News

With it’s quirky sculptures, hidden pathways, ponds and woodland, Tanglewood Wild Garden, Newbridge was a very interesting destination for this month’s Camera Club outing. It’s a fascinating place to visit, with something to offer for all ages, and a great little tea hut if you want to stop for refreshments, or just take a picnic and find your own tranquil little corner.

The sun shone as our Coffee Beans group set off on the open topped bus for St Ives. On arriving, there were plenty of free seats at the outside tables, so tea, coffee, teacakes and tapas were all ordered and enjoyed before a leisurely stroll along the seafront. It was at this pont that the rain started…. and my, it rained! The shops did well out of it, with everyone diving in for cover and being tempted, before a dash back to the bus station, via the Pedn Olva of course for more coffee!

This month a group of us and some guests joined Shirley Battle for a walking tour with  Bert Biscoe. We wandered around the centre of Truro learning about the history and characters of Cornwall’s capital.

Bert is a poet, songwriter, local councillor, historian and a Bard of Gorsedh Kernow.  He represented Truro for over 20 years on Cornwall Council and held a range of offices, from Chairman of the Board of Cornwall Enterprise Co, to Cabinet member for different portfolios. 

As he took us around the city he informed and entertained us with the stories of the rogues and heroes that have shaped Truro. We learn that sometimes these are one in the same depending on whose viewpoint you saw them from. We learn of Truro’s rich trading past and the story of the city through is changing landscape and architecture. With his unique story telling ability and great poems we all left vowing to return for another adventure with Bert. Should you wish to join one of his tours contact him via visittruro@truro.gov.uk  .

This month’s Meet and Eat met up at Trevenson Restaurant, Camborne College. Members enjoyed a choice of starters and mains including goats cheese and basil arancini ,wild mushroom veloute, minute steak, lemon sole and tomato and tofu tartlet. For dessert we were spoilt for choice with key lime pie, sacher torte and pear and almond tart.Our next lunch is at Tremeneere Gardens on Wednesday June 1st.

We were very lucky that our painting workshop was on a lovely sunny day and able to be out in Hazel’s garden. We started with a copy of a sea scape collage we were to base out paintings on, to give us inspiration, and encouraged to interpret in our own way. We were provided with a prepared canvass, brushes, acrylic paint and a collection of sand, shells, and all the bits needed to create our own seascape. We were a very mixed group, some who paint and those who hadn’t picked up a brush since school days. With the encouragement and tuition, given by Hazel and Val Stevens, we all finished the day with a picture we felt pleased with, and probably a bit surprised with what we had achieved. A very enjoyable day for all. We are looking forward to the next one.  (Val P)

…..you might see our Camera Club, taking photos of the beautiful spring bluebells, wild garlic, and a myriad of textures and colours of spring. Or you might spot Sue having a quick go on the rope swing…..

Our book Murder on Mustique was recommended by a member of another WI who thoroughly enjoyed it.  Some of our members found it a pleasant read whilst others were not very keen.  Anne Glenconner is a relatively new author – her first book was her autobiography, which some of our members had read and preferred to the book we were reading.

The story is based around the island of Mustique in the Caribbean (in fact this island was bought by the author and her husband the late Colin Tennant and developed into a paradise island for the rich and famous).

Storm Cristabel is about to descend on the island so most of the villa owners have disappeared back to their homes.  There are still a handful of thrill seekers staying on the island and one of those is Amanda Fortini who went bathing one morning never to return.  Lily, the god daughter of Lord and Lady Blake (the people who developed the island) lived on the island and was very upset by the disappearance of her friend Amanda. There was only one policeman Nile Soloman on the island and he contacted Lady Blake (Vee to her friends ) who flew back straight away before the storm arrived. Vee had a friend a Philip Everard (a handsome young film actor in his day but now past the best of his looks) who had a villa on the island and had stayed despite the storm warning.   A large speed boat had arrived recently in the bay with two men on board – these men were often dashing around the bay on jet skis.  Nile tried to get a warrant to search the boat but his superior on the island of St. Vincent kept turning him down.

Vee threw herself into organising a special coming of age birthday party for Lily but when another person disappeared she decided to investigate matters for herself.     Whilst the birthday party was in full swing on the beach Vee was captured and taken out to the boat.  The sea was tumultuous but Nile and Lily worried as they could not find Vee and fearing she had been taken out to the boat, went out in their respective boats to the speed boat.  Despite the big waves Nile manages to clamber abroad the boat.   In the meantime Vee has been locked in a cabin but has the forethought to find a ‘weapon’ which she uses when someone comes back to the cabin and she locks him in.  She explores the other cabins and finds evidence which relates to Philip.   In the meantime Nile after being given specific information, dives to the bottom of the sea and finds bodies wrapped in tarpaulin anchored to the shore. Apparently, Lily’s Mum (who was a marine conservationist working in and around Mustique to restore the coral) had disappeared many years ago.  Lily had followed in her Mum’s footsteps working with the marine life on the island.  Philip apparently had a grudge against the family due to being rebuked by Lily’s Mum.  After the necessary arrests all ended well with Nile and Lily walking off into the sunset. (Pat G)

Report by our President, Wendie:

There are so many different clubs and activities for CLWI members every month that even as president I don’t always make it to them all but this month it was my great pleasure to join the coffee beans group in  Porthleven. With my mother and her guide dog, we met the members who had for a change travelled on the bus together. We started with a walk around the town to pick the cafe with the best coffee and seating for us all Harbourview then provided the opportunity for a lively chat whilst drinking our coffee and eating delicious cakes. Most members followed this with a further walk around the shops and sites before meeting up again for some lunch. For myself, a trip to Curio Gin and an essential purchase rounded off a great meet up. This was a lovely way to spend a morning and I will certainly be joining them again.

The Living Well group met at Murley Hall for their April Meeting. This month the topic was breathing. During her talk Kathy covered such topics as the difference between breathing and respiration and mouth breathing versus nose breathing. The talk was full of interesting facts. Did you know we take 25,000 breaths a day? That U.S. Navy Seals do breathing exercises before going into battle? Or the way we breathe has deteriorated through history?

Members also learnt how doing Sudarshan Kriya breathing classes had changed the life of James Nestor. He was so impressed by the the improvement in health and mental well-being that he researched the topic and wrote a book.

        Breath:The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor (Penguin Life £16.99)

 The group then did exercises for improving balance. This included the dreaded squats and heel to toe walking which had a few of the members wobbling about. The session ended with a lovely short relaxing meditation, and of course, tea and biscuits. 

‘Remember, as long as you are breathing, it’s never too late to start a new beginning.’ (anon)

Members were delighted to welcome David Hunter and Shazz Andrews to the Murley Hall to listen to the story of Penlee Park Theatre, past, present and future. This unique open air theatre is situated in Penlee Park, Penzance and has been described in the press as the ‘Little Treasure Behind the Hedge’ due to it’s secluded location, often unknown to even local folk. Originally opened in 1948 to celebrate the Festival of Britain, and showcasing only Shakespeare plays , the theatre now performs to around 12,000 people annually with a vast and varied programme that in 2022 includes Gin and Jazz, The Mikado and even (somewhat surprisingly) Ben Hur. Read more HERE