President: Bill Glanville
Chairman: Lyn May 07724 088707
Minutes Secretary: Barbara Wyper
Treasurer: Ms Rosemary Coley 01637 889457.
Events Secretary: Phil Ellery 07971 240037
Recorder: John & Bernie Mankelow
PROGRAMME
Winter Lectures normally held on the 3rd Monday in the Month
Except December (Second Monday)
Meet at Bowling Club unless posters state otherwise. Meeting address is - St Columb Bowling Club, West St, St Columb, TR9 6RX.
(No post to this address, please)
Winter Meetings start at 7.30 p.m. Subscription = £3
(Paid up members are insured while attending OCS talks and events)
March 2020
St Columb Major Old Cornwall Society were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate their 50th
anniversary on Monday 16th March at The Hotel Bristol in Newquay. Lyn our Chairperson thanked
everyone for coming. Guests included Karin Easton, President of the Federation and her husband;
Priscilla Oats, Past President; Paul Wills, Mayor of St Columb Major; Reverand Helen Baber,
Rector of Lann Pydar and members of other Old Cornwall Societies.
An excellent meal was served by the hotel staff. Bill Glanville spoke about the beginnings of the
Society with several anecdotes. This was followed by entertainment from The Wreckers. It was a
thoroughly enjoyable evening.
February 2020
Members of St Columb Major Old Cornwall Society met on Monday 17th February. Lyn, chairperson, welcomed everyone and reminded us about the dinner and entertainment at the Hotel Bristol, Newquay on March 16th to celebrate 50 years of the Society in St Columb Major. The evening is open to anyone, not just members, who would like to come, cost £15, details from Lyn on 07724088707. She then introduced Mr Glynn Bennallick as our speaker on Stones and Stars. What a priviledge it was to listen to his talk. Glynn had become interested in the sky, moon and stars at an early age starting with the Lunar Eclipse in 1961. A member of Kernow Astronomers, he showed us many spectacular photos of comets, planets and the Aurora Borealis. Glynn then went onto speak about the Pyramids, Menhirs and Stone Circles and that perhaps they contain astronomical secrets. An altogether fascinating evening.The Society needs a Treasurer, contact Lyn if you are interested. The Old Cornwall Society generally meet on 3rd Monday in the Month at 7.30pm in The Bowling Club, West Street, St Columb Major. The room is wheelchair friendly. All are welcome. Our next meeting on March 16th will be the Dinner.
January 2020
It was more than a trip down 'Memory Lane' for the 50 or more who came to St Columb Major Old
Cornwall Society's meeting in January. The speaker was Mr John Bennallick and his topic was the
old shops and places of interest in St Columb Major when he was growing up in the area. It would
appear that St Columb Major was a thriving town with all needs covered by a vast variety of shops.
Among the many places and people John spoke about were the garages, grocery shops, shoe and
boot shops, blacksmiths and cinema. Also several older members were able to add further details. It
was a very informative and enjoyable talk. Lyn thanked him and reminded everyone about the
forthcoming celebration meal at Hotel Bristol on March 16th. Open to all, not just members, cost
£15 details from Lyn on 07724088707. Also the Society need a Treasurer, contact Lyn if you are
interested. The Old Cornwall Society generally meet on 3rd Monday in the Month at 7.30pm in The
Bowling Club, West Street, St Columb Major. The room is wheelchair friendly. All are welcome. At
our next meeting on February 17th Glyn Bennallick will give a talk on Stars and Stones.
DECEMBER 2019 Meeting Report
There is never a dull moment at the St Columb Major Old Cornwall Society meetings. On
December 9th 2019 they held their 'Christmas Evening'. Lyn, Chair, welcomed everyone. John
Bennallick was our MC and he introduced those taken part and of course adding his own sparkle
with his readings and punchlines. Kana Rescorla very ably provided the music with their variety of
instruments including clarinet, fiddle and piano accordion and of course the singing of Keith and
Clarinda Truscott. People's memories served them well when joining in with the Carols, as we did
not have the words! Everyone took part in singing and performing 'The Twelve Days of Christmas',
Cornish Style. We were so grateful to Lyn who produced an enormous spread of home cooked food.
The Old Cornwall Society generally meet on 3rd Monday in the Month at 7.30pm in The Bowling
Club, West Street, St Columb Major. The room is wheelchair friendly. All are welcome. Next
meeting will be on January 20th when Mr John Bennallick will talk about the Old Shops of St
Columb Major. (Please see seperate notice in this magazine). If you have any memories/photos of
our town, why not come along and share them
The Romans in Cornwall, The Latest Evidence
The room was filled to capacity for St Columb Major's Old Cornwall Society's meeting on Monday
21st October. Lyn, Chairperson, introduced our speaker, Mr Carl Thorpe. His talk was entitled 'The
Romans in Cornwall, The Latest Evidence'. This absolutely fascinating talk attracted people from
Wadebridge, St Austell and even a family on holiday from Yorkshire.
Carl has been an archaelogist in Cornwall for about 25 years and has worked with the 'Time Team'.
It was believed that the Romans stopped at Exeter but through discoveries of forts at Nanstallon,
Lostwthiel, Carvossa and Calstock, history has almost needed to be rewritten. Carl spoke about
other excavations such as the Roman Villa at Magor near Illogan, the Signal stations at Pabyer Point
near Gorran Haven and at High Cliff on the North Coast of Cornwall. He showed photos of
hobnails, neck rings and pottery all believed to be Roman.. Also Roman coins found alongside the
Cornish Coast and Rivers indicating a Roman presence. In 2006 Roman Cremation urns were
discovered in Tregony and were believed to hold the remains of an adult female. Carl rather hopes
more sites will be discovered over time. He answered many questions.Lyn, thanked Carl for his
very in formative talk.The Old Cornwall Society generally meet on 3rd Monday in the Month at
7.30pm in The Bowling Club, West Street, St Columb Major. The room is wheelchair friendly. All
are welcome.
Photo: Terry Knight
Midsummer Bonfire 2019
St Columb Major Old Cornwall Society held their Annual Midsummer Bonfire on Saturday 22nd June at Castle an Dinas.Hot pasties were on sale from 8pm. Lyn May, Chair, welcomed everyone. Reverand Helen Baber read the prayer. Master of Ceremonies was Peter Wyper who spoke in both Cornish and English. The lady of the flowers was Lyn May and Phil Ellery lit the fire. More than 70 people stood around the blazing fire and joined in the singing led by John Bennallick and music was provided by Rescorla Accordions
Founded 1970