BOSCASTLE BLOWHOLE No 63 Autumn 2008 £1

Susan & David Saxby at the Post Office which faces closure more on pages 6 & 8 Contents include: Visit to Museum page 7 Postie’s Corner page 14 Letters page 30 Gig Club page 34 Useful pages page 43 Editorial Most of us are’ Two major changes mobile branch which will of a sewage treatment conservative with a small are hanging over us all visit the village at fixed works. SWW have c’. We are happy for at present, threatening times. Whilst this is not withdrawn their appeal things to remain they way our ‘comfort zones’, ideal, especially as the against Tresuck and are they are, we like that to the proposed closure of only stop in the proposal investigating other sites. which we are accustomed the Post Office and the is in the Cobweb carpark, The location of one of and do not want upheaval construction of a Sewage which we all know is these sites, the Black and change in the way we Treatment Works. often full and also charges Barn near Trevalga has, have learned to live our The first of these, for parking, however we understandably, caused lives. the Post Office closure will still be able to access much distress to those who However, things do is being imposed on to postal services within live nearby. Until a formal change, whether we like us by the Government the village. Hopefully application is submitted it or not; sometimes the who have announced Post Office Ltd will listen there will continue to be change comes gradually that Post Office Ltd is to to the concerns expressed uncertainty and doubt. and sometimes it comes close 2,500 post offices by many of us and will We must all endeavour to all of a sudden. Happily, across the country, setting review, ideally the closure, work together to find the we often manage to get up outreach services in but at least the location of best solution, we must not used to the change and some areas. Boscastle has the stops. alienate ourselves from may even come to prefer been offered an outreach The second change our neighbours. We need the new state of affairs. service in the form of a is for the construction to show strength through unity. PA

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 22nd November 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. Copies of the Blowhole are available by post at a cost of £2 per issue. Please either email [email protected] or phone 01840 250483 for subscription enquiries. For advertising queries, please contact Daphne Rogers on 01840 250244 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. M. BIDDICK & SON LTD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

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Page  Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Lesneweth Church fundraising success Lesnewth Fete on Coffee Morning Saturday August 9th, Many people supported had to be cancelled due the Coffee Morning to the atrocious weather held on 15th August at conditions and a last Roundtree Cottage, the minute decision was home of Anthony & made to have cream teas Donna Hircock. in Lesnewth Church. The sum of £340 was Lots of brave souls raised for the Children’s came and supported us, Hospice Precious the total profit raised Lives Appeal. Thank was £275. Thank you all you to everyone who who ventured out in the contributed in any way. unseasonal weather. Vivien Hircock Peter Brown, Lotte Mcnair Scott, Alex Mcnair Scott and Jean Jose Val Gill Air Ambulance Happy Birthday The evening was a Thank You fantastic success, and we I would like to thank Over the years a grand Gladys Kinsman will would like to thank all of the congregations of the total of £12,777.50 has be celebrating her 90th the band members and Methodist Chapel and been collected at the birthday on September everybody who turned out Museum of Witchcraft in Forrabury Church for 30th. Congratulations to support on such a wet aid of the Air Ambulance. praying for my great- and best wishes for a very and windy evening. Our This amount is made up nephew Ben. happy birthday. thanks also to the good Ben was five entirely from donations tradespeople of Boscastle when diagnosed with given by visitors to the Charity Gig who took pity on the two leukaemia. He has had museum. The ambulance On Saturday 5th July, two bedraggled strangers who chemotherapy every is, of course, a regular local bands, The Alpha arrived dripping in their visitor to Boscastle and Dogs and Beggars Belief, establishments on that month for the last four when landing in the played at the Village afternoon to beg raffle years and has been harbour usually favours Hall in Boscastle to an prizes - the warmth and told that he is now in Valency lawn. appreciative audience generosity shown to us remission. We will not Funds are also raised to help us raise money was quite overwhelming! know for a further five for the Air Ambulance to take part in Action In all the evening raised years if he is clear of through a weekly lottery. for Charity’s Big Cycle a total of £317 and we leukaemia. Barbara Hopkins is the Challenge in India, in would especially like to We are all sure your local collection agent for aid of Cancer Backup, thank Anthony & Donna prayers have helped so the Air Ambulance lottery, Children with Leukaemia, Hircock for all their hard much. My sincere thanks phone her on 250347 to Ovarian Cancer Action work in organising the to you all. find out more or join the and the Lymphoma event. Linda Buckett Association. Many thanks scheme. Chris & Stephanie Edwards M. BIDDICK & SON LTD MK Computers PENNING PAINTING ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ♦ PC Upgrades and Repair Private and commercial painters and decorators Virus Removal and Protection The Willows National Inspection Council for ♦ Electrical Installation Contracting Boscastle N CEIC ♦ Custom PC Builds Building & PL35 0AS APPROVED CONTRACTOR ♦ Networking Web: http://www.mk-computers.co.uk Property Maintenance Telephone: 01840 250448 ♦ Websites E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 01840 250447 Cornwall Devon Mobile: 07966 498733 or 07974 676583 Mobile: 07780 910578 01840 250047 01626 337596

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page  Summer Fete NatWest Mobile Bank The mobile bank visits the Cobweb carpark on Thursdays between 2.15pm and 3pm. B l o w h o l e team member & treasurer, Gloria Quinlan happened to Revds. Bryan Ede and Robert Thewsey. be visiting the bank The photo, above, shows copyright photo courtesy David Flower Gloria talking to the bank Like many other events when they were taking clerk. this year, the Methodist managed to squeeze in and some publicity shots. Fete was driven indoors partake of a cup of freshly by the elements where it brewed tea accompanied was opened by Rev Robert by irresistable cream splits. LINE DANCING Thewsey. Once inside The stalls did well with all the weather was soon of the home-made cakes Free Taster Session forgotten by those who selling like hot cakes! at Boscastle Village Hall Cabaret Supper Marie Curie Cancer on Wednesday September 24th Nights in Care Ladies Driving at 7.30pm November Challenge If you don’t know your ‘Kick Ball Change’ from your The Pickwicks are pleased This year’s Ladies Driving ‘Grapevine’ why not come along to a new taster Line to announce that the Challenge takes place on Dance for absolute beginners class. annual Cabaret-Supper Sunday 7th Sept. Ladies It is not all cowboy boots and ‘yeehaw’, we dance nights will be held in the are given the opportunity to Shania Twain, Leanne Rhymes, chart records and village hall on Friday and to get to drive an array of Latin American, also samba music and a bit of classical Saturday 28th and 29th exciting and challenging as well. November at 7.30 pm. vehicles - from HGVs It is a great fun way to keep fit, make new friends Tickets will again be to JCBs and fire engines and have a great laugh as you try to remember what £10 and will include to buses whilst raising goes where. Come along on September 24th and try a two course hot meal money for this worthwhile it for yourself. and glass of wine (with charity. a chance to purchase Blowhole team member This introductory session is free, costs are being further glasses, or Philippa Arthan is taking met by Boscastle WEA. If there is enough interest, bottles, as the mood part in the event. She is regular line dancing will take place. takes you.). This musical looking forward to trying For more details and information please contact: extravaganza will again out her driving skills Kathy Hawkes on 01840 250488 feature the Geriatric on some more unusual Players in a potted panto vehicles. Don’t worry NORTH CORNWALL written by Mary Baum. though, you need not fear MUSEUM & GALLERY Tickets and enquiries being flattened on the The Clease • Camelford • PL32 9PL to Pickwick Antiques - lanes, the challenge takes st th 01840 250770 or 01566 place at RAF Portreath! 1 - 30 September 880085. Philippa would like to Clouds and Trees by Bridget Holden All proceeds from the thank everyone who has event are divided equally sponsored her for the Tel. 01840 212954 between the group of event. You can still donate email: [email protected] online at: The Gallery & Museum are open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm churches and Boscastle www.justgiving.com/ 1 April - 30 September (Wheelchair access to Museum only) village hall. boscastlephilippa

Page  Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Garden Safari Where would you find the best views in Boscastle? Anyone who went on the garden safari this July would surely agree that Tubbs Ground could not be bettered. With the bonus of warm, sunny weather, strolling around this and three other gardens nearby was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, while also helping to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The view from Don Henderson’s garden at Tubbs Ground photo Myrna Lester The extensive garden at Next door, at Half on a hot day. A Buddha Half Acre and Wildwood Tubb’s Ground is informally Acre, visitors were figure presided over a little gardens were opened again planted full of shrubs and able to enjoy a cream clearing and the path led on 21st and 22nd June trees which, in spite of sea tea and a rest in the on to another new feature, on behalf of the National breezes, seem to survive sunny courtyard before a decorative willow arch. Garden Scheme. The unscathed. A vegetable plot wandering round Carol The safari was organised charities supported by the and orchard obviously do Vincent’s colourful by the Camelford scheme include Macmillan well too – and then there Mediterranean garden Committee of Cancer Cancer Support, Marie are those stunning views to and the ‘cottagey’ Research UK, who would Curie Cancer Care and enjoy! planting behind the like to thank the garden Help The Hospices. Just down the hill, house. A giant phormium owners and volunteer Many thanks to those the next Garden was spilling like a waterfall helpers for all their hard who helped raise the Trefoil Farm where Paula into a small natural pond work. The safari raised sum of £499. Teas were and John Perfili have an was spectacular. £326. In all the Camelford provided by volunteers interesting collection of Finally, Ian and branch has raised £16,000 from the church and plants with striking colour Alex Stewart welcomed this year. raised a further £135. combinations. A very dark visitors to Wildwood at Marianne Privett AS flowered fuchsia was eye- Doctor’s Hill – another Adrian & Staff catching, while more shrubs beautiful garden where Welcome you to the and flowers flourished in the area of woodland the sheltered conditions of was particularly inviting Cobweb Inn an enclosed, sunken area. BOSCASTLE, CORNWALL ▪ FREE HOUSE ▪ REAL ALES ▪ BAR SNACKS ▪ Chi for Life ▪ FAMILY ROOM ▪ RESTAURANT ▪

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Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page  News from the Lookout Post Office Closures Cornwall County Council how these affect those is seeking a judicial review branches intended for of the Post Office’s decision closure or replacement by to close 62 branches in outreach services. Cornwall, which includes Forrabury and District the Boscastle branch. Parish Council have They have asked for the written to the Post Office closure programme to be deploring the decision halted until a new and to close the Boscastle fair consultation process branch, pointing out the has been carried out. The effect this has on not only Council has received legal the resident population advice that there are serious but also the large numbers NCI Summer Barbeque photo John Davis flaws in the Post Office’s The weather hasn’t been Our social calendar of summer visitors and consultation process. The any better up on Willapark has been busy with a year-round second home public, it argues, has not than it has been down in highly enjoyable Summer owners. received full and unbiased the village but at least we Barbecue at Mayrose Farm, The present choice information on which to were better prepared this (thank you Jane) where of site in NCDC’s car base their response. The year. In the first major some 40 Watchkeepers, park is also criticized. consultation document refurbishment since the family and friends took Its situation means it is for Cornwall contains a station reopened we have grateful advantage of the beyond walking distance number of errors, such had new locally made opportunity to carry on for the majority of as population figures, double -glazed wooden under cover when things residents, particularly the and includes the Isles of windows installed and got too much outside. elderly and disabled who Scilly and Dartmoor in they have already proved would be forced to drive Our thanks to all the Cornwall plan. It that they can keep out to the site. They would those who worked hard also links Cornwall’s 70 knot winds as well as incur parking charges and on the BBQ and on the closure plans with Dorset, the cold and rain. Quite in the summer months, redecoration. whereas these should a test for August! And when the car park quickly We have had a few be regarded as naturally by the time you read this fills with visitors, would new volunteers starting, separate entities. have difficulty in finding our trusty and talented but we always need more volunteers will have The Council has spaces. The Parish Council to maintain daytime asked for sight of all has asked the Post Office completed the internal watches. So, if you or and external decorations. relevant documents, as to consider alternative anyone you know would well as explanation of the In addition our wind sites, nearer the centre or be interested in joining methods used to calculate instruments are now top of the village. the team, John Davis can population figures, and directly linked into arrange for you to visit the See also info at: www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange the radar and a new lookout and spend some Barometer and Max/Min time with an experienced Thermometer mean our Watchkeeper to see what The Old Coach House weather reports are now is involved. You’ll find Relax in this more accurate than ever. him on 07791761502 beautiful 300 year old coach ******* LAPTOP WANTED ******* house and stables Has anyone a Windows98, Windows2000 Open all Year or WindowsME laptop computer in good, All rooms are En Suite with TV & radio working condition, that they wish to sell? Good price on offer. Please telephone: Jackie & Geoff Horwell Alastair Priest on 01840-250864 / 868 Tel: 01840 250398 www.old-coach.co.uk

Page  Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 WEA Branch Activity: Museum Visit, 24th October Boscastle WEA is planning talking to the proprietors a series of linked branch Steve and Sheila Perry, activities this year. from the armourer and The first of these is a those who have a wealth visit to the Davidstow of knowledge about the Airfield and Cornwall at airfield and surrounding War Museum. The visit areas. It does not in any will take place on Saturday way glorify war but in its October 24th, if enough way it does honour those people are interested and involved. pre-book, we may arrange The museum has a a coach, otherwise we will Convoy arriving at the Museum on its opening day website: travel by car, sharing lifts, www.cornwallatwarmuseum. co.uk/index.html aiming to arrive by 2pm. other airfields along the people who have been where more information The cost of the visit North Cornwall coast, involved with Cornwall’s can be found, but the best will be £4 per adult, £3 for the Royal Navy, the Army, military history. thing is to visit in person OAPs. Transport costs to civilian services and the The museum exists so make a note of the be shared. Refreshments Home Front. to remember what date, 24th October on will be available at the The exhibits cover a Cornwall’s contribution your calendar and reserve Museum. variety of items including has been but its value is your place on this outing a Fairey Gannet aircraft, a also in its teaching role. For more information which promises to be U-boat gun from WW1, A lot can be learned from or to book a place, phone both informative & 250483. air raid and blast shelters, the exhibits and from tracked Rapier missile interesting. Other themed visits launcher, a wartime shop are planned for the based on Andy’s Stores, an coming months to the exhibition of Davidstow’s RAF Museum and to the role in the Falklands Duke of Cornwall’s Light war, Green Goddess fire Infantry Museum engines, the station logs Davidstow Airfield and from RAF Davidstow Cornwall at War Museum Moor and RAF Cleave, the is dedicated to the history DCLI, the Light Infantry, of RAF Davidstow Moor a control tower and a from its opening in display of weaponry and October 1942 until the more personal artefacts present day. It includes and records of Cornish Wartime dug-out display

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Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page  BOSCASTLE POST OFFICE David & Susan Saxby and included measuring NCDC car park and not Now after being closed we write: and detailing how they in the main upper village. will have to obtain change Well, following on from the would remove the safe, Many of our customers of use and then sell the shock of finding ourselves the letter box, the signage, have said they have written building as a large private on the Post Offices the computers, till stamps, to the P.O. consultation house with “development Closure list we now await parcel scales, etc. He even team expressing their views opportunities” and the formal confirmation told us we would need to and suggesting alternative probably called “The old announcement on rename the building from possible venues in the upper Post Office”! September 23rd The actual the closure date, as they village. Hopefully this may We have enjoyed our date for closure will then be would be redirecting mail change their minds or at time here and are grateful 4 weeks after at the earliest addressed to Boscastle post least reach a compromise. for the custom the village or whenever the Post Office office to somewhere else. So For those who read our has given us. We could not has got its replacement it wasn’t exactly a proposal article in last December’s possibly have got to know mobile service ready. We to close, it was fait accompli. issue, you will realise that so many people without the are obligated to stay open They are proposing to this has all come as a surprise privilege of running the Post until the day before this compensate us, but this as we had expected to be Office. We have also been happens. is really only the return on the “staying” list and as very lucky in having had We were actually told of the goodwill and first we were retiring from the some exceptional people our fate on April 22nd year training charges we business we had committed working for us; Anne when we were visited by a incurred when we bought ourselves to putting our Dawson, Jo Mills, Lucy “Network change officer” the business 8 years ago. Post Office building up Barber and lastly, Alastair who refused to say anything Whilst the new for sale as a going concern Priest who will be with us until we signed a document proposed replacement Post and hopefully finding to the end. Special mention which effectively bound us Office service is not as good an optimistic purchaser. also to all the Posties past to total secrecy. An hour as a permanent site, it is Indeed in anticipation of an and present, who have all and a quarter later he left, planned to be open for 16 income from the Post Office gone beyond expectation leaving us holding a letter, hours a week, spread over until it sold we have let our in the service they provide. which was effectively a 5 long am or pm sessions. hearts rule our heads and (Tracey and Darius will script of what he had just We have not had sufficient we have already bought our of course continue to do gone through. We were customers coming in to future home 9 miles away at their rounds, but at present absolutely staggered and keep us busy for 16 hours Canworthy Water. (Still in nobody seems to know stunned He had just told a week for ages, so the time North Cornwall of course!) where they will be working us that the Post office were allocation is generous. from). proposing to replace us with The real frustration for an alternative service and had many villagers is that it THE OLD MILL then proceeded to complete is planned to park the BOSCASTLE a branch closure checklist. mobile P.O. in the lower This was comprehensive village at the Penally hill Antiques Prints Old Books Bears Linen Soft Toys Antique French Beds, Gifts, Cards, Children’s Clothes, Soft Furnishings, Tea Rooms ... and Much More! Come And See For Yourself tel: 01840 250230 www.boscastle-oldmill.co.uk

Page  Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 we have to remember the people’s needs, ie the patient’s family and friends Christopher Key in visiting. We consider 45 miles to Plymouth or Truro Solicitor quite a journey but bearing Trebiffen, Boscastle, PL35 0BN in mind the population west of Truro and you are Tel: 01840 250200 Fax: 01840 250900 County Councillor talking of a 100 mile trip Glenton Brown writes: each way. Established 1997 I serve on the Adult, Health People are concerned serving the local community and Social Care Committee that services may be lost conveyancing & wills at County Hall and recently at Treliske; why cannot probate, general litigation, etc I agonized hard and long Treliske come the centre over a particularly crucial of excellence in itself? Member Law Society Personal Injury Panel and sensitive issue before We feel there must be Agricultural Specialist us. The proposal before the maximum support Harbour Secretary us from the Primary Care given to the brilliant Trust was to move away surgeons we have dealing from Treliske Hospital with cancer care. Treliske the surgery and care of deserves investment not malcolm Barnecutt upper gastro-intestinal, disinvestment. gynaecological and head We sell freshly Such was the strength of and neck cancers to a centre baked pasties, feeling that there were over of excellence in Plymouth handmade cakes, 18,000 signatures for this scones and pastries, or even Exeter. work to stay in Cornwall: it sandwiches, rolls In the past we have caused the resignation of the & baguettes made looked at such centres Chairman, Mr. Peter Davies fresh to order and of excellence possibly at from the Hospital Trust, a large range of Plymouth or London or it brought about letters breads, crisps & Birmingham as ideal for the from Senior Doctors, there handmade cookies, patient, however this issue take-away teas, coffee, drinking chocolate was also a strong letter of Plus a large range of cold drinks. before us has much deeper support to the Committee 4 Bridge Walk, Boscastle, PL35 0HE implications. Without from Andrew George MP doubt the best possible & the support of all the Tel: 01840 250205 skills and care of the patient Cornish MPs. is paramount, we then have Our amendment was to think very seriously of carried: to support this the future development of work until at least 2010 PARKWAY Treliske Hospital and its ESTATE AGENTS, BUSINESS TRANSFERS, SURVEYORS & VALUERS when the whole issue will strategic role and thirdly Contact Parkway Estate Agents for a Free Market Appraisal have to be looked at again. ● Estate Agents THE BOSCASTLE SKETCHBOOK ● Business Transfer Explore the landscape of this ● Surveying & Architectural Drawing unique and historic location. ● Permanant Tenancy Letting Author/artist and qualified lecturer, Deborah King, ● Stroud & Swindon Building Society invites you to work with her ● Mortgage And Investment to create your own ● Insurance sketchbook, visual diary, portrait of a place. www.parkwaycornwall.co.uk ______Offices at: For further details please ring: 01840 250456 www.boscastle-sketchbook.co.uk Camelford ~ 6 Market Place 01840 212121 Tintagel ~ Fore Street 01840 770825

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page  HarbourMaster’s News: “Duck eats snake” The harbour has been full of local boats this year and we have seen a number of visiting crafts including ribs and yachts. Scott Washer skipper on “Industrious” managed to get more than a thousand lobster and crab pots out to sea by mid July and so started some really serious commercial fishing this year. I know that he caught nearly half of ton of crabs over four days towards the end of his first month which is an indication of what can be done. this photo, taken by Arthur Bannister when on holiday in the village many years ago, shows a derrick for Scott has been fishing lifting on the quayside. The keen-sighted may also spot the bench on the opposite bank, now also gone. as far away as Hartland present this work is all will be doing a bit of as I write this article Point and Lundy Island done by hand. lining and perhaps some the mackerel are very and we all wish him Stephanie and I netting later in the year. plentiful and some of the well in his new venture. took the early morning Ken Cave has been busy shoals are the largest I can Commercial fishing is helicopter from Penzance potting with “Peganina” ever remember. Unusually hard work made harder to St Mary’s in early in the early part of the Scott Washer and I caught with the weather not July and travelled over season and busier still a large cod off Short having been so good this to Bryher on the Isles of later on with the trips for Island Bossinney in early summer and the rocketing Scilly. There I purchased visitors and anglers. Brian June while lining for price of diesel fuel. He a new fishing boat “Rene” & Terry Anderson have mackerel. This was quite tells me we badly need a and she is now in the been working pots up a surprise and made for crane on the quayside to harbour here. I have put and down the coast from a good fish pie. Bass have lift the fish ashore as at out 50 lobster pots and Boscastle with their boat been difficult to find on a “Three Jays”. regular basis but again I In the early summer understand the canoeists CORNISH STORES mackerel and pollack trailing lures have been THE VILLAGE SHOP catches were patchy with having a better time of it. some good days and some With all this fishing we Open daily all year round very quiet trips however have also seen the creation For all your Grocery and every day essentials Boscastle Gallery Wholesale / Retail Fruit and Vegetables The Bridge, Boscastle available to the catering trade (01840) 250248 Why not give us a ring to discuss your catering needs? Paintings by local artists THE BRIDGE, BOSCASTLE A wide selection of prints and cards plus 01840 250344 an unusual mix of gifts and gadgets.

Page 10 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Harbourmaster’s News continued Thank You I wonder how many that any such treatment people in this village centre is installed in a would have been prepared site deemed suitable, to spend almost ten years not just by South West of their life dedicated Water but by the people to one project on behalf who live in and love of each and every one this area. Probably no in this community? one will ever know just Would anyone of us exactly how demanding have willingly spent and frustrating this anything like that whole business has been, amount of time doing and it’s still an on-going research, checking past issue. and present legislation A huge debt of decisions, delving into gratitude was owed by national statistics, many to Graham King cormorant watching harbour life attending meetings, photo Graham King for his early warning to visiting various sites, of a new seasonal business afternoon I was delighted all emergency services preparing data and “Boscastle Seafood” selling to hear my stepson’s four at the time of the flood relevant documentation, from the boats to local year old daughter Ruby in August 2004. He dealing with hundreds of businesses and private exclaim in delight “Oh is undoubtedly owed items of correspondence individuals on the quay. look at that duck eating a even greater thanks and telephone calls Wildlife in and around snake!” as the cormorant from all who live in and countless e-mails, the harbour have been tucked into an eel right by this community for his preparing reports, etc. a pleasure to see. I have the harbour wall. I know vigilance on the issue etc? Graham King is such watched puffins down in China people manage of a sewage treatment a man. towards Bossiney and to tame cormorants for system and for spear- seen large pods of up to fishing and this one not He has worked heading the Sewage fifty dolphin together only has developed a habit tirelessly, diligently and Action Liaison Group with sightings of basking of fishing in the harbour continuously in dealing set up long before the shark. but will also sit on the with South West Water flood. We have had occasional boats to dry his or her and the Environment Graham, thank you. visits in the harbour from wings which is good to Agency to ensure that We greatly appreciate our semi tame seal & more watch. I half wonder if this area receives the your vigilance and the particularly I have seen a we could tame this bird to best possible level of sterling efforts you have cormorant fishing in the catch and give Sea Trout! sewage treatment and, made on our behalf. harbour regularly. One Chris Key Harbourmaster even more importantly, Myrna Lester Kernick Curtains SUE WALLIS Bespoke Curtain Making DESIGNER DRESSMAKER All Styles of Heading (01840) 250434 including Eyelet, Goblet & Pinch Pleat ALTERATIONS DRESSMAKING - LADIES Roman Blinds Made GENTS & CHILDRENS Your Own Fabric or Choose From Our Selection WEDDINGS & EVENING WEAR SOFT FURNISHINGS etc ... Telephone 01566 785756

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 11 Dear Friends, coming months I am reminded At Boscastle Methodist Church I am writing this article on the that they are very much rooted in you can share in the following day after sharing in the ‘Harbour Community Celebrations. The Community events over the Happenings’ event on the Valency Jews had a period of 7 days in their coming months: Lawn in Boscastle on the Sunday annual calendar for a Celebration Sunday/Monday Sept 28th /29t of the late August Bank Holiday. of the Harvest in their Worship Harvest Festival Weekend The Boscastle group of Anglican tradition called ‘The Feast of 11a.m. & 6p.m. Sunday Churches had shared in an Open Tabernacles’. Each household 7p.m. Monday Air Service on the lawn and then would build a rough shelter at in working together in a fund the entrance to their land and Friday/Saturday Oct 10th / 11th raising event. decorate with harvest produce as Music Concerts at 7.30p.m. One of the interesting a part of their celebration. You Thursday November 20th comments overheard by my can read about the instigation of Coffee Morning at 10.30a.m. wife was that of one tourist this Festival in the Old Testament saying to her colleague, ‘Look books of Leviticus (Chapter 23) Thursday December 18th it’s one of those village fetes just or Deuteronomy (Chapter 16). Carol Evening with St. Gennys like in Midsomer Murders!’ Our Harvest Services and Suppers Band and such things as Michaelmas Perhaps it was a comment made Sunday December 21st Fairs are our continuation of these by someone who lives in an urban Village Carol Service at 6p.m. area who has not had the privilege Community Celebrations. Look st of sharing in Community life as out for the dates of the Harvest From September 1 my we experience it in our Cornish Celebrations in your locality. colleague, the Rev. Stella Long Communities. As I have moved In the past few days I have will be in pastoral charge of the around amongst people over the read a review of a Christian Boscastle Methodist Church for past months I have met people book written by John Ortberg a year. She can be contacted on who come back to Cornwall on entitled ‘Everybody’s normal until 01840 212042. holiday year after year to share in you get to know them’. In this some of our Community events. book he takes the line that we Contact Details: Some even arrange to have our are created to interact together Community magazines sent to in Community – the Feast of Boscastle Methodist Chapel: them, and indeed, come back Tabernacles is evidence of this. Rev Bryan Ede, Further he asserts that through The Manse, Tintagel especially for some of these events. Tel: 01840 770274 On behalf of us all I say sharing together in Community ‘thank you’ to all those who we achieve more of our potential. Roman Catholic Church: cause things to happen in our All of this leaves me asking Fr Storey local Communities through questions such as ‘Do we value our St Paul’s Church, Tintagel Tel: 01840 770663 their work in local Committees Communities enough?’ and ‘How and at the different events. We do we encourage more sharing Religious Society of Friends: are grateful to all those who are in the life of our Communities?’ Quakers meet each Sunday at 10.30am in involved in this way. They do Healthy Communities are the John Betjeman Centre, Wadebridge however need our continuing beneficial to us all, but each of Church of England: support and encouragement. us needs to play our part. I can Rev Robert Thewsey As I look toward the Harvest only leave you to ponder all of this and respond as you are able. The Rectory, Forrabury, Boscastle Festival Celebrations of the Tel: 01840 250359 Every Blessing, Bryan Ede

Page 12 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Ron Hart October 1939 - August 2008 stint in Glasgow he was introduced and hospitality on the trip. Driving to the joys of climbing and never from John O’Groats to Lands End looked back. His great loves in life they successfully raised a good sum were his motorbike, climbing and for the charity. jazz. Feeling stifled by the city we Unfortunately things went awry moved to Cornwall (we had spent in Camelford and just as he was our honeymoon in St. Ives). We starting to enjoy his retirement Ron were lucky enough to discover was asked to go back in a temporary Boscastle and have lived here for 30 position while things were sorted years. out. Ron was loyal to the people of When Mick Young decided to Camelford and returned to work start a youth club in Boscastle he for them. He was about to retire Ron was born in Hammersmith in asked Ron to help him and Ron for the second time when he was 1939; he acquired his love of the discovered the challenge of working diagnosed with cancer of the back great outdoors when he was sent with young people and enjoyed and underwent radiotherapy. Sadly to live with his aunt and uncle on every minute. He also worked for he never got back to good health their smallholding in Essex during the county on outdoor pursuits again and died of a heart attack in the war. He went to a state junior and school camp on Bodmin Treliske on 9.8.2008. school in London and was one Moor. He eventually started up his Ron was a larger than life sort of the “Guineapig” boys selected own climbing school, South West of person, he was charismatic and by the government of the day Adventure. It never made much could bring happiness and a sense of from working class families. The money but it allowed Ron to do purpose into other peoples lives. He government paid their fees to go what he loved best, climbing and was a hard worker and was always to public schools. Ron and three passing on his knowledge to young willing to put himself out to help others from his neighbourhood people, inspiring them to aim for others. Moira Hart went to Marylebone Grammar the stars! Later when Ron developed School. Overcoming snobbery and a bad hip which affected his ability prejudice was part of the learning to climb he decided to give up the process but Ron was always grateful climbing school as he was no longer that he was selected as the school able to give it his best. gave him an excellent education and, Ron had also been proud to join most important, taught him to aim the coastguard cliff rescue team. for the stars. This was something he He served for a while as a parish did his best to pass on to the young councillor and later as part time he met and worked with during his clerk to Boscastle. When health life. forced him to take a less active Ron and I met at Eel Pie Island role, he applied for and got a job as jazz club, we married the following clerk to Camelford. Whatever job year, 1961. We have had 47 years he did Ron always gave it his best. As the Blowhole was being of very happy marriage, our only He worked for Camelford until he prepared for publication, we regret being we were unable to have retired at 66. One of the first things heard the sad news that Bob children. Ron’s working life was he did then was to help David Biddick, a Boscastle man through varied; he did an apprenticeship Flower get his old Austin 7 ready for and through has passed away. as a telephone engineer, then a charity trip in aid of Shelterbox. Every sympathy is extended to Vi moved into electronics. We went Rotary members transported Ron, and the family. to live in Sussex and Ron became a David and the car up to Scotland A tribute to Bob will be printed troubleshooter for a large electronics and gave them accommodation in a future issue. warehouse. While on an extended

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 13 service we provide to My job as a postman is Postie‘s Corner you. We were hoping that varied, I spend much of it this closure might mean giving directions but I also all the mail and parcels that the idea of a North have changed light bulbs, for Boscastle, but if this Cornwall delivery office helped lift heavy items in closure goes ahead we may at last happen, but as to people’s houses, opened will have nowhere to yet this idea is still going jar lids and recommended work from. Many ideas nowhere. a dentist to a lady on and suggestions have It should still be Tracey holiday who required been made as to where and I that continue to some emergency dental we might be going, and deliver your post, but work. She was very happy as usual there have been whilst we have no details, as the dentist was a very plenty of rumours, but as who knows. We know handsome young man yet we have had nothing how important it is to and secondly a very good definite. The impact of have a regular postman dentist. We will soon have official our moving will have a and Tracey and myself like It will be a sad day confirmation as to the profound effect on the to think that between us when Boscastle Post future of Boscastle Post way we do our jobs, not we have a very good local Office closes its doors for Office. The consultation only in the small things knowledge which we use the last time and with this period will be closed as of that we do for people but on a daily basis to ensure Tracey and I would like to 1st September according to also in the time it will take. that poorly addressed thank David and Susan the Post Office Ltd website Currently if we cannot letters are delivered to the and wish them all the best and the announcement deliver an item of mail correct people and that as it has been a pleasure to will be made on the 23rd we usually put in a card parcels are left somewhere work with them. September. The proposal saying that an item of mail where you can find them Darius is for the post office to is being held for collection if you’re out. (Postie) be replaced by a mobile from Boscastle post office. service, which hopefully As to where these items when all the decisions will be held for collection have been made will be once the post office has Boscastle Post Office in a location or locations been closed has yet to be YOUR LOCAL BANK where it can be best utilised decided. Until we have by the whole village. confirmation as to where FREE cash withdrawals for: Currently Tracey and we are going I cannot give Nationwide myself work in the back you an further details of Barclays of the post office sorting how this will effect the Lloyds TSB Ruth and Alan Watson welcome you to: Alliance & Leicester CO-OP ST CHRISTOPHER’S All other Banks basic accounts HOTEL PLUS: High Street, ● Motor vehicle licensing Boscastle, ● Bill paying PL35 0BD Situated in the old, ● Photocopying and laminating upper part of this ● Mobile phone top-ups beautiful harbour ● Greetings cards and stationery village, with its spectacular coast and countryside ● 9 ensuite Rooms Tel: David and Susan ● Bed and Breakfast 01840 250412 ● Coffee & Tea making facilities in every room Tel: 01840 250 259 email: [email protected]

Page 14 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 will do my best to try and achieve this. The new authority will be very large, at SPROULL around 20,000 employees SOLICITORS www.sproullllp.co.uk including school staff, with a budget of nearly We offer all our clients a complete legal service £100 million. It will be CONVEYANCING PROBATE split into 3 service delivery WILLS areas, and the community CHILDCARE networks will be able to DIVORCE CRIMINAL WORK The work towards call officers to account, ACCIDENTS the unitary authority and carry out some LANDLORD/TENANT scrutiny of their delivery BUSINESSES commencement continues area. Market Place 42 Fore Street The Rock ever faster. It needs to Camelford Bodmin Port Isaac as well, as we only have We really hope that 01840 212315 01208 72328 01208 880355 32 weeks to go, a rather from day one services will frightening thought with continue to be provided NEED YOUR HOME MAINTAINING? so much left to do! We at the same high standard have now got a decision that we currently have, KINGSLEY UGLOW that the local “one stop and that the changeover is shop” for our area will smooth. It is particularly be in Camelford, at the difficult for staff in all the Will undertake any interior or exterior work current NCDC offices. I authorities at the moment on your house including: think this is a good choice as there is uncertainty Decorating - Plastering Tiling as it has enough office about jobs, but at North Renovation Work - Carpentry - Masonry space, disabled parking Cornwall we are holding Stonewalling - Cornish Hedging and access, and also has the staff briefings at 6 weekly Fence and Shed Building - Wooden Flooring council chamber which intervals to try and keep All work guaranteed to a high standard can be used as a meeting everyone up to date. Concrete bases and dwarf walls built for room and centre for the The aim is for “business conservatories community network area. as usual”, and I know Forrabury and Minster just how hard our staff Phone: 01840 211054 Mobile: 07976 412374 parish will be part of this are working to try and network, and we hope to achieve that. I will do my Valency Bed & Breakfast start a pilot project before best to keep you informed the end of the year. of developments. Although I never Janey Comber supported the unitary North Cornwall District bid, it is going to happen, Councillor 01840 230497 whatever we say, and I think it is really important Glancing at the website, that I work hard to make ncdc.gov.uk, one learns it as successful as possible. that NCDC has become We are delighted to have been awarded It is often very difficult the first authority in the Four Diamonds and a prestigious Silver Award to do this, and we have in our recent Inspection. Country to be awarded some hard decisions to Excellent location. Parking. the British Standard for Three double rooms. S/C Studio. make, but what I want occupational health and John & Denise Tillinghast to see at the end of this is safety management for the Valency, Penally Hill, Boscastle, Cornwall, PL35 0HF better delivery of services Telephone: 01840 250397 Mobile: 07891067746 whole organisation. E- Mail: [email protected] at a reduced cost to the Website www.valencybandb.com residents of Cornwall. I Well done, NCDC! Editor

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 15 Tresuck site; rather than previously done by the installing three separate liaison group. secondary treatment Cllr Brewer proposed a Parish Council News plants SWW are now vote of thanks to be given Forrabury and Minster reports on the activities considering a combined to members of the liaison Parish Council meet in the of the liaison group with treatment plant and group for all their efforts Village Hall on the second South West Water and have identified both over the years. Thursday of each month at kept the council informed Fenterleigh and the Black Pharmaceutical List 7pm. Members of the public of any leakages in the Barn between Trevalga are invited to attend and An application was made & Trethevy as possible may address the Council harbour area. by a Mr Singh for a new during the first ten minutes At the August meeting locations. Graham King pharmacy in the vicinity of the meeting. For further Graham King summarized then informed the meeting of Boscastle Surgery. information please contact the work that has been that the liaison group At the July meeting Dr the Parish Clerk: Bob Smith undertaken by the liaison had from that time been Paul Abbott addressed the on 01840 250440 or email group since its inception disbanded, but he would meeting and explained [email protected] some years ago, when be pleased to answer any how this would impact to Publication SWW were offering only questions. the detriment of services Participation primary treatment for Present were a large already supplied by the Boscastle. After extensive surgery. • Parking at the end of contingent of residents work and research, they The Parish Council Valency Row remains a from Trevalga and successfully proved that agreed that they would problem blocking access Trethevy who made clear SWW had underestimated respond by saying that to residents. their opposition to the the population equivalent proposal that the site the application was not • The steps down from the for Boscastle, meaning should be located on land necessary or desirable. surgery to Gunpool Lane that SWW had to provide in Trevalga and said that In August Cllr Dr Jarvis are very slippery with a a higher level of sewage they would take every reported that there build up of dead leaves treatment. Spurred on action possible to ensure were doubts about the etc. The Council said it by this success, an action that this did not happen. qualifications of the was unclear who owned group, TAIST, (Tintagel Later in the meeting, the applicant. and had responsibility for Against Inferior Sewage Parish Council formed an Flood Fund the steps. Treatment), was formed advisory group, with Cllrs The result of the • At the August meeting in Tintagel and, following Dr Jarvis, G Findlay, A questionnaire that was a member of the public a lengthy public enquiry, Brewer, I Dawson and N distributed to residents proposed a vote of thanks SWW are now under Irving-Little volunteering was announced at the July to Graham King for all an obligation to provide to continue the work meeting. continued on p 17 his work with the Sewage secondary treatment liaison group. for sewage in Boscastle, WESTERN SUPPLY CO Sewage Liaison Group Tintagel and Bossiney. Builders Merchant & Decorator Centre for Trade & DIY Graham King has SWW have withdrawn Atlantic Road, Delabole, Cornwall, PL33 9DN Tel: 01840 212580 continued his regular their appeal against the “One of the best stocked suppliers in the South West...”! Come and see our extensive range of D. CORNISH PEST CONTROL Building and D.I.Y products Including... MOLES, MICE, RATS, WASPS, • A new stock of garden pots WOODWORMING, DEER CONTROL, • Patio slabs and decking FLEAS, BEDBUGS, ETC… • Decorative chippings and pebbles SPECIAL OFFER: FAST, RELIABLE, FRIENDLY SERVICE 3 x 75 ltr of GROWMOOR MULTIPURPOSE COMPOST Just £10 (inc. VAT) 01841 521812 Open 7 days (Sat & Sun morning only) Ample Parking Deliveries arranged 07718 882478

Page 16 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Camelford & District Age Concern Your Problems Solved Parish Council continued We run a programme of Do contact our problem page for advice on any outings in our Minibus • A bus shelter problem that may beset you. Auntie Ann may have an signed to make life easier answer ... • A Pavilion for the and more enjoyable for Dear Auntie Ann government target to wind football field retired people. I learn with some up, and possibly even • Repair to Church path. We visit popular shopping distress that out local post infuriate, at least sixty per However, in August venues, like Plymouth office is due to close. How cent of the population on the Chairman told the or Trago Mills & have can this be true? Surely at least twelve occasions Council that a letter had excursions to interesting local post office and before Christmas has been been received casting places, such as the Eden services form an essential agreed. It is on target. doubt on the legality of Project. Sometimes we go feature of the life of the distributing the Fund in out for lunch at a hotel or Love Auntie Ann community, help to keep this way. restaurant or just go for the fabric of our society Dear Auntie Ann Legal opinion is to be a drive around Bodmin sought. alive, and are a vital force I have just bought Moor. a book of the nursery Slate Paintings in maintaining a decent Look out for our quality of life. rhyme ‘There was an old The slate paintings Monthly Programmes Yours, Tax Payer. lady who swallowed a donated to the village at available in Post Offices fly’, which is described as the time of the flood have and Medical Centres. Dear Tax Payer ‘not suitable for children now been hung at the We have outings 5 days You are absolutely right. under 36 months’. Who Community Centre. every week as well as on And this is exactly why on earth can it be suitable Regeneration alternate Sundays. Take a our fine government, who for? My 98 year old aunt? There has been little look and see if there is a are just spending several Surely that would be a to report from the trip you would enjoy. billion in taking non bit pointed? Does she regeneration group. Work If you have a clean athletes to the Olympics, not realise she should not is now virtually completed Driving Licence and are carrying out these swallow a horse? and the contractors have would like to drive the closures. We have to pay Love Animal Lover cleared and left their site. Minibus you would be their expenses somehow, There are no firm details most welcome. after all, so they can have Dear AL of an official re-opening For information call Pat all the junket they need. of the village to report. Relax, please! I have Davis 01208 850798 Love Auntie Ann inspected the offending item and have detected Dear Auntie Ann that it is furnished with Why oh why oh why an attractive of animal can’t we get back to the figures, namely, fly, spider, good old days when you bird, cat, dog, cow and knew where you were horse. All in beautifully with a good old fashioned coloured shiny, attractive key on a tin of corned plastic, clearly aimed at beef? Whatever is this ring the average 98 year old pull? , rather than any small person under the age of Yours, Gourmet Chef. 36 months. Just read it to your grandchild: that’s Dear GC what I’m going to do. Just This new measure is one keep an eye on the plastic in a long list of pointless animals. No swallowing. changes guaranteed to Love Auntie Ann irritate and annoy. A

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 17 eventually amount to a surely to a halt. Think Pickwick hollow victory; we called about it, the time that you it a commercial decision give and add that to the and it often hurts to give time your near neighbours up the fight but it was after give and keep multiplying Papers all the sensible thing to it up and up and soon do. In any argument there you begin to get the and sometimes even old will always be sides but picture. In rural life such friendships threatened. there will also be common kindness in giving of time There will be winners ground which should be and in kind is essential and losers and a lot of explored and which gets and what is also essential seemingly irreparable I have always been an avid overlooked in the fervour is the raising of funds to fences and after all is said reader of local newspapers of impending battle. We keep the wheels turning. and done the very real as they do give one a do need sewage treatment Our stoic nature leads us feeling that in fact there particularly good handle works, wherever we live, to continue to arrange were no overall winners on local life. Over the and if we are to say no to open-air fund raising at all, just losers. Surely last year or two the press nuclear energy then we events, despite our fickle what we really need is to hereabouts seems to have do need to find another climate, and one has lost all be winners, working been the bearer of a way of creating it, and the count of how many events together for the common good deal of reporting on longer the battles rage the have had to be cancelled good: Utopia I hear you conflicts within our local less time is applied to real this year; not just the big say, well perhaps I am communities. Battles are solutions. affairs like Camelford currently being fought being a little ambitious, Given the horrible Show, but the numerous locally over proposals for but we do seem to have weather so far this summer small events that are the the siting of more wind lost something in our there are battles of another hallmark of village life, turbines, the location of fight for what we perceive sort going on around The Strawberry Fayre, a new sewage treatment to be right and that is the us, and not just those of Church fetes, table top works, the closure of well tried and tested art mum, dad and the kids sales, the list is endless. It post offices and whether of good, old fashioned cooped up in a damp is an up-hill battle raising badgers should be culled, compromise. caravan in the middle of the necessary funds to to name just a few! All In another life and nowhere somewhere in fuel those things in life very emotive issues and given my legal background Cornwall! So much of the for which the government certainly something there I often had to decide fabric of our lives depend and local authorities for most of us to get during the passage of a on the voluntary services have no regard at all and really steamed up about, particular action whether of others; someone once which rely entirely on the whether we are for or we had reached the stage said that if you withdrew voluntary sector. We keep against. But as in most of winning, yet where we the services of volunteers the battle going because battles there will be a lot would be losing, as costs in this country things for once we are all on the of anger vented, a lot of of one sort or another would grind slowly, but same side and therefore bitterness engendered ate into what would AN PARTR RIST ICK T D. ROOTS CONSTRUCTION EXTENSIONS • RENOVATIONS NEW BUILD • BATHROOMS Call Mobile 07989 327 873 OR 07968 808 135 FREE QUOTATIONS

Page 18 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Pickwick Good Food Catering Company win Papers Award continued The Good Food Catering progressing hopefully in Company in Tintagel is the same direction! celebrating after winning its first industry award, Yet more battles have winning the coveted title been fought, and are of Best Caterer at the still being fought, but Westcountry Wedding this time the fight could Awards. befall anyone of us, the immutable fight against The business was disease and serious illness. launched in 2004 by Such battles have everyone Lucy Barber & Mike on side and whilst it may Shone. They specialise in DAVID WASHER be distressing to know wedding, event & private that many such fights are catering and also supply Building Contractor lost before they have even meals for the holiday market. They wowed begun we should take heart ‘Penlea’, Tintagel Road, Boscastle from the manner in which the judges with their the battle was fought, delicious canapés such often with tremendous as butternut squash with Tel: 01840 250635 roasted hazelnut pesto, courageous and fortitude Mobile: 07967 507457 and yet there can be no chilli & lemon prawns compromise here, for such and spinach & smoked battles are a fact of life. salmon roulade. Lucy Barber, Director Some conflicts clearly Comfortable cannot be ducked, we of The Good Food Catering Company, contemporary have to consciously decide accommodation. which battles are truly said: “We’re absolutely Superb breakfasts worth fighting only after thrilled to have won. It using local produce all other avenues have not only puts the last four year’s hard work into and fish. been explored. Rooms with breakfast perspective, but also puts Finally I would add The Good Food Catering en-suite non-smoking that I am not joining the Company firmly in the Discounts available for local bookings 01840 250418 fight to have the word spotlight amongst the www.orchardlodgeboscastle.co.uk “summer” expunged from other leading caterers in the English dictionary!! the region.”

Boscastle Chamber of Trade R. MEARS and Commerce CHIMNEY SWEEP Have your say; voice your ideas or concerns Vac & Brush For more information on joining contact: Adrian Prescott (chairman) 250570 01840 261 221 Shirley Wakelin (secretary) 250314 Chris Searle (treasurer) 250225 077375 33392 Denise Tillinghast (membership secretary) 250397 Membership fee is £20 per year and is open [email protected] to all businesses within the PL35 postcode area www.sweepcornwall.com

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 19 Fun, Food and a Fabulous Time Fun, food and a fabulous The event is being time is the recipe for organised by Boscastle festival success, writes CP School Association Geoff Barratt: in conjunction with Top chefs, top BBC Radio Cornwall to entertainment and a help raise £5 million for top line up of food the Children’s Hospice producers from around South West Precious Lives the South West - it all Appeal. adds up to the most The food producers ambitious programme and growers will take over of festival events ever marquees in the car park planned for Boscastle on Saturday. This year Festival, supported by there are more than 60 North Cornwall District food and craft exhibitors, Council. the highest number so far cooking demonstration at a previous festival The dates for your diary attracted by the festival a list from ‘Who’s Who yourself lucky to get a table the 4th and 5th October, and a significant rise on the first event in 2005. in the Cornish cooking at Margot’s in Padstow. followed by a week long world’; Jamie Oliver’s programme of specially Tickets are £3 for each day Gareth Eddy, who or £4 in advance for both Fifteen Cornwall will proved popular as Johnny selected walks, covering be represented, as will the coast, countryside, days and can be bought at Cowling’s cooking and the Visitor Centre. Rick Stein’s Seafood comedy partner at the moors and surrounding Restaurant School, then The organising 2006 festival, is this areas. there are names like Kevin committee from Boscastle time promoting his new charity concert Viner, Cornwall’s first Chamber of Trade and venture – Da Boes at Michelin star winner, The festival officially Commerce believes it’s a the Molesworth Arms in whose restaurant at gets underway on the tribute to the village and Wadebridge and will be nd Summercourt is a firm evening of Thursday 2 testament to the growing demonstrating smoking favourite with foodies all October, when comedian importance of the festival to children – food that is over the country. Johnny Cowling headlines that chefs from the very – and how you can make a glittering charity finest restaurants in “Whether Kevin can be really great meals really concert in the main Cornwall will be giving up persuaded to demonstrate cheaply from the freshest marquee. He’ll also be their time to demonstrate his famous recipe for Cornish ingredients. introducing other leading how great food comes from squirrel pasties remains Boscastle’s own Scott acts from Cornwall and great Cornish produce. to be seen,” said BCTC Roberts will be leaving the treasurer Chris Searle, “It neighbouring counties. The line up reads like kitchen at the Wellington does show there is a use Hotel and proving once MYRTLE COTTAGE for them, but whatever he again why the Waterloo Fore Street, Boscastle, comes up with it’s bound Restaurant continues to PL35 0AX to be good.” earn the praise of critics B&B, Meals and Tea Garden Also on the stage- and customers alike. 01840 250245 kitchen will be Olivier Scottie is a keen Rooms with tea, coffee, tv, central heating ~£29.50 pppn Davoust-Zangari from supporter of the festival wireless internet access available L’Estuaire in Rock who’ll and viewers to ITV West Open daily for Cream teas & breakfasts. be demonstrating a Country may have seen Wednesday: Curry night; Sunday nights: Roast beef. uniquely French approach Booking essential for evening meals. him passing on his skills For any other night phone 01840 250245 to arrange menu. to Cornish cuisine, while to local accommodation Seating for up to 12, buffets up to 20. Bring your own drinks. Adrian Oliver will show providers in a Breakfast website: http://myrtlecottage-boscastle.info why you can consider

Page 20 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Fun, Food and a Fabulous Time programme,” said Denise. what we might be able to continued “The idea is to try to cover achieve in future.” Master Class held in the signposts will point the all tastes and abilities and Thursday 2nd October: hotel’s kitchen. way around the village. appeal both to visitors and Festival charity concert in local people as well.” the main marquee, tickets To help ease any walking week The first walks march £15 from the Visitor parking problems a park Centre This year’s Walking off on Monday, 6th and ride service will be th Week programme has been October, taking in the Saturday and Sunday 4 available from both the th put together by BCTC & 5 October: Bude and Tintagel sides coast path, Valency Valley membership secretary Food and Craft Festival of the village, with regular and Bodmin Moor, as Photo competition Denise Tillinghast with mini buses taking visitors well as some of the lesser winners announced. help from Visitor Centre to the festival marquees. known parts of the area. Tickets £3 per day or £4 manager Rebecca David. All the venues will be A new dimension this for both days in advance clearly identified and “It’s a very varied year is the introduction from the Visitor Centre. of ‘A Sketchbook Session’ Monday 6th October to with local artist and writer Friday 10th October: Debbie King, whose studio Walking Week. Various overlooks the harbour. A routes and prices, leaflet with details all the booking in advance also walks is available from the at the Visitor Centre. Boscastle Visitor Centre. Contacts: “From the charity Festival, Adrian Prescott Gates, Railings, Fire Grates concert launch, through 01840 250570 Weather Vanes, Security Bars the Food & Craft Festival Walking Week, Denise Ornamental Ironwork, Welding & into the Walking Week, Tillinghast, 01840 250397 Tel: 01840 261340 it’s a great programme of Charity concert, Nikki events,” added Adrian, “A Reed 01208 850697. lot of people, including Venues include: the school association, the marquees, Village Hall, A M HIRCOCK WI and many others have Community Centre, PLUMBING AND HEATING put in a lot of hard work. Boscastle School, We hope it’s all going to Methodist Church, General Plumbing prove as popular with Forrabury Church, plus local people as it is with local gardens pubs, hotels Oil Central Heating & restaurants. visitors – and who knows Oil boiler, Rayburn & Aga servicing 01840 250320 Napoleon Inn 01840 250204 w r perry & Son Lunchtime and evening meals served Building contractors daily 12 – 2pm & 6.30pm – 9.30pm stone masons roofIng specialists BONEY’S RESTAURANT renovations/extensions family business - established for Family dining area 40 years Private Functions, wakes etc catered for tel: Boscastle 01840 250081 Call for a quote or advice

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 21 Preserving Boscastle’s Past: Anne Knight writes about plans for a Museum & Archive for the Village: As many of you will know that he has talked to some What is the museum Victorian mail pouch for Rod and I have been of you already and taken looking for? Almost the Wellington Hotel. keeping the Boscastle your ideas and suggestions anything from the past, Then there are tourist Archive for over ten years on board. We attended a photos, maps, letters and souvenirs, paintings, now. It consists mainly of meeting together to look documents like ID cards, tools, books and so on. a paper archive, pictures, at help and funding that certificates, local traders These objects will remain deeds, documents, census might be available from bills and receipts, old your property. Dave is not records, church records various sources. publications [remember asking that you give them and family papers that The idea is to have an the Boscastle Chronicle?], away unless you wish to do have been given to us to area where people can property papers. More so. They will be displayed copy and keep together behind glass under lock to preserve village history and key. The key will be and give people a one in your possession. What stop shop when they an opportunity to empty a village the attic!! museum, archive Can you help? If you would like a space to show and research items or would like to facility ... an area know more please contact where people Dave Ferrett or myself can display their we’d love to hear from own items under you and, what’s more, we their own lock need your encouragement to help us progress. and key or where AK items donated to Editor’s note: If you are unable to contact Dave or Anne direct, the village can be the Blowhole would be happy kept display their own items tangible things might to put you in touch. under their own lock include pottery, badges want information about and key or where items and medals. I have the the village, their family donated to the village can or their home. We have be kept. What matters is several thousand items. the museum will exist to remember and will be in Those of us who have the hands of the village. lived here for many years It will safeguard and make will have seen how the accessible objects that can village has changed and is be explored, learned from continuing to change at an and used at leisure. It can accelerating pace. Much display information about of what gave an indication our forebears and the way of our past history has they lived and give an been destroyed. It is with account of how the village this in mind that David developed over the years. Ferrett has decided to try A reminder that what we to put together a village have today is a result of museum, archive and what they did in the past. research facility. I know

Page 22 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Pictured on the previous page is the Victorian mail pouch for the Wellington Hotel and an invoice from Burnard’s Saddler & Harness Maker. - but for shoe repairs. On this page are 3 invoices, one from Peran’s for waggon and waggonwheel repairs, one from Kernick’s, mainly for horseshoes but also for a ‘new sink chain’ and one from Burnard’s for various items, including ices, pears and salad cream.

Boscastle’s famous museum of witchcraft

Open Daily April - Halloween 01840 250111

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 23 Like everybody else the W.I. was looking forward to a warm and sunny spell of weather, little did we know, but has that stopped us from enjoying our summer activities, certainly not! The Garden Club has flourished. We have enjoyed visiting delightful gardens in Gunpool Lane, Paradise and Clover Enjoying the garden at Trefora Water Lane, all on sunny days, brassicas, lettuce, celery, in time for our June one hundred years ago culminating in a 70th asparagus and much meeting and visited the and a special feature is birthday celebration tea more. North Cornwall Museum the reconstruction of a for Camelford W.I. at The sea view from in Camelford. The moorland cottage at the Treforda Water, the home the summerhouse is an building had originally beginning of the twentieth and beautiful garden of unexpected bonus and been used for making century. Mary and Rod Shepherd. the time and effort taken coaches and wagons and After three days We dodged the showers to maintain all this must was of particular interest of continuous rain in to admire the many be very rewarding. The to Boscastle members as July, Janice Dunning shrubs, plants, mature cottage managed to it had also been used by transported us to the trees, fruit bushes and a accommodate thirty Jenny Brown’s father as sunny climes of the well stocked greenhouse. members for a typical an egg packing station. southern hemisphere. She The vegetable plot W.I. tea – too much food The museum covers many and her husband had set contained an abundance as usual. aspects of life in North out on a five-week cruise of produce including We took a trip back Cornwall from fifty to from Southampton to carrots, beans, potatoes, continued on next page THE WELLINGTON HOTEL “BEEF AS IT USED TO TASTE” ETC ** AA** RAC** FINEST QUALITY HOME REARED NORTH DEVON BEEF * The Waterloo Restaurant English cuisine with a ‘twist’ Free Range Eggs Seasonal Vegetables Free House with Real Ales * Home made Jams and Chutneys * Good Home-made Pub Food TAKE HOME A TASTE OF CORNWALL * Beer Garden Call in to our shop or phone to place an order Singers: Wednesday nights * Contact Robin & Jackie on

Paul, Rosie, Scott & Suzanne Roberts 01840 250195 / 07977 514 798 Phone: 01840 250202 HOME FARM, BOSCASTLE Fax: 01840 250621 4 Star Silver Award Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast www.boscastle-wellington.com and Luxury Self Catering Cottages available email [email protected] Contact for further details and booking

Page 24 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 continued Other activities that our members have enjoyed Valparaiso in January this summer include a WESTERINGS 2005, calling at Rio de cruise on the River Exe Spacious Self-Catering Janeiro, onto the Falkland (not quite world class!) Islands, Antarctica and and a three-day visit to Accommodation finally up the west coast of Windsor, taking in the - Open All Year - South America on the first Hampton Court Flower Shirley Wakelin leg of their world tour. Show, Blenheim Palace Amongst the many and yet another cruise, Forrabury, Boscastle highlights of the cruise this time on the Thames Tel: 01840 250314 was going ashore in to Henley. Website: www.westeringsholidays.co.uk Antarctica to meet the We are looking forward wildlife and take in the to our summer outing beautiful scenery, which to the Camel Valley had been particularly Vineyard, hopefully on a Vacancies exist for adults and children inspiring as one of the sunny day and a craft day (beginners or advanced) to have guest lecturers on board at Travalga in September. Piano or Keyboard Lessons ship had been Dr. David Don’t forget to pop in to to be taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere by a junior Wilson the great nephew the village hall during the school teacher with over 20 years of experience of piano teaching in Cornwall. Parents are welcome to attend the lessons. of Captain Scott. Food & Arts Festival in For further details please ring Two years later they October for coffee, tea or Peter L Henry BA, LTCL were back in Valparaiso to a ploughman’s lunch and 01840 770470 join the ship and continue to admire our handiwork. their travels across the We are always delighted Pacific onto New Zealand, to welcome new members Australia, and eventually or visitors. Please come through the Panama along to the Village Hall Canal and back across the on the second Tuesday of Atlantic to Southampton. each month at 7.30pm On this cruise they met from March to September the astronaut Charles or at 2 pm from October Duke II from Apollo 16 to February. We look the tenth man to walk on forward to seeing you. the moon. Jill Clark W.I. Recipe: Apple Strüdel 8 ozs frozen puff pastry ½ oz butter 1 ½ lbs cooking apples thinly sliced 4 ozs castor sugar 2 ozs sultanas H. VENNING 1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon juice of one lemon - MASON - Roll pastry out to a wafer thin 22 inch square. For Professional and Quality Work Mix apples, sugar, sultanas, cinnamon and lemon • RENOVATIONS •EXTENSIONS juice. Spread over pastry, roll up and mould into •PLASTERING • STONEWORK horseshoe. Melt butter and brush on top. • ROOFING Put on well greased baking tray. Bake at gas mark 6, 400ºF, 200ºC for 30 mins. Lundy House, Boscastle Sprinkle with icing sugar. TEL: 01840 250113

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 25 Dr’s Corner COASTGUARDS’ REPORT Hello everyone, 21/6/08 L.Siford paged by at Bossinney Cove False Some of you might have Falmouth to assist Bude alarm. In Attendance met me already – under the in a recovery of a dog and L.Siford, D.Roots, G.King, name of Julia with a rather its owner at Northcott; on T.Partrick difficult to pronounce scene 19:29; 20:55 returned 13/8/08 Called by Falmouth surname (even for the to station. In Attendance to assist Bude in a search receptionists) in Bottreaux L.Siford, D.Roots, G.King, for a missing child in a or Tintagel surgery where T.Little, N.Jones. river at Stratton near Bude. I started working as a 28/6/08 15:36 Called by Casualty found and air GP Registrar (last year Falmouth to assist life lifted to hospital by rescue of training to becoming guards at Trebarwith Strand 169 .Returned to Station a GP) 4 weeks ago and I with a fisherman who had 15:10. In Attendance just thought I’d say Hi to fallen off the rocks. On L.Siford, G.King, T.Little, everybody by introducing scene 15:55. The casualty N.Jones, T.Partrick. myself here! was air lifted to hospital by 18/8/08 18:04 Paged by Dr Julia Bloemertz Brought up in a small rescue 193. 16:27 Returned Falmouth Casualty risk Great Britain was the place Bavarian village close to the to Station. In Attendance watch Boscastle Harbour. to go and applied, getting Czech border in a remote L.Siford, D.Roots, G.King, 19:10 stood down. In accepted for my first job and rural part of Germany, T.Little, N.Jones, D&A Attendance L.Siford, as a house officer in North not unlike North Cornwall, Williams, B.Mills. D.Roots, G.King, T.Little, Wales then continuing I decided to leave my 8/7/08 09:52 Called by B.Mills. to Ipswich, King’s Lynn, picturesque home as early Falmouth by phone object Graham King has stood then Great Yarmouth and as aged 17 to explore the reported in the water down as Deputy Station Maidstone where I gained big wide world and spend Bossinney Cove 10:10 Officer and Dan Roots is experience in General one year with a host family on scene nothing found. now the new DSO for the Medicine, Haematology in Johannesburg in South 11:00 Returned to Station. Boscastle Company. I would and Oncology. Africa. Learning English In Attendance L.Siford, like to thank Graham for (which was frankly terrible Applying to the GP D.Roots, G.King. all his support in the years when I left Germany) rotation in 2007 I luckily 25/7/08 13:57 Paged when he was my no2. got accepted by the South during this year came in by Falmouth to assist Also we have a new West Deanery so that after very handy too... but that Ambulance crew at Tintagel member in the company working in Obstetrics and was not the only thing I Castle, stood down when Tris Partrick. Tris got Gynaecology and Paediatrics gained by this experience – arrived. In Attendance excited when his pager went in Treliske hospital in Truro it made me want to see new L.Siford, D.Roots, G.King, off one day he said his heart I was thrilled to be able places and meet new people N.Jones, D&A Williams, was going like a MOPED to conclude my training and without it I would have T.Little. F.Hegaty. HA HA . here in Boscastle and am probably never landed in 27/7/08 L.Siford paged Until the next time take now living in Camelford England! by Falmouth possible care on our coastline with my fiancé who works Back in Germany in persons cut off by the tide Les Siford, Station Officer at the Wadebridge and 1992 I finished school Boscastle. Camel Estuary Surgery in in 1994 and then started Wadebridge. my medical training D SCOTT ELECTRICAL in Wuerzburg, a lovely I am looking forward to Franconian city, well known getting to know you and this 1, JORDAN VALE OLD ROAD BOSCASTLE CORNWALL PL35 0AJ for its wine… (yes there are beautiful area in the next very good German wines year and am hoping to meet SALES & SERVICE around but we tend to keep lots of you – although rather them rather than export..) (decrease in rain volume ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS where I graduated in 2002. and more sun provided) in Boscastle harbour, Tintagel Wanting to again castle or on the coastal experience the life in another path than as patients in the TEL OR FAX: 01840 250155 country I decided that surgery...! Julia Bloemertz

Page 26 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Michael’s Ordination

Relieve stress & tension with a back/body Swedish massage. Relaxing aromatherapy/holistic massage with soothing essential oils. May I take this opportunity the bishop to take up Facial massage to thank all those who the position of curate to Specific medical conditions i.e. trapped nerves and whiplash. Skin disorders - psoriasis, came and supported me the Boscastle group of eczema. Arthritis/rheumatism, sciatic pain, both at my ordination churches. minor aches and pains. service in Truro cathedral Slimming Treatment. G5. So what of the By appointment only - Home visits by arrangement on 30 June and also at the future? Ruth and I have service at Davidstow the no intention of leaving LYNNE KELLY I.T.E.C. Qualified Physical Therapist St Gennys & Local areas Tel: 07751 508800 next day when Chris also Boscastle so I will continue came back to preach. These as curate to the group. services marked a major Training and learning is an point which started just ongoing thing, not only by over three years ago when practical experience, but I went to what is known also with formal lectures as a selection conference at and workshops organised Ely to determine whether by the diocese and also I should go forward for Exeter University. training for ordination During this year I will to the priesthood. The be working closely with recommendation from this Robert, who is my training conference to the Bishop incumbent, so that I will was that I should go be ready for ordination to forward for training so in the priesthood at the end September 2005 I went off of June or the beginning of to St Luke’s College for my July next year. This service first residential week-end. will be conducted by one Over the next three years I of our bishops and will take went to weekly lectures at place in one of the churches Exeter University, tutorials, in the Boscastle Group. placements, residential Once we have a date we weekends and each year a will publish the details and residential week at Easter. I do hope as many of you All this study and training who would like to will be lead to the service at Truro able to attend this service. when I was ordained Deacon and invited by Michael Parsons

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 27 “Tales from the Potting shed” “It’s Raining its Pouring” so the fluctuation, such as cold nights tale goes and oh boy has it rained followed by warm days, or periods this summer, together with some of drought, this being enough to particularly high winds for good cause the newly formed flower measure, gusts of up to 70 mph heads to drop of. Checking in the were recorded at the coast watch diary revealed that there were some lookout. Having said that, the particularly cold nights early in the heavy rainfall has meant that the summer. Suffice to say the sweet expected endless task of watering peas recovered well and started to has not been necessary and the produce an abundance of flowers, fruit and vegetables have grown only to be ruined by the heavy rain. at a phenomenal rate. The soft One of the saddest jobs this summer fruits have cropped very well; the was to cut a washing up bowl full of raspberry canes must be 9 feet high. damaged sweet peas and tip them The new potatoes were the size of straight onto the compost heap. main crop; there is an abundance of During periods when there are Mary’s recycled strawberry tub runner beans, so lots for the freezer few flowers in bloom in the garden, and also courgettes by the ton. it cheaper than buying one ready it is good to have plants that made from the garden centre, it was The down side of all that rain – produce foliage of different colour more fun to make. rotting lettuce plants, mildew on the and form to give some interest. To heavy cropping tomatoes and slugs this end a special favourite are the The special things in gardening capable of towing the lawn mower, Heucheras with colours ranging happen when you least expect if only! With the grass growing at a from lime green to deep purple. them, like watching 3 tiny baby rate of knots and not sufficient dry They withstand the winter and are voles scurrying out to get food days it has been a testing time to say easily propagated from cuttings. A from under the bird feeder and the least. new addition to the garden this year darting back over the edge of the path, seemingly totally unaware of Percy Thrower is Heuchera “Peach Flambé” which has leaves that change from caramel humans walking up and down the The flower garden has produced to a deep chestnut. path, or moving a stack of bricks some pretty good results. The to find a knobbly old toad hidden carnations, gladioli and delphiniums Strawberry Tub beneath. have been superb both in number With climate change affecting and colour of the blooms. The sweet the future of gardening, rainwater peas started really well, particularly harvesting and recycling both play “Percy Thrower”, a pale mauve, very a big part, so it was this, together fragrant, strong variety courtesy with a number of surplus plants, of the television programme that prompted the creation of a “Gardeners World” free seed give strawberry tub. Materials used were, away. The excitement of picking a blue plastic recycling bin, (not lots of strong healthy blooms supplied by NCDC), a number of was marred when the plants were 2 ½” flower pots, some wire mesh, producing stalks with no flowers. gravel and compost. To make, cut Being puzzled by the cause, the first out holes, insert flower pots with thought was that the birds were bottoms cut off, put tube of mesh somehow to blame, but this was top to bottom in the centre of tub not the case, other gardeners have and fill with gravel, fill remainder reported similar findings. It would of tub with compost and plant up seem that, like humans, plants pots. The idea is to water through suffer from stress, be it temperature the central gravel. Not only was

Page 28 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 “Tales from the Potting shed” continued Lesnewth Official Rain Station Rainfall totals: 2007 2008 toad celebrating 100 years of Wind in the Willows The seasons change all too June 173.1 mm 59.2 mm quickly and with autumn approaching hopefully the seedlings July 163.6mm 228 mm and cuttings in the propagator will keep producing roots. Be warned August 94.3 mm 193 mm though, should you leave the greenhouse door open, a warm sandy propagator with seed trays is In June we did have some sunny There were five days each with very attractive to cats!!! If you haven’t days but it seems such a long rainfall of over 20mm. All this already done so, make sure there is time ago now, the rainfall was helped to make that enormous mesh across the open greenhouse about average. monthly total of 228mm. door. In July we had a lot of misty/ The month of August started It is also the time of year to think foggy days when the rest of the bad and continued in the same about buying spring bulbs, so time country appeared to be having way. The most rainfall in one to have fun choosing, short stemmed lots of sun; the 23rd I have noted day was on the 9th August when varieties that can withstand the as the best day with very high 30mm fell. In the whole of the strong winds. temperatures, but the cloud set month there was only one day All gardens have something to in again during the latter part of without rainfall during a 34 hour enjoy, plants trees, scents, birds, July. period and that was the 29th. wildlife or just a good view, so make The day with the most rainfall Val Gill that cuppa, find a comfy seat, sit in July was on 8th with 36.6mm. back and enjoy. MS VENN DOWN FARMHOUSE Boscastle Visitor Centre Telephone:(01840) 250010 E-mail:[email protected] www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com Open Daily MILLER’S PANTRY 1st March - 31st October At The Old Mill 10.00am - 5.00pm 1st November - 29th February Luxury self catering apartments 01840 250223 10.30am - 4.00pm Tranquil location, distant sea views Decorative Home Wide selection of books and leaflets on: Wildlife, Local History, Walking guides, Accessories & Maps, Tide Tables & Geology guides. * * * * Unusual Gifts Accommodation Booking Service Open all year 01840 250599 Eden Tickets on sale Diane & Peter Bentall Coffee + Light + Teas Photo copying & Fax available www.venndownfarmhouse.co.uk Lunches Public Internet Access

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 29 Correspondence Clive Baylay writes: sewage. So why on earth nor sewage treatment and It is probable that by To the Boscastle should we have a sewage has never had any services the time you read this Blowhole treatment plant sited very from SWW. SWW will have submitted As a resident of Trevalga close to us on a prominent Long term village planning applications on I was left in a state of section of the coast and in residents will be aware of both the Trevalga and disbelief after being an area designated as one Trevalga’s unique status. It Bossiney sites. It is also informed that SWW were of outstanding natural is an intact ancient manor, likely that one or both will proposing to construct a beauty? neither second-homed receive approval. In 2006 sewage works on Trevalga Understandably people nor holiday-cottaged out Trevalga Parish Meeting land at the ‘Black Barn’ are angry and concerned and bequeathed many wrote to Forrabury & site, with all the treated and will vigorously fight years ago to Marlborough Minster Parish Council effluent (still containing this proposal in the hope College by an old boy unequivocally stating pathogens and viruses) that the application of of the school. The Trust that it did not wish to from a population of 4,000 common sense and sanity he created is obliged by have anyone’s sewage plus being discharged result in two separate his will to maintain the treatment works within near to Bossiney cove. plants with outfalls a long village as is and without the parish. The Trustees Surely this was some kind way from our only bathing further development. of Trevalga Manor have of joke or rumour not and surfing beach. Many will be grateful also expressed the same view - if in somewhat less based on fact. But, sure Clive Baylay to Tintagel Against diplomatic language. If enough, on the 22nd July Trevalga Inferior Sewage Treatment SWW employees gave a (TAIST) and the Boscastle current plans proceed the road ahead will be paved presentation at our village Peggy Jarvis, chairperson Sewage Liasion Group with schism, hostility, hall. of Trevalga Parish writes: (BSLG) for their long At the end of the fight to obtain the status compulsory purchase Dear Boscastle presentation those of secondary sewage orders, civil disobedience Blowhole residents of Trevalga and treatment for Boscastle, and public inquiries. Trethevy present voted Many Boscastle residents Tintagel and Bossiney. Most Boscastle unanimously against the are probably aware of They did not however have residents support the view proposal. Does that make plans by South West a mandate to export this that the right to effective us guilty of nimbyism? Water (SWW) to build a sewage treatment works sewage treatment entails Well no, absolutely not. joint Sewage Treatment to a friendly neighbouring responsibilities - that Nimbys are people who Works (STW) utilising parish. However their of providing the means want electricity but not either a Bossiney or achievement pales into within its boundaries. pylons. The manor of Trevalga site. The latter insignificance when Previous separate Trevalga is completely is a particularly perverse measured against the treatment works envisaged independent of SWW and choice since the village potential for future a scheme occupying a site Trethevy is not on mains has neither mains water resentment and enmity in the Penally Hill area between communities. SMEETH HIRE Muts Cuts Qualified City and Guilds Groomer MINI DIGGERS & EQUIPMENT Gable Cottage SELF STORAGE UNITS Newhall Green Near St Teath Tel: 01840 211220

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Page 30 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Correspondence and to this end a start BSLG added their support. install a primary sewage become a Parish Council was made to pipe-work Time is rapidly running treatment works in the car advisory group and supporting this location. out. I would ask that park. Primary treatment members were selected to Any other position or a you support the group’s involves settlement of represent various sections joint scheme will result aims and encourage your solids – in other words of the community. We in major construction political representatives to just removing the lumps! also invited our District work on main roads to do likewise. Clearly both the location Councillor, our County embed the necessary pipes J M A Jarvis, and standard of treatment Councillor, the National and pumping stations. Chairperson to was unsatisfactory. Trust and various others to Boscastle has become Trevalga Parish Eventually we proved that all important meetings. all too familiar with this Meeting SWW had ‘miscalculated’ Our members scenario since the flood some figures and the consisted of builders and it will damage the Graham King writes: Environment Agency Hedley Venning and tourist trade and business Dear Blowhole forced SWW to offer John Maughan, Parish community yet again. Team Boscastle a much councillors Arthur There is a small glimmer Thank you for giving higher level – secondary Bannister and Chris of light in the darkness. me the opportunity to treatment. Incidentally Jarvis, traders Rob Lloyd BSLG and TAIST have respond to the letters secondary treatment is and myself, and resident disbanded and a new you have received about very much better than Peter Steege – a good cross group has stepped into Sewage Treatment for the primary treatment. section. the vacuum. This forum area. We were winning our It must be said that includes councillors from Some background battles. most villagers showed very Tintagel and Boscastle information: Our Sewage Our efforts were little interest in the work with a representative from Liaison Group started noticed by the residents we were doing unless there Trevalga Parish Meeting. nearly eight years ago to of Tintagel and Bossiney, was a proposal to build a It is totally united in its try and stop South West and we helped them set up STW near their home! support for two separate Water (SWW) dumping ‘TAIST’, their campaign Eventually SWW STWs and an ongoing raw sewage into the sea in group to achieve similar agreed with us that a joint dialogue has been Boscastle. aims. scheme – i.e. one treatment established with SWW. One of our first SWW had been plant not three (or two if In recent public meetings achievements was to proposing three separate Bossiney and Tintagel the residents of Tintagel have SWW prosecuted treatment works, with were combined) – was a have vehemently opposed for polluting the harbour three outfalls within four good solution. One site a joint scheme and TAIST –they were fined a mere miles – clearly this was means less environmental now support two separate £ 2000 but at least they not the best solution. impact and less impact on schemes. It is time that were found guilty. Later residents. Locating sites former members of the In the mean time our SWW proposed to group had grown, we had for a STW is a nightmare continued on page 32 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

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 31 Dear Boscastle continued from page 31 Correspondence Blowhole, – but we encouraged freeing our coastline The letter from Clive My wife (Jan) and I have SWW to look for sites from raw sewage. Our Baylay contains several just returned from one that were a long way from members were also mistakes, including of our many Boscastle residential housing, out of getting upset by the confusing population holidays. Whilst there I sight of the coast path and abusive communications with p.e. and not purchased a book for 25p other sensitive areas. from residents who understanding secondary at one of the charity stalls on the Valency Lawn. Our group have spent thought they might be treatment. Even if flows days walking the fields affected. from all three villages The book is called checking out many, many A new Parish Council are combined through The Cornish Riviera by sites suggested by SWW group has been formed one outfall the receiving S.P.B.Mills published in – some were better than and I am delighted that, waters will be far, far 1929 by Great Western others but none were at last, others are showing cleaner than they have Railways. This is what it perfect – perfect sites an active interest in the ever been since the says about Boscastle: don’t exist! sewage problem. sewage outfalls were ‘There are houses on We would get letters of The new team, who established decades ago. the side of the the Valency abuse from residents close have existed for nearly a These are steps forward River, but they are too shut to every site that SWW month now, have decided not backwards. in to attract visitors. It is looked at and our position that a joint scheme is not Locations for the sort of place that fine became untenable – we the best solution, that possible outfalls are weather does not suit. It’s were happy to fight two separate schemes very limited because of grimness calls for the wild SWW but not to fight the would be better, and that the requirement for a storm that J.M.W. Turner locals. one should always treat ‘consent to discharge’ associated with it in his remarkably imaginative This was particularly so sewage within the parish licence – it is very where it is created. Taken unlikely that any new picture. I cannot imagine after a site was proposed anyone leaving Cornwall on the Trevalga estate. to extremes this would outfall sites will ever mean that every parish in be considered in this without seeing Boscastle. The site, near the black I cannot imagine anyone barn between Trevalga the country would have region. its own treatment works. It would be going to Cornwall and and Trethevy, met most making it his headquarters. Our group’s objectives unreasonable to expect of the criteria – i.e. it was It’s austerity is frightening. were simple – to get the new team to have out of sight (and smell) It makes no bid to decent treatment and grasped the many of residential housing, it please. It is just a place to find a location for a complex issues contained had good access, it could of extraordinary interest STW that will affect the within the European be easily hidden etc. – but which sometimes one is least number of people Waste Water Directive, had the disadvantage of glad to leave. being out of the parish. and be environmentally Planning Regulations But it was still worth acceptable. I remain and the limitation of Leland described it as investigating. confident that this the technology, but we ‘’a very filthy town and il kept’’. It is an unfair We had put forward reflects the wishes of the would urge them to do residents of Boscastle. their homework quickly. commentary but I think several sites (for a joint I know what he means. It I am surprised that Many thanks for all scheme) within our parish fails to inspire affection.’ but none met the complex someone who has been the letters of thanks for Oh how times have technical and planning working on the problem our group’s work – let’s changed. As one who criteria. for less than 4 weeks is hope that the new team always makes Boscastle his asking us to support a can win the final battle Our group decided to headquarters and never scheme that does not and find an acceptable wind up at the last Parish wants to leave this really reflect these principles, site or sites for the Council meeting – we made me laugh!! but maybe they have sewage treatment works had achieved our main Best wishes to all my objectives – that of getting learnt more in 4 weeks – we wish them well. than we did in 8 years! Graham King friends in Boscastle decent water quality and Frazer Freeman

Page 32 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Mike Mills 23/9/1942 – 6/7/2008 I would like to say a and local GP surgery big thank you to all the have been brilliant and people who sent lovely only five minutes walk to cards and letters to me, the beach — and it’s flat! Harvey and Becky, The - So don’t worry I’m not funeral directors also moving back! received many donations Also some will be Mike & Jo on Hayling beach on 28th June this year to Haying Island First surprised to hear we unfortunately had delays Mike then went downhill Responders, Macmillan celebrated our 30th because of empyema and very rapidly - surprising Cancer Support and Wedding Anniversary also rigor which involved even the doctors. But in Stubbington Ark (RSPCA last October - with a hospital stays each time. the end it was just as Mike - where our dog Buster Mediterranean cruise. During his last stay in wanted - he was at home, came from) which is I have had so many hospital it was discovered he went quickly, and Nick what Mike wanted in lieu cards, letters and phone that although the original and Liz were here and of flowers. Very many calls- some from very tumour in the lung had were able to stay with me thanks to those who made unexpected sources shrunk, the cancer had for a while afterwards. donations and also sent — people from the ‘Free spread to the liver and We had a very moving messages via Gradys, Spirit’ band days who we then knew time was ceremony at Porchester Mike and I were both had heard on the music limited , perhaps 2 to 3 crematorium; the minister thankful that we moved grapevine and have made months; as it turned out gave the service as though here in 2005. The music contact for the first time we had only 3 and a half he was an old friend, days and the pub life was since the early ‘80s! Also weeks! although he never met over and we made a new I have discovered since Luckily, having retired Mike. I was taken aback start. We could move Mike died that he had from Willapark, Nick and to see people from years where ever we felt like, not made a huge influence Liz had already planned ago and from as far afield a choice dictated by work on a lot of people’s lives - to come and stay with us. as Norfolk, the Scilly Isles or affordability and It was unknowingly to him too! The weekend before Mike and Cornwall. We then close to Harvey and Becky The cancer was not died we had a great family went to our local British and their families, We got detected on x-ray and was party with Harvey and Legion Club to give him a great house and garden not found until January Becky and their families. an appropriate send off! that we have enjoyed when he had a CT Scan. Jo Mills doing up together. Shops He had three cycles and all other amenities are of chemotherapy but very convenient, hospitals 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

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 33 Regatta Season Rival’s revival Ends on a High As many of you will have The summer of 2008 hasn’t seen, we have recently had been kind to anyone, but two fund raising days in photos: above & above left: gig pull in August to raise funds. Despite the gig club has suffered the harbour to ensure that the rain, the club raised a total of £671.86. Especial thanks to the more than most due to Rival can undergo the Cobweb, Adrian & family pictured below, who gave a surprise the weather, with regattas repairs that she urgently donation of £250 . cancelled and training needs over the winter. opportunities drastically We haven’t yet reached reduced. Despite that, the target of £2000 which the Ladies’ A team ended is needed, but hopefully the season on a high and our final effort, planned fulfilling the promise they for the Food Festival have shown all season, by weekend, will get us there. winning their final race at A big thank you to all who the Port Isaac Regatta on came down and helped st August 31 . Their win out on our “rocket-store” rd helped the club to finish 3 fundraising day and to overall, behind Appledore all who donated bottles, and Rock and gives them cakes etc. It was all greatly an added boost as they appreciated. We raised prepare for the Ladies £436.86 towards the County Championships “Rival Revival Fund”, Boscastle Pottery in Newquay on September which is great news. th th Est: 1962 6 and 7 . MS

Paul Turner of Grantham A family run studio pottery, we are probably the Happy 40th Birthday World’s largest established dedicated Mochaware nakers. We can decorate our pots with the most 18th October 2008 delicate trees and ferns as if by magic. Counting the days until this is our So come and watch the trees grow! local paper! OPEN ALL THROUGH THE YEAR Nanette, Tim amd Roger Irving Little All our love, Laraine & Glenn xxx The Old Bakery, Boscastle Tel: 01840 250291

Page 34 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Urchins The Bear Shop The Old Mill Boscastle

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Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 35 Progress, I suppose ... Ann Rodda is not convinced I’m always keen to CBP, the Corned Beef Pie. can that be? Let’s just read of can and peel back’, hear of innovations, You know the one: the heap the instructions. then, because you have lost improvements, forging of corned beef and onions 1. Lift ring pull. your ring pull, and with it most reasonable hope of ahead with enhancing our in the bottom of the dish, 2. Pull down over side accessing the contents of lives, offering us ‘quality’ with the dexterous and of can to break seal. experiences. (One is briefly skilled additions of a tin of the tin. As for loosening the reminded of Beeching’s marrowfats peas, some Oxo 3. Place thumb in centre corned beef, I leave that to closures of the rural gravy, a few mashed spuds of lid and peel back. your imagination. railways, along with the left over from somewhere 4. Loosen corned beef. The relatively good current drive to exterminate and defrosted piece of pastry Now, could that be news is the, with the aid of the Post Office.) So it was like somebody’s auntie used simpler? Not really, except a variety of tools from the with delighted anticipation to make, and, hey, presto! that the instructions fail garden shed, all of which that I purchased my ‘new, a feast to delight any very to include the information have names no doubt, improved’ tin of Corned hungry person with few that at stage 2, (‘pull down you can, in a mere fifteen Beef. For those of you remaining taste buds. Or, over side of can to break minutes, manage to remove unfamiliar with this so I thought. But now, seal’ for those of you losing the contents of the tin in commodity and who live an obstacle to gourmet patience), not only does the form of a kind of gloop. on a higher plain, this is triumph has emerged. It is the seal start to break, but Sadly this texture only a comestible item, salted a ‘new, improved ring pull’ the new improved ring pull allows one to turn it into a beef, in fact, nestling version of the tin. Oh, dear! skilfully detaches itself from hash...no bad name, really. cosily in its tin container, That bodes ill. But, no. Let’s the lid. Excellent. Too late AR produced specifically for be positive. How difficult to ‘place thumb in centre idle cooks. Many of us may recall the traditional Corned Beef tin, with its curious little key attached to the mother tin by a small tab. Attached at the start of its life in the shop that is: not by the time you get home. No! Certainly not. No little key when you unpack your provisions, merely a recalcitrant tin which would yield to no known tin opener. Do not despair, help is at hand, you fellow gourmet cooks, you creators of the Boscastle School’s end of term production was a glam rock version of the Wizard of Oz copyright photo courtesy David Flower Bottreaux Filling Station Prestige Fresh locally produced meats Fresh bread daily Wedding Wide range of groceries Photography Fresh fruit and vegetables Off Licence Call 01840 230008 Open: Monday - Friday 8am-6pm for an informal Saturday - 9am-5pm, Sunday - 9am-1pm discussion Support your local shop ~tel 01840 250108 www.prestigeweddingphotography.co.uk

Page 36 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Pop-In The Pop-In is open every Monday morning from 9.30 am - 11 am Call in to the Boscastle Community Centre for a cup of tea or coffee, a chat, to meet friends old and new and to catch up on news. Everyone is welcome ~ the more the merrier! a seal takes great interest in the fish Graham netted whilst out kayaking photo G. King

Inclement weather meant that yet another outdoor event Photos taken at the Strawberry Fair, all copyright had to be held indoors. This year’s Strawberry Fair was courtesy David Flower, show, clockwise from left: held in the Village Hall rather than the Rectory lawn. Angela Pethich, Mary Nicholls, Matt Wood, Ben However, there was still a good turn-out and everyone Nicholls& Lucy Nicholls. thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 37 Where have all the Tobacconists Gone? Gloria Quinlan explores a Fragment of Social History It takes very little for my thoughts to go wandering through the labyrinth of my memories - it’s probably an ‘age thing’. With the topic of the possible closure of Boscastle Post Office fresh in my mind and a chance remark overheard in the library van ‘You don’t always notice change – well - not at first’ …off went my thoughts, down remembered high streets of my childhood. There were fewer estate agents and no charity shops then. Many town high streets had specialist grocery shops, with the pungent smell of roasted coffee beans spilling out on pictured from left: Mrs Geddes, Mr Hicks and Edna Edwards née Dayman to the street. There were the (better known to all her on and go home. She had job descriptions to tell greengrocers windows with friends as Edna Edwards). to make sure everything her the duties and, even home grown vegetables In the photograph the was in order for the next though the tasks were not such as purple sprouting, name Glover is above the day and only then would onerous, they must have orange turnips and rosy, entrance, however, the her work be considered been tedious. Although tangy apples; chemist shop business was owned by Mrs. complete. Mrs Geddes, employment for women windows with huge flasks Geddes, a widow. Under typical of most employers, was considered a stop- of jewel bright liquids, the watchful eye of Mrs was a hard taskmaster who gap between school and reflecting your face in a Geddes, Edna cheerfully didn’t believe Edna was marriage it was a time of distorted upside down view served the customers, who earning her wages unless strict work ethics for both and tobacconists, their were mainly men. During she was constantly busy; genders. Woe betide Edna dark interiors full of the this period, the records as Edna said ‘I always had if she was seen ‘gossiping’ rich spicy smells from far- do show an increase in the a duster in my pocket’. She to passersby whilst she off lands and their displays number women smokers was expected to be ‘on the dusted the outside ledges or of humidors, pipes, pipe but, despite this being a move all day long’. Edna cleaned the windows of the racks, tobacco pouches period of relatively full had to keep dust-free the shop. It is not surprising and packets of cigarettes. employment; women did wooden and glass cabinets that Edna learnt her tact The result of the decline not have equal pay with that held the packets of and diplomacy during her in smoking today is that men working in the same tobacco and cigarettes. She service there. tobacconist shops have all job. It’s unlikely therefore had to carry out regular Whenever Mrs Geddes but disappeared from our that many women would stocktaking - without wanted to pass information high streets. spend a great deal of their benefit of a computer or complaints on to the In the early 1950s, in disposable income on - prior to ordering the barber Mr. Hicks, who a Bude tobacconist shop cigarettes. crates of packaged tobacco carried out his gents’ an attractive, smartly Although the shop which came from the main hairdressing business in dressed young woman in hours were from 9am to 6 tobacco companies, such rooms off the tobacconist her twenties was working pm, when the shop closed as Imperial Tobacco and shop, Edna had to act as - her name, Edna Dayman Edna couldn’t put her coat Gallaher. There were no ‘go-between’. Mrs Geddes

Page 38 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 funeral of Mr. Berryman, Where have all the Tobacconists Gone? continued an ill-fated casualty of the would avoid speaking to flood. him herself. We can only Should you try to find guess at the reason for this this tobacconist shop in but in the photograph you Bude and in answer to my will notice that he rests his question at the start of this hand on Edna’s shoulder, article ‘Where have all the so perhaps he had taken Tobacconists Gone?’ when similar liberties with Mrs Geddes eventually Mrs Geddes. Well, she retired to Torquay it was a widow so could be became a Chemist shop. considered fair game!! Footnote: A short The photograph shows paragraph in a Scottish the windows arranged newspaper reported that with all manner of tobacco ‘Smokers in the poorest products. The names of areas of Dundee are being cigarettes and tobacco were offered £150 worth of fanciful to say the least Edna beside the shop counter groceries by the health - Pashas, Black Russian a pipe. In a 1577 report marriage took place at service if they are able to Sobranies, Black Cat, Park by Monardes of Seville Bude Central church on 7th give up cigarettes. Drive, Three Nuns tobacco tobacco was recommended June, 1958. Participants in a 12- and the well known as a cure for 36 maladies It is interesting to note week scheme will be Woodbines the dictionary including toothache, that the day she arranged to given £12.50 a week by definition of which is – falling fingernails, worms, have her furniture moved to NHS Tayside if a carbon ‘Woodbine - a honeysuckle halitosis, lockjaw and Boscastle, thus becoming monoxide breath test with fragrant flowers’, how cancer. King James I, seven a permanent resident of proves they have not been does that match up!! Edna years later, condemned the village, the road into smoking.’ told me that the shop only it as ‘a custome lothsome the village was impassable The papers’ comment stocked ‘prestigious brands’ to the eye, hateful to the due to flooding. On the was - ‘With food prices of tobacco and that snuff nose, harmful to the brain, day of her wedding, one rocketing, it almost seems was ‘still popular with dangerous to the lungs and in of her guests, Mr. Arthur worth starting just to stop some customers’ (‘clients’ the black and stinking fume Olde had to leave the again and cash in!’ (The being a term of the future). thereof, nearest resembling celebrations early, to assist Sunday Post, 22nd June Trade was brisk with some the horrible stygian smoke as a coffin bearer at the 2008). regulars calling in every of the pit that is bottomless’. day, often requesting to He was, however, the first have their cigarette lighters to impose a heavy tax on refilled; the day of the tobacco which would be a Pickwick ‘throw away’ lighter was far beneficial source of revenue off. for governments then and Antiques The internet has in the future. some interesting facts on Edna did not smoke The Old Mill Boscastle ‘Tobacco’. It is thought herself but in any case she Telephone: 01840 250770 that the Spanish explorer would not have smoked on Rodrigo de Jerez introduced the street. In this country a the habit to Europe before Always good stocks of woman was considered ‘fast’ Silver - Plate - Glass - Porcelain - Pictures Drake brought it to England if she was seen smoking on his return from the outside. She was to leave Small Furniture and much, much more Americas in 1572. Queen her employer when she If you are looking for a special gift or momento then do Elizabeth I smoked and, married her husband, Mr. look us up. We have a wide selection as cigarettes were a much Kenneth Edwards, whom of small items that make ideal presents. later tobacco product, she met at the Camelford We also like to buy old and interesting items! she would have smoked Carnival in 1956; their

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 39 OTIOSE - Dictionary definition: useless, without purpose. Chris Rodda muses: unfortunate enough to And just to make sure Pre-feasibility Study. The first action of take early retirement, they don’t suffer in old In Europe they tackle Cornwall’s Unitary are protected against age, politicos vote their rubbish collection by Authority is to publicise dire poverty. Recently a own salary increases and siting a large lidded skip its new logo, conceived at middle ranking official can retire after just twenty at convenient intervals a cost of “only” £65,000, from East Cornwall was years of selfless toil. so that locals can dump a squiggle lacking awarded a cool quarter of As gloom descends on rubbish safely there instead resonance or obvious a million redundancy pay the economy, those lowly of roadsides. Collections meaning. The second off. “I don’t know what souls who empty bedpans occur each day so that objective to appoint a new all the fuss is about,” she in old people’s homes or rats and seagulls don’t Chief Executive at - so retorted to one amazed sweep leaves from streets, wreck the bags. Suggest a Janey Comber described commentator. “what I got should be grateful their similar scheme to NCDC it - a jaw-dropping salary. is only standard.” take-home pay rises only and reaction comes there “You have to pay this sort marginally below rate of none, and as for the of money,” quoth she, “in There was a time inflation so they are only notion of daily collections order to attract the best when those in public life a bit worse off than last - wash your mouth out! candidates.” did a good job because year. I suppose if you spend CEOs now have they believed in doing The saga of Japanese enough time in the doubled their average good for the community. knotweed. This stuff corridors of power you salaries over the past decade Now politicians provide - we are assured - is the never actually get to meet and many are paid more themselves with John curse of horticulturists. It - or want to bother with than the Prime Minister. Lewis lists of furnishings grows in the valley below - or even realise they exist It follows therefore their for second homes Castle Mound. You can - the general public. Try performance has been which they can sell on, cut it down, it doesn’t to talk to someone about equally splendid, and the delightfully refurbished, disappear, but it doesn’t Post Office closure and services they administer at a decent profit. If get any worse. Not good you get a Mandy creature doubly efficient. you are poor however, enough, sayeth NCDC, on the phone who knows On the whole council and need to buy a bed so a whole squad of nothing or can only get officers don’t do badly or cooker, you might get environmentalists kind of someone to generate a for themselves. Unlike a maximum loan of a spring into action. Well, computerized response. most of us, their pensions few hundred quid, every they write letters and Like all politicians, are guaranteed and penny of which has to be send us brightly-coloured they blather on about inflation-proof, and if repaid. pamphlets. Junior guys consultation - a bit like in yellow jackets gather asking someone facing a with senior guys in ties firing squad if they have Valency clutching clipboards to any last requests. Post inspect the site and draw Offices must close, we little diagrams. They tell us are assured, ’cos they lose Taxis mowing is wrong. War is money, about the same Near Boscastle declared: only a specialist each year as it costs to send team tackling the roots a bunch of bureaucrats with chemicals will rid us to the Beijing Olympics Anita & David of the menace. A year or or the County Council’s so passes and we still mow biscuit fund. Meanwhile the Knotweed. It doesn’t a Cornish Spring Water Tel: 01840 211702 disappear, but then it company gets a forty grand Licensed Private Hire doesn’t get any worse. contract to supply the Meanwhile somebody in Council’s office workers Mobile: 07974 835 084 an office is preparing an with bottled water - only Reliable & Friendly Service Action Plan or writing a the best, mind you, none

Page 40 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 OTIOSE continued ~ of this Tesco muck - in all power corrupts so, do CLOVELLY CLOTHING case they drink the same not cast a single vote for water as supplied to the any one of the blighters. The Bridge, Boscastle rest of us, and get sick, We may not have a and then sue the Council. representative - but would tel: 01409 281 381 I must say I share their it matter? appreciation of South I must say - O glee! REGATTA WRANGLER West water’s products. - the housing crash must One could rant have cut down the number CRAGHOPPERS on. There is a simple of dinner-table boastings FULL RANGE OF WATERPROOF/BREATHEABLE solution. The last vestiges (“We bought a little place of democracy maintain in St Wenn as a retirement CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR someone must have at least fund“) and clutched the one vote to become a local cold hearts of developers. The best of British Clothing or national politician. As A house is - firstly - a for the worst of British weather Lord Acton commented, home. Geddit? CR Year 7 Success at St Joseph’s Jenni & Alan Sabin welcome you to The Spinning Wheel Bridge Walk, Boscastle Pavement Cafe & Bistro Lunches & Daily Specials Hot & Cold Snacks Morning Coffee & Afternoon Tea Beers, Wines, Ciders & Soft Drinks Kelly’s Clotted Cream Ice Cream 01840 250501

Harriet Dawson has been in front of the whole THE OLD MANOR HOUSE quite busy at her new school for an outstanding school, St Joseph’s. She piece of coursework in Licensed Restaurant has finished her first year geography on ‘Boscastle The Bridge, Boscastle as school council member Changes through the for her year, Form Captain, years’. Harriet won a gold 01840 250251 South West Discus award and best in school We serve Morning Coffee champion, National ISA for the 2008 junior maths Home-made Cream Teas & Cakes Discus Champion for Year challenge and, to top it Light Snacks, Hot Meals 7 and she won a bronze off, won the School Senior All our food is cooked fresh to order using local pro- medal for 100m sprint House Point Cup which duce wherever possible. relay at the Alexander was presented to her Takeaway service Stadium in Birmingham for winning the highest Phone us with your order & in June. She has also number of house points we will have it ready for you to collect received a Headmaster’s (merit awards for good Open daily February - October Commendation presented school work). ID Dogs (if on a lead) welcome in our Tea Garden

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 41 expectancy. Thanks Chernobyl Children Life Line (CCLL) to this organisation, As soon as you go into their some 40,000 children home, you are immediately from Belarus have struck by the warm and visited Britain, friendly atmosphere, giving each a lot of which speaks of a busy, potential extra years happy family: not only of life expectancy. the three teenagers playing It is possible a complicated computer to help in this game in the front room, not h u m a n i t a r i a n only the clucking hens in scheme in a variety the garden, next to the cage of ways: you can of guinea pigs, but also rows offer to be a host of neatly labelled containers family for a month, holding an extraordinarily you can be available wide collection of bits and to take children out pieces to entertain and for just a day, or you educate children of pretty can fund raise. well any age. A couple from To find out more a nearby local village, who Dima, left and Liosha, right , enjoy some North Cornish sunshine information email: are too modest to be named, 1986, the area will continue jenny@jennycampbell. who have four children 1992. It appears that even as to be affected for thousands com of their own, are generous little as a month away from of years. These boys have hosts to a number of their harmful environment or ask a Blowhole team been transformed from the foreign exchange students: can allow the child’s immune member for more contact pale and ailing boys I first the previous evening they system to recover sufficiently details saw three weeks ago into to give the child, on average, had six nationalities around You could really make bright and cheerful boys another two years life the table! One of their a difference. with delightful smiles and students is Juliana, aged healthy complexions. This 16 from Stuttgart, who has VENNINGS is the second year that been coming here for the these generous hosts have Fore Street, Tintagel, last four years, because she welcomed two Chernobyl enjoys the atmosphere so (Next to Lloyds Bank) children for a one month much. stay. The Chernobyl 12 Fishing Tackle & Bait 12 The most affecting Children Life Line (CCLL) 12 Binoculars 12 moment, however, is when is an organisation with one meets Dima, aged 10 no particular religious or 12 Hiking Poles & Sticks 12 and Liosha, aged 11, two political affiliation which boys from the Belarus area has been organising visits 12 Swiss Army Knives 12 which was contaminated by for children from the area to Tel 01840 770 212 the Chernobyl disaster in host families in Britain since Fancy a Holiday in France? Avalon ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ ***** 2 bedroomed appartment to rent between Nice & Antibes, situated 2nd home management service on quiet village complex with views Property Checks Domestic Cleaning Window Cleaning Gardening/Landscaping across to the Bay of Antibes. All Property Maintenance Key Holders ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ ❂ ❀ On Call Help Line 24hrs Welcome Packs/Grocery Shopping Sleeps up to 6 people. For a free no obligation survey please call Avalon on Prices from £300 per week. Phone Jackie Horwell: 01840 250398 Tel – (01840) 211792 [email protected]

Page 42 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Opening Hours and Useful Phone Numbers Boscastle Post Office Emergency Services: Coastguard, Fire, Police, Ambulance: Dial 999 Tel: 01840 250259 Police Station: For non-urgent issues: eg to Monday: 8.30am - 1pm 2pm - 5pm report a crime or criminal damage, to request Tues, Wed, Thurs: 9am - 1pm 2pm - 5pm police advice or attendence, to enquire about Friday 9am - 12.30pm lost property, to be connected to a police station, service or department: 08452 777 444 Saturday 9am - 12.00 noon FREE Cash machine for Lloyds TSB, Co-op, Doctors’ Surgery and out-of-hours emergency Barclays, Alliance & Leicester, Nationwide doctor: 01840 250209 and many others NHS Direct (24 hour helpline): 0845 4647 Hospitals: Boscastle Newsagent Bodmin - East Cornwall 01208 251555 Tel: 01840 250419 Minor Injuries Unit open8 am – 10 pm, seven days a week Cash machine during business hours Launceston General 01566 765650 Minor Injuries Unit open8 am – 10 pm, seven days a week Open daily at 7.00 am Stratton 01288 287700 Minor Injuries Unit open 24hrs, seven days a week Bottreaux Filling Station Truro -Treliske 01872 250000 Tel: 01840 250108 Plymouth - Derriford 08451 558155 Opening hours Dental Helpline: 0845 5000 230 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, NHS Emergency Dental Appt: 01872 354 385 Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-1pm Boscastle Visitor Centre: 01840 250010 Mobile Library Local Churches: Tel: 01208 812202 Church of England 01840 250359 th th Methodist 01840 770274 Calls on alternate Thursdays: Sept 11 &25 ; Catholic 01840 770663 Oct 9th &23rd; Nov 6th & 20th; Dec 4th & 18th Harbourmaster: 01840 250200 Wellington Hotel: 11.30 – 11.40 Barn Park, Tintagel Road: 11.45 – 12.05 Parish Council: website: www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk clerk: 01840 250440 Camelford Library email clerk: [email protected] Town Hall, Market Place Village Hall: Tel: 01840 212409 Bookings: 01840 250558 Pay phone: 01840 250171 Tuesday & Thursday: 10.00 - 5.00 Friday: 10.00 - 4.00 Community & Recreation Centre: Saturday: 9.30 - 12.30 Bookings: 01840 250442 Cornwall County Council: 01872 322000 Waste Tip, Bowithick Quarry North Cornwall District Council: 01208 893333 Sanding Road, Tintagel Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 Tel: 01840 770778 South West Water: 0800 169 1144 Open Friday to Monday, 9am -4pm Highways: 01872 222000 (until 6pm in September) RSPCA: 0300 1234 999

Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008 Page 43 day whilst walking the Martin’s Sporting Briefs short distance home from the “local”, Robin had to stop for a breather by the famous Boscastle “Bell tree”; after two hours of sleep he finally felt refreshed enough to continue on his journey. • Cobweb Golf Society recently held another golf day, this time at the lovely Trethorne Golf Club. Around twenty people took part and the eventual winner was Daniel Townsend. The wooden spoon went Tintagel Evening League, League and Cup Winners 2008: Cobweb to Emma Goreham who completed the round with Back row L to R: Dave Burnard, Jordan Burnard, Matthew Pethick, Jason Seldon, Aaron Washer, the assistance of a chauffer Martin Seldon; Front row L to R: Phil Higgs, Trevor Seldon, Stephen Jose, Ivor Bright (Landlord), Paul Abbott, Richard Pethick; Missing from photo: Geoff Uglow, Tony Seldon & Simon Welch driven buggy. • And finally, on a very • In the Tintagel evening certainly had the desired De Cortin (of Cornish sad note, another one of league, the Cobweb needed effect as, of late, Antony Stores fame) who will want Boscastle’s well known a win off their last game of Biscombe can regularly to improve on last season characters has recently the season to retain their be seen out and about when the team found passed away. Mr Bob crown as league champions. the local backroads riding themselves in the bottom Biddick was a regular This year they were led by his bicycle. After recently half of the table. With th supporter of the Boscastle the inexperienced, Jason reaching his 25 birthday a few more youngsters F.C. until illness prevented Seldon who received some many more miles will have coming through, things are him from attending as valuable input from the to be covered if he is to take beginning to slightly more many matches as he would slightly more experienced part in London 2012. promising for Guy’s team. have liked.The Club Phil Higgs who has been • The new football season th • After reaching his 35 would like to convey their playing in the league since has kicked off again and birthday, the legendary goal condolences to Bob’s family its onset in 1984 this year the 1st team are scoring machine Simon at this difficult time. • With a man-of-the- under the new management Biddick has hung his boots In the next edition match performance, Jason duo of Graham Heal and up for the 2nd time after • How Vanessa Seldon’s also led the team to the Stephen “Ginge” Kay, who a return to the team last food bill has doubled since K.O. cup final where have taken on the task of season. Whether he gets Stephen Jose has been they easily overcame “The building a team capable of itchy feet once the season working at Tregatherall. Cornishman” to complete bringing success back to the begins, only time will tell. • How, despite having the double for the first time village after a few seasons in • Another legend is Robin brown hair for 33 years, in 15 years. the doldrums. After more Haddy who has been Stephen Wicket’s hair • The team’s usual wicket than 20 years of playing for playing local football for suddenly turned black over keeper, Paul “Doc” Abbott the club, Graham is trying 26 years. He has impressed night. had to miss a couple of his hand at management enough in pre-season to games recently due to a for the first time, while his cement his place once • And, although he is a badly cut finger, which sidekick, Ginge, has much again in Boscastle’s 1st skilled carpenter, Stephen apparently happened whist more experience after team. Whether he can last Jose can turn his hand to trying to open a tin of managing St Breward for the pace will remain to be baking quiches, flower corned beef before reading many seasons. seen as his ageing bones get arranging and is a dab hand the instructions properly • The nd 2 team remain put through the mill each in the garden, winning the • Great Britain’s success under the leadership of week. Fatigue may also be race in Trevalga Village for at the Beijing Games has player/manager Guy Lane a factor, as only the other producing the first runner bean.

Page 44 Boscastle Blowhole Autumn 2008