I remember when

I remember when...

Below are the 10th and 11th of the ‘Probus Memories’ articles taken from a small handbook produced by the Probus Old Cornwall Society in 1982.

Mr Guy Lewman

I was born in Probus School when my father, one of the proprietors, was joint headmaster in Mr Handsomebody’s time. My mother was the matron, looking after 100 boarders. She was an exceptional woman in her own right, as she became the first woman J.P. at Tregony and was involved in many local interests.

For me, as a small boy growing up in Probus School, the highlights were usually connected with church, sports and sweets. One special day remains in my memory. My brother and I were given a whole shilling and we spent it in a glorious burst of extravagance as we visited the sweet shops all the way down the village!

Sport was very important, especially the football matches between Probus and Grampound and these were usually finished unofficially next day at New Stables crossroads! Probus Feast was an occasion that went on for days and as the school had the best cycle track in the west, it attracted riders from as far as Dorset. At the feast there was the most wonderful tea laid on by Mrs Prime. All you could eat for a shilling - splits and cream,

Oh yes, happy childhood memories of Probus and my brother and I still enjoy our visits to meet old friends and neighbours.

Mr and Mrs Philp

Yes, I remember the Circus used to come through. About six one morning father would shout ‘Quick! Circus coming!’ The elephants were walking up the road and they’d follow us in for a bit of bun. The lions were in a cage, but the monkeys weren’t and we children were all watching in our night clothes. There were big families then all around the Green - nine or ten children - happy times.

Oh yes, we had a treat to Newquay by wagonette and nearly went mad when we saw the sea! And Sunday school treat down to Portscatho and the Rechabite walk - remember Mr Savage? We had sports in the field and tea treat buns for tea. The prizes were three ha’pence, penny and ha’penny and I couldn’t run very well, so I was always down to ha’penny!

We knew everybody in the village and though time were hard, they were good old days.

We’re the same age - born 71 years ago and used to go to the school together - fight, we did! Never missed school because our parents needed the five shillings prize for full attendance. We got money prizes for the needlework competitions for the girls and sums for the boys and bonuses from the Tredenham charities if we paid into the boots club till Christmas.

Editor’s note: Can anyone shed light on what the ‘Rechabite walk’ is or was?