1. education
2. school

Madron Well Wishers
Mar - Apr
2015
Building
Our
Community
Spirit
Residents
Working
Together
Below is the home page from
our new website. Another page
has links to all our past and
present newsletters. There are
in total around 40 pages.
Above is a page where clicking on
some photos links to more
information and pictures of some
of the interesting features and
structures in our parish. More to
come, some to finish.
At long last our website is up and running and here are a couple of
screen shots from the site. It has a long way to go and is still very
much of a work in progress but, most of the pages are working now.
Some are still under construction. There are pages or links to News,
What’s On, Local & Useful Contacts, Services and Advertisers,
Minutes of our meetings & About Madron Well Wishers. Just click on
the link or type madronwellwishers.no-ip.org into your web browser.
1
MADRON ARCHIVE DVD
The Harvest Home in the pub on September 26th saw the launch of the
'Madron Archive 2014 DVD', featuring eight short films on different
events and areas of village life, plus a slide sequence of over 120 old
photos of Madron and its people. The films only go back ten years or
so but interviews with Bill Cock and Wilmay Le Grice are of particular
interest. Perhaps when you look at it in 10 years time, it will seem a lot
more a piece of history. The playing time of over 2 hours and, because
it is not studio quality, we are selling them for only £5. If you would like
one, you can get them from Tim (the vicar). There must be a lot of old
video footage in the village which might contribute to a second volume
sometime. What have you got in your sideboard?
Rev Tim Hawkins
Newsletter Enquiries
Phil Westren [email protected] (Vice Chair MWW)
Madge Christopher [email protected] (Treasurer MWW)
Shirley Fawcett [email protected] (Committee MWW) or
Phil Eddy (Editor) [email protected] or 07866 255124
Please help us reduce our environmental impact
Email Phil Eddy on [email protected] with the word Newsletter in the
message field to get this newsletter as an Adobe PDF file. You can save paper,
ink and storage space while keeping a permanent copy of the newsletters. Now
you can also read all our past and present newsletters on our website, Just click
on the link or type madronwellwishers.no-ip.org into your web browser.
Patrons List
Our current Patrons are:Uther Puckey
Phil Westren
Roger White
Michael Praed
Denise Belton
Phil Eddy
Mollie & Peter Scrase
Bewnans Kernow
We are looking for more.
All readers please note, you don’t have to be a resident of the village. For just £20 a
year you can become a Patron of our Newsletter.
If you are interested in becoming a Patron, note that your name will be printed in every
Newsletter and included on our website when that is online for a whole year. Please
contact Madge Christopher, Email [email protected]
2
Madron Well Wishers
Annual General Meeting
will be held at
the Sunday School Room of Madron
Methodist Church (Chapel)
Thursday 23rd April 2014
at 7.30 pm
All residents and interested parties are welcome
Madron Parish Council (MPC)
Defibrillators: MPC have purchased two defibrillators for the
Parish. One for the side of Landithy Hall and one on the wall of
Trythall School.
Parc Abnac Allotments and Control of Finances: It is very
likely that soon these allotments will be under the wing of the
Parish Council. MPC is being passed work normally under
Cornwall Councils remit, resulting in strict financial controls.
Twinning Madron Parish & Mont Dol: MPC wish to encourage
this but feel strongly that it should be community based and led.
MPC Website: Please keep up to date with news on the website.
Editors Note: This is an extremely brief summary due to lack of
space in the Newsletter. The full text is available on our website in
the News section
Click on the link or type madronwellwishers.no-ip.org into
your web browser.
3
DUCHY BUILDERS
Tim Smart
Carn Marth, Trythall, TR20 8YA
Any Job Big or Small
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01736 601478
Mobile: 07977 913381
What’s On In March
Madron Women’s Institute 9th March at Landithy Hall at 7:30 pm The
speaker will be Sue Sayers from the seal sanctuary. All are welcome.
Madron Youth Group AGM 17th March at Madron Methodist Church
(Chapel) at 5:30 pm.
St. Maddern's School
Opening soon nursery provision for 2 year olds.
Our pre-school runs daily from 9 am -12 noon.
High quality education for our youngest children, small groups, great facilities...
Stay and Play runs on a Monday and Friday through term time
All tots and mums are welcome.
11th March Full Governors Meeting
27th March Break Up for Easter holiday
King William 1V Closed at the time of printing, stay tuned
Madron Methodist Chapel Every Tuesday In Term Time Youth Club
4.00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Madron Old Cornwall Society Third Monday of each month Landithy
Hall 7:15 pm.
Madron Parish Church
Sunday 15th March - Mothers Day All-Age Service in Parish Church. Monday
30th March - Thursday 2nd April Services daily at 7 pm in Madron Parish
Church for Holy Week
Click on the link or type madronwellwishers.no-ip.org into your web
browser for more current information.
4
Madron Memories
Providing further information from compilations he has made in the past, Peter
Scrase highlights his 'talk' with resident Tom Beckerleg, whose family have
have lived in ‘Skeldar’ at the top of Madron Hill since 1942.
Skeldar was built in 1919 by Nicholls of Penzance for a retired bachelor, a Dr.
Teale from Yorkshire. Apparently Dr. Teale didn’t like fireplaces or chimneys but
the builders insisted they were installed! He sold the house to two brothers called
Lockhart who were retired shoe manufacturers from the Northampton area. Both
were keen sportsmen, particularly interested in cricket and golf, and it is possible
they gave their support to local cricket teams. They were friends with the great
pre-war cricketers Jack Hobbs (1882-1963) and Herbert Sutcliffe (1894-1978),
and when the cricketing duo stayed or visited Skeldar it is surely likely they
supported Madron CC on occasions. Tom continued the sporting connection
with Skeldar, having played rugby for the Pirates over 500 times, and the rugby
tradition continued through his sons and nowadays grandsons who are keen
junior Pirates rugby players. Tom is also related to the great Penzance and
Cornwall rugby player Barzillai Beckerleg 'Barrie' Bennetts, who was capped
twice by England in 1909.
Tom’s father, Adolphus Beckerleg, came from Penzance and was one of 11
children. He trained as a mining engineer at Camborne School of Mines and
also the Penzance Mining and Science Schools which was located in the School
of Art in Morrab Road. Adolphus worked in the Philippines in a gold mine and
had also worked in East and South Africa. After returning to Madron from the
Philippines just before the Japanese invasion in 1941, he died in 1944.
Tom’s grandparents generation and great grandfather made significant
contributions to the maritime trade in Penzance in the late 19th century. Tom’s
grandfather was Captain
Barzillai Beckerleg, master of
the Lanisley, a heavily rigged
iron schooner, launched by
Harvey’s of Hayle in June
1887 and owned by the
Bolitho family. Grandfather
Barzillai
had
previously
served from the age of 15 on
the Bolitho owned Chyandour
commanded by his father,
Tom’s great grandfather another Barzillai! - eventually
becoming master himself.
5
The Bolitho boats carried copper ore to the smelters of S Wales and returned
with anthracite for the tin smelters of W Cornwall. Grandfather Barzillai was one
of three coastal sea captain brothers, the other two being Captain Tom Beckerleg
of the J. H. Bennetts iron collier Ormerod and Captain William Beckerleg of the
George Bazeley acquired schooner Beta. The Beta hauled surplus flour to the
George Bazeley’s new warehouses in Cardiff and brought back grain, groceries
or coal for the steam mills at Gulval, Wherrytown and the leased Albert Stores.
In October 1877 Captain William Beckerleg was given command of the steamer
Progress, which operated a successful service between Swansea and London
with cargo and passengers.
Tom’s grandfather, Captain Barzillai, died tragically when his ship, the Lanisley,
was wrecked off the North Devon coast on the 19th. October, 1895. At dawn that
day he was found by a farm labourer, life belt above his waist, jammed amongst
rocks at Westward Ho. He was near death and his rescuers, mistakenly believing
they were cut off by the tide, man-handled him over the rocks and through surf
to the Ilfracombe lifeboat. He died just before they reached harbour and he was
buried in Penzance where his coffin was borne by fellow coasting sea captains.
There was bitter criticism of the Ilfracombe men’s rescue attempt and a few
weeks later a band of Penzance schooner men went to Westward Ho and using
a dummy equal to Barzillai satisfied themselves he could have been carried up
the cliff. It was indeed a sad ending for someone who was a fine man.
Peter Scrase
WELL WISHERS NOTICE BOARD
No doubt, parishioners are well aware by now that the Wishers have installed
a notice board for the display of community affairs. If you have an appropriate
poster, please deliver it to me or to Phil Westren, either of whom will ensure that
maximum publicity is given, free of charge, in the board on the side of the former
shop.
Madge Christopher
MADRON MAZE
The 2015 edition of this competition is ready and you can obtain your copy at
Pengelly’s Shoes in Causewayhead, Penzance, the management of which has
kindly agreed support this charitable cause. Alternatively, you can obtain sheets
from me.
The competition is being run in aid of the RSPCA specifically for the care
of animals in Cornwall and, of course, the quiz has a theme; this year all answers
relate to London Landmarks so get your A to Z gazetteer from the back of that
cupboard. Each copy of the competition will cost you £1 but you will certainly
have your money's worth in entertainment; you have until 31 July to complete
so turn off the box and set your grey cells in motion.
Madge Christopher
6
BOOKKEEPER
Madron business offers!
Small business accounts; partnership accounts;
self-employed accounts;
tax computations and self-assessments
along with payroll and VAT returns
Competitive rates: contact Susanna on 0751 590 8558
e-mail: [email protected]
Urgent Warning
Cornwall Council Trading Standards has issued an urgent warning for people
to be on their guard against gangs of mobile sellers offering bargain priced
generators, compressors and kitchen knives.
Madron Extend Class
Now that the days are getting lighter and longer would you like to get out more?
Why not come along to the Billiard Room on Friday mornings at 10 o clock and
try the Extend exercise class. Extend is exercise to music and is designed for
people who are over 60 or who would not be able to cope with a more strenuous
exercise routine.
This sounds quite a serious business but be assured the members of the class
come because they enjoy it, we have FUN and NO-ONE wears Lycra!!!!!
If you are new to the village and would like to get to know more people or are
newly retired and looking for another interest why not come along next Friday
morning. The first class is free, subsequent classes cost £2:50.
If you would like more information please phone Joy Richards on 01736 360400
or just come along and see what it is all about
7
Profiled
Vernon Roberts was born in St. Buryan, the
second of three children; his father was a
slaughter man who set up in business as a
butcher but the venture was not to endure.
In due course, he moved with his mother and
his siblings to Hillside Row, Madron and, in
order to provide for her offspring, the mother
worked in the fields. However, she suffered
from two bouts of pneumonia; on the second
occasion, she was forced to pay the precious
sum of three shillings to Doctor Scott in order
that he would visit her. Obviously, for reasons
of health, this was to be the end of her
employment and it was almost against her
will that she received money from the “parish
pay”; the lady had led a principled life and she
did not take kindly to living on charity. Vernon
acknowledges that his mother suffered
considerable hardship in her determination to
hold the family together.
He went to the Daniel School at Madron and he recalls that the cane featured
in his educational life!
He can still remember the names of the teachers, the
last of whom was Johnny Reid. He remembers vividly standing outside St. John’s
Hall when evacuees, mostly from Millbank, had arrived and were awaiting the
offer of homes, when the pretty girls and handsome boys were selected first.
Those assigned to Madron joined the Daniel School but there were so many
children that it was decided that the local pupils and the evacuees should each
attend school for a half day, until eventually the position was resolved and
everyone was called back to school for a full day in education.
Vernon recalls that members of the Home Guard performed their training
exercises at the gateway to the Workhouse; he was amongst the mischievous
youngsters who, armed with whippy sticks and rags, flicked chunks of dung
amidst the volunteers. He says that the culprits were never identified but, if his
mother had found out, the consequences for him would have been dire.
He left school at the age of fourteen years because of his necessity to
provide financial resources on which the family could live. At this time, his elder
sister was working in the kitchens at Madron Workhouse, so it is obvious that
times were hard indeed.
He was first employed in farm work at Boswarva, where he received 25
shillings per week. When the farmer died, Vernon ran the farm for the widow for
the next two years and, when Squadron Leader Armstrong purchased the farm,
he retained Vernon in post for a further five years until his retirement when the
farm was sold again.
8
In the meantime, he and the family had moved to Boswarthen before
eventually returning to another property in Hillside Row. When these cottages
were condemned, the family moved to Parc Abnac where his mother was to die
at the age of 65 years. He walked to Boswarthen each day and the farmer
suggested that he might buy the lad a bicycle; Vernon agreed and he paid his
employer sixpence a week until the debt was cleared.
He took employment with Captain Pill at Lesingey until the retirement of the
latter. He recalls that, with the update of technology of the day, this was to be
the end of his working with the heavy horses and he mourned that change to
modernity. He had always had a great love of and deep respect for those noble
animals who had been such towers of strength in the field of agriculture.
Vernon moved to employment with Mr. Wakfer, the builder who was
enjoying immense success in this the building boom. He found that his employer
was to be most supportive of every member of staff who was prepared to pull
his weight and, as a result, he became a qualified painter. He then found
employment with a conglomerate company from Wales, which took him to the
Air Station at Culdrose and HM Coastguard, in which post he remained for over
two years as a painter. For the following eleven years, he worked in similar
capacity with the Local Authority until his retirement at 60 years of age. Having
worked for all his adult life, he then busied himself with a few jobs of a part time
nature.
Today, Vernon lives in sheltered accommodation for pensioners in
Madron and his house and garden are kept in pristine appearance. His interests
have always been varied and he continues in this mode. In his younger days,
he played an active role in Penzance Operatic Society and was also a member
of the St. Just Opera which group produced a show each year for a week at the
Minack Theatre. He remembers singing from “Merrie England” by Edward
German, and giving full voice in the finale which extols the prominence of
England; this was followed by a pregnant pause of utter silence before the
audience of Germans stood to attention and replied “Deutschland, Deutschland”.
The actors on stage were so taken aback that they stood to attention in response.
With a little poetic licence, it could have been a moment when the cordiale might
not have been quite so entente!
Vernon is a consummate artist who carves from wood, sketches and
paints in oils; on the wall of his living room are two paintings, one from Madron
Carn and the other from Marazion beach, each of which he created from
spending a number of days in situ. Obviously, of animal anatomy he has a deep
understanding which is demonstrated in his carvings, principally of heavy horses
and one in teak of his beloved dog, Sally (pictured). He says that he obtained
his artistic leanings from his mother, his first critic, who would tell him that,
although she could not draw, she had an eye for perspective. He says that he
was not special; it was his mother who was special in that she always ensured
that her children were fed; she made certain that they knew that they were loved;
they were instilled with respect for politeness and with the necessity for a code
9
of discipline; and even with the limited resources at their disposal, they were
taught about the major importance of avoiding debt.
Vernon is very well read and he says that he has no time to read fiction; he has
read books on a vast range of subjects including the religions of the world and,
in so doing, he has written copious notes. He was brought up as a Methodist
and, for some time, he became interested in Spiritualism before returning to his
roots in Methodism and, as such, he is a stalwart member of that church in
Madron, in which he is still able to boost the hymn singing with his yet fine
baritone voice.
This intelligent man belies his age, both in his physical ability and his
sharpness of mind coupled with a wry sense of humour, and he is a most
interesting character who is excellent company.
Madge Christopher
Madron Incinerators – A 'Mad Cow' Idea
Time flies by – is it really 18
years since the proposal to
install four incinerators at the
Madron Meat Company was
binned? Yes, and many about
will be able to recall firstly a
public meeting held in Landithy
Hall early in February, 1997,
and then a County Planning
Committee meeting held at
County Hall later in the month.
In the wake of the BSE crisis –
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy being a fatal disease termed 'Mad Cow'
disease - the EU imposed a worldwide ban on the export of British Beef in 1996,
so the government introduced a scheme to cull and cremate all cattle over 30
months of age. It was all very sad as 20,000 per week were being culled nationally.
Residents in Madron and area, however, were seriously concerned as to the
potential impact of the proposed incinerators applied for by WRE Services
Limited. Just a few of many concerns included danger to health from emissions,
traffic impact, noise, smell, the visual aspect and a feared reduction in house
prices.
Before the evening meeting in Landithy Hall, CCC's Chairman Joan Vincent
looked about the village during the afternoon, witnessing in the clearest terms
how the vast majority of residents felt. Banners and signs simply littered the
village with a 'Just Say NO!' message.
10
Hundreds of people turned up at Landithy Hall and a full coach load of people
also attended the meeting at County Hall. I have much on file from the time,
including a letter sent later to Mrs. Vincent. Briefly it read 'On behalf of the
villagers in Madron may I take this opportunity to thank you and your colleagues
for opposing the application. We all wanted to cheer in appreciation at the end
of the meeting but felt this was just not ‘etiquette’ – perhaps we were simply too
keen to maintain our record for having protested throughout in what was
hopefully considered to be an organised and polite fashion.' Democracy had
served us well.
Phil Westren.
What’s On In April
Madron Women’s Institute 17th April Landithy Hall at 7:30 pm There will
be a talk on foraging by Emma Gunn. All are welcome.
Madron Youth Group Every Tuesday In Term Time Youth Club 4.00 pm
to 5:30 pm.
St. Maddern's School
Opening soon nursery provision for 2 year olds.
Our pre-school runs daily from 9 am - 12 noon.
High quality education for our youngest children, small groups, great facilities...
Stay and Play runs on a Monday and Friday through term time
All tots and mums are welcome.
King William 1V Closed at the time of printing, stay tuned
Madron Methodist Chapel Sunday Services Morning Worship at 11 am
Youth Club Every Tuesday In Term Time for 7 - 12 year olds. 4 pm to 5:30
pm in the Church Schoolroom
Women’s Fellowship Alternate Tuesdays at 2 pm
Tea, Chat and a look at ‘The Book’ Alternate Tuesdays at 2 pm.
Coffee Morning Wednesdays on same week as Tea, Chat & The Book
Madron Old Cornwall Society Third Monday of each month Landithy
Hall 7:15 pm.
Madron Parish Church Monday 30th March - Thursday 2nd April Services
daily at 7 pm in Madron Parish Church for Holy Week
Friday 3rd April - Good Friday Service at 11 am in Parish Church
Sunday 5th April - Easter Family Service at 11 am in Parish Church
Sunday 12th April - Open Day at Trewidden for Church funds; service at 11 am
Friday 22nd April - Madron Church AGM in Landithy Hall
Click on the link or type madronwellwishers.no-ip.org into
your web browser for more current information.
11
Madron On The Map
Orson Cornick lives in Madron with his wife and three children and this artistic
gentleman has a hobby which gives him an immense interest in the creation of
films. His latest work is entitled “Take Your Time”, the plot of which was hatched
from his fertile mind within a few hours although it has to be acknowledged that
the project took some nine months to reach fruition.
The film was made mostly in Madron, and features children from St. Maddern’s
School as well as pupils of other local schools. The scenes are set in Penzance,
St. Just, Marazion and St. Buryan, to name but a few locations, the whole being
set in West Cornwall during a period perhaps before the age of modern technology.
The hero of the tale is a boy who collects clocks although no one can guess the
reason for his activity – or can they? Only those who watch the film will ever know
the reason, much less be able to anticipate the ending of this unique artwork.
Interested persons can view a trailer of this film on the Internet via
www.vimeo.com/118278141 and DVDs of the full film are available. The film lasts
for twenty minutes; the story is by Orson, and the music comes from an original
score, written specifically for this film by David William Hearn who is well known
in his field. Wurlitza is a Cornish band, the members of which can be heard singing
a song which they composed for the film.
The film was selected for the Cornwall Film Festival and has even been seen
as far afield as Dallas, Texas, as part of the 31st Children’s Film Festival. It was
also shown at the Beeston (Nottinghamshire) Film Festival, where it gained an
award for “the best family film”. The production is also in the running for over fifty
other Film Festivals, the results of which are yet to be announced.
So here we have in our midst a man with a rare creative talent and one of
which the community in Madron can justly be proud. The writer is given to
understand that Orson’s interest does not stop here and we look forward to learning
about future projects from this productive mind. Indeed, often one does not have
to scratch below the surface of a community to discover a wealth of aptitudes
amongst the population – and this production by Orson is a prime example.
Madge Christopher
BEWARE
It seems that bogus callers have been knocking on doors in the parish,
purporting to represent the RSPCA and asking about the animals in the household.
Readers need to be aware that any paid member of staff of the charity will be
dressed in uniform; I am the only volunteer in the area and i never call at any
property without making prior arrangement; my role is merely to check on a
household, the occupants of which have expressed an interest in adopting a
specific pet. In either case, the householder is urged to always ask to see the
identity card of the caller.
Madge Christopher
12
MADRON AFC
Support for the village football team is always appreciated – please
note the following Saturday home fixtures – all kick-offs at 2.30 pm - 1st
XI play in Division 4 and the 2nd XI in Division 5 of the Whirlwind
Sponsored Trelawny Leagues.
14th Mar 1st XI v Falmouth Town
21st Mar 1st XI v St Ives Mariners
28th Mar 2nd XI v Mabe
4th Apr 1st XI v Penwith Exiles
11th Apr 1st XI v Praze
18th Apr 2nd XI v Railway Loco
25th Apr 1st XI v Gulval
2nd May 2nd XI v Stithians
Madron AFC is sponsored by the Mounts Bay Laundrette.
SEA PALACE
Cantonese, Peking and Szechuan Cuisine
Licensed Chinese Restaurant
19 Quay Street, Penzance
01736 330997
Open 7 days per week
5.30 p.m. To 11.00 p.m.
Plus Take Away Menu
SWEENEY TODD
Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Hairdressers
Open six days per week
Special rates for Pensioners
35 Causewayhead, Penzance
Telephone: 01736 362333
13
BUTTERFIELD ELECTRICAL
Wiring and Periodic Inspection
Domestic and Commercial
Part P Registered through NAPIT
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01736 350243
Mobile no. 0781 295 9460
VIC TOSH
Madron
Heating and Plumbing
General Household Repairs
Painting and Lawn Mowing
01736 874361
Wed:
Thu:
Fri:
Sat:
OPENING HOURS
Lunchtime
Evening
11.45 – 1.30 & 4.30 – 7.00
11.45 – 1.30 & 4.30 – 7.00
11.45 – 1.30 & 4.30 – 8.00
11.45 – 1.30 & 4.30 – 7.00
Closed on
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
HEAMOOR NEWS
Groceries, Confectionery,
Newspapers, Off-Licence,
National Lottery, Pay Point.
Free Grocery Delivery Service.
Open 7 days a Week from 6 am to 9 pm
Telephone: 01736 363214
14
DAY LEWIS PHARMACY
16 Holly Terrace, Heamoor
Free collection and delivery service
for your repeat prescriptions
Order:
telephone on 01736 366381
e-mail on [email protected]
or in person at the pharmacy
MARK MATTHEWS ROOFING
Your local Tradesman
25 Fore Street,
Madron.
Telephone: 01736 364953
Mobile:
0797 225 9045
[email protected]
ALAN STEVENS
AERIALS - SATELLITES - TELEVISIONS
Installations and Repairs
01736 360344 or 07743 656100
PAINTING, DECORATING AND HOME
IMPROVEMENTS
Sensible prices for work undertaken by a local boy
Call NICKY on
0780 817 2394
15
Useful Contact Details
Hospital (West Cornwall): 01736 874000
Police: Emergency Dial 999 Non Emergency Dial 101
Devon & Cornwall Housing: 0300 303 8030
Louise Fryett: [email protected]
Samantha Church: [email protected]
Daniel’s / St. Maddern’s School: 01736 364845
Helen Pearce (Head): [email protected]
Secretary: [email protected]
Web: http://www.st-madderns.cornwall.sch.uk/
Brownies: Meegan Birch has retired please use the web link below
Web: http://www.1stmadronbrownies.moonfruit.com/
Women’s Institute: Alma Willans on 01736 361097
Madron Football Club: Alan Davenport on 01736 330611
Madron Parish Church: Rev Tim Hawkins phone 01736 360992
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.madrongulvalchurches.org.uk/
Madron Methodist Church: 01736 368486
Web: http://pzmethodist.org.uk/madron.php
Keep Fit: Joy Richards on 01736 360400
King William IV: 01736 449577
Madron Parish Council: Wib Wilkins (Parish Clerk) 01736 762874
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://madron.org/
Madron Old Cornwall Society: Mrs Mary Mannering on 01736 711392
Landithy Hall & Madron Playing Field Association:
Connie Strowger 01736 448569
16