Kernow Goth

Written by Nicola Wills, Wadebridge OCS President

Following last year’s AGM of the Wadebridge Old Cornwall Society on 1^st October 2024, we enjoyed a slide show on Padstow by Margaret Thompson. The old Padstow, the important port bringing us coal from South Wales, the scene of Cornish Diaspora from where many  boarded sailing vessels to take them from Cornwall to a new life in the new world and where the fishing industry was essential to the economy.  A thank you especially to our own members who always come up trumps when asked to bring us presentations from their own research.  Home grown, organic and always served with good humour.

The following Friday, six members formed a team to compete in a charity Quiz Night and raffle in the Town Hall in aid of Marie Curie.  I have to say we were all proud to have supported this worthy cause and we had a fun evening.  We donned with pride a Member’s hand made “Old Cornwall style brooch” each to indicate our representation.

Bonfire Night came with a talk by Paul Holden with his presentation of “Damp Cellars, Dusty Attics and a Chesty cough”.  In  other words, he retold his stories and his experiences of his career with the National Trust and his architectural studies.  For 20 years he was Lanhydrock’s collections manager and organised the printing of the Lanhydrock Atlas.   On that evening, two visitors all the way from America attended.  We found out that one lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin and the other in Minneapolis, across the river.  When I asked in my naivety, as I have never been to America, which river would that be they replied “Mississippi”.  Oh  yes, I had heard of that river and I can spell it.

Later in November, 22 of us sat down to a sumptuous meal at the Swan Hotel.  The Mayor Councillor Ian Welch joined us as a self-funding guest. Always a warm evening, with a magnificent raffle and a home made quiz.  December’s meeting was a display of medieval entertainment in full dress and performance by Merv and Alison Davey and members joined in for fun.  We enjoyed seasonal refreshments and wished one another compliments of the Season. Then came 2025.

Kathy Hodges volunteer at Pencarrow, stepped in at the last minute and gave us a detailed, informative, virtual tour of Pencarrow House, at  our February meeting, whose love of her work shone through. Everyone in the Hall on March 12^th were humbled and stunned by the story of Mrs. Gisela Hawkey’s life from her childhood in Germany to her new life in Wadebridge. Her sons were very right in telling us that her story needed to be told.  Many of us have read her book which should be compulsory reading for everyone.

Roger Borton brought his archives and history of Wadebridge Cattle market in April and there was much discussion and input from the audience with memories of the market in town.

With modern day technology, your President had been fascinated with the story of Mr. Jack Rowe, his roots in Rock, that’s the Withiel Rock and his adventures in Michigan USA. Sometimes a story needs to be told and so invited Mr. Rowe’s granddaughter to come along and present the story.  On the Introducing Stage! She was well supported by her family and we hope she continues to share the massive archive she holds of her family history, descending down through the years.   The Society’s stand at the Town Council, Community Day was one of the busiest in the Hall.

In Royal Cornwall Show week, Mr. Mark Camp uncovered some Hidden Industrial Corners on Bodmin Moor, it is always quite refreshing to hear stories of the Moors.

Then we had two major events; Our Two Bridges across the River Camel walk as part of the Federation’s Walking Festival,  the event had been a  long time in the planning, was well supported throughout and members entered into the spirit of the occasion with our very own Anneka, who retold the story of the building of the footbridge in a weekend and our very own county historian who took us under the arches of the medieval bridge.  We hosted members of the Federation, local people several of which had summoned up the courage to come on their own due to a change in their circumstances.  WOCS should be proud of this, offering an event that you could join in, keeping you fit mentally and physically, also some left over pasties were delivered to a good cause for their tea that evening.  I defy anyone to tell me that we shouldn’t share our good fortune.     The Coffee Morning with Antiques was also a great success, although our beautiful hot summer, played its part and attendance was rather down.  The Carnival came hot on  its tails.  

Philanthrophy!  Unfortunately our designated speaker on this subject didn’t arrive as invited for our August meeting.

Your President kept talking however for a full 45 mins and with plenty of yarns to tell from her travels in the summer.  Never was a cup of Yorkshire tea ever more welcomed.  The Town Council hosted a commemoration for VJ Day on Friday 15^th August in the Town Hall as part of the Nation’s events and observing the two minute silence.   I don’t deny it was a difficult subject to cover.  Proud to say, Wadebridge Museum were on board supplying displays and rations, including lovely walnut bread and yeast buns and with the Old Cornwall’s own archivesd interpretations we were a  full part of the day and those visitors learned a lot about our forefathers’ horrific experiences during the war.  For my own part, I sat in here knitting poppies and reflecting on my Father’s long life of 96 years, as he had passed away the day before.  

Martin Eddy’s “Letters from Australia”  presentation was well received in September.  The family holding dear an amazing archive of correspondence over several generations when the family emigrated to the land down under in 17^th Century.  I have taken my own research on the Barque John to Porthleven and Par OCSs and to St Tudy historical Society back in the Spring.  Several members and I, attended the Federation AGM in Truro and the Carols from the Roseland event in Truro Cathedral.  Thank you to the Federation for the many, many events that they organise and or promote to keep a busy programme of activities.   The Federation also promote our own meetings.

Societies and Clubs are like families and if we are all to survive the test of time, then we must work and collaborate together. There’s no place for indifference and it’s better to thrash issues out than ignore them sometimes.  There are going to be many times when you think “What the….”  “I don’t get it”.  Sometimes you have to roll your eyes and carry on regardless.  As I come to end of my presidency I want to thank you for giving me this platform to express myself.  I have thoroughly enjoyed and been so proud to have this opportunity to be your president.  The history and heritage of Cornwall needs, recognition and preserving and if we as members of this almost 100 year old Society, can each do your bit, than do so and  be proud.  Don’t sit back complaining you don’t know what’s happening. Stand up and be counted. Your voice is as vital as the one from the person sat next to you.

Nicola Wills, 4th October 2025