Author: crowlasludgvanwi

The book chosen was ‘Caught out in Cornwall by Janie Bolitho’.  Janie was a local author born in Falmouth in 1950 and died 2002.   She delved into her knowledge of the local area, especially around the Newlyn, Marazion, Penzance district.  She had many jobs before becoming a full time author; a psychiatric nurse, debt collector, working for a tour company, bookmaker’s clerk just some of jobs she tried before becoming a successful author.

Caught out in Cornwall was set in the Penwith area of Cornwall and it’s a cold November afternoon on the beach at Marazion overlooking St. Michael’s Mount with a particularly choppy sea.    A distress flare goes up from a yacht in the bay, artist Rose Trevelyan alerts the coastguard and soon a small group has gathered to watch the rescue in progress.   With the raining coming down in sheets, Rose is concerned to see a small girl wandering around on her own.   Her fears are soon allayed as she is picked up and taken to the safety of the car park.   The little girl did put her hands up to the main who picked her up.    Her relief is short lived as a young mother cannot find her daughter and she fits the description of the child Rose saw.    Little Beth Jones is only 4 years old.   Her Mum is adamant that the man taking the little girl away must be a stranger as her father hasn’t seen her since she was a baby.   

Rose was mystified as the little girl seemed to trust and know her abductor.    As an artist she is trained to observe and she is sure of what she saw but now fears she made the wrong decision.   Racked with guilt for not intervening  feels she has to help in any way she can think of but as time passes the prospects of getting Beth back unharmed begin to look very bleak.

Many of the Book Club members felt there were far too many characters in this story – it is a light, quick read and does have a twist at the end.

Our walking group had a lovely walk on a breezy morning to he beautiful, historic site of Sancreed Beacon. Believed to have been inhabited as long ago as the Bronze Age, and set 172 metres above sea level here are breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and on to Mount’s Bay. Now owned and managed by Cornwall Heritage Trust you can read more about it from the link below:

Sancreed Beacon

It was a glorious spring day for our outing to Caerhayes Castle. The gardens were at their absolute best with some magnificent magnolias, azaleas and early rhododendrons, while the grassy banks were smothered in primoses and bluebells. After an al fresco lunch in the courtyard we had a guided tour of the ground floor of the castle, which included being taken through a door hidden in panelling, into a room with a huge collection of mineral samples.

April 2025 marks 25 years since Crowlas and Ludgvan WI was created. In celebration a beautiful cake was made and decorated by two of the founding members, Ann Tilly and Pat Gloyn, shown above with current President Chris Phillips.

With beautiful Spring Sunshine the doors stayed open and cheerful birdsong serenaded members at the April Coffee Morning. There were delicious hot bacon rolls and cake to eat alongside the tea and coffee, and friends enjoyed the chance to catch up.

It was a glorious afternoon for the Snapper’s April outing. Cape Cornwall, or more precisely Priest’s Cove, was chosen for it’s stunning scenery and varied fishing boats and equipment dotted around the cove. The group worked on keeping their horizons straight as they looked out to sea and getting interesting compositions from the stone and boats.

Elfrida Phillips loves her life in the pretty Hampshire village of Dibton.    She has a tiny cottage, her faithful dog Horace and the friendship of the neighbouring Blundells, particularly Oscar a very talented musician – to ensure that her days include companionship as well as independence .    She goes away for a few weeks to spend time with friends but on her return an unforeseen tragedy upsets Elfrida’s tranquility:  Oscar’s wife and beloved daughter Francesca are killed in a terrible car accident.     Oscar finds himself homeless when his stepchildren claim their dead mother’s inheritance and puts his home up for sale.

Oscar and Elfrida take refuge in a rambling house in Scotland – half owned by Oscar and his cousin.    The house becomes a magnet for various waifs and strays who converge upon it.    Carrie, Elfrida’s niece has returned from Austria at the end of an ill-fated affair with a married man only to find her mother and sister sharing  a home and squabbling endlessly.      With Christmas approaching, Carrie agrees to look after her sister’s awkward and quiet daughter Lucy so that her mother might enjoy a romantic fling in America.   Lucy’s grandmother has her own plans for Christmas and these do not include Lucy.  Carrie approaches her Aunt and is invited to spend Christmas in Scotland.

Sam Howard is also trying to pull back his life after his wife has left him for another.    He has returned from America without a home or job, but he has been offered the opportunity of a job in Scotland.   He makes his way to Scotland and on his way to his new work area, takes the opportunity to  look at a house which Oscar’s cousin (whom he had recently met socially) says he is going to sell.  The house in which Oscar and Elfrida have taken up residence.        The snow fall has been particularly heavy whilst he is at the house and no transport is able move because of the blocked roads – hence he is offered a bed which leads on to him becoming part of the Christmas party.

The outcome is predictable – somehow Christmas weaves its magical spell and for Elfrida and Oscar, in the evening of their lives, the wintering solstice brings love and solace.”

The members scored the book an 8 – although very predictable, a jolly cosy read.

If you would like to join our Book Club Meetings please see Pat G. The books for the following months are listed below:

March              Frankie by Graham Norton

April                 Persuasion by Jane Austen

May                 All the colours of the dark by Chris Whittaker

June                Orbital by Samantha Harvey

July                  The other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Emma, aka The Lady Time Traveller, paid a visit to the Murley Hall to instruct members on how to dress as a fashionable lady from the 1880s. From the voluminous cotton chemise, laced corset, layers of petticoats, and so on, to the elegant silk skirt and close fitted bodice, topped off with a stylish hat, the story of the ensemble came to life with Emma’s knowledgeable stories of the history of costume.

We rounded off the 2024 festivities with a ‘Strictly’ themed Christmas party. With our special guest, local dance teacher Debbie, everyone had a chance to learn a few steps and try them out. Well done to Wendie for organising the evening, and to Pat for making sure the buffet was plentiful and delicious. Wishing all of our members, friends and families a very happy Christmas.

Crowlas and Ludgvan WI were invited to decorate a tree for Crowlas Methodist Church’s first Christmas Tree Festival. Using paper, felt, fabric, foam, clay, dishcloths, sponges, wool and heaps of imagination our creative group did a fantastic job.