Trewince in a nutshell
A handsome house to lodge a friend,
A river at my garden’s end.
A terrace walk, and half a rood
Of land, set out to plant a wood.
“Imitations of Horace”, Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
A handsome house to lodge a friend,
A river at my garden’s end.
A terrace walk, and half a rood
Of land, set out to plant a wood.
“Imitations of Horace”, Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
The aforementioned Gordon (see last post, “Recollections from a past visitor“) referred to the fire at Trewince, in the days when we had a campsite, full to capacity in high season. As it happens, I have a cutting from the West Briton Thursday August 1st 1991. It was a very scary occurrence. Peter & others tried to keep the flames away from nearby Calor gas cylinders. One man pushed his way through a thorny hedge to help extinguish the flames on the other side. I stood outside the front gate for ages waiting to direct the fire engine. Peter said you could hear it coming from across the water at St Mawes. People on the campsite were really helpful and collected clothes for the family, who also had a visit from Victim support volunteers.
Another visitor, who still visits Trewince with his family, recalls the event:
“I was there, yes it was scary, we all used up our fire extinguishers, totally useless! We were very worried about the gas bottles which were very securely attached, but one (very brave) guy managed to ‘kick’ them off into safety. Apparently, the caravan owner had brought into the awning, a hot barbecue – not a good idea!!!”
This brochure probably dates back to the 1970’s and features the ‘Modern comfortable Bluebird Senator Caravans’ and aspirational sketches of other accommodation: hot water was provided to BOTH floors of the House, and kitchenettes were an important feature in the flatlets!
The aforementioned caravans:- toilet facilities were in the corner of the walled garden, and showers were in the cellar of the house – with slot meters OUTSIDE the shower. A quick dash for the meter was necessary if the money ran out mid-shower. They were still in use in 1985, when visitors could be seen running, dripping, to the shop with soapy hair to complain that the shower had packed up. Low water pressure was quite an issue.
The restaurant was in the Stables where the swimming pool is now positioned. It later became the games room with a laundry beyond the curtain. Table tennis, anyone?
………….. or maybe a dish from the Menu?
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