Gwennap Parish NewsletterAn Blu Lann-Wennap Derivadow

Christmas 2009Issue 10

Serving Gwennap Parish

Merry Christmas !!Firstly, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all ! Issue 10 may well get blown out of your letterbox by the wind if you don‟t retrieve it quickly but here it is and it‟s packed full of interesting and useful stuff. Thanks for your continued suggestions and offerings – please keep them coming as we are only as good as our content and we need YOUto give us information on events and local issues.

gwennapcouncil@btinternet.comAlan Blamey, Clerk 01872 864601

Your Parish Website – www.gwennap-parish.netWe have recently been adding more useful information to the parish website. As well as being able to download this newsletter, we have now made available all the minutes of the Parish Council meetings as far back as October 2001. We aim to have all the most up to date information published here including details about your Parish Councillors, and any upcoming events.

The website also contains a small potted history of the parish. We would like to improve this and would be very pleased to receive any more details about the parish that you might have. We would also like to show photos of your favourite views from around the area.

Please get in touch if there is anything you would like to see added to the site.

In this issue…• Chairman's News• Parish News• Christmas Walk• Local News• Environment• Social Events• Lots of other exciting stuff !!!

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Receive this Newsletter by email and reduce the „green‟ burden – send an email with “News” in the Subject: box to editor@gwennap-parish.net

How times change...2 gallons of petrol for 12.5p !!

Thanks to Alan Jory for the invoice

Parish Council News2

Chairman’s overviewMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all on the Parish Council.

Dogged determination, stamina, a clear vision and absolute commitment to the community are true qualities in a single person. To find them in a group of people is refreshing indeed. Crofthandy Village Hall Committee have exhibited these qualities over several years and now their work is coming to fruition. The pictures that you can see on the next page show what they will achieve in the provision of a village hall for Crofthandy. Well done all. We hope to bring you updates on the progress of the project over the next few months.It has been a difficult year for many people so I hope that next year brings better circumstance. Over this year the Parish Council has continued to do its best for the community. Looking over reports from other councils it is clear that ours runs relatively smoothly despite occasional times when difficult situations have to be addressed. This year we have continued our push to maintain our community facilities, such as the Playing Field, footpaths and other facilities. The website and newsletter continue to be well received and are well supported by advertisers and contributors. Real progress has been made in reducing the number of illegal motor vehicles on footpaths and bridleways and we look forward to receiving the final Environment Agency report on Wheal Maid in due course. Clearly we do still have a problem with damage caused by illegal vehicles. We are also starting to see vandalism perpetrated by other users of Wheal Maid and are taking steps to mitigate this. The proposed development of Parish Rooms at the Playing Field has now reached the stage where the Parish Council is evaluating tenders received. The intention was to commence work in early January – this might still be possible, but a funding issue and some technical details need resolving first. If there is a delay, it could affect the start of the Car Boot events. More on this in our next issue, due out in early March. Many thanks to those of you who have provided us with old photographs for reproducing in the Newsletter. We can‟t squeeze them all in this issue, but will use them in future editions. Keep them coming, comments received suggest they are a popular item. Fundamentally we live in a relatively secure and beautiful environment and the Parish Council will continue to work to promote this in 2010. Regards, Kevin Furnish (Chairman)

Liz Smith 01209 820455

Crofthandy and Village Hall Project3

Crofthandy Village Hall

It seems at times that nothing at all is happening, no forward direction everything grinds to a halt. It has been one of those difficult phases, but I believe we are about to move on at last. The plans have now met with the Parish Council approval and we wait for County Planning to do the same. We have made some agreed alterations to the original plans on the recommendation of the County Planning Office, and everyone seems to be happy. The changes were, additional glazing in some areas and timber cladding for exterior finish. Whilst these changes are aesthetically pleasing they will be expensive, and the committee are pursuing funding for the extra cost.As soon as we get the planning permission secured it is my hope that we shall see some structural signs of progress. As for the raising funds, we are in the cold, wet, damp season, and no I don‟t mean June! This is a difficult time for raising funds indoors when our facilities are not really up to the job. Hopefully not for much longer! Any ideas and input towards the project are always most welcome. Once again the village hall notice board is the place to watch for functions and events.

S.Trelease 01209 822153

CROFTHANDY METHODIST CHURCH

Service every Sunday at 3 p.m.Everyone welcome.

Christmas Carol Service Sunday 13th December - 3p.m.Reverend Danny Reed

Refreshments following Service.

Steward (and contact), Richard Snell 01209 820556

Footpath Matters – Footpaths Matter 4

Christmas Footpath Walk - United – Wheal Maid – Hale Mills areaKnowing how squeamish some of you are, this walk is not too muddy - well, not deep mud, and ideal for walking off Christmas excesses. Some of the paths are footpaths and some unofficial tracks, but they‟re all easily accessible and safe. It will also give you an idea of where the Wheal Maid Valley is, and what it looks like. You will often read about it in Councilminutes, so now you will know what we are talking about.START – at the lay-by on the United Downs to Mount Wellington road, 400 metres from the United turn off on the left. Enter the lane alongside the lay-by, through the metal barrier. Keep straight on through the pine trees bearing right, down past the “Private - Wheal Maid Valley” sign through two gateposts. Keep straight down until you pass a small concrete chimney on your left.RIGHT, where your track joins the Mineral Tramways route through the valley.LEFT, after 50 metres, down another path, bearing around to the right through the Hale Mills tunnel.LEFT, onto the Coast to Coast cycle trail.LEFT again after 50 metres, up a narrow footpathPossible deviation after 65 metres. On your RIGHT there is a track that follows the old railway cutting towards Scorrier. It’s only approximately 400 metres to a disused building where you turn around and return back to your original path, but the walk is into an almost forgotten, peaceful wooded area. Back in the 1840’s, the cutting was made to carry a rail link to the mines at Scorrier, making a spur off the Devoran – Carharrack line, but before a rail could be laid, the profits in mining disappeared.Back up the narrow path to the top where it meets another footpath. LEFT here, keeping views of the Wheal Maid Valley on your left. Pass a house on your left, onto a wider lane. LEFT again, where this lane meets another, down a narrow path marked “public footpath”.LEFT at the bottom, then immediately RIGHT, through a gate into the valley. Keep the large signboard on your right, drop down to your right and follow the lower path across the tailings dam to the other side of the valley.LEFT onto the Mineral Tramway route, back to the small concrete chimney, on your right now, and then RIGHT back up the track to the pine trees and the parking area.

General Interest – Hicks Mill/Point Mills AreaHICKS MILL METHODIST CHURCH

Morning Service 10.30 a.m. each SundayCoffee Mornings held on the first Wednesday of each month 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon, in aid of various charities.Carol Service joining with Twelveheads at their Church on Sunday 20th December, 11.00 a.m.A member of Hicks Mill Methodist Church was given a copy of her great, great, great grandmother‟s memoirs – the memoirs of Charlotte Blake. Her grandparents were living in the cottage adjoining Hicks Mill Church in 1833. Her grandfather, Charles Blake was a Bible Christian Minister working at the Church and surrounding area. They were very exciting and challenging times, with the Chapel packed for services – if only that were so today.

All enquiries to Derrick & Freda Richards 01872 870996

(p.s. Did you know that in the river passing by Point Mills the lovely rusty substance known as „ochre‟ was used years ago by carpenters as a wood preservative?)

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Tales From a Compost Heap -December 2009If I had to describe my life in 2009 then “busy” would definitely be top of the list. In these tough economic climates it seems that more and more people were choosing to stay at home rather than visit foreign climates and my family and friends were no exception. I‟m a relative newcomer to Cornwall having moved here only 5 years ago but my darling hubby has spent over 35 years here. Some might say that he‟s still “not from these parts” but we both love Cornwall; alas so do all our family & friends and this year, they decided 2009 would be their “Staycation” and so…. Our little home has seen visitors aplenty, sometimes hubby & I were there and sometimes we weren‟t, after all, when the visitors came back for the third or fourth time in the year we figured that they could manage without us and on those occasions we happily handed over the keys and escaped to visit those folks who for whatever reason this year, couldn‟t make it down the A30. Our little house copes well with 2 people, 4 is a bit of a squeeze and 6 means the inevitable queues for the bathroom but with 8 people, well what can I say? The airbeds come down from the loft and we have to hire in those portable facilities that you often see on building sites or the side of the motorway. We have had 8 people staying on two occasions this year, the Oyster Festival in Falmouth which has become a regular fixture in our friends‟ diaries and the second for a special birthday weekend when I mistakenly invited everyone believing they wouldn‟t come – I was wrong; ( don‟t you just hate it when that happens?). We had hoped for a summer of warm weather because we have more seating space outdoors than inside but instead we had cool evenings and soggy slippers. Our friends might come from all parts of the country but collectively they are stoically British, we didn‟t care, it was summer and we would sit outdoors wrapped in blankets, hugging hot water bottles, sipping wine, burning logs in the chimera and watching the breath as it left our bodies. Whilst every visitor suffered a comprehensive tour of my vegetable plots only a few got to taste their fruits. Perhaps I‟m a particularly selfish creature but this was my first year growing my own and I wanted to eat everything. Suffice it to say that I now know 101 things to do with a green courgette and have shelves full of pickled “whatnots” and chutneys galore. The freezer contains 2 rather large bags of green chillies and as I write, I still have apples falling from the trees and the pumpkins are sat patiently in their vegetable rack waiting to meet their destiny, will they become soup, pickle, or fuel for the compost heap? Yes, 2009 has been a busy year, a very busy year but it has been fun. I feel very lucky and privileged to have so many family & friends in my life and (in my Northern accent here) “ I wouldn‟t swop it for the world “However, this winter when I get asked “Can we come for Christmas? I‟ll have no hesitation in replying (with my fingers crossed of course) “sorry we have a house full with the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker ”Of course all you parishioners of Gwennap know the reality of the situation – yes – this Christmas hubby & I will be closing the curtains, turning the answering machine on and enjoying our “staycation” alone at home. Whatever your circumstance this festive season, I wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas. Yours, Mutant Courgette

General Interest and COMPETITION !!! 6

Old photo‟s are very popular so we have gathered a few together for fun and for the Christmas competition.

Tea Treat march at Trehaddle a long time ago (thanks to Layton Clinton)

Harvest time at Gwennap 1951/52(thanks to Mary Penna)

The Christmas CompetitionIdentify the scene of these three photos and win a bottle of champagne.

Send entries to the Clerk by phone, post or email and a draw of entries will be made on Christmas Eve. First correct entry drawn will win the prize.

General Interest - Frogpool and Cusgarne Area 7

Frogpool Cusgarne Football ClubBoth first and second teams are holding a mid-table spot in the Falmouth-HelstonLeagues 2 & 3 respectively, both improving on last season‟s form. Matches are played at the Richard Jory Playing Field, Pulla Cross on a Saturday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. Come along and give your support!Home fixtures for the next few months are as follows:Date Opponents Competition

December05 Falmouth Ath Division 312 Porthleven Division 219 Camborne Park Division 3

January 20102 Rosudgeon Division 29 Penryn Division 216 Trispen Division 223 Marzion Division 330 Troon. Division 3

February 20106 away13 away20 away 27 Hayle Division 2

Minister Revd. Peter FacerTel: 01326 317427.

Sunday Services10.45 each Sunday morning.Sunday School 10.45 each Sunday morning.

Weekly Prayer & Fellowship Meeting on Mondays at 3.00 p.m. to which anyone is invited.

Coffee Mornings: 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. Great Coffee, friendly company. Do come and support us.

Thursday 17th December in aid of St. Petroc’s Society.

Thursday 28th January in aid of Cornwall Cancer Care.

Thursday 25th February in aid of Church Funds.

Thursday 25th March in aid of Church Funds.

Frogpool Methodist Sunday School Hall and Stable Room (including kitchen facilities) are available for hire. Contact –

01872 863143. We have disabled access and toilet.

CUSGARNE-FROGPOOL WI - COME AND VISIT US- FREE CUPPA

When? First Tuesday of every monthWhere? Frogpool Chapel Sunday SchoolroomTime? 7.30pmWe can arrange a lift if transport is a problem.Here is our programme until March 2010December1st Music with Maggie at our Christmas party.Come and have a go on HandchimesDecorate a Christmas parcel for the competition!Put in it a gift of value up to £2February 3rd Member‟s Night but non members welcome!!March 2nd. Annual Meeting and QuizApril 6th AloeVera, the Plant of Life-its benefits yesterday today and tomorrow.Next year‟s programme is being planned.We raise money for a charity every year. This year it is the Handstand Appeal£160+ to date.Visitors are warmly welcomed to any of our meetings.WI is an influential organisation that makes an impact locally, nationally and internationally. The Government approaches it for opinion.

THE WI INSPIRES WOMENPhone 01872 864367 Nina Cooper or 01872

862083 Anne Steward.DROP IN ON US SOMETIME!!

FIRST TWO VISITS FREE

General Interest 8

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MUCH LOVED SCHOOL SECRETARY RETIRES

At half term Cusgarne School said farewell, happy retirement and thank you to Mrs Margaret Jose who has been a morning Receptionist/Secretary for the past thirteen years. Her close association with the school goes back for thirty years when a parent of two children who attended the school. Margaret was so warm with her welcome to visitors and telephone callers.She was quietly efficient, discreet, organised, very caring towards children, parents and staff. She often performed beyond the call of duty and was extremely supportive of the school. A special Assembly was held in her honour which the children composed with tributes, a poem, musical items and cards made by each class and individuals She was presented with gifts of wine glasses and a glass bowl from children and parents, jewellery from staff and governors and a bouquet of flowers. This was followed by a surprise Tea Party with a cake made in the shape of a bouquet, attended by her family, Staff, Governors and professional colleagues.We know she will be a regular visitor to the school as a volunteer and supporter of school events.

She is much missed.HAPPY RETIREMENT MARGARET

9 General Interest

BENSON’SBed and Breakfast at Primrose Cottage,

Consols Road, Carharrack

Too many visitors and not enough room?

Perhaps we can help, ring Sue Beveridge or check out our website

BENSON’s has two en-suite rooms with TV, tea/coffee making, mini fridge – all

the comforts of home!Why not call round and see for yourself

Tel: 01209 619382Email sue@bensonsbandb.co.uk

www.bensonsbandb.co.ukBenson’s is a trading name of Sue Beveridge

Leftovers – use ‘em up!Turkey Rissoles (all measurements are approximate)Dice 8-10 oz. Cold cooked turkey.Mix with any left over stuffing and 12 oz. mashed potato. (If you want extra flavour, add a diced red pepper when boiling the potatoes). Mix ingredients together and form into rissoles, coating with a little flour. Shallow fry for 10 minutes each side. Serve with a sweet chilli dipping sauce or tomato chutney & green salad.

General Interest - Police10

HelloI am the Neighbourhood Beat Manager for the rural areas of Falmouth and Penryn. My beat covers Mylor, Flushing, Perranwell, Gwennap and all the hamlets in between. I am also the Police Constable for the Combined Universities of Cornwall at Tremough Campus, Penryn. The areas that I cover are vast and I attempt to conduct both mobile and foot patrols on a regular basis in all the villages. We are dedicated to visiting all of our Village schools on our patrols and we can either be seen, before school starts or at home times. Our patrols are performed on land and sea as the rural team are also responsible for the world class sailing waters around Falmouth.I am joined in the rural and marine areas by PCSO Paul Woodward, who has been in this role for over 2 years. He is well known from his regular patrols and has made some valuable community contacts. Paul has forged excellent links with all of our village schools and has introduced Cyclewise and Community Speed Watch to them all.We regularly attend our Parish Council meetings and repeatedly hear concerns from the community about speeding in the rural areas. Our area covers a section of the A39 and unfortunately this road has one of the highest fatality and collisions rates in our Force area. I am working with the Highway Agency and our own Traffic Department to try to reduce the road traffic collisions and promote road safety education within my beat.Some of the issues that have been discussed at our meetings at Parish level are now been addressed with a particular positive approach to the speeding motor vehicles in the rural areas. We have attended various locations where our communities have highlighted their concerns and conducted speed checks. We work with all the village schools in our area and regularly take pupils out into the community to promote the "Community Speed Watch" programme.As much of my communities are rural I have created a link to enable completion of a PACT card. These PACT cards can be downloaded from our website and returned to us in various ways. They will help us hear your voice and we can pass on your comments to other agencies on your behalf.These cards are very useful and, we have recently learned that the residents of Mylor have had their requests for improved street signage answered. The Highways Department have confirmed that in the Summer of 2009 all road markings will be replaced in the village. This is a positive piece of news and evidence that communities working together can make a difference. This was achieved via numerous cards being left in the PACT box and those received on-line. We conduct regular Mounted bike patrols in the Wheal Maid area to address the off road activities of certain vehicles. The off roading actions can cause annoyance to the local residents, they are unlawful and are a hazard for other users of the area. We report all of our findings to the land owners for possible future actions. Any person found committing an offence could find themselves with a fixed penalty notice, Warning Notices known as Section 59, further potential prosecutions and the seizure of the vehicle.The area is enjoyed by many groups including young families, horse riders and avid cyclist's. The use of off road vehicles can be very hazardous when the other users are present. We are endeavouring to promote safety for all parties concerned. We our proud to be one of the first Neighbourhood Teams to conduct regular Mounted bike patrols. We hope that our mounted presence on our beat and the return to seeing Police on bikes will further reassure our communities that we dedicated to serving them.Our neighbourhood website has received many success and awards, you will discover a wealth of information within its content. It is also and easy way of contacting both Paul and myself. You can visit the site by entering this address www.devon-cornwall.police.uk and selecting your local policing team in the left column and then entering your postcode in the next window address finder.You can also contact the Police on 999 in an emergency or to report and incident on the non urgent number of 08452 777444.I would like to thank everyone of you for your continued support and an early Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ThanksPC 5805 Charlie StainesDevon and Cornwall ConstabularyFalmouth Police Station, Dracaena Avenue, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 2ES01326 213455 or 08452 777444

Environmental News 11

News from United Mines Landfill Site (SITA)As at 5th December 2009, there are 330 days before the Landfill Site is permanently closed.

SITA are about to submit a new planning application for the final landscaping profile. This is necessary as the existing one anticipated higher levels of filling than have actually occurred.SITA are also going to submit a separate planning application to keep the household amenity site open after 31st October 2010. SITA are working on a feasibility study for a temporary Waste Transfer Station facility at United Downs. Cornwall Council has requested this study. If it turns into a planning application, there will be a full consultation process to allow everyone to voice their opinions and the Parish Council will be asked to comment on the application.By the time this edition reaches you, Bridleway 29 from Sparry Bottom to Gwennap (Trevince) will have been closed and re-opened whilst SITA improve the surface at the Sparry end. It has been the subject of flooding for several years and although not SITA‟s responsibility, they have offered to carry out repairs. Unhappy about any aspect of the day to day running of the Landfill Site? Then contact them and tell them. PHONE 08456 300 300 or e-mail cornwallhelpdesk@sita.co.uk

More on Highway and Byway trimming.Following the article in the previous newsletter, there have been several questions raised by those seeking to clarify exactly what it means. In respect of Highways, i.e. actual roads, we can quote from a recent letter from the Highways Department as follows: “Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 places a statutory obligation on adjacent landowners/occupiers to ensure that their hedge, tree or shrub does not obscure visibility or signs. Section 148 of the Act also requires the proper removal of parings from the cutting works. Where the hedge or tree is causing an obstruction or restricting visibility, Cornwall Council will initially contact the landowner/occupier concerned to request that the vegetation is cut back. If the request fails, a formal notice is issued requiring the works to be carried out within 21 days. If that fails, Cornwall Council may then elect to undertake the necessary works and claim the reasonable costs of doing so from the landowner." The same regulation applies to Byways, - in our Parish these are normally unmade lanes open to all traffic that appear on the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way. In the past, the Parish Council has flail-trimmed these, but under the new Local Maintenance Partnership Agreement we have with Cornwall Council for the reimbursement of the trimming of public rights of way, the responsibility for Byway trimming falls on the landowner/occupier.

CUSGARNE SCHOOLWill be performing a Nativity and Musical items on

Wednesday 16th December From 2.00 p.m.

At Frogpool Methodist ChurchThere will be refreshments to follow.

Come and support our local School children.

General 12

CUSGARNE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOLMORE SUCCESSESAt the beginning of the new school year Class 1 was delighted tosee the bright newly decorated furniture in their room, beautifullydone by Mrs Clark and Mrs. Northey.Children from Years 5 and 6 in Class 3 set off with Mr. Barnard, Ms. Ireson and children from Veryan School on a fantastic three daytrip to London, to learn more about the capital of the UK.AND WHAT AN ITINARY! On arrival, a workshop in the NaturalHistory Museum and a visit to the Science Museum. A walking guided tour of London, a river trip, a visit to the theatre to see “Lion King” (lucky people!). Also, a visit to the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, and on to the London Eye. A wonderful experience for everyone. Those who did not go had made visits to the Maritime Museum and other attractions in Cornwall meeting an Author too.There are Clubs galore: five for recorder players at different levels of skill with Mrs Clark and Mrs Kurzfield, a Camera Club under the expert tuition of Mr and Mrs Rowland ex- grandparents of the school, Orienteering with Mr. Barnard and Ms Ireson and a Knitting Club with Mrs Cooper, Mrs Hooper from WI and Mrs Standing, parent.To ensure access to all curriculum areas, children have the opportunity to do Cross Country, play football and netball at other schools, Chacewater for example. Recently a Swimming Gala was held at Redruth Comprehensive School between seven Primary schools. CUSGARNE Year Five girls WON the front crawl relay and Cusgarne swimmers were either second or third in all other races! WELL DONE!Now the school is preparing for Christmas, Nativity play, Carol services in church, chapel and Gwennap Pit!!There is also a project with the Eden project called “Our Tree, Our Community” which has involved a tea party for grandparents and older residents who were asked about how the spent Christmas in their youth. When told, the children‟s faces were a study. They realised how different they were from today‟s festivities.A recent photo in the press featured the presentation of a giant cheque for £125 to the Pirates Trust, a donation from the Summer Party. A special Assembly was held at which the chairman of the Pirates Trust forum was present.For Children in Need Emma Jane, Chloe W and Rosalind pupils in Class 3 organised an Inside out Clothes day , a Dressed Up Bear competition and various games, raising £150! CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS and pupils!Helen Rowe, an ex parent, praised and thanked in the last edition was proposed for a Volunteer in School and Community Award given by Volunteer Cornwall for her work for the school in the Friends of the School and for being the initiator of reviving the Community Fete. She was placed second and presented with a Certificate at the Presentation Evening at Truro College. CONGRATULATIONS HELEN!Attendance at the Tiddlers Mother and Toddler group grows each week. Thursdays from 1.30- 3.00pm Tea free! New toys are being bought. The school was awarded a GOOD, GRADE 2, overall at an OFSTED inspection in January. Welfare of children in Early Years Foundation Stage, partnerships with others, attendance and behaviour were granted GRADE 1 i.e. OUTSTANDING.The Christmas production of Hosannah Rock, in which every child took part, was spectacular in every respect and very much enjoyed.This term so far has included Cyclewise training and Speedwatch with the Community police. Visits to tin mines are being planned and a Recorder Group will take part in Truro Music Festival in March.It is hoped work will start soon on draining the new school field and preparing it for sport use.The school said Goodbye to Site Supervisor, Lawrence Moody, in early February. He has gained promotion to caretake a bigger school. At a Special Assembly he was presented with cards and gifts, serenaded, thanked by many children for not only cleaning but for bringing in interesting artefacts and helping in many ways.Cusgarne School is a busy, thriving family school where each child really matters in terms of education and welfare.WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A VIBRANT SCHOOL IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT MAY BE SMALL BUT IS CERTAINLY BIG AND BROAD IN ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY

General Interest – Gwennap AreaGWENNAP CHURCH NEWS

Services at St Wennap ChurchSundays at 11.00 a.m.1st and 3rd Sunday, Holy Communion B.C.P.2nd Sunday All Age Worship4th Sunday Matins5th Sunday Holy Communion C.W.(B.C.P. Book of Common Prayer, C.W. – common Worship)

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS Sunday 13 December 11.00am Christingle Service Sunday 20 December 11.00am Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Thursday 24 December 11.30pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Friday 25 December 10.00am Family Communion

A very warm welcome to everyone and a very Happy Christmas to you all.

GWENNAP LADIES GUILD meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Venue is the Church Hall unless an outing has been arranged We enjoy our annual meal together in January and our AGM will take place on February 23rd at 2.30pm. We have various wide ranging talks, slide shows, walks and visits to interesting places. Visitors are always welcome and we look forward to new members joining us. Ring 01872 862670, Sue Martyn, for further information.

GWENNAP BELL RINGERS are looking for new recruits. We practice on Thursday evenings 7.30-9.00pm. Do come along and see how this ancient art is accomplished. It provides both mental stimulation and exercise. We work as a team and enjoy improving our expertise. We ring for Sunday Services and for Weddings and special occasions. Everyone is most welcome.

FRUGAL LENT LUNCHES will begin on 19th February at 12 noon -2.00pm. They will continue on February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 3, Good Friday. Soup and Roll, Cheese and Roll, Pickles or Chutney, Tea or Coffee. Venues will be decided nearer the time. Posters will be available on display about two weeks beforehand.

Don‟t forget the Gwennap Lunch Club on the 3rd Tuesday of the month 12.30 – 2.00 p.m.. Just three to go now, on :December 15th (Christmas Lunch), January 19th and February 16th

13

WHAT‟S ON AT GWENNAP CHURCHTOWN Mainly food functions!!POSH NOSH

Monthly supper parties for 8 (including your hosts) prepared by enthusiastic cooks at home. A three course meal with coffee - £15.00. 7p.m. for 7.30p.m. Bring your own bottle..All profits for Gwennap ChurchSaturday 12th December with Sue and Michael Martyn. Chimneypots, Sunny Corner Cusgarne. 01872 862671 for menu and booking.Friday 22nd January with Mike and Vanessa Stone, Home Farm, Trevince, Gwennap 01209 820355 for menu and bookingFriday 26th February with Roy and Kath Jones, Silver Birches, Carlidnac Lane, Mawnan Smith 01326 250239

Saturday Jan. 16th Coffee Morning in aid of the WHITE CROSS MISSIONGwennap Church Hall 10.30 – Midday. Bring and Buy

CANDLEMAS - MONDAY FEBRUARY 1ST - GWENNAP CHURCH HALLA Candlelight Buffet Supper and Quiz Enjoy a meal and test your memory.

Details in January on posters or from Vanessa 01209 820355

General Interest – Tree Wardens 14

Devon and Cornwall ConstabularyTo contact your local Police station, or for any other NON-

EMERGENCY issues, please telephone 08452 777444.Call 999 in an emergency

Advertising, Comments, Articles, Letters, Pictures ???We need them all…. Send them to:

Alan Blamey on 01872 864601 or email clerk@gwennap-parish.netCommercial Advertising Prices (all of which goes to support this newsletter)

Single Edition - Full Page £50, Half Page £25, Quarter Page £12, Eighth Page £7One Year - Full Page £180, Half Page £90, Quarter Page £42, Eighth Page £25

Gwennap Parish Tree WardensThe tree wardens have purely a voluntary role for the parish, they are:Lawrence Moody and Ann Gazzard (contact Lawrence or Ann via anngazzard@btinternet.com or 07808 393 874)Robert Cook (contact via robert.cook11@btopenworld.com or 01872 870114)

General EnquiriesSince the last newsletter the wardens have dealt with two more tree related enquiries i.e. Trees growing towards a street light and branches that had blown onto the road.If you encounter any unsafe tree related obstruction on local highway please do not delay as safety is paramount! Please report promptly and directly to Cornwall Council Tel: 0300 1234 202 providing location and nature of the problem. The Council will then take responsibility to safely deal with the hazard and provide you with progress update.For any other tree related issues, please do not hesitate to contact the parish tree wardens who will do their best to help or find the advice you need.

Great Trees of GwennapThe wardens have formally recorded a total of nine notable trees from the parish on the Ancient Tree Hunt website and would like to thank Terry Dundon for the additional background history on the Holly Tree at Pulla Cross and the Ladies of Cusgarne and Frogpool Women‟s Institute (Rose Hooper and Ann Sewell) for historical photographs and records on the Millennium Maidenhair Tree at Frogpool Cemetery. The information has been greatly welcomed and added to the tree records on the Ancient Tree Hunt website. Can anyone please help provide information or contact information to the wardens about the “Millennium” Yew tree planted in Frogpool cemetery? If you have computer access, please take a look at the Ancient Tree Hunt website. Recording will be an ongoing process so please either contact a tree warden if you think you know of any old, large or unusual tree or if a tree has personal or historical connection in the parish. Alternatively, have a go at measuring, registering then recording tree information yourself directly onto the Ancient Tree Hunt Website. For more information on the Ancient Tree Hunt and trees recorded please see www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk. Or contact the parish tree wardens.

BBC Breathing Places - Tree O’Clock

What is Tree O’Clock?A‘big moment in time’ dedicated to the celebration of trees.As part of National Tree Week, BBC Breathing Places is inviting partners and audiences to join us in setting new world records on Saturday 5 December from 11.00 to 12.00. Most trees planted in one hour in multiple locations. The aim is to plant a million trees across the UK beating the current record of 653,143 trees which is held by the Philippines to support this project we will be planting thirty trees at a location in the parish. for more information ring Ann on 01872 863 970 or email anngazzard@btinternet.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock/

General Interest

The Cornish Arms------ FREEHOUSE ------

Frogpool, Truro, Cornwall TR4 8RTJulie Benson and “Jack” welcome you toTheir comfortable and cosy Public House

Excellent, freshly prepared food made from local ingredients

Served lunchtime and evenings. Good wine selection*** Food promotions and lunchtime discount for

Senior Citizens ***Booking essential for Sunday lunch

Takeaway Food AvailableFree Pool on Tuesdays

Curry & Pint Thursdays

Pasty & Pint Tuesdays

Children welcome till 9pm“Jack” welcomes other friendly dogs

Tel: 01872 863445

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Fantastic festive events at the Cornish Arms over the Christmas period

** Christmas Eve **Music with McCarthey (guitars & vocals)

** Christmas Day **open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

** New Years Eve **"Wild West" theme evening with music.

Sue FergusonLICENSED CONVEYANCERS

Offering excellent locally-based knowledge and over 20 years' experienceServices provided include:

Sale/purchase Freehold and Leasehold properties (both Residential and Commercial)Re-mortgagesEquity Release

Shared Ownership SchemesTenancy Agreements

87-88 FORE STREETREDRUTH

CORNWALLTR15 2BP

(We are located within the premises of Ezy Move Estate Agents)Open: 0930 – 1700 (Monday – Friday)

Telephone: 01209 219082Facsimile: 01209 204458

Email: suefergusonconveyancing@yahoo.co.ukWeb: www.sue-ferguson.co.uk

General Interest 16

01209 821578 or 07896 828790