Best Years Of My Young Life.

A Memory of Polzeath.

I'm a Polzeath girl (grown woman now ). During the war I lived in Bryher, moved to Yoyo cottage then again to Tywardale. My nursery school was Tregear and primary school was Holiday House on the terrace. The playground was the beach accessed by steps. These were wonderful years for my mother and I. Leisure time was surfing on small wooden boards hired from the Beach cafe, climbing trees in Shilla wood ( in springtime the floor of the wood was covered in blue bells and primroses). September was the month for picking.blackberries and sloes.The downside was the barrage balloons and gas masks ( thankfully these were never used ).We would shop at Mr.Philps store ( he was also the the church Minister ).We had a dairy in those days. Mrs Mail ran the post office and MrCoad the butchers. We had a chemist and haberdashery, also a stationary/bookstore on the beach. At 9 years old I moved to a small school in Trebetheric. We walked to school in those days across Polzeath beach along the cliff tops around Damar Bay then along the lane to school. Winter wear during the very bad weather was waxed coats and souwesters (fisherman's hats ).Sadly my mother died and I moved to London to live with my only relative. It's an understatement to say I hated it. Yellow smog, large schools with spiteful children who hated my west country accent. I returned each year after leaving school then with my husband and children. I cannot now believe the changes. Shilla Wood gone, replaced by a caravan park. Bryher no longer the lovely black and white house. Yoyo cottage completely changed, Tywardale unrecognizable. So many surfing schools and cafes. I can only say I have my wonderful memories. Are there any others who remember Polzeath as it once was.

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