Making Chapel coffee morning my husband looking at All Styles of Heading and the empty bags were the river by the bridge. We put in the Schoolroom for purchased a Cornish Pasty, including Eyelet, Goblet & Pinch Pleat me to collect, but when sat on the wall outside the Roman Blinds Made I went to get them they Witchcraft Museum for Your Own Fabric or Choose From Our Selection were not there. a while, and realised the Lillian Marshall, camera had gone!!! We Telephone 01566 785756 01840 250811 had been in Boscastle for less than an hour! I was a visitor to Boscastle on 3rd May 2008. We I reported this travelled down from situation to all the shops A M HIRCOCK Norfolk & toured all we had walked by, the PLUMBING AND HEATING around Somerset, Devon visitor centre, newsagent, and then Cornwall, Camelford police. What General Plumbing do I do now? staying at Trewethett Oil Central Heating Farm, in our caravan. The point I am getting This was a moment to is, I lost a £250 camera, Oil boiler, Rayburn & Aga servicing in time I had waited for, more importantly it had to pay my respects to a some very cherished village which had risen photographs on the 01840 250320 from the carnage of the memory card. I am 2004 flood. We walked devastated this camera/ from Trewethett, a very memory card has gone Lower Meadows nice walk along the coastal missing/been stolen; I Quality En-suite B&B Accommodation path, and the village came would pay a substantial into view. What a picture, reward for the return of Offering a warm welcome, our own parking, in the sunshine. the memory card, never all facilities and above all a relaxing stay. mind the camera. I took several Anne & Adrian Prescott Thank you photographs, as I Lower Meadows Betty Prior had during our tour, Boscastle including pictures at If you can help with the Dawlish, Cockington, recovery, the Blowhole 01840 250570 Brixham (where we were can put you in contact www.lowermeadows.co.uk lucky enough to run with Mrs Prior.
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 31 Boscastle Discovered Gloria Quinlan describes her umpressions on first visiting Boscastle and exciting. There was Caught in a fish trap. I Our holiday cottage up to St Julliot’s church the Blowhole – an ancient was caught and bound to looked down onto the then – no time to waste- water cannon to be Boscastle as we turned the harbour, with its wheeling the climb up to Minster watched and watched as bend in the road and drove kaleidoscope of mewling church; ‘everywhere birds we tried to judge which into a woven fish trap - gulls. Our well-loved dog building, flowers budding, wave would be the one; made from a green tree (gone now) sat on the leaves thrusting’. There fresh home grown lettuce tunnel. From both sides wide window sill watching was the rugged coastal and beans for sale outside of the road the canopy the moving picture below: path to Penally Hill and a village cottage - the of branches reached out - boats going out fishing; Pentargon - the distant, ‘honesty’ jam jar proving to each other and, as it visitors with ice creams daunting height of a trust in humanity which funnelled down into the donning pixie hats to Beeny cliffs left for some was surprising, though village, there was no escape have their picture taken other time. Tintagel by reassuring. The pastoral for me. This was a holiday in an upturned boat; a breath-snatching scenic patchwork spoke of a chosen at random, though May Day fete with busy route where linnets in slower pace of life than there are some souls who stalls along both sides of the blackthorn bushes that which we had left may deny it was ‘random’ the grassy river bank with sang ‘Can’t see me’ then behind. Here was a feeling choice. Could a guiding a ‘try your steadiness of back by tedious tarmac of peace and contentment, hand have directed us to hand’ competition whose road. The sea was one a sense of home coming. Boscastle? bell pinged cheerily all day Mediterranean blue, Here was a haven which It was a time of year day; ducks ‘heads down, another dark bottle green. left me yearning to return when the countryside tails up, Dabbling free’. The weather smiled its – and reader- I did. lay before us enamelled There were the walks; sunny smile on our walks Footnote: The with spring flowers, like all crammed into our and on the butter yellow quotations used are from some Fabergé jewelled short week. Valency valley gorse with its tantalisingly Wind in the Willows by objet d’art. The weather with its bluebell haze and familiar scent (was it Kenneth Grahame. This too, hid nothing from us crozier ferns keeping pace vanilla or something year is the 100 celebration – brilliant sunshine one with the stream which, else?) which mingled of the publication of day, stormy wind and rain like a shy child peeping with the salty sea breeze. ‘Wind in the Willows’. another. It didn’t matter; from her mother’s skirt, Snippets of azure and The magazine for the you accept all aspects of kept appearing and violet sky were scattered ‘Wild Life Trust for mood in one you love. disappearing amongst amongst the grass, like Cornwall’ states that ‘the My bold admission in the the trees; the pungent, gems, company for the first drafts of the story of cottage’s ‘visitors book’ starry, wild garlic - pale lemon primroses, Wind in the Willows were was not lightly given –‘I overwhelming more bright pink campion and written in Cornwall’. am in love’. subtle scents; a plaintive polished buttercups. Perhaps he visited Valency Robin’s song following us Every sight was new Valley. GQ HERITAGE Renovation & Construction Ltd t Barn conversions Specialist joinery t t New builds Refurbishment works t Contact: Peter Stocker or Tim Palin on 01840 214854 Building locally for over 20 years
Page 32 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 To The Pure, All Things Are Pure…….?
Peter Steege muses on a and published in 1851 landfill waste that was as ‘Mayhew’s London a useful commodity in – being selections from earlier times: London’s labour and the From my house, with London poor’. its unrivalled view of The Pure-finders the “overflow car park”, originated in about the I am now able to query 1820/30’s and at that things which I have never time the trade was carried thought about before. on solely by women who Recently, I spotted were called ‘bunters’ an NCDC official busily (‘bunting’ takes on a emptying the dog dung whole new meaning container,and I wondered doesn’t it?) However the what happened to it . I bunters also collected rags discovered that all this is and bones and it wasn’t taken away and dumped until the middle of the in a landfill site. century that ‘pure-finding’ What a waste!! became lucrative enough Henry Mayhew In 19th century to attract men and to become a street trade in London, this ‘commodity’ wage Some, who had a that either!) Apparently its own right. would have been eagerly contract with a kennels, there were at that time sought after by the The price per bucket might earn as much as 10- about 30 tanneries in the ‘Pure’-finders and as a of ‘pure’ varied from 15s (50-75p) per week. East End – employing 300 consequence the streets of about 8d to 10d (3p to There were about 200 to to 500 tanners. The smell the capital were notable 4p) to 1s to 1s 2d (5p 300 people engaged solely must have been appalling for the near total absence – 6p) – depending on the in this trade and I can remember as quality!! ( I won’t go into of this hazard. So why was this a child, Kingston-on- what distinguished the The ‘Pure’-finders were trade able to flourish? It Thames used to smell differing grades of ‘pure’). just one of the numerous certainly had nothing to dreadful because of the It meant that the average street trades of London do with keeping the streets tannery. ‘pure-finder’ was able to which existed in the 19th clean. The reason was that They couldn’t still have earn about 7s 6d (35p) per century and which were ‘ pure ‘.had become a vital been using ‘pure’ in the week which in those days so carefully described part of the leather tanning 1930’s could they? was a reasonable weekly by Henry Mayhew process. (I won’t go into PS
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Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 33 Torrent Returns Almost a year to the day from her last outing from Boscastle we are pleased to report that Torrent returned home on the evening of Wednesday, May 21st 2008. the Ladies A team at the World Championships It has been a long year, familiar faces eager to out of 111 teams, missing being the club visit to and our return has been show you the ropes, as out on silverware by the The Old Town Inn, now eagerly awaited by everyone there are now over 20 narrowest of margins in under the management of in the club, particularly club members from the the final heat, the Ladies’ Sue and Alan Champion. by our newer members, immediate Boscastle area. A stormed into to 55th An enjoyable evening many of whom have not Solid progress at the place from 106 (compared of singing and drinking yet had the marvellous st World Championships with 81 last year) and followed, with Sue and experience of rowing 2008 the Ladies’ Vets, a highly Alan sending their regards out from the harbour. commendable 25th out of to all their friends in the A record number of 40 Now, with the slipway 38. village. nearing completion and members and supporters Our ‘B’ teams fared less The Boscastle & thus quicker and easier made the trip to the Isles of well, mainly due to the fact Crackington Gig Club launching, we will be Scilly. We were rewarded that Rival sprung a leak, continues to look for new regularly rowing from the with glorious weather and with the additional gallons members and supporters, harbour (weather & tides high quality performances of water creating a serious so if you are interested permitting) on training by all our main teams, handicap. Nevertheless visit the website at www. nights and Friday’s ‘club clearly establishing everyone enjoyed it, boscastlegigclub.org.uk night’. So, if you are Boscastle and Crackington especially our racing for further information. interested in joining the as a serious ‘contender’ for ‘debutants’, including club, why not come along future honours. Our Men’s Boscastle residents John Gig Club Membership on a Friday and give it a A team recorded a highly th Maughan, Katie Horton fees for 2008 are:: try. You will find lots of competitive 49 place and Fay Foster. Rowing £40 As always, the social Junior £10 Family £65 programme was equal to the Supporter £10 Napoleon Inn rowing with one highlight Temporary £3 01840 250204 THE Lunchtime and evening meals served HARBOUR daily 12 – 2pm 6.30 – 9pm LIGHT BONEY’S RESTAURANT Nautical clothing, leisurewear Cards, Christian books Family dining area Helsett Ice Cream and much, much more Private Functions, wakes etc catered for Come and browse, we’d be delighted to see you Call for a quote or advice tel: 01840 250413
Page 34 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Harbourmasters News Ask Auntie Ann Fred Siford retired as The latter part of last Dear Auntie Ann Dear Auntie Ann season saw some good bass I became distressed. I Over the last few weeks, I and harbourmaster January of was distraught. When several of the usual suspects this year following many fishing with Doctor Garrod I told a friend that I in Toptown, have spotted years of service. Fred recording some spectacular was beside myself, he Humpty Dumpty sitting on the continues as a member results and Graham King thought I’d become new wall by the post office, the of the Fisherman’s even mentioned to me that schizophrenic. fat idiot balancing precariously Association. The records he caught a sizeable bass He said, ‘Surely you on the shiny new, yet cunningly should get some help?’ towing a trace from his antique, brickwork. I know I show that Fred was I told him not to call me shouldn’t have pushed him off appointed as Treasurer to canoe when paddling at Surely. and caused such a Great Fall the Association back in Blackapits. Mackerel were He said, ’You should see and now I’ve got all the King’s 1982 and he was elected plentiful and sighting of a doctor.’ horses, all of the them, after as Harbourmaster in April basking shark and dolphin I said, ’What? Both of me. And all of the King’s men. 1990. The Chairman frequent. I had a bottle nose us?’ They tried to put him together A Nonymous dolphin follow my boat all again, but they couldn’t, and and all members of the now they’re after me. one afternoon to the great Dear A Nonymous, Association have warmly Be comforted by a tale Please help! thanked Fred for his care pleasure of the children of a friend of mine who Another Nonymous and attention and all his on board. I was also lucky visited the doctor and Dear Another time and effort put in over to see puffins early in the said, ‘I keep thinking Don’t worry. Haven’t you read the years in administering year and the usual array of I’m a moth’. about all the cuts the poor the harbour and we wish other seabirds and seals. The doctor said, ’You military are forced to undergo so The seal colony up at don’t need to see me, we can have some new Quangos him well. you need to see a to Develop Blue Sky Thinking?. I was elected in Fred’s Beeny continues to be very psychiatrist.’ There won’t be enough King’s place in January. After strong in numbers. The friend replied, ’I horses or King’s men to spare to a difficult and at times The storms in March know, but I was passing come after you; You’re safe! and your light was on.’ stormy winter we are caused some damage to Love AA Auntie Sigmund. now all looking forward the outer breakwater and to the 2008 season. This to the quay road but such year saw the construction is life on the North Coast. of the new lower bridge We now look forward to and by the time this a calmer spell and so that article appears both all the harbour users can slipways will be again in enjoy and make use of the action and boats in the facilities. The waiting list water. At Boscastle the for permits to moor boats lobster season gets started remains very long and in April and continues the process is extremely right through until the slow as existing members autumn. We have a only very rarely give up number of commercial their moorings. Use of the licensed vessels and slipways for launching is several other part timers however open to everybody who use the harbour on payment of either a Boscastle Chamber of Trade mainly for pleasure. I have small daily or monthly and Commerce been contacted by the fee and there is a limited Cornwall Sea Fisheries amount of space for some Have your say; voice your ideas or concerns Authority & been given small trailer launched For more information on joining contact: Adrian Prescott (chairman) 250570 an information card as boats on the harbourside. Shirley Wakelin (secretary) 250314 to the minimum fish and Arrangements are in hand Chris Searle (treasurer) 250225 shell fish sizes permitted so that payment can be Denise Tillinghast (membership secretary) 250397 and details have been made at the visitor centre. Membership fee is £20 per year and is open displayed at the harbour. Chris Key, Harbourmaster to all businesses within the PL35 postcode area
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 35 La pequeña Ingleterra or La P’tite Angleterre part 2 In a short break from troubled history. It was duties as parish councillor only in 1975 that Franco and Blowhole contributor died (of a stroke, after Chris Rodda spent a few falling through a deck weeks wandering around chair.), and for the two a group of small mountain months he lingered in a villages in Andalucia. coma his deputies were The Finance Director of paralysed, terrified of the Guggenheim Museum making decisions in case he of Bilbao was recently recovered. In 1936, Spain’s sacked for appropriating most famous poet and half a billion euros from playwright, Federico Garcia the Museum’s funds. He Lorca, was shot without trial has promised to repay for opposing his regime. an Andalucian village the debt, and his former A recent book, Between explosions in the streets, an are a number of local employers are considering Two Fires, by David echo of recent enmity. newspapers. These are more Baird, has revived bitter legal action. Spaniards Within the past weeks like parish magazines really, memories of the struggle seem remarkably tolerant local newspapers have but along with second in Andalucia between of financial shenanigans by reported two stories. One, hand cars and plumbers, communist guerilla forces high officials, After all was of a widow in remote advertise a startling variety and the government that not Spain, until recently, village who was stoned by of discreet escort services. continued until the 1950s a favourite hideaway for neighbors, outraged that A couple of milder ones: and included the murders criminals? “A sunny place she had taken up with Abbie, who is “willing to of young insurgents. Their for shady characters, “as another man in less than pleasure you” (80 euros, 45 families still live in the Graham Greene (I think) a year’s approved period region. once described the place. of mourning. Another (And AA Insurance report Even Spain’s two mentions a community that more Rolex Oysters, premier football teams, Real where a mob of several at £1000-plus, get lost on Madrid and FC Barcelona, hundred tried to lynch the Costas than were ever supported opposing factions members of a family, who manufactured!) in the civil war. The recent must have been a particular Given the laid-back victory by the Barcelona nuisance, as three people demeanour of its citizens side was rewarded by were shot with rifles before it is easy to forget Spain’s the sound of gunfire and police broke up the riot. About a million Brits have taken up permanent residence in Spain, attracted by sunshine and cheap living. Over the years they have penetrated minutes) contrasted with a ten or fifteen miles inland, “sweet Latin lady, no hurry, the pioneers buying small 100 euros.” farms or fincas in the The mountain villages mountains without water are whitewashed, with or electricity. disconcertingly narrow Few seem to regret streets so steep they should the decision to settle, and provide rope ladders. now there are plenty of Narrow tall houses, one shops selling marmite and room on each floor, roof pot noodles. The animal terraces. Most Spanish charities and boot markets retain a finca, so town are exclusively Brit, as gardens are rare.
Page 36 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Spain is coming to terms forever cut off from La pequeña Ingleterra...continued with the end of “the nice neighbours. Most I spoke Businesses open at The church bells toll decade” (as Mervyn King to were very conscious of ten, close at two, re-open a single note for a quarter puts it). The local mayor has the unhesitating goodwill between five and eight. of an hour, each time been replaced by a former of their Spanish and have Social life is public, families mourning the passing of parish priest, renowned for begun, at last, to respond eating late at night in one of its congregation. his integrity. The Brits are in kind. the town square. In the At midnight a hearse slightly less comfortably And yes, I know I go on clubs traditional Spanish arrives and the pall bearers off, many being forced about it …but it is a relief music starts in the early struggle to carry the coffin to take part time jobs to to be able to light up in a hours. Here one sees much up precipitous streets, and eke out pensions reduced restaurant. The majority of older men, retaining their manouvre it through a low by the euro’s strength. It Brits seem to smoke. One skill and brio, respond front door. It rests in the is helping to reduce their reason they emigrated? little Englander attitude, CR Avalon ***** 2nd home management service Property Checks Domestic Cleaning Window Cleaning Gardening/Landscaping All Property Maintenance Key Holders On Call Help Line 24hrs Welcome Packs/Grocery Shopping
For a free no obligation survey please call Avalon on wasting a precious commodity Tel – (01840) 211792 [email protected] to the passion of sweet entrance parlour where young women, instinctively relatives can pay their matching steps through respects. Opticians open in Camelford intricate flamenco rhythms. The mountains are still Returning home at dawn shrouded in low cloud J S Eyecare, Opticians the youngsters still appear as but in a couple of months 5 Market Place, Camelford pretty and as fresh as flowers the temperature will hit on a Sunday morning. the high 30s. The threat Tel: 01840 213011 The month of May is when of drought has already children celebrate the Roman caused the mayor to Complete spectacles from £40 Catholic rite of Confirmation. post warning notices, an Contact lenses supplied & fitted Seven year old girls appear 800 euro fine for anyone in white frilly dresses, small wasting water. Southern Feel free to call in and browse our wide selection boys in white sailor suits or Spain, traditionally dry of frames including designer ranges as miniature naval officers. and arid, is now densely Their proud fathers favour populated with golf Relieve stress & tension with a black shirts, colorful ties and courses and swimming back/body Swedish massage. tan suits. Country relatives pools, and is diverting Relaxing aromatherapy/holistic ride in on horseback. Mighty rivers away from central massage with soothing explosions rock the town as farming areas to meet essential oils. rockets explode high above, tourist demands. Facial massage and the band bravely fights its The slump in the Specific medical conditions i.e. trapped nerves way through a Sousa march. and whiplash. Skin disorders - psoriasis, building industry has eczema. Arthritis/rheumatism, sciatic pain, The mountain villages have put pressure on the minor aches and pains. cyber cafes and Mercedes government to increase Slimming Treatment. G5. By appointment only - Home visits by arrangement taxis, but still revel in the taxes and reign back on older traditions of noise and social security costs and LYNNE KELLY I.T.E.C. Qualified Physical Therapist colour. there are other signs that St Gennys & Local areas Tel: 07751 508800
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 37 new incinerator in the St. Regards recycling the less Council Tax money Dennis area. The County efforts, this is resulting in will have to be spent in this Council were open to any £1,250,000 being saved direction. form of technology which per annum. Landfill tax The issue of emissions had a proven record, and is a massive burden on is one which is of great in the case of SITA there the County and runs at concern and the figure were sites which could £32 per tonne going up reported to us that this have been visited and £8 per tonne next year. would be less than 1% per County Councillor studied and to learn how This is costing County annum, and one big plant Glenton Brown writes: it has been operating in £9,000,000 a year, and with a high stack is to be Cornwall’s Waste recent years, which should will be more if it weren’t preferred to smaller ones. I attended a meeting be to the benefit to the for a good voucher deal Once the plant is up and recently at County Hall residents of Cornwall. The Cornwall County Council running the general public to have an update on the new incinerator plant is had with Hampshire will be able to visit this site developments and present capable of putting through County Council. The and have conducted tours situation and forecast something like 240,000 moral must surely be the around it!! for the future, regards tonnes per annum and quicker the incinerator [email protected] Cornwall’s waste. will provide heat for 2 plant is up and running 01840 770548 I share the following of Imerys’ plants and points with you, which produce energy into the “BEEF AS IT USED TO TASTE” may prove to be of interest National Grid. There will FINEST QUALITY HOME REARED to you. be something like 11,000 tonnes of ash etc which NORTH DEVON BEEF There is something is carefully graded so that like 179,000 tonnes of Free Range Eggs metals are taken out and Seasonal Vegetables household waste collected any poisonous elements go Home made Jams and Chutneys each year in Cornwall up country to a sealed site which works out something TAKE HOME A TASTE OF CORNWALL and some ash is treated for like 577 kilos per person road work construction. Call in to our shop or phone to place an order per annum, or 1250 kilos Contact Robin & Jackie on per household per annum!! There are many This figure is actually improvements being 01840 250195 / 07977 514 798 increasing by 1.7% per carried out and some new HOME FARM, BOSCASTLE annum. The good news sites developed for recycling 4 Star Silver Award Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast on recycling is that that is or transferring of waste and Luxury Self Catering Cottages available increasing around 2% and and there is in strategic Contact for further details and booking so we are now recycling positions some Refuse and composting 31%, and Transfer Stations (RTS) 69% going to land fill. It is in large buildings dotted around the County to be PARKWAY difficult to imagine that 4 ESTATE AGENTS, BUSINESS TRANSFERS, SURVEYORS & VALUERS of the 6 district authorities loaded and transported Contact Parkway Estate Agents for a Free Market Appraisal hand out something like in bigger loads to the incinerator or land fill as 4,000,000 plastic bags ● Estate Agents the case may be, and this per annum for the use of ● Business Transfer its Council Tax payers. should save on average 400 ● Surveying & Architectural Drawing This no doubt highlights miles per day in the overall how seriously we should operations. ● Permanant Tenancy Letting take this subject and even A recent survey showed ● Stroud & Swindon Building Society as an authority there is 88% of people were ● Mortgage And Investment an in house issue to be satisfied on the recycling ● Insurance considered. programme in Cornwall Many of you already and once the new plant www.parkwaycornwall.co.uk know that SITA, a is up and running there Offices at: French Company, won could be staff somewhere Camelford ~ 6 Market Place 01840 212121 the contract to build the in the region of 248. Tintagel ~ Fore Street 01840 770825
Page 38 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Christopher Key MP Dan Rogerson writes: Solicitor Trebiffen, Boscastle, PL35 0BN Tel: 01840 250200 Fax: 01840 250900 Established 1997 serving the local community conveyancing & wills probate, general litigation, etc There has been good executives know not to progress on getting better cross this village again!). Member Law Society Personal Injury Panel sewage treatment for However, I expect strength Agricultural Specialist the outfalls at Bossiney of feeling expressed here Harbour Secretary and Tintagel, since the last year to be reflected Planning Inspectorate elsewhere. I’ll be seeking has found in favour of to build on the successful Jenni & Alan Sabin welcome you to residents’ contention campaign we mounted that the two settlements for Boscastle and use the should be treated as one same methods (petitions The Spinning Wheel and accorded a more etc) and contacts for other Bridge Walk, Boscastle sophisticated sewage villages. To name a few, treatment system. South call boxes are under threat Pavement Cafe & Bistro West Water sought at Otterham, Trewassa, Lunches & Daily Specials three separate low-level Tremail and Bossiney; we treatment systems – not will have to make a case Hot & Cold Snacks much more than glorified for each of them if they are Morning Coffee & Afternoon Tea sieves – for Boscastle, to be saved – on the basis Bosinney and Tintagel of rurality, mobile phone Beers, Wines, Ciders & Soft Drinks which is not acceptable. signal quality and usage. Kelly’s Clotted Cream Ice Cream I’ve written to Chris As I have made clear to Loughlin, the Chief BT, though, a rural call 01840 250501 Executive at South West box can hardly cost much Water to request that he to keep going; presumably now takes account of the they don’t pay line rental malcolm Barnecutt clear view expressed by to themselves, and local people that a single, maintenance costs must We sell freshly high quality sewage be very low, particularly as baked pasties, treatment system for many of them don’t even handmade cakes, all three villages would take cash nowadays. The scones and pastries, make sense. I’ll keep you whole programme seems sandwiches, rolls informed on his response. & baguettes made to constitute pointless fresh to order and After our strong penny pinching – but we a large range of campaign to have will fight on! breads, crisps & the village phonebox Dan Rogerson MP handmade cookies, reinstated, I now find Church Stile, Market take-away teas, coffee, drinking chocolate that 54 callboxes across Street, Launceston, Plus a large range of cold drinks. North Cornwall are on a Cornwall, PL15 8AT 4 Bridge Walk, Boscastle, PL35 0HE BT hitlist for removal. I’m [email protected] Tel: 01840 250205 pleased to say the Boscastle 01566 777123 box is safe (perhaps BT
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 39 Boscastle’s Lime Kilns Anne Knight describes an almost forgotten part of Boscastle’s industrial his- tory: Limekilns are some of the most common industrial remains found in Britain and possibly because of this they have not always been given the protection they deserve. They have been taken for granted until often it is too late to save them. Dotted around the coast of Cornwall are their remains in various stages of decay. Large, solid drawing showing the Limekiln that formerly stood on the western side of the harbour structures that were so prisons and, in the Royal for its raw materials, lime The raw material for the important to us in the past. Dockyard at Devonport, and culm, and to the roads limekiln was limestone in Limekilns were needed to there was a lime pit for this leading inland where it was its various forms. In order produce the lime that was purpose beside the gallows to be used. The Forrabury to get lime from limestone used for improving the when I worked there in the Tithe map of 1842 shows it it needed to be burnt. fertility of land, for mortar 1960s. as disused. Although it has Now for the science lesson. in the construction of Boscastle had its own had some recent alterations The chemical formula buildings, for disinfectant, limekilns. One has stood to its top, it is otherwise in for limestone or calcium as a plaster both inside in Boscastle for more than original condition. It has carbonate is CaCo3. 56% and outside buildings, as 200 years. There were, the protection of a Grade of limestone is calcium a lime wash for the house, at one time, two both II listed structure and was oxide, CaO, and the rest is privvy, pigsty and shippen. situated in Quaytown. built in the late 1700s carbon dioxide gas, CaO. If In a more dramatic way One on either side of the of slatestone rubble and you heat the limestone you lime was used to dispose river. One remains today sparstone. It is of square can drive off the carbon of bodies, especially when beside the Visitor Centre. plan and built into the dioxide and you are left disease and contagion were It is positioned close to steeply sloping bank. There with the calcium oxide/ rife. This way of disposing both the landing point are round arched openings quicklime. of bodies was also used in on the eastern and western CaCO3 [limestone] + sides and the top was heat = CO2 [carbon accessed by a sloping ramp dioxide + CaO to the rear to enable it to be [quicklime] loaded from the top. MK Computers
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Page 40 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 it was stored in Vivian’s Boscastle’s Lime Kilns Manure Store where continues the current National In order to burn the the bottom and the process Trust shop is. To my limestone a variety of started again at the top as mind it is important different fuels could be it was topped up to replace to try to remember used wood, coal, turf, what had been removed at this part of Boscastle’s faggots and peat but records the bottom. industrial past. It is so show that large amounts of Two kilns in Quaytown, difficult to see it now culm, a type of anthracite, the second where the in the manicured, tidy, were imported through control room for the unrepresentative area in the harbour. This was the sewage pumping station is which it now sits. You standard fuel for many now located, meant much can no longer look and Cornish limekilns. To light smoke and fumes in the envisage the past or see the kiln from cold the valley bottom. The fumes what made the people limeburner would use an were noxious and although of Boscastle what they easily combustible starter the top of the kiln was a are today. Simon Mills at the Old Lime Kiln like timber or faggots. He warm place to socialise and would follow this with a sometimes to sleep it could Boscastle’s famous layer of culm, much as you prove fatal. The burning would in your Rayburn or limestone gave off non- Aga. Then would follow a toxic carbon dioxide but museum layer if limestone, a layer of the burning culm would culm, a layer of limestone give off poisonous carbon and so on until the kiln monoxide, known today as of was full. The ratio of lime the silent killer. to culm would depend on The Manor brought in witchcraft the efficiency of the kiln, families with limeburning the skill of the limeburner skills and carters to carry and the prevailing wind the burnt lime to its which gave the draught. destinations. Members of About five times the weight the Pickard family came of limestone to culm was to Boscastle to operate used. When the kiln was the limekiln and Henry filled it was said the ‘pot was Hockin and his wife charged’. The wood at the Elizabeth came to Boscastle Open Daily April - Halloween 01840 250111 bottom of the kiln was lit in the 1870s to dray lime and when it was fully alight with a horse and cart for the doors were closed and the merchant Hawker. THE OLD MANOR HOUSE sealed to allow a controlled Lime was also exported Licensed Restaurant burn throughout the kiln. through the harbour and The Bridge, Boscastle The kiln was emptied from VENNINGS 01840 250251 We serve Morning Coffee Fore Street, Tintagel, Home-made Cream Teas & Cakes (Next to Lloyds Bank) Light Snacks, Hot Meals All our food is cooked fresh to order using local pro- 12 Fishing Tackle & Bait 12 duce wherever possible. 12 Binoculars 12 Takeaway service 12 Hiking Poles & Sticks 12 Phone us with your order & we will have it ready for you to collect 12 12 Swiss Army Knives Open daily February - October Tel 01840 770 212 Dogs (if on a lead) welcome in our Tea Garden
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 41 Martin’s Sporting Briefs defeated Rob Cook and age of 16, which is now a Brewer and Antony Mike Bolt to win the legal requirement. Biscombe winning the ‘Scratch Individual’ and • Hedley Venning was men’s pairs title. ‘Handicapped Individual’ lucky enough to be in After a good start to Championships. Russia to watch the the season, the ‘B’ team To cap a wonderful Champions League final were in with a chance of season, Dave, along with between Manchester winning some silverware • We start this edition his long-time partner, United and Chelsea. The but a poor run of results with the sad news of the Mike Burnard, won the following day , not only towards the end of the loss of two of Boscastle’s ‘Scratch League’ team did he take in some of season saw them fall out more loyal supporters. event. the sights but also he of contention, of both Sam Hancock and Brian • Both Boscastle 1st & found the time to do the league and cup. Robin ‘Tacker’ Wickett were 2nd teams, under the an interview dot Radio Haddy, Roger Perry and regular supporters at leadership of Richard Cornwall from the middle Stephen Wickett were many of Boscastle’s home Pethick and Guy Lane of Red Square. the mainstays of the matches and will both be de Courtin respectively, • Boscastle &Crackington team, winning most of sadly missed. managed to do enough Gig Club enjoyed another their matches but the other squad members, Tacker had for many in their last few games successful trip to the Isles Anthony Brewer, Gavin years been an active to avoid the threat of of Scilly for the World Jones, Sam Abbott and committee member, relegation. Although Gig Championships. ‘Camelot’ Kenny only doing many jobs around both teams struggled Now that she has passed managed 3 wins between the football field and he throughout the season, 50, Hazel now qualifies them. Perhaps Councillor even had a few seasons as the good thing is that a lot for the Veteran’s race and Brewer’s time would be 2nd team linesman. of budding youngsters are her team cane 25 out of now coming to fruition so 38. better used putting up Sam and his tractor the future looks a lot more more shelves for all his were also a familiar sight • Boscastle’s pool players promising. son’s trophies. at the football field which enjoyed some success in In the next edition there until recently was one he • One of Boscastle’s more the Longcross League, will be reports on: rented to the club so that loyal players, Graham mainly due to the talents football could continue in Heal, who is approaching of Johnny Brewer. He • How Emma’s face lit up Boscastle. the twilight of his career, helped his team to second when 20 male footballers was a proud man the other in the league and then entered the Cobweb • Dave Ferrett scooped day when he was able to managed to reach 3 finals, theother night. many awards in the play in the same team as sadly finishing runner-up Camelford & District • How Martin & James his two sons, now that the in all of them. Billiards league. He Seldon took the wrong youngest has reached the In the Tuesday night turning when leaving Tintagel league, it was a Launceston and ended up SMEETH HIRE good season for Sharon near Bideford. Pethick who won the • Why Bisco likes dancing MINI DIGGERS & EQUIPMENT Ladies singles title and with a ‘Pole’. was rinner-up in the • Why Vanessa Seldon mixed pairs with … you’ve bought a 51” fireplace to SELF STORAGE UNITS guessed it … Johnny fit in a 48” gap. Brewer. • And why, despite his Tel: 01840 211220 • In the snooker league, Christian upbringing, Boscastle ‘A’ finished Boscastle football club’s Tregath Business Units in mid-table in the 1st Camelford Station Geoff Uglow saw red for Division with Johnny PL32 9TZ the first time in his career.
Page 42 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 is that they were from the life or tried for murder. Pete’s Peeps at the Past defeated Spanish Armada He sentenced the boy to 6 & remained ever since. months & hard labour. 2 Sept 1853 7 July 1854 Spanning Saltash A Cornishman in the Passage Baltic The preparatory work for A letter was received from the Railway Bridge across John Short of Camelford the Tamar at Saltash has on the H.M.S. Nile, begun under Mr. C.J. Mare fighting the Russians in of Blackwall. The once the Baltic. There was good quiet spot is now a hive feeling between the British & French, but severe cold 21 Mar 1851 joining the new coast- of activity with smithies weather & perpetual day Padstow in 1851 guard force, proposed by and workshops erected light. They were 18 miles The town is without the government to raise & steam machinery of from a Russian fort near sewerage, very damp & 10,000 men to be drilled every description. A slip some islands desolate & at times ill-supplied with in gunnery, 28 days a has been built for the uninhabited, a woodland water, a large number year. The government had construction of cylinders area covered with small fir of houses are without considered urgent measures to be sunk in the river for trees. conveniences, and there to protect out shore during raising the centre pieces are pig styes in the most the impending contest of the bridge. The work is 8 Sept 1854 crowded back premises. (against Russia). [All of great interest and when Home from Australia Some of the houses are built able-bodied coastguards in completed will be a big A very heavy mail from under a steep hillside or Cornwall were due to be attraction to the area. Melbourne, Geelong & cliff, others are in reach of drafted into the R.N. & 29 July 1853 Port Philip of 54 bags of occasional flood tides, and this new force was intended A boy’s wicked act letters, newspapers etc was others are built upon the to provide replacements. 6 James Hart, a little boy landed at Penzance from margin of a mill leat, the of the regular coastguards was found guilty of placing the ship “Essex” 114 days waters being contaminated at Mevagissey joined the stones on the railway line. out of Melbourne. 20 with sewage. (From the Baltic Fleet.] The judge said it was a passengers to the area were report from the Board of 19 Dec 1851 wicked act & he could have landed all well supplied Health.) Spaniards at Mousehole killed 20 people or more, with the needful, one lucky 27 Jan 1854 if there had been he could man having 1 cwt. of pure The new coastguard Colonies of Spaniards have been transported for gold in his possession. Capt. Sheringham of the have settled in Mounts’ Royal Navy, assembled the Bay & Tor Bay and have fishermen & pilots on St. intermingled with the Adrian & Staff Welcome you to the Mawes Quay & addressed surrounding population. them on the advantages A colony in Mousehole is & necessity of their said to have been there for Cobweb Inn 300 years, another account BOSCASTLE, CORNWALL Fancy a Holiday in France? ▪ FREE HOUSE ▪ REAL ALES ▪ BAR SNACKS ▪ ▪ FAMILY ROOM ▪ RESTAURANT ▪ ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ 2 bedroomed appartment to rent Ring (01840) 250278 between Nice & Antibes, situated on quiet village complex with views LIVE MUSIC SATURDAY NIGHTS, TILL MIDNIGHT across to the Bay of Antibes. 14th June: Atlantic Highway 2nd Aug: Blue Slate ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ 21st June: Whiskey Thieves 9th Aug: Brian T Williams 28th June: Tom Conibear Band 10th Aug: Mo Jo Sleeps up to 6 people. 5th July: Mississippi Burning 30th Aug: Mississippi Burning Prices from £300 per week. I2th July: Wreckers 6th Sept: Whiskey Thieves 19th July: Cyrus 13th Sept: Festive Road Phone Jackie Horwell: 01840 250398 26th July: Billy Mac 20th Sept: Atlantic Highway
Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008 Page 43 Post Office Closures What is the collective has been described as from Royal Mail some 20 majority neither own, have noun for a group of people ‘The Beeching of the Post years ago and further key access to or knowledge of who know the price of Office Network’. We live functions were displaced computers. What a pity everything and the value in an era where the innate 5 years ago. Rural poverty that plans for the future of nothing? In case you’re value of some of our is an increasing reality and of our rural Post Offices stuck - I’ll provide the institutions seems totally the recommendation that did not include internet answer at the end. lost on those elected to country dwellers get on a availability for the clients I was in Paris recently govern us. Let’s briefly bus to access an office is and a friendly post master on holiday and while compare British activities rarely a possibility. Given or mistress who could there made a visit to the with those of the French the escalating cost of enable them to access it. French National Postal administration. The latter fuel for private transport It seems to me a grave Museum. As you’d expect have stated that French the problem looms ever disservice that many it’s well laid out, highly Post Offices have an larger. of these people spent instructive and displays important explicit social Many elderly people the years 1939 to 1945 a strong sense of pride in function and greatly assist came to rely on Post defending the liberty of the national institution in connecting the people Offices not just for their this country and are now - La Poste. Among the to the government. They counter services but for rewarded with services earliest of the displays in thus feel an obligation the social networking and that fail to take their needs the many rooms there is to maintain a presence support they provided. and circumstances into a large cabinet devoted in all areas- particularly They will be left isolated account. Exasperating to early Great Britain. disadvantaged and rural and in limbo. It was not when you consider that You’re probably aware ones. This philosophy has unusual for the absence those implementing the that the first postage driven them in the opposite of a familiar face in the changes come from a stamps were a British direction to the UK – shop to trigger concerns generation whose greatest invention masterminded namely diversification of for their welfare and discomfiture has been that by Rowland Hill in 1840. the facilities available in on occasion led to the of getting an essay in on His monumental reform French Post Offices. discovery of a senior time while on a Political of the postal service You could be forgiven citizen unwell and unable Science degree course enabled virtually everyone if you thought that the to summon assistance. To ……. to afford the one penny dismemberment of our advise this very group of Oh yes, I nearly forgot, cost of sending a letter to Post Office network people that they should the answer to the question. friends anywhere in the has been due to an now go online is a non- The Government. United Kingdom. unfortunate accident or starter since the vast Dr Chris Jarvis The French were by oversight - nothing is generous in acknowledging further from the truth. Boscastle Post Office the debt of the world Over a period of years to the British for their progressive governments, Tel: 01840 250259 pioneering work. It was a Conservative and strange coincidence that Labour, have made them Monday 8.30 am - 1pm 2 pm - 5 pm later that day in my hotel increasingly unprofitable Tuesday 9 am - 1pm 2 pm - 5 pm by moving key activities - room I caught a piece on Wednesday 9 am - 1pm 2 pm - 5 pm Sky news dealing with the payment of pensions, TV proposed rationalisation licences etcetera - to banks Thursday 9 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 5 pm - to you or me closure or elsewhere. The end Friday 9 am - 12.30 pm – of multiple British Post result has been “progressive Saturday 9 am - 12 noon Offices. For those old unsustainability”. It seems enough to remember the to have taken so little time FREE Cash machine for Lloyds TSB, destruction of our rail to achieve these ends. The Barclays, Alliance & Leicester, Co-op service – Alistair Darling Post Office was separated Nationwide and many others
Page 44 Boscastle Blowhole Summer 2008