Minutes of Meeting dated 14.1.2012 Written by elisabeth Hall, Memebership Sect.
Members of LOCS met together for the first time in 2012 on Saturday 14th January in St. Martin’s church hall. The Vice President Queenie Shearman welcomed all members, new members and visitors and wished everyone a very happy New Year. LOCS President John Enever was still in hospital but making progress; he had confirmed that he would not be standing for re-election as President at the A.G.M. in March and so nominations for a new President were sought. Members were agreed that the Christmas tea at the Hannafore Point Hotel had been a great success and were happy that the venue had been booked for 2012.Terry Knight (FOCS President) had written a letter to LOCS expressing his thanks for such a ‘splendid occasion’. New programme cards for 2012/2013 were available and thanks expressed to Nancy Jolliff for all her hard work in compiling the speaker programme.
Duncan Matthews, President of Liskeard OCS, outlined proposals for a joint celebration of the Diamond Jubilee by all East Cornwall OCS to be held at Respryn Bridge on Saturday 16th June. St. Piran’s Day 5th March would celebrated by LOCS in the Rose Garden at 11.00 with dance, drama and music and in Liskeard at 7.30pm with a concert in St. Martin’s church hall The minutes of 50 years ago showed that LOCS was in good shape and enjoyed a talk from Gladys Harris on John Harris a Liskeard Quaker whose History of Liskeard was indeed a legacy for posterity! Roger Bennett is writing a history of St. Mary’s church in Looe and would welcome information. The Membership Sec. reminded members that subscriptions for 2012 were now due at £8.50.
The Vice President then welcomed the speaker for the afternoon, Carol Vivian, whose talk was entitled ‘Through the Keyhole’. With the aid of a set of fascinating computer generated photographs, Carol took us all ‘through the keyholes’ of a number of well known and lesser known local houses into what lay beyond. Following a tour of Penellick in Pelynt, whose roof trusses indicate a building date as far back as 1350 with yet more secrets to be discovered, considerable interest was generated amongst members by pictures of Polvellan House in Looe, the recent venue for LOCS meetings. It is to be hoped that the fine plaster work and carved woodwork remain intact following its recent sale and renovation works. The Old House, a simple cottage on West Looe Hill, provided a striking contrast, followed by a return to grandeur in a look at the treasures of Morval House. The painted panels of Cartuther and the lateral chimney and granite carvings of Treginnick in Downderry both merited attention. Carol’s tour ended in Falmouth, at Arwennack Hose, much altered since its foundation in Elizabethan times and at Marlborough House, almost unchanged since its beginnings, still proudly displaying its stone carved ship on the outside wall and intricately carved dog guard gate on the internal staircase.
Carol was warmly thanked for her informative and humorous talk and the meeting ended with the usual raffle, tea and biscuits. The next meeting of LOCS will be held on Saturday 11th February at 2.30pm when the speaker will be Mark Camp on ‘Looe Canal’. All are welcome.
Looe Old Cornwall Society, Christmas Party, held at Hannafore Point Hotel 2.30 – 5.00 Saturday 10th December 2011
The Looe Old Cornwall Society held its annual Christmas Party this year at the Hannafore Point Hotel. The hotel had decked the room behind the bar out in regal Christmas decorations and the atmosphere was nicely Chritmassy. 45 people were present including 6 guests, Terry and Ann Knight, FOCS President; Martin Lister and Dianne Shan, Saltash OCS, and David and Annette Bryan, Mayor and Mayoress. Duncan Matthews (LOCS member, also represented Liskeard OCS. Best wishes were also received from Callington OCS. Our own President, John Enever remains in hospital seriously ill following illnesses after his hip operation and the sad loss of his wife, Doris.
Queenie Shearman, Life Vice President welcomed members and guests alike. The secretary began his section of the proceedings by referring to the minutes of 50 years ago, when the society had also met at the Hannafore Hotel. He then presented digital photos of the activities of the Looe OCS over the last eight years. This was followed by Roger Bennett and his wife Viv, leading us all with Christmas carols. Jean Dingle and he also gave a humorous A – Z of the Cornish Language.
| The raffle was organised by Rachael Carson. A best button hole competition was judged by the mayor and the prize was awarded to Martin Lister of Saltash. Food was in plenty and consisted of delicate buffet snacks together with tea and coffee. Neil Birchwood-Harper arrived in the excellent disguise of Father Christmas and handed out presents to all those present. Every attendee had bought a small wrapped gift to the value of no more than £1.00. this enabled Father Christmas not to have to draw down on his Christmas stock which no doubt will be required over the next few weeks. |
Here, Marilyn Kirby helps Father Christmas. The Federation President, Terry Knight (brown jacket) looks on.
The Federation President, Terry Knight led the thanks. He remarked that he was impressed by the "youth" and vitality of the society, pointing out that the name of "Old" in the Old Cornwall Societies, in no way meant elderly members but simply matters of historical interest to Cornwall. The name "Old" continued to raise issues. The mayor thanked the society, and also gave a brief update of the road closure situation at St Martin’s which is being bought about by the 180 or so new houses being built up there. It is a matter of great contention with all residents of Looe and surrounds at present.
Roger Bennett then rounded off the celebrations with Trelawney and every one left at 5.00pm, having had a fine happy time.
LOOE OLD CORNWALL SOCIETY 12 11 2011
The Vice President of the Society, Queenie Shearman welcomed all members to the meeting, especially the 2 visitors and 5 new members. The President, John Enever was at present in hospital and therefore unable to attend. The recent Fish and Chips Supper had been a real success, with excellent service from Kelley’s in Looe and members were happy to go there again. Thanks were expressed to members for their valued contributions to the raffle. The Secretary Peter King updated members on recent correspondence including invitations to Saltash and Callington OCS Christmas events on 19th Dec, Liskeard OCS Programme Card, winter events at Lanhydrock and details of the Learn Cornish Course at Lostwithiel through Cornish Heritage Trust.
The Secretary read from the Minutes of fifty years ago which recorded a talk on Cornish Mining including the fact that in 323BC a Greek navigator had landed in Looe and taken away with him Cornish tin; the first recorded export on record! Members were reminded of the AGM next March and asked to consider joining the Committee especially to bring forward new ideas. 2 members of LOCS were invited to lay the Society’s wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Looe cenotaph. Jeannie Dingle reported back to members on the success of the recent Societies’ Day in Looe. Peter King then welcomed Mrs Jill Anstey from OCS Newquay the speaker for the meeting.
In a fluent and witty talk ‘This Old House’ Jill explained the origins of many of the sayings in our language which can trace their beginnings to the development of home life. Early man had only one main living area with a fire in the middle for warmth and so with the heat felt only by those closest, those furthest away were left ‘out in the cold’ usually those who were not liked! In Mediaeval times the use of the French language became more widespread and so when the fire was covered for safety at night, couvre le feu soon became known as the ‘curfew’. A cooking pot usually hung over the fire on a trivet for making stock from peelings, leftovers and bones, thus providing a ready meal for any unexpected visitors who would have to take ‘pot luck’. Until the development of windows the only natural light for the house was came through the entrance, hence ‘don’t darken my doorway’. When in 1697 a Window Tax was introduced, windows were hastily blocked up to avoid payment or ‘daylight robbery’. Jill continued to link the development of our homes through sleeping and eating, in order to explain terms such as ‘sleep tight’ from the need to tighten a bed’s roped wooden frame, together with the many phrases incorporating the word board, such as ‘board meeting’ sweep the board’ and ‘above board’ which all derive from the boards on trestles used as tables, smooth on one side and rough on the other, hence ‘to take the rough with the smooth’. Many other phrases were introduced by Jill and explained often with help from the members.
Jill was warmly thanked by the secretary Peter King for her knowledgeable and entertaining talk. The meeting finished with the raffle, tea and biscuits. LOCS members will next meet at the Hannafore Point Hotel on Saturday 10th December at 2.30pm for their Christmas Tea Party cost £7.50; prize for the best button hole; Father Christmas might visit!
LOOE OLD CORNWALL SOCIETY 8.10.2011
The Vice President of the society, Queenie Shearman, welcomed all members and visitors to the meeting and reported that the President, John Enever, was recovering well from his recent hip replacement operation.
| The Secretary and Mrs Marilyn King were congratulated on their recent wedding and presented with a gift from the Society. |
LOCS would be represented at the Looe Town Societies Day on Saturday 15th October 10.00-3.00 and any help would be gratefully received. The Autumn Supper is on Saturday 22nd October at Kellys in Looe cost £10. This year’s Christmas Tea Party would be held at the Hannafore Point hotel on Saturday 10th December 2.30pm, cost £7.50. Please bring a wrapped present about £1 and enter the best button hole/corsage competition. Would any member of LOCS like to lay the society’s wreath at the Looe Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday 13th November?
The Secretary, Peter King, updated members on recent correspondence received and read from the LOCS minutes of 50 years ago. These showed that they had a new President and that their Vice President was now the Federation’s President. Their talk had covered details of a number of local buildings of interest. The Treasurer, Roy Perriment updated members on the mounting of the LOCS piece of the old Buller Quay railway line.
| The Vice President then introduced the speaker for the meeting, Mr Chris Blount and his topic ‘Sounds and Voices of the Past’. Chris had spent his working life in the BBC and he opened his talk by recalling the days of the West of England Home Service. His audio presentation contained a wealth of recorded material ranging from the reports of the disasters of the Flying Enterprise and the Torrey Canyon, to the experiences of the |
Land Army Girls in Cornwall and the Duchy’s influence on writers such as Daphne du Maurier. Throughout, Chris stressed the importance of keeping alive the tradition of painting pictures in sounds and words. This was illustrated by recordings of boatmen’s tales, the Cornish accent, memories of working conditions in the Cornish mines, the Looe to Liskeard railway line and the humour of the Queen of Camborne. A montage of the ‘bits that went wrong’ provided a very humorous conclusion to the talk.
Chris was warmly thanked by the Secretary for giving ‘one of our best presentations ever’ and the meeting closed with the raffle, tea and biscuits. The November meeting of LOCS will be held at St. Martin’s church hall on November 12th 2.30pm when the speaker will be Jill Anstey on ‘This Old House’. This coincides with the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies meeting
LOOE OLD CORNWALL SOCIETY 10TH SEPT 2011
The members of LOCS were welcomed to their September meeting by the President John Enever. It had been a busy summer for the Society with the Trelawne Barton cream tea, the celebration of Trelawne Day, two Kingfisher trips up the West Looe River and the ancient ceremony of Crying the Neck. Sadly the Looe Island BBQ was cancelled on account of the weather but the trip to Carnglaze Caverns was still to come on 29th Sept. cost £4. The Secretary Peter King drew the attention of members to the Looe Town Societies Day on 15th October 10.00am - 3.00pm in the Fish Market. LOCS would be represented at this event and all offers of help would be gratefully received. A new publication ‘The Good Fellowship of Padstow’ was available written by FOCS member Barry Kinsman. As there was now only one piece of the old Looe railway line remaining on the quayside it was hoped to mark this with a plaque of some kind, in addition, the piece of line bought by LOCS should make a number of different and interesting mementos using local resources.
50 years ago the minutes showed that LOCS did not hold a meeting in September as members were still busy with their pilgrimages. These had included numerous visits to places of historic interest, especially churches, culminating in the Gorsedd Kernow at Bude. To-day’s members were reminded of the Autumn Fish and Chip Supper at Kelly’s in Looe on 22nd October cost £10 and encouraged to look at the ‘Memories’ folder especially those of Austin Toms.
The President then introduced the speaker for the afternoon Mr. Peter Allen who gave members a presentation on the Railways of East Cornwall. Peter began by outlining the reasons behind the development of the railways in 19th century England, which included a booming business environment, increasing leisure and tourism and company profits. An Act of Parliament to gain approval and adequate funding was first required. The development of the Caradon Hill copper mines and granite quarrying had led to the construction of a ‘railway’ from Caradon to Moorswater using a very gentle gradient for the wagons, with the aid of a brakeman on the downhill and horses back up. As trade increased even the newly dug Liskeard to Looe canal was inadequate and it was replaced by a railway line and steam trains.
However the dramatic fall in the price of copper in the 1880’s emphasised the need to link local lines to the national rail network, thus enabling the exploitation of the Cornish fishing industry and tourism. It was not considered practical to link the Looe line to Liskeard because of the steep gradient and so the North Cornwall Railway Plan was drawn up linking Minions and Altarnun, Trewint and Launceston through the Kensey Valley enabling the line to join the London and South Western Railway. An additional link was planned between Camelford, Wadebridge and Padstow, now re-vitalised as the Camel Cycle Trail. Most of these plans were never completed but Peter showed pictures of how the stations and track might have looked; almost certainly these would have been beautiful and dramatic routes crossing Bodmin Moor, linking coast and town but the Looe to Padstow line became known as ‘the railway that never was’. It was the genius of Joseph Thomas which finally led to the completion of the Looe to Liskeard rail link in 1901 joining the Great Western mainline.
The President warmly thanked Peter for his detailed and interesting presentation and the meeting ended with a raffle, tea and biscuits. The next LOCS meeting will be in St Martins church hall on Saturday 8th October at 2.30pm when the speaker will be Chris Blount on’ Sounds and Voices of the Past’.
Looe Old Cornwall Society Minutes of AGM held on Saturday 12th March 2011 at 2.30pm at
St Martin’s Church Hall.
(The report for the local newspapers, written by Elisabeth Hall follows the secretary's report).
Those present and apologies as per the Attendance record. 26 signed the book. There were no new members.
The President, John Enever welcomed members to the 83rd AGM. He read a letter of apology from the Treasurer Hazel Moore, who after 10 years as Treasurer was standing down but unable to attend due to a fall.
He then gave his Presidential Address.
He advised that members had been asked to maintain the granite cross on west Looe Hill. This would need to be a subject of a committee meeting.
The accounts were tabled. John Hall queried the high miscellaneous figure. The secretary pointed out that a large amount here was his responsibility made up of photocopying, information leaflets, postage etc. His annual bill exceeded £100. Donations had increased considerably this year also. Peter King pointed out that this was in part due to the loan of the Projector and lap top. LOCS charged £5.00 each time it was loaned and BBH, Peter King and Mark Camp had used it a great deal over the last year when giving talks to local societies. Sale of DVDs of the "Looe Heritage Trail" had also brought in a fair sum. Acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Brenda Thomas and seconded by Barbara Jones. The report was approved unanimously by members.
The Recorder, Roger Bennett asked for ideas from members for future work. He advised that he had audio recorded a number of residents over the last year and these qere on the LOCS web. He was maintaining the folders on local activities, passed to him by the previous recorder, Barbara Birchwood-Harper. RB is also the Entertainment’s secretary and he acknowledged much effort at the Christmas Party together with St Piran’s Day at the Rose Garden, held this year on Friday 4th March (as School children were available that day and not on Saturday 5th March). The President thanked him and his wife Viv for their input during the year. It was suggested that next year a banner be available at the Rose Garden for St Piran’s Day. Many residents had asked what was going on! The President advised that he had written to the school thanking them for their participation. He also referred to the events not subject to wind and rain held by the Liskeard OCS on the Saturday,
The Archivist, Barbara Birchwood-Harper advised members that she continued to gather up the fragments of local history. The rail line in the Bullar Street car park had recently been dug up by the Harbour Commissioners during present refurbishment, It was agreed that LOCS should obtain a piece of this and Duncan Matthews, LOCS member but also President of the Liskeard OCS requested that they also receive a part. The line should be machine cut and not gas cut the President advised. The secretary was instructed to follow this up.
June Hyslop, Fundraiser, advised that the raffle had bought in about £21 per meeting and she thanked members for bringing prizes.
Elizabeth Hall advised that we presently had 51 paid up members, 12 unpaid. The local papers had printed many articles supplied by her during the year She also referred to the Community News where the front page had been given over to LOCS…an article written by the secretary.
Nancy Jolliff, the Programme Secretary referred to the past year’s programme. The accounts showed that speakers had been less this year and it was because she felt she had trawled the local expertise for good speakers. However future speakers would have to come from further afield and thus cost more.
Brenda Thomas stood from the floor and proposed a vote of thanks to all committee members. Members applauded this.
The committee then stood down. Under new officers, John Enever had proposed Roy Perriment as the new Treasurer. He was seconded by David Jones and members unanminously approved. The President again thanked Hazel Moore in her absence for her efforts.
The new Committee was then named:
John Enever President
Peter King Secretary
Roy Perriment Treasurer
Elisabeth Hall Membership Secretary and Publicity Officer
Nancy Jolliff Programme Secretary
Roger Bennett Recorder and Entertainment
Queenie Shearman Dining
June Hyslop Fund Raising
The entire committee was proposed by Jeannie Dingle and seconded by Jean Thomason. Members approved unanimously.
John Enever advised that he intended to step down at the end of 2012.
Les Richmond (auditor) was thanked for his efforts and proposed by Karen Mason and seconded by Nancy Jolliff to continue in this work. Barclays Bank was also approved to hold the funds.
The President tabled an addition to the constitution "That the position of Deputy President be added to the roll of officers". This was seconded by David Jones and unanimously accepted. Queenie Shearman had accepted this position.
The meeting was then adjourned until 10th March 2012.
The following report was written by Elisabeth Hall for the local Newspapers.
LOOE OLD CORNWALL SOCIETY 12.03.’11
The 83rd A.G.M. of LOCS was held on Saturday 12th March in St. Martin’s church hall starting at 2.30pm. In his opening address the President John Enever reviewed the events of the past year, drawing attention especially to a succession of good speakers and the popular outings enjoyed by the Society; thanks were given to the Secretary Peter King for organising the LOCS web site, which was receiving an increasing number of enquiries; links had been furthered with the Cornwall Archaeological Society and a number of other Old Cornwall Societies; the recent celebration of St. Piran’s Day had been a great success; thanks were given to all members of the Society for their loyalty and support. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted, with thanks expressed to the Auditor, Les Richmond. Individual members of the Committee then reported briefly on the year’s activities, including, the work of storing and sorting the Society’s documents, recording the memories of some of the older residents of Looe, membership numbers, social events, raffles and fund raising. They were thanked by the President for all their hard work before they stood down; all were willing to be re-elected with the exception of Hazel Moore, whose successor, Roy Perriment, was voted on to the Committee as Treasurer. Hazel was thanked for all that she had done for LOCS during the past ten years. A change to the Constitution was accepted to allow for the appointment of a Deputy President and Queenie Shearman was duly approved. The Society’s next AGM will be held on 10th March 2012.
A short regular monthly meeting then followed. The Secretary Peter King read from the minutes of fifty years ago and impressed the present membership with the extent and variety of activities undertaken at that time. Reports were then given on the St.Piran’s Day celebrations organised by LOCS in the Looe Rose Garden and by the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society in St. Martin’s Church Liskeard. The children of Looe Primary School received a special mention for their excellent drama and dance presentation. LOCS Spring Lunch will be held at Looe Golf Club on 15th April price £11.00. The meeting closed with a fascinating selection of aerial photos over Looe, to be continued on a later occasion. The next meeting of LOCS will be on Saturday April 9th at 2.30pm when the speaker will be Andrew Langdon on the Crosses of East Cornwall.
Minutes of regular Monthly meeting held after the AGM on Saturday 12th March at 3.30.
The President welcomed members!
Under previous minutes the secretary informed members that exactly 50 years ago the LOCS had held their AGM at the Belmont Hotel at 3.00pm. There had been 21 new members during the year (1961). The president Mr Shearme had stood down after 15 years service and been replaced by Mr Coon.
The Dinning secretary advised that the Spring Lunch would be held at the Golf Club this year. Cost will be £11.50.
The secretary introduced John Enever! And he gave a number of slides of aerial photos over Callington, Liskeard and Looe. Members entered into the discussion of where places were and how they had changed over the last 50 years. Peter King thanked him for his presentation.
The raffle was run by June Hyslop and tea and cakes served by Queenie Shearman, Nancy Jolliff and Marilyn Kirby. The meeting closed at 16.30.
Barbara Birchwood Harper raised the question of whether the cross at the top of West Looe Hill should be kept visible by LOCS now that the task of trimming the surrounding hedge can no longer be under taken by the present couple responsible. This will be decided by the Committee. The meeting was asked whether anyone knew of any buildings in Looe designed by the architect Henry Rice. George Vaughan-Ellis believed that there might be a house, most probably a Victorian or Edwardian villa. Roger Bennett entertained the meeting with the definitive answer to the question of the name of Shutta Ball or Shutta Bell. The correct name was in fact neither of these but Shutta Bull. Finally the President drew members’ attention to the front page of the current Community news.
Colin Rescoria, speaker for the afternoon was introduced and gave members a fascinating talk on Hurling in St.Columb. Colin turned his first hurling ball in 1954 and has been involved in their manufacture ever since. A symbol of fertility, the ball has an apple wood centre which is fitted inside two silver hemisphere cups, joined with a silver band, engraved with the words ‘Town and Country do your best’. It takes ten to fifteen hours work to shape the cups and the finished ball weighs twenty ounces. Members were given the opportunity to see and feel one for themselves.
The game of hurling is the ultimate in contact sport, without rules, distinguishing team colours or referee. Possesssion of the ball is all important and the ability to run faster than any other player who might want it. Scrummage lasts an hour and in St.Columb is won by the Country player able to take the ball one mile north towards Wadebridge or the Town player who can take it one mile east towards Newquay. The winner is then carried shoulder high and keeps the ball for a year or replaces it. Cocoa and beer are drunk by young and old around the town to celebrate during the evening.
Hurling is always played on Shrove Tuesday at four o’clock but we have no idea when it first started. It was not originally confined to St.Columb, where the first record is found in the Green Book of Holy Trinity church for 1594. Traditionally it was away of settling old scores or played after a wedding between the families of the bride and groom. The most famous ball made was in 1938 and was hurled throughout World War Two until 1946. The St.Columb pitch of thirty one and a half square miles has earned a place in the Guiness Book of records as the biggest of any game! As the town is not closed during the game, all windows are shuttered and drivers enter at their peril.
Colin was warmly applauded for his talk and thanked by the President. The meeting ended with a raffle tea and biscuits. The LOCS AGM will be on Saturday 12th March at 2.30pm in St. Martins hall to be followed by a presentation of aerial slides over Looe.