Trewince in a nutshell

A handsome house to lodge a friend,
A river at my garden’s end.
A terrace walk, and half a rood
Of land, set out to plant a wood.

“Imitations of Horace”, Jonathan Swift 1667-1745

Call out the fire brigade

The aforementioned Gordon (see last post, “Recollections from a past visitor“) referred to the fire at Trewince, in the days when we had a campsite, full to capacity in high season. As it happens, I have a cutting from the West Briton Thursday August 1st 1991. It was a very scary occurrence. Peter & others tried to keep the flames away from nearby Calor gas cylinders. One man pushed his way through a thorny hedge to help extinguish the flames on the other side. I stood outside the front gate for ages waiting to direct the fire engine. Peter said you could hear it coming from across the water at St Mawes. People on the campsite were really helpful and collected clothes for the family, who also had a visit from Victim support volunteers.

Fire in caravan July1991

Another visitor, who still visits Trewince with his family,  recalls the event:
“I was there, yes it was scary, we all used up our fire extinguishers, totally useless! We were very worried about the gas bottles which were very securely attached, but one (very brave) guy managed to ‘kick’ them off into safety. Apparently, the caravan owner had brought into the awning, a hot barbecue – not a good idea!!!”

Recollections from a past visitor

Gordon Fox shared a few memories with us after looking at the pictures of the old pontoon. “The remains of it were still there in the sixties and there was a wooden boat shed containing old canoes and rotting life jacket detritus with some clinker built boats upside down mostly rotten, one of which wasn’t too bad, ok for calmish seas and we used to row to St Mawes in it until the following year when my Dad bought a British Seagull outboard engine to use on it until after another year or two it became unseaworthy and started to fall apart. He then hired a safer good Dory sea boat to put the outboard on and we stuck with that type of boat until going for a lot faster inflatable with higher powered outboard.”The boat shed was still there in 1985 when we arrived at Trewince but it was washed into the water by a landslide onto the Quay one winter. It had seen better days by then. It made a good bonfire!

Gordon went on to say: “Our family and friends holidayed at Trewince for many happy years because we loved the people and the area and we were great friends with managers Jim and Jean Wilde and their daughter Sally. First time was as a child was in a chalet. Coach Cottage, Quay cottage stays started when my father bought a Hutchinson Nautisport inflatable with a Volvo Penta outboard that zipped it along at about 30 knots. It did for fishing, shopping trips to Falmouth and St Mawes, beach and pub/restaurant runs. So the car stayed virtually immobile for two weeks which suited my Dad as he drove for his living as a commercial truck salesman, and because there’s no breathalyzers on the water. As an adult I used to meet up with my family and groups of friends there when I was on leave serving in the RAF in Germany, then later at Brize Norton. The last time I stayed at Trewince was to camp up for a few days after backpacking the Cornish Coastal Path from St Ives in the late 80s or early 90s meeting up with my sister, brother in law and young nephew. There was drama one night as a caravan went up in flames in the woods and the PT firefighters had been in the pub first, but they sorted it and nobody was injured. Superb place.”

Gordon might be interested in seeing this old list of Charter rates from 1962:

Charter Rates 1962

…….but this could have been but yesterday

Extract from a piece written by “Wanderer” in the Royal Cornwall Gazette of Thursday 23 June 1892

PORTSCATHO

This charming little watering place, in praise of which so much has been said and written at various times, is again donning its holiday attire.

Visitors are arriving from all parts of the kingdom. The jaded city man is glad to throw aside, with his tall hat and orthodox black coat, the cares of office and counting house.

The parson wearied with parochial worries and anxieties, rejoicing, let us hope, in an efficient “locum tenens” at home, throws care to the winds for a season and joins the genial rush to the sea, The ladies are arriving in force, and the children – bless their jolly little faces ! – go without saying.

For lovers of a thoroughly unconventional holiday, do and dress as you like, go and come as you please, I know of no place like Portscatho, while to the artist, botanist, or lover of aquatic pastimes it is paradise indeed.

Battered eagles

Two battered eagles perch on the gate posts of Trewince – a link with the past to the Hobbs family who had eagles in their coat of arms and had connections here. The ancient manor overlooks both Froe Creek, leading to the Percuil river, and the sea, and stands on a wooded spur with woods of beech and pine leading to a small quay which belongs to the house. A field called Pardon Bank is just below Trewince, and it is here that Henry VIII is said to have pardoned all political offenders in the area.John Collett Thomas was a draper in London who retired to Trewince and he was the next to last squire in residence. The title of squire of Gerrans was generally held by the tenants of Trewince. Local people still remember the last of the squires and the time when people would touch their hats as the coach & horses rode through the village; there is a spot in the woods where the squire would sit and where the servants used to deliver his afternoon tea. In the early 19th century the squire hunted regularly and Carew, in his “Survey of Cornwall”, describes the Cornish gentry gathering in each others’ houses, feasting and dancing, gambling and drinking. Last century Trewince was the place for the annual Sunday School treat. “They had a carriage and pair and servants in livery. We had splits and Saffron buns, and each took our own mug. We had games on the beach!!” (from “Accounts of the memories and reminiscences of a number of people of the parish of Gerrans”, collected by Sam Marsden, former rector of Gerrans). The painting of the front gates with their eagles is by Stephen Bradbury from Mullion, Cornwall – known for his book cover illustrations.

Clock off in Cornwall

ANDY RUDD makes the most of where time stands still.

The Rudd family always jokes that when you’re entering Cornwall across Saltash Bridge you should throw your watch over the side because for the next week you won’t need it. You see, in Cornwall there’s no rush to get to that meeting, no place to be at a certain time and definitely no last orders at the bar. That’s because Cornwall runs on its own clock – Cornish time. It’s a place where time seems to stand still – or at least that’s the impression I’ve reached after holidaying there on many occasions while growing up. So I was delighted when I got the chance to return with my wife and show her what Cornwall has to offer. We were staying in a log cabin at Trewince Manor – a 26-acre estate on the southern tip of the idyllic Roseland peninsula. A haven of beauty, Trewince typifies what Cornwall is all about. Each fully-furnished, fully-equipped single-storey log cabin or two-storey chalet has breathtaking views overlooking either rolling countryside or the English Channel. Our three-bedroom chalet was comfortable and even had Sky TV in case, heaven forbid, we found ourselves with nothing to do one evening. A terrace leading off the lounge overlooking the sea provided a perfect sun trap and place to eat bacon butties in the morning as we worked out which marvellous walk to try that day. Rain or shine there’s plenty to do whether you want action or just want to relax. Down the road from Trewince is St Anthony Head where you will see the lighthouse used in the kids’ TV series Fraggle Rock. You can easily spend a day doing a circular walk starting from the car park and heading out towards St Mawes through the grounds of Place House and St Anthony Church.

For those that like to cycle, a good day out can be had at the Camel Trail – a 17-mile disused railway track, running from Bodmin to Padstow. Around 350,000 visitors a year ride the trail which takes in some of Cornwall’s most breathtaking countryside. Comfortable bikes can be hired (£12 per day) and you don’t have to be an experienced rider to tackle the trail – the promise of a cream tea or fish and chips at the end definitely keeps you going. After a long day’s walk or just a busy day doing nothing, head to one of the two local pubs to recharge your batteries and rest your weary feet. A mile from Trewince is the The Royal Standard pub in Gerrans and a little further along The Plume of Feathers in Portscatho. Both have a great atmosphere and serve up hearty portions of home-cooked food, best washed down with a pint of the local Doom Bar or Tribute ale. We recommend the fish pie and lasagne at the Standard. Venturing further afield Mevagissey is a short drive away and there you can wander around the narrow streets full of galleries and gift shops. To sample the fresh catch of the day – so fresh it’s straight off the boat – book a table at The Shark’s Fin. Nearby the award-winning Lost Gardens of Heligan make for a more sedate day out. There are 80 acres of grounds bursting with colour with walled gardens, a huge vegetable plot and bird hides. Don’t forget to stop at the farm shop on your way home for some tasty local produce.

A favourite spot of ours is Polkerris, a small sandy cove near St Austell. The area was a great inspiration for Daphne du Maurier who wrote her famous novel “Rebecca” in the area. There’s an excellent walk across the headland to Fowey but be prepared for a challenge as the round trip is about nine miles – but worth every step. Time your walk so that you arrive back in Polkerris just as the sun is beginning to set to take full advantage of the views from The Rashleigh Inn as you enjoy a well-earned evening meal in their restaurant. On our last day we went to Padstow, sitting back and enjoying another Cornish cream tea to the sound of an acoustic guitar. A bearded man in a fisherman’s cap is on the harbour singing Cornish folk songs. His name is John Breeze, or Breezy to friends and he’s a celebrity in these parts for the money he raises for charity every year. Breezy tells me he used to be a PE teacher who came down to the harbour to play so he could “get away from it all”. “Problem is,” he says, “I liked it so much I packed it in and came here for good.” And I can see why. I wonder if John’s got space for a tambourine man?

GET THERE Trewince Manor holiday lodges are open all year. Depending on the time of year, a week’s stay in a sleep-six single-storey lodge is from £510 to £1250, a two-storey from £603 to £1,350 and a sleep-5 (Redwing) is from £458 to £950. Visit www.trewince.co.uk or call 01872 580289.

Development of the Manor House

Queen Anne Window

Almost every day we are asked about what is happening with the restoration of the house, and we, like you, can’t wait to see what is to come. I am therefore very pleased that this information has now been put at our disposal. Here it is:

A Cornish Architect and a Listed Properties Historical Buildings expert (who worked on the Windsor Castle restoration after the fire) plus other relevant experts have been working on a five phased restoration plan. They are now finalising the fifth and final phase of the restoration plan before submitting the fifth plan to the Planning Authorities and relevant Historical and Listed Buildings Bodies who during the phased restoration process have all been kept fully informed.

All the five phased restoration plans will provide for the certainty, stability and sustainability of retaining both the 1750 period and the Victorian period buildings for the future and removing the past additions/changes that are not in keeping with the relevant periods.

Phase 1 has been the restoration (not replacement) of the windows (keeping all the existing windows including the rare landing window at the rear) and in order to secure the property.

Phase 2 has been the containment and protection of a rare bat colony in the Victorian loft and insertion of a bat entrance in the Victorian apex. This has all had to be managed through relevant experts after careful study, surveys and lengthy approval procedures.

Phase 3 is the works for improved and effective drainage of the internal roof well to prevent internal flooding and consequent damage to ornate plasterwork that has occurred over a lengthy time. The plans have recently been approved subject to relevant conditions. This work will be carried out shortly. The current listed drainage system will remain intact.

Phase 4 will be the carrying out of the roof and parapet renovation now that these plans have also been approved, subject to relevant conditions, after the bat breeding season ends in September this year, hence the hold up on the roof and retention of scaffolding.

Phase 5 is the both the internal and external maintenance, repair and renovation that is subject to the approval of the proposals currently being finalised. The length of time of this process is due to the necessary historical research and the architectural and many other surveys that have had to be carried out in order to manage the whole site responsibly.

With regard to the Cottage, this has recently had plans (prepared by the Architect and Listed Buildings expert) approved, subject to relevant conditions, for an internal and external renovation and the enlargement of the kitchen plus a small porch extension, all in keeping with its historical period. The Cottage is integral to the proposals for the restoration of the Manor as part of the whole site including the drive, the grounds and outside buildings.

Sunday School Treats

I found this book one day in the Truro library. It made fascinating reading. Sam Marsden was a very popular rector of Gerrans  around 1975/6. Here are some quotations from “Accounts of the memories and reminiscences of a number of people of the parish of Gerrans, collected by Sam Marsden, rector of Gerrans 1975 or 6.”

” For Sunday School outings the Congregationalists went to Pendower, so did the Wesleyans. The Bryanites went to Towan.”

“For our Sunday School treat we went to Pendower, or Towan or Trewince; we were allowed to have tea there and walk through the gardens. They had a carriage and pair and servants in livery (just a dark frock coat). We had splits and Saffron buns, and each took our own mug. We had games on the beach!!”

From the Archives………

Taken from a 2004 newsletter:

The Pool was finally declared open in February this year to everyone’s relief. We have received so many compliments on its quality that we feel that all the waiting was worthwhile. It has not been without its teething troubles, some of which continue: the UV technology which is used in the purification process is state-of-the-art and still being pe…rfected, and for everyone’s safety we err on the side of caution, especially with the spa pool, but everyone agrees that the low chlorine/no red eyes result is far superior to the chemical solution.

Polishing the Pool

It has been a steep learning curve for our staff, for, contrary to our plans for a totally unattended pool, we found it necessary for health and safety reasons to have trained first aiders and pool rescue staff within call for emergencies. We have had a full health and safety analysis of the whole business, which has put everything on a secure footing. We have also struggled with our photo-entry computer software system which proved to be not quite so state-of-the art as we had hoped, but we have had lots of fun asking everyone to stand in front of the camera and some amusement when cards entered into the machine as Mrs A came out with an entirely new identity as Mr B!

staff in pool

On a more practical matter…

You may have admired the curtains in the manor house lounge without realising there was a little story attached. I’m going back a few years now, and the curtains are no longer there as the house has been sold and is being renovated – but it’s a good story so I’ll tell it.

We had decided to refurbish the room which had been used as a public TV room and was rather shabby.

We had chosen a carpet but hadn’t yet purchased it and we went along to a holiday/catering Trade show and casually looked at an interior designer’s stand where we recognised a sample of our carpet on a concept board with fabric samples and colours.

After a brief chat with the designer we established that this was a scheme he had undertaken elsewhere, had over-ordered on the material and had a surplus getting damp in his garage at home! After a bit more chat we agreed that if we bought the carpet through him (and his price was very competitive) he would GIVE us the material. Well – I liked that idea. The only problem was that the material was already cut into lengths and the lengths were too short for our windows.

Not easily put off, I made a join in each curtain, placed at the top where it would be hidden behind swags and tails. All I had to do was dry it out, and buy fringing, lining and lead weights. The very nice man even sketched out a quick design for us on the ‘back of an envelope’! I do like a bargain – don’t you? What a generous supplier he was, and what an amazing provision it was for us.

the finished job