Western Morning News Friday 26 February 1943
REQD., Thoroly Trustworthy Domstcd. Person to look after an aged lady and charge of 2 rooms; salary £52 p.a. and all found. — Apply Miss Duff Trewince Portscatho S Cornwall.
Western Morning News Saturday 06 January 1945
Young girl reqd. as NURSEMD., full- or part-time; also HOUSEMD. Reqd.; suit 2 friends. — Maudslay, Trewince, Portscatho
The BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE
Two battered eagles perch on the gate posts of Trewince – a link with the past to the Hobbs family who had eagles in their coat of arms and had connections here. The ancient manor overlooks both Froe Creek, leading to the Percuil river, and the sea, and stands on a wooded spur with woods of beech and pine leading to a small quay which belongs to the house. A field called Pardon Bank is just below Trewince, and it is here that Henry VIII is said to have pardoned all political offenders in the area.John Collett Thomas was a draper in London who retired to Trewince and he was the next to last squire in residence. The title of squire of Gerrans was generally held by the tenants of Trewince. Local people still remember the last of the squires and the time when people would touch their hats as the coach & horses rode through the village; there is a spot in the woods where the squire would sit and where the servants used to deliver his afternoon tea.
In the early 19th century the squire hunted regularly and Carew, in his “Survey of Cornwall”, describes the Cornish gentry gathering in each others’ houses, feasting and dancing, gambling and drinking. Last century Trewince was the place for the annual Sunday School treat. “They had a carriage and pair and servants in livery. We had splits and Saffron buns, and each took our own mug. We had games on the beach!!” (from “Accounts of the memories and reminiscences of a number of people of the parish of Gerrans”, collected by Sam Marsden, former rector of Gerrans).
The painting of the front gates with their eagles is by Stephen Bradbury from Mullion, Cornwall – known for his book cover illustrations.
ANDY RUDD makes the most of where time stands still.
The Rudd family always jokes that when you’re entering Cornwall across Saltash Bridge you should throw your watch over the side because for the next week you won’t need it. You see, in Cornwall there’s no rush to get to that meeting, no place to be at a certain time and definitely no last orders at the bar. That’s because Cornwall runs on its own clock – Cornish time. It’s a place where time seems to stand still – or at least that’s the impression I’ve reached after holidaying there on many occasions while growing up. So I was delighted when I got the chance to return with my wife and show her what Cornwall has to offer. We were staying in a log cabin at Trewince Manor – a 26-acre estate on the southern tip of the idyllic Roseland peninsula. A haven of beauty, Trewince typifies what Cornwall is all about. Each fully-furnished, fully-equipped single-storey log cabin or two-storey chalet has breathtaking views overlooking either rolling countryside or the English Channel. Our three-bedroom chalet was comfortable and even had Sky TV in case, heaven forbid, we found ourselves with nothing to do one evening. A terrace leading off the lounge overlooking the sea provided a perfect sun trap and place to eat bacon butties in the morning as we worked out which marvellous walk to try that day. Rain or shine there’s plenty to do whether you want action or just want to relax. Down the road from Trewince is St Anthony Head where you will see the lighthouse used in the kids’ TV series Fraggle Rock. You can easily spend a day doing a circular walk starting from the car park and heading out towards St Mawes through the grounds of Place House and St Anthony Church.
For those that like to cycle, a good day out can be had at the Camel Trail – a 17-mile disused railway track, running from Bodmin to Padstow. Around 350,000 visitors a year ride the trail which takes in some of Cornwall’s most breathtaking countryside. Comfortable bikes can be hired (£12 per day) and you don’t have to be an experienced rider to tackle the trail – the promise of a cream tea or fish and chips at the end definitely keeps you going. After a long day’s walk or just a busy day doing nothing, head to one of the two local pubs to recharge your batteries and rest your weary feet. A mile from Trewince is the The Royal Standard pub in Gerrans and a little further along The Plume of Feathers in Portscatho. Both have a great atmosphere and serve up hearty portions of home-cooked food, best washed down with a pint of the local Doom Bar or Tribute ale. We recommend the fish pie and lasagne at the Standard. Venturing further afield Mevagissey is a short drive away and there you can wander around the narrow streets full of galleries and gift shops. To sample the fresh catch of the day – so fresh it’s straight off the boat – book a table at The Shark’s Fin. Nearby the award-winning Lost Gardens of Heligan make for a more sedate day out. There are 80 acres of grounds bursting with colour with walled gardens, a huge vegetable plot and bird hides. Don’t forget to stop at the farm shop on your way home for some tasty local produce.
A favourite spot of ours is Polkerris, a small sandy cove near St Austell. The area was a great inspiration for Daphne du Maurier who wrote her famous novel “Rebecca” in the area. There’s an excellent walk across the headland to Fowey but be prepared for a challenge as the round trip is about nine miles – but worth every step. Time your walk so that you arrive back in Polkerris just as the sun is beginning to set to take full advantage of the views from The Rashleigh Inn as you enjoy a well-earned evening meal in their restaurant. On our last day we went to Padstow, sitting back and enjoying another Cornish cream tea to the sound of an acoustic guitar. A bearded man in a fisherman’s cap is on the harbour singing Cornish folk songs. His name is John Breeze, or Breezy to friends and he’s a celebrity in these parts for the money he raises for charity every year. Breezy tells me he used to be a PE teacher who came down to the harbour to play so he could “get away from it all”. “Problem is,” he says, “I liked it so much I packed it in and came here for good.” And I can see why. I wonder if John’s got space for a tambourine man?
GET THERE Trewince Manor holiday lodges are open all year. Depending on the time of year, a week’s stay in a sleep-six single-storey lodge is from £510 to £1250, a two-storey from £603 to £1,350 and a sleep-5 (Redwing) is from £458 to £950. Visit www.trewince.co.uk or call 01872 580289.
Anyone who loves Cornwall and enjoys a trip to the beach will find this blog delightful reading.
“On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where you can see my beach visits and enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there, including interviews asking
“What does the beach mean to you…?”
The project celebrates the elemental power of the beach and its profound effect on the people who enjoy being where the air, land and sea meet. The beach means different things to different people, whether it’s enhancing creativity, decisiveness and energy, being restorative and settling, part of a routine, a reference point through generations, freedom or just fun.
In the narratives here, you’ll see and hear people re-present their emotions, perceptions and recollections, all drawn out by the enhancing effect of the beach. manonabeach is a construct, a passive Everyman, whose role is to bring these qualitative findings directly to you, for you to draw whatever conclusions you want from them.
With manonabeach, you can enjoy a regular glimpse of beaches and beachgoers, wherever you are, nearly in real time, as the films are almost always uploaded on the same day as the visit.”
Almost every day we are asked about what is happening with the restoration of the house, and we, like you, can’t wait to see what is to come. I am therefore very pleased that this information has now been put at our disposal. Here it is:
A Cornish Architect and a Listed Properties Historical Buildings expert (who worked on the Windsor Castle restoration after the fire) plus other relevant experts have been working on a five phased restoration plan. They are now finalising the fifth and final phase of the restoration plan before submitting the fifth plan to the Planning Authorities and relevant Historical and Listed Buildings Bodies who during the phased restoration process have all been kept fully informed.
All the five phased restoration plans will provide for the certainty, stability and sustainability of retaining both the 1750 period and the Victorian period buildings for the future and removing the past additions/changes that are not in keeping with the relevant periods.
Phase 1 has been the restoration (not replacement) of the windows (keeping all the existing windows including the rare landing window at the rear) and in order to secure the property.
Phase 2 has been the containment and protection of a rare bat colony in the Victorian loft and insertion of a bat entrance in the Victorian apex. This has all had to be managed through relevant experts after careful study, surveys and lengthy approval procedures.
Phase 3 is the works for improved and effective drainage of the internal roof well to prevent internal flooding and consequent damage to ornate plasterwork that has occurred over a lengthy time. The plans have recently been approved subject to relevant conditions. This work will be carried out shortly. The current listed drainage system will remain intact.
Phase 4 will be the carrying out of the roof and parapet renovation now that these plans have also been approved, subject to relevant conditions, after the bat breeding season ends in September this year, hence the hold up on the roof and retention of scaffolding.
Phase 5 is the both the internal and external maintenance, repair and renovation that is subject to the approval of the proposals currently being finalised. The length of time of this process is due to the necessary historical research and the architectural and many other surveys that have had to be carried out in order to manage the whole site responsibly.
With regard to the Cottage, this has recently had plans (prepared by the Architect and Listed Buildings expert) approved, subject to relevant conditions, for an internal and external renovation and the enlargement of the kitchen plus a small porch extension, all in keeping with its historical period. The Cottage is integral to the proposals for the restoration of the Manor as part of the whole site including the drive, the grounds and outside buildings.
We were at the Heartlands opening at the weekend, with Duchy Opera (Peter was singing in the chorus, and I was gallantly trying to hold onto the music for the accompanist as it threatened to blow away). Should be renamed Trewince (house of the winds!). We were all given little heart-shaped bookmarks (based on the new Heartlands logo) but sadly our promised heart-shaped Cornish pasties failed to materialise, having sold out completely the previous day. We saw the Bal Maidens dancing and heard the Falmouth Shout singing and generally enjoyed the ambiance of the opening event. We didn’t manage to spot the heart-shaped blimp in the sky – I hope it hasn’t blown away.
In two week’s time we shall be heading down to the Minack (the open-air theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno, not far from Lands End). Time for Baron Herzog to strut his stuff and open up a world of opera. Let’s hope the wind has dropped by then and the rain stays away. Now the Minack in a storm is an entirely different story!
Some guests staying here this week, keen botanists, pointed out that we have Babington Leeks growing in our woods – along the pathway. I must confess that I had never heard of such a plant, but apparently it is quite rare, and grows in the Roseland, our particular part of Cornwall. Another local rarity is the moss “Weissia multicapsularis” (many-seeded) but no-one seems to have spotted that yet. There is lots of wild garlic in our hedgerows at the moment – the flowers resemble white bluebells but the garlic scent gives away its identity. Lots of culinary uses for this one – and I have even seen the leaves for sale in the greengrocer’s organic boxes.
I found this book one day in the Truro library. It made fascinating reading. Sam Marsden was a very popular rector of Gerrans around 1975/6. Here are some quotations from “Accounts of the memories and reminiscences of a number of people of the parish of Gerrans, collected by Sam Marsden, rector of Gerrans 1975 or 6.”
” For Sunday School outings the Congregationalists went to Pendower, so did the Wesleyans. The Bryanites went to Towan.”
“For our Sunday School treat we went to Pendower, or Towan or Trewince; we were allowed to have tea there and walk through the gardens. They had a carriage and pair and servants in livery (just a dark frock coat). We had splits and Saffron buns, and each took our own mug. We had games on the beach!!”
It’s amazing what you can find when you dig in the records at the Royal Cornwall Museum (Courtney Library)
HO/2/82 12/7/1778 Will and probate of Stephen Johns of Trewince. Executor was Richard Johns. “In the name of God Amen. I Stephen Johns of Trewince within the parish of Gerrans in the County of Cornwall Esquire being at this time in a tolerable good state of bodily health and of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding (Praise be to God for the same), but considering the great uncertainty of this life and how necessary it is, that a settled disposition should be made of all my temporal affairs Do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First – I resign my Soul into the hands of God in his due Time hoping in and through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ for a full and perfect remission of all my sins and transgressions whatsoever, and my body to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named and as to my real and personal estate I give and dispose thereof as followeth: first debts legacies and funeral charges be paid and satisfied to wife Ann Johns 100 guineas to be paid six months after death and household furniture as she shall chuse and think necessary for her use. Also ratifies and confirms joint use or settlement made unto or in trust for her on and previous to my intermarriage and my will and meaning is that the same and the above legacies or bequests may be accepted and taken in full Barlieu and satisfaction of and for all Dower and Thirds which she might otherwise claim or be instituted unto out of any of my lands goods or chattels. Youngest son Stephen James Johns £1000 to be paid 6 months after attaining 21. Meantime to be educated in a proper manner out of the estate at discretion of executors and trustees; when attains a proper age to be put out and placed out as a clerk or an apprentice to some profession trade or business. Either clerk to attorney or merchant of good character and reputation in his profession or to a surgeon and apothecary or such other trade business or profession as shall be thought most proper and my said son should approve of. Also such sums of money as should be necessary in these professions etc. (Not to be taken out of £1000). Daughters Mary Ann and Elizabeth £800 1 year after 21 or marriage with consent of their mother and education wife Ann kinsman Richard Thomas of Tretheake cousin John Davis of Penryn and survivors and heirs messuages lands tenements hereditaments goods chattels and personal estate in trust for eldest son Richard Johns and heirs during his minority, after which he will be the sole executor. They are to be trustees and also Executors of the will. Also guardianship to tuition of all my children. If RJ died in minority unmarried or without issue of his body lawfully begotten then inheritance would go to trustees and put in trust for Stephen James Johns (younger son). Written 1778 – died 1793? Probate; letter of administration dated 1793 (16th December.)ie proved 1793 Stephen John (younger) married Ann James from Saltash daughter of merchant. Richard Johns esq. of Trewince or his heirs or assigns are entitled to a moity of all the tithable lands of the parish, except Rosteague, Trewarthas, Tregair, Tregairwoon.