Probus News Magazine - March 2023

What’s inside

FREE CPR/AED sessions

Page 4

Page 17-20

Page 24

How to contact us...

By

e-mail:

editorprobusnews@gmail.com

By hand: Articles for Probus News can be left at Trudgian Farm Shop in Probus Square, or Treviglas Cottage, Treviglas Lane, TR2 4LH.

Management Team

EDITOR: John Denyer 07824 555519 editorprobusnews@gmail.com

CHAIRMAN: Sheila Bing 01726 883400 sheila.bing@outlook.com

PHCS

Page 30

Letters

Page 36

Local sports updates

Page 44

Plus: Prize bingo, Cornwall Music Festival, U3A, Book club, PEAT, coronation and more. Front cover: A bright winter shot of Wheal Frances by Jon Hibberd. Jubilee lamp graphic: Paul Lakeman @paullakemanart

Submission deadlines for articles, adverts, alterations and other items for the magazine is the 10th of every month.

Publication dates

April

May

June

July

August

September

Friday 31st March

Friday 28th April

Friday 26th May

Friday 30th June

Friday 28th July

Friday 25th August

Available online:

SECRETARY: Peter Clarke 01726 884177 peteclarke1950@gmail.com

TREASURER: Terry Hodge 01726 884495 tjhodge321@gmail.com

ADVERTISING: Kaye Ludlow 07968 722430 advertisingprobusnews@gmail.com

DELIVERY MANAGER: Tim Joyce 01726 884574 timstravels01@hotmail.com

www.issuu.com/ probusnews/

Probus News is a non-profit making, independent voluntary organisation. Your donations are always welcome.

Public notice

The inclusion of any article or advertisement in this magazine does not constitute any form of accreditation by the editor or management committee. They are unable to vouch for the professional qualifications, etc, of any advertiser. It is the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure conformity with the Trades Descriptions Act 1975, Business Advertisements Disclosure Order 1977 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Readers must satisfy themselves that an advertiser meets all their necessary requirements. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of their authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Editor or management committee.

EDITORIAL: David Meggs 01726 883443 minesaredwine@hotmail.com Sarah Hoggett 07931 502 939 sarah.hoggett@btopenworld.com

DEPUTY TREASURER: Eddie Bokas 07758 246673 ecbokas13@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jon Hibberd 07931 502921 jonyhibs58@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA: Vanessa McGill @probusnews

PROOFREADERS: Marilyn Joyce Tania Williams and Teresa Hayhoe

Printed by: Printout Ltd, Threemilestone. 01872 242534

Panto wrap up

Henry Caddy

Community News and Notices

Free CPR/AED awareness sessions

THEsecond of two free CPR and defibrillator (AED) awareness session will be held in Probus Village Hall on Saturday 18th March 10 am to 12 noon.

The first session held on Saturday 25th February saw 17 attendees. Present were Mark, paramedic and Tanya, HCA both from Probus Surgery and the facilitator Kate Woolven.

The topics covered were:

Unconscious casualty (what to do if you come across one)

CPR

Use of the defibrillator

Locations of defibrillators in Probus

What3words

Q&A

Please come along to learn (or refamiliarise yourself) with something that could save a life.

No booking needed - just turn up. The session, sponsored by Probus Surgery will be run once more by Kate Woolven.

Probus clubs, societies, organisations

Acoustics Night (Comrades Club) Tim Joyce 07412 126774

Badminton Club

Pauline Partridge 01726 882649

Bees (swarms/issues/questions) Tony Paddock 07486 295414

Bowling Club

Church Bell Ringers

David Meggs 01726 883443

Liza Deards 07888 684425

Please send updates to editorprobusnews@gmail.com

Churchwarden Andy McCartney probus.churchwarden@gmail.com

Comrades Club Bryan Trebilcock 01726 882747

Cornwall Councillor Karen Glasson 07980 975527 cllr.karen.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk

Cycling – Probus Pedallers Dave Light 07966 683852 or Colin Brown 07484 740249

Dance Classes Children (4Real) Angie Smith 07825 234855 contactus4real@gmail.com

Football - Saturday Club Steve Flack 07956 049727

Probus Youth FC - Juniors Eric Bendelow 07917 008491

Probus FC - Seniors (First Team) Graham Smith 07968 478970

Is

Friends of Probus Church Richard Heath 07849 315432 geotechrich@gmail.com

Friends of Probus Surgery Anthea Johnson tbc

Grampound Road Cricket Club The Club House 07800 915578 grampoundroadcricketclub@gmail. com

Hawkins Arms Graham and Phil 01726 882208 www.thehawkinsprobus.co.uk

Historic Cornwall Society Vince Van Kempen-Wilson 01726 883019 vince.vkw@gmail.com

Kids Club Breakfast/after-school at Probus School Diane Gibbs 01726 882647 kidsclub@probusschool.org.uk

Knit & Natter Group Eve Richards 01726 882657 or 07767 383982

Litter Picking Group Steve Dalton 07813 995206 stevedalton166@btinternet.com

Little Lights Pam Cobbold 01726 882495 jplelissick@btinternet.com

Mid Cornwall Wood Turners

Over 60s Luncheon Club

Parish Players (Pantomime)

Pauline Salisbury secretary@midcornwallturners.com

Zena 01726 882751 or Janet 01726 882927

Cathy Cadby 07860 755787 info@probusparishplayers.co.uk

Playing Field Mgmt Committee Graham Smith 07968 478 970

Probus Parish Church Rev. Joachim Foot 01726 882218/07930 095687 rector@probusteam.com

Parish Council Clerk Maria Roper 07749 626021 clerk@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

Probus Primary School

Angela Praed 01726 882647 hello@probusschool.org.uk

Probus Primary School PTA Sophie Baker 01726 882647

Probus Club of Probus

Probus Environmental Action Team (PEAT)/Probus Churchground maintenance

Probus Nursery

Nick Hibbett 01726 883093 nick.hibbett@btinternet.com

Steve Dalton 07813 995206 probus.peat@btinternet.com

Nick Lauder 07403 659869 n.lauder29@btinternet.com

Angela Praed 01726 882647 hello@probusschool.org.uk

Sticker Memory Cafe 07901 147353 or 07717333713

The Roseland Academy 01872 530675 www.theroseland.co.uk

U3A Roseland & District Terry Neil 01872 530196

Village Hall Letting Secretary 07749 368162 lettings@probusvillagehall.co.uk

Walking Group - Wednesdays Terry Hodge or Tim Joyce 01726 884495 or 01726 884574

Young Farmers

- Fridays Teresa Hayhoe or Kaye Ludlow 07720 393754 or 07968 722430

Joey Wagstaff 07443 514854

Other village pages: Probus Cornwall, Probus Super Mums!, Probus News Magazine, Probus Swap and Sell

Coronation planning ARE

you planning a community event to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in May? Let us know, and we’ll publicise it here.

For details about the ‘Big Lunch’ being promoted by the palace for Sunday 7th May go to: www. edenprojectcommunities.com/the-biglunch. Further information also here: www.royal.uk/coronation-weekend

Do you have a problem?

Why not contact one of your local parish councillors for advice?

COMMUNITY FOOD LARDER

PROBUS PARISH CHURCH

Our local community larder is FREE and open to EVERYBODY to use in Probus and the surrounding area.

JUST DROP IN

Help us, help you & reduce food waste!

NO ONE GOES HUNGRY PROBUS & SURROUNDING AREA. Isolating or can’t get out?

Please email nochildgoeshungryprobus@gmail.com to find out about our delivered food parcels.

wwwprobusparishcouncil.gov.uk

Chris Dutton Carne View Road 07969 451207 chrisdutton@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

James Faull Tresowgar Cottage 07494 756249 jamesfaull@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

Nick Gillard (chair) Fore Street

Ross

884007

nicholasgillard@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

neilglasson@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

rossgoldsworthy@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

paulquinlan@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

Rachel Tofts Carne View Road 07432 566055 racheltofts@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk

There are currently two parish councillor vacancies. Please contact the clerk or any of the above for details.

If you are not able to contact a particular councillor, then contact the Parish Council Clerk Maria Roper 07749 626021 clerk@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk - Cornwall Councillor Karen Glasson can also be contacted on 07980 975527 or cllr.karen.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk for advice.

A message from the curate

Mothering Sunday

Mothers are great, I think most of us can say that, and there are good reasons why Mothering Sunday or ‘Mother’s Day’, as it is often called, features a celebration of our mothers and a chance to thank those who mother us. But that is not what Mothering Sunday was initially about. Its origins date back over 1,000 years in the UK and was a time when people would break from their Lent fasting and visit their ‘mother church’, that is the church in which they were baptised or grew up. This practice eventually became known as ‘mothering’ which is how we get the name for the day.

The picture of a ‘mother church’ still has resonance for many today. It is in the church that we may have been rebirthed in baptism, many will have fond memories of being raised in Sunday school, taught about Jesus and the basics of the Christian faith and hopefully the church may have been there as well at other important moments in life such as weddings. Unfortunately, there can also, for many, be a time when they come of age, fledge the nest, move away and lose touch. I left my family home in Cardiff many years ago and I must admit that I don’t keep in touch with my mother as much as I ought, but it is always a special time when we as a family go and visit, get instantly embraced with a warm hug and spend some quality time together.

This Mothering Sunday (19th March) please don’t forget to give your mum some flowers (if that’s what you do)

but it could also be a time for some to reconnect with their Mother Church be it Probus or any other. It could be a time of coming home, even if just for a hour or two, to remember the faith you were birthed into, to talk to your Father God from whom you may have become estranged, to give thanks for the past and find hope for the future. I hope and pray that whenever or wherever you do decide to come “mothering” you will be greeted with a warm hug and discover at the heart of the church the love of our heavenly Father.

Reverend Paul

March church services

Sunday 5th 9:30 am Connect

11 am Holy Communion

Sunday 12th 9:30 am Alternative Holy Communion

Sunday 19th 9:30 am Connect

Sunday 26th 9:30 am Holy Communion

4 pm Cafe Church

Other regular events

Little Lights: 1:30-3:30 pm Thursday 2nd and 16th March

Tower Tots: 1:30-3:30 pm Thursday 9th and 23rd March

Coffee mornings: Tuesdays 10:30 am12 noon. Fridays 9 - 11 am. First Saturday each month 10 am - 12 noon,

Youth Club: (Years 7 - 13) Alternate Sunday evenings

Probus Book Club

THISmonth we read Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith.

This is the second book I have read in this series, several members had read more. We all enjoyed the book, which is unusual, as we usually have very different views about the books that we read.

Upcoming events:

Thursday 9th March in PVH at 10 am the classic film is Treasure Island

Fridays 10th and 24th March Patchwork and Craft Group at 10 am in PVH

For those of you who have not come across these books yet it is about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency run by Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Mma Makutsi and it is set in Botswana. Mma Ramotswe has already married her long time suitor Mr. J L B Matekoni in this book. Although she is now married she still runs The Detective Agency and gets involved in people’s troubles as they bring them to her. The crimes committed in this book are not so very terrible, and she manages to solve them.

It is a good light read and is funny in places. It gives the reader a taste of the very different customs and outlooks of people in a very different country.

Tuesday 14th in Tregony Church Hall at 10:15 am to 12 noon Local History is "The Black Death in Cornwall"

Wednesday 15th at Roseland Parc Tregony at 2 pm The Book Club

Tuesday 28th at Tregony Bible Christian Fellowship Hall at 2 pm The French Conversation Group

Thursday 30th March Luncheon Club. Venue to be arranged.

Please email caroleannbowling@yahoo. co.uk for further details

EVERYONE NEEDS A WILL. IT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT YOUR ASSETS, WHETHER LARGE OR SMALL PASS TO THE PEOPLE YOU WISH THEM TO. DYING WITHOUT A WILL CAUSES HUGE PROBLEMS AND HASSLE TO THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND HOWEVER SMALL YOUR ESTATE IS.

WILL WRITERS SERVICES offers Estate Planning, Will Writing and Preparation of Lasting Power of Attorney.

We visit you in your own home for your convenience. We are a local company and talk in plain language that is easy to understand. Please call for further information or to arrange an appointment.

A SIMPLE WILL IS JUST £150 01579383892/07979850128

Behind the scenes

PROBUS

Parish Players’ production of Aladdin was a run-away success, with every performance a sellout. We talked to its director, Andrew Kennedy, to find out what’s involved in putting on such a large-scale production.

PN: How long have you been involved with Probus Parish Players and how did you come to be director?

AK: I grew up in Probus and my mum was in the Parish Players. When I was about 11, there was a production of Cinderella and they didn’t have enough people to play the role of footmen, so she insisted I joined. I really didn’t want to (I had to wear a really stupid wig!), but I soon caught the theatre bug. As for being director this year – well, I put my name forward and that was it! It’s not my first panto as director – I did Mother Goose in 2004, Babes in the Wood in 2005 and Jack and the Beanstalk in 2018, so I kind of knew what I was letting myself in for.

PN: When did you start working on it?

AK: We started planning it shortly after Alice in Wonderland, last year. I already knew I wanted to do Aladdin, so I found a script online and worked on it from about March to May or June, putting in new jokes and so on. The script was originally set in the 1970s but I wanted to give it a 1990s theme, as I grew up during the ‘90s. So that meant references to the Star Wars films, for example, were replaced with Jurassic Park. All the songs are from the ‘90s, as well. I spent hours and hours picking songs and changing the lyrics a bit to suit the storyline.

PN: The sets looked amazing! How do you go about putting all that together?

AK: We try to keep the sets as simple as possible so we can make scene changes quickly and our set designer, Beth Pritchard, did an amazing job. For Aladdin, we only had four painted scenes and one of those doubled up as both an outdoor and an indoor setting – for the indoor version we just put flats

Below: Widow Twankey (Beth Pritchard)

Above: Andrew Kennedy

Above: Daisy (Lisa Phillips), Pansy (Shannon Wignall), Rose (Michelle Way) and Blossom (Kate Cadby)

Below: The cast at the dress rehearsal

in front with window shapes cut into them, so it looked as if you’re looking out at the garden. We made the launderette set by projecting an image of a washing machine onto canvas that Beth then outlined in paint.

..We started constructing the sets in August/September last year and it’s a lot of work – we could do with more helpers!

PN: We spotted some clever references to local landmarks there, too!

AK: Yes, that’s one of the fun things about a panto – making it relatable for the audience! So there was a sign saying ‘Peking Pannier Market’ and people might just have noticed a resemblance to the site where Truro Woolworths used to be until the 1990s!

PN: What about the lighting?

AK: Since 2017 we’ve outsourced the sound and lighting to Matt Dymond and

his partner Katie. They set everything up, run the desks, and take everything down after the last show so that the hall’s clear for volunteers to come in and dismantle the seating the next day.

PN: The costumes are always really colourful. Where do they come from?

AK: This year a lot of them came from Vintage Superstore in Launceston. Beth, Rosi Pritchard and I spent an afternoon there and came away with armloads of stuff, having managed to negotiate a really good deal with them. For really quirky, one-off costumes like the Mad Hatter in last year’s Alice in Wonderland, we sometimes have to get them specially made. And for simpler things we have some talented helpers in the village.

PN: It sounds like a very expensive enterprise. How do you fund it all?

Above: Wishee Washee (Guy Wignall), Widow Twankey (Beth Pritchard) and Aladdin (Megan Russell).

AK: It’s all self-funded. Ticket sales bring in quite a lot of the money, and we hold fund-raising events throughout the year – there’s a bingo night, an Easter trail for the kids, a Halloween disco and, of course, Breakfast with Santa.

PN: How do you select the performers?

AK: We hold auditions in September and ask people what part(s) they’d like to be considered for and if they’d be willing to accept another role. Then it’s a process of trying to match people to the roles – the way they come across on stage plays almost as big a part in that as their acting and singing ability. This year we had around 25 youngsters, in addition to the main roles, and it’s great to see them get so involved and see their confidence grow. We start rehearsals quite soon after the auditions.

PN: There must be a lot of people helping out behind the scenes, as well. What’s involved there?

AK: Backstage crew, led by Naomi Buckland, are just as important as those on stage – they change the scenes, set out the props and make sure everyone is on stage, often working in very little light and quietly! Without them working hard in the background, the show would not be as slick.

There are also people doing make-up, parent helpers being with the juniors and making sure they’re ready to be on stage when needed, the lighting/sound crew (Dymond Audio) and spotlights (Edward Buckland and Naomi Kennedy), ably assisted this year by Harry and Annie: plus all the front-of-house people led by Cathy Cadby. There are almost as many unseen people in a show like this as there are on stage – they just don’t get the rapturous applause they deserve!

Below: PC Suey (Sarah Hancock) and Sergeant Chop (Lilia)

Above: The Genie of the Lamp (Isaac)

..If you’d like to get involved in next year’s panto – whether it’s helping out behind the scenes, assembling the seating, or treading the boards in the full glare of the spotlights – watch out for details in Probus News or on PPP’s social media channels. .. ..

Above: Some of the junior cast members performing ‘Bring it all Back’. Below: Stars in the making – junior cast members hamming it up for the camera!

Probus Parish Players Pals @probusparishplayers

PEAT

Probus Environment Action Teams

WORKis now well underway at Probus Church with volunteers removing overgrown vegetation from gravestones and trees. Cormac is providing help in removing the piles of branches and bags of weeds, but a large amount has accumulated since their last visit just before Christmas. Team Leader Nick Lauder reports progress each week on Facebook and was surprised recently to receive thanks from Australia following a post. A distant member of the Huddy family told Nick how much she appreciated her relative's gravestone being cared for by the team.

The area at the front of the church is currently being worked on, and the two photos show before and after images of the area around the war memorial. Much of the hedge in that area is holly which will recover well from the pruning and will produce a good hedge in time. The team of volunteers meet each Wednesday morning for an hour or two starting at 9:30 am, and each second Saturday of the month starting at 10 am. Everybody is welcome – bring gardening gloves and secateurs if you have them.

Cormac kindly donated a number of narcissus bulbs which have been planted near the front door of the church. These will flower in April/May this year.

The first two swift boxes were installed in the tower. The photo (below left) shows Phil Heard sizing up the best place for one of them. We will also install a sound system that will alert swifts to the nesting sites when they return from Africa this spring. We aim to install additional boxes next year, and we intend to connect a webcam in one of them so that the hatching and development of the chicks can be seen by residents.

Using our PEAT funds we have taken out an insurance policy to ensure all our valued volunteers are fully covered in case of accident.

For further information please contact Nick Lauder at n.lauder29@btinternet. com 07403659869 or Steve Dalton at probus.peat@btinternet 07813 995206

Not just a name on a gravestone

INlast month’s edition, we included an image of the memorial of Henry Caddy that had recently been uncovered by the PEAT team working in the church yard. We asked if anyone knew of this man or could tell us anything about his qualifications.

Many thanks to Paul Holden, Teresa Hayhoe and Roger Dunbar who all responded with information so we can tell a bit about this gentleman who died in 1890.

Henry Caddy (1851-1890) was the youngest of two sons born to Jonathon (1825-52) and Agnes Caddy (d.1878), and was born in Newton in Cartmel in Lancashire (now Cumbria). Cartmel is located south of Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

He was baptised at Priory Church of St Mary and St Michael, Cartmel on 24th June 1851. Henry’s father and grandfather were farmers and maltsters. Henry’s aspirations moved away from farming towards medicine like his uncle, also Henry, who was a pharmacist and druggist.

Tragically, his father mysteriously drowned on Christmas Eve 1852. The local newspaper noted − ‘Corpse found – The remains of Mr. Jonathan Caddy Maltster of Cartmel who drowned upon about Christmas last were found last week’. His mother remarried and had eight children with her new husband George Tyson, thereby leaving no space for Henry and his brother Thomas who from an early age were boarding with other families.

The 1861 census records him at Greenbank, Holker Green, Cartmel in

Lancashire, a scholar aged 9 years old in the house of Edmund Bradley, a 47-yearold farmer of 9 acres. Also, at this address was a 11-year-old Thomas Caddy, Henry’s brother. Henry graduated from Cartmel Grammar School in 1864, aged just 13 or 14.

The 1871 census shows him as a boarder at 24 St Georges Place, St Barnabas, Liverpool in the household of John Shaw aged 53, a pharmaceutical chemist, employing 2 assistants and 1 boy. Henry is recorded as being a 19-year-old medical student.

He studied at the Liverpool School of Apothecaries qualifying in 1874 as Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (LSA) and in the same year was registered with the Medical Register while living and practising in Ulverston. The apothecary was, in effect, the forerunner of the modern general practitioner and indeed many had the double qualification of apothecary and surgeon, thus in 1874 he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons MRCS E (the E being for England). Two years later he was working as House Surgeon at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool, having responsibility for the use of anaesthetics, in this case chloroform.

What brought him to Cornwall is unclear, although his brother’s emigration to Australia in 1877 may have prompted the move.

Census records show in 1881 Henry was living at No 2 Chapel Terrace, London Road, Probus. He was the head of the household, 29 years of age and a bachelor. His occupation was recorded as General Practitioner. Also in the house was a visitor, 32-yearold Herbert L Rogers, born in Helston, whose occupation was Brewer/Maltster and wine and spirt merchant. The housekeeper was Peternal Chapman, 37 years, who was born at Lifton, Devon.

Henry's career advanced rapidly becoming a Member of the British Medical Association, Medical Officer for the Use of Public Vaccines in the Probus District and Medical Officer for Health in the East Division Truro District. Two of Caddy’s roles, beyond his day job as a General Practitioner, were to report and account for local deaths and to administer life-saving vaccine programmes.

It’s clear that Henry Caddy was a well-respected man who for 10 years served the people of Probus and beyond. He died on 23rd February 1890, aged 38, of ‘congestion of the lungs’, which perhaps nowadays may be called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or something related.

He was buried in Probus cemetery just two days later on 25th February. The headstone, made by Honey and Evans, was erected by his friends in great esteem for the services he rendered to the village and local area. Henry left £418 6s 6d1 to his family in Lancashire.

The National Probate record states ‘Administration of the personal estate of Henry Caddy late of Probus in the County of Cornwall, surgeon and bachelor who died on 23rd February 1890 at Probus was granted at the Principal Registry to William Mulinger Tyson of Carnforth in the County of Lancashire Driver the brother by the Half Blood and one of the next of kin.’

Sadly, there is no known image of Henry Caddy, as Paul Holden stated 'Being single with no direct family he may not have bothered with a portrait image'.

Next time you walk through the church cemetery, be sure to look out for Henry's memorial. It's impressive and tells the story of a man who came to Probus for good reasons and made a positive difference to the lives of those that lived here as well as those in the district.

Note 1: £418 would be worth about £42,000 in today's money. Source: Bank of England.

Graham Bishop

Introducing your Personal Travel Expert Graham

Bishop

Hi, I’m Graham your new personal travel expert for Probus and surrounding areas. I grew up in the village and have recently relocated back and with me bring a new concept when it comes to travel. I do love to travel!

I love it so much that not only is it something I love to do in my spare time, I also made it my job. I have over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, so there is very little I don’t know, but I am always making sure that I am learning, you are never to old to learn. This is my passion, helping people have the best experiences, finding those golden gems and making sure you get the most for your money. Please feel free to ask me any questions, it is quite a privilege making dreams come true, but hey, that’s what I do! There isn’t anything that I can book from package holidays to more bespoke holidays. So please do get in contact if I can help in anyway.

Look what I can book for you

 Ocean Cruises

 River Cruises

 Long-haul Holidays

 Luxury Holidays

 Land Tours

 Summer/Winter Holidays

 UK Breaks

 Flight Only

 Tailor-made Itineraries

 Wedding & Honeymoons

 Airport Hotels & Lounges

 Car Parking & Car Hire

 Attraction Tickets

And so much more!

Probus Historic Cornwall Society

By Laura Van Kempen-Wilson

SS Torrey Canyon

We were delighted to welcome Martin Brockman back to Probus, this time to give a comprehensively illustrated talk on the tragic Torrey Canyon disaster of 1967, a disaster which still ranks in the world’s top five oil spillages.

Soon after her initial launch in 1958, the Torrey Canyon was enlarged and her cargo capacity increased to enable her to carry 120,183 tons of crude oil. The ship was owned by the Union Oil Company of California, registered in Liberia, chartered to BP and with an Italian crew and very experienced Captain.

The Torrey Canyon left Kuwait on 19th February 1967 with a full cargo of crude oil, heading for the Canary Islands, from where she planned to sail to Milford Haven. Martin’s meticulous research followed the ship as she sailed that last fateful journey at her full power of 17 knots, day by day and minute by dreadful minute. Martin gave us the full catalogue of mechanical, navigational and human errors and the accompanying timeline that culminated in the Torrey Canyon ploughing at full speed into Pollard’s Rock on the Seven Stones Reef on 18th March, with disastrous environmental

consequences. Her full load of crude oil poured into the sea between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The timing could not have been worse for the seabirds on their spring migration and over 25,000 birds died. All sea and coastal life was affected.

Martin showed the aftermath and explained the various, desperate cleanup methods employed, most of which had their own side-effects or drawbacks, and showed a recent film of the wreck, made by divers.

Such was the catastrophic nature of the event it caused changes to be made to Maritime Law.

Do the best for the most

PHCS members gave a warm welcome to Duncan Paul Mathews when he came to talk to us on John Passmore Edwards. The welcome was especially warm as Duncan had stepped in at the last minute.

John Passmore Edwards was a journalist, philanthropist and Liberal MP who was born at Blackwater in 1823. He and his three brothers attended a local Dame School where a disabled miner taught them for 2d (less than 1p) per week, increasing to 3d (just over 1p). John was an avid reader and would spend his pocket money on second-hand books but his Liberal family would not allow him to read newspapers which were considered 'Tory'.

John's parents attended the local Baptist and Methodist Churches and were instrumental in introducing the first Free School and Sunday School in Blackwater.

John became involved in campaigning with the Anti-Corn Law League. He also lectured at the Manchester Temperance League whilst working for the Manchester Sentinel, which he later bought, although it soon went bankrupt.

He promised his creditors that he would pay each of his debts in full, which he did, although it took him 10 years.

Charity Easter prize bingo VIV

Pyatt will be hosting a charity Easter prize bingo evening on Thursday 6th April at Probus Village Hall in aid of the Merlin Centre. This fundraiser, the first of several that Viv will host this year, is leading up to her finale of cycling across Vietnam to Cambodia later this year on behalf of the Merlin Centre.

Viv’s 450km ride will start at Ho Chi Minh City pass through the beautiful Mekong Delta and end at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia (arguably one of the ‘wonders of the world’).

Throughout his life, John was interested in politics and social reform and was quite an activist, particularly in the Peace Movement. He became the Liberal MP for Salisbury but soon became disillusioned by the bureaucracy of government but, when the Bill for Free Libraries was passed, he began his personal provision of 72 institutions, 20 of them in Cornwall including Truro Library (image above).

Aged 87, John wrote his autobiography, 'A Few Footsteps'. He died the following year in 1911 and is buried in Kensall Green Cemetery, London. His motto throughout his life was 'Do the Best for the Most'. He did.

To hear more fascinating local history stories, come along to the PHCS meeting on Monday 13th March, at Probus Village Hall where Adrian Wilton will give a talk on ‘Churchill’s Secret Army’. More details in the What’s On section page 42.

Please come along to support the evening that will also include a raffle and Irish bingo. Buy your books on the door, and eyes down at 6:30 pm. Hot drinks provided but feel free to bring anything stronger yourselves.

Trewithen House open from 30th April to 27th June Sunday to Tuesday inclusive 10 am to 4:30 pm (Bookings taken in advance to avoid disappointment).

Gardens and Tea Shed open daily 10 am to 4 pm 1st March to 30th September

Make viewing a house as easy and exciting as it should be!

We all want different things from our homes, and it’s that pursuit of our next exciting adventure in domesticity that makes house hunting so fun! Or, at least, it should be.

All too often we encounter clients who are tying themselves in knots trying to work out whether a house they are viewing is really the one they have been looking for. The key to knowing what to look out for, is to prepare yourself in advance. Do your research; know what you need to avoid and what you are not looking for! Never be afraid to ask the estate agent difficult questions.

It’s a house, after all, so be thorough. Not only is it a huge investment of money, it’s also a commitment that you and your family must be one-hundred percent comfortable in making, and you should be as sure as you can that no unexpected deal-breakers are likely to befall you, after you’ve signed a deal.

To help you prepare for your search, we have pulled together a r oom-by-room list of things to look out for, as well as those general points everybody should have in mind. The checklist, while helpful in structuring your viewing and giving you an idea of the things that might point to possible, deal -breaking problems, is no replacement for expert advice, so if you’re unsure, it always pays to enlist the help of a specialist surveyor.

The checklist is available on our website or on request.

Sean Johnston Partner

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Why have a bell tower if you don’t ring the bells, is this a question of use it or lose it?

Sundays on the Isle of Lewis are mostly silent apart from the sound of the waves crashing on the beach below my house. In times past one would have spent the day studying the scriptures and attending church, but today the studies are more likely to be watching the live coverage of an important football match. It is always the quietest day of the week, with shops shut and no church bells. Hanging washing out is still frowned upon as is mowing the lawn or any form of work. Thankfully walking and even sketching is accepted so my work as an artist slips under the radar of religious expectations.

Hearing the church bells ring on a Sunday morning in Probus has always been one of those great delights when returning from the Outer Hebrides to stay with my brother. Living just above the church gives him the maximum benefit from that glorious sound. Even as a nonchurch goer it

lifts me, and brings back memories of my childhood and staying with my grandparents in the Cotswolds. Hearing the sound of the Fairford Church bells drift across the River Coln and hoping we wouldn’t be dragged off to the morning service, wondering if during the period of offertory, I could get away with simply jiggling my finger in the collection bag. Three pence would buy a serious amount of sweets. Years later when attending Philleigh Church on the Roseland, I was asked to pump the organ during the service and that meant I was missed from the collection and could keep my sixpence.

Probus is blessed with one of the most magnificent campanile in the county. Being the tallest and most profusely carved, it remains a focal point of the village. So, as I looked out early this

morning from the kitchen window and saw the tower bathed in sunlight I wondered why the silence? Is this yet again something to do with Covid-19, and another expression of joy or celebration lost? Presumably there are more than bats in the belfry, and maybe it is simply that there is insufficient enthusiasm for campanology? Can I look forward to more than sirens or ridiculous mobile phone ring tones? Please bring back the bells.

While on the subject of the church, I would like to thank all those who have recently been so industrious in the clearing of the boundaries and revealing old overgrown graves. I pass through the graveyard most days and it often seems magical that another portion has been cleared, yet I’ve seen nobody doing it.

During one sunny winter’s afternoon I sat tight against the front boundary and completed another sketch, then moved to the south side. The graveyard seemed to have grown as more gravestones and inscriptions have become visible. It is very gratifying to see the work advance and it looks like this may turn out to be the start of a much longer project.

Probus is indeed fortunate to have such a beautiful church at its heart and with the effort of volunteers, a graveyard that is becoming a delightful place to spend time in. I did however wonder why an unsightly and incongruous portable toilet was required outside a fine Grade 1 listed building. As an artist it was a simple matter to erase this from my second sketch, but surely with a public toilet right next to the church there could be no need of this padlocked

..plastic monster. The reason for having a portable toilet is surely because it is a temporary requirement. Encountering a local dog walker, I enquired why the said object was there and they replied that it had arrived well over a year ago, she’d never seen it being used and nobody seem to know why it was there. We both agreed that it was an eyesore and needed to go, and so I wondered if you could perhaps shed any light on this repellent piece of plastic that threatens to mar the wonderful work being undertaken by those industrious volunteers? If it isn’t being used then perhaps this should be a case of lose it.

Tom Hickman

A reply from the Church Warden:

We also are incredibly impressed by the hard work and results of the team changing the churchyard into a beautiful and well cared for space. The improvements are very obvious and it’s already clear that the space will become much more attractive and be able to encourage more wildlife into our village.

Regarding the Portaloo, this was purchased by the PCC several years ago and is there to provide level access and convenient facilities for those

using the church. The village facilities, although close by, are not accessible without using stairs and the level route to them is quite long.

The Portaloo’s position was chosen to preserve the ability to take unaffected photos of the south porch and of the whole south elevation from the end of the South Drive. This is a view often used by wedding parties.

Our church is fortunate to have a need for such facilities as it has an active worshipping congregation and also several mid-week groups using the building such as coffee mornings, toddler play groups and the community food larder.

The long-term aim is for a redevelopment of the facilities inside the church to provide amongst other things a permanent level access toilet.

Like many village parish churches we rely on the kind donations of all those who value the building in order to maintain and secure its future at the centre of the village.

If anyone would like to contribute funds to help develop and repair the church building please use the below QR code - this takes you to our building’s fundraising donation page

Andy McCartney Probus Churchwarden

Dear Editor

I am interested to know if there are any people in Probus who would like to consider starting up a model railway club.

Stephen Hassall edsnail@hotmail.com

Mid-Cornwall Wood Turners: Club nights are 1st Tuesday of each month and training nights are on the 3rd Tuesday each month

PROBUS

EVENTS DIARY 2023

Secretaries: To publicise your meetings or events, let us know well in advance and we will include details here. Contact details for all groups/clubs/societies can be found on page 7.

Key: PVH = Probus Village Hall. PCC = Probus Comrades Club.

Acoustic Night Upstairs (at Probus Comrades Club). Last Monday of the month, starting at 7:30 pm

Badminton Club: Meets at 8 pm every Monday at PVH

Coffee ‘n’ Chat: Every Tuesday morning 10:30 am to 12 noon at Probus Church. Open to everyone, young and old, church-goer or not. Also, held on the first Saturday of each month between 10 am and 12 noon. Coffee, cake and a friendly welcome for everyone

CPR and defibrillator (AED) awareness session will be held in Probus Village Hall on Saturday 18th March 10am to 12 noon. Please come along to learn something that could save a life. No booking needed - just turn up.

Friendship Club: MHA Communities Cornwall is a national charity who run a friendship club for folk 60+, at PVH on the first Thursday of each month 10 am to 12 noon. Tracy Beavill 07720 680989 cornwall@mha.org.uk

Mobile library: PVH car park between 11:30 am and 12:20 pm. Next visits are Friday 24th March and Friday 21st April. Latest updates are posted on www. facebook.com/CornwallLibraries

Over 60s Luncheon Club: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month8th and 22nd March.

Probus Club of Probus: Skittles evening is back by popular request - Thursday 23rd March at 7:30 pm in PVH

Probus Fun Week - 6th - 13th August 2023. Save the date - details to follow next month.

Probus Historic Cornwall Society: Monday 13th March, PVH, 7:15 pm for 7:30 pm. Churchill’s Secret Army by Adrian Wilton. A fascinating insight into the formation and history of the secret ‘Auxiliary Units’ of WW2. Could one of your family or neighbours have been involved? PHCS members free, visitors £1.50 to include refreshments. Please note that the following meeting is on Monday 3rd April not our usual second Monday, to avoid Easter.

Probus Knit and Natter Group: Every Wednesday 10 am at PCC

Probus Litter Pickers: First Saturday of each month at 10 am. Meet at PVH

Probus Pedallers: Leave from the surgery every Sunday at 9 am. The more leisurely group leaves at 10 am

Probus Walking Group: Every Wednesday 9 am or 9:30 am start. New members very welcome, but contact Tim Joyce or Terry Hodge first. Every Friday for shorter walks. 10 am. New members also always welcome. Contact Teresa Hayhoe or Kaye Ludlow

Local sport

Probus Bowling Club

AFTERa busy winter preparing the green we are looking forward to our green opening on Saturday 15th April at 2 pm.

The presentation lunch is on Thursday 23rd March at the clubhouse, where trophies for last season will be awarded.

Probus FC U12s

IT’Sbeen a great first half of the season for Probus FC under-12s, as they remain unbeaten in the Kernow League. The commitment, energy and enthusiasm they show for the game is second to none, and it’s paid off with some brilliant performances and results. They come along to training and matches each week ready to work hard, but also to have a laugh with mates –keep it up, guys!

Big thanks must also go to all their parents, who drive up and down the county each week to support the team in action. Without you it wouldn’t be possible.

Finally, a massive thank you to Graham and Phil at The Hawkins Arms who’ve kindly sponsored our new club rain jackets. Having local businesses support Probus youth football is much appreciated.

Will Yeomans and Jason Chapman Probus FC U12 coaches

Probus FC Under 13s

A men’s practice session will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday 18th April.

We are looking for new members. If you fancy trying lawn bowls come along to one of our open days, just bring flat shoes. We are a friendly club and play competitive matches and friendlies through the season, April to September. Membership is free for new members for their first year. The clubhouse is in the corner of the playing field on Tregony Road. Or you can ring Dave Meggs on 01726 883443

PROBUS

Youth FC under 13s had a fantastic first half to their season, winning five out of their seven matches.

It's been great to welcome seven new players this season and see how well they have gelled with the rest of the team.

Coaches Mark and Mike are really happy with the togetherness, attitude and effort of the team. Here's to continued success for the second half of the season for the under 13s.

Top: Probus under 12s and bottom Probus under 13s.

Probus FC

11th March home to (current top of the table) Falmouth

SINCE

our last report Probus FC have played seven games and as of now (24th February) sit 5th in Division 2 with a game or more in hand over three of the current top four teams.

26th November 2-2 draw with Tregony

3rd December 3-1 win against Wendron

10th December 2-3 win against Wendron

17th December 1-5 win against St Ives

7th January 1-3 loss to Holman

21st January 6-0 win against Tregony

28th January 2-0 loss to Falmouth

The next few fixtures are:

25th February home to RNAS Culdrose

4th March home to St Erme

Andfinally...

Then a series of cup games (including a League Cup semi-final) that takes us into April.

18th March away to Perranwell

25th March home to St Ives

1st April away to St Buryan

Manager Graham Smith said he hopes they can finish third in the league in which case they will be up for a second promotion in successive seasons.

Coming soon...

Spring is approaching and that means it’s not long before outdoor training resumes.

www.grcc.play-cricket. com/home

Here is another postcard from the late Shirley Wood (neé Lobb) collection.

VEHICLE TESTING STATION

S. J. GRIGG PROBUS, TRURO 01726 882330

BOSCH CAR SERVICE CENTRE

VEHICLE SALES

CENTRE REPAIR ACCIDENT WORKSHOP MECHANICAL

Our Mechanical Workshop is able to offer annual servicing, MOT's, vehicle diagnostic fault finding, air c onditio n servicin g an d a n extensive range of budget and top brand tyres, 100's in stock or available with next day delivery.

Our Accident Repair Centre is able to offer a Class A courtesy car and the knowledge that your vehicle is being repaired to the highest standard with the latest technology. FREE ESTIMATES AVAILABLE.

Please contact us if you are interested in selling or purchasing a vehicle, as our stock is always changing.

PROPRIETORS: Stuart, Elaine and Philip Grigg