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This bumper 20-page issue marks the first birthday of the PostHorn since its re-launch as a paper version in September of last year!

It has been a busy year and there has always been more than enough material to fill its pages – in fact the first edition was the only one published with just the intended eight pages! How are we doing – do you find it interesting? Is it useful? Would it be better if other information was included? Are we getting anything wrong? Please let us know so that we can concentrate our efforts on what you want to read – our contact details

are at the bottom of the back page.

If you would like to publicise a local event or project or submit an article, the PostHorn would be very glad to hear from you – space will always be found for your contributions.

The PostHorn would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors who have provided articles for inclusion in this special issue and SUEZ who have funded its printing.

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CIVIL PARISH OF ST. PINNOCK

Issue 5 September 2018 Our War Memorial – this year marks the

100th anniversary of the end of WWI

PostHorn’s first birthday Page 1 This quarter’s calendar of events Page 2 Harvest Festival at Connon Chapel Page 3 Macmillan coffee morning – Connon Page 3 Remembrance Service Page 4 Trigg Morris Page 5 East Taphouse Community Hall Page 6 St. Pinnock Band Page 7 Trevelmond Pump Page 8 Trevelmond Macmillan coffee morning Page 8 Pumpkin Wall Page 9 Trevelmond Chapel Page 9 Connon Bridge Landfill Site Page 10 Phil Seeva Page 11 Carol Spear Page 12 Boundary Commission Page 13 Speeding through East Taphouse Page 13 Connon Chapel Page 14 Doublebois – continued Page 15 SUEZ Recycling & Recovery Page 16 Trevelmond Dilly Cart Race Page 17 How to contact the PostHorn Page 20

IN THIS ISSUE

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East Taphouse Short Mat Bowls Club plays every Thursday afternoon in the Community Hall from 2:00 to 4:30. Come along and give it a try, or ‘phone Doug Mills on 01579 320015 for more information. Slimming World meets in the East Taphouse Community Hall every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 12:30. Contact Rebecca on 07980 171679 Connon Chapel holds a service every Sunday morning commencing at 9:30 with tea/coffee afterwards. Knit and Natter meets at Connon Chapel on the first and third Monday of the month for two hours from 3:30. You don’t have to knit – just come and natter and enjoy some tea and lovely homemade cakes. Just £1 covers everything. St.Pinnock Band - Band practice at East Taphouse Community Hall from 7:45 to 10:00 on Mondays and Thursdays. West Country Embroiderers – Lostwithiel Group. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at East Taphouse Community Hall from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact: Secretary Mrs D. Smith 01579 321293 Treasurer Mrs P Stratton 01822 614677 Group Rep Mrs A Taylor 01579 326005 Trevelmond Chapel holds a service on Sunday mornings commencing at 11:00. Vintage Motorcycle Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at the East Taphouse Community Hall at 7:00 p.m.

General Sunday Auction Every other week at East Taphouse Community Hall. This quarter they will be on: September 9th and 23rd October: 7th and 21st November: 4th and 18th.

Lots taken from 1:00 p.m. Viewing starts at 4:30 and selling from 6:00 p.m. Womens Institute – St. Pinnock and District Womens’ Institute invites new members to join our really friendly group. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the East Taphouse Community Hall at 2:15 p.m. Also, our craft group meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 2 p.m. and caters for all skill levels from complete novices to the more experienced crafter. Ring Pauline Salt on 01579 320197 for more information. Parkinson’s Drop-In Group Every third Wednesday of the month - East Taphouse Community Hall from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. As well as the Parkinson’s nurse talks, speakers on many different subjects and a chance to try out new activities ranging from art to Zumba. For more information ring Sue Whipp on 01503 262166 Sunday roast dinner at The Community Hall, East Taphouse. Two courses £8.00 (Bar open). Every other Sunday at 6:00p.m. This quarter they will be on: September: 2nd , 16th and 30th October: 14th and 28th November: 11th and 25th.

Booking essential – ‘phone Laura on 07792 900987

REGULAR CLUBS/EVENTS THIS COMING QUARTER

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St.Pinnock Parish Council Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month in the Chapel Room at the rear of Connon Chapel at 7:30p.m.

If you have any item of concern, you can either raise it with your local Councillor beforehand or you can speak to the Parish Council at the meeting - there is fifteen minutes allocated at the start of the meeting for this.

The agenda is posted on the Parish Council notice board which is on the forecourt of Valley View Garage on the Wednesday before the meeting.

Chiropodist at East Taphouse Community Hall – 2018 visits: 18thSeptember, 30thOctober, 18thDecember from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointments now needed - ‘phone Christine on 01579 321311 or Neil on 07828 737814.

Bingo 1st Saturday of the month at East Taphouse Community Hall. Doors open at 7:00, ‘eyes down’ at 7:30 Mobile Library – East Taphouse Community Hall Car Park from 3:45 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. 29th Sept: 27th Oct: 24th Nov: 22nd Dec.

The mobile library provides a library service to rural areas in Cornwall where there is no static library or micro library.

It holds a selection of books on many subjects, novels, large print books, books for children and talking books. Other materials, such as DVDs, music CDs and music scores can be borrowed on request.

Customers can request books for free from the online library catalogue or for a small charge if placed by a Library Assistant.

The stock is updated regularly.

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This years’ service marks the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War– to the day.

The names of 43 men from the Parish who fought in WWI are recorded on our memorial. Four lost their lives – two have no known graves, another is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery and the fourth died of his wounds at a war hospital in Croydon - he is buried at Connon Chapel.

The remembrance service at our War Memorial in East Taphouse is of course not just to remember these,

our fallen members of the armed services of World War I, but also to honour those lost in WW2 and other conflicts both before and since those wars

Once again Carol Spear will be officiating and everyone is welcome to come along. The Last Post will be played by Alan Pendray and a Poppy Wreath will be laid on behalf of all

residents of the Parish.

There is usually a decent turn-out for this service, but on this one–hundredth anniversary, an extra special remembrance would be particularly fitting – please come along if you can.

If you are unable to attend, join us in spirit at 11:00 by opening a window and listening out towards St. Pinnock.

Our 100th anniversary

Remembrance Day Service

Sunday 11th November

commencing at 10:45

REMEMBRANCE DAY - 11 NOVEMBER

SERVICE

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Trigg Morris Men gave a performance at

St.Pinnock on Thursday evening, 24th May.

They had musical accompaniment by

players on melodeon, concertina and

washboard.

Formed in 1971, their name is taken from

the ‘Hundred of Trigg’, a former

administrative area of mid Cornwall.

Their horse called (wait for it) ………. Trigger

put in an appearance too – much to the

amusement of the children.

They performed several sets, with the

audience joining in the last one.

TRIGG MORRIS MEN

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By Sue Knapman Use It or Lose It, a familiar saying which can be applied to East Taphouse Community Hall.**

The Hall is primarily the home of St Pinnock Band but is also a centre for the whole community to come together for whatever reason in conjunction with the Social Club.

Although run as 2 separate entities, the Hall and the Social Club work closely together and jointly create a viable and valuable community resource. In reality the Hall without the Social Club would struggle financially to exist. The Hall needs to earn a minimum of £9000 per annum to meet the overheads and being able to offer to prospective users the facilities of the Social Club, improves the possibility of a booking.

If you are wondering what are these overheads, they are for example: gas, electricity, water, broadband, insurance, waste disposal, cleaning, repairs and renewals. From the income point of view, we have some regular users i.e. St Pinnock WI, West Country Embroidery, Short Mat Bowls, Parkinsons, Slimming World, Vintage Motorcycle Club, Fortnightly Auctions, Fortnightly Dinners, and Monthly Bingo. All these groups welcome new people to join.

In 2015 the Hall Committee received a very generous grant from SITA Cornwall Trust to build a large kitchen extension and storage room. SITA Cornwall Trust award grants throughout Cornwall from funds generated from the Landfill Communities Fund and as the landfill site is in our parish and only a short distance from East Taphouse, we

were considered very favourably. The kitchen extension was completed at the

end of June 2016.

The Hall is equipped with tables and chairs, and has a stage that can be erected for concerts, performances etc. The kitchen is a fully equipped catering kitchen and it can easily cater for up to 70 sit-down meals or 100 buffet meals. There is free wi-fi available, which can also be picked up in the car park if your broadband at home breaks down.

The Hall Committee welcomes new ideas for activities which will generate income either by hourly rental or by raising funds for the Hall. Some suggestions that have recently been discussed are a pop-up coffee shop, pop-up lunch shop, a book exchange morning when people could drop in, bring in books, browse and choose a book whilst having coffee and cake. (Cake is important!)

**The official name of the Hall is St Pinnock Band Community Hall Association. However, we found that people were getting lost and going to the old St Pinnock School room (now a dwelling) and the committee decided that the name should be changed to East Taphouse Community Hall Home of St Pinnock Band. Although it is very important that St Pinnock Band is recognised, it is also important that potential users of the Hall and delivery people can find us easily. For people new to the area, the Hall originated from funds raised from the sale of Bethel Chapel which was owned by and was the home of St Pinnock Band.

EAST TAPHOUSE COMMUNITY HALL

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by Simon Denman

Like a faithful old shovel after numerous replacements of both handle and blade, the St Pinnock band has undergone many transformations in its 152-year history within the parish. And while its founding goal of spreading the virtues of abstinence has thankfully gone the way of the silver and lead mines at which its first members toiled, its underlying role as a cohesive force for good within the community remains as important now as it was back then.

So, in an age of instant wireless access to any music that has ever existed, what exactly is the role of a parish brass band?

Ever since our ancient ancestors gathered around the first camp fires, people have been coming closer together through the shared experience of making and listening to music. Within the band itself, players as young as nine sit shoulder to shoulder with those in their 80s. Whatever their background, education or social standing, band members find themselves united by a common passion and the desire to share this with the rest of the community.

Recently revitalised with the appointment of veteran Musical Director, David Johnson, an influx of new players - both young and old, and the acquisition of a smart new uniform, kindly donated by the band’s president, Dave Tamblyn, St. Pinnock Brass Band is now determined not only to become one of the top bands in Cornwall,

but to remain true to this key role in the community.

Having taken advantage of the stunning weather this summer with weekly Thursday evening concerts on the West Looe Quayside as well as leading the recent carnival and flora dances, the band will also be marching through Fowey for the regatta as well as taking part in the Looe Music Festival later in September.

Somewhat further afield in Porthcurno, St. Pinnock Brass Band has been chosen as an integral part of the Third Light production being staged at the Minnack Theatre between the 10th and 14th of September.

At a recent concert at the Sterts Theatre, where St. Pinnock shared the stage with Rock Choir Cornwall, one member of the audience commented, “I was expecting a small local brass band doing their best to entertain. Instead, we got blown out of our seats by a fantastic performance!”

MD David Johnson added, “With so many bands struggling right now just to get enough players, it’s exciting to see such energy and enthusiasm in a Cornish band. That’s why local concerts such as our “Music at the Quayside” series are so important - they give the local community an opportunity to enjoy and support the endeavour.”

For more information, please email info@stpinnock.band or visit the website at http://www.stpinnock.band/

ST. PINNOCK BAND

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TREVELMOND VILLAGE PUMP by Brian Jewell

If it moves, salute it, if it doesn’t …….

I think this old ‘gent’ deserves both. Finished painted today (12 July ‘18), no date of installation found during preparation. It became redundant in the mid-fifties when mains water was brought to the village. I logically believed the well was beneath it, & drainage from the trough returned to it. Yes, somewhat unsavoury, & undesirable! Upon discussion with our late Len Pearce, a few years ago, it transpired that the well was a goodly distance behind it, under the floor of what is now the kitchen, at the rear of the house on the right, & was about 8 feet deep. Maybe not a great depth compared with some, but Len found when he modernised that pair of cottages, there was so much natural spring water in the hillside, it must

have replenished easily, albeit several villagers must have drawn water from it.

During spells of dry weather, it would cease to provide; that is when we had to carry water up the hill from the chute at the bottom.

The pumping mechanism was disconnected, I don’t know when, but thankfully the box & trough was allowed to remain here & I have taken pleasure in maintaining its appearance several times since my return to the village to live 45 years ago.

TREVELMOND VILLAGE PUMP

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By John Cole. Trevelmond Chapel Steward

I have been requested to write a few notes regarding the new roof being replaced on Trevelmond Methodist Chapel. (work going on at the present time, 75% completed)

The work consists of: - 1. Replacing old broken slates with

new. 2. Reusing sound slates. 3. Replacing all the old timber with new

(treated) wood. 4. Installing insulation (never heard of

when the chapel was built in 1895 opened in 1896 for worship)

All this work will help keep the building in good working order for many years to come, and also to enhance the work already achieved!!!

For example: -

1. Pews taken out (more space & more flexibility)

2. New kitchen installed. 3. Disabled toilet fitted. 4. Serving hatch. 5. New heating, boiler etc. all under a

new extension (at the rear of the main building)

The Methodist Chapel is very central and is now used by the village for many functions other than Sunday worship. Quiz nights, Skittles (Smite Nights), Monthly Book Club, Coffee mornings / afternoons, Village Fete's, Special meals together etc.

All these things under a new roof!!!! bringing Trevelmond Community Church to the 21st Century.

PUMPKIN WALL

TREVELMOND CHAPEL

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On 28th June, SUEZ gave local residents and Parish Councillors the opportunity to see the trial shredder operation in action at Connon Bridge.

The bulky waste received at every HWRC in the county is being transported to Connon Bridge – much of it going past the door of the incinerator! After shredding it is added to the locally collected black bag waste and re-loaded for transportation to the incinerator – incurring an extra 50-plus miles round trip between Connon and St. Dennis for each load of bulky waste, going back and forth through East Taphouse. Whilst the noise levels inside the shed were in the 80dbA’s, outside it was a lot quieter.

Mattresses needed special attention as they ‘floated’ on the top of other bulky waste being fed into the shredder, so they were saved until the end of the day and fed into the shredder like slices of bread into a toaster.

Local residents were pleased to learn that SUEZ were now using tare weights in their

calculations of incoming and outgoing loads instead of putting the lorries over the weighbridge in between unloading and re-loading which necessitated the articulated lorries turning around on the public road outside the site entrance – this caused mayhem when there were queues of traffic trying to get into the site or local residents needing to go past.

The legitimacy of the planning consent being used for the shredding operation has yet to be tested – the consent states that: “The approved RDF facility shall only be utilised for the receipt and processing of municipal solid /commercial/industrial wastes originating from Cornwall's waste

collection routes …..” (i.e. collected ‘black bag’ waste). Whereas the plant is being used to shred bulky waste items taken to household waste recycling centres by members of the public.

Of course, with the ‘mouth’ size limitation at the incinerator of just 2ft. square, this still begs the as yet unanswered question as to why a shredding operation to reduce the size of the

inevitable bigger items was not incorporated into the original design of the incinerator at St. Dennis. Plymouth’s incinerator has this facility built in, so why was it overlooked at ours? It seems that the frenzied and belated rush to set up this shredding facility at Connon was a knee-jerk reaction to the realisation that the EFW plant at St. Dennis is not fit for purpose.

CONNON BRIDGE LANDFILL SITE

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It seems a long time ago that I took over

from Bernie Ellis as the Cornwall Councillor

for the Menheniot division (which includes

the parish of St Pinnock) but it’s only been

just over two years.

It has however been a very busy two years, which started with a by-election in 2016, included a standard Cornwall Council election in 2017 and some significant changes for me personally with the political group that I represent, but this note isn’t about politics today.

I consider it to be a real privilege to represent the division on Cornwall Council and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the five Parish Councils that are in my patch … especially this one of course. I have to say that St Pinnock in particular is a well-run Parish Council with a number of hard working individuals that make up a really good team and they should be applauded for the effort they put in.

I note with interest that the proposed changes to the Boundary Commission could potentially have an impact on St Pinnock and there seems to be significant resistance to this potential change. I’d like to make it clear that I fully support the Parish Council in its effort to get this proposal altered so that the whole thing remains largely the same … with a bit of luck the Commission will see sense and listen to what residents and councillors are saying.

For all the local casework that I’ve been involved in, there’s always still plenty to do. There is two and half years to go until the next council election and my main aim for

St Pinnock is to solve the ongoing problem with speeding through East Taphouse. I actually think it’s got worse in recent months and I know there’s plenty of people that are willing to help and support any action required to get this sorted.

We all know that there is a legal speed limit in place for the village which means that drivers are either unaware of it or they’re choosing to ignore it as they’re not being caught and punished. Personally, I’d like to see a combination of better and more consistent signage through the village, while also having a permanent way of catching offenders such as a speed camera

(and preferably one that works).

During my short time on Cornwall Council I’m please to say that I’ve been involved in some large-scale projects for the county which have included infrastructure projects, large scale development, the Stadium for Cornwall and most recently the Space project, all of which I feel will have a positive impact on Cornwall as a whole.

However, I always try and remember the advice that Bernie Ellis used to offer up … ‘your best work as a councillor is the work you do in the division that you represent and not down there in Truro’ … sensible advice from someone that’s still sadly missed.

If you need to get hold of me for any reason please feel to call me on 07746 815302. Thanks Phil Seeva Cornwall Councillor, Menheniot Division

PHIL SEEVA – CORNWALL COUNCILLOR, MENHENIOT DIVISION

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Drains In the olden days (and I am rather old) we had a gang of men responsible for our area – I should know, my dad was one of them! Now, a lorry will come along and pump out the drains, not do a good job and we still get flooding. So a different lorry comes along (or so it seems to me) and we still get flooding Are the actual drain pipes blocked we ask at the Parish Council? My dad and his mates knew all the drains and pipelines in our area. They did a good job, everyone knew them, so if they didn’t someone in the village would tell them - and the cost would be a lot less than the repeated visits we get now. Early one Sunday morning recently, we had a heavy rain storm. The A390 road outside Highway was flooded. Vehicles were speeding through and great waves were hitting the cottage across the road from Highway This caused damage to the cottage Are some motorists brain-dead?

Speed of traffic through the village. 30mph is often exceeded by motorists. The police speed camera comes occasionally and guess what, if I am travelling back from Liskeard I always know they are there because oncoming vehicles flash at me. There is a reason for the speed limit: we are a built-up area with many children

and elderly people crossing the road. No-one should be warned or be exceeding the 30mph limit. We are trying to get a permanent speed control of some kind The shredder for bulky waste is temporarily (????) being sited at the landfill site, bringing lorries from all over Cornwall. I think we

have had enough of Cornwall’s rubbish coming through our village and what a waste of money bringing it all the way from west Cornwall to here.

If you get annoyed about things like this, please come to your Parish Council meetings. If more people complain, there is a small chance that Cornwall Council might take more notice of us.

CAROL SPEAR – CHAIR, ST. PINNOCK PARISH COUNCIL

Things that annoy your parish council chairman

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Have you sent your views to the Boundary Commission yet? It is not too late – the closing date is 17th September. The map to the right is the proposal that the Parish Council is supporting which keeps us aligned with Liskeard and district, rather than annexing us to Lostwithiel. It is one of Cornwall Council’s earlier proposals – before they became embroiled in their quest to achieve exactly equal electorate sizes! It also overcomes the problem with the Liskeard Town Council’s proposal which was to ‘swap’ Lanreath with us – and (understandably) upset Lanreath.

Whilst the PostHorn does not know the exact circumstances of the accident on 15th July at the A390/Highway junction which closed the road for over 4 hours, it is understood that speed was not a contributory factor.

However, the question of traffic speeding through East Taphouse has once again been raised. So, it is most surprising to see that the Community Speed Watch figures for 2017/18, each taken over a one-hour period do not appear to substantiate this – it can only be assumed that their high-viz jackets and radar camera have a

significant calming effect on the day, or traffic going the other way is warning oncoming vehicles!

THAT DAMNED BOUNDARY COMMISSION AGAIN!

COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH

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by Barbara Tamblyn Connon Chapel was built in 1865. Local Christians who had been holding services in a farmer’s barn felt inspired to build a permanent place to worship. A plot of land, known as Fisher’s Field, became available and stones from a nearby quarry were used to build a plain hall. It was furnished with painted wooden seats.

On completion many families brought their children to worship. On the first anniversary in 1866, a turf platform was built against the road hedge from which open-air services were conducted, with children reciting verses and singing hymns.

A Sunday School was needed and young local men volunteered to each give a day’s wages to make a start. The Sunday School was an extension of the main Chapel and made a useful addition. The roof was made of corrugated iron but the first severe storm blew it off and deposited it in nearby Hurlands yard. A permanent slate roof was laid, which is still there today.

The Sunday School Anniversary celebrations continued for many years, followed by a weeknight service and a delicious tea prepared by the ladies. The children especially looked forward to the annual outing to Newquay by coach. In the early days a horse and wagon used to transport the children to Looe.

Connon joined the new Wesleyan Reform Circuit with other local chapels. This administration continued for many years until this Circuit was dissolved and Connon was taken over by the Methodists at Liskeard.

Over the years as founder members passed to their eternal glory, it became necessary to enclose a portion of ground for a cemetery. Another addition was the stable building. Most walked to Chapel but others came by pony and trap. The horses were tied up in the stables during the service.

Over the years many good Christian people were called to be leaders and Sunday School teachers. A choir was formed, bible study classes took place and many of the young men became local preachers.

The Band of Hope was a celebration looked forward to. Every Good Friday people came from a wide area to

march from Bethel to Connon behind the Band of Hope Banner and St Pinnock Band and then enjoyed a sumptuous tea at Connon.

Thanks to the generosity of the Knapman Family who gave the land, a new Sunday School room adjoining the old building was built, the cemetery extended and a car park created. The building was used for Sunday School and is a pleasant function room used for Chapel events and by other organisations. It was also used for worship when extensive repairs were carried out in the main Chapel.

Today descendants of the original founders still worship at Connon together with many new friends.

A warm welcome awaits those who wish to join us for Sunday morning services at 9.30 am. The Chapel door is always open during the day and we invite you to enter and use the quiet surroundings for private prayer and contemplation.

CONNON CHAPEL

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By

By Brian Jewell Further to my memories of growing up in Doubleboise, (1947 – 1954) The thought that comes to mind is, what a high degree of freedom we had in our activities at that time. We could visit the station. We were never told that we ‘shouldn’t be there ‘. On one day, the shunting engine was busy. The engine driver invited us two boys to take a ride on the engine. We went up line to the cross over points & back again on the down line. Thrilling is the word I choose!

Another memory is of two men staying a few nights in their caravan like rail car on the small siding behind the waiting room on the down side. Their job was to operate a tamping machine. It’s function being to plunge a paddle down both sides of a sleeper & then vibrate them to compact the ground beneath it. We would brazenly go on to the track with them! It was quite daunting when a train passed. They appeared to be so huge! These men showed us how they could wet their finger with methylated sprit & light it!

Occasionally I would have the audacity to take the short cut to the mill via the line crossing point at the end of the platform & on under the bridge & past the cattle pens. The freedom to do this was probably because no-one saw me doing it! But then, confidence nearly exceeded common sense! After a train ride from Liskeard one evening I thought I’d be clever. Instead of going with the others up the long sloping path to the road & over the bridge, I would cross the line & get home first! It was dark, and the drop in level from the platform to the board walk …… I was suddenly confronted by this huge beast of an engine, which had

stopped just short of the walk way. How soon would it move? That settled it, the unknown factor! I went back & followed the others.

At the other end of the platforms there was another board walk. From the up side it led to another much larger sidings, running towards Treburgie. Put there in war time to handle munitions I think. My recollection of it is when it was stacked out with redundant rail sleepers. Hundreds of them. They could be bought for 2 shillings …. or 10 pence! When cut into 8” lengths, it made chopping for fire lighting sticks so, so easy! I know because that was my job at home! We did discover one day that we could access the railway from the woodland down line and as it was just around the bend, we couldn’t be seen from the mill. Apart from walking on the rail and keeping balance or putting something on it for a train to run over, like a small piece of ballast stone or a penny coin, there wasn’t much of interest to make us go there again. We concluded that stones got crushed and the penny we couldn’t find again! We had no fear of any trains catching us unaware, ever confident we would hear & see any coming our way!

We were intrigued by one discovery. Just where the woodland started beyond the field between the main road & the railway, was an outlet of a drainage tunnel. A 4-foot concrete pipe that came out of the bank below the railway. This ran underground for a short distance & where it ended the tunnel angled sharply upward & now stone built. It levelled out several feet up but we never had the courage to climb up & see where it went.

“DOUBLEBOIS WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP IN” - cont’d

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Restoration of Connon Bridge Landfill

Our dedication to Cornwall’s natural landscape means we are already working with a locally based ecology consultancy, Code7 Consulting, to develop a biodiversity focussed plan for the restoration of Connon Bridge landfill site.

Our consultants have found evidence of natural regeneration of a number of habitats, most notably of wet willow woodland and wet grassland. We are therefore seeking to revise the current restoration scheme, which is mainly agricultural fields, to work with nature to create more valuable wet willow woodland habitats across the landfill site to mirror those that have established well on Old Connon, thereby improving biodiversity benefits.

As the site begins to be restored we should see the following key habitats emerging:

1. Wet willow woodland with wildflower and grassland glades

2. Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

3. Open water/ponds 4. Wetland 5. Hedges 6. Existing agricultural fields

The unused landfill footprint is proposed to be used as an attenuation pond so that rain falling on the landfill is directed to the pond and allowed to make its way from there to the stream more gradually than it otherwise would in times of high rainfall. This pond could also provide great biodiversity benefits.

The environmental management infrastructure and quality of soils available for restoration at the site lend themselves better to this type of woodland and glade restoration and we plan to open discussions on the revised proposals with planning and other council officers later this year.

SUEZ Recycling and Recovery

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The Trevelmond Torpedo! By Cate Gaskain

Of all the things we have done in Trevelmond over the last few years this one has created some of the biggest smiles and certainly the biggest laughs. We’ve had curry nights and Italian food nights, quizzes and Smite nights (Smite is a game a bit like skittles) in the chapel, a Paella get together, Beer and Wine tasting and Horse Race evenings in people’s houses and been part of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Research but none of these compare to a bunch of fools hurtling down a hill on wobbly wheels.

Lanhydrock House has for the last 8 years, held a Dilly Cart Race day in the park land just outside the front gate house. Nigel has often thought it would be a fun thing to do, so this year having found the basics for a possible chassis he decided to invite the village, friends and neighbors, to help build and decorate a cart and on race day get together for a picnic.

With lots of help from John Cole an old quad bike frame was adapted. The original seat was removed and a new one added in a lower position (a small piece of wood!) and the steering height adjusted. Any and all spare weight was chopped off with lots of loud cutting and sparks flying, welding gear flashing, small foot plates were added, the wheels freed up and the brakes mended. This dilly was no slouch! it even had suspension to smooth out some of the bumps on the race track. Test runs were done through the village down Back’ill (typing the proper Back Hill just doesn’t sound right!). The brakes were great but no match for the steepness of the hill on a damp evening and Nigel couldn’t slow

enough to make the corner and almost ended up in the hedge. The video taken for the Trevelmond and St. Pinnock community page has been watched over 290 times, there is it seems nothing more fun than fools whizzing down a hill almost unable to stop!

Liz Wagner helped with painting it while Margaret Cole and I had the two most important tasks of all...tea and flag making, even finding time to open a packet of biscuits.

Race day dawned dry and sunny and the Trevelmond Torpedo was loaded in the back of Nigel’s van. The staff at Lanhydrock took one look at the creation and everyone thought it brilliant, that it would fly down the course. But looking around we saw some amazing creations that all had one thing in common, large circumference slim wheels and we had wide and squat ones -our confidence but not our smiles were knocked.

THE TREVELMOND TORPEDO! – 10th June

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The other teams had really gone to town with their inventions and decorations some including fancy dress costumes. There was even a toilet! yes, a lavatory with a raised cistern, flush chain and a roll of paper that unrolled itself in the breeze as it raced down the hill. This went on to win the most votes for best or most fun design.

Racing down the bumpy hill youngsters with too little body weight to get any real momentum going were helped along by parents running behind them giving a handy shove as needed. These amazing parents literally ran the course each time the children had a turn, running full tilt down an inclined bumpy field, Mummies and Daddies alike all huffing and puffing but laughing and smiling... LOTS! It really is a fun day out for all.

The Torpedo supporters (there were a dozen of us), set up camp about half way down the race track. With picnics, blankets and chairs we sat in the long grass with butterflies flitting passed. As each competitor rumbled, bounced or flew passed we cheered them all on. Finally came the grown-ups (in years only) it was nearly time for the Torpedo to fly! Adults squashed into carts made for their children, with long adult legs dangling over the sides. Some lying almost flat looking like an entry in a winter Olympic sledge event.

Sadly the Trevelmond Torpedo was more of a crawling slug than a racing machine and eventually came a long way down in the finishing times but even so the silly smile created when bumbling down a hill on a sunny day while your friends and neighbours are cheering you on was well worth it and to cap it all Nigel has a medal for taking part.

We all had a blast and can’t wait for next year!

Plans are already being made for 2019, the Torpedo will run again with a few adaptations. It might go faster but who minds if it doesn’t? and if the ground is damper next year it might stand a better chance. I’ve also noticed a disturbing pile of old bike wheels growing in the corner of our garage and I’ve heard talk of a bath tub, Nigel is definitely up to something!

Cart Building by John Cole

Although I am not a person who now lives in the village of Trevelmond, I lived there in my formative years 4-30 until I got married. I left and now live in Dobwalls with my wife, our children all grown up, left home and live with their spouses. I fondly look upon Trevelmond as my “home” as I visit frequently calling in on my Father who resides at Aldwyn House and to various chapel/village events.

At one of these said events I was asked if I would like to help build a ‘Dilly Cart’ for Trevelmond’s entry in the Dilly Cart Race at Lanhydrock. My interest was sparked and so off to my friend Nigel’s I went, on one of the specified dates to lend a hand in making this Cart. I found out later that I could not attend the race as I was already committed to

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something else on this date. I was very disappointed but I could help to build it. Nigel had already got a base and wheels, so we were half way towards it, it just needed some alterations and modifications. Knowing I could not attend the race, Nigel was to be the driver, as he was (and is) lighter than me, this was always going to be the case. All the alterations and modifications were made to custom fit for him. We set about the base grinding off surplus metal, to make it lighter and adding a seat. Bending with heat the steering, welding foot plates to fit Nigel’s specifications. After a few days it started to take shape. We were then concerned about the overall weight and wether it would stay within the rules set out by Lanhydrock, so before we put the finishing touches to it (i.e. painting and adding a flag etc.) off we went to Nigel’s brother to have it weighed on his machine. With the weight and Nigel’s weight combined it was well inside the limits with some to spare. Then we set about painting it and adding the flag of St.Pirran with the words Trevelmond Tornado written in the middle.

Making this Cart brought back many childhood memories for me, of making Trolleys and Carts and racing them through the village (not so many cars around back then). When we built the finished product of course we had to try it out, so off we went for several trial runs down the hills in the village. Cate (Nigel’s partner) filmed these episodes for the village Facebook page and great fun was had by all. Unfortunately, like I said earlier I could not attend the race itself but I had great hopes for it. On the day of the race Cate informed me of the outcome. To say I was disappointed is

very much an understatement. The poor Trevelmond Torpedo was more like the Trevelmond Trundler, not quite coming last but not worrying the winner either. Never the less it was fun helping construct this cart and we have learnt a lot for next time. Like I said earlier it brought back many fun childhood memories of us boys racing our trolleys and carts through the village. Also making new friends in Nigel and Cate along the way.

Dilly Race by Brian Jewel,

I can’t help feeling that term is very much a misnomer! My memories of a Dilly Cart are of a four wheeled unit for transporting milk churns! Nevertheless, in this context describing a home-made unit with wheels. What Nigel constructed with valuable help from John, but not me, (I forgot about it!) was a superb piece of work that on sight impressed and was envied by others. But as we discovered on the day at Lanhydrock not fit for purpose! The grass track soon proved the need for large narrow wheels, like the bicycle wheels used on virtually all other units competing. Sadly, Nigel had chosen small wide wheels which in any other situation may have worked well. Race day proved be very entertaining watching all the competitors, and educational as to what worked best.

DILLY CART RACE by Elaine Mutton.

Although we are very familiar with Lanhydrock House and parkland it was the first time we had attended the annual Dilly Cart race. Nigel first suggested entering a community cart at one of the Trevelmond Community meetings earlier in the year. He had already gathered together various items to piece together in the grand design.

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With the help of a few skilled others his dream soon became reality with updates on our facebook page along with hilarious video footage of the test drives. All topped off with a customised St.Piran flag of course. The entrants had to be at the car park early so that their carts could be taken by trailer down to the starting line. Apparently, the marshals gasped in amazement as they saw Trevelmond's entry being wheeled out of the van, resplendent in red complete with shock absorbers and disc brakes! It was a beautiful sunny day and the spectators mixed with visitors to the house as we wandered down to the start. Two wide tracks had been cut from the top of the parkland down the historic park with people gathered on each side to cheer their respective teams or individuals. The Trevelmond group of friends and family were half way down so we settled in with our picnics to enjoy the scenery, good food, views across the Fowey valley and of course the Dilly carts.

What an array of designs there were, from the super-go faster stripes built aerodynamically around bicycles to the crowd's favourite, the toilet on wheels, complete with high-level cistern and flowing toilet roll!!

The first two competitors waited patiently at the top of the park on purpose built wooden ramps which helped them gain momentum quickly. The first run for each dilly cart was a practice. At the bottom of the track each cart was loaded onto a trailer and transported back to the start ready for the next heat. Two timed runs then followed one on each of the tracks.

The heats were divided into age groups for the children and then on to adults. This enabled all age groups to take part and some families shared the dilly with say a different family member in each race.

We were very proud as we saw Nigel taking position and we all cheered madly as he majestically went past. Perhaps not the fastest entrant, but certainly the most robust with definite attention to detail.

At the end we all had to vote for our favourite dilly. Of course, the toilet-entry and was well-deserved as far as novelty was concerned.

We may not have won, but it was a great community project and although not all of us are budding engineers, we certainly made up for it with enthusiasm and encouragement on the day.

A great day out, originally started as a Father's Day event, and I am sure Nigel is already sourcing and drafting his design for next year.

Editor: Doug Mills 01579 320015 stpinnockposthorn@btinternet.com http://posthorn.btck.co.uk/

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