No. 68
Free on Scilly - please take one
SUPERFAST SCILLY ST MARTIN’S HOTEL BLUE WAVE PARADE
SCILLY NOW & THEN No. 68
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he last two months have been so jam packed with news we could have made the magazine 80 pages and more! There have been sporting feats, technological advances, parades, plays, pilgrimages and hotel openings, not to mention the crazily impressive lightning storm that almost split the sky in half in late July. For such a small and remote area, Scilly certainly has its share of fun and drama. Moving on to the important business of this magazine, what can you find within? The short answer is a lot! Scilly’s Superfast Broadband cable was floated ashore last month and we were on hand to talk to BT’s Operations Director. He fills us in on the technology as well as what it all means to the islands on page 30. We also have lots of splendid photos for your enjoyment, including Five Islands School’s spectacular Blue Wave Parade
and the arrival of the Atlantic rowers, as well as the new-look St Martin’s Hotel. Elsewhere, Mo Love reviews the latest production by Miracle Theatre, we talk to islander Steve Douglas about his golfing success and we interview locum dentist Brent Burnard. Brent filled in for our regular dentist Bob for three weeks in July/August, his third visit to Scilly. He has some very interesting things to say about dentistry in general and Scilly dentistry in particular. Read his views in Day In The Life on page 51. Don’t forget to write to us with your opinions or any tidbits you think would be interesting to our readers. We love to hear from our subscribers. A special thank you to those renewing subscribers who enclosed a note telling us how much they love the magazine. It’s much appreciated! Beth
Editor: Beth Hilton info@scillynowandthen.co.uk
Scilly Now &Then, PO Box 8, Isles of Scilly TR21 0WY
Design & Layout Jon Mackenzie jon@scillynowandthen.co.uk Advertising 01720 423409 advertise@scillynowandthen.co.uk
You can also contact us via our website www.scillynowandthen.co.uk or at www.facebook.com/scillynowandthen Printed by R Booth Print as supplied from original artwork. www.rboothltd.co.uk
Editorial & Letters 01720 423861 editorial@scillynowandthen.co.uk
Cover - Harbour at dusk by Beth Hilton 3
Contents Off the Record
6
Dungeon Dave’s Quiz
12
New-look St Martin’s Hotel
13
Miracle on the Island
14
From the Archives
15
Lightning Pictures
17
Two Men in a Boat 19 Pilgrimage 21 A Walk on the Wild Side
23
Maritime Scilly
25
In and Out of the Garden
27
Blue Wave Parade
28
Quiz p12
Superfast Scilly 30 Shipwrecks
34
Oldest Swinger in Town
37
Memorial/New funding
41
A Summer’s Day
49
Day In The Life
51
Two Men In A Boat p19
hotel
Lightning! p17
The Thebest bestof ofScilly Scilly
Blue Wave Parade p28
News p43 St Martin’s Hotel p13
Scruffy Autumn Birds p23
Where’s Morris p45
Metrosideros p27
Superfast Scilly p30
www.scillynowandthen.co.uk www.scillynowandthen.co.uk
offtherecord Andrew George MP Constituency Office Trewella 18 Mennaye Road Penzance TR18 4NG 01736 360020 email: andrew.george.mp@parliament.uk
enjoyed a busy and successful visit to the Icome islands last month and am planning to again soon.
coordinated and managed (though they have still to persuade me that they will deal with this); and • Many other initiatives.
My plans are to hold surgeries and meetings on the islands on October 1 and 2. I will hold another public meeting on St Mary’s at 7pm on Wednesday, October 1 in the Wesleyan Chapel. This will be to give local people an opportunity to raise any matters local/ international, political/apolitical in an open forum - just as I have done on many occasions before. Please make a note in your diary and I’ll send out further information nearer the time. I’d be pleased to see you there. I’m also pleased that good progress has been made on a number of fronts. I have made or supported representations being made on behalf of the islands to: • Complete the negotiations to allow the project to extend St Mary’s Harbour and which will proceed this autumn; £7 million of Government grant and match finance from Europe; • Take the opportunity of the availability of the batching plant on the islands to complete the tarmacking of the islands’ roads - another £1.8 million of Department for Transport monies, to take advantage of a golden opportunity which won’t arise again for another generation; • Support the welcome runway resurfacing and airport improvements at St Mary’s and the hardening of the runway at Lands End; • Pressed the Co-op to ensure that its grocery supplies to the islands are better
Behind the scenes - but not quite out of public gaze - I continue to have fruitful (but still rather slow) discussions with AgustaWestland and other stakeholders regarding the possible re-establishment of a helicopter service for the islands. I hosted a recent CBI business lunch at the Queens Hotel, Penzance when AugstaWestland chairman Graham Cole spoke at the event. We will have further meetings in the coming weeks to look at the outcome of a recent Price Waterhouse Cooper business case review for the proposed service. I was, nevertheless, disappointed but not surprised that the Conservative Transport Secretary, Rt. Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, arranged a visit to the constituency and the islands without consulting me and, it seems, purely as an opportunity to promote a Tory candidate prior to the forthcoming General Election! This is a pity and very unnecessary. It seems the Conservatives have decided that the General Election campaign has started already. So expect the usual shenanigans and breath-taking cheek of turning up to claim credit when they’ve contributed nothing (or, worse, stood in the way of progress when all the hard work was being done). I fear that you may have to endure more of this diet in the coming weeks and months… 6
offtherecord Amanda Martin Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly Town Hall St Mary’s Isles of Scilly TR21 0LW 01720 422400 amartin@scilly.gov.uk
ecent months have been very busy, so I R shall just mention a few highlights relating to my role as Chairman of the Council. On one day in June I met with the Chief Executive of Visit England to follow up on his visit to Scilly in spring. Later I met with Dan Rogerson MP, the DEFRA minister, to discuss the impact of proposed new legislation on the Isles of Scilly and the need to improve our water and sewerage infrastructure. I then visited the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) where part of my mission was literally to put the Isles of Scilly on the map, as the islands do not figure on the European Programmes’ maps. A few days later, accompanied this time by our Chief Executive Theo Leijser and Nigel Blackler from Cornwall Council, I met the Minister of State for Transport, to update her on the combined efforts of the Council, Transport Board and Transport Task & Finish Group. We also discussed an integrated transport package and canvassed for support to finish resurfacing all the main roads on St. Mary’s. A surprise visitor at the launch of the sleeper upgrade in Longrock was David Cameron. In his address, the Prime Minister spoke of the importance of investing in the far southwest. HMS Mersey was the venue for the signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant on July 15, followed by the Royal Naval sunset ceremony on the ramparts of Star Castle. Tony Hogg, the Police and Crime Commissioner, visited Scilly to discuss local and regional policing issues. The BT superfast broadband team came over for meetings and to witness the arrival of the new cable at Porthcressa on a blazing hot, sunny, July 23. St Agnes celebrates its May Day with great
panache in July, following the maypole dancing with its traditional play St. George and the Dragon. Along with an appreciative audience, I watched some great acting and very robust swordplay. Commemorative services were held on all the inhabited islands to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. Full congregations attended at Old Town Church on August 3 and at the churches of St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin’s on August 4. Services were led by Canon Paul Miller in the presence of the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, the Bishop of Truro. The transatlantic rowers Chris ‘Darby’ Walters and Elliott Dale reached St Mary’s quay on August 6 after 60 days at sea. It was a great pleasure to see them arrive safe and sound, after their record-breaking row in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West. Following on from our visit to Baroness Kramer in June, we were delighted to welcome Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin to St. Mary’s on August 13 for the announcement of a £9 million package to improve transport, comprising £1.8 million for the continuation of the programme of road resurfacing and £7.3 million towards a £12.8 million scheme to improve the sea link facilities. In the spring I attended public meetings on St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco, St Martin’s and St Mary’s with our Chief Executive. We made a firm commitment to doing this twice a year and are now in the process of organising autumnal meetings. Thus far we have arranged to be on Bryher on September 2, Tresco on September 4 and on St Agnes on September 23. Dates for St Martin’s and St Mary’s will be announced as soon as possible.
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Fire away
n behalf of the islands’ fire service teams, I would like to thank you for your vigilance and care during the gorgeous hot, dry summer so far. We have, however, been put to the test a couple of times over the past few weeks. Tresco had an interesting call out to a fire involving a wood burning stove. Heat had been conducted through the structure of the building and set light to the timber joists - a potentially difficult situation to deal with as it can be hard to tell if all the affected area has been removed and the area made completely safe. On July 1 I had the pleasure of accompanying our chief fire officer and chief executive to St Martin’s fire station, where we were met by the crew, the island’s councillor Christine Savill, and the wife and family of Crew manager Ben Gillet. The purpose of the visit was to present Cm Gillet with a long service and good conduct medal. The award is presented on behalf of the Queen to fire service personnel who have
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completed 20 years’ service, showing good conduct and commitment to the role. During this debrief, it was mentioned that the island hadn’t had a call out for some time, due mainly to the fire safety awareness campaigns run across the islands over the past few years. This proved to be a ‘Murray Walker moment’, as the very next day they were put to work, fighting a fire which took hold along a patch of hedge and scrub. I was pleased recently to receive the go ahead from our chief to arrange the transportation of one of our Hylux 4x4s to the midlands where it will undergo a conversion to a lightweight pumping appliance, capable of carrying 300ltrs of water, five crew and a selection of rapid response equipment off road and to areas of restricted access - news of which I hope to bring you in the next thrilling episode of Fire Away! Meanwhile we hope you enjoy the rest of the holidays, and stay safe. Declan Risdale, Fire Station Manager
the times their behaviour falls short of that expected or where their actions may lead to harm for themselves or others. With this understanding they will be better able to make safer, informed decisions in future. This is why we promote the use of Restorative Justice and why we take greater effort to educate out poor behaviour rather than dish out trauma. We invest a considerable amount of our time working with Five Islands School and the younger people here. This is time well spent as far as we are concerned and I hope it is a view similarly shared by parents and carers here. Ofsted rate our joint work with the school as an excellent example of the delivery of the Citizenship curriculum. We are not going to throw that away by committing criminal acts against our most vulnerable inhabitants. I’m sure not everyone will agree but if you want to see a classic example of a wan smile talk to any of us enthusiastically about the merits of striking children. Sgt Colin Taylor
A Police natter
met a retired policeman on holiday over here the other day. His reminiscences about his time as a Bobby in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s were brief. He confined himself to a presumption that policing today must be poorer for the fact that we don’t ‘clip kids around the ear and take them home to parents for a second larrup’. This does seem to be a reoccurring theme with a number of people who speak to me. Their assumption seems to be that I will agree that policing would be more effective if I were able to brutalise and assault children. For the record I am firmly not of this view and am yet to meet a fellow serving police officer who would actually seriously advocate such a course of action. Quite the polar opposite in fact. Hitting children is not on the menu. Taking children home following a misdemeanour in the expectation that they will be assaulted by a parent is also not a desired outcome. A child bullied will find ways to avoid being bullied but not necessarily change their errant behaviour. I seriously suspect that such reminiscences of corporal punishment are mostly apocryphal. It is important that children are made aware of
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t’s been a fantastic season on Scilly, and fortunately it’s not quite over yet, but at the Health Centre we have now started to turn our attention to the winter ahead. Flu season is looming, and our first stock of vaccinations arrives shortly. This year we are going to try a slightly different approach to clinics. We will be running pre-booked clinics on all of the off-islands as usual - those in higher risk groups will be contacted with an appointment in due course, but on St Mary’s we will also run drop-in clinics. These will take place on Saturday, October 4 between 10 am and 1pm, and Wednesday,
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Health matters October between 4 and 6pm. For those reliant on the Buzza Bus we will also be running a pre-booked clinic on Friday, October 10. A flu vaccination is recommended for those who are at higher risk of complications of flu and I include anyone over the age of 65, pregnant women, children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly longterm heart or respiratory disease) or children and adults with weakened immune systems. If you are unsure whether you fall into one of these groups please call the Health Centre on 01720 422628 and we will be happy to advise. John Garman GP given a clear go ahead. Our meetings with Cornwall Council and the contractors are becoming more frequent as the final designs are ironed out and work will begin in the coming weeks. All we need to do is get the other bits finished off first! The most interesting and enjoyable project of the last few weeks involved the new BT cable being brought into Porthcressa. This was a busy time for our Pilot boat Pegasus as when it wasn’t involved in the almost constant transfer of Pilots to both the cable ship Resolute and the standby tug Afon Cadnant, we were busy towing the cable itself some 600m from the ship to shore - and the odd shopping trip too! More ships than ever are visiting the islands and a familiar sight is that of the River Trader. She has visited us 14 times to date to discharge her cargo of stone for the resurfacing of the island’s roads and runways. With the positive results of the ministerial visit last week I’m sure we can expect another five or six trips at least. Finally, we are on target for a record breaking year for cruise ships in 2014. The number of ships due meets that of previous years but we should see an increase in passengers landed. There seems to be nothing but good news from the passengers on these ships with many suggesting they may return for longer on a dedicated holiday. Mission accomplished! Alan Hartwell, Deputy Harbourmaster
Quay issues
he weather over the last month provides a fantastic introduction into recent life down here. We have maintained a near full quota of visiting yachtsmen equalling our best months last year and it’s been a pleasure seeing many full tripper boats leaving in the mornings. So much has been going on that this column may seem a little to the point but I’ll do my best! Starting with the quay itself you will have seen the scaffolding which has adorned the front of the building for some time has been removed, exposing the new cladding and windows. Keeping to a tight schedule, work continues on every area of the building with efforts now concentrated on the inside. We have been working closely with Blackwell Building Services to ensure everyone who uses the quay can do so with minimal disruption during the works and have been more than pleased with their efforts so far. The new wave wall and quay surfacing is all but complete now with the Steamship Company gaining more working space every day. We have been aware of the extra challenges faced by both them and other businesses during the quay works and have been impressed by the way everyone has worked together to ensure operations run as smoothly as they can in a time of significant upheaval. Aside from these works I’m sure you’ll have read elsewhere that the Cornwall County Council project to extend the quay has been
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In My Humble Opinion with Cllr Gordon Bilsborough A STEP BACKWARDS
THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL
nce again, there is a suggestion to replace petrol-driven vehicles on St Mary’s with electric cars. Those advocating this policy do not mention that the average price of these vehicles is about £5,000 more than the equivalent petrol-driven models. In addition, access to special charging points would be necessary to recharge a flat battery in about 30 minutes. Charging a completely flat battery from the domestic power supply could take up to eight hours. This would be a problem for on-street parked cars unless a cable was trailed across a public pavement. Although an electric vehicle is cheaper per mile to run, the cost of replacing the batteries can be many thousands of pounds. I am surprised that environmental activists have not suggested going back to the good old days of horse-drawn transport; although this would require the services of a horse warden to ensure that our highways were kept free of natural discharges. Since it is not an offence to ride a horse while under the influence of alcohol, we might see horses tethered outside pubs and bars at night as in the carefree days of the Wild West.
For several months, the Council’s staff structure has been undergoing a major “reshaping” process with the aim of cutting costs. While I recognised the necessity for changes, I was concerned by the lack of detailed financial and other relevant information supplied to Council Members. I proposed that a decision be deferred until this data was available. I was told that any further delays in implementing the changes would be detrimental to staff morale. I argued that we were being asked to sign a blank cheque. However, the Council voted to approve the Officers’ scheme. Only myself and three other Members voted against it. Since it is the Members who make the decisions on Council policies, they must insist on being given the full facts since it is they who will bear the responsibility for any decisions which are proved to be wrong.
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COMMONSENSE PREVAILED A week later, the Council met again to discuss proposals to move some staff from other locations to the Town Hall and the Wesleyan Chapel. The estimated cost of providing 13 extra desks was £195,000 (£15,000 per desk). Once again, no detailed breakdown of the costs were provided. It was claimed that the estimated savings on energy consumption due to more efficient lighting and heating, reduced maintenance and upkeep of buildings plus a reduction of IT infrastructure costs, the money borrowed from the Council’s General Reserve coffers would be recouped in four to five years. I did not regard this as prudent housekeeping. On this occasion, nearly all the Members present challenged aspects of the Officers’ report by asking probing questions. Some doubts were expressed about the wisdom of “open plan” offices. Even allowing for the sale of a vacated Council property, there was a general opinion that the costs could not be justified. At the end of the debate, the report was overwhelmingly rejected. At long last, commonsense prevailed.
WE NEED THE FULL FACTS A Council notice on parking restrictions at St Mary’s Airport stated that the “longer term plan” is to allow for pick-up and drop-off only. It would be interesting to know the logic behind this idea. Is there pressure from taxi drivers to limit the parking of private vehicles? People attending mainland medical appointments could involve all day or overnight parking if they use their own vehicles. This begs the question of would there be free parking permits for certain Council Officers and other privileged VIPs using the Airport on official business? Who would police the scheme and what would be the penalties for infringement? Would it be like the draconian parking regime at Newquay Airport? These points need clarifying before any decision is taken.
Cllr Gordon Bilsborough
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his is the time of year when Islands’ Partnership memberships are due for renewal. By now, every business on the islands, as well as those on the mainland with specific interests on Scilly, should have received the 2014 Annual Report. We sincerely hope that all recipients, existing members and prospects alike, read it and discover how far the Islands’ Partnership and our tourism economy has come in the last 12 months. It’s a success story - but only so far! We are the first to recognise that Scilly’s tourism economy is on a long road to recovery. Last year, we were delighted to welcome more than 300 members to the IP; this year we hope to attract more, as businesses across the islands and on the mainland realise the benefits of membership and understand the vital work that the Islands’ Partnership does on their behalf. We are responsible for marketing the Isles of Scilly as a destination and for supporting our member organisations by providing them with the resources, energy and focus to grow their individual businesses - thereby enabling our tourism economy to develop to its full potential. The IP is a non-profit making organisation. It is a company funded solely by membership subscription. So it’s very simple: the more members we have, the more we can do pooling our funds to market the islands and increase overall visitor numbers, organising events and promotions such as Walk Scilly, day trip leaflets and Super September which serve
to lengthen and strengthen the visitor season for everyone, offering members training and support to help them improve their business skills, and representing our members as one strong, collective voice. If you own or manage a business, or if you’re an individual directly or indirectly affected by visitor numbers to the islands - accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs and cafes, gift makers, retailers, artists, wedding suppliers, builders, professional services, event organisers, transport providers, activity-based organisations, tour operators, service providers etc etc – then please, come and join us on our journey for Scilly. By working together we can achieve so much more. Thank you for your continued support. For more info: www.islandspartnership.co.uk or call 01720 424036 Follow us on Twitter @IOSPartnership Members can ask to join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/islandspartnership Also check out the website www. visitislesofscilly.com, like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/visitislesofscilly and follow us on Twitter @VisitIOS
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he visit of the Bishop of Truro for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War was a significant visit. Here on Scilly we were able to join with national events and to play our part in remembering the sacrifice of many. We held six services across the islands and every one of them was packed out. There was a good mix of islanders and visitors and of young and old. It was very moving and I am grateful to all those who supported us. The Annual Pilgrimage to St Helen’s was held during the visit of the Bishop. It was a
Chaplain’s news lovely day with warm sunshine and light winds. Over 100 came on the pilgrimage and we were fortunate not only to have the Bishop leading but also Dr Katharine Sawyer, who gave an excellent guided tour of the island. It was also good to welcome visitors from Tresco, St Martin’s and St Agnes and I am grateful to St. Mary’s Boating Association for arranging pick ups from the off islands. I am hoping to arrange a Pilgrimage to St Helen’s for some of the children of the Five Islands school in September... it is a very special island with much history to it. (See pictures from the pilgrimage on page 21)
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Dungeon Dave’s Quiz 1) Who succeeded George V to the British throne?
2) How many American states begin with the letter W? 3) Who wrote the musical Carousel? 4) By what name is singer Bernard William Jewry better known? 5) Which team scored the first goal in the 2014/15 Premier League? 6) Which of Jupiter’s 67 confirmed moons is the largest? 7) In which country was actor Bruce Willis born? 8) How many times has Roger Federer won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon? 9) Does a proton carry a positive or negative charge? 10) The Lonely Goatherd and My Favourite Things are songs from which popular musical? 11) Which famous building in India is widely recognised as ‘The Jewel of Muslim Art’? 12) Who reached No 1 in the UK singles chart in 1983 with the song ‘Down Under’? ANSWERS ON PAGE 49 Do you enjoy a quiz? Come along to the Atlantic Inn at 8.30pm on Wednesdays, where Scilly Now & Then Beth Hilton will09:46 test Page your 1knowledge! There is also a quiz Scilly Now & Then May co-editor 2012_Layout 1 17/05/2012 at 8.30pm on Sundays at the Scillonian Club and on Tuesdays at Old Town Inn.
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S TAR . C ASTLE . H OTEL Non Residents Welcome!
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The Star Castle Hotel, built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and located on the fortified Garrison Hill, commands magnificent views in every direction. The perfect setting to enjoy a spot of lunch served daily 12 – 2pm or a traditional cream tea available all-day. Explore the dungeon bar once home to some of the most notorious prisoners in the country, now an intriguing hostelry serving Scillonian real ale from noon onwards. Our two award-winning restaurants feature freshly caught seafood, local produce and vegetables from our kitchen garden. Restaurants open from 6.30pm booking is essential. Tel: 01720 422317 / 423342 www.star-castle.co.uk Email – info@star-castle.co.uk
We hope you enjoyed your copy of Scilly Now & Then. Help us to help you or a loved one keep abreast of events on the islands from the mainland with a full year’s subscription - that’s eight issues - for a minimum donation of £15. For overseas readers please contact us for a quote. Please make cheques payable to Scilly Now & Then. SCILLY NOW & THEN PO BOX 8, ISLES OF SCILLY TR21 0WY For details of how to pay by BACS, contact us at subscribe@scillynowandthen.co.uk. The statements and opinions expressed in Scilly Now & Then do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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As well as promoting tourism, Karma says that it wants to respect and support the local community. Part of the company’s ethos is ‘to source local products and employees wherever we can’. They also use an environmental consultant to ‘help ensure the wellbeing of ecosystems that exist in tandem with our resorts’ and plan to be involved where possible with community events held on St Martin’s throughout the year The Hotel opened on August 1 and closes for the season on October 31. It features 30 rooms, most of which will overlook the Tean Sound. There is also an indoor pool, restaurant and bar. The new owners say that the restaurant will be offering something unique to the islands with a selection of well known Indian dishes on the lunchtime menu. The hotel is also dog-friendly. A special opening offer of £150 per night including breakfast is now available. To make a reservation please contact Odyssey Bali at david@ odysseypremier. com.
t Martin’s Hotel has re-opened after being bought by the Karma group. Now called Karma St Martin’s, it is the newest member of the Karma Resorts Collection, conceived by British entrepreneur and philanthropist John Spence. The Karma Collection is an ‘expanding portfolio of hotels, elite boutique villa developments and stand-alone residences in some of the world’s most fascinating and desirable locations’. Properties include Bali, Koh Samui, the Bahamas, St Tropez, Mykanos, and now Scilly.
John Spence always conceived Karma as a global brand but said that he is thrilled to have acquired a property so close to home. “The peace, tranquility and the unspoilt natural beauty of St Martin’s and the surrounding islands is the ideal place to spend a week away from a busy city life,” he said. The company says it hopes to create more awareness of the islands as an ideal short-break and holiday destination, as well as attracting more people from St Mary’s who need a break. 13
Magic on the Island
Mo Love reviews the latest show by the Miracle Theatre Company
THE TEMPEST is Shakespeare’s play set on a magical island so we were in an appropriate setting for this year’s Miracle Theatre production in a warm, sunny Chaplaincy garden. Added to this, Ariel (a fairy in a delightful costume) set the scene by sprinkling magic. This part was played by the excellent Catherine Lake, performing agile leaps upon a high plinth and generally causing mischief in return for eventual freedom. Prospero, his daughter Miranda, and Ariel with the clever use of puppets explain how they all came to be stranded on the island. The only other inhabitant is Caliban, the beast, who was rather unusually portrayed as soft and cuddly. With the use of a collection of hats, Prospero let us know that his scheming brother, who has taken his title of Duke of Milan, is now on the island with his companions, who include the King of Naples and his handsome son. These people are introduced to us by Ariel, who has caused a tempest at his master’s bidding, reeling them in on his fishing line. The survivors discover the collection of hats which match their uniforms, which by now have salty tide-marks. Miranda, meanwhile, has found the handsome prince and shows that she is a feisty, uninhibited girl who knows what she wants! Two members of the King’s staff rescue some bottles of wine and involve Caliban in a drunken spree. The audience applauded when Caliban was eventually chastised and made to disappear into a small trunk. Miracle was back to what it does best with most actors taking two roles and doing some very quick changes at times. I thought the way the rather eerie puppets were worked was especially clever. Well done again Miracle! (photos by Mo Love) 14
from the archives
Professor Wyn Grant heads to the National Archives at Kew to investigate Scilly’s past
Saving Tresco Gardens for the Nation
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Commander Dorrien-Smith was ingenious in looking for means of receiving government support. The Commander had contended that the grounds should be classified as a commercial horticultural enterprise eligible for Horticultural Improvement Grant because he is ‘selling the enjoyment of flowers’. This was rejected. He also used a range of techniques to impress those in authority. The Dowager Lady Trenchard, the Duke of Beaufort (who signed a letter to The Times) and the Earl of Radnor as chairman of the Forestry Commission were mobilised to write letters of support. Commander Dorrien-Smith sent the Minister of Agriculture a selection of plants that would be in flower on Christmas Day and telephoned the ministry to ask them to put them in water in the minister’s office. The minister subsequently expressed his appreciation for the ‘beautiful’ flowers. A letter was sent to the ministry from Commander Dorrien-Smith announcing the departure of the Head Gardener and reduction in staff and warning that unless something was done the Gardens would revert to jungle in a few years. The permanent secretary noted, ‘It is only part of his old technique of keeping up pressure though unfortunately there is reason to think that he may once again be overplaying his hand’.
ommander Dorrien-Smith estimated in the late 1950s that a subsidy of £4,000 [approximately £82,000 at today’s prices] a year would be needed to keep Tresco Abbey Gardens open. As noted in earlier articles, Commander Dorrien-Smith had been able to obtain some government help to restore the Valhalla collection and ministers were sympathetic to the possibility of doing what they could to assist the gardens. In 1957, Commander Dorrien-Smith asked if the Ministry would meet the annual loss in running the Gardens as an out-station of Kew. A group then conducting an enquiry into the work of Kew reported discouragingly on the suitability of the gardens, because of their distance from Kew, their small size and the limited number of plants that could be grown there, the lack of long term security of tenure and the administrative difficulties which might arise with the occupier continuing in residence. Dr Taylor, the director of Kew, clearly saw the presence of the Commander as a particular obstacle. He did not see ‘how the Gardens could properly be controlled by Kew so longer as Commander Dorrien-Smith retains his near feudal status on the island.’
Wyn Grant is part-time professor of politics at the University of Warwick. 15
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On July 17, a major electrical storm hit Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, resulting in some really spectacular photos. Thanks to (from top) Plymouth University, Keely Lawson, Daniel Lawson, Josh Birch, Sevenstones Inn. 17
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Maritime Scilly by Richard Larn OBE
More of the islands’ maritime past
MYTH OR MONSTER?
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here was a time when the majority of the public, and certainly mariners, believed that the deep oceans were home to all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures and even maritime charts and maps were printed on which certain sea areas bore the legend “Here be Monsters”, which only encouraged the public to believe monsters actually existed. There have been numerous reports over the centuries of giant squid and octopus attacking ships, and of sailors being plucked off a ship’s deck and dragged down into the deep, but surely these were fanciful - or were they? The following story suggests that Scilly may have had its own “monster” some 139 years ago - or did it? I leave the reader to decide whether or not it was true. The story appeared in the Royal Cornwall Gazette newspaper of August 21, 1875, page 6, which commences: “The following is relayed by a London correspondent from a recent French newspaper. A tragic occurrence has taken place in the Scilly Islands in connection with the illfated liner Schiller. A certain Luxembourger named Franz Hauser, whose mother and two sisters had perished in the wreck while he had escaped, was resolved to recover the bodies of his relatives, so he came back to Scilly, clad himself in the proper submarine diving dress and descended with two professional divers. For 20 minutes the search was fruitless. Suddenly, the two divers observed the young man rush towards a heap of something which they could not make out in the water. They followed him and saw him try to climb a rock on which the mass lay, and they then distinguished that there
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lay on top of the mass a body, one of his sisters. But Hauser’s strength failed and they too nearly fainted when they saw that an enormous octopus had fastened upon the body of the poor girl, whose face, scarcely recognisable, hung down behind. Hauser was about to rush upon the monster when the signal from the surface for ascending was given and they had to return to the surface. That same night Hauser died of the shock which he had sustained.” This story begins to fall apart from the outset, since the accompanying divers cannot possibly have seen or known Franz Hauser’s sisters, so how could they possibly have “distinguished that there lay on top of the mass a body, one of his sisters”? Another problem is that neither Franz Hauser’s name nor that of his family appears on the passenger list of those carried on board the Schiller, neither is he listed amongst the crew or the survivors. There is a remote possibility that his name and that of his mother and two sisters were somehow omitted, since the passenger list sent to Scilly from Philadelphia states there were 268 on board; at the inquest the 2nd Officer said there were 264, and John Banfield, the shipping agent on St Mary’s, quoted 266. It was known at the time that she may have carried as many as 12 or more unlisted passengers, and that many bodies were recovered that were never identified. So, the story of an “enormous octopus” would appear to have been a fabrication, in which case we can only question as to why someone would make it up?
THE ATLANTIC INN & HOTEL Situated in the heart of St Mary’s, overlooking the harbour, The Atlantic is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery Scilly. Please drop in the Inn for a meal or join us for a chat over a pint of Tribute or stay in our 25 bedroom hotel where our Tides Reach Restaurant backs onto the water’s edge and many of our bedrooms provide uninterrupted views of the bustling harbour and spectacular coastline. Food is served daily and a children’s menu and high chairs are also available. Bookings are advisable for large parties. And do take part in our weekly quiz, currently every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm but moving soon to Thursdays - with your host, Scilly Now & Then co-editor Beth Hilton!
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Pilgrims’ Progress
O
n a sunny August 3, a band of pilgrims from across the islands converged on St Helen’s for the feast day of St Elid, who brought Christianity to Scilly. Accompanied by Bishop of Truro Tim Thornton and archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer, the group enjoyed a service at the ruined chapel followed by a tour of the island by Katharine. Afterwards, Scilly Now & Then had a quick chat with Bishop Tim, who filled us in on his first ever visit to Scilly and told us the good news that An Island Parish’s Father Guy Scott is doing very well in his current post. “This is the first time I’ve done the pilgrimage. I’ve wanted to do it for a while so I’m really pleased. I get over to Scilly about once a year. We have a lot to do with the school as well so sometimes I come over especially for something happening there, but it’s generally about once a year. “My first trip to the islands was at the end of the filming of the Island Parish series. I came over mainly to dedicate the new peal of bells in St Mary’s church. As they hadn’t featured Father Guy for a while and they’d moved across to the Methodist minister, various people had asked how Guy was. So they filmed Guy and I walking down the main street talking then Guy taking me to St Agnes
church. Unfortunately the tides weren’t quite right on St Agnes so I fear my first bit of public exposure was on the back of the shoulders of somebody having a piggyback as I went through the water! “I heard that Father Guy was over on Scilly recently. He’s doing really, really well in his church in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. “Scilly is a fantastic place to have in my diocese and I’ve always been very warmly welcomed. I’ve actually seen three clergy during my time here - Guy, Peter Walker and now Paul Miller. In each of their time I’ve seen signs of growth and development and got to know the islands a bit more. “I’ve had a really, really interesting time today and Katharine was a mine of information. I was fascinated to learn not only abut the chapel but also about the old quarantine station, the Pest House. I’ve learned a huge amount this afternoon.” Bishop Tim, who sits in the House of Lords, is chair of the Children’s Society. He is also co-chairing an inquiry into why food banks are increasingly being used around the country.
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Welcome to Tolman Cafe and Bay View Restaurant, serving the very best homemade food. We use home grown salad and vegetables and locally sourced produce in our dishes to provide excellent value without compromising on quality. We are open 7 days a week and offer a fully licensed bar and table service. FREE TAXI BOTH WAYS FOR PRE-BOOKED EVENING MEALS Book an evening meal with us and we will provide a taxi, if required, from your holiday accommodation to Old Town. Call us now on:
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Communications and Copywriting Specialist Helping businesses and accommodation providers on Scilly to: Promote themselves via Facebook, Twitter and Google+ Write and maintain their websites Help engage visitors /customers Offer advice regarding promotions / marketing opportunities Increase revenues and profitability 20+ years’ communications experience; local knowledge and expertise
T: 01720 422227 / 07899 907178 E: Carolyn.Garman@gmail.com @Carolyn_Garman View recommendations on LinkedIn (Carolyn Garman nee Ayton) 22
A Walk on the WILD SIDE
with Will Wagstaff Scruffy Autumn Birds
uring the latter part of the summer D and early autumn many of our birds undergo a full moult of their feathers. This
search of food but they cannot become airborne at that time. Birds moult their wings and tail first, followed by their body feathers from the rear towards the head. This does result in some rather odd looking birds where the bird ends up with very old, worn, sun bleached feathers on its head that contrast with the brand new plumage elsewhere. We therefore see Blackbirds and young Starlings moulting into their adult plumage that have “bleach blonde” heads! Young birds are also moulting at this time of year from their juvenile plumage to their next plumage. The mix of feathers can create some very odd looking birds such as the young Robins with only a hint of the red breast, or the young Goldfinches that only have a grey head once they leave the nest but will soon develop their distinctive red, white and black head patterns. Bird identification is much less straightforward during the autumn; this added to the off-key, squeaky calls of the young birds could create much confusion. In among all this will be a genuine rarity or two we hope. www.islandwildlifetours.co.uk
leads to much confusion, as they can look very different to the pictures in the book. All species renew their plumage as each feather only has a finite lifespan. Some larger birds such as the bigger seabirds and birds of prey will moult over a long period so as to retain the ability for fly. Others, such as many waterfowl, are unable to fly for a few weeks as they change their flight feathers. This also applies to the Puffin, Razorbills and Guillemots that breed on Scilly, as they cannot fly for a short period once they young have become independent and they undergo their moult out at sea. This does not stop them ‘flying’ around underwater in Pictures. Top - male blackbird, moulting head. Left juvenile robin
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Two Men in a Boat
E
lliott Dale and Chris “Darby’ Walters made it to St Mary’s quay on August 6 after rowing across the Atlantic. The pair, both 55 and from Lyme Regis, spent just under 60 days at sea after setting off from New York on June 7. They were rowing in aid of the Precious Lives appeal at Children’s Hospice South West. Hundreds of people were on the quay to welcome them in glorious sunshine to the strains of ‘New York, New York’. They told onlookers: “We’ve had it all - horrendous weather conditions, near-misses with sharks, whales and ships and blisters like you wouldn’t believe. “Yet, if we can help the families of life-limited children in the South West as a result, it has all been worth it.” It is hoped that their efforts will eventually raise £300,000. The two men just failed to beat the record of 55 days set by George Harbo and Frank Samuelson in 1896, but did break the record for an Atlantic crossing in an open class rowing boat.
Photos by Chris Dicken and (bottom right) Alan Holwill.
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IN AND OUT OF THE GARDEN
Metrosideros
by Linda Maddock
display of bright red flowers in summer. It is an evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family and grows well in Scilly’s mild climate. There are several examples on St Mary’s and Tresco, as well as some related species in the Abbey Gardens. It is not related to the African or Nandi flame tree (Spathodea campanulata) which is in the family Bignoniaceae. Metrosideros is at home in our salt-laden winds, originating as it does from coastal areas of New Zealand where it is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree or pōhutukawa. It is considered invasive in some countries, particularly in South Africa where it is seeding in the threatened fynbos vegetation. Metrosideros excelsa can grow up to 20 metres tall, preferring full sun and a limefree soil. It is not fully frost-hardy, but once
established it regenerates if cut back by a heavy frost, which occurs occasionally even in balmy Scilly. It is readily propagated from seeds or cuttings. The flowers appear in mid-summer and produce an edible nectar; they are pollinated by bees. The seeds are small and are dispersed by wind. The young leaves are hairy and hence appear paler, as can be seen in the illustration. When mature the hair on the upper surface is replaced with a coat of wax which protects against drought and salt The undersides of the leaves remain hairy to reduce water loss. The wood is dense, durable and very strong. It is used for shipbuilding, and making such items as bearings and machine beds. The generic name Metrosideros derives from the ancient Greek ‘metra’, heartwood, and ‘sideron’, iron. The specific name excelsa is from the Latin ‘excelsus’, meaning high or sublime.
his flame tree, Metrosideros excelsa, was T photographed outside the Parish Church on St Mary’s where it puts on a magnificent
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was at home minding my own business on July 22 when the sound of samba drums Isecondary brought me to the window. And what an amazing spectacle passed below! Primary and pupils from all bases of Five Islands School were holding their inaugural Blue Wave Parade, a carnival procession designed to celebrate Scilly’s maritime heritage. Teacher Susanna Gates arranged the event from Tresco over eight months, with help from Sarah Garratt and others. The parade featured sea-themed costumes, banners and willow sculptures, along with dancing, drums and a yelling MC in the form of Kevin Leeman. The stream of pupils and helpers headed from Carn Gwaval to The Strand, where there were activities and stalls, as well as a bouncy castle and barbecue. The parade was a great achievement and we hope it will be repeated before too long! Photos by Beth Hilton, Mo Love, Alan Holwill
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9 29 2
Superfast Scilly
Superfast Broadband is coming to Scilly and if all goes to plan, we’ll soon be one of the best connected archipelagos in the world. A £3.7m operation to divert a fibre optic cable between the UK and Spain to Scilly will provide us with much faster fibre optic broadband. The cable was floated ashore on Porthcressa ready to link to the local network on July 23. We grabbed BT’s Superfast Broadband Operations Director Jeremy Steventon-Barnes for a chat to find out what it’s all about.
The science bit
“What we’ve got here are four fibres that go back to Porthcurno. We’re lighting one of those pairs with a wavelength division multiplex system (WDM) which basically sends different colours of light down the fibre so that you can get enhanced capacity down the cable. We’ll be using one wavelength initially on that fibre pair and we’ll be running that at 10 gigabytes per second, which will be ample for all of the traffic to the islands. The existing microwave radio link supports just under 1gb of total capacity including all the voice and broadband, police lines etc, so day one when we start this that’s a ten-fold increase. But we can support 40 of these 10gb channels on that WDM system and that’s basically the sort of system we have deployed in the thousand or so largest towns across the UK. This is a recycled cable that was first put out in about 1996, running from Porthcurno to northern Spain. It’s been out of service for about six years 30
because it got superseded by higher capacity cable. International routes need a lot of capacity. The cable ship CS Resolute has been out and has recovered about 100km of that cable from out in the Atlantic. It’s worked its way back towards Land’s End, where it cut the cable again and buoyed off the end of the cable that lands at Porthcurno. The ship then came to Scilly, clearing the route along the way. There are a number of old cables that used to go to St Agnes that they’ve moved out of the way. The cable is all loaded up on the ship. It’s about 3-4 inches thick. The CS Resolute is a big ship. It’s 140 metres long, has a crew of 70 people and works 24 hours a day. It has enough cable capacity to do a Transatlantic crossing. Just loading the cable on to the ship is quite a time consuming job. The ship spends a long time in dock for one of those big jobs. It’s all been connected here so we’re now going to joint it up to the end of the cable that’s already been buoyed off at Porthcurno. Then from Porthcurno it connects back ultimately to Truro and then any communication provider can access the capacity on the cable on a standard BT Openreach product.”
It’s going to be really interesting to see how demand develops as people get access to higher speeds. We’re confident that 24mb will be sufficient for the coming few years. The big reason for the Superfast C o r n w a l l programme, as well as providing connectivity for people at home, is about enabling new kinds of businesses. This project is only possible because of the European Regional Development Fund grant funding. This couldn’t have been done commercially. At this point in time, Scilly is the most remote community we’ve connected with anything like this. We want to deliver brilliant connectivity to everyone. We’ve been really pleased the last few years that this has been a policy objective of the UK government. In particular the Cornwall Development Company working with the islands’ council and Cornwall council have done an amazing job getting this project away. We’re nearly four years into the Superfast Cornwall programme. The whole thing will be complete in the next 12 months. We’ve currently at about 90% fibre coverage across Cornwall. By the end of this year, we’re expecting to be about 95%. That’s ahead of the rest of the country. It’s about making sure that both businesses and individual households can connect and that’s most important where you’ve got very remote communities. They’re the ones that stand to benefit the most.”
The bigger picture
“We’ve got a few more months of work to do to get everything finished but we’re expecting that late in the year we’ll be open for customers to get connected. Customers will be able to get speeds of up to 8Mbps down and up to 20Mbps up, depending on how far they are from their fibre cabinet (eg the green BT box outside the park). Almost everyone on the islands should be able to get at least 24Mbps, which is the UK government’s definition of ’superfast’.
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SUPERB FOOD, SUPERB SEA VIEWS
At Tregarthen’s, you can savour outstanding dining in the restaurant each evening and a tempting snacks and lunch menu, which you can enjoy al fresco on the terrace or in our comfortable lounge bar. We look forward to welcoming you soon. T 01720 422540 reception@tregarthens-hotel.co.uk www.tregarthens-hotel.co.uk
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upgraded especially at the area alongside the incinerator and waste site entrance. • The annual ‘Ride or Stride’ to school week will aim to educate everyone about the many benefits of walking or cycling to the Campus. • Cyclewise Training, a course specially designed to make cycling safe for our youngsters, will hopefully commence in this year’s School Autumn Term. While it is recognised safer and healthier journeys can come from improving the physical environment it is also about changing hearts and minds. Over half of those people who regularly use a car said they do so because they did not have time to walk or cycle! It remains important to continue to encourage and increase the number of people travelling to the campus through ways that are safe, healthy, friendly and welcoming for all.
Travel Plan
o! I’m not suggesting you settle down with N a glossy travel brochure nor do I expect you to book on the Scillonian III for a visit to
the mainland. What this is about is the Travel Plan drawn up for the New School at Carn Gwaval. It is a statutory document setting out a policy to encourage school pupils, their teachers, parents and carers to travel to and from the school in a way that is as environmentally sensitive as possible. The policy was devised by the school in conjunction with the wider community. Since its approval by the school Governing Body it has widened to influence and involve the whole of the Wellbeing complex, all of whom share entrance and exit routes to the Campus. The Carn Gwaval Travel Plan Working Group has been influential in many aspects of making travel to and from the Campus as safe as possible for all involved in learning, working and playing there. Recently a survey has been completed to establish how everyone travels to the site. 190 persons shared their thoughts and the headline news is that 78% of those travelling to the site do so by either walking or cycling. This is encouraging as the Travel Plan wishes to promote this mode of transport. The main purpose of the survey is to inform and generate change as well as highlighting difficulties. In a perfect world it would be good for everyone to either; walk, cycle, practice car sharing, park and stride, drop-off and stride etc. and to ensure everyone feels safe when entering and leaving the Campus. Partly as a result of the survey, the following will be/ have been addressed: • Nowhere car park will remain but with; a new surface, better sight lines, new and clearer ‘in’ and ‘out’ signs and with clear markings defining walking/cycling only areas. • The Moorwell footpath should continue to be
Walk to School alk to School W Week is a National campaign
taking place during the last week of the first half of the Summer Term. For this second year that the pupils were encouraged to take part in ‘Walk to School Week’, it was decided to rename the week ‘Ride or Stride to School Week’. Most Senior School pupils regularly walk or cycle to school, as do many of the Primary School pupils. Primary Pupils completed a survey showing how they travelled to school each day and the results showed a hugely successful high percentage of pupils either walking, cycling or scooting to school Not wishing to make this into a competition but wanting to congratulate all who had made an effort to propel themselves each day, results were given out in an Assembly. Blue Class ‘won’ with a resounding average of 78% of the class either walking or cycling to school and were rewarded with a ‘Well Done’, a long round of applause and double house points! Maybe next year the whole community could support this initiative by joining in and walking or cycling to work during that week?
Sue Hodgson 33
Shipwrecks of Scilly by Todd Stevens
Wreck of `Merchant Royall, 1641 Narrative from the British library regarding the treasure lost in the richly laden wreck of the Merchant Royall. This wreck has never been located and a report of the time places its sinking as being roughly 30 miles out from Land’s End. An arc drawn from Land’s End, out to that distance, naturally encompasses the Isles of Scilly. Estimates of her value on today’s market are anything upwards of £500 million; perhaps even as much as £1 billion.
at once and fell into the wells, so that before they could any way recover and mend the chaines, they had got 4 foot water in the hold. They laboured at their pumps with great strength, but could not prevaile over what was got in, but did keepe her in that estate, nor more or lesse diminishing. They being over laboured could hardly pumpe more to any purpose. Some of the seamen to the number of 30, got into the long boat, cut her off, and called to the Captaine to save himselfe, he refused it, and would have a merchant, his passenger, to save himselfe. He answered, he had lived long in Spaine, and with great trouble got up 10,000 pound, and now would stay by it, for his life he valued not. The Captaine answered him it was all one whether he went in the boate or no, for they were in no better estate than those left aboard, having in the boate no oares, masts, sayles, or anything to keepe the boate afar the sea, and must needs perish undoubtedly. Being thus in despaire they espied a light at which they shot off 30 piece of ordnance. It proved to bee Captaine Legend who in consideration of the Royall Merchants distresse returned to helpe them; they observing their danger and the ship sinking, sent forth their long boate, which at divers times saved the men, but durst not come neare the ship, so that the men to save their lives were faine to fling themfelves in the tackles and so swing from the sinking ship into the boate, who caught hold of their cloathes with their boate books.
Sad News from the Seas. Printed in the year 1641
eing a true relation of the loss of that B good ship called the Merchant Royall, which was cast away ten leagues from the Land’s End, on Thursday night, being the 23. September, last, 1641, having in her a world of treasure, as this story following doth truly relate. Some dangers they past, but lately arrived in Calais where they continued afore they could prepare themselves for England at least 7 or 8 months, at end of which they disimbogu’d for England in company of Captaine Legend of Dover, in the Dover Merchant, a lusty stout ship of 400 tunnes, and 28, cast pieces of Ordnance; they sailed together, the Royall Merchant, in stresse of foule weather, sprung a leake in the bottome of the ship, so the saylers were forced to tend the pumps day and night. Captaine Legend, not liking Captaine Limbryes course, with joint consent, shaped another course some point in variation so that they did not absolutely part suddenly, but glide sidingly from each other. Night came on and foule weather, they plyed their two chaine pumps, in midst of which labour both the pumpe chaines broke
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The Captaine was the last, who would not forsake her until she was sunke even unto her cooke room ports, and then got into the boat. 7 men that went downe on the lower deck, to breake up a cheft of gold, never came up, the ship sunke so fast on them. This ship was 700 tuns, 36 caft peeces of ordnance, 80 seamen, besides passengers. She had in her 30,000 pound in ready boloigne, (Bullion) 100,000 pound in gold and as much value in jewels, besides each mans adventure, and the whole cargason, (cargo) or rich lading of the ship, all of which was sunke in the sea, nothing saved. The Captaine on his landing, repaired to his house and family, with a hankercher about his neck, and will not be seene or spoken with, as yet, by any his griefe is so great. His name is Captaine John Limbry living neere Ratcliffe Crosse. Read more from Todd at scillydivers. blogspot.co.uk. Todd recently uncovered evidence of two new wrecks. Find out more in the next issue!
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The Oldest Swinger in Town of about 240. It’s played on two courses over two days, and the top 60 go through to play on one course for the final day. I’m pleased to say I made that once. It was the first one I went to, in Prestbury in Lancashire. I was in seventh place after the first round, I couldn’t believe it. I ended up 55th out of 240. I was on 76 after the first round and I was top of the leaderboard for quite a lot of the time. It was chucking down with rain. There was a big scoreboard there and I didn’t have a camera to take a photo. I was very pleased with that day. It was the first time I’d entered, I didn’t really know what I was in for and I just went out and played well. There’s a lot of competition in the tournaments. I’ve played with and against several Walker Cup players, the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup. It’s not easy now when I’m nearing 70 and there are 55-year-olds playing. I was also invited to play with the United Kingdom Seniors in South Africa in 2011. It was a fantastic tour. We played a match against the Western Cape, South Africa Over-50s and Over-55s and then I played in the South African Open. I didn’t play the English Senior Open this year because it was in Newcastle, too far to go, and I don’t think I’ll qualify next year because it’s just off the M25 (in Sunningdale) so there’ll be a big entry. But I’ll still go, just for the crack of meeting all these people. The social aspect is great. And it’s done quite a lot for the island golf club because loads of my mates have found out about the Isles of Scilly golf club. People who come over here to play golf think it’s fantastic. In another society that I’m in, the Cornwall, Devon & Somerset Over35s - which is ridiculous, I’m nearly 70 and I’m playing for the Over-35s! - there are 12 players from Somerset, Devon and Cornwall who meet the last weekend in October each year. Because they’re mates of mine, they wanted to play here so we brought 36 guys over. Since then they’ve been back four times. It’s good for the islands.
Keen golfer Steve Douglas from St Mary’s started playing with the UK Seniors Golf Association in his 60s and has played tournaments across the continent and in South Africa. We caught up with him between rounds for a chat about his success. started playing golf when I was about 18. I Ihere played here all the time when I came back to live. I always went away for Cornwall
County Week and had an enjoyable time then. Then of course when I retired I had a bit more time and I joined the United Kingdom Seniors Golf Association, which is for people who play golf to a certain standard (7 handicap or below, age 55 or above). I found out that there was quite an extensive amateur seniors tour, including going to the continent. I first started going to the continent in 2006 for the Spanish Open and then the Portuguese Open. I went to the Spanish Open two years in a row and the Portuguese about eight years. They accept about 110 people in the Spanish Open. The English Seniors, which is the biggest one, has a field 37
Fabulous food. Fabulous view. On the coastal footpath, above Porthloo. Food served all day and most evenings, inside and out. Call ahead to book an evening table. We are now licensed for weddings and civil partnerships – please ring for more information. 01720 422228 www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk Seaways Flower Farm, Porthloo, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0NF. St Mary’s
Award Winning
Higher Trenoweth Pelistry B
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Mount Todden Rocky Hill
Old Town
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and Bar
I
t’s been over two years since the group known as HEART came into being as a focus of community disquiet over the policies and practices of elements of our civic structure. The empowerment of a diverse section of the community as elected members in last year’s full council election along with the transition of the executive body through an experienced local government officer was gratefully accepted by the community at large. Taken by some as an opportunity to refocus their efforts in facing the daily challenge posed by the uncertainty and economic frailty we are still experiencing, both locally as well as nationally, the future held promise of accountable change and an honest and transparent dialogue over the betterment of the Islands. The grouping of people that, if you like, represent the core of HEART are committed to the principles of an open, transparent democratic process that, in part, feeds the concerns and considerations of the community into the development of policy through the traditional structure of local government. Some would argue that this process will, through its very nature, remain in flux, while others have suggested that there may be another approach, with a definitive fixed solution to any given problem. What is important is the part you play in the process. You the voter, you the voice of the community are vital. Without your dialogue and relationship with the elected representatives there may well be only a limited change, a generic, imposed change rather than one that benefits the people of Scilly, one that is directed, led by and for the people who live here. It is so important that you have faith in the elected members of the council to represent you but they are powerless without your support and input. Engage with them, whether you agree or disagree with the actions and policies they are supporting and encourage them to address your concerns so that they can better represent the community. The personal touch of social interaction is increasingly undervalued and while comment on social media has its place and can be constructive, it can also be challenging and if repeatedly negative may well be counterproductive in the development of debate and reasoned argument. Should you need help or support in raising any issue with a councillor then HEART can help with advice and guidance on how best to do this. You can leave a message at the bike shop on The Strand or email us on heartofscilly@outlook.com
THE NIGHT SKY S
with Steve Sims
eptember this year is not overly fecund for planet spotters unless you are an insomniac or a night watchman, in which case you should be doing your job not looking at the sky. Mars and Saturn have graced the evening sky over the spring and summer, but no more. In early September they both set with the sun, Mercury shortly afterwards. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of the desolate little orb in the west-nor-west in the final throes of twilight early in the month. Then there’s a very long wait, hours and hours until 4:30am, for Jupiter to rise. Jupiter like last year will be the evening planet this winter through to early spring. An hour later, a very bright Venus emerges shortly before the sun. In the meantime as the summer constellations, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Capricorn fade from the sky, the winter ones are back. Orion, Taurus the Pleiades and Gemini rise soon after midnight. They will appear back in the pre midnight sky very late in the year, with Jupiter nestled among them. Jupiter rises about 10 minutes earlier every week, the constellations seven minutes. Autumn begins at 10:29 on the September 22, a little later then usual this year. Almost a month later we have the Orionids meteor shower, peaking around October 21 when the autumn is firmly with us, and we are sat at home waiting in terror for the 5-year-olds demanding sweets with menaces on Halloween. 39
A
scale ship models from shapeways
Sterling Silver Scale Model
Scillonian III 1:1200 scale (length ~2½”) Individually cast in silver with personalised options Plastic models also available http://shpws.me/nMSJ ScillonianModels@hotmail.com
Flowers by Post
Farm Shop
Scented Pinks (April - September) Multi-headed Narcissi (November-March)
We sell a range of cut flowers, homegrown fruit & vegetables and garden plants.
30 Stems only £12 60 Stems only £17
All items delivered free of charge on St Mary’s.
Open Daily 08:00 - 17:00
Sent 1st class Monday - Thursday
Paul Whittaker Trenoweth Flowers Trenoweth St Mary’s TR21 0NS
Bouquets available to order for any occasion.
Visit our shop or call 01720 422683 40
of dedicated fundraising by ex-serviceman Smudge. It will complement the cenotaph in Old Town churchyard and enable islanders and visitors who are unable to get to Old Town to pay their respects closer to town. The inscription is a simple roll of honour to commemorate Scillonians who fell in the First and Second World Wars.
In Memory of...
A
new War Memorial was unveiled in the Park on The Parade on July 26 by Edward ‘Smudge’ Smith with help from Council Chair Amanda Martin and Robert Dorrien-Smith (in his capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall). The memorial, which was dedicated by Canon Paul Miller, is the result of a year
Funding for St Mary’s quay extension confirmed
S
ecretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP paid a lightning two-hour visit to St Mary’s on August 13 to announce a £10 million funding package. £7.3m has been set aside by Government to improve the Isles of Scilly Sea link. The money will be put toward extending the quay on St Mary’s as well as making improvements on the Penzance side. Scilly Now & Then readers will remember Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Chairman Andrew May speaking last winter of the need to dredge the Penzance side, which would help to widen the scope for a replacement vessel for Scillonian III. A further £1.8 million was also announced to continue the works to resurface the roads around St Mary’s. All council roads on St Mary’s will now be resurfaced. Mr McLoughlin visited the temporary asphalt batching plant at Parting Carn before meeting Harbourmaster Dale Clark on St Mary’s Quay. He managed to get to his appointments courtesy of Steve Sims on the Community Bus (right). Steve drove through every lump and hole on the unresurfaced stretches of road to emphasise the huge difference the resurfacing has made. 41
AURIGA
Children’s Services on the Isles of Scilly
Holiday Apartment
The Council of the Isles of Scilly Children’s Services Team offer a wide range of opportunities for local and visiting families
01720 422637
Advice and guidance is available if your require information relating to keeping children safe, childcare, holiday activities or specialist support services
aurigascilly@aol.com
We have an extensive toy library that offers the hire of toys games and equipment for children of all ages. If you’re here on holiday please contact us to see what we can offer
Auriga is a 3 bedroom apartment run by Scillonians and sleeping up to 8 people (+ baby with travel cot). Ideally situated a stone’s throw from Porthcressa’s sandy beach and only a 5 minute walk to the shops, pubs and harbour.
Other services include;
The 3 bedrooms (1 family room, 1 double room and 1 twin room) are all en-suite. The fully equipped modern kitchen, lounge and dining room are on the top floor and have extensive views across the bay from Morning Point to Peninnis Head.
Parent and Toddler Sessions Structured children’s centre activities Holiday activities Support for young people including Youth Hub Links to Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice Specialist Family Support Work from trained and experienced professionals Support for children/young people with disabilities or additional needs Advice on Fostering or Adoption Post 16 transition to the mainland
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or sign up to receive our regular emails.
For further information please contact Children’s Services on (01720) 423680 or email childrensevices@scilly.gov.uk
Tariff includes all electric, bed linen, towels and beach towels.
www.aurigascilly.co.uk
MOONRAKERS H O L I D AY F L AT S
They say you can’t buy a view… ...well at Moonrakers you can! Book your holiday to enjoy theatoutstanding views There are 4 elegant flats Moonrakers from our FOUR holiday flats. Proprietor is very for sale. Each flat is available for old and wants to retire - so you may even want occupancy or letting topermanent buy one! Each flat is available for potential. permanent For details contact: 01720 422717 occupancy or letting potential. email info@moonrakersholidayflats.co.uk or e-mail: kjgregory@fsmail.net or telephone 01720 422717
42
n July 15, HMS Mersey hosted an historic signature O ceremony for the final Armed Forces Community Covenant in the UK. The last of just over 400 covenants
was signed while the ship was at anchor off St Mary’s. Commodore Jamie Miller, Naval Regional Commander Wales and Western England, signed the covenant on behalf of the Royal Navy and Amanda Martin, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, led the civilian signatories which included representatives from across the islands and of course veterans. In the evening Canon Paul Miller hosted a service outside Star Castle Hotel to commission the covenant. The Sunset Ceremony closed with a ceremonial guard of sailors and buglers from the Band of 6 Rifles as the White Ensign was lowered from the ramparts. n July, the whole of the Cornish Pirates rugby team and Ibuilding staff enjoyed three days on the islands as part of a teamexercise. After announcing Chris Morgan as the
photo by Tresco Island
new captain on day one, the team headed to Five Islands School’s playing field to set up camp. They then caught a boat to Tresco for a coaching session with over 50 children. The visit also included a tour of the Abbey Gardens, beach volleyball on St Martins, coaching 65 youngsters on St Mary’s, crabbing, driving a golf buggy and a trip to St Agnes, as well as some memorable nights out at local public houses. By all accounts a great time was had by all.
he works on the airport terminal building are T taking shape. The steelworks to the front and side of the old building are now complete and
will be hung with glass, providing a panoramic view on three sides. The interior will offer much more space than before and additional features include a much bigger cafe, a designated arrivals point an internal baggage collection point and a covered walkway to the outside. The work is scheduled to be finished by the end of October.
he Methodist Church has raised a “huge” amount of money selling freshly-made scones T outside the Manse on St Mary’s. Rev Charlie Gibbs said that he will announce the final amount at the Harvest festival service on September 21 but told us: “It’s much, much more than we expected. They’ve sold unbelievably. It’s the biggest fundraising thing we’ve done since I’ve been here.” The operation is organised by Andy and Patti Brooks at Porthloo and a team of scone makers and cake bakers. Congratulations to all involved! 43
BEACHES HOLIDAY HOUSE
Luxury 5 star self-catering accommodation for up to 6 people. 3 double bedrooms, all en-suite, spacious lounge and south facing sun lounge overlooking the beach! Full central heating throughout so ideal for early or late season or a warm winter break.
Isles of Scilly Country Guest House Sage House, High Lanes, St Mary’s
A delightful rural retreat on St Mary’s with a wide range of rooms to suit your needs, including 7 single rooms, all en-suite and at ground level.
LEMON TREE HOUSE 4 star rated 2 bedroom bungalow in quiet position with views to St.Agnes. Sleeps 4.
The island’s most secluded beach is less than 10 minutes walk away and the bus into town stops outside the door. B&B from only £36 per night. Evening meals by by prior arrangement.
01720 422440
For more details visit www.scillyonline.co.uk Contact Jenny Hicks on 01720 422616 or email: beachesandlemontree@hotmail.co.uk
www.scillyguesthouse.co.uk
D J Cabs
TREMELLYN VEAN
01720 423775 07717 121101 Local family run cab company operating on St Mary’s for five years
For 58 years we have cared for folks on holiday, so we hope you find this ground floor, self contained residence fitted out to your requirements. Just out of town, on the road to Old Town, this perfect base for two enjoys panoramic views of the harbour.
Quay and airport transfers with 20% off fares which are pre-booked Under fives and dogs travel free when accompanied by an adult
Please ring Liz on 01720 422656 or call at ‘Avoca’, Hospital Lane, St Mary’s, to visit and view or go to
Call Duane or Jeanette to book your taxi or book online at www.djcabs.co.uk
www.tremellynveanscilly.co.uk
8am till midnight Monday to Thursday 8am till 12.30am Friday and Saturday From 1st May we will operate a Sunday service 9am till 11pm Happy to do after hours fares by prior arrangement
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Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project Update
By Dr Vickie Heaney, seabird ecologist
he Isles of Scilly are really important for T seabirds. Supporting as many as 9,000 breeding pairs, this is the most significant
Vickie & Project volunteers
seabird colony in southwest England. Recording these populations and their breeding success is important to monitor the health of our seabird heritage and to help to focus future conservation and survey work. Seabirds are vulnerable to disturbance during the breeding season so that the number of landings and time in the colonies is kept to an absolute minimum. Access to closed sites is granted by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust who manage the land and orange Seabird Recovery Project hats are worn to signal this permission. People always ask me ‘how do you count the seabirds?’ With Surveying seabirds on Annet them all wheeling noisily overhead I guess the image is of looking up with binoculars and counting ‘one, two, three…’! Happily it is a little easier than that. In the main part it is just a case of searching for and counting all the nests and their contents. This of course has to be coordinated with a team of volunteers, calm enough weather to get to the islands where the birds are nesting and a boatman willing to land you there! In addition, different species begin nesting at different times and the surveys need to be timed to coincide with ‘peak incubation’ when the majority of the birds are on eggs. For the majority of seabirds, most nests can be found by walking along the shoreline and noting any nests with eggs. Shag eggs are narrow and white and the nests are often hidden under boulders to reduce predation. Herring and Lesser black-backed gull nests and eggs look similar so it’s a case of checking what birds are calling overhead and who returns to the nest as you move away. The contents of kittiwake nests, low along the ram cliffs, can be checked early in the season using a mirror on a stick. For fulmars the best method is to count apparently incubating birds from a boat - this eliminates the risk of a startled bird dislodging its egg as it takes off. Finally, the important burrow nesters - the Manx shearwater and storm petrel need a whole other method again; playing a tape of their calls outside any burrow entrances and at regular intervals along boulder beaches allows us to estimate the number of ‘Apparently Occupied Burrows’ from the number of incubating birds down there that reply! It’s all a day’s work of a seabird ecologist! 45
Your Letters
Scilly Now &Then, PO Box 8, Isles of Scilly TR21 0WY info@scillynowandthen.co.uk
NO ROOM FOR SIGNS
SIMPLY THE BEST
that a flashing 20mph speed sign in Hugh Street would be the answer. All car drivers in Hugh Town are local, and know the problems, unlike Bexley where your correspondent lives. The sign suggested would be out of place in the conservation area that Hugh Street is. The only main road sign is at Old Town giving warning of the blind bend. Road signs otherwise on the islands would merely clutter up what is otherwise the picturesque nature of Hugh Town. Bexley has narrow roads and narrow pavements in the village centre with a mini roundabout at the Y junction in the middle, but different to Hugh Town most are just passing through and are not local residents, between the A2 and the A20 Trunk roads. As Hugh Street is part of the UK national Highway system, the A3111, Trunk Road, it is not a matter within the authority of the local council, and would require Parliamentary approval from Westminster. The problem in Hugh Town is really the pedestrians, who will walk in the road. Having visited Scilly for over 50 years. I have never had a problem with Hugh Street. In any event, Hugh Street is so short it is unlikely any vehicle could do 20mph even if it wanted to do so. Geoff Clark, Orpington
have found ourselves visiting more and more frequently and it now seems to have become a regular annual event. There are a number of reasons but the most important is that we have both come to the conclusion that of all the places we have been fortunate enough to visit, the Isles of Scilly are our favourite destination for rest, recuperation and inspiration. On our visit earlier this year we discovered your magazine. We found the contents of great interest and gave us further insight into life on the islands beyond the more immediate image seen by the tourist. Michael & Janet Bullas, Hemel Hempstead
hile I symapthise with Chris Marshall y wife and I have been regular, albeit W and his observations on the traffic in Minfrequent, visitors to the Isles of Scilly Hugh Town in the last issue, I cannot think for some 35 years but in recent years we
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR
had a very nice time on the Scillies in July Iyear (my 11th year) and have booked for next with two extra days.
I am looking forward to going back to St Martins to visit the Seven Stones Inn. I have visited it many times and was very sorry to see that it had closed down - as you say, it really does have some spectacular views. I have also had some very nice meals there. My favourite island is St Agnes with the Turks Head, which also serves a very good meal. While I was on St Agnes this year, I visited the church to see the new window which is very nice. I’m looking forward to visiting next year to see the next window. Brian Duck, Windsor
GRATITUDE
would like to express my gratitude and Iaround sincere good wishes to all who rallied to help me during my recent illness.
What a wonderful place we live in, where hearts and minds agree to love and care for one another. May the Lord God bless you all. Please read revelations chapter 1 vs 4-6. King John B Robinson, St Mary’s
THANK YOU
would like to say thanks to all the staff at St Ihelp Mary’s Hospital and to Dr Hessing for your when I was unwell last month. You were all wonderful, as were the RAF and Treliske Hospital. I am very grateful to you all. Thank you very much. Sandra, Tolman Cafe
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LOST
over 40 years) were enthusiastic annual visitors to the islands for over the past 20 years, supporting both Bayshill CC and the islands. Sadly, over the past winter they both passed away. Charles may be remembered first by some on the islands for the pen and ink drawings he produced and secondly for the ‘talking newspaper’ interviews on the islands - copies given to the museum. He also created and donated a Lion’s Head sculpture to Tresco Abbey Gardens; this is positioned on the wall to the right inside the main gateway to the courtyard. Both Gisela and Charles were great friends with Frank Naylor and corresponded regularly with him. Frank was delighted to receive the sculpture some ten years ago. It was originally planned to be part of a water feature. Next year, Bayshill CC look forward to renewing their rivalry with all the island teams once more. The Tresco match will have added interest as the club would like to win the trophy and return it to Cheltenham for the following year (we hope to bring a stronger team to accomplish the task!) Bayshill CC
ur stay on St Mary’s last year was O wonderful and very memorable and we returned home with lots of stunning
photographs. We set forth one day on a long walk round most of St Mary’s and got lost! We were also hungry and could see that we might not make it back to our hotel in time for the evening meal. As we were rushing back to a path we knew I could not resist pausing to take the attached photo. We were somewhere near Porth Hellick. So many of our photos show the sheer beauty of the Scillies but this one is so unique and intriguing. Hope you like it. Victoria and Martin Matthews, Watford
Bayshill CC on Tresco
JUST THE CRICKET!
heltenham’s Bayshill Cricket Club C completed its annual tour of the Isles of Scilly in late July. It has toured the islands since 1986, playing each of the four islands. Remarkably, some Bayshill players are approaching the milestone of having played 100 matches on the islands. This year the team were defeated in all four of their games against Tresco, St Agnes, St Martins and St Marys. The team is currently composed of a number of regular Bayshill players supplemented by relatives and friends. The game against Tresco was played on Thursday July 24 for a new trophy - The Gisela and Charles Liley Memorial Cup. This cup will be played for annually; the winning team holding onto the trophy for 12 months. Both Gisela and Charles (who lived in Wellinborough for
ANDY BE GOOD
e were fortunate enough to meet W Andrew and Be [Combes] on the Scillonian last year and were invited to see
47
their aspirations for the Buzza Tower. Even in its skeletal stage, we were impressed! We were therefore delighted to read that the Scilly Isles has a new tourist attraction - we look forward to our next visit in 2015. congratulations to the visionary pair. John and Doreen Hutchinson, North Norfolk
We offer comprehensive knowledge of the property market on The Islands and can give expert advice on all aspects of buying, selling and leasing. Details of all our properties on offer can be seen either on display in the High Street opposite Lloyds Bank or in our window opposite Speros, Porthmellon Beach If you have any questions or wish to view any of the properties Tony & Deanne will be pleased to see you at their office at Seaview Moorings, The Strand, St. Mary’s phone: 01720 422327 email: enquiries@scillyestateagents.com
www.scillyestateagents.com
GLANDORE GALLERY
Neil Gilbert Solicitor Tel:01326 563678
Friendly beachside studio and shop offering a wide range of original works by Stephen Morris.
No.1 The Old Cattle Market Porthleven Road Helston TR13 0SR
Fine art prints, greetings cards and postcards available.
Mob:0780 308 2610 n.gilbert@btinternet.com
Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm
Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Tax Planning
Free local deliveries and worldwide mail order service
Neil has been giving advice to the Islands for over 17 years, and is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
01720 422535 Porthloo, St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly, TR21 0NE gallery@glandore.co.uk
Put your faith in experience
www.glandoregallery.co.uk 48
A Summer’s Day
T
Reader Steve Green from Newlyn on the magic of a summer’s day on Scilly
here is something intensely magical about the start of a warm summer’s day on Scilly that only a resident or seasoned visitor will appreciate. The experience begins the moment that you wake and the bright rays of early morning sunshine hit your face with an intensity that is pure pleasure. Gone are the worries of everyday life and work you left behind perhaps just a day or so earlier, replaced by a realisation that another Scilly holiday is stretching tantalisingly and invitingly in front of you. Tasks that are laboured and humdrum at home take on an air of excitement; the plunge under the shower followed by a hastily cooked breakfast (the boat to Tresco won’t wait, you know) and a quick trawl round the Co-op for provisions and ingredients for that oh so enjoyable picnic on the beach. Then at 10am the real excitement begins to mount; a huge throng of like-minded people head for the boats. All forms of humanity are here, from elderly pensioners who have perhaps been sampling the delights of Scilly since their honeymoon, down to young babes in arms whose only recollection of this glorious time will be through family pics, constantly replayed on Electronic Photo-Frames and iPads for many years to come. The board with the destinations for the day are scanned intensely by all... ’Where today? Perhaps Bryher or shall we save that for our last day? St Agnes and lunch at the Turks Head? You choose ‘cos I chose yesterday’. We have been incredibly blessed by being able to spend three weeks every summer in this glorious place. This is often to the bewilderment of our friends and neighbours when we return, who ask rather quizzically, ‘ What on EARTH did you find to do for all that time?’. Somehow I never have the heart to tell them...
Quiz answers
1) Edward VIII 2) 4 - Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming 3) Rodgers & Hammerstein 4) Alvin Stardust 5) Swansea City 6) Ganymede 7) Germany 8) 7 9) Positive 10) The Sound of Music 11) The Taj Mahal 12) Men at Work 49
Your voice in health and social care Healthwatch Isles of Scilly asks people about their views and experiences of health and care, and works with services towards improvement where necessary. We can also help people to find information and advice. Healthwatch Isles of Scilly is an independent voluntary organisation led by people in our community, for the benefit of our community. Anyone can join; members will receive regular news and information and can get more involved if and when they want to.
Anyone can register their comments, in confidence, to help us build a picture of how health and care services perform. We go the extra mile to make sure that your views count. Healthwatch Office, Thorofare, St Marys 01720 423037 contact@healthwatchislesofscilly.co.uk
www.healthwatchislesofscilly.co.uk Come and join us at our AGM on Thursday 11th September, 11am at St Marys Hall Hotel. Coffee and cake, a round up of Healthwatch activity and your chance to ask questions and suggest areas we should be looking at, and elections to the Board of Directors.
what you think are the important issues in health and social care.
We’re busy expanding our information base, collecting useful sources and materials on a range of subjects. We have a number of booklets at the office containing information and advice about living well, and well supported, ‘Living Well Day’ on Tuesday 16th September at into older age. We have installed a Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre. library of booklets in the Health Centre This will be an all day and evening event foyer covering a wide range of mental packed full of information about living health matters. Also at the Health Centre well and staying well: top tips; sources of there is a box of Macmillan literature further information, advice and support; about cancer treatment and care which a chance to try out new activities and covers a number of questions about much more. See posters for details. coping with cancer. We’ll be there with our graffiti board and Feel free to browse or borrow, and comments box, to capture and record please return for the next person to find. 50
A Day In The Life Dentist Brent Burnard was born in Adelaide, Australia and educated at Melbourne University. He has lived in the UK for 19 years, spending around half that time in west London and half in Cambridge. Brent has made three visits to Scilly as a locum dentist while Bob Seddon is away. We caught up with him when he was here in August to find out about his typical day and his opinions on the people of Scilly. We’re delighted to learn that he thinks we’re ‘a good bunch of munchkins’!
with my equipment and know that if someone has a problem I have my own stuff to do it. We have an 8.30am start here but I like to get here early as I have to get all my equipment out. I arrive about 7.45. We finish at about 5pm and the number of people we see in that time varies. It depends what we’re doing. We have some patients we see for an hour, where we’re doing quite a bit of work. With other people, it’s just half hour or 15-minute appointments. It’s normally half an hour, but if I have to do a fair bit of work I would rather do it there and then than have them keep coming back. The things we do most often are filings, white fillings of some description. With teeth here on Scilly, it’s generally a whole mixed bag. I get people who are really good and ones that are not so good. I have people who haven’t been to see the dentist for a long time; they come in here and get fired up to get a lot of work done. It’s a whole cornucopia of people. Obviously people get nervous with dentists but the ones here are generally pretty good. You find that when people get nervous it’s because the dentist doesn’t explain what they’re doing, when they don’t communicate with the patient and treat them as an equal, show them the X-rays etc. I generally find that patients with me are quite relaxed. They know what we’re doing, we discuss it, and I can do it to a good standard. Everyone has a degree of nerves, but if you keep the communication channels open, read the
I was working full time in the NHS Iatnandthe2008 my better half Pam, who’s a researcher University of Cambridge, was offered
a three-month Visiting Professorship in Hong Kong. I had a choice of either continuing to work full-time or go to live in Hong Kong for three months. I chose Hong Kong. After that I decided just to do locum work. I do locum work over the place, including Scilly. Scilly is as far as I go; I generally kick around the East Anglia area - Wisbech, Ramsey, Kings Lynn, Peterbrough, Bedford, a whole myriad of areas. My time here was organised through a recruiting agency. I really enjoy working here and I get contacted by the local authority and they say, ‘Brent, do you want to come to Scilly? And I say yes, if I’ve got the time I’m happy to come over here’. This is my third time now and it’s been three weeks. I was previously here in February/March and before that around July last year. I like the variety in locum work. I can come in to different practices and help people. I bring a lot of equipment with me, which makes it easy for me just to move around to different locations and enjoy my dentistry. A lot of the materials I use are quite expensive. This is no criticism of the NHS, but there’s a limited amount you can order. I can come in 51
CARNWETHERS COUNTRY HOUSE A Slice of Heaven - A Garden of Eden... Carnwethers Country House offers four-star self-catering accommodation in four cottages set in approximately one acre of prize-winning gardens with secluded corners for relaxing and sunbathing and a croquet lawn. We also have a non-chlorinated solarheated swimming pool. Situated above the beautiful secluded Pelistry Bay, Carnwethers enjoys the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere of the off-islands without being isolated from the modern amenities of St. Mary’s and is ideal for a comfortable and relaxing holiday far from the madding crowd.
Poolside - sleeps 4 or 5
Rowan Tree - sleeps 2
Prices start from just ÂŁ540 per week.
Secret Garden - sleeps 2
Pelistry Bay
Email: carnwethers@aol.com Web: www.carnwethers.com Tel: 01720 422415 / 07811 453109
52
Dove Lawn - sleeps 4
body language, give them a break when they need one, it goes okay. Don’t treat them beyond what they’re willing to accept, basically. There’s a humanity in it all. A lot of horror stories come from the school dental service when people were young. When people have experiences in the past when maybe their rights weren’t respected, or they didn’t have a choice, they can be stressed sometimes. We don’t use gas and air here. I used to work in a practice in Australia where we used a lot of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation. I used to do one patient in three or four. It was very successful and a lot of patients really enjoy it. It does have its downside, though. Sometimes the dentist and patient can become too reliant. You also have to be careful because nitrous oxide is heavier than air. Long term, the people who are working with it can get nerve damage. In the right patient it’s very good, but we’re not set up for it here. Because it’s heavier than air, you need a scavenging system to get it out of the building. I’ve never done it in the UK. But it is a good technique and some practices specialise in sedation. For some people it’s the only way to treat them. Some patients can only be treated with a general anaesthetic. They may have a severe gag reflex, or just don’t like things in their mouth. There’s no way you can treat them but they may have a whole heap of problems because they’re phobic. Some people can’t even get a toothbrush in their mouth. In dentistry, you have general anaesthetic, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide sedation. Here if people are a bit nervous I write a prescription for something like Temazepam. They take that prior to having something done. You can be an adult but in a given situation people can regress. You may have all the maturity and sophistication in the world but you will regress in the dentist’s chair. Scilly is a lovely place, a lovely bunch
of people. There are politics, as there are everywhere, but people muck in together, there’s a really good team approach. In terms of patients to treat, I find the Scillonians a really good bunch. I’ve worked in many different practices but they’re very reasonable, very approachable, They’re a good bunch of munchkins really. They don’t ask much, they don’t have these expectations, they’re not asking the world. I work in some practices, of a more cosmetic nature, and it’s the stuff of nightmares. You bleach their teeth and they say ‘Ooh, can I just have half a shade lighter?’ and really it’s as white as I want to make it. Then you have this world of Americana where you go into over-white shades. Sometimes I will do a little bit, but on Scilly people’s expectations are just fair. I have noticed a shift in dentistry generally. There’s more of an American feel. There’s nothing wrong with people wanting a good smile they can be proud of, but sometimes people want an instant hit. They want instantly white teeth, like bleaching. Bleaching is not always safe so I prefer to go for a slow bleaching technique. The Scillonians want to have a smile, but they’re not going OTT about it.
SCILLY Memories of Summers By Charles Hainsworth 208 pages of photographs, sketches and paintings that capture the wonder of these islands, all in full colour. REVIEWS: - STUNNING! - Cornwall - I want to thank and congratulate you for illustrating that precious sense of stillness - Canada - My best Christmas present - Glos. May be obtained from outlets in Scilly and Cornwall. Or: wwwgigshedbooks.co.uk 01285 657405
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All About Seals A
by Sue Sayer, Cornwall Seal Group Seals, bananas and floating bottles
n incoming tide presents an interesting challenge to a seal, who will tend to move upshore to avoid getting wet. There comes a point, however, when a seal can move no further... enter the banana! A seal’s body is thoroughly insulated by thick layers of blubber covering most of its body, apart from its extremities – flippers and face. In their fore and rear flippers, counter current heat exchange systems are formed by veins wrapping around arteries to conduct heat from outgoing arterial blood into returning veins, recycling heat back into their bodies. Very Banana female clever! But the downside of this lack of blubber protection at their extremities, combined with their rich supply of nerves and blood vessels close the surface, make them highly sensitive to temperature changes. A seal who has spent hours basking on sun kissed rocks that suddenly gets sprayed with breaking waves on an incoming tide will feel this cold acutely. To avoid the obvious discomfort, the seal will lift its flippers and head up out of the reach of each incoming wave, creating an exaggerated banana curve! Some seals appear so reluctant to accept the inevitable that they will continue to banana until they eventually float off their rock - dry head and flippers still out of the water. Gravity always wins though, pulling their flippers into the sea, but a seal may continue ‘bottling’ for some time with its dry nose stuck up through the surface, until it has got Bottling and yawning used to the temperature change.
Where’s MORRIS? Oh dear, this looks like a case for the RAF (again). Morris is well and truly scuppered after his latest search for Doris. If you know where he is please contact us at morris@scillynowandthen.co.uk for a chance to win a delicious meal for two at St Mary’s Hall Hotel. Last time Morris was on St Martin’s just by the Lower Town quay. Well done to our winner, Margaret Snowball from St Mary’s! 54