MyCornwall Magazine June/July 2020

TALES OF CHARLES CAUSLEY

My

• VAMPING UP VINTAGE FASHION • FROM SEA TO FRONT DOOR

CORNWALL’S

CREATIVE

COMMUNITIES THE ONLINE MOVEMENT

REDISCOVERING OUR

LOVE FOR

LOCAL PLUS

A Homage to

Cornwall’s Heroes myCornwalltv JUNE / JULY 2020 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 60 £3.25 t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 1 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Hello and Welcome to a very special edition of myCornwall Magazine – an issue that celebrates the resilience, creativity, kindness, generosity and versatility that can be found in our county and that has certainly come to light more so than ever during what can be described as the hardest time of a generation.

As Cornwall and the world was thrust into lockdown, we soon realised how important it was for people to feel a sense of community, to bridge the gap created by isolation and social distancing with creative outlets.

Social media, for all its downfalls, rose to the occasion, and our feeds were filled with bright lights of positivity and people reaching out to one another who have been hit and suffered at the expense of the coronavirus.

Our Instagram feeds were bursting with artwork as the Support Local Artists movement took hold, #ShopLocal trended high, NHS workers were lauded and applauded, and key workers were thanked at every opportunity. Crowdfunding targets were hit, people and businesses were helped as much as possible and many were given rays of hope at times when things were so very dark.

It would be wrong to say this crisis has not hit our county hard, there are still challenges to be faced and fought over the coming months. As a small business ourselves, we have done what we can to weather through these trying times and help as many as we can in the process, whether it’s a blog post on our website, a share on Facebook or Instagram, or releasing our latest issues online for free via Issuu for folk to read at their leisure, we have tried to do our part as a local magazine that truly values this county and its resourceful people.

That is why in this issue of myCornwall, we pay homage to every part of Cornwall that needs it. You’ll find our tribute to those who have been helping frontline workers to fight COVD-19, to those who have been keeping the flags flying for Cornwall’s creative communities online and to those who are bringing joy to the doorsteps and homes of Cornish residents. From artists raising money for the NHS to local farm shops feeding the county, the highs and lows of this trying time have been hard fought and won and for every devastating story that has gripped us as a nation, there have also been stories of happiness and resilience.

It is these stories we wanted to bring into this June/July issue and to honour those who have worked so hard and acted so selflessly. You may not find stories about theatre shows, summertime festivals, places to eat and events to enjoy, but you will find people whose voices deserve to be heard, talented creators and innovators who have sought to keep their businesses and their community spirits going.

Despite our uncertain future, we shall continue to take comfort in life’s simplest pleasures, relish in how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place where nature’s tranquil and tender hand is so easily found and continue rediscovering and exploring our love for Cornwall and all its fantastic local produce and creations – even if, for the time being, it is from the comfort of our armchairs.

Stay safe Cornwall and thank you for reading our magazine!

Alexandra Saunders, Editor

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News A round up of all the latest happenings Dog Friendly Cornwall The Want List Sinead's Silver Designs Adore My Store Just Delights Design Hub The Cornish Surfer The Power of Vintage Clothing Cornwall's COVID Heroes Back to Basics 100 Years of Leach Pottery Charles Causley - The Magic of Poetry

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My Cornish World Martha Tilston At Home With Granny Moff and Morgowr Let's Speak Cornish

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Art News A round up from the creative world VIP Simon Jewell at The Customs House Gallery Through the Eyes of... Chris Insoll Art Focus The Ulitimate Penzance Art Trail Maker's Focus Jewellery of the Wild Coast Artist Profile Maggie O'Brien Meet The Maker Susy Ward Gallery Of The Month The Cowhouse Gallery

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Home Comforts Meet the Chef Ben Quinn The Story of Baker Tom Off The Beaten Track St Just in the Roseland Experience Island Gin

EDITOR Alex Saunders alex@mycornwall.tv

CONTRIBUTORS

01209 314147

thatsmycornwall.com myCornwall magazine, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3AJ

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Elizabeth Dale

DESIGN Paul Blyth

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

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myCornwall magazine welcomes contributions. We reserve the right to edit, amend, correct (or not use) anything submitted. Contributors must obtain all necessary permissions and credit all sources. All rights to works submitted are supplied for use by myCornwall and its parent company in all media (present and future). Whilst reasonable steps are taken to check the accuracy of work contained within the publication we cannot take responsibility for mistakes or the views submitted by contributors. Unsolicited contributions that fail to state they require payment or do not have a payment agreement in place will not be paid for but may be published. In order to avoid any confusion please state if you seek payment.

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

scientific advice shows that the populations of this fish are very healthy, it has been on our recommended list as a sustainable option for nearly a year now.”

Before lockdown took hold, the CGSG had teamed up with award-winning private chef Ken Symons, who spent a day in the Good Seafood kitchen cooking with local Cornish seafood. Now, Ken has been helping with this latest initiative to get people looking at the list and buying local, sustainable fish near them, “It is vital we keep our local fishermen fishing,” says Ken, “and that we all make the most of this incredible local resource.”

In Cornwall’s quest to keep its local producers going during this difficult time, awareness has been raised across the coast for local fishermen who will have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. As spring and county’s peak season typically get underway, it’s a busy time for the boats, but with lockdown and social distancing regulations keeping many restaurants and food outlets closed, Cornwall’s fishermen and fishmongers have been resorting to alternative methods to keep their local areas fed well on sustainable, locally caught seafood.

Already, many of us have taken the current situation as a chance to improve our cooking skills, and to reacquaint ourselves with local produce. In Cornwall we are beyond lucky to have the larder of seafood we have on our doorstep and if anything, this lockdown has highlighted just how important this infrastructure is to our economy and our culture.

To encourage more people than ever to support local, sustainable fishermen, the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, a Cornwall Wildlife Trust Project, have set up a comprehensive list of seafood suppliers offering sales and delivery during lockdown.

You can also find a range of simple, sumptuous recipes harnessing Cornish fish.

As the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide’s list expands, the site has received thousands of visits and clicks since its launch on the 12th March. One of the team members behind the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, Matt Slater, has noted that the list and the public's approach to supporting local businesses has become a lifeline for fishermen in what would have been the start of their busiest season, “It’s one of the few positives that have come out of this very difficult situation we find ourselves in,” Matt explains, “the public really want to help their local fishermen and we all need to eat. It makes sense to eat the wonderful, fresh, local seafood landed in Cornwall, especially now it is easier than ever to get local seafood delivered to your door through our website.”

For those uncertain of how to approach a fish they might not have cooked or even tried before, the list also includes a fantastic selection of recipes, from pan fried mackerel to a Thai inspired Monkfish curry.

“A surprisingly simple dish that is absolutely delicious,” says Matt, “Monkfish are a popular fish which are caught in large quantities all around Cornwall. The latest

The Guide’s list success has meant that businesses such as Fish For Thought have seen a dramatic increase in support and public engagement in the appreciation for locally caught, sustainable Cornish seafood, as owner and director Paul Trudgian explains, “The levels of engagement, positivity and support for our business and the amazing fishermen we work with has been humbling. I am so proud of the way our customers and our team have responded to this unprecedented crisis and I am increasingly optimistic that many more people will join our Seafood Revolution, and the demand for sustainable British seafood in the future.”

As online sales and deliveries to the public for local fishermen and businesses everywhere increase, it’s imperative that we all still keep in mind the importance that shopping locally and sustainably can have on our local environments and economies. l To check out the CGSG’s list of sustainable fish delivery services near you, visit www.is.gd/lockdownfishcornwall Be sure to also check out the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for recipes, updates and news.

With the traditional export of fish practically non-existent under the current circumstances, many fishermen and fish sellers have found a surge in local appreciation for sustainable seafood landed in Cornwall, once considered a luxury only to be eaten in high-end restaurants. Now, a traditional approach that dates back to Cornwall’s earliest roots has seen a reawakening of Cornwall’s love for good, affordable, sustainable and local seafood, as many fishermen are now selling direct and delivering in local catchment areas. t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 7 n

New Educational Opportunities for Art and Craft Enthusiasts in Cornwall Truro and Penwith College have announced two brand-new university level courses in craft starting this September.

For artists and craftspeople keen to enter the professional world, a unique opportunity has arisen at Truro and Penwith College.

Two brand-new university level art and design courses are set to start in September. The degree courses, FdA Design Craft Maker and its progression course BA (Hons) Craft and Design, have been created to combine all aspects of design craft making with a variety of mediums including textiles, ceramics and metalwork.

The courses will be available to both students applying straight from college and working professionals who have aspirations to follow a more creative career route, with the option to complete the full bachelor’s degree with a one-year top up course also offered at the college.

Surrounded by a variety of mediums in art, craft and design, students will not only have the opportunity to develop practical and academic skills but they will also have the opportunity to create their own business using entrepreneurial knowledge that is also delivered on the course in the aim to help creative students enter the business world.

The college’s university level provision was assessed as Gold Standard and has been offering craft courses for over 15 years. l For those interested in the course and discovering more, you can contact HEenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk or 01872 267061

Florence Nightingale Discovery at Bodmin Keep

Bodmin Keep Army Museum has unearthed a unique item from its archives - a handwritten letter from Florence Nightingale, the nurse and social reformer who transformed medical treatment in the field of battle during the Crimean War in the 1850s. Nightingale was well-known for her emphasis on handwashing to prevent the transmission of infection at a time when this was not common practice. Today, with the Nightingale hospitals created to accommodate people suffering from Covid-19, her legacy and name is once again in the public eye.

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the museum archive was written by Florence Nightingale to the relative of an injured soldier when she was at Scutari Hospital during the Crimean War of the 1850s. The reason it’s in the museum’s collection is that the 46th Regiment of Foot she refers to in the letter is one of the ancestral regiments of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. It’s amazing to hold something like this in your hand and we’re delighted to have rediscovered it this year, the 200th anniversary of her birth.’

The discovery of the letter has also inspired the museum to make the next edition of its popular ‘Keep Kids’ home learning activity sheets all about Women in War. It will feature the stories of women in war from Victorian times to the present day, including local Boer War campaigner Emily Hobhouse and museum team member Rhonda Seymour who served as a medic with the Territorial Army. l You can download the free Keep Kids Women in War activity sheet at www.bodminkeep.org/schools/ learning-resources-2/

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Council Car Parks to Remain Free for NHS and Health and Social Care Staff

Cornwall Council will be continuing to offer free parking to NHS and Health and Social Care workers and volunteers after car park charges are reintroduced from Monday 1st June.

Permits, provided by the NHS Trust, and using intercom on arrival and when leaving at pay on exit car parks, will ensure that parking will remain free for critical workers who have provided immense support during the coronavirus outbreak.

From the 1st June, parking charges will apply to council car parks for all other users and Civil Enforcement Officers will be returning in full capacity to keep routes clear for emergency service vehicles and preventing traffic hazards. It has also been announced that tariffs will remain at 2019 levels and no increase with inflation this year as originally planned. Free evening parking in most council car parks will continue as will flexible pay and park options during the day. Users are also encouraged to use the Just Park App via their smartphones. l

First commercial sunflower crop spreads to brighten Cornish village A joint venture between a Cornish farmer and an awardwinning artisan food producer will see the UK’s first commercial sunflower crop grown specifically to create cooking oil.

16 acres of sunflower seeds have just been drilled by Nick Dymond on his farm at Trispen near Truro, Cornwall. When the seeds are harvested in the autumn it’s over to Jack Baines from Hard Pressed Cornwall who will cold press the crop to produce high-quality sunflower oil.

There are only a handful of commercial sunflower growers in the UK who produce feed for birds. This is the first crop known to be planted in the UK destined for human consumption.

Jack Baines, a former chef from nearby Carnon Downs, started a culinary revolution just over a year ago when he founded Hard Pressed Cornwall. Swapping the hustle and bustle of life in the kitchen for handcrafting pure, flavoursome cuisine oils.

The brand’s rapeseed oil is produced from crops grown in North Cornwall and Jack was keen to source the sunflower seed for his products within the county. Impressed by Jack’s products and ambition to source locally, the collaboration also provides many other opportunities which Nick explains: “The residue from the sunflower seed pressing contains a very high, easily digestible source of protein and will be fed to our livestock. Hence the need to import protein in the form of South American soya beans is reduced, as is our carbon footprint."

Several acres of sunflowers in full bloom will give the declining bee and bird populations a much-needed boost, which is an added bonus for Nick, “Agricultural methods employed today have certainly had a negative effect on bees and birds. As farmers, we need to take drastic action to help reverse this trend.”

In light of the current difficult times, the duo have distributed more than 100 packets of sunflower seeds to families in the villages of Trispen and St Erme. Jack commented, “We’re delighted that there has been so much support locally of what we are doing and are encourage that so many people are keen to grow their own. The villages should be awash with bright yellow sunflowers in a couple of months. Hopefully, it will be an uplifting sight for everyone in the area.” l To find out more about Hard Pressed Cornwall visit www.hardpressedcornwall.co.uk.

Why Cornwall Air Ambulance Need Your Help Now

Cornwall Air Ambulance is urgently appealing to the public for donations from new and existing supporters to help the charity to continue responding to seriously sick and injured patients during Covid-19.

Cornwall Air Ambulance is an independent charity, many people do not realise that they do not receive funds from NHS charities.

Despite that, they are and continue to be on the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus.

The crew continue to attend patients, including those who are suspected Covid-19 cases, bringing their enhanced critical care skills.

Under Public Health England guidelines, the crew are permitted to transport confirmed Covid-19 patients by air; through the use of additional PPE that enables them to support these patients.

The charity Critical Care Paramedics are part of the wider NHS rota for supporting intensive care transfers around the hospital network to support the sickest ventilated patients during inter-hospital transfer. They are also staffing a ‘Major Trauma Advice Line’ which works with the 999 call centre in Exeter. The advice line is helping to direct patients to the right clinical pathway using the enhanced clinical skills of the paramedics to support the decision-making process.

Despite the recent announcement of a government grant to Cornwall Air Ambulance, the charity income has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic with Cornwall Air Ambulance set to lose a massive £1.5m by the end of the year due to the closure of its charity shops, community fundraising and the closure of tourism. This could start to have huge consequences for the charity and the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

This sustained lack of fundraising income could mean the charity has to take steps to reduce the cost of operating the service, which could include reducing the number of hours the helicopter flies every day.

Future lives depend on ensuring they continue to fly to as many people as possible every single day.

Chief Executive Paula Martin said, “Cornwall Air Ambulance is not immune to the effects of Coronavirus. This is about a stitch in time saving nine. The more people who can step in now, take action and support the lifesaving work of the charity, the greater the chances are that we can preserve the maximum service levels and reach the patients who need us most in their golden hour of need.

This is an urgent appeal for your help to keep the new helicopter flying and saving lives. Future lives depend on the support of the amazing people of Cornwall.” l You can support Cornwall Air Ambulance and protect the future of the charity by donating online, visit cornwallairambulancetrust. org/donate

Harbour Hotels Offer 250 Free Two-Night Breaks for NHS Heroes To express their appreciation for those who have been working on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic, Harbour Hotels, who have bases in St Ives, Fowey and Padstow, have offered 250 complimentary twonight getaways, including dinner and breakfast, at any of their hotels across the south of England for ICU staff.

their NHS ICU hero, by tagging them in the comments and briefly explaining why they are being nominated.

A social media driven initiative, followers were invited to nominate

To find out more visit www.harbourhotels.co.uk/nhs-heroes

After thousands of entries, the final 250 heroes were chosen at random on a national basis and the getaways handed out. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for your incredible hard work! l

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

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DOG FRIENDLY CORNWALL THE WANT LIST ADORE MY STORE DESIGN HUB THE POWER OF VINTAGE CLOTHING CORNWALL'S COVID HEROES BACK TO BASICS 100 YEARS OF LEACH POTTERY CHARLES CAUSLEY - THE MAGIC OF POETRY

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

How to make sure your garden is dog friendly Those of us fortunate enough to have gardens will have been spending a lot of time in them this year. But is your garden really dog friendly? Here are a few tips from Dog Friendly Cornwall to help you make sure that your dog is as safe and happy in your garden as you are...

1. Make it escape-proof A strong fence or sturdy hedge around the border of your garden is essential as many dogs would put Houdini to shame when it comes to escapology. For most breeds a six-foot fence should be sufficient, but you can also get trellis toppers for the truly athletic and dedicated escapees!

Also make sure it’s not easy for your dog to tunnel under the boundary and check regularly for escape tunnels.

2. Choose the right plants It’s important to avoid plants that can harm your dog, such as hawthorn or toxic plants.

Common plants which are poisonous to dogs include ivy, gladioli, daffodils, tulips, rhododendron, chrysanthemum and begonia. The Dog’s Trust also have a helpful fact sheet which lists plants which are toxic to dogs. (https://www.dogstrust. org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/ factsheetpoisonoussubstances09.pdf) Your garden will also be more dog friendly if your plants are not too fragile and therefore easily damaged by your dog. Large, established perennials and strong plants such as catmint, astilbes and hardy geranium. Plant robust shrubs

such as viburnum or lavender at the front of a border. Failing that, low growing box hedge or raised beds can also help to protect plants and therefore reduce stress for you and your dog.

3. Plan areas for play and fun It’s wonderful to have open areas such as a lawn where you can play fetch, or where your dog can enjoy running and rolling. Other ways to make your garden more stimulating and enjoyable for your dog are to create different routes through the garden and to add in different surface textures such as bark or grass. Avoid small stones and gravel if you can as these can get into your dog's paws and make them sore.

such as traffic noise, but you can create spaces for your dog to retreat to where they won’t be bothered by people coming and going, especially if you have little ones running around in the garden. Just as dogs love to have a ‘time out’ space in the house, where they can go when they want some alone time, it’s a good idea to create a safe, quiet space for them in the garden.

6. Go organic Avoid

using

chemical

pesticides

or

fertlizers, or additives to water features as these can harm your dog. Crushed egg shells can help to keep slugs and snails away from plant's and encouraging birds with bird feeders means that they can help

4. Making sure there’s shade and shelter Rosie, our lovely Newfie had a favourite spot in the garden and it was the coolest space, tucked into a little corner of the wall. We planted wisteria over this area so it was always a lovely cool space for her. If you don’t have any naturally shady spaces, consider planting a shrub or putting up a screen or trellis to create a sheltered and shady space for hot days.

to eat pests visiting your garden. Creating

5. Making sure there’s a quiet space It’s not always possible to reduce things

and

hedgehog friendly routes in and out of your garden and putting a pile of leaves or grass where they can shelter nearby will encourage these lovely creatures which eat slugs and snails - keeping pests under control and helping you to keep your dog safe from lungworm, which dogs can contract if they eat these pests. l For

more

things

around

dog

friendly

Cornwall

in visit

www.dogfriendlycornwall.co.uk

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

, Sinead s Silver Designs THE WANT LIST

With a strong eye for detail and an impressive array of techniques, Sinead can typically be found hammering, sawing, flaming and shaping her stunning silver designs in her studio at Krowji Creative Hub, but lately she has been adapting and expanding her online presence to showcase her beautifully handmade pieces to a social media audience. Once a year, Sinead launches a new limited enamelled collection during Open Studios Cornwall, and these are always unique pieces. Whilst this year’s Open Studios have been postponed, Sinead will be launching her new enamelled Waves collection through social media and on her website on Saturday 1st August 2020.

Sinead’s silver jewellery making workshops usually run throughout the year catering for absolute beginner classes, hen evenings, birthday celebrations as well as one-to-one tuition. These workshops will be available on her website, each workshop has a different focus and can be booked as a one-day course, special evening celebration or as a multi-session evening course, for a time when such activities can be fully enjoyed once more. www.sineadssilverdesign.com • sineads.silver.design@gmail.com www.facebook.com/sineads.silver.design • www.instagram.com/sineads.silver.design

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

By the time this issue of myCornwall is out, Just Delights are hoping to be preparing to reopen the doors to their Penryn based store once again, after temporarily closing them throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. he team have been busy making the Just Delights hub as beautiful and captivating as always.

They’ve also been ensuring it’s a safe and relaxing environment for anyone who wishes to make a visit.

Delights team. As a result, it’s a place many

customers, the Just Delights team have

make the trip to Penryn for, be it to wander

also been working hard to make the store

around their enchanting festive grotto at

a safe environment for social distancing

Christmas or to see their gorgeous spring

so customers can feel relaxed and well

“Just Delights has developed over time,”

utmost to ensure customers' new shopping

“It’s been hard for Jemma and myself not to be affected personally by the past few months,” says Daun Bryans, co-owner of Just Delights alongside her daughter Jemma, “Just Delights is not just a business, it’s our home from home where over the past 14 years, customers and colleagues have become friends and we have really missed everyone.”

says Daun, “as our confidence and

experience is safe and enjoyable. We

knowledge has grown, we have filled it

cannot wait to welcome you all back and

with beautiful objects and furniture that

we’re looking forward to showing everyone

bring joy.”

our lovely new arrivals.”

With a particular passion for stationary

Don’t forget, you can check out Just

With faithful chocolate Labrador Marvin in tow, Daun and Jemma have spent nearly 15 years turning Just Delights into a renowned hub of creativity and stunning home and lifestyle products, all carefully selected and curated by the dedicated Just

collections and seasonally changing wall mural outside.

looked after from start to finish of their shopping experience, “We will do our

on Jemma’s part, the store is a frequent place for visitors to journey to time and time again, not to mention the calm and sanctuary of their homeware section which is bursting with real looking plants, blooms, handmade pots and planters, cushions, throws and unique lighting.

Delight’s fantastic website for plenty of interior, gift and stationary products and to keep up to date with new arrivals via their Instagram account. l Just Delights, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AQ

Of course, apart from a treasure trove

www.just-delights.co.uk

of new arrivals awaiting their returning

A @justdelights

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Design Born from a love of the ocean and a passion for eco conscious design, The Cornish Surfer is a new luxury homeware brand that brings the spirit of the ocean from the outdoors in.

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aunching with a range of soft furnishings - from king sized blankets and statement cushions - to fine bone china kitchenware and seascape photography, these effortlessly chic and design conscious products have been uniquely styled with a modern authentic Cornish twist "It was important to me to create a collection of high end products so that anyone who shared a love of Cornwall and the ocean had the opportunity to purchase a touch of Cornish luxury which is not just a souvenir" says brand creator and curator, Anouska Francis-Keeble.

With each product comes a level of conscious creation, from baby blankets to cushion inners. "I wanted to steer away from the stereotypical pink and blue colours for babies, Anouska explains, "bold monochrome designs have been proven to support healthy brain development, as well as being perfectly on trend for both boys and girls. "The cushions are filled using inners made from recycled plastic bottles, 25 in each cushion!

Our Tides cushions are not only eco to the core, but also plump and beautiful too, deep enough to really sink into and relax" The Sennen Cosy Blankets and Tide Cushions are statement pieces, equally ideal for sofas and bedrooms, with the distinctive Cornish 'Storm' design. They are made from high quality recycled cotton and are hand stitched and offer a sense of the ultimate relaxed coastal luxury.

The elegant fine bone china ranges are hand finished in the UK using traditional methods and perfectly encapsulate contemporary Cornish design, making your much loved morning coffee and afternoon tea a truly enjoyable experience.

Finally, for those looking for local, stunning seascape photography, there are statement pieces from co-founder Matt Keeble, an awardwinning photographer, whose striking compositions capture the unique characteristics of Cornwall's ever changing seascape.

Discover the range for yourself at the cornishsurfer.com and bring a touch of luxury and coastal living into your home this summer. l The Cornish Surfer T: 01503 250966 • M: 07545915782 E: hello@thecornishsurfer.com • www.thecornishsurfer.com Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 19 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

For vintage fashion lovers in Cornwall who have found themselves unable to get their second-hand fixes lately, never fear, for Josie Yabsley and her online realm of local vintage fashion, is here. ased in St Columb Major, North Cornwall, you’d typically find Josie in her vintage clothing shop, Be Your Sass, but with the outbreak of coronavirus and the arrival of lockdown, Josie has been bringing her vintage fashion hauls to the online world for her customers and local vintage lovers to browse and buy.

“I started ‘Be Your Sass’ because I wanted to create a store in my hometown for others because I passionately believe everyone should go for vintage clothing that is made to last. I just love helping people to sass up their wardrobe, to make them feel beautiful and celebrate life. Vintage clothing comes in all shapes and sizes with so many prints, textures and fabrics and when you shop vintage you’re investing in each piece. Be Your Sass means ‘Be who you want to be and wear what makes you happy’.”

The infectiously happy, body positive vintage clothing queen has a knack for retro and vintage pieces that are hard not to fall in love with, and for those in Cornwall that thrive off trips to charity shops, vintage treasure troves and more, Josie is aware that bringing her fantastic store online allows these eclectic folk to continue investing in second-hand, sustainable fashion, “I’m adding new clothing items each week. Being creative online and definitely keeping my social media content interesting, it’s got to be full of sass and I’m thrilled that my online following is growing by the day. I am showing people that vintage is fun and second-hand sustainable fashion is so important to fighting fast fashion.”

To Josie, vintage fashion is the ultimate game of dressing up and whilst the

COVID-19 lockdown may have temporarily seen the physical doors to Be Your Sass close, her online business is slowly but surely thriving. It’s proved an opportunity for Josie to bring vintage fashion to her local community online and wider audiences across Cornwall who will no doubt be missing their local vintage stores, “I have always loved vintage clothing,” Josie explains, “buying something unique or finding something original that has a story to tell is exciting. Vintage clothing has always been what I wear to express myself not impress others. I love that one day I may wear a 80s frock with ankle wellies when the next I may style up a vintage pencil skirt with a thrifted crop.

It’s the ultimate game of dressing up and wearing what makes me happy.”

Beginning to push the Be Your Sass brand online, Josie teamed up with Jools Baker, an editorial photographer based in Cornwall. Passionate about human, social, community and cultural issues, Jools loves nothing more than to tell stories through her photography from in and around her community in north Cornwall.

In September 2019, she began a 3-year course at Falmouth University to stuy Press & Editorial photography.

“I have known Josie for many years and love the ethical stance and ethos of her business,” says Jools, “I suggested a fashion collaboration with her as part of a project I was doing for my university degree prior to lockdown.

“I love connecting with people and hearing their stories then endeavouring to share them sensitively and visually. I am always interested in any collaboration and welcome contact from individuals.”

Capturing Josie’s penchant for colour, flair and anything totally original, it’s been an exciting building block to allow Josie to bring vintage fashion to the online creative communities of Cornwall. Ultimately it also comes from a place of consciousness as Josie hopes to encourage more people to try vintage fashion as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.

“I want sustainable, ethically sourced, beautiful vintage clothing to be accessible for everyone,” she says.

Online, followers and fans can find Josie regularly sharing new outfits, plenty of choice goodies on her online store and lots of ‘sassy’ vintage appreciation. When asked what visitors can find from Josie online, she says, “Colour and fun, a love for vintage clothing and my idea of what it means to ‘Be Your Sass’ – my favourite vintage outfits set to empower and inspire!” l Follow Josie @beyoursass on Instagram to keep up to date with all her vintage adventures and get your Cornish vintage fix at www.beyoursass.store To see more of Jools’ gorgeous photography, visit www.joolsbaker.com.

• Don’t pay attention to the sizing.

• Check the garment for snags and tears.

• Get to know what each fabric feels like • Mix vintage with denim, it works.

• Try it on, if possible.

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2020 FOOD GUIDE PLEASE CONTACT JENI SMITH

TEL: 01209 314147 • EMAIL: JENI.MYCORNWALL@GMAIL.COM n 22 |

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Cornwall’s Covid Heroes The past few months have been very unsettling for everyone, so it is important for each of us to try and focus on the positives as much as possible. The acts of kindness, large and small, that we can all be grateful for.

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Start to Stitch does Scrubs

S

o many individuals, organisations and companies throughout Cornwall have gone above and beyond to help and support our communities, or just to bring us a smile. Whether it is finding inventive ways to raise money for our vital care workers and their families, or completely diversifying a business to provide essential support for our wonderful NHS. It all makes such a difference. The aim of this article is to celebrate just a few of the hundreds of amazing Cornish people and businesses that all of us should be proud of in 2020 – Cornwall’s Covid-19 Heroes!

If there is one thing we all know we can rely on in Cornwall is that when the going gets tough we will always rally round and have each other’s back. There have been so many local heroes who have found, and continue to find, wonderful ways to help. Whether it is delivering food to an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, setting up a telephone befriending scheme or making crochet toys and rainbows to raise money for a local charity. There are so many examples to choose from! n 24 |

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One young girl from Camborne, however, has really grabbed the online community’s imagination across Cornwall and beyond.

Back in April Mia Richardson decided to walk from Land's End to John O’Groats to raise money for the care home where her mother works. Mia is covering the 874 miles in her living room using her father Dan’s cross-trainer. Dan explained that choosing to help Cornwall Care’s Blackwood home was an easy decision for Mia as she has been involved in fundraising for the care home before and usually helps her mum with their summer fete. The challenge, which the family have called ‘Mia’s Magic Journey’ on social media, is to raise enough money to buy a Magic Table, an interactive table that uses projected light and images to engage and stimulate residents living with dementia.

“Mia is doing a fantastic job with her fundraising and I know I speak for everyone at Blackwood and Cornwall Care as a whole when I say a heartfelt thank you for the amazing physical effort she is putting in each day.” Says Sue Bradbury,

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Cornwall Care’s Managing Director, “Magic Tables have proved to be a brilliant way of keeping residents entertained with a range of interactive activities and I know everyone living at Blackwood is going to love having one in the home. The distance Mia is covering is daunting in the extreme - especially for a ten-year-old girl - but she has already made incredible progress.

Please support her if you can.”

At the time of writing Mia had already covered more than half of her journey and achieved nearly £6,000 of her £7,000 target!

And the growing support for our care homes and respect for care workers, one of Cornwall’s main sources of employment and an integral part of keeping our loved ones safe, has been a really important positive to emerge from these difficult times. Sue Bradbury from Cornwall Care, a charity that looks after more than 650 vulnerable people in 16 homes across the county, as well as another 500 in the community, was keen to highlight this: “I’d CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Mia Richardson

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Watson-Marlow’s Pureweld XL tubing designed for continuous manufacturing © WMFTG

also like to take this opportunity to say an equally big thank you to the many other people who have been helping Cornwall Care during this very difficult time. From making headbands to keep face masks in place to making caravans available for staff to stay in, we are truly grateful for the many kind gestures of help and support that are really making a difference.”

A number of wonderful new initiatives have sprung up in recent weeks when it became obvious that there was a specific need which had to be filled. Canteen, a small restaurant from St Agnes, have been producing healthy food boxes and delivering them to the Royal Cornwall Hospital to feed hundreds of doctors and nurses. So far they have passed out over 5,000 boxes and raised nearly £30,000.

Tarquin’s Cornish Gin began making hand sanitiser, their first batch of 100 litres was distributed to Community hospitals across Cornwall. Tarquin Leadbetter, the founder of the distillery, said “We are all in this together... my brother is an NHS doctor and I’m so proud to be able to support, n 26 |

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identified a shortage in scrubs for frontline

items, some being from material donated

by Cornish clothing company Seasalt. The sewing initiative has also had the benefit of giving many of their volunteers a sense of purpose and feeling of achievement. “At first I struggled with lockdown, went from working full-time and looking after a family to not wanting to get out of bed every day!” says Michelle Smedley, one of the volunteers. “This project has become my everything! I get up excited to get going, and to be doing something with such purpose is so satisfying! It may only be a little thing we do but together it becomes a massive thing! I'm honoured to be a part of it and in years to come when we look back at this time I shall hold my head up high and say I was part of that! NHS land army!” Another volunteer, Amanda Tickle, feels the same, “The sense of community has resurfaced. It’s good to know how much can be achieved when we pull together and help one another.”

NHS staff. At the time of writing the group,

But the vital work that needs to be done

in our own way, the incredible job they are doing.” Another initiative, Cornwall Scrubs, was formed so that hundreds of volunteers could help produce hats, wash bags and sets of protective clothing for frontline workers.

Cornwall Scrubs was formed by Ashleigh Linsdell, an emergency nurse, after she

lead by Annie Lucas, is made up of around 650 volunteers and had made nearly 1,000

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

A carefully curated selection of affordable gifts, cards, kitchen and homeware, alondside a selection of Cornish makers and designers.

4 High Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2AB Tel: 01326 618240 Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm

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The Truro T-Rex

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Polymermedics, St Austell

in hospitals, laboratories and factories across the country is often wearisome and anonymous, many of our heroes go unseen and uncelebrated. The role they play might not grab the headlines, but each represents a significant link in the chain that makes this fight a little easier.

In April, as so many of us tried our best to get used to the new ‘normal’ and work out how we were going to get through the days ahead, many Cornish businesses were discussing how they could respond to the nation’s needs, as John Hurrell, CEO of Cornwall Manufacturers Group explains.

“Cornwall Council asked our group to make PPE for Cornwall’s care provision and our members are doing all they can. It is times like this that the reach and value of Cornwall’s manufacturing cannot be undervalued.”

There are approximately 1,100 manufacturing companies, employing 16,000 people, across Cornwall and it has been truly impressive just how many of them have been able to contribute vital equipment and resources during these

and the depth of the supply chain, which is so important as well. For example, Daften Die-Casting in Wadebridge source from Smith’s Metals in Redruth who then manufacture fully machined and powdercoated die-castings for Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group in Falmouth, an essential provider in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Team work!

One final joyful story goes some way towards highlighting that even though Rainbows © Flibbertijibbets

there is serious work to be done a bit

uncertain times. From the Saltash based Composite Integration, who were quick to diversify into making Personal Protective Equipment, to Polymermedics in St Austell, producing around 6 million tamper seals for drug vials every day, and Bodmin based CHX Products who redesigned their injection mould machinery to be able to manufacture some 5,000 face shields weekly. There is a whole raft of local businesses to celebrate.

of fun can make a positive impact to community spirit. In recent weeks two teenage brothers from Truro have been dressing up as T-Rex to wave at their neighbours and clap for key workers in and around the city. Oliver and Isaac Ketterer, who call themselves Spot the Rex, have been spreading joy and laughter around Truro, popping into shops, twerking on zebra crossings and generally brightening everyone’s day. “We just wanted to do our

And it is not just the products but the

bit”, the boys said, and ultimately that is

co-operation between the companies,

all any of us can do. l

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Back to Basics Lately, Cornwall and its communities has been experiencing a resurgence in a love for local and a newly renewed appreciation for the farm shops that during the past several months have worked tirelessly to keep families, those self-isolating, those in rural locations and plenty more well fed. Above all, it’s reminded us just how important our local farm shops are.

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

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s the county descended into lockdown, Cornwall’s farm shops were stepping up to feed their local communities.

Delivery, click and collect, fresh fruit and vegetable locally sourced and home grown, fresh bread, free range eggs and even flour – it was all rolling out in boxes and bags to those who needed and wanted it. For some it was a change for the better, a newfound appreciation for local, seasonal fruit and vegetables and the convenience of locality meant that more and more people were choosing to shop with their local farm shops. Even if it was just a bi-weekly, or bi-monthly arrangement, it was clearer than ever that Cornwall’s farm shops are a vital part of our everyday lives – and it seems that a balance between supermarkets and farm shops can be possible.

Previously we’ve touched upon the growing number of supermarkets in Cornwall. In the last 10 years, supermarkets in Cornwall have risen by a third and now there are around 62 supermarket stores, some just several hundred yards from one another. Six can be found in the St Austell and Truro region, six more in Bodmin. In Penzance, three large supermarkets all reside within one mile of each other. Evidently, there’s an unnecessary surplus of supermarkets, dominating small areas in Cornwall as big name brands fight for customers and space. It’s been the frustrating cry of local farm shops and farmers markets for years; the battle driving prices up for local farmers who rely on farmers markets and shops for their income.

However, as the cooking pans and baking bowls have been out of the cupboards more so than usual, Cornwall’s farm shops and key workers at supermarkets have both been working hard to keep the county fed.

Suddenly, as we all start to focus more on quality and supporting locality, rather than simple convenience, there seems to be a balance starting to take place, where families are beginning to take the time to invest in their local farm shops, who in turn have made it easier than ever to pick up and gain access to local, organic produce.

North Cornwall Area Little Pig Farm Shop, Bude Boscastle Farm Shop, Boscastle

The Shop, Trevone Farm, near Padstow Trevilley Farm Shop, Newquay South East Cornwall Area Fowey Farm Shop Tredinnick Farm Shop, Looe Falmouth Area Argal Farm Shop. Cornish treats galore and Cornish producers are given centre stage in this Falmouth based farm shop.

From peanut butter and pesto to coffee and cherries, Argal prides itself on offering all that is good and all that is Cornish, not to mention plenty of delicious home baked goods to take away with you.

Redruth Area Etherington Farm Shop. The award-winning hub set in Scorrier offers everything from everyday store cupboard essentials to speciality products and award-winning meats, all under one roof in their ecofriendly building. Whether you want advice on how to cook the perfect barbecue or gift ideas, there’s plenty this fantastic central farm shop has to offer. You can also pick up one of their very special and very meaty pasties too - www.etherington-meats.co.uk

St Austell and Truro Area Trudgian Farm shop in Truro, which has been farming since 1901. The family run business retails in traditional home-produced high-quality meat and vegetables in mid-Cornwall.

Lobbs Farm Shop near St Austell. This family run farm shop neighbours the Lost Gardens of Heligan. They produce,

supply and deliver the finest quality meats, vegetables and other goods from their licensed premises. All beef and lamb sold in the shop is born and reared on the farm next door. Taking pride in their high-quality and no-nonsense approach, Lobbs also offer an online delivery service where they can send Cornish and British meat direct to doors across the UK – www.lobbsfarmshop.com

Other notable farm shop hotspots: • Cornish Food Box in Truro • Cusgarne Organic Farm Shop Far West Cornwall Area Chypraze Farm – A rare breed farm, butchery and wedding venue on the rugged cliffs of West Penwith where you can discover a range of organic and sustainably reared meats, Saddleback pigs to Highland, Hereford, Shorthorn and Guernsey cows. To discuss their products and find out more, it’s best to call them on 01736 788312

Other notable farm shop hotspots: • Trevaskis Farm in Connor Downs, Hayle • Allotment Deli in St Ives • Trevelyan Farm Shop in Perranuthnoe CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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For the new (and the avid) bakers out there, we thought we might include a classic Cornish treat recipe for those summertime garden picnics. Easy to make, and deep rooted in Cornish history as a go-to sweet treat, here’s all you need to make the perfect Hevva Cake.

Hevva Cake was designed to use up what was available in the cupboard and create as little waste as possible whilst also being affordable. It’s one of Cornwall’s most authentic sweet cake dishes, also known as Heavy Cake. The name ‘Hevva’ dates back to a time when Cornwall’s fishing industry was at its largest, when Huers (the name for clifftop lookouts) would help fishermen locate nearby shoals of fish. It is said that once fishermen had located a shoal and n 32 |

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had begun to haul it up on the nets, the

2. Place the flour and butter into a large

Huers would cry “Hevva!”, a signal for the

mixing bowl and rub lightly together to

fishermen’s wives to return home and start

form fine crumbs.

baking. The cake would be ready in time for when the fishermen returned. Tradition

3. Mix in the sugar and fruit

also states that it was the Huers themselves

4. Beat together the two eggs and add

who would bake the Hevva cake for their

the milk, add this to the dry mixture and

crews. Either way, here’s how you make this

mix until combined.

classic Cornish bake...

5. Roll out the cake mixture onto a large

• 500g of Self Raising Flour

well-greased oven pan (as you’ll cut the

• 200g of Caster Sugar

Hevva cake into squares like you would

• 250g of Butter/Margarine or Lard

with brownies etc.) Also, with a knife, you

• 2 Medium Eggs

can create a light criss cross pattern on

• 2 Tablespoons of Milk

top, which represents the fishing nets

• 250g of Raisins of Mixed Fruit

used in the catches.

depending on preference.

6. Cook for roughly 30 minutes until

Method

golden brown on top. Finish with dusting

1. Pre-heat oven to 190°C (Gas mark 6)

of sugar once cooled. l

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Love Local Argal Farm Shop

We are a family run farm shop just outside of Falmouth and have been in business now for eight years. Offering all the essentials... veg, fruit, meat, dairy, bread, pasties as well as all those lovely Cornish treats that you can’t resist to add to your basket.

We aim to source as much as we can from our doorstep here in Cornwall and love supporting small local suppliers. An abundance of fresh local produce is always available and we also stock plants, compost and flowers at this time of year. We’ve been open nearly every day through lockdown, whilst offering collection boxes and delivery to those that are vulnerable living locally.

Argal Farm Shop, Argal, Falmouth TR11 5PE T: 01326 372737 • G @ArgalFarmShop A argal_farm_shop

Lobbs Farm Shop

Chypraze Farm

Making a success of a small farm on the wild cliffs of west Cornwall was never going to be easy but when the pandemic struck and the farmer’s markets closed, and the on-site wedding venue shut up shop, our family team thought that the business would have to go into hibernation. The sale of grass fed beef, lamb and outdoor grown antibiotic free pork would have to stop and the livestock sold off.

But people in lockdown turned to their local producers to have the real taste of local meat delivered to their doorstep.

We are seeing a sea change in shopping habits and a new and growing customer base determined to continue shopping locally.

And we continue to make our special sausages and pâtés.

Find us at Facebook: Chypraze Farm Produce and message your order!

Chypraze Farm, Morvah, Penzance TR19 7TU

Trudgian Farm Shop

Food, glorious food! We’ve been catapulted into a time where food is of central importance. This radical time of re-prioritisation has put huge emphasis on food – more importantly, local food production. If anything positive has come from this, it’s the shift in buying behaviours. Here at Lobbs Farm Shop we’ve been doing our best to keep communities fed, while putting staff and customer safety at the forefront of our decisions. We’re proud to be selling the best of local produce, including a range of our very own home-made pies, pastries and ready meals. We also have a mouthwatering barbecue meat box – perfect for the increasingly warm weather!

Trudgian Farm Shop is a family run business situated in the heart of Probus. The Richards family opened the shop over 30 years ago with the aim of providing excellent quality, locally produced meat and vegetables at an affordable price. All of the lamb, beef and pork is reared on the two family farms in Grampound and St Ewe. The shop also offers a fantastic selection of local cheeses and cooked meats. To complement all of this they sell delicious Martin’s bakery and Da Bara bakery products, everything you could need for either a hearty cooked meal, barbecue or outdoor picnic. The shop is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5pm and on Saturday 9am to 4pm.

Please visit our website to order online (www.lobbsfarmshop.com) or visit our shop – we’re now allowing 3 customers in at a time.

Tel: 01726 844 411

Trudgian Farm Shop, 1 Church Terrace, Probus, Truro TR2 4JN T: 01726 883946 • E: trudgianfarm@aol.com www.trudgianfarm.co.uk t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 33 n

Leach Pottery As 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic Leach Pottery, the historic gallery, studio and pottery looks to alternative ideas to ensure the celebrations are not missed.

Image of Bernard Leach working at the wheel and applying decoration to a stoneware pot with a hakeme twig brush at St Ives in 1963. Kindly provided by the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, BHL/7095. Copyright the British Travel & Holidays Association Photographic Unit, Queens Square 64-68, St James St. London

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Leach Pottery Site - Pottery Cottage and Cube Gallery © Matthew Tyas

E

ntering into the new year and the team at Leach Pottery were excited for what lay ahead – a year of activities, special exhibitions, collaborations, and commemorative events that would pay homage to an incredible milestone in Cornish and British pottery.

Of course, following the Covid-19 pandemic, much of the planned activity has had to be postponed, but the Leach has been doing what it can to alter its current celebration so that the pottery and its current array of talented potters can still celebrate this significant centenary.

At the heart and forefront of Leach’s provenance and subsequent prestige is its founders, Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, who created a working studio in the heart of St Ives in the 20th Century during the beginning of what would become its renowned artistic community, of which Leach and Hamada would go on to take pioneering roles in craftsmanship.

Originally an old cow/tin ore shed, the 19th Century buildings were transformed into a pottery with the addition of adjoined and separate cottages added by Leach over the subsequent years. Leach himself was born in Hong Kong in 1887, his mother, Eleanor, sadly dying in childbirth. For the first three years of his life, he lived in Kyoto, Japan with his father, Andrew Leach, until moving back to Hong Kong in 1890 when his father remarried. Leach would go on to spend some time in Singapore when his father was appointed as a judge there.

Leach’s

to

new passion to learn ceramics, “By this to

Cornwall first began when he was brought

journey

and

association

me a miracle, I was carried away to a new

to England by his Great Uncle Granville, to

world. Enthralled, I was on the spot seized

attend school in Old Windsor. Leach left

with the desire to take up the craft.”

school at age 16, his achievements lying only in drawing, elocution and cricket. A young man, he enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art, but found himself departing early when his father became gravely ill; in November 1904 Andrew Leach died of liver cancer.

Enamoured by the skill and processes, Leach

began

tutoring

under

Urano

Shigekichi, a renowed Japanese potter known by his title of Kenzan VI, a 6th generation Kenzan who inspired Leach’s passion for Japanese ceramics. Leach spent two days a week for two years

Leach moved to Manchester at 18, with

studying under Kenzan VI, learning ancient

hopes of entering the world of finances in

and traditional ceramic skills.

Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC), and began to study for the bank entrance examination, staying with an uncle and aunt in the process. It was there Leach met and fell for his cousin, Muriel. The relationship was forbidden and after taking up a junior bank clerk job in London at HSBC, Leach soon became disenchanted with the idea of a career in finances. When he turned 21, he used his inheritance to enrol at the London School of Art in Kensington, where he studied etching. During his time there, he became interested in Japan and Japanese culture as well as also rekindling his romance with Muriel in 1908. In 1909, Leach returned to Japan and was soon joined by Muriel in Tokyo, where they were

As Leach rose in the ranks of Japan’s ceramic colony, he welcomed two sons with Muriel, his second born in 1913. However, by 1914 Leach had become frustrated with Japan and its growing westernisation and would go on to spend over a year in Peking, China, under the influence of Prussian writer Dr Alfred Westharp. The move caused tensions between Leach and his family, especially when his first daughter Eleanor was born in 1915. Leach returned that Christmas, returning shortly after once more to China with his family in tow. The arrival of Leach’s family caused friction between he and Westharp. Eventually, it was friend and fellow potter Yanagi Soetsu, part of the

married shortly after.

potter group called Shirakaba and today

It wasn’t until 1911 when he was around the

(mingei) movement, who visited Leach and

age of 24 that he was first introduced to

persuaded him to return to Japan in 1916.

ceramics at a Raku-yaki pottery party. Taken

As Leach began to explore cultural styles

regarded as the founder of Japan’s folk craft

from the Leach Pottery archives, Leach was said to have been utterly consumed with a

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Old Throwing Room © Matthew Tyas

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

and processes throughout pottery globally, he found his passion for the craft reignited and a sense of purpose for where he wished to take his work.

Raku Pots ready to be removed from the kiln

During one of Bernard Leach’s ceramic art exhibitions in Tokyo, a young Shoji Hamada, a fellow Japanese potter born in Kawasaki, was impressed by Leach’s skill and wrote to him with the hope of an introduction. By then, it was 1919 and Bernard Leach had grown significantly in his ceramic skills, and when the two met they soon formed a good friendship.

Shortly after, Leach was gifted a kiln from Kenzan VI, which he built in the garden of Yanagi Soetsu.

Following the completion of the kiln, Bernard Leach was invited by Frances Horne to return to England. Horne, a wealthy philanthropist based in Carbis Bay, was in the process of establishing a guild of crafters within the already existing and competitive art colony of St Ives and on recommendation, invited Leach to become the potter within this group, providing him with a capital loan of £25,000 to set up his pottery. Leach, his wife Muriel and Shoji Hamada journeyed together to St Ives, Cornwall, where they identified a suitable site next to the Stennack River, where they could establish a pottery. Hamada was promised a payment of £250 a year for three years. They originally constructed a Japanese type kiln, the first ever of its kind to be built in the west, but it was a poor construction and was rebuilt in 1923.

The road to building adequate kilns, and achieving successful ceramics was long and arduous, sourcing material from across the South West and experimenting with materials for Raku. By 1922, Leach was now a father of five, Muriel having welcomed twin daughters Ruth Jessamine and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Massey in 1920, living in Count House in Carbis Bay. After three years establishing the pottery, Shoji Hamada returned to Japan in 1923, largely due to the Kanto earthquake disaster and his desire to look after his family. Hamada would go on to spend much of his life in Mashiko, which he turned into a world-renowned pottery destination and committed himself to using only locally sourced materials. Championing young potters and artists who moved to Mashiko to learn, Hamada also established the town as a popular destination for tourism, housing and hosting workshops for visiting potters from across the world.

Leach would go on to see further difficulties with the pottery, but by 1924 with a new kiln the first firings were much more successful and promising. Leach started to welcome students, such as Katharine PleydellBouverie and Norah Braden. A community started to grow, although finances were still a problem after the initial hardships of the pottery’s establishing years. However, as Leach’s presence and charm saw him gain worldly and wealthy friends, such as American social activist and publisher Dorothy Payne Whitney Elmhirst, who had come to reside at Dartington Hall in Devon.

Leach’s association with Dorothy would be vital for the St Ives pottery, as Dorothy’s wealth vastly helped with the development.

Shares of the pottery were issued out in 1928 and Leach went on to publish several works on the crafts. As the pottery began to grow both in prestige and profit, Leach continued to welcome young potters and students. In 1930, he hired Laurie Cookes as a shop assistant and secretary, the two would go on to have an affair.

In 1934 he embarked on a trip with American painter Mark Tobey across France and Italy, sailing from Naples to Hong Kong and Shanghai where Leach then travelled solo back to Japan. Upon his return, Leach left Muriel, buying a caravan and touring England with Laurie in 1935 after which they would go on to

settle in Dartington to build Leach’s new pottery. Here, Leach would begin his most renowned published work to date, A Potter’s Book. In 1938, David Leach returned to St Ives after studying pottery management, and rehauled the Leach Pottery for a new, modern age, bringing in electricity, machinery and oil to fire the kiln.

A permanent team had established at the pottery by now and when David Leach was called to service in World War Two in 1941, Bernard Leach would return to run the pottery. In 1944, he officially separated and divorced Muriel, marrying Laurie Cookes shortly after. The two went on to adopt an evacuee infant, Maurice, who Laurie had taken care of during the war. David Leach returned from his service in 1945 and was made a partner of the pottery.

Today, Leach is regarded largely as the ‘Father of Studio Pottery’, his life history and notable career published in dozens of works and his legacy in the world of ceramics honoured worldwide. Bringing western and eastern arts and philosophies together through his pottery, Leach combined many traditional methods from Korean, Japanese and Chinese with new technical processes seen in England and Germany. Leach would go on to extensively tour Scandinavia, the USA and Japan whilst CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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until the end of June at the very least (pending constant revision in light of ongoing government advice), there’s plenty available that seeks to bring potters of all levels and abilities together, as well as those who simply want to ‘give it a go’, from across the world.

Shoji Hamada demonstrating throwing in 1953.

Kindly provided by the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts BHL/13300

The latest is a global Pottery and People Exhibition, which launched in May via the Leach Pottery’s social media platforms.

Followers of the pottery’s pages will be encouraged to share their favourite piece of ceramic and their stories, with a number of these pieces being curated into a physical exhibition when possible.

Leach Pottery’s exclusive 100 Year Limited Edition Range is currently being designed which will be launched later this year and will be available exclusively from the Leach Pottery.

David took over the reins of the St Ives pottery. The USA tour of 1953 would reunite Leach with Yanagi and Shoji Hamada and would also introduce him to his third wife, Janet Darnell, a young American potter. A year after their initial meeting, Janet and Leach became an item, and despite plans to marry and live in Japan, the two returned as in 1955, Muriel passed away. In 1956, Leach and Laurie divorced and he married Janet, who would go on to take over the running of the pottery.

Until 1972, Leach continued to produce work, at which point he began to lose his eyesight. Even then, Leach continued his worldly travels and became known for his artistic globalism. Throughout the 60's, he visited Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Venezuela, Columbia, Honduras and many return trips to Japan and the USA. In Japan he was awarded Order of the Sacred Treasure 2nd Class, the highest honour given to a non-national, and would also go on to be awarded Companion of Honour from The Japan Foundation, the equivalent of a Nobel prize, on his last ever visit to Japan in 1974. He received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962 and in 1968 was bestowed the honour of Freedom of the Borough of St Ives by the Town Council alongside Barbara Hepworth. He was also honoured with a second Retrospective exhibition at n 38 |

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the V&A Museum in 1977, his 90th birthday year. On May 6th 1979, Leach died at St Michael’s Hospital in Hayle following a heart attack in April, he was buried in Longstone Cemetery in Carbis Bay. Following Bernard’s death, Janet Leach redirected the pottery to focus on her own individual pots, bequeathing the pottery to Mary Redgrave in 1997 following her death. Redgrave continued to run the pottery until her own death, after which the pottery was sold to a private buyer before its eventual acquirement by Penwith District Council as part of the Leach Restoration Project. On completion the Leach Pottery was handed over to the Bernard Leach Trust, a registered charity set up to manage the Leach Pottery and maintain its important history and heritage of those who founded and established it.

Despite Leach’s many global influences, the Leach Pottery and Museum has become a centre piece for the history and heritage of pottery in England as well as a place where the craftsman and his friends and fellow potters are consistently honoured. A working pottery, new ceramicists still teach, train and develop their skills under the Leach roof, surrounded by many of his pieces and his works that have lasted the decades.

Whilst it’s currently expected that the Leach Pottery will not be able to reopen

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Libby Buckley, Leach Pottery Director, said “Leach Pottery has always demonstrated resilience against an ever changing backdrop, and has stood and survived the test of time, continually innovating and responding to challenges. And, in the determined spirit of our founders, this is how we continue to operate unabated.

“As a result, we are celebrating Leach 100 in different capacities, and already we are seeing the opportunities to drive the awareness, impacts and involved numbers in some of our programme elements even further, which is extremely encouraging. We are sure people will continue to celebrate with us, learning from, honouring, and continuing the legacies of Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in fresh and exciting modern ways throughout this critical year for us, and well into the future. I would very much like to take this opportunity to thank all at Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, Saskawa, Art Fund, Cornwall Council and at St Ives Town Council, Andrew Mitchell and the Community Chest fund as well as the Sylvia Waddilove Trust for providing ongoing support and encouragement for our now ‘pivoted’ 100 programme. I also wish to extend that thanks to all of the volunteers, team members, customers, supporters, partners and followers who are also coming with us on this amended journey.” l For more detailed information about the Leach Pottery, Leach 100 or any of the above elements, please visit: www.leachpottery.com or email office@leachpottery.com.

Leach Pottery. Kindly provided by the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, BHL/9000.

Copyright Cornel Lucas Studio, Chelsea

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CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2020 OR 2021 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT MELANIE WINN

TEL: 01209 314147 • EMAIL: MELANIE@MYCORNWALL.TV n 40 |

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Charles Causley circa 1980 © Robert Tilling

The Magic of Poetry “The thing about poetry, about all creativity, is that it is a compulsion....” Charles Causley once said that he knew from a young age that he would die happy if he had written just one book. As it was he published more than 30. But how does a quiet, solitary child who left school at 15, from a small town in Cornwall become one of Britain’s most celebrated poets? t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 41 n

David Perry Fotolanstefan Launceston, Ridgegrove Hill

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harles Causley’s early years growing up in Launceston were not easy. In the wake of the First World War, it was a time of poverty and grief. As a child he recalled seeing victims of shell shock “wandering about” the small town. His own father had been a casualty of the war and Causley’s memories of him were hazy, a fact that understandably troubled him throughout his life. One recollection he did treasure from that time however was reading aloud to his father while he was unwell.

Causley was by his own admission a solitary child and a voracious reader. He said he believed from a young age that there was a wonderful kind of magic trick in writing, if only you could learn how to do it. And that notion of reading and writing as an escape, as a therapy, as a way of spreading joy or sharing stories stayed with him for the duration of his life. All through his teenage years he tried his best to learn that ‘magic trick’ by attempting every form of writing he could - from novels and plays to poetry and short stories.

“Looking back I realise I was hampered by the fact that nobody said to me that the material for poetry is what lies under your nose – you don’t have to go and search for it!”

But it wasn’t until Causley had fought in his own war that he began to write more seriously. He had promised himself that if he survived he would focus on doing the things that were important to him. So when he left the navy he became a teacher n 42 |

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back in Launceston, a position he held until retirement, and he began to focus on becoming a published poet.

And of course, he wrote about what he knew. He wrote about his childhood friends, his neighbours, his navy mates, his family and his beloved Cornwall.

show, he was never bored because he never knew what was going to happen! “I used to set off feeling like a 19th Century explorer, with a butterfly net and all the wrong equipment, as if I was going into undiscovered territory... I’m sure I learned more from the children than they ever did from me.” Given the various accounts of

The Seasons in North Cornwall O spring has set off her green fuses Down by the Tamar today, And careless, like tide-marks, the hedges, Are bursting with almond and may.

Here lie I waiting for old summer, A red face and straw-coloured hair has he: I shall meet him on the road from Marazion And the Mediterranean Sea. September has flung a spray of rooks On the sea-chart of the sky, The tall shipmasts crack in the forest And the banners of autumn fly.

My room is a bright glass cabin, All Cornwall thunders at my door, And the white ships of winter lie In the sea-roads of the moor.

their school days from his former pupils

Charles famously never wrote a biography; when he was asked any questions about himself or for his opinions he would simply say “It is all in the poems.” He believed that a reader could truly know a writer, become friends with them even, solely through their writing. After all, he once quipped, that is how he had become great friends with Robert Louis Stevenson as a child.

live without. It was an imperative. Causley

Teaching suited Causley. He said it was like being part of a long running variety

a convoy ship Causley used poetry to

| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

however this is certainly far from the truth. They seem to universally remember their teacher with fondness, and a little awe. Causley’s lessons were on occasion unconventional but they opened the children’s eyes to whole new worlds and experiences. He would tell them about his adventures abroad or read them the poems and stories he liked, hoping to fire their imaginations In 1947 Charles Causley had his first poem published. Numerous books and awards were to follow but success was something he never took for granted or even craved.

He often stated that, successful or not, writing was something he simply couldn’t believed that poetry was like “a spell against insensitivity, failure of imagination, ignorance and barbarism”. And it would be fair to say that he also shared and worked through the difficult and traumatic events in his life in his poems.

When a young man he joined up with on the same day in 1940 was drowned aboard both commemorate him and to express

Andrew Motion opening Cyprus Well © Malcolm Wright

his own feelings. After the war Charles would see the mother of the young man in Launceston and found this very distressing.

He wrote Song of the Dying Gunner AA1 as a tribute to his dying friend. His poem Eden Rock, considered to be one of his most moving and beautiful works, also gently yet deftly explores themes of love, loss, death and family.

Eden Rock

They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock: My father, twenty-five, in the same suit Of Genuine Irish Tweed, his terrier Jack Still two years old and trembling at his feet.

My mother, twenty-three, in a sprigged dress Drawn at the waist, ribbon in her straw hat, Has spread the stiff white cloth over the grass.

Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light.

She pours tea from a Thermos, the milk straight From an old H.P. sauce-bottle, a screw Of paper for a cork; slowly sets out The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue.

The sky whitens as if lit by three suns.

My mother shades her eyes and looks my way Over the drifted stream. My father spins A stone along the water. Leisurely, They beckon to me from the other bank.

I hear them call, ‘See where the stream-path is!

Crossing is not as hard as you might think.’

I had not thought that it would be like this.

But Charles Causley’s work is not dark and gloomy, much of it is full of comedy

and an unfailingly perceptive eye which discerns and celebrates the minutiae of ordinary lives. Many of his poems, such as St Thomas Water, are filled with a nostalgia for his Cornish childhood and his collection of verse, Figgie Hobbin, written for children, is whimsical and at time hilarious. His poems are narratives, they tell the stories of his life but also of our own.

His childhood friend Arthur Wills articulated the importance of Causley’s work, and indeed of poetry as a whole, when he wrote: “Through his poetry and other writings, Charles opened our eyes to the beauty, diversity and at times sadness of life around us – and in doing so would always give a lift to the spirits.”

Ramhead and Dodman Said Ramhead to Dodman As proudly they stood Their brows in the heavens Their feet in the flood

‘Of all the tall headlands That hold back the sea Throughout Cornwall’s kingdom, The greatest is me!’

Said Dodman to Ramhead ‘Of all cliff-tops high The stoutest, the strongest, The sturdiest am I! ‘And never O never In cold and in heat Old Ramhead and Dodman Together will meet.’

(The Cornish have a saying, ‘When Ramhead and Dodman meet’, which means something similar to ‘When hell freezes over’, that is never!)

Charles once said that he felt that if he couldn’t write poetry he might explode!

The need may not feel quite as dramatic for each of us but expressing yourself through some form of creativity has been consistently proven to be beneficial for your mental and physical well-being.

So what is Charles Causley’s advice for the budding writer in all of us? Well, Charles was of course characteristically straightforward and pragmatic.

• Stick at it.

• Don’t take yourself too seriously.

• Never surrender, because the feeling when you succeed is too great.

• Write about what you know.

• And remember you can write poetry anywhere, at any time. That’s the best thing about it, “Poetry can be written in your head, without anyone else having the faintest idea of what’s going on...“ In these troubling times expressing yourself through art, music or poetry truly is a gift not to be underestimated, it really does have the magic powers that Causley imbued it with. So, what’s stopping you?

Go and find yourself a pen! l

Further Reading A Certain Man, Charles Causley in his own words: Compiled and edited by Simon Parker, Scryfa, 2017. t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 43 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

For this issue of My Cornish World we sit down with Martha Tilston, a folk singer, songwriter and musician who has been using her instrumental talents to raise money for charity through online gigs...

Q

Hi Martha! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to

Then, when we went to visit my father, Steve Tilston (a renowned singer/songwriter) and my stepmother Maggie Boyle – (the beautiful Irish folk singer) we were again surrounded with music and taken off to gigs and festivals to watch them play. Music seemed like a natural thing to do… another language, a refuge. And I was pretty rubbish at spelling and maths.

Q

How does Cornwall inspire you?

With its wild and deep waters, high cliffs, windy hills, ancient stones, twisted oak Cornwall is my home, it’s where I have and lichen, the folklore and traditional chosen to raise a family and where I feel music. There is space to breathe, think, most connected to the natural world. As a invent, play and create … and so many kid, Penwith got into my bones. We spent interesting folks to do all this with. I love the long summers in Zennor and as we it. Winters can be long – but I’m starting arrived at the same cottage each year and to love that too. ran up the hill to stand on the granite rocks Cornwall...

and shout to the Atlantic, I felt my husk come off, a kind of homecoming I guess.

Q

What inspired you to take up music?

Music was always round me – my mother’s record collection was a major source of inspiration – there was rarely a moment Van Morrison or Simon and Garfunkle weren’t accompanying every moment of the day. I remember mum dancing around the dining room with us (all her little girls) in hand, to Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’. Mum and Frank (my step dad who helped bring me up) were given an old piano – they got it up to tune the best they could and that piano became my best friend. She knew all my secrets, I played and wrote and banged out every feeling, heartbreak, joy and sadness I could on that piano, until these utterings turned into songs, then I was hooked. Nothing felt so good as creating the world of a song, it was like finding the door at the back of the wardrobe, and then being able to take others to Narnia with you.

We split the money of each gig between me and Trussell Trust Food Bank and Cornwall Women’s Refuge.

Q

What do you love about folk music?

It’s a bloodline to the past, a guide to the future and still it is the brewer up and distiller of the present - the very nature of humanity and relationships in all their timeless fascination, the oppression of the powerful over the disabused. The wise warnings and hallowed losses. It reminds us that we humans, for all our invention and intellect, are essentially prisoners to our fear and pain as much as we are led by our capacity to love. There are some cracking tunes too – they must be to have been handed down for so many years.

Q

What do you love about your work and what do you find challenging?

You’ve been doing some incredible I love writing songs and playing with my live gigs online (from your living musician friends, being on the road with room) to support various charities my band and recording, but I love to not do throughout the coronavirus crisis. Can too much of any of this. I realise now, in the you tell us about them? stillness of lockdown, that I was whirling about Thank you! Well the first one was the most too much, whizzing my body from gig to gig, nervous I have ever been – isn’t that funny – not a member of the audience in sight, back to Cornwall, to the school gates, kids’ clubs, to the studio, then back on the road. just me playing to a computer, but that’s what wobbled me, I kept thinking ‘Do they It’s all a question of balance, I think lots of like it, did I miss that note?’ and then I saw us are realising the same thing - now we’ve the hearts and comments flying up the side had a few weeks to reflect, we might look of the page as I played and I thought ‘Oh at the scales and see how we can bring a there’s people out there, maybe I’m not better balance to our lives. completely messing this up then’. Robin joined me on percussion and it suddenly When you’re not busy, what do you felt like I was playing from my heart. I could like to do to relax in Cornwall? feel all the people watching – doesn’t that Sea swimming – can’t wait to get back in. sound odd? But I really had a sense of Goofing around with my family, being silly everyone at home and it was just lovely to and making my kids laugh. be around lots of people again.

Hanging out with my friends – I am blessed It was also just great to do something to with such beautiful friends in Cornwall. say thank you to all our doctors, nurses and carers. The second gig was less nerve Thank you so much Martha!

No, thank you. l wracking but still felt like a community.

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MyCornwall catches up with Cornish children’s author, Judy Scrimshaw, a.k.a Granny Moff, creator of Cornwall’s friendly mythical sea giant Morgowr. Combining myth, mystery and magic with the Cornish Language has meant that children everywhere can now discover exciting stories and learn a little bit about their local heritage in the process.

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

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or years, Judy Scrimshaw has been bringing the Cornish language to her readers. Her Morgowr series is all written in English rhyme, with Cornish words (and their translations) peppered throughout. Fully illustrated, her whimsical and enchanting awardwinning tales are perfect for KS1 and KS2. Her latest book, ‘Morgowr Oy’/ ‘I’m Morgowr’, is a bilingual paperback and includes a CD with stories and sea shanties in both English and Cornish, which won her the Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek – the Cornish Literature Cup in 2019. Having been studying Cornish herself for the past four years, we thought this is the perfect opportunity to invite Granny Moff to do a special column for myCornwall Magazine to chat more about Morgowr, and how we could all bring a little bit of Cornish magic into our lives...

The Cornish Language has always fascinated me... there’s something rather magical about it. The fact that it almost disappeared but has emerged again, like a phoenix from the ashes, makes it even more intriguing to me – as did the legend of Morgowr, that I read about when I came to live by the banks of the Helford River in 1974. That next year a hump-backed sea creature with a long neck, small head and a conger eel in its mouth was seen from Pendennis Point in Falmouth Bay. Bryntin!/Great! - I had to find out more about this creature.

Morgowr, Cornish for a Sea Giant, was first reported in 1876 when it was caught in nets by Falmouth fishermen at Gerrans Bay. The spelling in the newspaper then was ‘Morgawr’, which is found in Old Cornish and in Welsh today, but in my books, I use SWF (Standard Written Form) of Cornish used today; it helps with the pronunciation. Sightings of the mysterious creature continued, but exploded in 1976, mainly due to author ‘Doc’ Shiels who later admitted that he was “hoping to hoax the people of Falmouth and thereabouts, here in Cornwall, into thinking that there is a Cornish sea monster on the loose.”

I was amazed no-one had written a book for children about this legendary monster, so with the arrival of my first grandchild in 2002 I decided I’d have a go. ’The Ballad of Morgowr’ was originally printed as one uninterrupted story, flowing in rhyme. It

has three obvious parts to the adventure, so this summer’s reprint will have three divisions in the story. Strangely, events that inspired the story happened back-to-front over 10 years.

In 2012 I formed the second and third parts of the book. Through rhyme I told the story of how plesiosaurs survived the Cretaceous extinction and why Morgowr came to live in Cornish waters. Part two brings in Cornish words as part of a magical spell that turns Morgowr into stone, to hide from sight and danger. As a sea monster with a Cornish name, this seemed quite appropriate, combined with moonlight and sea mist. ‘Menha' is the imperative, 2nd person singular of the verb ‘Menhe’, telling one person to turn to stone/petrify.

Originally found in a quarry in North Helford, the now granite Morgowr, turned to stone, was sunk and forgotten into my own garden, beside a footpath that led down to a creek, their fate left uncertain.

Part three sees Morgowr’s return and is based on my grandson. With the combination of moonlight and sea mist, Morgowr is transformed into a plesiosaur once more by the magical word ‘Dasvew!’ – ‘Live again!’.

My readers love saying ‘Dasvew’, as the ‘ew’ part is pronounced ‘eurgh’, as though they’ve smelt something horrible!

My grandchildren, their friends, children's parents and teachers have all influenced how my books develop. I love their inputs and the extraordinary span of age groups who enjoy the illustrations, stories and very popular fact pages, including the Cornish Language of course! l If you’re keen to discover the magical world of Morgowr and their friends, you can find out more about Granny Moff, Morgowr, her books and more at www.grannymoff.com Available Books all both in hard and paperback, A4 size: The Ballad of Morgowr Morgowr and the Leatherback Turtle Morgowr: An eco-warrior against plastic in the oceans Morgowr and the Pirate-eating Megalodon You can also discover: Morgowr Ov/ I’m Morgowr - a small bilingual paperback with Cornish on one side, English the other.

Fully illustrated with fact pages at the back in both languages and a CD with bilingual stories and sea shanty.

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GWREN NI KEWSEL KERNEWEK Let's Speak Cornish Wosa seythennyow ha seythennyow yn-dann alhwedh, res re beu dhyn ni oll aswonn normalita dihaval, gras dhe’n virus kurungylgh ha’n peryllow a’y lesa. Ny allas meur a dus oberi drefen bos edhom a ombellhe ha tus erel re chanjyas aga kerghynnedh sodhva rag an studhva po an stevel-dhybri. Dell assayyn ni dhe sawya bewnansow ow triga yn chi, ni re allas dhe’n lyha gortos nes dhe deylu ha kowetha gans gweres a deknologieth arnowydh. Omriansow kepar ha Zoom ha Facebook Live re asas dhyn pesya dhe gesklappya, yn yeth an werin Kernewek rag ensempel, po dhe woslowes orth ilow yn few, po dhe bobas war-barth pastiow ha tesen hevva hogen!

After weeks and weeks under lockdown, we have all had to get used to a different normality, thanks to the coronavirus and the risks of spreading it. Many people have not been able to work because of the need to keep social distance while others have managed to shift their office environment to the dining room or study. As we try to save lives by staying at home at least we have been able to stay close to family and friends with the help of modern technology. Apps like Zoom and Facebook Live have allowed us to continue chatting together, in a Cornish ‘yeth an werin’ for example, or to listen to live music, to or even to bake pasties and hevva cake together!

yn-dann alhwedh under lockdown normalita normality virus kurungylgh corona virus peryl risk, danger lesa to spread ombellhe to distance oneself kerghynnedh environment sodhva office studhva study stevel-dhybri dining room sawya to save bewnansow lives teknologieth technology arnowydh modern omriansow apps kesklappya to chat together pobas to bake tesen hevva hevva cake yeth an werin informal gathering where (lit. folk lang) only Cornish is spoken “Sawyewgh bewnansow – gortewgh tre!”

“Save lives – stay at home!”

“Tackyewgh rag SKanY” “Clap for the NHS”

For general enquiries: maureen.pierce@kesva.org For enquiries about publications: roger.courtenay@kesva.org For enquiries about examinations: tony.hak@kesva.org

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

“Re bo dhywgh dydh brav!”

“May you have a fine day!”

“Gwren ni gul klapp gwydhyow warlinen yn skon” “Let’s do a video chat online soon” Yma leow gweth ages Kernow dhe vos strothys a viajya, gans powdir po arvor teg a-ji dhe pelder kerdhes rag ogas pubonan.

Yma meur rag bos leun a ras mes travyth moy ages rag an dus a bes dhe oberi rag agan gwitha megys ha salow. Yndella, dhe’n mayniow gorvarghas a with an estylennow kollenwelys, dhe’n lytherwesyon a gerdh an stretys gwag rag dri dhyn ni lytherow (ha reknow, soweth), dhe’n atalwesyon ha’n lewyoryon livreson ha kyttrin, mes yn arbennek dhe’n lu a glavjioresow, medhogesow ha sokoresow a gemer with a’gan klevyon ha tus henavek po y’n Servis Kenedhlek an Yeghes po yn anedhow tus koth, ni a lever ‘gromerci’. An gwella ahanan esowgh hwi.

There are worse places than Cornwall to be restricted from travel, with beautiful countryside or coast within walking distance for almost everyone. There is a lot to be thankful for but nothing more so than for the people who continue to work to keep us fed and safe. So, to the supermarket crews who keep the shelves filled up, to the post workers who walk the empty streets to bring us letters (and bills, unfortunately), to the refuse collectors and the bus and delivery drivers, but especially to the army of nurses, doctors and carers who look after our sick and elderly either in the National Health Service or in care homes, we say a huge ‘thank you’. You are the best of us.

gweth worse strothys restricted powdir countryside arvor coast leun a ras thankful livreson delivery gorvarghas supermarket oberi to work atalwas refuse collector lytherwas postman klavjiores nurse medhek Doctor (male) medhoges Doctor (female) henavek elderly anedhow tus koth care homes “Gromerci!”

“Thank you so much!”

Servis Kenedhlek an Yeghes (SKY) National Health Service (NHS)

For enquiries about the language correspondence course: kernewekdrelyther@hotmail.co.uk For more Cornish Language visit: www.kesva.org

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ART NEWS ART VIP THROUGH THE EYES OF...

ART FOCUS MAKER'S FOCUS ARTIST PROFILE MEET THE MAKER GALLERY OF THE MONTH

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s w e N t r A COVER ARTIST: SOPHIE MOORE Bright, minimalist and with a sense of escapism, Sophie Moore stood out immediately to us when we began the search for our June/July cover. There was something about the wide brimmed hat bather, enjoying a solitary moment by the shore, that felt very poignant to us, considering the current circumstances.

Having lived in Cornwall for most her life, Sophie spent several years working and studying in London but returned when she realised how lucky she was to call Cornwall her home, “I’ve always loved drawing and painting,” she explains, “I studied a foundation in art at Central St Martin’s but went on to pursue a career in fashion. I think my paintings are probably a bit of escapism for myself, but hopefully the viewer too. I paint in my spare time and I’m currently very into ladies wearing big hats. I’m not sure why but I’ve always loved a big hat – I have a collection of them myself.” l You can check out more of Sophie’s work on her Instagram page at @SophielizabethMoore

LATEST DAVID GRAY EXHIBITION AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE GALLERY The Customs House Gallery will be welcoming in the latest exhibition collection from resident artist David Gray to the gallery walls from the 4th July this summer.

With a background in technical illustration, David’s unique ability to blend together precision with elements of romanticism, gives his works an enigmatic atmosphere as he captures Cornwall’s evocative seascape harbour scenes, which have proved a favourite amongst collectors and fans alike. Filled with colour, texture and a distinctive sense of place, David exhibits a varied collection of framed originals at the Customs House Gallery.

This latest exhibition will run until the 13th July.

Obviously with the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, the gallery will be preparing for the exhibition to launch online but also hope that the gallery doors will be open by July whilst following any government guidelines. A preview newsletter will be sent out as usual to anyone keen to get a glimpse of David's latest pieces first. l To view more of David’s work you can visit www.cornwall-art.co.uk

EXCITING EXHIBITION TO LOOK FORWARD TO AT PENLEE HOUSE GALLERY & MUSEUM Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance will reopen when it is safe to do so, with the exhibition Newlyn School Interiors – a celebration of the skills and talents of the Newlyn School artists. Check the website for details of reopening. During their closure, Penlee House has been more active online than ever, hosting an array of fantastic creative challenges on their social media platforms to encourage others to enjoy their artistic side. Be sure to take a look on their website, have a go yourself and share your results with the gallery.

For those keen to browse Penlee’s extensive online archives, head over to their website www.penleehouse.org.uk to have a look at their stunning collections. l Image credit: Elizabeth Forbes, A Minuet, 1892 © Penlee House Gallery & Museum n 50 |

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

Sarah Eddy

Cornwall Land and Seascapes Cornish Oil Paintings on Wood Panels

Studio

F3 Princes House, Princes Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2ES

www.saraheddyart.com Tel: 07507174025 • Email: info@saraheddyart.com

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YEW TREE GALLERY Step into Yew Tree Gallery through the YouTube video and enjoy the current exhibition Green & Fruitful - Wild & Wet in all its diversity. Paintings by Fiona Millais bring to life in bold brushstrokes her response to the natural rhythms of the land in different seasons. Judith Glover in contrast, peers into the detail of plant and flower, capturing their delicacy in watercolour. Sculptor Trevor Jennings uses metals and gold leaf to express in simple abstract form the perfection of plants and twigs, echoed by Lizzie Farey in her fine willow wall-pieces. Sophie MacCarthy’s richly coloured ceramics are finely thrown and joyous in their decoration and Esther Smith’s automata are full of humour. See www.yewtreegallery.com to view the video – and visit with care when safe. l

KURT JACKSON’S WILDFLOWERS FOR THE NHS

Yew Tree Gallery, Keigwin, Morvah, TR19 7TS T: 01736 786425

TRUDIE MOORE RETURNS TO CORNWALL Bringing a luminous approach to colour in Cornwall, Devon born contemporary abstract artist Trudie Moore has located back to the South West to set up her Studio in Krowji.

Trudie’s purist use of colour in her paintings has an affinity with the cleaner, clearer light in Cornwall. Her clean, bright colours and fluorescents allow her to achieve a fresh and pure lightness which lifts the viewer. Her latest development in her work moves away from her process painting working with the tensioning and layering of translucencies and opacities and it expands concepts of physical expanses of paint over the surface. l www.trudiemoore.co.uk

A @trudie_moore_artist

ONLINE GALLERY CREATED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ROYAL CORNWALL HOSPITAL TRUST Kara Mirva (Cornish and translating to ‘care for/love gallery) is an online gallery created in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Headed by Sofi Norwell, a selection of artists have donated a work of their choice with 100% of sales going to the Covid-19 Fund, part of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity. The dedicated fund supports the well-being of NHS workers, patients and their families in hospitals across Cornwall. This collaborative project is a way of saying thank you to NHS workers in Cornwall, while sharing and celebrating the work of brilliant artists.

Over 30 artists are involved in the project including artists currently based in Cornwall: Nicola Bealing, Nina Royle, Kate Walters, Lucy Stein, Jessica Slater, Phoebe Barnicoat and Tamzin Drew. l To check it out visit www.karamirva.co.uk.

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

In a bid to raise money for the NHS as a thank you for their dedicated work during the coronavirus outbreak, artist Kurt Jackson created a limited edition print, with all proceeds going to NHS Charities Together.

Inspired by the national Clap For the NHS phenomenon, which sees families opening their doors and cheering their thanks for the NHS every Thursday evening at 8pm, Kurt realised that he could do something special himself.

“Here in rural west Cornwall, it’s quite extraordinary, standing on a hill in the dusk with the distant banging of pots and pans, the applause and musical instruments drifting across the parish and along the coast, all competing with the birds and livestock, it is quite beautiful.

“It was during one of these sessions that I realised I could create something as a gift for the NHS, donating all the proceeds from an edition of handmade prints that people could keep and crucially also be giving something themselves.”

From his studio in St Just, Kurt has created a wildflower etching print, with flowers chosen by Kurt from a nearby hedge. Campion, stitchwort, celadine, daisy and primrose – a sign of hope and renewal. After some trial and error, and help from wife Caroline, 50 prints became available to buy online via the Kurt Jackson Edition website, all signed and hand-numbered.

Just over a week later and £7,500 was raised and donated to NHS Charities Together, with all 50 prints sold.

“Thank you to all the purchasers for supporting this and to everyone who works for our NHS,” announced Kurt, “50 copies of this etching are on the way to their new homes.” l

A stunning gallery located at the heart of the timeless Trelowarren Estate, run by a cooperative of exciting and diverse professional artists all sharing an enthusiasm for living and working on the Lizard peninsular. Seascapes to abstracts, printmaking, crafts and cards with various media to suit all tastes. We look forward to welcoming our visitors as soon as it is safe to do so. Please continue to view our work online.

STABLEYARD GALLERY, TRELOWARREN ESTATE, MAWGAN-IN-MENEAGE, HELSTON, CORNWALL TR12 6AF TEL: 01326 221778 | OPEN DAILY 10.30AM-4.30PM

WWW.LIZARDART.CO.UK | FACEBOOK: THESTABLEYARDGALLERY

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Improve your skills and meet like-minded people with pottery classes and workshops in Redruth, Cornwall.

TRELISSICK

Summer Exhibition

General Exhibition of CCA Members’ work.

Open 25th April - 20th September

Focus on Emma West 11th June - 23rd July 2020

TRELISSICK HOUSE

Collaborative exhibition with the National Trust to celebrate 125 years of the National Trust.

Open 14th March - 15th November

www.cornwallcrafts.co.uk

These sessions are a great way to further explore the world of pottery.

everything and those who just want a few fun hours making a mug, plate or bowl.

I have three types of weekly workshops; on the wheel, for those who want nothing more than to learn to throw and are focused solely on that; general, for those who want to try

My studio has a relaxed and happy atmosphere, under 18s only Saturday morning. Regular workshops 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday

G10 Percy Williams Building, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3AJ Text: 07855 102 598 Email: susywardg10@yahoo.com www.susywardceramics.com

CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2020 OR 2021 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT MELANIE WINN

TEL: 01209 314147 EMAIL: MELANIE@MYCORNWALL.TV

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

VIP

A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE

SIMON JEWELL AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE GALLERY 13th – 22nd June | ONLINE/IN-GALLERY

Captivating landscape painter Simon Jewell will be exhibiting his latest works in a collection created especially for the Customs House Gallery in Porthleven this June.

With a talent for capturing wild, tempestuous atmospheres, spectacular vibrant seas and delicate light play, Simon’s works are known for their movement and sense of space. Painting mostly in oils Simon avoids using a brush where possible and instead relies on palette knives, fingers and found object to build up layers of texture with paint. Predominantly based on Cornish landscapes and in particular the Lizard Peninsula, Simon captures the untameable and ethereal beauty of this wild part of Cornwall effortlessly in his pieces.

The new collection will be launching at The Customs House Gallery on the 13th June.

Depending on changes to any Coronavirus related restrictions, the exhibition will take place on line and hopefully in the gallery also if at all possible. Please do check the gallery website beforehand to stay up to date or feel free to email them..

The Customs House Gallery, Porthleven www.cornwall-art.co.uk hello@thecustomshousegallery.co.uk 01326 569365

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CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING BACK ROAD ARTWORKS

THE CUSTOMS HOUSE GALLERY

NEW COLLECTION OF WORK FROM PHIL WARD

Situated in the Downalong area of St Ives is a unique large gallery and working studio space displaying original work by seven local artists: Jenny Frey - John Greig - Kathryn Loveluck - Karen Taffinder - Sally MacCabe Sharon McSwiney - Susan Barraclough Paintings, sculpture, metalwork and jewellery unique to St Ives often inspired

by Cornish surroundings. Meet the artists who create and run the gallery.

Open daily throughout the year Back Road East, St Ives, TR26 1NW • T: 01736 791571

Featuring local fishermen, the latest work from Penwith artist Phil Ward has been eagerly awaited and is now available on the gallery website.

Commercial Road, Porthleven TR13 9JD. Opening Times: 10.30-5pm daily T: 01326 569365 W: www.cornwall-art.co.uk

COWHOUSE GALLERY The gallery is run by a group of local artists and craftspeople and offers a wide range of original arts and crafts at very affordable prices.

A stroll away is Perranuthnoe Cove with breathtaking coastal walks looking towards St Michael’s Mount in one direction and to Prussia Cove the other.

Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe, TR20 9NE T: 01736 710538 www.cowhousegallery.co.uk

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

EMILY NIXON

JACKSON FOUNDATION

Art. Music. Activism. Kurt Jackson, Glastonbury Festival and Greenpeace.

Visit Emily Nixon’s studio and showroom in Hayle for a luxurious browse of her renowned sea-worn jewellery. Nature’s textures are combined with glittering gemstones in her sculptural, artful collections. Pop in to try on pieces or book an appointment to commission a bespoke design.

Specialising in precious everyday jewellery, wedding, engagement and bespoke commissions.

White’s Warehouse, Foundry Square, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HH T: 01736887599 • E: emily@emilynixon.com • www.emilynixon.com Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and at other times by appointment

JULIA MILLS

Glastonbury Festival Artist-inResidence Kurt Jackson shares paintings of some of the world's most famous musical acts in this show raising money for Greenpeace.

View the exhibition online at www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com North Row, St Just, TR19 7LB. www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com

PENLEE HOUSE GALLERY & MUSEUM Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance will reopen, when it’s safe to do so, with the exhibition Newlyn School Interiors – a celebration of the skills and talents of the Newlyn School artists. Check the website for details of reopening. During the closure, Penlee House has put loads of creative challenges on its social media platforms, so take a look, have a go and share your results with them.

From intricate decorative pieces to large panels and wall hangings, Julia’s bright and contemporary glassworks capture the colour and light of Cornwall in all its glory. With her workshop on-site, Julia regularly takes on commissions. Her new workshop is at 5 The Beehive, Bread Street, Penzance. Please call or email to make an appointment.

T: 07875279751 E: juliamillsgallery@gmail.com www.juliamillsgallery.co.uk

If you prefer to browse, head over to their website www.penleehouse.org.uk to have a look at their beautiful collections.

Image: Elizabeth Forbes, A Minuet, 1892 © Penlee House Gallery & Museum

SHARON MCSWINEY Sharon creates a unique and distinctive range of metalwork and jewellery inspired by the sea.

Working in copper and brass she handcrafts decorative wall pieces featuring seaweed & sea creatures.

Local beachcombing provides endless inspiration for limpet and seaweed jewellery crafted in St Ives into silver pieces which evoke Cornwall; soft verdigris finishes and colouration making each creation a one-off.

Unit 7, The Drill Hall, Chapel Street, St Ives TR26 2LR T: 01736 448293 info@sharonmcswiney.co.uk www.sharonmcswiney.co.uk

If you would like to advertise in our Art Directory please contact Melanie Winn: Tel: 01209 314147 Email: melanie@mycornwall.tv t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 57 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 60 | June - July 2020

THROUGH THE EYES OF...

From the house of The New Gallery, owner, curator and established artist Chris Insoll is known as the founder of the Portscatho Society of Artists, and his eclectic range of renowned British and Cornish artists have made The New Gallery a cultural hotspot for creative artwork. Here, Chris shows us the stunning village of Portscatho through his unique eyes...

Firstly, tell us about your chosen location and why it inspires you...

My chosen location has to be “The Porth”, the harbour at Portscatho. Whilst visitors to the region often remark that places like Portscatho never change, to locals the opposite is true. This location changes constantly with the seasons, the tides, in fact almost by the hour.

When painting your location, is there anything that really catches your eye that you enjoy focusing on?

I have been painting here since the early 80's and whilst I used to sit in the harbour with my oil painting kit en plein air, now very often I have a different focus. I often take a sketchbook and hunt down things which surprise me, like an old anchor, reused to hold a net in place or an unusual arrangement of engine parts alongside a frustrated marine engineer.

Describe the sounds, smells and feelings you experience in your location…

The sounds and smells associated with a harbour are part of the experience.

Seaweed, seagulls, engine oil and rancid nets all come to mind. These are only reproducible by association with images, in that the jumbled-up nature of the picture can convey the business of a busy harbour

and this in turn may well evoke memories of the hum of activity. Like poetry, painting can remind the viewer of their own individual experience and thereby convey different memories to different people.

a lovely small painting box once owned by

What colours do you like to use when painting your location?

I do not rely upon “local colour”, i.e. the actual colour of the objects in my pictures, but instead I use colour to convey an atmosphere as well as device to lead the eye around the canvas. Unlike an advert which conveys a message in an instant, my pictures are an attempt to get the viewer’s attention and slowly reveal more and more. Colour, pattern and texture can all help with this.

balancing my intention with chance, whilst

When doing ‘en plein air’, what do you think about and what are you processes when painting this way?

Whilst confronted with the subject, I draw in a very figurative and studied fashion, often with ink or pencils. “Romantic Art deals with the particular,” (John Piper’s first line. British Romantic Artists. Collins 1942.) These studies often become the source material for the studio pictures.

There are times when I paint small oil panels of coastal subjects just for the pleasure of being outside. For these I use

Stanhope Forbes.

What challenges do you face when conveying your location onto canvas?

Challenges faced by transfer to canvas and also realising my expectations of myself are sometimes unrealistic!

What do you love most about your location?

Portscatho has become the focus of our Artists’ community which is on hold as I write due to the present lockdown regulations. In the same way that our pictures can only be seen on line, the village can only be seen at second hand by the majority of those who used to enjoy this place in the spring.

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add about The New Gallery?

So, finally my thanks go out to My Cornwall magazine who are contributing so much to help take Cornwall out to those who are unable to visit our county during the Coronavirus restrictions.

And thank you, Chris! l Discover more at www.thenewgalleryportscatho.co.uk

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ART FOCUS

The Ultimate Penzance Art Trail Sitting nestled in Mounts Bay, Penzance forms a gateway to the Lands’ End Peninsula. Through history, this area has nurtured daring risk-takers, creative thinkers and independent minds. Today, its natural beauty, impressive architecture, vibrant community and independent shops and restaurants continue to captivate and inspire, and nurture a thriving artistic community, with many galleries, museums and studios.

This year the town was set to host its first Arts festival however as with other events around the world this has now been postponed to June 6th 2021, in the meantime, there is plenty more artistic hubs and heritage for you to explore safely.

Penzance Studios For the past 3 years a group of over 60 Penzance based artists have joined together to promote Penzance an its artist community. They produce a catalogue and website to showcase the wide variety of art available and being produced in this beautiful seaside town. All of the artists are happy to be contacted directly throughout the year for studio visits.

Penzancestudios.org Penzance Exchange and Newlyn Art Gallery For more than 120 years, Newlyn Art Gallery has been bringing the best in contemporary art to audiences in the south west. Today it offers a wide and varied exhibition programme. It’s sister gallery, The Exchange, is a major contemporary art space in the centre of Penzance, showing national and international contemporary art, plus work by some of the town’s most innovative local artists. Whilst both galleries hope to open as soon as the government regulations allow, they are also running a series of lectures, workshops and home school lessons online. www.newlynartgallery.co.uk Penlee Museum, Theatre and Gardens Located within the Penlee Park grounds is the Penlee House Gallery & Museum which houses a permanent collection of Newlyn School paintings and a programme of changing exhibitions celebrating local arts and crafts. Also, within the gardens is Penlee Open Air Theatre, a unique outdoor

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theatre space that has celebrated Cornish, national and international performers since 1948. The theatre is usually open from June to September and it’s worth checking them out online to keep up to date with all their goings on. For those looking for a bite to eat or refreshment, the Orangery café is also located within Penlee House and has a beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens. www.penleeparktheatre.com www.penleehouse.org.uk Newlyn School of Art Newlyn School of Art is a dynamic and ground-breaking art school situated in the heart of the famous artistic colony of Newlyn, a few hundred yards from where the Forbes School of Painting was run by artistic legend Stanhope Forbes, the 'Father' of the Newlyn School of Painters, between 1899 and 1938.

The School provides a wide range of high quality and exciting short art courses in disciplines such as painting, drawing and printmaking; all taught by over thirty of the most well-known artists working in Cornwall today. www.newlynartschool.co.uk Penzance also has a plethora of independent galleries showcasing local and national artists, any trip to the town should include a stroll down Causeway Head, Bread Street and Chapel street, taking in the side streets to ensure you haven’t missed any hidden gems.

With its sub-tropical microclimate, Penzance is an idyllic hot house for exotic plants. Throughout history, landowners and garden designers have taken advantage of these conditions to create stunning displays of natural beauty which continue to this day, during the summer months, Penzance is alive with greenery as sub-tropical plants and succulents fill its gardens, streets and sidewalks. A few

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notable gardens that are sure to delight any green fingered folk are...

Morrab Gardens: Originally created in 1841 these lovely public gardens are a haven of Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants.

Open year round, the gardens contain Morrab Library and feature some lovely Grade II architectural structures including a Victorian bandstand and fountain. www.morrabgardens.org St Anthonys Gardens: Situated by the sea, Jubilee Pool and the start of the Victorian promenade, there are plenty of benches to sit and take in the beautiful views across Mounts Bay at this year-round open garden.

Built on the site of the 12th century St. Anthony`s Chapel, the earliest Christian place of worship in Penzance, the gardens contain an archway which was part of the original chapel, and a 12-foot fountain bowl, carved from a single block of granite.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens: Opened in 2012, the woods, stream and dramatic vistas provide a perfect setting for large scale exotic and sub-tropical planting that showcase sculptural works from the likes of James Turrell RA, Kishio Suga, David Nash RA, Richard Long RA and Tim Shaw RA all of whom have visited and created site specific pieces to interact with the beautiful environment. A fantastic café serving sumptuous food resides on site, where you can enjoy a lunch outside with gorgeous views towards St Michael’s Mount as well as a nearby indoor gallery with regularly changing exhibitions. www.tremenheere.co.uk l For more information on Penzance’s local haunts and a full list of galleries, check out www.lovepenzance.co.uk To find out more about the Penzance Arts Festival 2021, visit www.penzanceartfestival.co.uk

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MAKER'S FOCUS

Fine art has always been at the core of Emily Nixon’s creative processes as well as any opportunity for her to create tactile pieces by hand. ‘A sculptor who happens to make jewellery’, here we step into her world to take a closer look at her iconic creations which embody Cornwall’s rugged wild coast.

This year, despite its humbling challenges,

warehouse in Hayle is where all of her

has given her some moments of creative

gold, platinum and silver organic, fine

reflection and opportunities for searching

jewellery is created. Until now visitors

out new inspiration. Often for Emily, this

could pop in to try on jewellery, chat

is found a stone’s throw away from her

through a custom made ring or to check

doorstep in the rock pools near her home

out the latest pieces.

and on the wild north coast beaches of

And whilst Emily has continued to

Cornwall, where the tidal creations, the

create beautiful designs throughout

textures and colours of the coast act as the

lockdown, she quickly realised she needed

very basis for a body of work.

an alternative to the relaxed coffee and

“Each piece [I create] has an element of

face to face time she would normally give

intrigue, the overall character conveying

her visiting customers when discussing a

a language of the coast in its form and

special, personal piece of jewellery.

texture. I love the connection between

Adapting to the unorthodox situation,

tumbled, weathered surfaces and

Emily set up an HD camera at her work

glittering precious gemstones. Whether

bench and began connecting with

it is in the teal blue of sapphires or the

customers via video call. Offering a virtual

chunky gold and silver of textured rings,

window to her creative space, Emily

stacked in rock like layers, the coast is

started chatting face to face with clients all

always present.”

over the UK and further afield.

As Emily, her team and the entirety

Initially cautious, Emily has found that her

of Cornwall face a slow and careful

clients are now confidently engaging with

emergence from the state of lockdown,

the idea of ‘seeing’ jewellery and discussing

Emily maintains a calm positivity as she

ideas with her from the comfort of their

maps the way forward for her business.

own home. "It really is just like a visit to the

Her stunning studio and showroom

studio, clients have commented; we have a

on the second floor of a beautiful old

cup of tea, a chat and a browse through the

collection. I try pieces on and the camera allows for them to be seen in great detail.

Not being a natural to new technology I am amazed and excited by the potential.”

These video calls have ensured some special moments haven’t been dashed.

Emily recalls one in particular, “I had one whispered call from the end of a garden, the client wanted an engagement ring without his girlfriend hearing. He couldn’t leave their premises, so hid at the bottom of the garden to make the call - I am delighted to say it all worked out and she said yes!” Through all the heartache of what has been happening around us all, Emily’s creativity, and ability to adapt, has brought about some real stories of joy.

So this little pocket of creativity in Hayle quietly steers a hopeful course through these turbulent times, making ever more beautiful jewellery to mark life’s special moments - something we all need right now. l To find out more, visit www.emilynixon.com where you can book a video call to view Emily’s latest designs or call 01736 887599

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ARTIST PROFILE

Maggie O'Brien There is an element of freedom in every piece that Maggie O’Brien paints. A fluidity that is both delicate and captivating, from land and seascapes that bring the colours and sense of a Cornish dawn to canvas, or moments of tender, quiet peace seen from a vase of flowers in the light of the window. Capturing the essence of each scene is Maggie’s quest as an artist.

In what can be described as ‘a lost season’ Maggie has been itching to show her new body of work, created earlier this year, at the Summerhouse Gallery, a place where she has exhibited work for the entirety of the gallery’s 10 year existence. The exhibition, ‘Morning Has Broken’, offers bright, happy colours that celebrate hope and optimism and ultimately the freedom of Cornwall.

“Landscape and still life are my interpretations of the visual world around me. I make other, more personal works which explore the social, environmental and personal concerns that I have about life. These projects often run alongside my more commercial work and opportunities to show it tend to be rare, it’s important to keep making it though.”

Originally, at aged 18, Maggie was keen to go to art school but was encouraged to go to university, with that idea that she could always come back to art again. It would be 14 years, after signing up to a watercolour class, until she would rediscover her passion and drive to paint once more.

“As soon as I got back into art, I couldn’t stop,” Maggie explained, “by this time I had three small children and was also working part-time, then in 1997 I began a one day a week foundation course at Central St Martin’s in London, it was brilliant fun.”

A painting degree swiftly followed at Camberwell and then an MA in Wimbledon, and after that, Maggie juggled teaching painting with a job in marketing at the Home Office. “Finally, in 2006, we upped sticks and moved to Cornwall, which enabled me to paint full-time.”

A nationally recognised painter, Maggie and her family settled in St Just. As a newly arrived painter in Cornwall, Maggie was soon overwhelmed by the sheer raw and powerful beauty of West Penwith, “I’d never painted landscape before, so I spent n 64 |

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the first months experimenting and pouring over ‘How to’ books. It might sound off, but art school doesn’t teach you how to paint, you just get space, time and critical feedback. All valuable, but finding your own vocabulary of pigments and mark making is a question of trial and error. I’m still learning! Style tends to evolve gradually and keeps developing. I change myself, and it would be boring if I didn’t.”

During spring, Maggie finds herself more drawn to still life, a time to capture the glorious flora and fauna but a lot of her works are created in her studio and from her imagination, even her still life paintings, “It’s partly muscle memory, I know the landscape, the garden plants and my favourite objects so well I don’t need to look at them. If I do, I’ll put too much detail in and as the years pass, I am less and less interested in strict representation. I prefer the finish things in one sitting – I work wet in wet and will lose the mood if I have to wait.

“Taking risks keeps it fun and alive and gives the painting life too.”

Inspired by the likes of Joan Eardley, Ivon Hitchens, Patrick Hero and Whistle, plus many more, Maggie finds endless inspiration in the Cornwall landscape.

Now living in Boskenna just above St Loy, the stunning cove and wooded valley provides ample opportunity for Maggie to find new visions for her works, “Most days I walk my dog, Sky, down to the cove – it’s different every day with spectacular light and changing tides and seasons. In spring the woods are full of wild narcissi followed by bluebells and clouds of cow parsley and campion in May. Where I live feeds my soul, as does the garden.”

Bringing the wilderness of her surroundings to her works requires inventiveness and risk-taking, which Maggie has honed over her years as a painter, but her dedication to finding and embodying

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a sense of freedom is also something that she values deeply, “I want to paint the essence of whatever I’m painting,” she says, “the paintings always reflect my mood and what’s happening in my life – I value atmosphere and emotional communication above all else in my work. Light is probably my main focus – that and weather – I am interested in the elemental, particularly living and working in Cornwall.”

All of Maggie’s new works for Morning Has Broken were completed in February and March, a productive time of the year for many artists preparing for the spring and summer seasons.

“Spring comes so early in Cornwall and it’s a time of hope and optimism,” Maggie says, “this collection has a lot of bright colours. I had a blissful two weeks working on Tresco then returned with a mad urge to paint still life. Covid-19 meant that there hasn’t been much opportunity to show the work – so I’m delighted that the Summerhouse Gallery have put this collection together.”

Bringing life, essence and freedom to still life, ‘Morning Has Broken’ captures a wealth of tenderness surrounding this year’s spring, from the ethereal light shining indoors on a baking bowl to an early morning walk on a quiet beach with the dog. Even during a time when our freedom has been so limited, Maggie O’Brien has managed to capture an essence of freedom - the simplest and perhaps most beautiful, of life’s pleasures. l You can see more of Maggie O’Brien’s work at The Summer House Gallery both online and in the gallery www.summerhousegallery.co.uk The Summerhouse Gallery Market Place, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0AR T: 01736 711400

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MEET THE MAKER

Susy Ward Typically, Susy Ward feels her craft truly comes to life when she’s passing on her knowledge to her students. At her studio in Krowji, on a normal day the room is constantly thrumming with her one to one wheel throwing, slip casting, hand building and glazing workshops, but as we’ve all had to take a step into the slow lane lately to adjust to a new normal, Susy has been spending time at her wheel alone, crafting stunning new pieces.

“Retired from the 9 to 5 and now working 24/7,” that’s how Susy describes her life as a craftsperson and ceramicist but it’s evidently a life she loves. A mother, grandmother and great grandmother, it wasn’t until later in life Susy was able to pursue her artistic passion, “However,” she says, “I am adept at making lemonade from lemons, so wherever I was employed I injected a degree of competition and passion.”

A raw, naturalistic element infuses Susy’s pottery. Rustic, but formed with a definite tenderness, her creations embody an older, authentic taste of Cornwall’s historical ceramic style, “My work is mainly wheel thrown and stoneware and the pieces range from anything such as egg cups to moon jars.

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and fortunately they also please visitors to my studio too. My style is instinctive and considered, yet also loose.”

Susy prides herself in making everything with her own hands, including her own glazes as slips, and as a result each piece, commission and exhibition takes careful time and preparation, “Each piece is something of a glaze test,” Susy explains, “and because of that, it can actually take a couple of years to have a decent body of work…The pieces I make for exhibition, although the shape and stature is key, they are a canvas for my glazes.”

Getting her hands dirty is something that seems to come willingly with Susy, she’s a potter who isn’t afraid to make a mess, get stuck in and to experiment for as long as she needs until she reaches a place where she considers a piece finished.

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Above all, Susy loves running her workshops and classes for those keen to learn more about the realm of pottery, something she has had to put a hold on recently but an activity she is hoping to safely get back to soon, “I love passing on my knowledge through my workshops,” Susy says, “it’s a real passion.” l To find out more about Susy, her work and to discover more about her one to one workshops for a time when it’s possible visit www.susywardceramics.com G10 Percy Williams Building, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3AJ T: 01209 254897 E: info@susywardceramics.com

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GALLERY OF THE MONTH

The Cowhouse Gallery Twenty years ago, in the charming picture postcard village of Perranuthnoe, a small group of local artists set to put their area on Cornwall’s artistic map.

As a result, an old farm building was soon renovated to become the Lynfield Craft Centre, home of The Cowhouse Gallery, where 15 artists and craftspeople take up membership to showcase a range of stunning, affordable art, with a host of guest artists being welcomed in for various exhibitions and seasonal shows throughout the year.

“There is an interesting range of artwork,” says Linda Craig, painter and printmaker at The Cowhouse, “including painting, printmaking, sculpture, 3D mixed media, glass, wood, ceramics, textiles and jewellery. As a group we are constantly striving to offer variety and a high standard of work which is also affordable.

In addition, the artists offer a range of original art cards and unframed works.”

Whilst the Cowhouse has spent the entirety of spring with its doors closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the group are looking forward to a time when n 68 |

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they can safely start welcoming people in once more, “Most visitors are amazed at the variety and quality of the artwork and of course the affordability. As we run the gallery ourselves, we can keep things at studio prices as there is no commission to pay. Visitors also compliment us on how well displayed the artwork is in our beautiful, bright space.”

Spreading the cost of the gallery across the 15 strong membership has meant that the Cowhouse is ready and raring to reopen at a time when it is safe to do so, a situation Linda knows they are very fortunate to be in, “We have been lucky, and when we reopen nothing will be affected. We are constantly producing new work and taking on new guest artists to keep the gallery interesting and fresh.

We hope it won't be too long until we can welcome our visitors back to the Cowhouse Gallery.”

Unspoilt and with idyllic views of St

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Michael’s Mount, Perranuthnoe has long been an off the beaten track retreat popular with locals of the area. Visitors can find dedicated parking for customers in the Lynfield courtyard and plenty of opportunities for takeaway lunches from the local cafés and some of the south coast’s most breathtaking coastal walks.

“As an artist, I feel very privileged to be exhibiting in this gorgeous spot.” l You can find out more about the Cowhouse Gallery on www.cowhousegallery.co.uk as well as regular updates on their Facebook page, and if you’re keen to plan a visit when it’s safe to do so see their details below.

The Cowhouse Gallery Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe, Cornwall, TR20 9NE T: 01736 710538 E: info@cowhousegallery.org.uk Facebook: Cowhouse Gallery

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We Look forward to welcoming you back when it is safe to do so

Visit Our Award Winning Farm Shop At Etherington’s we pride ourselves on providing the best possible customer service while stocking products from local farmers and wholesalers. Our Butchery department uses only the finest quality meats from local farms and uphold the highest standard in the work they carry out on the animals to provide the best produce possible. As well as our meat, our fresh fruits and vegetables are locally sourced and delivered daily, showcasing the best produce for that season.

We offer plenty of services in our shop from bespoke hampers, custom meat products and a loyalty card scheme

which rewards our customers for supporting us throughout the year.

Our Farm shop has been awarded The Taste of the West Gold award every year since 2016 for maintaining the high standard of quality products and customer care.

Every day our Bakery team make hundreds of fresh pasties ranging in different sizes and sausage rolls coming in different flavours offering something for everyone. These can all be purchased freshly baked instore or ordered frozen to be sent by courier for your convenience.

Etherington’s Farm Shop, Wheal Rose, Scorrier, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 5DF

Tel: 01209 899 203 | etherington-meats.co.uk

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HOME COMFORTS MEET THE CHEF THE STORY OF BAKER TOM OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EXPERIENCE

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HOME COMFORTS Compiled in just a few short weeks, The Comfort Cookbook is a wonderful resource born out of adversity.

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hand, with cocktail and mocktail recipes from experts using locally made spirits.

There are also indulgent tips for matching desserts with sweet wines, and insider guides to the region’s burgeoning craft beer and cider scenes.

Kate Attlee @ James Ram

W

ith the closure of the entire hospitality sector just before Easter, one of Cornwall’s most important industries came to an immediate, grinding halt. The Easter influx of visitors - all hungry for a taste of the Duchy’s famously good food and drink – are usually greeted with a sigh of relief by restaurants, pubs, cafés, bars and hotels after the long winter. It was not to be this year, and the potential consequences were immediately apparent.

Lucy teamed up with two other talented women with a similar passion for the culinary scene in the West Country; Gabriella Dyson, Editor of The Maverick Guide, and food stylist and photographer Ali Green. The collaborators pledged to create a “beautiful digital cookbook to inspire comfort in adversity.” Donating their time and skills for free, they also committed to make the publication available to all through the JustGiving platform, simply asking people to give what they could to Hospitality Action in this time of financial hardship.

Lucy Studley, who has worked in and with the industry for over 15 years, recalls the initial shockwave. “I was a Restaurant Manager for several years, so I know first-hand how hard people in hospitality work. Now, as a communications specialist for food and drink businesses, I found myself talking to clients every day who were just heartbroken at having to close their doors at the start of the summer season – it amounted to a collective cry of anguish. Everyone spoke of the overriding importance of saving lives, but financially they were on a knife-edge.

I worried a lot about the mental health of people in the sector.”

A string of chefs from Cornwall and Devon came on board, keen to donate their home cooking hacks. Gabriella Dyson explained the content curation process: “We wanted to provide a combination of practical, achievable home cooking ideas and aspirational content designed to fill that gap we are all enduring right now as we are unable to visit our favourite neighbourhood restaurants.”

Recognising the need to create a positive focal point and to raise money for the most vulnerable workers, Lucy came up with an idea. “I wanted to do something to help,” she explained, “to create a positive story at this dark time and to help financially support staff who face hardship.” The recipients of this help would be Hospitality Action, a national charity which supports workers and who would be able to disperse any funds raised through its Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

Naturally, local seafood is featured heavily, with inspiration from the likes of Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth, Ben Tunnicliffe, Michael Caines and Jude Kereama. Those with a sweet tooth are also in for a treat, with irresistible recipes from Emily Scott, Chris Eden and Ben Prior amongst others.

The digital download includes a directory of local suppliers selling their wares online to help readers source ingredients. The book also features guides to foraging, growing your own fruit and vegetables and making the most of store cupboard spices.

For those of us who have become budding home mixologists during lockdown a bit of helpful guidance is at

Creating the book was a huge challenge in these unprecedented times. Food stylist and photographer Ali Green cooked many of the recipes herself after sourcing the ingredients from small local stores as part of her weekly shops. “When these two talented women approached me to be a part of this cookbook I didn’t hesitate,” recalls Ali. “I couldn’t think of a better way to bring comfort to everyone than through their stomachs! Shooting the cookbook was a challenging and nourishing experience that has given me great joy, a rounder belly, and a welcome distraction from the current struggles we are all facing.”

Not surprisingly the book was an immediate hit. With its combination of accessibility and affordability, beautiful design and inspirational content, it has quickly become a sought-after resource for lovers of West Country food and drink. At the time of writing The Comfort Cookbook has raised nearly £5,000 for Hospitality Action. Mark Lewis, Chief Executive of Hospitality Action, said: "We are hugely grateful to the team behind this project and all the chefs who have supported them in this wonderful initiative.”

For Lucy Studley, ‘Comfort’ has come to epitomise everything that is unique and outstanding about Devon and Cornwall’s culinary culture and how much people value the independent businesses at the heart of it. “We hope it will bring a bit of joy and nourishment into homes at this difficult time,” she says. l The Comfort Cookbook is available to download when making any donation, large or small, to Hospitality Action via the project’s JustGiving page. The book has been coauthored by Lucy Studley and Gabriella Dyson and published by The Maverick Guide, with food styling, photography and design by Ali Green Photography. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ comfort-cookbook

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MEET THE CHEF

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Hi Ben, thanks for being our Meet the Chef! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and Canteen Cornwall I’m a chef but not a real one. I turned my back on shouty, aggressive environments years ago and now I believe I’m a cook!

I founded and run Canteen Cornwall - a canteen open every day, year-round in Cornwall offering a menu of two options for £5. Canteen Cornwall is also the home of Woodfired Canteen, which lays really long beautiful tables in unusual locations around the world. Then I also run Woodfired Weddings which helps tell the best love stories in an unconventional way and my consultancy brand IDEAS, focuses on positive purpose and culture change in hospitality businesses

For some time now, Canteen Cornwall have been on the frontline, feeding Cornwall’s NHS heroes, can you tell us a little bit about that journey and what it’s been like so far?

When Covid-19 hit we were already quite far down the road of trying to get our food into hospitals because we believed that good hospitality could help hospitals do a better job. A week before lockdown, I had picked up the phone to my contacts at Treliske and told them “I’m coming!”.

HQs, Ambulance Depots, 111 Call Centres and GP practices and raised over £30k to do it all.

The evidence is now there to show that an army like the NHS does march on its stomach, and when the stomach is full of good food made with good values, the results are immense.

To date we have passed 20,000 meals delivered to Frontline NHS workers

It took a little while for the powers that be to cut the red tape but within five days of lockdown, we were feeding over 300 NHS Frontline staff a day in two hospitals in Cornwall. To date we have passed 20,000 meals delivered to Frontline NHS workers in three hospitals, four Community Nurse

Canteen Cornwall is known for its delicious and innovative cooking style.

What meals have you been serving up?

I’m lucky to have been able to cook with my heroes such as cooks from The River Café, Ottolenghi, Honey & Co and Berber

& Q just to name a few. Our food is heavily influenced by these people but also our maternal instinct. We cook Mediterranean, peasant style food. Massive flavour, little fuss, never any wastage and all on wood fire.

What rules do you live by in your kitchen?

Good People. Good Food.

What have you loved about this project?

I have loved the opportunity for us to put our food where our mouth is. We talked a good talk before Covid-19. We were purpose led, we believed in our Good Food, Good People mantra but now we’ve actually shown up. Not for money or fame, but because it was the right thing to do and we could.

What ingredients couldn’t you live without?

Love.

Finally, what is your guilty food pleasure?

Smokey Joes, but only when I’ve earnt it. l

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They’re the Cornish bread bakers that feed thousands across the county all year long. From the first ‘bacon butty’ at dawn to fresh baguettes and sumptuous slices for soup dipping at lunch, for 16 years Baker Tom has been feeding honest, authentically made loaves to the people of Cornwall. Here, we discover more about this iconic Cornish bread we’ve all come to know and love. n 76 |

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simply made, the way they have been for centuries. My ethos still remains the same, since the day I started...

“Keep things simple, so that the bread can be the rising star.”

E

ntering their 16th year and it’s been an exciting road for the Baker Tom team. Like many businesses, 2020 has been met

with some unexpected challenges for the bakery, but difficulties that the Baker Tom team have taken in their stride. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to keep people staying largely at home, the Baker Tom brand has adapted to its

NHS lunch time rushes take place. As well as the in-house outlets, Baker Tom also supplies to dozens of restaurants and cafés across Cornwall. It’s an around the clock job and one that despite its steady growth, hasn’t changed the fundamental aspect of Tom’s bread, “My aim has always been to make good, wholesome, interesting bread that tastes good and is good for you, with no added nasties. Loaves that have been

From their decadent rosemary and sea salt focaccia (a Silver Taste of the West award winner in 2019) to their signature sourdoughs, Baker Tom does simplicity to perfection and keeps the art of natural, authentic bread making alive in Cornwall.

Night bakers work hard kneading, shaping and proving the dough ready to be baked in the early hours of the morning, ensuring the bread is the freshest and tastiest it can be for the day. Organic sourdoughs join traditional tin loaves (their organic white tin loaf won the 2019 Gold Taste of the West award) and speciality bread, Tom is constantly on a quest to create delicious ranges to suit everyone’s tastes. Then, there’s the classic scones, saffron buns and kernow curls, not to mention the sumptuous brioche rolls that have become a swift favourite amongst the budding Baker Tom regulars, “Cornwall is a small county and word of mouth is essential,” Tom says on the brand's success. “In our two new projects we have tried to keep the same, personal Cornish approach you get when you visit one of our Baker Tom shops. Whether you are visiting Cornwall or a local, our customers want to feel like the bread they are buying is fresh and made by hand, which in our case it is.”

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

socially distancing audience, a testament to just how far this creative and innovative bunch have come from the brand’s small beginnings in the kitchen of its founder and chief bread baker, Tom Hazzledine.

Look back 16 years ago and you’d have found Tom at college, indulging in his bread making passion during his spare time and delivering his delicious results by bike to his local farm shop, “The demand for freshly made, local bread rapidly increased,” Tom explains, “I started with three loaves and my bike, and it went on from there.”

Today, Baker Tom’s boasts five shops, two cafés, a mobile van and an online shop catering to hungry bread-loving folk across Cornwall and Devon. At their bustling bakery and café in Pool, a hub for the day bakers where you can watch some of the Baker Tom magic take place, a mixture of early bird starters, business meetings and t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 77 n

One of Tom’s latest projects is the Baker Tom Bread Box scheme recently launched on their website, in which customers in select postcodes across Cornwall can get a freshly baked box of bread delivered directly to their doors. The scheme has largely come about at a time when doorstep deliveries are preferred and is one of the ways Baker Tom is continuing

Sample Boxes Baker Tom's large, small, Vegan and family boxes will always include one or two classic Baker Tom loaves and will have a changing speciality loaf every 2 weeks. You can also buy an occasion box like the current summer BBQ box and cream tea box.

to provide bread to their loyal customers amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Bread boxes can be arranged as a single,

“The team here at Baker Tom’s have

weekly, fortnightly or monthly delivery and

always been creative and innovative in

feature many Baker Tom favourites, daily

their approach to new developments and

essentials and delicious treats. Customers

challenges. As well as having 35 locations

within the TR and PL25, PL26, PL27 and

across Cornwall we decided to launch a

PL28 postcodes are eligible and there

weekly pop-up bread van, that stops in

are also plenty of flour boxes and bread

smaller town and villages around Cornwall,

making kits for those who are eager to

selling fresh bread, cakes, pastries and

give bread making a go themselves.

vital essentials. The Bread Box scheme also means that customers who can’t get out to the van or one of our shops can still get fresh bread straight to their door.

Whilst

Tom’s

signature

delivery

bike

may now merely act as a mascot for the Baker Tom brand, the down to earth and wholesome ethos behind every loaf made

“The positivity and support from regular

by this Cornish bakery is no different than

and new customers has been a shining

it was 16 years ago in Tom’s kitchen, and

light in these uncertain times. It’s amazing

the passion each baker has for the craft is

to see so many people across the county

a continuation of Tom’s perpetual drive to

supporting local, small businesses; this

bring good quality, well-made bread to

support is keeping some businesses alive

those who appreciate it, “I’ve loved building

at the moment. I can’t thank our new

an amazing team around me,” says Tom,

and exciting customers enough for their

“people who really believe in our ethos,

continued support.”

product and brand. It’s been the most

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enjoyable side of the business as well as having a really engaging customer base.”

On the days Baker Tom spends just as ‘Tom’, he can typically be found back in the kitchen, happily baking with his three young children, a little less bread to be seen but ample amounts of fun, “Baking anything chocolatey and gooey that makes a mess is normally a winner.”

Finally, we had to ask the man himself what the perfect ‘Baker Tom’ lunch would be: “A classic BLT. A freshly made organic white tin loaf, cut into thick slices, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.” l Discover more about Baker Tom Bread Boxes and the Mobile Pop-Up Van at www.bakertom.co.uk You can also find Baker Tom stores at the following locations...

Baker Tom’s Shop & Café Falmouth 10b Church Street, Falmouth, TR11 3DR Baker Tom’s Bakery Café Pool 14 Wilson Way, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3RT Baker Tom’s Shop Penzance 63 Causeway Head, Penzance, TR18 2SR Baker Tom’s Shop Wadebride 1 The Platt, Wadebridge, PL27 7AD Baker Tom’s Shop St Austell 52 Aylmer Square, St Austell, PL25 5LJ

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St Just in the Roseland A perfectly balanced combination of mankind, nature and spirituality, the church and gardens at St Just in Roseland on Cornwall's scenic Roseland peninsula is a day trip that requires only your peace of mind and love of nature.

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ucked away down a narrow lane signposted off the A3078 that leads to the more well-known beauty spot of St. Mawes, the Norman style granite church nestles in tranquil, terraced sub-tropical grounds and sits beside the sheltered waters off the Carrick Roads estuary that leads to the busy port of Falmouth.

The site is truly one of Cornwall's hidden gems, with a small yet fascinating church, a churchyard that contains a rare mixture of memorials and immaculate landscaping, and a serene atmosphere resulting from the natural environment and religious context. Regardless of your religion, this is a place that strives to evoke peace and tranquillity amongst the Roselands breathtaking sceneries.

People visit this special place not only to witness the impressive church and rare plant life but to explore the many sheltered pathways and soak up the ambience. The tidal creek surrounded by the whispers of the trees, the ripples of the water against the riverbank and the occasional songbird makes this little hidden gem an idyllic spot to spend a quiet hour or two socially distancing and reacquainting yourself with lfe’s simple pleasures.

The pathway from the car park, through the top lychgate and down to the church provides a striking first impression, with the abundant green vegetation parting occasionally to reveal glimpses of the square church tower and sparkling blue waters below. It is lined with granite blocks carved with biblical texts, the inspiration of the Reverend Humphrey Davis who placed them there in the early 1900s.

Although there is evidence of a church on the site dating back to the 6th Century, the present building wasn't consecrated until 1261 and only about half of it can be considered to be part of the original. That doesn't detract from the pleasure of examining the mystical beauty of the many stained glass windows, the fine detail of the ancient brasswork or the recently renovated 19th Century pipe organ.

The church grounds are a unique combination of conventional burial sites, stone memorials, celtic crosses and steeply terraced gardens. The visionary thinking that led to the development of this landscape initially came from John Garland Treseder, a wellknown Cornish gardener and traveller who went to Australia in search of gold but returned with a wide range of exotic plants that were to inspire a new interest in gardening throughout Cornwall and its abundant array of microclimates.

It was Treseder who identified St Just in Roseland as the most appropriate location for the many subtropical species that he brought back to Britain in 1897. John Treseder's grandson, Neil, carried on his good work and the family developed a long-lasting relationship with the site, not only planting a huge range of trees and shrubs but also laying out the intricate network of ponds, streams and pathways. Treseders' Nurseries subsequently had a strong influence on Cornwall and beyond, with a presence still to this day in the nearby town of St Austell.

Although not as well-known as the nearby Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Just in Roseland Church is uncompromised by commercial interests and a real haven of beauty. l t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 81 n

ISLAND GIN At the most south westerly point of the UK, husband and wife team, Arthur and Hilary Miller established their Scilly Spirit Distillery on St Mary’s island, in the enchanting archipelago, the Isles of Scilly.

From their initial idea back in the spring of 2017, Arthur and Hilary were finally able to start up their very own distillery in May last year, and impressively were receiving awards within weeks of releasing their Island Gin. Their distinctive bottle was awarded “Winner – Best Design & Packaging in Spirits” for the UK in the Drinks Business Awards in May 2019 and more awards soon followed, from the highest accolade of “Master” in the Spirits Business “Global Gin Masters Awards” - one of only 14 gins to receive this prestigious award out of the 320 gins from around the world - to two medals awarded by the acclaimed International Wine & Spirits Competition in July 2019. This year, the highly regarded San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Gold for the bottle design and Silver for the gin, taking Arthur and Hilary’s tally to six international awards for their Island Gin. A significant inspiration for Island Gin stems from a true recorded event on the 18th January 1665, when a Spice Trade ship was wrecked off Bishop Rock, which had been carrying peppercorns from Java, and so it is that this is one of the key botanicals in their Island Gin. Another key inspiration is the majestic lighthouse (the tallest in the UK) which now stands proud on Bishop Rock to alert today’s ships, and so they felt it imperative they pay homage to this significant icon of the Scilly Isles. Hence their bottle shape, with its tall neck standing proud like Bishop Lighthouse, and a deep wooden stopper resembling Bishop’s helicopter landing pad. The bottle colour itself was developed to best capture the distinctive, vibrant aqua green of the sea that surrounds the archipelago, and they elected to decorate these bottles – versus the traditional labelling option – to best represent the archipelago’s purity, tranquillity and beauty. Even the tamper seal was designed to give due refence to the Pilot Gig boats, (a key part of Scilly’s heritage and relevant to their initial inspiration, whereby the survivors of the Spice Trade ship wreck were rescued by St Mary’s Pilot Gigs), with a Gig’s wooden oar down each side of the bottle neck.

Authentically made with care and precision by its dedicated owners, Island Gin is the perfect taste of Scilly to experience this summer. l To discover more, visit their website www.scillyspririt.com and why not follow their progress on Instagram @scillyspirit or on Facebook @scillyspiritdistillery n 82 |

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Everhot - The Electric Range since 1979 Pure craftmanship and a great cooker

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