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Porthcothan Bay

Porthcothan Bay photos (26 available)

Old photo of Porthcothan Bay

Porthcothan Bay maps (2 available)

Old map of Porthcothan Bay

Porthcothan Bay books (12 available)

Porthcothan Bay memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Cornwall below.

Cornwall memories

Birth

I was born on 8 October 1939 in a house called Trewalder, at Treyarnon Bay. The house belonged to Nan and Sam Odhams and they persuaded my mother to leave London - everyone was rushing anywhere and every place once war was declared on 3 September. My father was in the TA and had already been called up. So I announced my intentions on the eve of the 7th. The others were all out at the time - but by the time they returned the midwife had arrived. I'm told that every time my mother groaned they all had another gin and shouted "cheers". Sir Peter Horlick boiled the water and the midwife was ...read more here
A memory of St Merryn contributed by First name Last name

my years in st merryn at towan farm house

My father was in the Fleet Air Arm during the war and in about 1949 he was stationed at the camp in St Merryn, my parents lived at Towan Farm House where I was brought back to from the hospital after I was born at Redruth hospital. My maiden name was Wells. The couple that owned the farm was called Mr and Mrs Old, they did not have any children of their own.  I was calling them auntie and uncle as we had become very close, so much so that when my dad left the Navy and got a job on British Rail at Padstow and then a council house up at  Trevithick, I stayed most of my time at the ...read more here
A memory of St Merryn contributed by Linda Neary

Our Picnic While Boscastle Flooded

On the day of the Boscastle flood I went with my wife Carmela, and our kids Molly, Libby and George for a walk up to the lighthouse on Trevose head above mother Iveys Bay. The sun was shining beautifully though the wind was strong (as it always is on the cliffs). We stopped halfway above the lifeboat station to eat our picnic lunch and looked along the coast towards Tintagel and Boscastle. The sky was black in that direction and as we sat in the sun on the grass around the high mounted bench at the top of the hill we remaked that someone was getting wet over there. It was only when we got back to our tent where we ...read more here
A memory of Mother Iveys Bay contributed by Robin Greaves

Rowing our boat




My children, Molly, Libby, and George loved taking turns with me rowing across from the shallower of the two beaches the short distance across the calm bay to the lifeboat station which as we got closer loomed large like something from a James Bond adventure. We came ashore on the small beach under the lifeboat station that appears at low tide and explored under the legs and hulk of the boat store and slipway. On the way back a seal popped up alongside to inspect us but finding us thoroughly uninteresting lay on its back in the water to bask in the sun.
A memory of Mother Iveys Bay contributed by Robin Greaves

Extracts From Porthcothan Bay & Cornwall books

Perranporth, Boscawen Park 1938

The palm trees add an exotic touch to the park in this view, which looks in a similar direction to the 1890 view (No 23967 on page 43). By this date the open spaces have been infilled with housing, and the Perranporth Hotel can be recognised on the far side of the pond immediately behind the right-hand tree.
An extract from from"Newquay to St Ives Photographic Memories".

St Ives, Draycott Terrace 1901

It is just three years after No 41609, above, and the Porthminster Hotel has been given an extension in the form of a smaller version of the original building. This is a steep site, and the road along the front of Draycott Terrace is supported by a substantial stone wall. The terraced cottages in Primrose Valley below are still intact.
An extract from from"Newquay to St Ives Photographic Memories".

St Ives, the Harbour 1895

The church could hardly be closer to the sea. Many of the buildings can be recognised today, but they are now separated from the water in the harbour by walls supporting a road and a walkway. The St Ives lifeboat is on its carriage outside the lifeboat house on West Pier near the church. The present lifeboat house is on the near side of the pier.
An extract from from"Newquay to St Ives Photographic Memories".

Newquay, the Gannel Regatta 1928

Spectators on both sides of the Gannel are enjoying the annual August regatta. How different the Gannel looks at full tide. There were once plans to build a dam to keep water in the Gannel all the time as an amenity. This view looks from the Crantock side; most of the open fields on the Newquay side have since been covered with houses.
An extract from from"Newquay to St Ives Photographic Memories".

St Ives, the Harbour 1890

Rows of fishing boats are mostly aground where they are moored in the harbour. Smaller boats are drawn right up to the buildings in the background, for the Wharf wall had not yet been built. The whitewashed Fore Street Methodist chapel is to the right, likewise built onto the harbour beach.
An extract from from"Newquay to St Ives Photographic Memories".