Coverack memories
Here are memories of Coverack and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Coverack or a Coverack photo.
Working at The Headland Hotel
While still at Helston Grammar School, I worked at the Headland Hotel during one summer. Pickles was the manager, he was a tyrant but I seemed to get the better of him. I wrecked the lawn-mower running over a rock while pushing it up and down those front lawns in the picture, he tried to make me pay for it out of my £4 10/- a week pay! I refused.
I fell in love with Margaret from Quinton who was working the summer to practice the cooking skills she had learned in Birmingham Catering School. It was a wonderful summer working in the garden, Pickles made us all take part in and help out at the Coverack Carnival.
The gardener teased me saying I was the darkest horse he had ever known and that I had stolen the best looking woman (Margaret) for many a mile, from under the noses of all interested parties.
Early mornings, I polished any shoes left out by guests, had a cup... Read more
Coverack 1969
In 1969 I was 15 and quit school. I was hitch hiking and ended up in Coverack. I was drinking in the local pub, the Paris Hotel I think, when some construction guys offered me a job digging ditches and laying sewer pipes. It was summer, and the foreman had rented a field from a local farmer. He lived in a caravan and the rest of us had tents. The foreman was a six foot seven South African, and his crew were all Irish men. Every day after quitting work we went to the Paris and got drunk. These guys were crazy, but a lot of fun. Throughout the summer we picked up many tourist girls and took them to barn dances and rodeos in St Keverne. I have never been back since, but the memories are still fresh in my mind.
Memories of Cornwall
I Lived Here...
The large house to the right of the picture is called Barclay House, it's also St Keverne garage. We moved there in late 1979 and lived there for 3 years, having to leave it behind and move back to the north west due to family problems. We bought the house from Pat Johnson who had lived there with her husband.
Looking back now, it's heart breaking that we had to leave behind this idyllic, beautiful part of the country. I try to go back to visit at least once in every 5 years as a part of my heart will always belong in St Keverne Square.
Nowadays the square has parking lines painted all over it, but the building itself hasn't altered one bit, infact when I look around the pictures on this site I can recognise most of the scenes, so little has changed.
15 YEARS AT BARCLAY HOUSE
I remember coming to live at Barclay House in the September with my sister Rachel and my Mum and Dad. We moved from Sutton Coldfield because Dad no longer wanted to work as a garage mechanic for someone else, and he wanted to own his own garage. Mum was not at all keen as she was leaving her friends behind, but as a dutiful wife, she agreed to the move and we settled into village life, albeit in part of the hub of St. Keverne Square.
After Jack Hocking died in 1963, Dad demolished the corner cottage and had a 4,000 gallon tank hoisted into place, then had the corner shop built over it that stands to this day.
We all used to take turns serving petrol, checking oil, blowing up tyres, or later on, sweets, to those socialising in the bus shelter opposite. It was an idyllic life, Rachel and I had ponies, friends and loved to participate in the Annual Carnival, Ox Roast and Gymkhana. That we... Read more
Kennack
I have been coming to Kennack since I was a toddler. But 1972 was the first of many years that stand out to me. My family met another family and we are still in touch now, 36 years and more later.
My memories are so many, borrowing beach donkeys and going off on safaris, making dens, rope swings across rivers. Getting lunch out of the hedge, black berries and toejam etc.
Memories of running around the costal path to Cadgwith, walking to the Draw Bar. boat trips on the Hairy Fairy. Floral day, Carn Brae pool when it was first built, Horse and Jockey, pastrys. Clotted cream eaten right from tub with fingers - no jam or scone. Swimming in Kennack Bay, body surfing on wooden boards, helping out in the beach cafe, etc etc
Now I scuba dive and learnt to dive on the Lizard at Poth Kerris and Porthaulstock. I still return to my favourite place. Long may Kennack stay as it is, unspoilt and... Read more
Serpentine Factory Poltesco
While resident in the area I was given a story about the demise of the factory which I visited many times but I cannot vouch for its accuracy.
The factory specialised in large serpentine objects with elaborate and highly polished finishes. In particular very grand fireplaces were produced for big houses. According to the story that i received in Cadgwith, the factory received a very large order for a chateau in France. All production and all assets were geared to this task and eventually a barge was hired to transport the fireplaces. En route the barge was lost, possibly in a storm and all its cargo lost which was uninsured. The loss was too much for the little factory and it had to close. I cannot give a date for this event but it was suggested about the turn of the century.
Many Friends
We moved to Cadgwith in 1979, the best move of our lives, everyone was so friendly. Our two boys grew up there and had the time of their lives fishing and playing on the beach. We were sad to leave in 1987 but will never forget Cadgwith. Steve and Shiela Thornton.
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