The Poly 2005/06 Featuring the Arts and our Heritage

The Magazine of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society Published in Association with Falmouth Arts Centre £2.50

CONTENTS FEATURES

The Boulton/Watt Letters Michael Carver 11

Film in Cornwall Andrew Edmonds 16

Neville Northey Burnard David Peters 20

HISTORY

The Cinemas of Falmouth Michael Carver 3

A brief history of Miracle Theatre Bill Scott 24

Falmouth’s Waywardens Peter Gilson 29

ART

Tuke’s Falmouth Models John Tonkin 8

A Beggar Brian Stewart 14

POETRY

Throughout the magazine are poems by members of the Falmouth Poetry Group.

Dawyth Agar Vivienne Neale Zeeba Ansari Andrew Robinson Caroline Carver Bob Rogers Anne Kelley Penelope Shuttle Eleanor Maxted Jane Tozer Bill Mycock

Editor Michael Carver Graphic Design Steve Collinson Printed by Rowe the Printers, Hayle

Very many thanks to all who have contributed to The Poly 2004/5

Cover photograph: Jack Rowling by H S Tuke

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INTRODUCTION HISTORY

BACK…. (from the records of the LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN THE CINEMAS OF FALMOUTH RCPS LOCAL HISTORY AND RESEARCH GROUP)

AY I welcome this revived However there are things which we can do To achieve our purpose of both making THE POLY In due course we realised that we must edition of The Poly, which immediately. Whatever actions we take in our building and the Collection better upgrade our equipment, as well as expand decade ago, Monday night Mowes its existence to a the future, members are vital. Although known, we need a Tuke Gallery to house our programme. What we needed was a was Film Night at the Poly – generous grant from the Tanner this year to date we have enrolled 108 the permanent Collection and host other Aalways on a Monday. It was single high quality projector, and a high Trust. I thank all those who have new members, a total membership of 402 exhibitions of artists contemporary with felt that people liked a regular speed ‘tower’ to spool all the small 20 worked on it to make it a worthy is a tiny fraction of the population of Tuke. Our potential fundraisers are pattern, and that there was no minute reels onto one large one, allowing successor of its predecessors. Falmouth and Penryn and the adjacent enthusiastic about such an enterprise demand for more than one the whole film to be shown without a villages. As our potential fundraisers have In three years time, the Polytechnic which could be achieved by adding the showing a week. Eventually we break. But the lighting booth was much pointed out, although the Arts Centre is back of our present building on to our realised that we were missing an Society will be celebrating its 175th too small for all this new kit – where could passed daily by hundreds of people, it newly restored property at the top of Well opportunity, and the schedule You’ve probably seen the plaque beside the Anniversary. Co-incidentally, 2008 also we install it? remains almost unknown to too many of expanded to what it is now – a marks the 150th Anniversary of the birth Lane. Such a project makes for an exciting Box Office door stating that in 1910 the the population. Yet if it is to serve its most important and valuable part of Henry Scott Tuke. Thanks largely to the future that once more could restore the Miraculously, the place already existed. Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society was purpose effectively, it must be fully of our programme. given the first Cinema Licence in Falmouth. generosity of Brian Price, the Society Polytechnic to the centre of both the life When the new ceiling was hung in the supported by the people of Falmouth and The Cinematograph Act had only been possesses a unique collection of Tuke’s of Falmouth and the county at large. In those days, films were shown on a twin auditorium in 1961, creating the Gallery district. pair of rather cheap Chinese projectors, passed in 1909, to control this new form of paintings ranging from his days at the above it, the new construction cut off the Slade to his last ill-fated journey to the We are also mindful of our scientific set up side by side, once a week and with entertainment, since the extremely There is then a real evangelistic task ahead old projection booth which was no longer West Indies. I plan that 2008 should be a heritage and are actively considering ways great effort, in the present lighting booth. flammable nitrate film made the to double, and then double again, our used at all, and more or less forgotten year in which the Polytechnic celebrates in which we could honour this. It was a The films arrived (they still do) on a experience potentially highly dangerous. membership. For it is from our membership about. When, forty years later, the its heritage of Cornish arts and sciences, great sadness that Bishop Hugh number of 20 minute reels, the first and (It’s a nice coincidence that the first film that our volunteers come whom I cannot Administrator ventured up through the for the upholding of which it was founded. Montefiore died days before he was due to second of which were threaded onto the projection in Britain took place in 1896 at thank enough: without them the the London Polytechnic Institution.) deliver his lecture on nuclear energy. two projectors. trap door into the long disused booth, he This makes the time leading up to 2008 of Polytechnic could never hope to balance found a black hole full of spiders, dust, crucial importance in ensuring the its books. Without them, there is no future With its new licence, the Polytechnic Hall Finally, besides our stalwart volunteers, we At 8 o’clock, Number 1 projector was fired bricks, peeling paint, rubble, and a huge “was hired to Mr G.S. King for one month stability of our institution both financially for the Arts Centre. Can you help? rely on our staff. Some are new to their up, and after twenty minutes the watchful mass of cinders, provenance unknown. All and culturally. In 2004-5, we not only from 26th December 1910 for a jobs, but their enthusiasm and expertise operator saw a small black dot appear in this was cleared out via a chute into a skip balanced our budget for the first time in The Board is already engaged in working Cinematograph Entertainment, at £5 10/- bid well for the future.We are fortunate to the top right hand corner of the screen. years, but made a small but significant out ways of making the entrance to the on Church Street (people wondered why per week (to include caretaker) and £25 Ten seconds later that reel ended, at which surplus. This is almost unique for an Arts building more enticing, though inevitably have such a talented team which makes it Falmouth seemed to be in permanent fog towards the special alterations required.” precise instant the projectionist pressed a Centre which receives virtually no public in our chicken and egg situation, these all the more important that each of us for ten days), the place was opened up Mr King advertised shows “Twice nightly at button, Number 1 stopped, and Number 2 funding (£10,200 in 2004-5 from a plans depend on sufficient capital funding. gives them all the support we can. with a new staircase from what is now the 7 and 9. Prices: Pit 3d, Pit Stalls 6d, Balcony leapt into action. If he got it right, the turnover of £210,000). office, and an access passage and 9d. At every performance will be shown the But it is not only the building which is I believe that by 2008 we could, if we all change-over was almost seamless; usually, projection aperture were knocked through CORONATION PROCESSION and the however, there was a loud crack in the But the capital picture is by no means as hidden, but its most precious asset, the work together, not only secure the future ROYAL PROGRESS THROUGH LONDON. sound system, causing the audience to 32 inches of solid cob, into the theatre. rosy. Renewal of the theatre seating and Tuke Collection. Here the Board have of the Polytechnic, but provide a Society Smoking allowed.” Lo – our new projection booth! the forthcoming installation of disabled taken action, and with the aid of a no longer hidden, the envy of other towns jump in alarm, perhaps a moment or two access to meet statutory requirements consultant are raising funds for the in Cornwall and beyond. Have courage: we of black screen, and the next reel took over It seems to have proved popular at the We put in a good second hand Italian start. “The electric light fittings are of the have dug deep into our capital reserves, complete restoration and cataloguing of can do it. for another 20 minutes – all of which projector and a ‘tower’, and a first class most modern description, there being little which now stand at an unacceptably low the pictures, the majority of which have rather tended to break the filmic illusion. Anthony Phillips Dolby surround sound system, with four or no flicking of the light to tire the eyes, figure. And all the time there are calls to never been seen in public. At the recent Meanwhile the projectionist had to rewind big speakers on the stage, and six more on whilst the pictures themselves are the best fund necessary repairs and improvements exhibition of 27 paintings from our reel 1, replace it with reel 3, lace that up required for the safe management of our the walls all around the auditorium. In that can be obtained, and comprise studies Collection at the Falmouth Art Gallery as and cue it to the first frame, and wait for starred Grade II listed building. 2004 we installed new seating, losing 16 which give no offence, and of a variety to part of their Passing Ships exhibition, the next black dot. And so on, for a couple seats in the process, but providing much please the most fastidious.” An early All this has led the Board to approach members saw the first two restored of hours of hard, hot, work – and every 20 more comfort and leg room. A huge programme included Between Love and fundraisers. Discussions are at an early watercolours. We hope that well before minutes came the crack and the jump and Honour, Sorrows of Unfaithful, Trust Those stage, but it is clear that if we are to 2008, the whole Collection will be put in that uneasy giggle from the nervous improvement, in line with a much wider you Love, Tweedledum Loses his Train, and ensure the future of the Polytechnic, we order and form part of county and members of the audience.Watching a film film programme which often now runs five The Cheat. Good, worthy stuff. must achieve a far more secure financial national exhibitions to mark the in the old days was sometimes edge-of- nights a week, drawing larger and larger base, for which we shall need expert help. Anniversary of Tuke’s birth. the-seat stuff. audiences.

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HISTORY HISTORY

“Hale demurred to washing the lino each In March 1916 The Falmouth Pavilion Comedy, Colour, Thrills, Music, Dancing day, but he DOES IT.” The lease was taken Syndicate opened their “new kinema and and Laughter. Presumably, all very over by the three famous Harris brothers, variety entertainment at the Princess wholesome. who would dominate the film business in Pavilion. A new fit up has been erected and The big difference between The Grand and Falmouth for many years. pretty scenery painted which gives the hall its predecessors was that ‘the talkies’ had quite an attractive appearance.” The arrived! The first film was Ben Hur, with During the period between the wars, the programme included “The Dop Doctor”, a popularity of films grew at an astonishing film that has created a sensation in the the ‘knightly’ Ramon Navarro, and the rate. By 1921 there were 4,000 large kinema world, Rider Haggard’s “She”, and villainous Francis X. Bushman as the evil cinemas in Britain, with an average “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch”. Messala. While the whole building had auditorium size that grew to an amazing been put up for £15,000, the sound 2,400. Screenings ran throughout the day, However the Pavilion did not prove to be system alone cost about £3,000. Not popular, the chief complaint being that it with intervals filled with music and music- Dolby, but remarkable for 1928. With its was too far from the centre of town. marble-lined walls, painted friezes and hall acts. The great early classics – ceilings, painted panels of Dutch scenes Intolerance, The Birth of a Nation - drew Then came The Grand, for which plans and carpeting of rose du Barri velvet, it The Polytechnic Picture Hall huge audiences, with Queen Christina at were drawn up in 1922, but which was not must have seemed very grand indeed. the Empire, Leicester Square, selling St George’s Hall actually built and opened until February It also provided a good weekend babysitting wall was whitewashed, and the other wall 70,000 tickets in its first week. 1928, with seats for 800 patrons. Once service. “The Manager announced from the still had the holes through which the The new building was opened by the Prices had, of course, gone up since 1910. again the enterprising Harris brothers stage that, owing to the large number of projector pointed. It probably seated In Falmouth, films continued to be shown Mayor, Cllr F.J. Bowles, who affirmed that For live shows, seat prices ranged from 9d were the owners of this new venture, children attending the Saturday matinee,765 between 80 and 90 (not 765!), and at the Polytechnic Hall until 1931, in Falmouth “they aspired to be a place in the Pit, to 2s/4d in the Front Circle; and which, like St George’s Hall, was built by being present that afternoon, Mr King would showed “All the World’s Latest Events although in 1912 the Harris brothers where people could come not only for their even for films, seats now cost from 6d up Mr Frank Wilkins of Bristol, the architect throw open the entire hall to the children on Vividly Portrayed, Marvellous Mechanical opened a new purpose-built auditorium at health but also to spend their holidays”.He to 1s/6d. Children only got reduced prices Effects” and claimed to be “The Best being Mr C.R. Corfield – of Falmouth. It payment of 1 penny”. It hardly bears St George’s Hall, which became the warned of the dangers of “the English if accompanied by an adult, precluding the Seated and Equipped Picture Theatre in was built at the rear of the Royal Hotel on thinking about. The author read an article favoured cinema. This has become a people becoming more and more, as time need for whips. Market Street, where a theatre had existed recently about an Edwardian cinema Cornwall”. A flyer in 1913 advertised went on, a pleasure loving people, and shopping arcade, but the façade is in 1806. manager who used to patrol the children’s “SHANGHAIED – a magnificent picture of there was danger to fear when people gave unchanged - “scrolls, clusters of fruit, a matinee cracking a whip! the sea, thrilling adventures BRONCHO more time to amusements than to the more cartouche and a dolphin placed at the apex The opening ceremony was performed by BILLY OUTWITTED – splendid cowboy drama serious duties of life”. However, he of the gable – the whole being a marvellous the Mayor, Cllr T.A. Webber. “I am hopeful So we were the first, but others soon THEIR HERO SON - a pathetic subject declared that “they now had one of the that the Grand Theatre will be true to its followed. In February 1911 the Kozey exhibition of clever design and skilled SORRENTO - travel, and HOW HOPKINS finest erections in the West, and one which workmanship.” It really sounds a very grand title; that pure and wholesome Picture Palace (also known as The Flea Pit) RAISED THE RENT - comic etc etc.” would meet the wants of Falmouth”. entertainment will at all times be opened for business just off High Street, in place indeed, with seats on the ground floor provided.” (applause). “I do not anticipate the waste area behind the corner of High Meanwhile back at the Poly, Mr King had for 850, and a further 250 in the balcony. The chief projectionist was Jimmy Cattell, for a moment my services as the Chairman Street and Webber Street. The remains of failed to make a success of the “The finely moulded, elliptical ceiling is previously of the Polytechnic. Apparently of the Licensing Bench will ever be the Kozey were only discovered in 1994 Polytechnic Picture Hall, partly because supported by fluted, Doric columns with he enjoyed a drink, and knowing their required.” (laughter). when the owner of the property realised the hall was also rented out for other Doric block cornices, and in the panels round man, the managers forbade him to leave events, and partly because the caretaker what this wrecked building must have the sides of the hall are rich French tapestries the cinema until the last show had ended. The new theatre was dual purpose, being The Odeon, Lower Killigrew Street objected to cleaning up after the shows. been. The floor sloped, the eastern end representing various scenes.” However, they did not know him quite fully equipped for live acts as well as the well enough. Not to be outdone, he would movies, with raked floors, and all scenery Finally, in October 1936, came The climb onto the roof and lower a quart being ‘flown’. The first live performance Odeon, built on the site of Carne’s bottle on a string down the chimney of was in the Grand’s first week, being a Brewery on the Moor, and felt by many to the neighbouring Ship and Castle. This Revue – TREASURES OF 1928 – a feast of be the finest of them all. Seating capacity, would be filled with Jimmy’s favourite like St George’s Hall, was 1,100, with all beverage and drawn up again. However the latest refinements such as improved there seem to have been no complaints, so sound, lighting, heating, ventilation, an clearly the programmes ran smoothly organ, and even B.T.H. earphones for the enough. Perhaps this was because the ‘slightly hard of hearing’ – free of charge. managers ensured that “the greatest care This cinema was, of course, part of the will be taken that all elements of vulgar Odeon Theatres chain, run by the famous sensationalism or creepiness are eliminated”. Oscar Deutsch, and cost some £35,000. Exterior of the Kozey Picture Palace today Inside with projection windows still visible Mayor Bowles would have approved. The Grand, Market Street

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HISTORY HISTORY

The grand opening ceremony was Falmouth during those great days before lead the community singing. The wartime performed by the Mayor, Cllr C.A. Chard, the War. The third projectionist at The spirit alive and well in Falmouth. while the band of the D.C.L.I. played Odeon remembered patrons queueing Then after the War came television and selections. The first film showed Clark round the Town Hall to the old Fire Station the slow disappearance of the popular and Gable and Myrna Loy in Wife v. Secretary. for the dearer seats, and to the Prince of cheap custom of ‘going to the flicks’. In Were standards dropping from their old Wales Pier for the cheaper ones. March 1948 fire destroyed the roof of St high moral tone? Competition was fierce, with special George’s Hall (which had inherited the displays and receptions in the foyers, and In January of the same year, the Harris Kozey’s nickname of ‘the Flea Pit’), which bands playing to draw the crowds. brothers sold St George’s Hall and The Grand to Union Cinemas Ltd. So, although During the War, The Grand and The the Polytechnic Hall had stopped showing Odeon were used as assembly centres for Demolition of The Classic to make way for Tesco’s, Summer 1970 Exterior of The Grand cinema just before closure in 1986 films in 1931, there were still these three refugees from Europe, the actual screening closed, and reopened as a shopping arcade the damp, the fleas, chewing gum Perhaps the whole cinema-going audience large cinemas operating together in being done at the Princess Pavilion. in 1960. The Odeon became The Classic underfoot, and the smell of popcorn in Falmouth will grow, to everyone’s Dances were held in the in 1967, then was demolished in 1970 to everywhere. Now it’s a parking lot behind benefit. After all, before the War, The Polytechnic Hall, earning the H.S.B.C. Not much remains of the Flea Pit Grand, The Odeon and St George’s Hall old place a rather unsavoury make way for Tesco’s . – which may not be a bad thing. provided livelihoods for large staffs, and reputation, apparently. Late in 1985 the proprietor of The Grand, profits for the owners, with a capacity of Sunday films were shown in …TO THE FUTURE almost 3,000 for Falmouth’s population of The Odeon, but they were Mr Whale, commenting on the suggestion about 15,000. Nowadays, with a old and in a terrible state, that the people of Falmouth would be And now there’s the on-again off-again population only slightly larger, there are some having only half the dismayed to lose their sole remaining saga of the ‘Multiplex’ on Discovery Quay. just 182 seats – and very comfortable film on the reel. A piano was cinema, said, “I don’t see why they should Whenever and wherever the new cinema ones they are, too! brought in and an appeal be – hardly any of them go to it.” It kept opens, The Poly will continue to show its made to the audience for going into 1986, although it was not a own broad programme of films from all anyone who could play and Michael Carver Interior of the former St George’s Cinema The Classic, formerly The Odeon particularly pleasant experience by then - over the world.

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ART ART

Thanks to this research, we can TUKE’S FALMOUTH MODELS now put names to works within the Tuke Collection; the identified Falmouth models are Ginger ENRY Scott Tuke RA, RWS Tuke’s bachelor lifestyle allowed him to Walter Shilling had arrived with Tuke on Carne, Harry Cleave, Georgie (1858-1929) is probably indulge himself in what he probably the overnight train from Paddington. Fouracre, Harry Giles, Mr [Neddy] Hbest known for his enjoyed most – sailing. His boats – Cornish Shilling, from Kentish town, London, was a Hall, Johnny Jacket, William J. paintings of ships and nude boys, Girl, Firefly, Flame, Flamingo, Julie of regular boy model at the Slade School of Martin, Charlie Mitchell, Denny Morrison, Jack Rowling (Rolling), but this does Falmouth’s most Nantes, Lily, Nada, Piebox and Red Heart - Art and was Tuke’s first model in Falmouth, appearing in a number of early T.C. Tiddy, Tom Tregenza and Bert famous artist no favours – and were variously used for racing and cruising, or as painting studios. works, the last being Foc’s’l Companions. White. the belief is not factually correct. Shilling was painted on the Julie of Nantes’ Before returning from London to Falmouth, A number of Tuke’s most In 2004, for the purpose of achieving forecastle (the crew’s quarters forward of Tuke worked on a number of portraits, and important works contain the mast) with ‘a borrowed dog’.This work funding for restoration, cataloguing, it is possible that throughout his lifetime, Falmouth models: was shown at the 1887 Polytechnic framing etc, the Royal Cornwall portraits provided him with much of his Exhibition, and sold for 15 guineas. ‘All Hands to the Pumps!’ (Tate Study for ‘The Message’ Falmouth Art Gallery Polytechnic Society’s collection of Tuke income. Further research on this subject Gallery, London), was painted on and November 1890. The models are well paintings was divided into categories. has yet to be undertaken. Arguably Tuke’s first ‘Falmouth work’ is the Julie of Nantes from known both to those who visit our municipal There are 80 topographical, 72 marine, 35 A Morning Gossip (Private Collection), September 1888 to March 1889, Tuke knew Falmouth well, of course, gallery, and to others who have viewed this portraits and 27 bathing/nude studies, painted outside the cottage at Pennance, and exhibited at the R.A. in 1889. having previously lived there for some 13 often-lent work at other galleries. together with works in other categories. with Mrs Andrews and Mrs Fouracre and Neddy Hall, Sam Hingston, years, and now he felt it necessary to leave William John Martin RCPS her very young son Richard. Richard William Hodge, Jack Rowling, Tuke’s formal training commenced on 25th London and revisit the town with a view next to Arwenack House, by John Eva Henry Mrs Elizabeth Jane Fouracre (nee Fouracre, the first of Tuke’s Falmouth boy Jimmy Nicholls and Denny Morrison to finding a place to live. Downing, W. Ayerst Ingram, and H.S. Tuke to Vandersluys 1857 – 1916), Tuke’s January 1875 when he entered the Slade models, can be seen in The Message were the models. promote the sale of paintings; the gallery housekeeper from 1885 until her death, sits School of Art to study under Edward J. May 10th 1885 “Off to Falmouth in the (Falmouth Art Gallery) aged about six. continued until at least 1911. ‘August Blue’ (Tate Gallery, London), R.A. quietly contemplating ‘the message’. Her Poynter. In 1877 he was awarded a Slade evening to look for new pastures. Walked Maria Tuke Sainsbury records the ‘chief 1894, Birmingham 1894, Bristol 1895, son Georgie sits at the kitchen table, with Scholarship at £50 a year for three years. out to Pennance and Newport (sic) and works’ by her brother, of which approxi- Tuke painted many important portraits, Richard Fouracre standing half concealed. He was now studying under the French RCPS 1957 was painted in the fine found some possible lodgings.” including Alfred Aaron de Pass, who was a mately one third are portrait commissions. summer of 1893. Tonkin, Creba, Georgy The Post Office messenger boy William J. artist Alphonse Legros, and the scholarship th. benefactor to both Falmouth Art Gallery June 8 “A very thick haze was on land and From these there are ten with Cornish Rowling, Freddy Hall, Hamley and Ruffy Martin leans against the doorway. would allow him to travel. In July of that and the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Truro. sea from about Newton Abbot, and when connections, including the portrait of Harris all sat for this work. year he visited Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels ‘The Run Home’ (Royal Institution of we arrived at Falmouth a fine drizzle was Alderman F.C. Bowles receiving the Freedom Both galleries were given important works and Paris. It was at the Slade in 1878 that These two works were sold by Tuke for Cornwall), R.A. 1902, Falmouth Art Gallery filling the air. However Shilling was so elate of the Borough of Falmouth (Falmouth Art by Tuke, as well as works by ‘Old Masters’ Tuke first met Thomas Cooper Gotch £420 and £525, and purchased by the 1903, was painted during the Autumn and and gay at the novelty of the situation that I Gallery). Falmouth’s first art gallery was and contemporary British artists. De Pass (1854 –1931). They were to become Chantrey Bequest Fund for the nation. Spring of 1901/2, with Sam Hingston, felt so too.” established privately in 1894 in Grove Place, built Cliff House, Falmouth in 1897, and lifelong friends. lived there for a number of years. Maria Tuke Sainsbury writes in her biography of her brother: “Even It was this long period of study, both at During the summer of 1897 Tuke worked Harry must have been excited by the Slade and during his early visits on the portrait of Anna Maria Fox, joint the news [of the sale], and no abroad, which gave Tuke the foundation founder in 1833 of the Royal Cornwall wonder, as it was then an almost for becoming such a versatile artist. Polytechnic Society. This work was not unprecedented compliment for an exhibited at the RA, going directly from artist to have two pictures bought In the main, Tuke’s time in the summer the studio to Mrs Robert Fox at Grove Hill, by the Chantrey.” was spent at Pennance Cottage, situated Falmouth. Anna Maria died in November We are fortunate to have four between Pennance Point and Swanpool of the same year. important works in Cornwall, two Beach, painting, bathing and sailing in one Art historians, auction houses, collectors of which were bought from Tuke of his numerous boats. During the winter and dealers are greatly indebted to Brian D. by his collector friend Alfred de months he undertook lucrative portrait Price who not only gave the Tuke Collection Pass. commissions (sometimes arranged by the to the Society in 1965, but continued for London dealer Dowdeswell and many years with research which was ‘The Message’(Falmouth Art Gallery), Dowdeswell), visited friends, enjoyed the privately published by him in 1983. Further Dowdeswells 1890, Plymouth 1891, London theatres and cinemas, and research since that date has been Bradford 1893, was painted in Tuke’s The Run Home Courtesy of the Royal Institution of Cornwall The Message Courtesy of Falmouth Art Gallery travelled widely. undertaken by the author of this article. kitchen at Pennance between April

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ART FEATURE

‘Our Jack’ (Royal Cornwall ‘Noonday Heat’ (Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society), Walker Polytechnic Society), R.A. 1903, Walker Art THE BOULTON/ WATT LETTERS Art Gallery, Liverpool 1886, Gallery, Liverpool 1903, was painted in the the earliest of these four summer of 1902.The models were Georgie

important Cornish works, Fouracre and Bert White. It was bought by HE 1909 Annual Report of to Cornish mine owners, allowing work to previous 20 years. The figures are was begun in April 1886, Col. Sydney Lomer for £300 in 1922. the Royal Cornwall proceed at much deeper levels than ever enlightening: and was painted on Tuke’s before. The key to this improvement lay in TPolytechnic Society Total amount of fuel saved Brian Price writes in The Registers: “Jack Quay Punt Lily. Jack included a paper written by the development of a separate condenser, Hone recounted to me in 1962 how Lomer’s ...... …£803,869 19 8 Rowling is seen standing on Howard Fox, F.G.S., under the which increased threefold the efficiency of pictures came up for auction in 1926 during the port side, with the heading “Boulton and Watt”. the old atmospheric engines – possibly the 1/3 part due for premiums the strikes, and were bought out of auction ...... …£267,956 13 0 familiar backcloth of one of Howard Fox was then a member single most important invention of the to prevent Tuke’s current pictures from Falmouth’s parish churches: of the General Committee of the 18th century. Without Watt’s engine the Amount received by Boulton & Watt being devalued…. We kept them off the King Charles the Martyr RCPS, along with nine other Industrial Revolution would not have ...... …£105,904 9 5 market for £100…. We do know that if we stands above Jack’s members of the Fox family; in happened when it did, and industry would let them go, the big picture [Noonday Heat] Short…...... £162,052 3 7 shoulder, with the terraces addition, R. Barclay Fox was a have advanced at the rate of waterwheels would have gone for £50”.On Tuke’s death rising behind. Vice-President of the Society, and and windmills. Boulton and Watt were determined to in 1929 it became Hone’s property Wilson L. Fox held the position of have their reward, even at the cost of This work was given by Tuke absolutely. Lomer had owned at least This remarkable collection of Observatory Hon. Secretary. arresting further developments by other as a late wedding present to eight works by Tuke, maybe more. correspondence charts the firm’s dealings inventors, whom they saw as interlopers Thomas Cooper Gotch and with the Cornish mine owners and rival Noonday Heat was for many years on loan These were remarkable days for the and pirates, including Richard Trevithick. his wife Caroline Burland engineers, who, in defiance of Watt’s to Birmingham Art Gallery. It was Society. The Annual Report ran to 374 One letter to their lawyer, Ambrose (nee Yates). Both had been patents, did their best to avoid payment of presented by John Alfred (Jack) Hone to pages, containing papers ranging from the Weston, says art students with Tuke, and the premiums required by contract. These the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society in life and work of the sculptor Neville “Trevithick must be personally served with had settled in Newlyn, the premiums were to be based on the savings November 1965. Northey Burnard, to Cornish Sawflies, to the injunction. Cost what it will, a few small fishing port tucked the Mineral Wealth of Katanga. in fuel costs of running the new pumping guineas to the officer will make this into the corner of Mounts © John Tonkin Membership numbered over 300, and engines, compared to the old inefficient certain.” Bay, known as Gwavas Lake, chapters of the General Committee models. and much loved and Our Jack RCPS existed in Helston, Bodmin, Penzance, Boulton describes how the injunction was appreciated by those artists In 1798 Thomas Wilson sent to Soho the Recommended reading on recently Redruth, Camborne, Truro, Hayle, St served: Bert White and Harry Cleave as the who became known as the ‘Newlyn details of fuel saved amd premiums published works would include: Austell, Plymouth, London and Barry. The “Woodward found Trevithick and his Friends principal models. ‘The Run Home’ is an School’. Tom Gotch and ‘Carry’ Yates were received from the Cornish mines for the Annual Meeting was heavily attended, and at a publick (sic) House facing my important marine work, showing much married at St Peter’s Church, Newlyn on Falmouth Tukes John Tonkin/Brian Stewart papers, reports, lectures, obituaries, Manufactory and delivered to him ye activity on the water with Tuke’s racing 31st August 1881. (Falmouth Arts Centre) Presents to the Library, the Annual injunction which he received with much boat turning for home. This activity The Golden Dream Exhibition, prizes and awards were all surprise as he thought nobody knew him.” picture measures almost 4 feet by 5 feet. Pamela Lomax reported in detail; the Observatory Report (Falmouth Art Gallery) occupied a further 30 pages. The Society Boulton and Watt’s suspicions of their Every corner was a picture still possesses copies of all these Annual rivals were deep-seated. In one letter Watt George Bednar Reports, many in their original uncut warns that “two French spies are on their (Falmouth Art Gallery) condition. way to inspect the engine at Wheal Crane, In addition, all six previous issues of The and must be prevented from doing so.” He Poly Magazine contain articles on Tuke, Howard Fox’s paper described a collection suggests precautions to stop possible for those interested. Back issues are still of “some 1500 letters, all neatly endorsed sabotage: available from the Falmouth Arts Centre. and arranged, dating from 1783 onwards” “Give a drink to all necessary persons, and (up to 1800) from James Watt and his knock any man down that touches the coals partner Matthew Boulton, from their Soho or the fire during the trial.” manufactory near Birmingham, to their agent Thomas Wilson in Cornwall, and This merely served to excite their rivals to their London lawyer Ambrose Weston. greater feats of inventiveness and ingenuity, combined with a cunning and James Watt, the Father of the Industrial skulduggery which gave the patentees Revolution, had invented a much improved almost as much grief and vexation as their Noonday Heat RCPS pumping engine which was of great value Obverse and reverse, RCPS Silver Medal 1833 success gave them joy.

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In the end it was Watt’s caution that describing symptoms and cures, and these running the Arts Centre and the In November 2001 Bonhams were delayed the development of the steam are not common for the 18th century”. programme of theatrical and musical instructed to offer the archive to Cornwall locomotive by perhaps fifteen years. He events, which attract over 50,000 visitors County Council by private treaty sale, and In 1969 the papers, which the Society had did not believe that man was capable of a year. to help in any way in the Council’s efforts previously sent to London for binding into handling high pressure steam. He thought to secure funding. If this proved 11 volumes, were placed for safekeeping While the Falmouth Arts Centre has boilers were not strong enough to stand it, unsuccessful, Birmingham University and study in the County Record Office in received grant aid from various bodies, the and that engineers were not smart enough would be approached, which would at Richard Trevithick, 16 December 1797 Truro. While recognising their obvious scale of public subsidy is remarkably small, to stop accidents. If he had been braver, least allow the papers to remain in the UK. importance, the Society may not have over 90% of its revenue coming from building, as well as other badly needed Bonhams prepared for the auction a the railway could have been opened If neither organisation were in a position realised that by this time they must have earned income at the box office, as well as improvements, the time had come to put beautifully produced catalogue of over before the battle of Waterloo. As it was, to purchase, attempts would be made to acquired considerable intrinsic value. its own reserves. These reserves were the papers up for auction. Birmingham 100 illustrated pages, devoted entirely to Watt’s 25 year patent prevented younger discover other interested parties in the being depleted, and the Society was University had retired from the picture. the Boulton/Watt papers, including a inventors from exploring the possibilities This came to light when Mr David Park, UK. If all these efforts proved fruitless, the strenuously seeking some way to continue Bibliography which would be of value to of high pressure steam. Head of the Book Department at papers would be placed at auction. its role and that of the Arts Centre as Cornwall County Council were still seeking anyone wishing to research the industrial Bonhams, came down to Falmouth to funding, and requested another extension; history of Cornwall. Copies of this Finally, a lawsuit which had lasted six valuable assets to Falmouth and Cornwall. Time passed, and the County Council examine the Society’s library. Mr Park, an requested and were granted a six month however Bonhams were eager to place the catalogue are still available from the years was decided in favour of the authority on the industrial development A decision now had to be made period of grace, which lengthened to papers at a particular auction which they Society. patentees on the very eve of the expiry of of Cornwall, was greatly interested to hear concerning the Boulton/Watt papers. A something like a year. However in due were organising, and this latest request the patent. Boulton and Watt’s legal Fortunately, Cornwall County Council, by of the existence of the Boulton/Watt satisfactory sale would help to secure the course the Society decided that, was declined. If the sale were to be further expenses amounted to some £10,000, of urgent appeals to the Heritage Lottery correspondence, and requested the chance future of the Society. However the considering the urgent need for funds to delayed, the Society stood in danger of which they recovered only about £2,000. to examine it. He duly reported that it was Committee recognised their value as a install some form of disabled access to the missing the tide altogether. Fund and the Cornwall Heritage Trust, clearly of great value, and suggested a Cornish treasure, and determined to seek a found themselves in a position to Howard Fox’s original 1909 paper closer examination in company with an way by which they might remain in the compete at the auction, which took place concerning this correspondence was expert colleague in order to estimate its County. The obvious and best way would at Bonhams’ New Bond Street salerooms followed in the following year by a second, value. be for Cornwall County Council to in June 2003. The reserve was set at again written for the Society’s Annual purchase the papers; however their value £500,000. Report, extending the range of the The suggested figure placed the Society in was so great that this would be impossible correspondence to the year 1805. This a quandary. The organisation had The bidding started at £350,000 and without outside funding. unique collection, comprising some 2000 struggled to keep its head above water moved rapidly through £400,000 to handwritten sheets, remained in the since its founding in 1833, and only Another possible purchaser might be £450,000… to £480,000… to £500,000. Library of the Society from then on. continued to exist thanks to two generous Birmingham University, which already And there it stopped. Cornwall County legacies in the recent past. Funding from held the other half of the correspondence, council had succeeded. Clearly there was considerable interest in public bodies was meagre and certainly from Thomas Wilson in Cornwall back to the subject, since in 1920 E.W. Newton The outcome of this long process turned came nowhere near covering the costs of Boulton and Watt in Soho. wrote on the “Watt Centenary out to be exactly what the Society had Commemoration in Birmingham”, and in wished from the beginning.The capital has 1926 A.K. Hamilton Jenkin wrote a paper been placed in a Trust, the income from on the subject of “Boulton and Watt in which helps enormously in securing the Cornwall”.The letters were examined by a future of the Society and the Falmouth number of researchers, and in 1951 there Arts Centre. Improvements can be made was a request from the Library of to the building, and support given to the Birmingham University for the loan of the programme of events. papers, which was refused on the grounds And the Boulton/Watt papers remain of risk of loss. secure within the County Record Office, One researcher pointed out that the available for research, and a priceless part correspondence might be of considerable of Cornwall’s industrial heritage. interest to a medical historian, since “both Boulton and Watt were obvious Michael Carver hypochondriacs and scarcely ever sent off a letter without complaining about their state of health, but that, being the polymaths they both were, they Boulton and Watt’s Soho Manufactory Original drawing for the Prince George engine, 1797 occasionally go to great lengths

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ART POETRY A BEGGAR STARLINGS MY MOTHER'S GARDEN RESURRECTION IN ST IVES BY JOHN OPIE (1761-1807) Open-mouthed among grasses is said by the sun Across the road from sociable the beach, sharp-faced and the words it makes blocks are N 2004 Falmouth Art Gallery John Opie was Cornwall’s first famous Charlotte, and the King purchased ‘Beggar square-tailed turn snowdrop and oak struck by the metallic acquired an important painting painter, and the only Cornish artist to be and Dog’. Sir Joshua Reynolds was so they've spent the day in simple light click of stilettos, Iby the Cornish artist John Opie. honoured with a burial at St Paul’s impressed that he considered him to be teeuwing and gurgling to tender and strong rasping sand inside cathedral, where he lies close to the tombs ‘like Caravaggio and Velasquez in one’. a stone circle A Beggar had been saved for the poking about on nation by a combination of of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Thomas is said by the moon where the sea In a letter of spring 1782,Wolcot describes the finicky business leading art funders Lawrence and Sir Anthony Van Dyck. His breaks on the ear Sir Joshua’s exposure to Opie’s work: of finding food pioneering understanding of light and and the words it makes not the eye. ‘I have called again on Reynolds with a pair of Its purchase was made possible by the shade has had a profound influence on fast-walking the tussocks lay descants of white John Opie’s pictures, the portrait of a Jew The stained glass of this generosity of The Heritage Lottery Fund, artists that followed him. rollicking bow-legged sailors on the plainsong and a Cornish Beggar, on which he expressed secular church MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, National prickled by points of light of night Art Collections Fund, The Beecroft surprise at performances by a filters sunburst light and Bequest, Cornwall Heritage Trust, boy in a country village now is spoken each day leaches colour Falmouth Town Council, The Canterbury containing excellences that all squabbles of the day forgotten from littoral scenes, Auction Galleries and individual would not disgrace the pencil they are into synchronisation and the tales it makes exerting a calming force donations. Although Philip Mould OBE of of Caravaggio. Opie’s starmanship grow a green book on surfers and beach combers Historical Portraits was offered the full knowledge of chiaro scuro sky-writing ripe with the print who, like Alice, have tumbled asking price for the painting from America, without ever having seen a of her hand into another world where wheeling and gliding and thinking as one he generously allowed the time for painting of the dark masters, outside appears transposed; drifts of smoke Zeeba Ansari Cornwall to raise the necessary funding. drew from his eye a sort of where a tropical sea is flattened turning on sixpence The campaign captured the imagination of wonder.’ behind glass the local and national media, who added Horace Walpole wrote: Caroline Carver Vivienne Neale their support. ‘There is a new genius, one The picture features a young boy seated in Opy [sic], a Cornish lad of front of foliage, hoping to receive alms. nineteen, who has taught FAMILY FRIENDLY & FREE Opie cleverly paints the shadow of the himself to colour in a strong, Nominated for 10 National Awards viewer cast over the boy’s left hand and bold, masterly style by studying nature, and painting arm. The artist made some changes to the Works by major British artists including Sir original composition.Viv Hendra (an expert beggars and poor children’. on Opie’s work) considers that the head has Frank Brangwyn RA, Sir Edward Coley Opie was elected an been re-worked and that the splash of A Beggar, by John Opie RA (1761-1807) Burne-Jones, Charles Napier Hemy RA, Associate of the Royal brilliant colour in the top right hand corner oil on canvas 36 x 28 ins, 91.3 x 71.2 cms Falmouth Art Gallery Collection Academy, London in 1786, a Dame Laura Knight RA, Lee Miller, Sir may be a later addition by the artist. full Academician in 1787, and Professor of Alfred Munnings RA, Kenneth Newton, Sir Opie was born near St Agnes May 1761, The painting was purchased by Opie’s Painting at the Royal Academy Schools Roland Penrose, William Strang RA, Henry chief patron, the Earl of Sutherland, before the son of Edward Opie, a carpenter. He between 1805 to 1807. It was calculated being sold by Historical Portraits Ltd to was apprenticed to a sawyer, but Dr John that he painted 508 portraits, counting Scott Tuke RA, John William Waterhouse Falmouth Art Gallery. It remained at Wolcot, a poet and well-known each head in family groups. RA, George Frederic Watts RA. Flora gave me fairest flowers John Ward CBE. Dunrobin Castle for well over 200 years connoisseur, encouraged him in This picture is a fine example of why his and as it has not suffered the usual wear portraiture. Between 1776 and 1779 Opie reputation became so high from the early and tear of the art market it is in rare travelled around Cornwall and Devon as an 1780s, and adds weight to J.W.Scobell Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10 - 5 pristine condition. itinerant portrait painter. Armstrong’s view that ‘none of his maturer (including spring and summer bank holidays) The picture is considered by many experts The painting dates from the 1780s at a works as a portrait painter surpassed the best to be among his finest works, so together time when John Opie, as a young man, of his achievements during those years’. with its excellent condition and unusually burst onto the London art scene, where he Municipal Buildings The Moor Falmouth Cornwall TR11 2RT good provenance it commanded a world was known as ‘The Cornish Wonder’. He Brian Stewart www.falmouthartgallery.com record sum for a work by Opie. was presented to George III and Queen Curator, Falmouth Art Gallery

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industries, no motorway, the beginnings of and occasional food. Both he and Paul The Cornish language, Kernewek, features FILM IN CORNWALL a university, just the scenario for another Farmer of A39 Films have launched a strongly on film in Cornwall. Examples three decades of homespun film location. cooperative called War-rag to harness the include Bill Scott’s Splatt Dhe Wertha in But, and it’s a very big but, the future’s in various talents required in filmmaking, 1997, Antal Kovac’s feature film Hwerow OOKING back over the history But did that stop the advance? Not a bit our hands, noone else’s and it could just their steering group already consists of Hweg in 2001, Pol Hodge’s Pymp Gwel in of filming in Cornwall, I of it; 6 others followed that same year change – we need to seize the initiative and well known local talent, and they are 2003, Carl Grose’s Kernow’s Kick-Ass Kung Lccounted 145 film and including Rebecca and the Onedin Line. some people out there are doing just that. currently making a ‘short short’; there’s a Fu Kweens in 2004, and this year De Sul television productions made in the Doctor Who dug himself into the St. from Mathy Tremewan and Fran The Cornwall Film Fund – Cornwall Film ‘The Carpenter, the Virgin and the Wardrobe ‘watch this space’ feeling to the venture. county. The first was a silent film Austell claypits in 1972 and was quickly Broadhurst. Making films in Kernewek has Festival – Celtic Film Festival - University Carl Grose of O-region says that Mark followed by the Poldark series. Not a lot of South West Film Studio is no longer with special problems for actors who are not made in 1929, directed by Paul Jenkin has led the way with no-budget College Falmouth – O-Region – DPN - us. Despite the bad press they received, Czinner and called Street of people know that Michael Caine popped fluent in the language, but Pol Hodge has Creative Kernow – Creative Skills – Media Cornish filmmaking but there’s a veritable down in ’76 for The Eagle has Landed. they did host the making of two films developed a number of ways to surmount Abandoned Children, and the latest army right behind him. For the past couple Dracula surfaced with Sir Laurence Olivier Focus – South West Film Studios – Chilli before they went into administration, Cold in 2004 was Wuthering Heights the difficulties. Armed with funding from in 1978 and we pottered on, highlight Media – ThreeS Films – The Small Axe - and Dark and Irish Jazz, both of which of years O-region, a production company directed by Fabrizio Costa – we The Cornwall Film Fund, the First Film RKA – Deco Films – Triple Echo – Wild West run by Carl Grose, Simon Harvey and Olly after highlight, until Peter Hall’s Camomile brought much needed employment and Foundation and the Sci-Fi Channel, Bill seem to have come full circle! Films – A38 Films – A39 Films - Spyder Eye Berry, has provided a monthly showcase of Lawn starring our homegrown talent, and on-the-job training into our fragile Scott shot Cheap Rate Gravity in 2003 on – Brainstorm and of course all the writers, industry.They may well make a comeback, screenings under the title ‘Roughcut’ at But there are some wonderful highlights then Disney returned with The Three 35mm film stock rather than video, giving Musketeers in 1993 starring Charlie Sheen producers and directors out there too. but are the productions out there? Bar 2000 in Truro. Last year they issued a in there as well as some dodos. Love work to a host of local talent and and Kiefer Sutherland. I suppose I can’t Looking at the London studios around the challenge to local filmmakers to produce invaluable training to others. He followed Story, also known as A Lady Surrenders The Cornwall Film Fund is back again now avoid it, Catherine Zeta Jones would wish M25 as well as the much hoped for Welsh starring Stewart Granger and Margaret 90 second films – they got 44 and the best it a year later with Blight and A Proper Job I did but, ok here it is – Blue Juice in 1994 with a much wider remit towards media as studio venture, I’d say not.You never know Lockwood, has to take the first accolade; of them were shown in the Cornwall Film starring Carl Grose. Looking at O-region’s also starring Sean Pertwee. Poldark flirted a whole. £1.8m to be spent before the end which figures to believe, but one reported filmed at the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno Festival. This year they issued another Roughcut screenings, those at the Festival, with Moll Flanders and sidestepped of 2006, and in the capable hands of Pippa that there were over 60 films made in the it encapsulated a fairy tale time and place challenge, ‘Two Minutes Silence’ and CMR’s, Golowan, the Acorn you realize just Wycliffe, Ken Russell came and went, Best the Project Director who was also the UK four years ago, some 40 films two that is gone forever but it set the scene for promptly got 48 – hopefully they’ll be how much film is being made down here. Saving Grace and Doc Martin entertained 2003 Cornwall Film Festival Director, and years ago and then just 19 last year. Cornwall as a must be location film set. shown at the Film Festival. They’re also us and restored our parody set out in Jeremy Mills of Lion Television the Whatever the real figures are, there’s no Our best known playwright, Nick Darke 1945 was a rich year, with Rex Harrison hosting ‘Futureshorts’, an international Straw Dogs, Ladies In Lavender revived us Chairman. They aim to generate inward disputing the downward spiral, and that sadly died this year. His work was and Lilli Palmer in The Rake’s Progress selection of brilliant and eclectic short until the biggest groan ever heard on our investment of nearly £8m, help over 50 won’t change until the Chancellor reviews produced by The Royal Shakespeare filmed at Smugglers Cottage, Portreath, films at the Acorn in Penzance. The filmic shores welcomed Dawn French’s SME’s (fundspeak for small and medium and revives the tax incentives. Company, the National and the Royal and Johnny Frenchman from Ealing Studios Falmouth Arts Centre is turning its Wild West – what an epitaph! Luckily it enterprises) and create 174 full time jobs. Court, but he was also a filmmaker. His starring Patricia Roc and filmed in The Celtic Film and Television Festival Chellew Room into a ‘Digital Lounge’ in won’t be needed as the horizon is looking Not only do they provide investment in gritty, near political film work, often Mevagissey. Ealing Films had got the bit prolific and shiny. But is it? travels round the Celtic countries and early October with a 6 week pilot showing feature films, TV dramas and animation, intended to correct external impressions between their teeth as they came back 3 they also support the development of a returns to Cornwall next year. It’s a curious films on DVD to an audience of up to 50. It’s often said that history is a good of Cornwall, also had a mad and eccentric years later in 1948 with Scott of the wide range of media productions together mix of mainly television production and Kate Rogers of the Falmouth Arts Centre indicator of future performance – if that’s side to it. Koyt (still to be made as a Antarctic with John Mills and James with mentoring and loan facilities. They networking, and really has little to offer us responsible for programming films said so in this case, we could be in for a very feature film) is a case in point. Robertson Justice filmed at Falmouth at our present level of film production also act as a resource for finding locations, that it would enable her to screen films Collaboration with his wife Jane Darke as long location ride. Compared to the rest of infrastructure. One of its highlights Docks, and then bingo, the year after, 1949 experienced crew, transport, accommo- the country we’re a deprived area, a low that she felt unable to show in the main director produced The Wrecking Season.He Walt Disney rode into Carrick Roads and though is the Frank Copplestone First Time dation and production facilities. If they are auditorium and so attract a wider had an extremely strong sense of humour wage economy highlighted by low inward Director’s Award. Bill Scott of Wild West the Helford River with Treasure Island successful it is just possible that they audience – if the pilot’s a success, it could – I remember filming him in his home and investment. Cornwall’s a pretty place, Films in Falmouth won it in 1997 with starring Robert Newton and Bobby could continue riding on the success they well become a twice a week feature. trying to get a 20 second statement from tourism and agriculture our twin Splatt Dhe Wertha (Plot for Sale) in the Driscoll. Cornwall was now firmly on the create – time will tell. Alongside them is Cornish language, then came Mark Jenkin international film map. Hollywood stars Cornwall Media Focus, a membership with Golden Burn in 2002, and then this Ray Milland, Marius Goring, Ava Gardner, organization aimed at developing year Jane Darke with The Wrecking Season Robert Taylor, Mel Ferrer, Clark Gable, knowledge, contacts and skills to help which is due to be shown on television Gene Tierney, Susan Hayward, Ralph filmmaking businesses compete more later in the year. An interesting indicator Richardson and of course the Beatles all effectively. They organize regular e- of emerging talent recognized at a more filmed here between 1949 and 1971, the bulletins, monthly events, and a series of national level. year Sam Peckinpah stopped us all in our ‘How to…..’ guides. Their website tracks with Dustin Hoffman and Susan homepage reminds us that there are over Cooperation, cooperatives, co-funding, co- George in Straw Dogs putting sleepy St. 800 people working in the industry here, hosting all drive filmmaking in Cornwall. Buryan on the international scene and but that over half of them are freelance or Mark Jenkin’s budget for Rabbit, a story of A scene from ‘Prime Fillet’ ‘Flight’, a film from Kneehigh Theatre parodying the Cornish population. self employed! disappearing tourists, consisted of petrol

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FEATURE POETRY him on something – it took well over an Arts and the Tremough campus, it was a Thanks to Creative Partnership, funding has FROM THE CLIFF HOUSE SUMMER hour punctuated by giggles, then gales of success with 165 attending. The following been made available to get the skills of laughter. I finally got the clip I came for, year Pippa Best was appointed Festival writers, artists and filmmakers into the The beach empty except for a man I'm giving summer away serious, informed and witty. Director and the success was repeated – primary and secondary schools. Denzil whose dog runs ahead, turning to anyone who wants it, Monk, a local filmmaker, was instrumental to check the man is still there the National Maritime Museum was anyone The Cornwall Film Festival started like in helping children from Cape Cornwall included as a venue, children’s films were who can make better use of it many similar ideas, in a pub waiting for school in St. Just make the award winning walking the edge of the sand. shown, Love Actually was premiered, and than me the next act. There was a sense of short The Freak. It won the Best Silent Film The terrier is trotting, paws Tim Hubbard interviewed Stephen Frears exasperation that the Celtic Film Festival of the Film Council’s First Light Awards. wet and sandy, muzzle lifted to the sea. Someone will take it halfway round the world, on stage in front of an audience. The only came along every 5 years and when it Helped by Denzil the film was written, I expect Govynn Kernewek award was set up to did, it didn’t really apply to us. So what the filmed and edited by the children and They're below my line of sight now help finance a local filmmaker to make Someone else's summer won't be quick-tempered, hell, the idea was punted, noone had any shown at the Festival and on BBC2. They under the cliff's shadow. or wear itself out with longing their film, but it had to be in the Cornish money but everyone had time and and children from other schools are now It's taken a long time language, and the Festival attendees support to give, and suddenly it became a trying to set up their own Children’s Film My given-away-free summer has waterfall ideals, reality, exactly like no-budget filmmaking. numbered over 400. Laura Hardman was Festival alongside the main Festival because to cross the broad beach, the dog's paw- the goodwill of mountains, George Greene, the 2002 Festival Director, Festival Director in 2004 and brought a they need to stretch themselves and need prints blurring, the feet had to start it from scratch and it became new generation of children into the Film more space. Denzil hopes to produce a of the man sinking into soft sand. has the correct amount of lilies, immediately apparent that there was a Festival mix, a repeat of the now feature with young people later this year. a kinship of roses very strong appeal. There were master- successful Govynn Kernewek award and Now they've turned and are heading back There’s an incredible amount of talent That's summer sorted classes, lectures, screenings, discussion the almost premiere of Vera Drake with along the early morning beach, here, a stubbornness to make even no- groups and the showing of Straw Dogs the director Mike Leigh giving a ‘question the dog in front as before, chasing But who wants my autumn, budget films, funding agencies targeting that had just been re-released, and Lynne and answer’ session immediately after the my novice September, that talent, screening showcases galore Ramsay’s Morvern Callar recently feted at film. Another success now with 738 a small group of oystercatchers my barefoot October, and kids insisting on making films – how the Edinburgh Film Festival that hadn’t yet people attending. This year’s Festival that rise and settle always out of reach, can we fail? the last judgement of my November? been released. Held at the Falmouth Arts Director is Lucy Frears who will be building always a little way ahead. Penelope Shuttle Centre and also at the Falmouth College of on the strengths of previous Festivals Andrew Edmonds Man and dog are hidden for a moment, hidden by a tree at the edge of the cliff. PENRYN TOWN COUNCIL

The beach empty again PENRYN MUSEUM except for the birds, their incessant searching, Located in the ground floor of the Town Hall, Penryn Museum offers an shallow footprints gone, insight into the history of the Town. low waves like mercury sliding, sliding. Come to see the carved stones from the C12th Glasney Collegiate Church, Now the dog appears, then the man barefoot in the shallows, holding his shoes. the Town’s old fire engines, and He wears a white hat articles of everyday life.

and he's loving his solitary walk Admission is free the yell of sea in his head, low sun warming his face, Open 10.30 am – 3.30 pm Mon to Fri his dog turning and waiting for him, Why not join the Museum Society turning, waiting. and get involved with the history of the Town? Ann Kelley

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The letters demonstrate that while abolition of slavery who attracted the style bust of Kossuth. Kossuth's friends think NEVILLE NORTHEY BURNARD building his reputation in the City he took attention of President Abraham Lincoln, my bust extremely like him and Behnes the every opportunity to exploit his Cornish and was appointed by him to be American sculptor who made a sketch of him from the connections. The correspondence refers to Consul in Birmingham. Burritt addressed life says my bust is the best likeness he has the first Silver Medal at the Society's busts he makes or proposes to make of over 150 large meetings in England on ever seen of him.” exhibition for his carving on Delabole slate Davies Gilbert (Vice President of the behalf of the League of Universal Louis Kossuth was a leader of the of ‘Laocöon’. Society and author of the 'Parochial Brotherhood. In 1847 he visited Ireland Hungarian Independence Party who fled History of Cornwall') Admiral Boscawen, and wrote a pamphlet 'Four Months in During his years in London, Burnard Hungary in 1847 and arrived in England in the Earl of Falmouth, Mr Treffry of Fowey Skibbereen', making Americans aware of regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1851, where he was much admired. (where he was employed as a mason the plight of the Irish. the last time being in 1873. Shortly after Burnard is justifiably proud in referring to before moving to London), Dr Carlyon, Mrs this, in some part due to the early death of In the same letter Burnard says: Behnes' compliment, for William Behnes Enys, members of the Fox family, Dr his two youngest children, he left his wife, “I have the pleasure of seeing Alfred was one of the most distinguished British Borlase, Mr Le Grice, John Couch Adams lost interest in his work and returned to a Mrs Enys of Enys Tennyson who is much pleased with the sculptors of the time, having been and his patron Sir Charles Lemon. wandering life in Cornwall, where he pipes, I remained about 3 hours with him appointed Sculptor in Ordinary to the The correspondence also indicates that it finally died penniless in a Redruth and found a very agreeable person, very Queen in 1837. One of his successes was to persuade Sir was Burnard who initiated the idea that a much pleased with the tour he made in workhouse. Those interested in the full Charles Lemon that he should be commis- statue of Richard Lander should be placed In 0ctober 1852 Burnard writes to Rundell account of his life should read F Hamilton Cornwall last summer. He speaks very highly sioned to make a bust of the young Duke on the existing column at the top of with a suggestion for an addition to the Davey's biography which appeared in the of Cornish people and says that civilisation is of Cornwall, later Edward VII. The one Lemon Street, Truro, which had been collection of busts of famous of Cornish Society's report of 1910, and Mary farther advanced in Cornwall than in any letter we have addressed to Sir Charles erected in honour of the famous African men placed in the Gallery at the Martin's 'A Wayward Genius'. County he has been to. He spoke in partic- concludes: explorer. This was completed in 1852. ularly warm terms of Peach whom he called Polytechnic Hall: HREE years ago, letters written “I need not tell you Sir Charles that these a ‘sweet fellow’. I have also seen Carlisle, or “You know I suppose the renowned Sam to the Royal Cornwall are considerations of great importance to rather he has been here to see me, he is a Foote the comedian and wit was a Truro TPolytechnic Society by the the artist and naturally tend to make him man. Do you think a man of his stamp would noble man and one whom I am rather proud sculptor Neville Northey Burnard anxious to embrace so favourable an at having seen. He has promised to sit to me be considered in character or out of place in (with one addressed to Sir Charles opportunity of coming before the public.” the Gallery now forming at your hall?” Lemon MP, the Society's first for his bust and I think it will be the most favourable opportunity of making a good President) were returned to us. He writes to Rundell on the 29th May 1847 He goes on to say that Foote was born at bust that I have yet met with.” They had been borrowed by a that he has been taken by Sir Charles to The Red Lion Hotel, Truro, and he had member for research purposes Buckingham Palace and been introduced to A word about Charles William Peach suggested to the hotel keeper, without many years previously and were Mr Anson, the Queen's Private Secretary . whose career was described in the success, that his bust should be displayed discovered in the course of On 9th June he reports that he has had the Society's 1911 report. He was a self there. He continues: winding up his estate. first sitting with the Prince who asked, “Is taught man who made important fossil “If Foote had been a man of science or of this a secret?” The bust was exhibited at and marine life discoveries while serving high moral character even I should have These letters cover a ten year period from the Royal Academy in 1848 and then at the as the Coastguard at Gorran Haven and waived all consideration of the Red Lion at the 29 September 1843. Burnard writes once and fixed upon your Hall but as he was ‘Laocöon’ Polytechnic Hall at Falmouth. Fowey, later making a major contribution from Pimlico, London where, owing to Sir to the understanding of Scottish geology. what he was I thought he would be more at Charles Lemon's patronage and encour- But this article refers only to what is King Eward VII when six years old In the year 2000 a home at the Red Lion.” agement, he worked for two eminent contained in this correspondence, written commemorative plaque sculptors - first Henry Weeks, and then Sir during the period when his reputation was While furthering his Cornish connections, was placed on the old Francis Chantrey. Sir Francis, famous for being established, important commissions Burnard was enjoying the society of very Custom House at Gorran his generous bequest to the Royal were being received and he had every eminent people. He writes in March 1849: Haven where he began his Academy, would have been particularly reason to believe in himself and what lay “I am invited out to tea on Monday next scientific activities. interested in the young Burnard, being ahead. For a man with little formal with Elihu Burritt 'the learned blacksmith' himself from a humble background, education his letters have style; here is a so you will see that I am rather coming out In September 1852 Burnard starting life as a grocer's boy. man proud of his association with men of in the literary line.” writes: “By the steamer 'Shannon' Burnard was born in the Parish of Altarnun eminence and of the friendship he has Burritt was an American from Connecticut which leaves London today I in 1818, the son of a stonemason. His long formed with the Society's Secretary, Mr W who, while an apprentice blacksmith, have sent to you for the association with the Society began in W Rundell; they also reveal a robust taught himself mathematics and exhibition one case 1833 when he submitted a carving of the personality, bearing out Miss Caroline Fox's developed a lifelong interest in linguistics. containing a cast of my bust head of Homer for that year's inaugural description of him as “a great powerful Plaster medallion by himself. He was a leading advocate for the of Beethoven and a cabinet The Gallery of the Polytechnic Hall, 1882 with busts exhibition. In 1835 aged only 16 he won pugilistic-looking fellow”.

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FEATURE FEATURE

A fortnight later he writes: would not be much. Coke is of the same But then comes a sudden freeze; his first a most worthy man whom they knew it was what have I done that I am now considered ill in bed, the Doctors were calling three or “I shall be glad to know the decision of the substance as the diamond but amazingly two letters of 0ctober 1850 are more a duty to honour and the order having been 'impertinent'...You must not suppose that I four times a day, in addition to which one of Committee respecting the bust of Foote. I unlike in appearance and I feel that Harry's formally addressed to “Dear Sir”, and by executed in a satisfactory manner and the am one of those inflammable gentlemen the children was ill.” think all things considered he ought to be patrons will find out they have discovered a 0ctober 7th Rundell is coldly addressed as said bust having been presented at several who cannot speak on a painful subject In fairness to the Society, this dispute did there, the world would alter very much for piece of coke or in more intelligible phrase “Sir”. meetings of the Royal Society accompanied without losing my temper. I had done the not affect its professional relationship the worse if all wits and comedians (I mean ‘a very dull diamond’. There may be by speeches “suited to the occasion” and work and I certainly thought I had the right The reason for this change of tone has not with Burnard, for in 0ctober 1851 he the natural ones not the actors) were to be something more in his work this year than thanks having been returned by the to look for my money and when I found the been written about before (Hamilton writes to say that he has sent the cast of excluded from it, drab does very well but ‘so was last, I saw nothing in those to warrant recipient of the honour and all having got matter was painful and troublesome to you Davey who saw the correspondence chose Peach as requested by Sir Charles Lemon, much of it’ (as Jan Moyle said) ‘is enough’.” anything favourable in the future.” fairly into print, the World thought that the I took the matter into my own hands not in and refers to another object “which I think to ignore it), but it is worth recording as it demonstrators had shown a vast amount of the spirit of ‘impertinence’ quite the It is interesting that Sam Foote who died in illustrates Burnard's sturdy character. The will be interesting namely a life size alto In September 1850 rather condescendingly respect to the excellent President of the said reverse, I only did what I did because I was 1777 was still a significant figure at the first intimation of the impending relievo of Mary Calenack who walked from he writes: Royal Society and bestowed a vast amount tired of waiting to get the matter settled time Burnard is writing. Foote was a disagreement is in September 1850 when Penzance to the Great Exhibition.” “I see by the paper that Alfred Harry got a of patronage on the sculptor who was and did not wish to trouble you any further comedian only in the sense that he was a he points out that he has not been paid for medal again and a silver one this time. Well selected to execute the commission and of on the subject.” But he cannot resist harking back to his writer of comedies and other plays (twenty the busts he has made of Sir Charles course the World not knowing anything grievance when he writes of the cast : two in number), many of them highly he seemed a good sort of fellow from the Burnard then makes a nice distinction, and Lemon and Couch Adams, the celebrated further about the matter thinks what a lucky little I know of him and I wish him success “It is in the same style as I did of Bonallack provocative. 'The Minor' (1760) attacked mathematician and discoverer of the points out to Rundell that although he fellow the artist and the sitter must be but years ago which some of the Truro lawyers Methodists and 'The Nabob' (1772) was with regard to competing for prizes. I think was bound to write to him as Secretary, planet Uranus. He says: what would it say if it knew all? I have done it would not be giving him a fair chance for ordered and wouldn't pay for by way of aimed at the directors of the East Indian “I think it is to be regretted that there should and in clear terms, there was no reason for my part as cheap and as well as the getters patronizing a Cornish artist.” Company. His birth at the Red Lion is an old hand (compared to him) to contend Rundell to take the view that their be any difficulty in raising the small sum for up of the concern could have wished and misleading as to his social status, for he was with him for the Society's prize ... some personal relationship should be affected: Sir Charles to whom the County owes so after two years because I happen to be He ends this letter: educated at Worcester College, Oxford, would think me too proud to compete with “The matter of the bust is between me and much, seeing that there was no difficulty in “anxious for the cash” I am coolly told that “Now with reference to your last letter I where he squandered a fortune. Abandoning Harry and some strangers to me might think the Society of which you are the Secretary getting the money for the Prince of Wales to one of the principal men, the man who in a have thought the matter over and have the law for the stage, he became an actor and me afraid, neither of which I hope you will and I have a right to look to you for such whom the County owes nothing. Again £4 set speech presented the bust to Sir Charles 'slept upon it' and have come to this theatrical manager, the first manager of the consider me capable of.” information as I require... when you come to was but a small sum to raise as a tribute of at Truro, 'is in no way responsible for it and resolution that as I am not conscious of Theatre Royal, Haymarket which was built in London in 1851 there is no one whom I would respect to the man whom all Englishmen are will have nothing to do with it'. There is but having given you just cause for your late 1767. There is no record that a bust of Foote His last reference to Harry (whose name rather meet than yourself, I can only say proud to honour as being one of the greatest one name whereby properly to designate conduct towards me I shall follow the was ever made. unlike Burnard's does not appear in Rupert Now if your catalogue be full I'll discoverers in his own walk of science that such things as these.” advice of my excellent mother 'when Gunnis' Dictionary of British Sculptors) is in not insist the World has seen.” people will be offended let them take their While enjoying the company of the great th December 1851 when he writes about some Burnard's letter of 7 0ctober addressing But if you want a friend that is true I own time to come round'.” clay which is still at the Polytechnic Hall: Ten days later he is writing: Rundell for the first time as “Sir” gets am on your list.” “I shall be glad to present the clay to the “As you have not answered my note straight to the point: In 0ctober 1852 he asked Rundell to thank Burnard has clearly been hurt by the tone Society for the benefit of ‘whom it may respecting the money due to me on the bust “For I suppose after the receipt of yours of the Committee “or rather the judges” for of Rundell's correspondence and concern’ but you are at liberty to give it to and as I know it is a troublesome matter to this morning 'Dear Sir' or any other forms in the award of the first Silver Medal for that concludes by saying: Alfred Harry when you happen to see him, I you and one which you ought not to have common use would be out of place, what is year.The last letter is dated 20th April 1853 “I shall think of you with respect and shall know of no one in the West of Cornwall who left on your hands and as I want the money the matter, why are you out of temper, when he reports that the medallion of Sir always speak of you as you have always is more likely to make good use of it. He and ought to have it, would it be advisable Charles Lemon has been completed and deserved and shall look back with regret on for me to apply to Sir Charles or Mr Fox on includes detailed instructions and called on me when he was in London and the eventful 3rd 0ctober when my friend of the subject?” drawings of how it should be installed. seemed to wish to improve but I had no sixteen years standing was taken from me in means of assisting him.” His letter of 0ctober 3rd says: a whirlwind and a chariot of fire.” Apart from the letters, the Society retains “As you have not answered my last two some of Burnard's works; the head of Burnard's first letter to Rundell in One cannot help concluding that Rundell letters I conclude that you wish me to write Homer, the 'Laocöon', the medallion of Sir September 1846 addresses him as and the gentlemen of the Committee Sir Charles Lemon to Sir Charles on the subject. I have Charles Lemon and the busts of the Earl of “Honoured Sir”, then “Dear Sir” and “My were of the opinion that a man of Falmouth and the young Duke of Cornwall. accordingly done so stating the exact sum Burnard's background should be more and the good, Burnard was not very keen Dear Sir”. In 1848 he is writing to“My Dear of money due.” There are other pieces in the County Rundell”, showing that a more intimate respectful and was clearly getting 'above about any other Cornishman taking his including some of his drawings; it is hoped relationship has been established between himself'. They might have shown him place. He writes to Russell: This letter evidently upset Rundell who that before long the Society will find an more sympathy, for he had informed “I have not heard of the arrival of Alfred them; he ends one letter “hoping to see must have replied at once, because on opportunity to arrange an exhibition to Russell in a second letter of 0ctober 7th Harry in London otherwise than through you soon, with best respects to Mrs 0ctober 5th Burnard writes that if he celebrate this extraordinary man. why he was so anxious to be paid: you. I offered Mr Kinsman when he wrote to Rundell” and refers to personal matters: “I interprets Rundell's letter rightly it means: “I was tired of waiting any longer for an me about Harry to do all I could to bring think I shall go down to Devonport and take “That certain gentlemen gave a poor devil of rd David Peters Earl of Falmouth answer.When I wrote on the 3 my wife was him forward which between ourselves the Missus with me to see the Country.” an artist a definite order to execute a bust of

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musical and alive! It has to be said that took the show into the open air to a new Equipped with this distinctive structure, a evening, and then move on. McBeth was A BRIEF HISTORY this was a very free adaptation: when God venue (such as Castledore, near Fowey) it company of twelve performers embarked the first of Shakespeare’s plays to receive created the universe he spoke, as we’re was a different story. Outdoor touring was on a national tour in an old London the Miracle treatment: ruthless cutting, a OF MIRACLE THEATRE used to hearing him, in the language of the obviously the way forward. Transport bus powered entirely by bit of re-writing and the seamless addition Old Testament, whereas the devils teased However, having lost several performances youthful idealism. We’d put on street of entirely new material! This mammoth Since 1980, Miracle Theatre has The show was Midsummer Madness by and terrified in contemporary jargon. to bad weather, with the next production, theatre in the morning to drum up an tour stretched right across Southern presented many of its shows at the Footsbarn, Cornwall’s touring company When hearing the name that God had The Fables of Faust, we toured in a audience, perform The Joke Machine for Britain and included a week on Clapham Falmouth Arts Centre. We welcome formed in 1972 and shortly to move lock, given to the Earth, Lucifer complained: marquee, provided by the National Trust. kids in the afternoon and McBeth in the Common, but audiences were often tiny them back year after year, and stock and barrel to France, having realised “Typical! Why can’t he call it something Unfortunately in the middle of a almost feel that they’ve come home they were more appreciated and better normal like Fraddon or Redruth?” So, no performance at a North Devon festival it whenever a new production fills the supported outside their own country.They brownie points for authenticity or was set alight by a troupe of Hell’s Angels. house again. We congratulate Bill have since become internationally scholarship, but as a piece of theatre it The actors managed to put out the blaze and the company on their growing renowned and taken their unique brand of worked. Played in pub gardens, parks, without interrupting the performance or success and constant popularity. communal theatre to Australia, Russia, school yards, none of which had hosted alarming the audience, who assumed this India, South America and all over Europe. theatre before, it connected absolutely was a very special effect on Faust’s 1979 -1988 with the audiences of all ages. About the same time, I came across the inevitable progress to hell. OR as long as I can remember Ordinalia, (the Cornish Miracle Plays), one there’d always been this of the earliest pieces of British Traditional marquees do not make very Firrational and unshakeable Drama and written in Penryn. good theatres since they require central desire to ‘go on the stage’. I wrote Its only revival in recent times posts that are always in the wrong place. a play at the age of 8, acted my had been in 1969 by students So in 1984 Miracle designed its own tent, way through school, went to from Bristol University at Pirran bright yellow and pyramid shaped. A watch endless West End shows, Round. It was written in perfect solution, with unimpeded views worked in rep for two years, Kernewek (which I didn’t speak) and a water-tight 20 square meter studied drama at University. But and there was a Victorian performance space. The only drawback Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1997 it wasn’t until I saw a translation by Norris (which was that it took about four hours to erect. performance in a Cornish field in was rather turgid). So I the early 70’s that I finally embarked on an adaptation understood what theatre was all that would capture the spirit of Dr Livingstone I presume, 1989 about: here was a shared the original, which surely had experience, something rough and many of the elements that had so That was 1979 and Miracle Theatre was ready, powerful, funny, ‘in-your- mesmerised me at that Footsbarn show. It born. The composition of the company face’ and alive! had to be irreverent, funny, spectacular, was a mixture of professional actors and musicians trying to create their own employment in Cornwall, together with some enthusiastic friends. Qualifications weren’t important. In those days drama school didn’t seem to prepare a young actor for performing in a field, in all weather conditions, one metre from the front row of the audience, with nowhere to look except into their eyes! This calls for a style of performance that is large, confident and particularly honest. Tristan and Iseult followed the next summer, an epic in every sense – not least its length of over three hours. An experiment to try and build an audience by performing the show every Wednesday for several weeks at the W.I. Hall in Truro did not really pay off, but whenever we Beginning of the World, 1979

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In 1993 the Foundation for Sport and the who excavate Cleopatra’s mummy, had Arts awarded Miracle a one-off grant that been so tortuous that by the opening provided a relatively new ex-BT van and night we had still not resolved an ending. enough resources to pay performers a We sketched out a final scene during the small wage. This support was a huge interval and died painfully in front of an psychological boost, and that winter we audience of six, in thick drizzle. Those six felt confident enough to produce an people probably never came back to indoor show. Looking for an alternative to watch another Miracle show, but by the the commercial panto formula of pop third week of the tour we had one of the most original and polished shows we have songs and soap stars, we decided to produced. One of the blessings to come explore the story of Aladdin from a ‘new’ with revenue funding has been adequate perspective. The show was based on an rehearsal periods. early Victorian script which we found in the British Library and staged in mid- But a raised profile also raises nineteenth century music hall style. There expectations. The choice of Victor Hugo’s was plenty of spectacle, adventure and rambling epic Hunchback of Notre Dame Waiting for Godot, 1985. silliness for the kids while their parents as a basis for our first properly funded and by the end everyone had lost money, Catastrophe - a Cornish view of the Civil appreciated the authenticity, innuendo, show was ambitious, given that we could Hunchback of Notre Dame at The Minack enthusiasm and their good humour. If this War, and A Pig in a Poke - a warts-and-all and the timeless wit of the old songs. only have one set and six actors; but Alan crazy exercise had any value it was as a biography of Henry VIII, took carefully 2000 – 2005 this funding: this money was to enable Munden’s ingenious, multi-storied lesson in the value of marketing. It’s one researched material and turned it into The following year we presented The Miracle to continue and develop the work structure of gleaming aluminium served as The new Millennium brought a major thing to produce a masterpiece and quite accessible and entertaining outdoor Revenge of Rumplestiltskin, an original it was doing, i.e. small scale touring, cathedral, pub, courtroom, gypsy camp upheaval to Miracle. After 16 years, Steve another to persuade people to come and theatre. Cabbages and Kings was a site ‘Georgian’ extravaganza based on the fairy primarily in the South West. But now we and square. After a tour of over 50 venues decided to move on. At the same time Jim see it. This was the first of Steve Clarke’s specific show about Pendennis Castle tale, The Yellow Dwarf - with new lyrics set would be able to increase production the show finished with a week’s run at a twenty-two productions as an actor and went to London and Keri left to have a values, to improve marketing and – most performed every weekend throughout the to music by Purcell. packed Minack. co-writer with Miracle. baby. Fortunately by this time the core importantly – to pay everyone summer of 1990 to large crowds. By this With The Tempest in 1994 Miracle company had expanded to include Kyla appropriately. With the help of an Over the years Miracle has built up a core 1985 saw a small local tour of Waiting for time the company had a fourth member, continued its collaboration with William Goodey, Angus Brown and Rosie Hughes, Objective One grant we set up an office in audience who make a habit of turning out Godot, performed in the round inside the Jim Elliot, whose designs gave the Shakespeare. Some may like to think he all skilled at devising and well suited to Truro and employed a full-time adminis- to watch our shows. For them our role is pyramid. Sadly, most of the world missed productions and posters a distinctive, turns in his grave at the ruthless cutting carry on the company’s ensemble trator and began to prepare for what similar to that of a rep company and we this classy show, which managed to be comic style. Jim had to make a little go a and pasting to which we subject his plays. approach to its work. Jim Carey composed would be an overnight fivefold increase in aim to offer a varied programme, while very funny, without compromising any of long way, not simply because of non- and produced a musical score for Twelfth But audiences respond positively. The front turnover. maintaining our particular style. So last the pathos of Beckett’s great play. There existent budgets but because the entire Night, the start of a fruitful collaboration row of a Miracle show is often composed year’s oriental Hamlet, performed in front followed an adaptation of The Little Prince, company, costumes, props and scenery with the company. Miracle’s process of putting a play of small children, wide-eyed and chuckling, of a mirror maze, with koto and with a dozen original songs that survive on had to fit into a Vauxhall Astra. together is very free and collaborative and hopefully Shakespeare fans for life. shakuhatchi soundtrack and martial arts a cassette – a rare collector’s item that has Then in 2002, when we had finally given encourages the whole company, writer, battles, was followed this summer by The become something of a cult classic in at Miracle was now enjoying a small measure up hope of receiving anything other than performers, designer, composer and Case of the Frightened Lady, a 1930s who- least one household! This hotchpotch of of stability as a result of a contract with occasional project grants, a phone call makers, to really push the boat out, dunnit with drawing-room comedy set productions shows the extent to which English Heritage to take these history- came out of the blue to say that, as part of experimenting up to the last minute (and and Cole Porteresque songs. And yet both Miracle was suffering from a lack of any based shows to castles all over the UK. A the Arts Council’s Theatre Review, Miracle beyond!). It’s a hugely rewarding process, shows had an unmistakable ‘Miracle’ direction or identity. As a result it came production process was evolving that is was to become a regularly funded client. but the stakes are high and that moment quality. very close to folding. now central to the company’s work, There were to be no strings attached to when the work is first exposed to an beginning with a script (more or less audience is particularly uncertain: a kind What next? That’s the unsettling question 1988-1999 complete) which is then subjected to a of alchemy takes place and, if the right that looms twice a year, when it’s time to select a random seed, pop it in the ground, But in 1988, with still no whiff of funding very free period of devising. Much of choices have been made along the way, let the Miracle cultivation team loose and in the air, Miracle re-grouped. Bill and Miracle’s comedy is physical and found the director can sit back and marvel as the production rises like a perfect sponge. wait to see what sort of exotic plant (or Steve were joined by Keri Jessiman and through fooling around in rehearsal. The shape of the play can change radically. scary triffid) emerges. began to write and perform a series of 3- On the other hand it can turn out more handed shows with the clear purpose of More often than not the ending only falls like a biscuit. In 1998 the rehearsal process Bill Scott into place in the final days before opening ‘bringing history to life’. In a witty and for Cleopatra, an entirely devised show – occasionally, it has to be said, not until highly irreverent way, The Great Enterprise about a group of Victorian archaeologists Poster by Jim Elliot Twelfth Night, 2000 - a Spanish view of the Armada, A Grand some way into the run!

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POETRY HISTORY

FLUENT NO COMMON LANGUAGE Falmouth Packet service came to an end in FALMOUTH’S WAYWARDENS 1850. This was left empty until 1873, when it became the third site of the Most of the time he's off with the fairies. September 2001 Cairo 1972 He's mislaid the name of his home Killigrew Monument, a pyramidal obelisk and forgets who his wife is OCAL government in the Keeping the roads in as good condition as built to the orders of Martin Lister Four equal arms of the cross and like a faded dream early and mid-nineteenth possible was the Waywardens’ main task, Killigrew in 1737 in the grove of elm trees several languages have gone. meet at a fountain. Worshippers bathe L and for this purpose local hauliers were on the north side of Arwenack House, the century was truly ‘local’, and present site of Grove Place. He's lost the trick of spreading cut halves under the vast cool dome. These ancient vaults apart from a professional Town employed to transport a variety of of a scone with jam and cream. are Hospital, Library, University, Holy-place. materials around the town. In 1846 Clerk, administrative and Other hauliers used included James May, He's a man who forgets he has a nose Richard Eva was most often used, and his Care. Study. Teach. Pray. practical responsibilities were whose work in August 1857 consisted of: that needs blowing and wiping, bills, written in a hesitant hand on odd This is the great Mosque in Cairo. shouldered by elected members but when the jazz starts playing scraps of paper, show these movements: 1 Carriage of 7 ⁄2 tons of stone from Carnon I am my student self, barefoot in scarf of the Borough Council. An 1 he gets up and bebops, October 12/13 – Carting 11 ⁄2 load of spar Mine to Falmouth at 1s 0d per ton fluent feet remembering. and sleeves, looking through filtered sunlight important yet not very popular from the Moor to High Street at 8d per load …….7s 6d at the gifts, the abstract names appointment was that of …… 7s 8d 10 tons of limestone for Macadamizeing Ann Kelley of God. Wondering at the interlocking Waywarden whose main do. (ditto) for 9 loads of spar stone from function was to supervise the (sic) at 2s per ton ……£1 0s 0d black and white keystones, the muezzin's Kilegrew (sic) Street to Moor …….3s 0d maintenance of roads, paths and noon call. Arabesques in three dimensions. Throughout these records there are MANTIS MANTRA (Spar was a word used frequently to denote the other routeways; and being references to this new ‘macadam’ road Between the tourists, worshippers, local stone or ‘killas’, a Devonian clay-shale indirectly associated with the surface, invented by John Loudon touts and pedlars, shepherded underlying the whole town.) Small green insect crawls sticky roads – albeit by accident of MacAdam who for a short period up to by their guardians from the hospital wing, and staccato across my hand, association or because nobody December 21 1846 to January 13, 1847 – 1802 lived in Flushing as Prizemaster and a ragged crocodile of mental patients weaves paths through sun bleached hair. else was prepared to look after For carting 50 loads of spar from the Moor Victualler to the Post Office Packets, The mechanics of its walk makes the daily crossing of the court to pray. Unsedated, them – the Waywardens were and the Strand to High Street, Lower Road before moving to Bristol and devoting his its prayer, remain mystery like a frieze of mediaeval lunatics, they caper, closely involved with such and other places as per agreement energies to road engineering. like air, as claws rekindle shuffle, freeze in odd postures, mutter. Their fellow Muslims public utilities as street ……..£1 2s 0d In 1859 James Eva was frequently your copper plated plaque cleaning, sewers, drains, gas and don't look away or tut, as we might. It is God's will. Eva’s journeys on behalf of the employed ‘carrying 45 loads of shingle’ for of overlapping hands, tattooing One young madwoman has picked me out, water supply. Waywardens in 1854 took him all over the £4.0.0, and ‘carting more stone to yard: do. faith; faith I was unable to inhale. comes face to face. Takes from her robe town, and other receipted bills give some rubbidge (sic) for 4s 6d’. Ritual readings, texts, propelling (Other names used in various parts of the idea of his movements: you through life and lost on me. something to show and share with me. country for this official were Boonmaster, Some of the stone came from the But now I find they linger Her most precious treasure; strips of cloth, Overseer of the Highways, Stoneman, February 16 – New Burial Ground to the Moor excavation of ‘platforms’ for buildings on on my skin as I perfect the art; a doll's head worn half bald. It's easy Surveyor of the Highways, Stonewarden, the steep slopes of the town, but much the art of praying backwards. February 22 – Bar to Yard enough to respond to her smile. Waymaker and Wayman.) came from established quarries, 14 of April 21 – sand to Garrison Hill which have been identified in various Dawyth Agar I've never seen anything so The scope of the Falmouth Waywardens June 17 – cart hier (sic) carting Bar parts of the town. Two of these, at the whole-hearted. I say in English became apparent to me when I was gravel fortunate enough to acquire their - Oh, she's a beautiful baby! - June 27 – Prison to Webber Street correspondence for the years 1845 to really meaning it. The girl answers November 20 – day’s work carting Bar 1863, consisting mainly of receipted bills in her own invented babble. We warm gravel from the local tradesmen who had carried to each other, chat until a nurse comes, gently out work on their behalf; these records There are frequent references to ‘yard’ or guides her away, with a nod of apology. had lain undisturbed in an oak chest for ‘stone yard’, but its exact location is Estranged by guilt and loss well over a century, and study of these uncertain; however there are annual I say - Go in peace - valuable documents has enabled me to payments to Lord Wodehouse for the gain a close understanding of life in the rental of several plots of land, one of my likeness, my innocent sister. town during the middle years of the which occurs regularly: “To one year’s Our only shared words are nineteenth century. This collection of acknowledgement of leave to break stone - Ma'a salaam records is now kept at the Royal Cornwall on Arwenack Green”, the location of which Polytechnic Society as part of the material is likely to be the patch of land on the Jane Tozer available for reference in the Falmouth seaward side of Arwenack House, occupied Porhan Street (now New Street). Note the pump and entrance to the Beehive Beer Cellar Local History Research Project. by the semaphore station until the

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Beacon and Berkeley Place (today known included ‘framing, fixing and painting to knock out a pane of glass to obtain as the Town Quarry, and used as a car railings (Prince Street)’, ‘repairing the ventilation... twelve persons in one room park) were operated on behalf of Lord grating by Mr Fox’s back door’, and with cats, dogs and parrots... Wodehouse, and printed bills were issued ‘mending the handrail of the steps near the ’overcrowding lowers the standard of and receipted by his agent at the time, Synagogue’. morality’… accumulations of filth, dirty John S. Skinner. stagnant pools and foul privies. In the mid-nineteenth century, sewers The Wodehouse family of Kimberley Hall were new! Up to then, disposal of sewage Naturally the expense of installing sewers in Norfolk had succeeded to the Killigrew had been on an ad hoc basis, and as – such as it was – fell upon the estates after the extinction of the Falmouth spread up the steep hillside west Waywardens, and tenders were required at Killigrew name in Falmouth with the death of the town, much of the effluent several times for the construction of short of Martin Lister Killigrew in 1745. gravitated into the wells lower down, lengths of pipe to attempt to relieve the causing epidemics of cholera and ‘enteric situation. In 1852 seven tenders were While roads were surfaced with beach fever’ (probably what we would call received for making a common sewer in material, broken stone or, occasionally, gastro-enteritis today). An official enquiry Killigrew Street, varying between £43 and Sixpence a dose (for the donkey) Aftermath of the High Street Fire ‘macadamized’, pavements and gutters was carried out in 1854 into ‘the £56. But progress was slow, and even at Hall pump’, while repairs were also needed Transport was often hired by the Falmouth’s narrow main street was even along the main streets were surfaced with sewerage, drainage and supply of water and the end of the century, when Falmouth to Fish Strand pump and those on Porhan Waywardens, and Robert Lake submitted narrower in the mid-nineteenth century granite, often referred to as ‘moorstone’. sanitary conditions of the inhabitants was being widely advertised as a holiday Street and Wynn’s Hill. regular bills for Cart and Horse; but they than it is today, and the Waywardens were had some ‘light’ transport of their own in at times involved in street widening. In In 1850 and 1852, handbills were of……Falmouth’ by Robert Rawlinson, a resort and eminent medical men were the form of wheelbarrows and a donkey 1849 the narrow Church corner end of circulated and estimates invited for paving Government Inspector. A copy of the advocating it for invalids, further health Rubbish of all kinds was removed from the Arwenack Street was the subject of a part of the town. At the former date, whole report is available for study in the reports of 1899 and 1902 were critical of streets at the Waywardens’ expense, and cart, both of which needed regular repair. Joseph Timmins and John Datson tendered Local History Research Project. water supply and sewage disposal. various carters were employed to carry it off. Magistrates’ Order authorising them to But it was on the donkey itself that most jointly: The hard-working Richard Eva was paid 9s 0d effect the compulsory purchase of land Submitted to the General Board of Health From 1848 piped water was available, on care seems to have been lavished. Charles “We will agree to provide granite paving as for ‘day’s work carting rubbish for the town’. from Messrs Carne and Tweedy. The in Whitehall, this revealed alarming the ground floors, for those who could Lukey repaired the harness and saddle, specified on the handbills and set it and biggest street-widening project, however, conditions. James Earle, a former afford it, and by 1854 there were ‘490 Thomas Webber supplied oats, and at carry it to any part of the town as may be One constituent of the ‘street sweepings’ took place in 1862 after the disastrous fire Waywarden, described the lack of any customers with taps in their houses and 180 frequent intervals John Dinnis charged for required and to do it in a workmanshiplike was horse manure, and because of its in High Street. The Waywardens paid form of organised sewage disposal, those supplied from external taps’. The Borough ‘4 shoes for donkey….1s 0d’. Every year 1 value as fertilizer , farmers were invited to manner for the sum of 6 ⁄2d per foot and between £6 and £10 to property owners installations which did exist discharging paid for the pumps, and later, taps to between 1854 and 1863 Mr Bullmore of will rework the old and set it as may be submit tenders and pay the Waywardens such as William Olver as compensation for into the main street, or into the sea. Local supply the poorer areas on a communal Trescobeas Farm supplied grazing in the required in a workmanshiplike manner for for the privilege of removing it. Variously the value of the land ‘given up by me so as to doctors reported the outbreaks of disease, basis, although some still relied on their 1 summer months and accommodation and the sum of 2 ⁄2d per foot.” referred to as ‘town dung’, ‘street manure’ widen the street in front of the house now in ascribing them to sewage disposal unhealthy wells. Repairs to the pumps fodder in winter. And to keep the animal or ‘street dung’, this commodity was the occupation of Mr Symons, Baker, in High In 1852 seven tenders for paving the facilities. Appalling housing conditions were regularly paid for by the fit for its arduous duties, I.A. Michell, collected from the streets in a Street’. Market Strand were submitted by were described: ten people living in one Waywardens. In 1850 John Dinnis charged Chemist and Druggist of Market Strand, room,… babies being born in such rooms wheelbarrow or the dung cart by the Abraham Prior and John Datson (jointly), 6d. for ‘2 new pins and bearings, new hoop regularly supplied ‘Condition powders for Parking problems in the main street are, ‘amidst a stench most sickening’… having ‘scavenger’ and taken to a dump on the James Ackerley (a Budock stonemason), and leather and time for repairing Town donkey’ at sixpence a dose. apparently, not a recent phenomenon. In Moor, whence it was collected by the cart- Thomas Spargo, Nicholas Cloak, Thomas load by the successful farmer. Pardon, J. Barnicoat and James Kessell. There is no record of which of these was And this was most often E.A. Bullmore of successful. Trescobeas Farm who spread it on his

Gratings to carry away storm water, and fields with all the other street sweepings; railings for the many paths rising up the which explains why the gardens of all the steep hills of the town, both figure houses in my neighbourhood are still prominently in the Waywardens’ turning up fragments of glass and pottery expenditure. In May 1849 Thomas after 40 years of cultivation. Bullmore Courtenay supplied: paid the sum of £8 for the street manure of the town for the year 1851 to 1852; but 1 New grating for Upton Slip, 37 lbs at 3 ⁄2d Richard Dunstan of Gillanvase Cottage 1 ……..10s 9 ⁄2d was unsuccessful with his offer: “Hearing 4 lbs of lead ………8d that the sweepings of the streets is about to Time fixing ………9d be let by tender I should feel inclined to give Other jobs carried out for the Waywardens ‘Light transport’ Receipt for compensation after the High Street fire (if accepted) three pounds…”.

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POETRY POETRY

1846, for instance, the Waywardens In July 1857 an official-looking letter LAST RITES BLUEBELL TIME FERAL settled an account with Edward Bennett, arrived from the Electric Telegraph Constable of Falmouth, ‘to several Company announcing that the Board of Your skin sees what is coming is not so much a when as a where He's the size of a close-up rat attendances on Mr J. Downing in assisting Highways in the town of Falmouth should before you do: you can feel the woods are, in slanting sunlight with the legs of forty frogs, in removing carts &c &c &c’, for which he ‘take notice that the Electric Telegraph your face becoming more remote. floored with, not so much a carpet was paid 8s 6d. Company …at and after the expiration of There is a man approaching as a throw, a blue net, a diaphanous sports a belly of speckled green, three days from the service hereof, to break just about your age - (that the light comes through) suggestion, ears of a tail-flicking horse. Digging up the roads for the various public up and open the pavement and soil of one single sliding raking glance touch, most subtle of washes, blue. utilities seems to have been almost as certain streets called Ludgate Hill, Beacon allows him into your head: It is distance come within reach, I keep him under my coat in a cardboard box frequent an occurrence 150 years ago as it Street, Church Street, Arwenack Street, you like the look of him. recessional touchingly present. complete with exercise machines. is today. At intervals the Waywardens Prince Street and such other streets…for the Grey haired. And thin. It might look like it starts in the eye, were in correspondence with gas, water purpose of laying down, under and along He walks. You walk. but the fact is, more in the mind. He's fitter than more than one flea, and electric telegraph companies on this such streets certain pipes or tubes as they The space between condenses, going over the top on his swings thorny issue, by far the worst offender are empowered to do for conveying the becomes warm. It is so vital I never go there now. Passing by being the Gas Company and its owner, Mr conducting and other wires of a certain to appear indifferent, serendipitously, my thought is, This year and spinning his treadwheel endlessly. Wynn. In a letter from the gasworks in Electric Telegraph along or across such I must walk in the Bluebell Woods But sometimes he sits in a corner 1852, the Manager informed the as your hips begin to move streets in conformity with the powers in that as when a child I did. But now, Waywardens that a larger gas pipe was to with just the slightest swing, behalf given by the said Act.’ there's no-one safely to go with, whose hand devouring all he comes across, be laid and asking ‘if you would prefer that the merest lift of breast, I could hold, or who would want without and getting fat as fat can be - the repairing should be done under your This revolutionary means of communi- the faintly-pouting lip, embarrassment to hold mine; or whose tread immediate control and supervision’, and cation successfully connected Falmouth to as your feet take up the beat with mine would not bruise them into his box expands and has no handles, asking the price of such work. London from an office near the main of Woman. Woman. Now. recalcitrance, refusing next year to it's difficult to get through doors. Quay, and meant that business and The immediacy of the Waywardens’ reply - bloom, regenerate, blow and blue the light. shipping contracts with the Capital were When did all this happen seems to suggest that this question had Other times he breaks out, goes wild, now a matter of hours rather than days. before? Was it so familiar reared its head before as, after giving the If there are children there in those woods taking months to find and catch. it was taken for granted price for carrying out the work themselves, These examples of Municipal activity in now they are ghosts, whose imprint is not light and absorbed? So it seems they added: ‘We take this opportunity to the middle years of the nineteenth enough to catch this blue bell present light. I shouldn't worry for his welfare, your body cannot forget, again notify that an arrangement must be century portray the ways in which one It is like the brain in an autopsy, he's terrifyingly self-sufficient, and faithfully presents come to before you open up any part of the branch of small-town local government only at which can it for certain be a reconstruction streets within our jurisdiction, or we shall be worked. Towards the end of the century, as known what the mumbling diagnosis is, but I try to groom and stroke him of something blurred and beautiful under the necessity of bringing the question the tasks became more onerous and what the loss was and is that caused such and cut his sharp little claws. from long ago. to an issue before the Magistrates’. technical, a professional man known as the (even in sunshine still in shadow) absence. Borough Surveyor was Eleanor Maxted So who'd want a dog or a cat, appointed to carry out the Andrew Robinson canary or an anaconda duties previously dealt with by the Waywardens. when you can keep one of these BUZZARD UCELLO AT FALMOUTH in the dark of a cardboard box. Falmouth was well served by a When the masts succession of competent men Spiralling Bill Mycock of sailing boats until the reorganisation of local slowly moored in the harbour government took most powers with hardly away from Borough authorities, a wing flap. are set bobbing and most of Falmouth’s affairs and swaying have since been dictated by So casual. by a sudden breeze HAIKU Truro. So lethal. it’s as if Time for good reading An indolent Peter Gilson the pick-a-stick lances kettle’s waiting to be filled assassin of Ucello’s cavalry - yes, Poly’s coming

with an eye at San Romano like a razor. are coming to life. Waywardens, where are you now? Beehive Beer Cellar now closed down Bob Rogers Bob Rogers

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Paintings by H.S. Tuke in the possession of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society

The Missionary Boat White Ship at anchor in Falmouth Bay

Jack Rowling Just arrived - The Bellas

Noonday Heat Our Jack

Giclée prints of these paintings from the RCPS Tuke Prices are either £40 or £50 each, depending on the size. Collection are available from the Falmouth Arts Centre on A number of postcards of Tuke paintings are also available Church Street, Falmouth Art Gallery and the Penlee Art from these sources – and very handsome they are, too. Gallery (Penzance).