---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

24

 

NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY SHOP AND POST OFFICE

As of now, the new glass porch is going up! This should be ready for Easter, and already the smart trolley for fruit and vegetables, well made by Tony Kitchin, is in place. It is hoped, too, that we can have second-hand books for sale on display.

Everyone should by now have received a newssheet about our bonus offer. The shop is doing well, but we still have that mortgage to pay, so every pound extra that you can spend will help. Don't forget that Anita tries to shop locally, which helps producers as well as the shop [and is often cheaper!]. Also, if you order fruit and vegetables in advance, there is a10% discount!

Yvonne Davey has started a folder where people within the village who have accommodation to let can add their own details. Just bring these into the shop. If you have friends or family coming, and not enough room to take them, then this is a good place to find accommodation. See Yvonne's article which follows. The folder will be found in the coffee area.

Kath Thorndycroft is hoping that all gardeners [and others!] have planted extra 'bits' for the Great Plant Sale to be held in aid of our Shop on Monday, 3rd May.  She'd like to hear from you - Tel: 889019.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 15th May at 11.00 a.m. We hope that as many shareholders as possible will be there.

Happy Easter

25

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION IN BERRYNARBOR

A File, to be kept in the Community Shop, is being compiled to advertise to visitors Bed and Breakfast, Guest House, Hotels and Self-Catering establishments in the village.

If you are in the accommodation business and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please bring details - brochures, cards or A4 advertisements to the Community Shop. These will be collated and included in the file at a cost of £5.00, the money going towards Shop funds.

If you would like more information or have any queries, please contact me on [01271] 882822.

Yvonne Davey
Cherry Hinton, Barton Lane

26

MEMORY LANE

Brian and Mary's Christmas message from Stogursey brought memories of early days flooding back.

I took up residency in the village of Stogursey, Somerset, in 1947. I was 15 years of age and had been accepted for a trainee motor mechanic apprenticeship in Johnson's Garage. It boasted a staff of 4 fitters and an electrician foreman. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, had bought the business a couple of years earlier and had set about rescuing a dying concern. They were very successful. The onus now was on buying all the old and dilapidated Fordson tractors, covering all models, and overhauling them for a quick sale.

What of Stogursey itself? It was a small village about nine miles from Bridgewater. It boasted two pubs and a small hotel. The majority of houses had no running water or electricity in 1947 and there was no public transport as I remember. A private company ran a school bus and a limited service to Bridgewater mid-week and Saturdays.

Johnson's Garage had its own electric generator and supplied the hotel and a couple of private houses. I had lodgings with Mrs. Johnson's parents and fetched water a couple of times a day from a well. Just about every family in the village had to cook with paraffin stoves or if you could afford it, Calor gas for light, heat and cooking. To me the whole set up was a paradise after living in London.

I became totally integrated into village life. To the locals I was, 'that there boy from London'. Cricket was my favourite sport and I wasn't disappointed, playing for the village within a week of arriving.

Like all small villages, Stogursey had its characters, but for me, Old Liza, as she was called, had no competition! In her late '70's, she had an addiction to alcohol and sleeping rough. Nevertheless, once a year Johnson's Garage supplied a taxi to transport her to the hotel where she had been employed in her youth, for a special meal. What a transformation - she looked a proper lady!

However, to finish my feat of memory it would not be complete without mentioning Colonel Armstrong. He was the epitome of the old soldier and that, of course, was what he was. About 80 years old but still upright and smart, he was full of tales of the old British Empire and the two big wars in his time, and yes, he had the legendary monocle!

Sadly, all good things come to an end. On 9th June 1949 I received my call up papers for eighteen months' National Service in the British Army, but that is another story.

Peter West

27

 

THE NORTH DEVON HOSPICE

Waking up to a white and wintry morning, one wondered if the Knit In Coffee Morning for the North Devon Hospice would go ahead. But as normal in Berrynarbor, knitters and supporters braved the elements and turned out! Twenty-one knitters nattered whilst producing amazing technicoloured strips and enjoying unlimited gorgeous cakes and coffee, also enjoyed by those who came just for a natter.

Thank you to everyone who supported this event in any way - knitters, cake makers, raffle prize donators, helpers and visitors. Your generosity meant that £255 and a bagful of multi-coloured strips were taken to the Hospice in the afternoon.

---

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH COLLECTIONS FOR THE NORTH DEVON HOSPICE

28

TREV'S TWITTERS

Trev says that he learnt this song more years ago than he cares to remember but doesn't know its origin.The following is the only bit of information that I have found.Can anyone else help, especially the followers of folk songs amongst us?

Ed.

A Tavern in the Town first appeared in the 1883 edition of William H. Hill's Student Songs.  Some sources attribute its origins to a traditional miners' song from Cornwall.  This is no doubt the case in regard to certain turns of phrase in the text.  The melody, however, identifies itself as a late nineteenth-century American 'popular' tune and the lyric is evidently the utterance of an abandoned female.The song itself was, historically speaking, usually sung by young males bonding with the aid of drink.

---

WHY WORRY?

This little gem was circulated round the office where I worked in the '60's by the draughtsmen, always the first to latch on to anything of this nature!

Trev

29

30

BEAFORD IN BERRY

Beaford Arts is a non-profit making organisation that brings subsidised professional performance art to rural communities. It is subsidised by Arts Council England and Devon County Council. In Berrynarbor, the promoters are Fenella Boxall and myself, we represent the Community Shop and the Manor Hall respectively.

The scheme works by the promoters requesting performances that they think will be successful in their communities, and guaranteeing a minimum number of seat sales to Beaford [which is used to pay the artists]. Any money over the minimum is split - 80% for Beaford [to subsidise other performances] and 20% to be shared between the Manor Hall and Shop. If we 'add value' to a performance, for example with a raffle, a bar, or a meal, all profit with that comes to the village. So, here, we spread the risk of the minimum guarantee between the Hall and Shop and share the profits and organisational responsibilities. So far all our performances have been a success in terms of entertainment and finance and we thank you for your support and hope you have enjoyed the performances you have seen.

In the future there will be a comments book available to the audience at each performance. Please take the time to give an opinion, it is a requirement of the funding bodies that there is audience feedback. It will also help Fenella and me decide which performances were best received to help us choose future bookings.

We have booked two performances for the spring. The first is Mama Tokus on Saturday, 17th April. Doors open at 7.00 p.m. and supper will be from 7.30 p.m. The band are described as playing a combination of 'soul-jazz interpretations of songs you thought you'd forgotten' and new swamp soul music.

Then Love Letter Straight from Your Heart on Saturday, 1st May.

This will start at 7.00 p.m. and be catered like a dinner party. This performance is for a limited audience of up to 40 people who write requests or dedications to those they care about, their memories, current and past loves, friendship, happiness and loss, which are interwoven into this performance.

Look for the posters and leaflets giving details of prices and times and we hope to see you there. For more information ring me on 883897.

Jane Vanstone

31

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

32

 

NEWS FROM THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

We are pleased to welcome Lydia [Class 1], Harry [Class 3] and Finley Carless [Class 4] who have moved from Buckinghamshire with their mum, dad, grandma and grandpa to Berrynarbor. We hope they will be very happy at our School.

Congratulations to Sally and Mark Jefferys and Millie [Class 1] on the birth of George - 8lbs 5oz on 18th March. Everyone is doing well!

The Reverend Keith Wyer has been a wonderful supporter for all our pupils, parents, staff and governors for so many years, and it is with much sadness we learn that he is leaving us. We shall be making sure he is really busy between now and his departure time!

We've had a few events over recent weeks and our sincere thanks go to the helpers and supporters who make these events successful.

•          £181 was raised from the Bring and Buy and Cake Sale for Haiti on the 19th February.
•          The PTA Curry and Quiz Nite on 26th February raised £400 profit! The Manor Hall was full and everyone had a fantastic fun evening. Look out for the next one!
•          £80 was raised for Big Yellow Friday [Liver Disease Foundation] on the 5th March
•          We sold off unclaimed/un-named lost property for approximately £20.

We have received an 'All Clear' from our recent asbestos inspection.

Once again we are collecting the current promotion vouchers from Tesco and Sainsbury's. Being such a small school it takes a while to accumulate a large number. Please ask your friends and families to save them for us. Thank you for your support.

Thank you for the kind donation of £100 from two village members. The money has been used to buy screening trellis with planters and plants. Thank you also to the Community Shop for donating the Walt Disney Dinosaur books.

Our school took part in the lovely Mother's Day Service in the church and the children read their poems about 'My Mum'. Here are some for you to see:

Our Class 4 pupils will be cooking a 3-course meal for their parents on Friday, 26th March. They have chosen their menu and parents have made their choices. The children will spend the day preparing and cooking the food under the supervision of Mrs. Lucas and they will serve it and wait on tables in the evening.

We shall be having our usual Easter Egg Hunt before we break up and then our hectic schedule of summer activities starts on Monday, 19th April.

Thanks again for all the support we receive from the village.

Mary-Jane Newell - Acting Headteacher

33

 

WINE CIRCLE

The Berrynarbor Wine Circle, which meets every third Wednesday in the month from October to May has had two meetings since the last newsletter. In February, Nicola Keeble, Jill McCrae's daughter who lives in France, gave us an excellent presentation of wines from her area near Bergerac. She had obviously put a lot of work into it, giving us many details of wine production as well as choosing some superb wines for us to taste and all presented in a very professional, light hearted manner. Many thanks Nicola, you are welcome back anytime!

In March, we had a first visit from James Nancarrow, the manager of Majestic Wine Warehouse in Barnstaple. We have had previous visits from Majestic but these have been done by Paul his assistant manager whose enthusiasm has been rewarded by promotion to manager of another branch. Congratulations Paul.

James' theme for the evening was wines from Argentina and he certainly gave us some different wines to taste with examples of wine from not so well known grape varieties - Torrontes, Bonarda, and of course the Argentine speciality, Malbec. The latter he described as "a bit of an indulgence" and I think most people would agree wholeheartedly as it was on special offer, reduced from £26.00 to only [?] £22.00 per bottle! The consensus was that it was very nice but if the alternative was three bottles at £7.00 guess what the choice would be?

Our next meeting is on 21st April when our speaker will be Brett Stevens from the Fabulous Wine Company. Brett is a real wine enthusiast and with a generous budget to work to will undoubtedly present us with some excellent wines to sample. In May the normal meeting is preceded by a short AGM - most years it takes all of 10 minutes - then our speaker for the evening will be the ever popular Jan Tonkin with his usual mix of wine knowledge and lively wit. Bound to be a fun evening.   Anyone wishing to attend is most welcome but if it will be your first time, please contact me beforehand on [01271] 883600.  

Tony Summers

 

34

LOCAL WALK - 119

In pursuit of an April rarity: Romulea columnae

It was April and we were heading for the Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve at the mouth of the Exe Estuary. There is a flower that grows at Dawlish Warren and at no other location on the British mainland - so, a true rarity. It is the Sand Crocus [aka the Warren Crocus] and April is the month when it comes into bloom.

We wondered whether we were likely to find an example during our visit. A voluntary warden, working beside a pond, indicated the little dune meadow where the crocus grows. We searched thoroughly but found no crocuses. We were told that as the sun had gone in, the flowers would have closed their petals and were likely to remain closed, and thus invisible, for the remainder of the day.

We returned the following morning. It was bright and sunny - a good sign. But we searched again and found nothing. Feeling rather sheepish, we continued our walk, enjoying the coastal scenery, birds and butterflies.

When we came across the warden, we mentioned our lack of success. He explained that although the sun was out it had not yet been out sufficient hours to coax open the shy crocus petals.

We left the reserve via the railway bridge, which carries the mainline trains at frequent intervals. We paused along the road to admire an acacia tree, with its knobbly yellow mimosa flowers. The tree's owner soon popped out of her house to tell us about its history. She was proud of her splendid tree but had been asked to have it cut down when it was threatening nearby power lines. However, a compromise had been reached. A few offending boughs had been removed and the tree saved. She was keen to show us around her garden but when she suggested giving us a guided tour of her neighbours as well, we declined! We said we'd hoped to see the Sand Crocus but had failed totally. Were we so unobservant or had it all been an elaborate hoax? "You'll need a magnifying glass," she laughed, "It is very, very tiny."

That afternoon, at our third attempt, when we walked back to the Warren, we knelt down and scanned the short turf with our hand lens and quickly located the elusive flowers. And they were exquisite.

To appreciate fully the subtleties of colour and markings a magnifying glass proved a useful aid. The narrow pointed petals are pale lilac mauve with purple veins; yellow at the base with bright yellow anthers and a delicate apple green on the outside. The Sand Crocus plant is one to two inches high and the flowers, half an inch across when fully open. The thin grass-like leaves are curly and wiry.

Later, when we saw from the coast path a man walking slowly over the crocus meadow, staring earnestly down at the ground, we asked if he was looking for the Sand Crocus. He was, and suddenly we had become experts! We crouched down and found several open crocus flowers spangling the turf. We handed him the magnifying glass and on cue, as he photographed one of the flowers, a Small Copper butterfly landed on it. Normally mauve and bright orange clash but in this case the colour combination looked perfect.

The man had been travelling around the country seeking and photographing rare plants. He had received his training at Kew Gardens where he said he had been a contemporary of Alan Titchmarsh!

W.A.W. - the 'Walkers are Welcome' Accreditation

Last autumn, at the time the future access to our local coast path, on the headland at Watermouth, was being reviewed, Wiveliscombe in West Somerset was awarded the 'Walkers are Welcome' accreditation. Described by Martin Hesp in the Western Morning News, as an accolade and an 'Oscar of the walking world', the W.A.W. status is expected to help strengthen Wiveliscombe's attraction for visitors and in turn, to boost the area's economy

Sue H

35

PAST TIMES WITH WALTER

During the construction of the Forth Railway Bridge, it appears a problem arose which had not been foreseen. When the engineers were laying the final section that would complete the links between the two sides of the bridge, they found they were too short. The holes in the girders were not in line with the holes they would need to match before the bolts could slide through.

Some bright spark in the construction team told the workers not to panic, but to wait as the rising sun shone on the nearly completed bridge. So they waited, while the sun warmed the metal and expanded the bridge.

©Henk Monster, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

---

---

In 1787, the regal copper coinage being very scanty, pennies and halfpennies were struck by a number of firms, among them the Anglesey Copper Mining Company, and there began a fresh token epoch.

Those token coins presented an immense variety of types - persons, buildings, coats of arms, local legends, political events and so on, all drawn upon for subjects of design. They were struck by many firms in most cities and towns in the country and are to be found in good condition. It is quite good fun to browse in shops which sell antiques, asking to see their collection of coinage and spotting some of the token money which circulated many years ago.

With the issue of the copper coinage of 1898 tokens were made illegal, but the dearth of silver currency was still felt. During the Napoleonic Wars there came a small wave of prosperity in the industrial districts and the inevitable need of small change, so in 1811 tokens again made their appearance. These were suppressed before the last coinage of King George III in 1830.

---

Walter Canham

36

COMBE MARTIN MUSEUM APRIL NEWS

The summer season for the Museum is now under way and opening hours are from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. There are new items on sale in the shop and facilities are available to make copies of documents up to A3 in size in black or colour.

During the season there will be a Quiz for families to enjoy. Entry costs £1, or £1.50 for 2 people sharing - a small prize for correct entries. There are a number of activities planned that you might like to attend.

Sail Loft Talks take place on Mondays and begin at 7.30 p.m. with entry to the Sail Loft by the back door, in the car park, and cost £1.00 for volunteers and £3.00 for visitors.

• 12th April - Walking the Beach from Heddon's Mouth to Combe Martin - Kes Webb. Only a handful of people have done this hair-raising climb!
• 10th May - The work of the North Devon Biosphere - Matt Edworthy & Flowers, Butterflies and Reptiles - John and Mary Breed
• 14th June- Seashore Creatures - Paula Ferris
• 5th July- N. D. Coast - Areas of Outstanding Beauty - Linda Blanchard

Make a note of these dates in your diary and come and join us.

An exhibition of ships in bottles - by Gerry O'Leary to the 18th April. On Thursdays 1st, 8th and 15th April there will be children's activities with Gerry present to talk about his hobby and show how it is done. Do come to this fascinating exhibition and learn how to amaze your friends.

Blue Bus Trip to Torrington 1646 - Wednesday 19th May. Start 10.00 a.m., returning 5.00 p.m. A scenic journey with time to explore Torrington. Cost £15 including entry to the Living History Museum.

Blue Bus Trip around Exmoor - Monday 12th July. Cost £7, details to follow.

Eric Mitchell

37

DEVON HOME CHOICE:
A New Way of Letting Council & Housing Association Homes in Devon

A new way of letting council and housing association homes in Devon, called Devon Home Choice, is being phased in across the County, with North Devon set to benefit from February 2010.

Devon Home Choice will replace the current way of letting homes in North Devon Council's area and will actually cover the whole of the County. This will provide more choice for people looking to move within Devon, for example, if they need to move to take up a new job.

Every week, council and housing association homes available for let across Devon will be advertised, through the internet and digital TV. From national experience, it is expected the majority of applicants will bid using the internet. However, a weekly newsletter is to be produced which is to be sent to the Parish Clerk, Sue Squire who will be pleased to give more details if required. Sue may be contacted on [01598] 710526.

38

 

PARISH COUNCIL REPORT

During the Parish Council meeting held on the 9th March, various planning applications were discussed, including the refusal by the North Devon District Council for a retrospective planning application for the lion enclosure at the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. This property is within the Parish boundary of Berrynarbor. Having discussed this application at length at previous meetings, Councillors were unanimous in their decision to write to the planning authority and voice their disappointment that this decision had been made and to demonstrate their support when eventually an appeal is made to the Planning Inspectorate.

The children's playground by the Manor Hall is, as I write this report, nearing completion. Thank you to all those in the village who have helped and to the BBC for their generous donation. An official opening will be held and the date will be advised when all the work is complete.

There is still a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. Anyone who has the time and interest to join YOUR Parish council would be very welcome to apply, either to myself or in writing to the Parish Clerk.

The April meeting, on Tuesday 13th, is the Annual Parish Meeting at which the past year will be summarised and plans for the future given. to which parishioners are warmly welcome - please do attend if you can. This will be followed by the April Parish Council meeting. The May meeting, on the 11th, is the Annual Parish Council Meeting at which officers for the coming year are elected.

On behalf of the Parish Council I wish you all a Happy Easter.

Sue Sussex - Chairman
District Councillor, North Devon District Council

39

40

 

Berry in Bloom and Best Kept Village

Spring has been such a long time coming but at last the sun is shining and although cold, the spring bulbs are just about showing their faces. In the autumn we planted about a thousand crocus bulbs in Claude's Garden and they are in bloom along with several clumps of snowdrops that were already there - they look lovely. This autumn we could plant another thousand and it would not be too many!

I expect many of you who use the shop and the car park will notice that the hedge at the back and side of the public toilets has been cut back and a membrane laid with gravel over it. This has tidied up the area and completes the work that was done in conjunction with the shop last year. This work was funded by Berry in Bloom and so we are very grateful for the very generous donations from the Hart and from Amos-Yeo families.

We are planning to have a litter pick on either of the two last Sundays of March [dependent on the weather] prior to the Easter holiday. The litter over the winter has definitely accumulated in certain areas, although I know that some good souls pick litter all year round.

We are also collecting up and delivering the hanging baskets to Streamways Nurseries, Georgeham, for filling. If you would like to join in with this scheme, please let me know.

Wendy

41

 

Hot Cross Bun Puddings with Pecan, Orange and Honey

Not a cake recipe this time but lovely little bread and butter puddings with an Easter twist. They are very easy to make, so I hope you enjoy them.

You will also need: 6 x 200ml ovenproof dishes, or ramekins

Pre heat the oven to 180 Deg C, fan 160 Deg C, Gas mark 4. Lightly butter the ramekin bowls. Break the eggs into a large bowl and lightly beat together. Stir in the custard, half the orange zest and the hot cross bun chunks. Divide the mixture among the dishes. Toss the pecans in the sugar and scatter over the puddings.

Place the dishes on a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes [check after 20 minutes] until set and golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, warm the honey, orange juice and the remaining zest, pour this over the puddings and serve with cream for a lovely Easter pudding.

Wendy Applegate

42

MOVERS AND SHAKERS - NO. 26

SIR GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY
[14th February 1793 - 28th February 1875]

Surgeon, chemist, pianist, lecturer, consultant, architect, builder, scientist, inventor

Going through my files a couple of days ago checking for whom I might write about next, I came across the Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker from Morwenstow, a slightly 'dotty'' vicar who dreamt up Harvest Festivals and wore eccentric clothing. But this rang a bell.

At the end of 2008 I had copious notes on Stephen Hawker, to which I added an article from last August's Travel Telegraph 'Tales from Cornwall's wild side'. I remembered receiving an e-mail from John Fryer Spedding thanking me for sending the article about him [December 2008]. In it he commented on being deputy chairman of the Tennyson Society and had studied Stephen Hawker and how nice it was to see such lovely photos of his Vicarage and Hut in that same newsletter. That's where I'd heard of him! Checking back there was a delightful article about Hawker in Walk 111 - and with the same photos I'd saved. [great minds, etc!]

About to throw away my notes, I realised that there was someone else in the Cornish Tales article: Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. Blessed with a name like that, he might be interesting - and so it proved.

Goldsworthy Gurney was born in the village of Treator near Padstow on St. Valentine's day 1793. His unusual Christian name came from his godmother who was a maid of honour to Queen Charlotte. The Gurney family's lineage could be traced back to arriving in Britain with William the Conqueror.

Goldsworthy attended Truro Grammar School before studying medicine, inheriting a medical practice in Wadebridge when he was twenty. They trained them quickly in those days! There he met Elizabeth Symons and married her in 1814. Their daughter Anna Kane was born the following year.

In 1820 he moved his family to London to 'seek his fortune'. Their son Goldsworthy John was born in 1822. Whilst still practising as a surgeon, he followed his interests in chemistry and mechanical science. His great skill was to put scientific thought on to paper and into lectures. So medicine gave way to lecturing in chemistry and natural philosophy at the Surrey Institution where he was appointed Lecturer in 1822.

Whilst there, he invented the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, a system for producing a very hot flame from a jet of oxygen and hydrogen. After experimenting with various substances, he discovered that a brilliant light could be produced when the flame was played on to a piece of lime. This was limelight, which was so intense that it could be spotted many miles away.

He invented a high pressure steam-jet or blast-pipe. This increased the draw of air through pipes and could be used to improve mine and sewerage ventilation. It could also put out underground fires. In contrast to scientific workings and inventions, Gurney was an accomplished pianist and even constructed his own piano.

At an early age he had met his fellow Cornishman Richard Trevithick, the pioneer of steam railways. Inspired by this meeting, Gurney later went on to develop steam-power for, as his patent read 'propelling carriages on common roads or railways - without the aid of horses, with sufficient speed for the carriage of passengers and goods'. An 'embryo' carriage travelled from London to Bath and back in July 1829 at an average speed of 14 miles per hour, including refuelling and taking on water. It was not a commercial success, however, mainly because passengers were not happy to sit atop a dangerous steam boiler. So he developed an articulated carriage called the 'Gurney steam drag'. Here the passengers sat in a carriage pulled by the steam engine. Sir Charles Dance, using three of these articulated vehicles, started a regular service between Cheltenham and Gloucester but apparently the hope of a business was dashed by the interference of wealthy horse coach proprietors, narrow-minded county gentlemen and district magistrates. By means of parliamentary intrigue [nothing changes!] and fearing the loss of their livelihoods, these folk made sure that turnpike tolls on steam carriages were £2. A horse drawn carriage charge was two shillings. Added to this, these 'worthy squires and magistrates of the Cheltenham district', without any need for it, covered the road with a foot deep layer of loose gravel, which added further to difficulties and put a stop to the business. By 1832 he had run out of funds and had to auction his remaining assets, losing a lot of money in the process.

One of his many achievements was building Bude Castle. Having leased a plot of land overlooking Summerleaze Beach from his friend Thomas Acland in 1830, he determined to build on shifting sand, using a specially constructed concrete raft. It is still standing today nearly 180 years later.

Bude Castle, Cornwall
©Tagishsimon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the Castle and licking his wounds after the failure of his carriage enterprise, he turned back to illumination developing the Bude light, patented in 1839. With one light, plus lenses and prisms, he distributed light into every room - and even into one room at the Falcon Hotel, 500 yards away across the canal. The Bude light also added to the improvement of theatre lighting.

Three Bude lights were used in the House of Commons, thus dispensing with 280 candles, and these remained for 60 years until the arrival of electricity. His innovations were also used in lighthouses. By using lenses and introducing on-off patterns of light, sailors were able to identify exactly where they were. The Gurney Stove, patented in 1856, used external ribs to increase the area for heat to be transferred. These are still in use in some cathedrals today.

In 1852, based on his experience with mine ventilation, Gurney was appointed as a consultant to improve the ventilation for the new Houses of Parliament. Two years later he was appointed 'Inspector of Ventilation'. He had success in moving air around the buildings, but getting rid of the foul smells from the Thames was beyond him!

Goldsworthy 's wife died in 1837 and he moved to Poughill on the outskirts of Bude with his daughter Anna Jane who became his constant companion. Perhaps because of this, when Gurney married Jane Betty, a farmer's daughter from Sheepwash, the marriage didn't succeed. He was 61; she was 24 and Anna Jane was 39. Jane Betty was removed from Gurney's will although they never divorced. However, it is probable that she didn't lose much! In 1863, Queen Victoria knighted him for his inventions and discoveries but later that year he had a stroke that left him partially paralysed. He died apparently penniless on 28th February 1875 and is buried in Launcells Church near Bude.

What an extraordinary man he was! There isn't space to tell more of his many inventions and activities, but if you are in Bude, the Castle is now a heritage centre, open daily, with galleries of his work - and a bistro to refresh yourselves afterwards!

And shame on Cornwall that in the whole of the county there is no memorial to this forgotten genius.

PP of DC

43

AT-A-GLANCE DIARY

APRIL
9th	Parish Council Meeting, Penn Curzon Room, 7.00 p.m.
1sat	Primary School & College: End of Spring Term
2nd	GOOD FRIDAY St. Peter's Church: Quiet Hour of Devotion, 2.00 to 3.00 p.m.
4th	EASTER SUNDAY St. Peter's Church: Family Service and Communion, 11.00 a.m. Duck Race, Mill Park, 4.00 p.m.
6th	Ladies' Group, 2.00 p.m., Manor Hall: Bernard Hill [The Fox Man]
10th	The Sawmill Inn: An Evening with The Parcel of Rogues
13th	Annual Parish Council Meeting, Penn Curzon Room, 7.00 p.m.
14th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.20 a.m.
17th	Beaford Arts: Mama Tokus, Manor Hall, 7.00 p.m.
19th	Primary School & College: Start of Summer Term
21st	Wine Circle, 8.00 p.m., Manor Hall - Brett Stevens, The Fabulous Wine Company
23rd	St. George's Day
25th	The London Marathon
28th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.20 a.m. Friendship Lunch, The Globe, 12.00 noon onwards
MAY
1st	Beaford Arts: Love Letter Straight from your Heart, Manor Hall, 7.00 p.m.
3rd	May Bank Holiday Great Plant Sale, Manor Hall. Plants from 10.00 a.m., Open 2.00 p.m.
4th	Ladies' Group, 2.00 p.m., Manor Hall: Old Berrynarbor in Pictures - Tom Bartlett
5th	Manor Hall Management Committee, AGM Manor Hall, 7.30 p.m.
11th	Parish Council Meeting, 7.00 p.m., Penn Curzon Room
12th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.20 a.m.
15th	Community Shop: AGM, Manor Hall, 11.00 a.m.
19th	Wine Circle, 8.00 p.m., Manor Hall: AGM, Presenter: Jan Tonkin
21st	Great British Fish & Chip Supper for Spinal Injuries Association
22nd	N.D. Hospice: Night Walk, 7.00 p.m. until late!
23rd	St. Peter's Church: Whit Sunday [Pentecost] Holy Communion
26th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.20 a.m. Friendship Lunch, The Globe, 12.00 noon onwards
31th	Spring Bank Holiday
JUNE
1st	Primary School & College: to Friday 4th June - Half Term Ladies' Group, 2.00 p.m., Manor Hall: Birds of Berrynarbor - Tim Davies

Manor Hall Diary:

Mondays	Upholstery, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Craft Group, 1.30 p.m. onwards Badminton, 7.30 p.m.
Tuesdays	2nd & 4th in month: N.D.Spinners Yoga, 7.00 p.m.
Wednesdays	Pilates Body Workout, 9.00 a.m.
Fridays	Term time only: Toddlers Soft Play and Activity
Penn Curzon Room	Term time only: Monday - Friday Mornings: Berrynarbor Pre-School

Mobile Library:
(Assistant - Jacqui Mackenzie)

11.20 - 12.30 p.m.	Car Park
1.40 - 2.05 p.m.	Sterridge Valley

44

 

NEWS FROM THE GLOBE & SAWMILL INN

• Sunday, 4th April: Duck Race from Mill Park to The Sawmill. Sponsor a duck for £1.00.
  Money raised for The Well Child Charity. Race Starts at 4.00 p.m.
• Saturday, 10th April: The Sawmill: Evening with The Parcel of Rogues.

Karl will be running in the London Marathon this year, on 25th April. He needs to raise £1,500 for The Well Child Charity. Please support him by sponsoring him. Sponsor Forms are at both pubs. Thank you.

Would you like to be kept up to date with events and receive special offers and discounts? Add your e-mail address to our database by e-mailing us at: thesawmillinn@googlemail.com

45

 

OLD BERRYNARBOR - NO. 124

The contribution for this issue is unprecedented. Postcards from previous articles have been used, but as they date back to issues in 1989/90, there will be many people to whom they are new!

This winter has played havoc with many of our local roads, but of course they were not always tarmaced and smooth. In the early 1900's, they were just made of compacted stones as these pictures show.

The first is a Garratt postcard c1904 showing Pitt Hill with Fuchsia Cottage on the right and the steps leading up to the old Post Office on the left. The first building on the left is where the Bassetts of Watermouth stabled their coach and horses whilst attending Sunday Service at St. Peter's Church.

The knife-sharpening barrow, outside The Globe, belonged to Jim Glass who would go round from village to village, spending one or two days sharpening knives, scythes, scissors, etc. At night he would doss down with Sam Harding's horses at the blacksmith's, next to the school. There he would be warm!

The second picture is another Garratt postcard of the same date and shows members of the Street family on the unmade lane at Wood Park, with the cottages Riversdale, Brookvale and Woodvale.

As and when these roads needed maintenance, large stones and rocks would be brought in, probably from the quarry at Harper's Mill in the Sterridge Valley. They would be broken into smaller, suitably sized stones by men employed as 'stone crackers'. A steam driven traction engine would then be used to roll the stones into the road, leaving a relatively hard but dusty surface.

Tom Bartlett
Tower Cottage, March 2010
e-mail: tomandinge40@gmail.com

46