Charlie Warne

Charlie Warne was born at Parkengear, Probus on the 9th November 1929, one of four sons to Gladys and Henry Warne.

Many people in Probus will have seen Charlie walking his horse every day from the stable on High Street to the meadow in Chapel Street.

When he reached the age of 11 or 12, he had the opportunity, through his school, to access Hobbas’ Farm, at the end of Wagg Lane. Each year, for two weeks, children were given time to work on the farms, helping to pick potatoes. It was at this time that Charlie found his love of horses. He very quickly dismissed the intended task of potato picking for the Shire horses, learning all he could about them. Charlie learnt how to handle these big horses, break them and plough with them, even winning a prestigious ploughing competition when he was still quite young. Charlie Warne was, so we are told, a master ploughman.

Charlie and Joan on their wedding day at St Stephen In-Brannel church

At H C Nicholls & Sons, Charlie gained several local farmers as friends, and these friendships continued throughout his life. John Richards was one of these long-life friendships. Up until recently, Charlie was still called upon by John to sharpen his butchery knives, as John says, ‘No one could sharpen a knife as well as Charlie.’

Charlie and Joan with their young family.

Charlie never lost his love for the farm and surrounded himself with animals throughout his life. There was the family pig, Susie, who often produced several piglets. A Jersey cow, Lucy, which, when younger, Charlie, plus Adrian and Mel, would regularly walk to Truck for milking.

Charlie as many will remember him, walking his ponies Pepe and Apollo to the meadow for grazing.

One day, in the hope that Adrian would follow in his love for horses, Charlie acquired a horse called Topper from his good friend Norman Bilkey. While Adrian preferred two wheels to four hooves, Mel inherited Charlie’s love of horses and had many memorable hacks with her Dad walking or driving in his car, alongside her and her pony Sonny.

Mel remembered that they often went across to Grampound Road where Llewellyn Morgan lived on Resparveth farm. ‘When he and Charlie got together, you were never quite sure what mischief they would get up to or where it would end. Sadly, Llewellyn passed away some years ago, and I know Dad missed him dearly.’

Charlie’s friendships through his trade allowed him to bond with, train up and have plenty of banter with the younger generation who worked at Probus Slaughterhouse, later St Merryn Meat.

Mel continues, ‘I know that Dad holds fond memories of them all. Even in recent times when Dad stayed with me in St Erth, one of the district nursing team knew him from his days at St Merryn Meat. They enjoyed catching up with old times, swapping stories and remembering friends and colleagues.

Charlie with great grand-daughters Lillie and Lola.

‘Dad was born in Probus, grew up in the village, met his wife there, married and went on to have Adrian and me. He cherished his family, his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dad was a loving and amazing father, who did let us know when we overstepped the mark. He did everything he could to provide for his family, encouraging us to do well in school, later in employment, but always supporting us when things went wrong.

‘He will be greatly missed by us all. His death has meant the end of an era for our family, and as everything must end, he won’t be forgotten. Love you to the moon and back dad, grampy and great grampy, forever.’ Mel Smart

Charles Henry Warne, 9th November 1929 to 15th May 2020. Rest in Peace.

Charlie and Joan

Charlie standing in the porch of Goldmartyn with his much admired summer flowers.