News

On Wednesday March 8th WI members from all over Cornwall met at the Penventon Hotel to celebrate International Womens Day

The afternoon started with tasty sandwiches and delicious scones with generous amounts of clotted cream.T his was followed by Ther sweet treats.

After tea members enjoyed a talk given by Dr Lesley Trotter about the contribution made by women living in or from Cornwall. It was fascinating to hear their stories and learn of their many achievements.

If members would like to know more, Lesley has written two books that may be of interest based on her research.

One of our most popular sub-groups, Meet and Eat, had a lovely lunch at the 18th Century Watermill pub and restaurant at Lelant Downs. Next month they are off to the Fire Engine Inn in Marazion. See Karen if you would like to join them.

These pretty matching sets of paper and envelope were the latest creative crafts made at Gail’s Craft Club. This sub group meets monthly at the Sainsbury’s Community Room to try out a variety of crafting activities, some familiar and some new. The next project that the group will be trying is Tunisian Crochet. Contact Gail or the committee if you would like to come along.

Despite the weather there was a good turnout for the second walk around Penzance led by Mary.  

We saw areas of historical interest and visited vantage points to see the wonderful views across Penzance and Mounts Bay.  As usual we  had a beak for lunch and sampled the local food  before continuing the tour.

Mary’s research and knowledge of the changes in the area made this a very enjoyable and interesting walk.  Thank you Mary. (Shirley)

Our members were enthralled by this month’s speaker, Richard Cockram, from Newlyn Tidal Observatory. Richard explained the history of the Observatory and measuring ‘sea level’. He was also able to show the significance of this in our understanding of the effects of climate change, and how this has been demonstrated by rising sea levels over the last 20 years.

Good food and good company, what more could you ask for on a gloomy February Day? Our Meet and Eat sub-group met at The 200 year old Mexico Inn in Longrock for their latest lunch, to chat and enjoy the varied and interesting menu.

An enthusiastic group met at The Queen’s Hotel to discuss our latest book ‘Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason’. It is a book based on the mental health issues of a 17 year girl Martha ( when her symptoms first became apparent).  To her life was always so very difficult to live. The book opens with her second husband Patrick walking away from their marriage due to her very unreasonable behaviour – something he had endured for years as he loved her very much.    He had a very busy job, a consultant in emergency medicine, and had been very patient with Martha who made life very difficult. A lot of her time when she was not in a ‘good place’ would be spent under a desk in her father’s study or in bed crying. From time to time, she did hold down jobs in the publishing world. Her home background was a very dysfunctional one, Dad a poet and Mum an alcoholic sculptor of recycled items. Her Mother was always throwing parties – a very hectic lifestyle. Over the years Martha had visited several psychiatrists and due to the medication she was prescribed, advised not to have children. Martha’s sister, Ingrid, on the other hand had no problems in having children and Martha tried to avoid little contact with them, although her sister was very concerned for Martha and did try to help her.    

Her first marriage failed after a very short time and whilst visiting her Mother’s sister, who had married into money and always gave the most wonderful Christmases,  Martha and Patrick got together and married.   By accident Martha became pregnant and was very unhappy that she would have to abort her child – especially as she felt Patrick with no siblings, would have liked children. She was saved from having to go through the agony of an abortion as she lost the baby who she had named Flora – determined it was going to be a girl. Whilst at a social event with Patrick friends, she met a girl who she bonded with and discovered her husband was a psychiatrist.   She made an appointment (did not tell anyone and went to see him).     She found him to be so accepting of her.    He told her exactly what was her problem, prescribed medication.   Martha did ask what happened if she became pregnant, he said that would not be a problem, he has many clients who have had babies with no problems.   This lifted her but she did not tell Patrick but he said he knew as he saw the tablet packet lying around.  After this life became very hard for her and Patrick and he finally walked out.

Martha’s moods did appear to settle down and she found life was not so difficult, became friends with her Mum who told her she had this particular condition, it was inherited. After a while with Martha living back with her parents  Patrick  contacted her asking to have some of his furniture which had been placed in storage. She met Patrick at the installation – they had taken out the bean bags and were busy sitting and chatting – Martha said she had to go but did not realise she had left her diary. Once she did realise, she quickly headed back to the storage unit only to find Patrick still there having read her diary. He was still very much in love with Martha and they decided to get back together with Martha now seeming so calm, badly wanting to have his baby.

The author Meg Mason only refers to Martha’s condition with ‘dashes’ in the book so the reader has to make up their own mind as to the exact name of her condition. As a reader I felt certain that the author herself, had suffered similar experiences with mental illness but no it was a topic she wanted to write about and one must assume she read many casebooks on the subject to write as she  did. Some of the members felt it was a harrowing read but others, who read to the end, enjoyed the storytelling and gave it 8/9s. The overall average was 40.5%.

I think the book needs to be read to understand the full story. There is a film to be made on this! (Pat G)

The smiles say it all. What a lovely morning was had by members who came along to our first Coffee morning Meeting of 2023. With a range of delicious cakes to choose from and early daffodils on the tables, The Murley Hall was full of smiles, chatter and friendship.

Our Camera Club subgroup like to get out and about once a month to different locations where they can practise their photography skills. Using phones or tablets as well as cameras everyone can work to improve their own photos. This month, on a rare dry day, Tehidy Woods was the destination. With the starkness of the trees against the winter sky, interesting reflections in the water and plenty of wildlife too there was plenty of variety of subject matter.

By tradition our January monthly meeting has been a celebration of Ludgvan Feast. This year we welcomed Eloise and Ellen from Leach Pottery in St Ives. Members were intrigued to hear tales of Bernard Leach and how he became a renowned potter, and especially enjoyed making their own ‘pinch pots’. Cheese scones made by our own Diane, saffron buns and traditional mead and apple juice were provided as refreshments for the evening. A rousing rendition of the Cornish Anthem, Trelawny rounded off the festivities. Members were asked to bring in donations for Penzance Foodbank, and a car full of tins, cartons and non-perishable items was duly delivered to a thankful CITPA.