St Neot News of 1963 has a little verse about the wintry weather.

God makes such nights, all white an' still,

Fur'z you can look or listen'

Moonshine an' snow on field an' hill,

All silence an' all glisten.

James R. Lovell (1819-91)

Cott Barn Resource Centre

The first meeting of the Grant Application Committee for furnishing the Cott Barn Resource Centre Archive Room has taken place. This is a joint venture between St Neot Historians, Warleggan Historians and St Neot Parish Council. Application is being made from the Heritage Lottery Fund to equip the Archive Room in Cott Barn. We will be asking for furniture and storage facilities to keep St Neot and Warleggan’s “history” in. We will also seek funding for a computer and audio-visual equipment.

It is hoped that money will be available towards the end of this year to allow the Archive room to be functional during 2011. We are currently exploring the possibility of educational links with groups of all ages in the locality. See the Parish Council Minutes for more details of Cott Barn’s progress.

THE LONDON INN

The London Inns’ new winter opening times are:

Monday – Friday                                                                   Saturday & Sunday

12 – 3 p.m.        6 – 11 p.m.                                    12 – 11 p.m.     

Food Served

Monday – Saturday                                                Sunday Lunch

12 – 2 p.m.                                                                12 – 2.30 p.m.

Sunday – Thursday                                                Friday & Saturday

6 – 8 p.m.                                                                                6.30 - 9.00 p.m.

A few dates for your diary:

Saturday 13th February  Valentines’ Menu (Evening Service Only)

Treat your loved one to our special Valentines’ Menu (Full Menu also available)

Saturday 27th February  East Cornwall Hunt, Horn blowing & whip cracking competition @ 8.30 p.m.

Friday 5th March  Quiz Night & Big Yellow Friday Day in aid of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation

(Wear the colour yellow to support this national event).

Have you got a desire to be a star, or a talent you want to share with everyone!  Old or young, singer, magician, dancer, comedian whatever your talent we want to see it!  St Neots’ Got Talent! Anyone interested please contact Sarah Pearce on (01579) 321639 before the end of Feb 2010.

Stuck for a present  idea, want to say sorry or just to say thank you, How about a London Inn gift voucher?

 WI Change of Date

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the January meeting of St Neot WI was cancelled. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 2nd February, the speaker being Mrs Sarah Chapman on  the fast-growing interest of "Unusual Knitting." The Competition is for a Hand Knitted Item. New members are always welcome.

ST NEOT WI REPORT DECEMBER 2009

Our December meeting welcomed two potential new members, Sally and Sylvia. Business was swiftly dealt with, reports on the various proposed classes: we would try out basket making, crochet and line dancing (if we could get a teacher or video), details in due course.

Birthdays : May, Penny and Jean.

Competitions:

Best bloom 1st Lin Grigg, 2nd Margaret Northcott, 3rd Marjorie Bunt.

Four mince pies 1st June Harrison, 2nd Marjorie Bunt, 3rd Margaret Northcott.

Our evening was billed as “Songs of Santa, Sailors and the sea”, introduced by Nick and Jenny Hart accompanied by friends Hugh and Fiona. Straightaway we launched into “I am sailing”, followed by “The sloop John B / I wanna go home” and a rollicking selection of shanties, well-known favourite songs, and carols. Between musical items, we were entertained by tales of sailing in the Greek islands, photographs of Mediterranean scenery and sailing boats, and a nautical-based quiz to challenge the knowledge of members. The winning team of the quiz was rewarded with vouchers from the village shop. Fiona showed us some of the bags she makes from recycled sail fabric. A hilarious version of the 12 days of Christmas was followed by wonderful refreshments provided by members, and a jolly evening was had by all.

Members were reminded that subscriptions are due in January. The next meeting will have a speaker on “Fair Trade”

St Neot Art Group

Is this the year for your new artistic resolution? if so why not come along and join our art group. We meet every Wednesday in the old cricket pavilion off Lampen lane between 2 - 4pm.

From time to time we hear of people who would be interested but say, I have not done anything since school and I would not know what to do.

I assure you that sadly, and I hope the existing members will not take offence. There are no Turners, Rembrants or even Damien Hirsts amongst us. Some of us do pencil work, some watercolour, some acrylic and I use oils. We are a very friendly group, have a good gossip and sometimes are creative. All for the cost of £2 per session (it pays the rent!) Give it a go.

For more info ring Andy on 01579 320688, Faye 01579 326048 or Shirley on 01208 821251.

St Neot Local Historians

St Neot Local Historians will meet for the first time this year (2010) on February 1st, 7.30pm in our usual room at the Institute. We will hold our AGM which will be crucial for preparations to submit an application for a grant towards the proposed Heritage Centre at Cott Barn. On the agenda  is also the intention to plan our programme for the year. Some dates are already filled and we are extremely pleased to welcome our member Oliver Padell, on March 1st to talk about local place names.

The wintry weather we hope has now passed and Spring will soon be on the way. Dates from the past where the weather was particularly bad are remembered. There is no one now that can remember the Great Blizzard that struck in March 1891 but many will remember the difficulties in 1947 and 1963. 

There is only a short reference to the weather in St Neot News of February 1963 when the Rev. Ashton wrote of appalling weather conditions and the cancellation of the Carol Service . On one occasion there were no communicants at the 8 o'clock Holy Communion service and the Plough Sunday service was not held until  January 27th. At that service Mr Andrew Bunt, and Mr J. Bunt helped to carry the plough into church. Mr David Northcott was crucifer and Walter was server. The choir was described as being a fair number, better than in recent times.

Beavers Report

We have been really busy little beavers this half term, we have now completed our Faith badge, we visited the local Chapel and Church where we had a worksheet to complete on the differences between them, there were quite a few discussions on why they thought they were different. We went on the Remembrance Parade where we laid our wreath and held our flag with pride. Part of the badge was gained by having to act out a short play on goodness/kindness, we chose to act out the story of the Good Samaritan, the beavers had such fun dressing-up and doing this for the cubs and their parents. The latter part of the term we concentrated on Christmas making some fabulous crafts puppets, cards, wind-chimes, bookmarks and much more, the glitter was out in full force. We had a great Christmas party at Carnglaze Caverns, what a wonderful setting for this, we had a Treasure Hunt down in the caves using our torches to find the clues, a lovely spread of food, party games and two of our budding musicians Ellye Ball and Hannah Pollard gave us a wonderful  performance on their instruments. Thank you to Caroline and Graham for letting us use their venue. This next term we are going for our Imagination badge, who knows where that will take us to.

Do you have a child aged between 6 and 8 years?

Do they like games?

Do they like making new friends?

Do they like going on walks?

Do they like adventures?

If the answer is YES

Then why not bring them along to beavers.

When -Thursday evening 5.15 - 6.30

Where- Chapel School Room

4 Free taster session for each child before  having to decide to be invested in the colony. Contact Julie -01579 321050 or Suzanne 01579 320449

St Neot Local Produce Market

Our December market was a busy affair and the weather was not too bad, until the end of the morning, when the rain did set in and our intrepid outside stallholders had to resort to umbrellas.

We were very glad to see that Sue has mostly recovered from her fall, and to welcome back Di Minards after her recent illness.  Liz reported that Chris Rounsevell had been pleased with the outcome of his first month at the market in November, so we trust that Liz continues to do good trade with his tasty meat .

We had two new stallholders in December – Michael brought along some very special hand and body creams, and Martin Eddy and friend David were there – Martin brought some lovely colourful willow, and David some very beautiful coloured glass-work – both large pieces and small. It’s clever stuff and a welcome addition to our market – do come along and have a look if you missed it last time. There was certainly plenty to see and buy – and the Church Fellowship were kept busy sustaining us all with hot drinks.  All in all it has been a busy and successful market and I would like to thank the stallholders for their loyalty, commitment and effort to make it all work for the community.

We are very sad to say goodbye to Sarah Manning, who has been supplying us with fantastic baked goods for the last few years.  For personal reasons Sarah has to cut down on her commitments – maybe some time she will be able to come back to us – but in the meantime we all extend our thanks to her for her expertise and cheerful support – and our very best wishes go with her.

From February, the cake stall will be operated by members of St Neot Church on an experimental basis, raising funds for the church and for charities. The fund that we are raising money for at the moment is the Haiti appeal. The baking will be donated and you can be sure, with so many experienced cooks in the village, the quality will be good.  Linda Balfour is co-ordinating the project initially so those of you willing to contribute, please get in touch with her on 01579 320472, evenings and weekends, unless you have already spoken.  Most importantly, come along and treat yourself to excellent home baking, all in a good cause.

This article will not appear until February – and our market will be on the 6th – so we look forward to seeing you then, and the Short Mat Bowls Club will be on hand to make our tea and coffee.   Happy New Year to everyone!  Jenny

PS Proceeds from the February Cake Sales run by St Neot Church and from the Teas & Coffees will go to the Haiti Appeal

Below is the list for the providers of tea and coffee at the market, which I have not printed for some time! -

St Neot Ramblers

It was nice to see so many of you brave the ice & snow for our New Year's walk and the meal at the London Inn afterwards. As always at our Christmas meal we passed a list around for people to choose walks for the coming year and to offer to lead walks if they wanted to.

This is the list at present.

January 31st, 1pm, Two Valleys walk led by Brian & Rose . This is a fairly tough 6 mile walk, taking about 3 hours.

February. Barbara Hall - walk to be decided.

March. Colliford to Temple. Andy

April -- No leader or walk  planned yet

May. Pontshill. Barbara Hall

June - Dartmoor Walk. Brian

July. Lantic Bay/ Polruan. Fred & Ruth

August. Local Walk & BBQ at Cintra. Chris & Babs

September. Still free

October  -- Boscastle Circular walk.  Dianne

November.  Jenny Gander -- to be decided

December.  Christmas walk & meal. Suggestions please.

Happy New Year to you all and good walking.  Sue

Welcome Club

A very happy and successful Christmas Party was held on the 17th December with the Rev Andrew Balfour leading the carol singing. Mary Rowe played the organ.

Adrian Wilton of Dobwalls entertained us with his humorous tales. The committee served us with a scrumptious tea and every member went home with a special present.

On February 25th our speaker will be Mrs Nancy Jolliffe whose talk will be on “The Saints Way”. This will take place in the Village Hall Club Room at 2.30pm Anyone is welcome.

Parish Council Meetings

A Parish Council Meeting took place on the 9th of December. Reports discussed included the Cott Barn Resource Centre, and Fencing around the Play Area. Reports from the Police and Councillor Watson were also received. An authority for payment of bills was voted on. Correspondence from the County Council and others was received. A finance report was presented. Other subjects considered were the Playbuilder Grant Application, maintenance of the Cemetery  and specific donations.

A Planning Meeting also took place on the 9th. Ten items were on the agenda.

Full details of the above are contained in the minutes on the notice board at the bottom of the stairs in the Institute.

Canoryon Lowen

It was great to see some of our local supporters at Riverside when we sang there on December 29th.  We do enjoy that outing in the gap between Christmas and New Year, and the weather allowed us to get out, and home again!  Canoryon Lowen will be singing again on March 21st at Trewoon, which is near St Austell, and again on March 27th at Kingsand, then on April 16th in Tavistock Town Hall.  Further details of times etc. in the March newsletter, and in due course on our web site www.canoryonlowen.com   - or don't hesitate to ring me on 01579 320683 - Jenny Hart

Church Women’s Fellowship

Our last three meetings have been interesting and varied. Starting with October the Rev. Sue Hill spoke about her return trip to Ethiopia after 25 years. Sue is planning to make her third trip to the region shortly and a cheque for £120 was presented to her which she said would be a great help to so many, especially as famine has again struck this country in a big way. A note of thanks was given by Heather Davenport. Closing prayers were led by Freda Arthur and tea hostesses were Lyn Newton and Phil Bradford.

In November Martin Eddy gave us an informative talk about the “Role of the Parish Council”. This parish is lucky that the council (formed in 1894) is very active. The 10 present members do their best to plan ahead to meet the needs of the community. Meetings have to be formal and members of the public can attend as observers. Jane Vicarage proposed the vote of thanks. The closing prayer was said by Marjorie Bunt and teas were served by Rose Wilton and Gill Gubbins.

The December meeting saw us in Church for our Advert Service led by the Rev. Andrew Balfour. Mrs Norna Taylor was organist and lessons were read by Monica Smeeth and Rose Wilton. Tea was served at Glyn Dale by Jane Glanville and Jenny Gander.

Our next meeting is on January 27th when we are looking forward to hearing Chris and Barbara Timms talk about their holiday in India. Visitors are always welcome.  Jenny Gander

WARLEGGAN YFC

Although he has a busy schedule in December, Father Christmas gave up his precious time to help the Young Farmers’ Club visit the children in the parishes of Warleggan, St Neot and Cardinham where the total of £181.50  was collected towards this year’s charity—The Cornwall Air Ambulance —many thanks to all who generously donated.

Loveny Choir report

The ingredients in a haggis so flawlessly complement each other, and blend together so perfectly, that Scotland’s favourite poet, Rabbie Burns, famously named it “The Chieftain o’ the Pudding Race.” Dorothy Andrews, Loveny’s Musical Director, and herself a Scot, stirred together a mixture of musically talented ingredients at St. Neot’s celebrated annual Carol Concert on Thursday 17th December, and cooked up a choral feast which Rabbie might have described as “The Chieftain of Carol Concerts!” And what ingredients! Obviously Dorothy had her own Loveny Choir, itself a mix of voices from as far apart as Padstow to Plymouth, from Callington to St. Austell, but all combining under Dorothy’s expert tuition to produce the famous ‘Loveny Sound.’ Her recipe then called for a couple of ‘specials’ to give the Concert a real sparkle, and who could ask for better than a good measure of solos and duets from St. Neot’s favourite artistes, Maggie Holden (St. Blazey) and Rosemary Turner (Tavistock). You would not hear better in any of London’s West End theatres, and this Carol Concert would not be complete without them. Throw in a pinch of male voice quartet singing, from Loveny’s fledging group, and surely this would be a concert with all the components necessary to guarantee success, provided you added the essential bulking agent - the audience! Now, Loveny concerts are always jolly events, and Dorothy’s infectious cheerfulness insures that the audience is drawn into the event, and actually become part of the concert. At St. Neot, the audience, which filled every seat, were just perfect, joining in with the congregational carols with gusto, reacting to the Choir’s efforts with delight, and so clearly enjoying themselves that at times we in the Choir felt that it was US who were being entertained! But all good Chefs have a secret ingredient, something which sets their recipe apart from all others, and we were all lucky to have a wonderfully magic potion at this Concert - the children from St. Neot Primary School, under their teacher Sam Bowden. As they all marched in, dressed in their green jerseys and red Christmas hats, it was almost as if a visiting family of Leprechauns had come to sprinkle some enchanting star-dust over the assembly - for this is just what they did. Whispering and giggling, fizzing with all the effervescence of children excited with the anticipation of Christmas, they were assuredly the centre of attention, and made ‘One-and All’ feel younger just by being in their cheerful company. Just having them present was wonderful in itself, but as they came forward to play their part, they did so in such a professional and disciplined manner, that we all knew we were going to be transported into the realms, not of glory, perhaps, but of wondrous delight. Their Orchestral group under Head Teacher David Collins, was breathtaking - was this music really coming from such young children? And then, joined by the Choral section - (all this sounds so adult, but some adult groups would be shamed by this performance) - they really did lift us all into the Realms of Glory. Orchestra and Choir combined in a stunning presentation of “Go, tell it on the mountain,” which left us all spellbound. As well as their solo items, the children also joined with Loveny in selected carols, and the senior choristers had to be on their toes to match them! All this from children from across the whole School, with ages between 5 years to 11 years. Was their involvement a success? Will they be part of the next Carol Concert? Surely the answer must be a resounding “Yes” to both questions.

Loveny hope that all our friends and supporters enjoyed a Very Happy Christmas, and we wish you all a Prosperous New Year

Attention all Bird Lovers!

Following our trips to see the Peregrines in Plymstock Wood, and the Choughs at the Lizard, we are now planning a trip to view Avocets on the Exe Estuary.  Would you like to join us?  We will go to Topsham on February 26th to join a cruise of one and a half hours on the Exe river – departure is from Topsham at 10 30am, cost of cruise £10.  Let me know if you are interested?   Jenny Hart - nickandjennyhart@hotmail.co.uk tel 320683

Below is a copy of a letter sent to  “The St Neot News”

Greetings to the people of St Neot.

During September this year, my wife and I were privileged to visit your town and touch base with where my ancestors originated. The Cawrse name is not very common in Australia so it was with a strange feeling that we surveyed the headstones in the churchyard with quite a number bearing the Cawrse name. My Great-great-grandfather, James Hanne Cawrse emigrated from St Neot in the late 1849s at about age 19. In 1853 he married Elizabeth Jane Arundell Hanne who had earlier migrated with her parents from St Neot in 1839. I am descended from them. Our thanks go to the two gentlemen in the bar of the local club. They assisted us with directions to Fawton farm; to Arthur & Geraldine Runnalls for giving us a wonderful afternoon tea and sharing with us some of our history; and to the gentleman at Upper Fawton for pointing us in the right direction.

Now that we are back in our 'wide open spaces' we look at our videos of the narrow hedge lined roadways and have to pinch ourselves to realise that it is actually like that and that we were there! We would like to compliment you all on the tidiness of the town and the range of activities that you offer to your local community as evidenced by the local newsletter.

The short time we spent in your area helped us appreciate the quaintness of your part of Cornwall, the unique nature of the moors about which we had no idea before our visit, the beauty of the Parish church which is still well used as evidenced by the soft toys and furnishings for younger parishioners, and gave us a small insight into the community and its life. The picture in my mind of St Neot nestled in the hollow surrounded by picturesque hedge lined fields and the moor above will remain with me forever. Our best wishes to your community in this Christmas season.

Jim & Velda Cawrse, Freeling, South Australia

Carnglaze Caverns

February 2010

“All we want is a cave somewhere nice & warm from the cold night air….” And we have three and they’re called Carnglaze Caverns and with this bitter winter the caverns really have been the warmest place to be! This time of the year we are open for tours but spend much time in preparation for the year ahead waiting with baited breath for the second  that Spring creeps over our window sills! And then the year starts at full pelt….

This year the Concert Season starts with a special early concert on Valentines Day (Sunday 14th February), ROMANCE with ROBBIE ~ In Aid of the Forget Me Not Trust we have Matthew Holbrook as Robbie Williams. After his Sell-Out concert last year at the Hall for Cornwall we are honoured to help support this worthy charity. Tickets are £15 each and are on sale now.

Our official concert season starts as always in March and this year we are kicking off with the dance band of the Naughties ~ Joey the Lips on Saturday 13th March.

The Cornwall Youth Wind Orchestra returns to us on Wednesday 14th April and on Friday 30th April we have a phenomenal new singer/Songwriter Jane Taylor popping over from Bristol to blow you away with her voice & lyrics.

May sees The Bad Shepherds with the incandescent Ade Edmondson bringing us Punk Folk or Funk Polk as he recently called it!

Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra ~ Pentecostal Praise ~ Loveny & Reading Male Voice Choirs ~ UK Beach Boys ~ Animals & Troggs ~ Talon with Hotel California and lots more besides! 

We hope you find something in our 2010 line up that takes your fancy and we look forward to seeing you soon…

Spring has been forecast early this year again so keep an eye out for our Bluebells and remember our Tuesday Twilight Bluebell Walks!

The new brochure for 2010 has been out since January and can be found all around the county and in Tourist Information Centers and various outlets. Call us if you can’t find one and we’ll pop one in the post for you or better still take the green option and keep an eye on our website www.carnglaze.com or call 01579 320251.

Local Snippets

Congratulations to:-

Rev Andrew and Linda Balfour on the birth of their fourth Grandson.

Sarah and Damian O’Shea on the birth of their son Connor.

Baptised at St Neot Parish Church on the 12th of December Ava Carnegie daughter of Sara and Shaun.

Baptised at St Neot Parish Church on the 9th of January Cally Delacoe daughter of Karen and John.

Congratulations to our local Rugby lad Martin Rice who has been on loan to London Wasps from Plymouth Albion (Have you spotted him on TV?)

Congratulations to Peter Thomas who was honoured in the Queens New Year Honour List with an MBE for services to the Defence Industry

Condolences to the Families of:-

Arthur Baylis of Church View.

Charles Brian Reddecliffe whose cremation service was at Glyn Valley Crematorium on the 25th of November.

Alistair Maclean of Hobbs Park whose service was at St Neot Parish Church on the 17th of December.

Condolences to:-

Roger Grigg whose mother passed away,

and Brian Pearse whose brother passed away.

February 2010

Believe it or not, the season of Christmas does not come to an end until the feast of Candlemas on Tuesday February 2nd.  So you need to remember to keep celebrating for much longer than you may imagine.  Epiphany on January 6th marks the showing forth of Christ to all people, not simply to the Jews – his own people. We think of all the nations of the earth being represented by the Magi, commonly called the Three Kings.  The fact of Christ’s birth, the reality of God coming to us in human form and showing us how to live in loving service to one another, deserves longer attention than the feast of Christmas and you may notice that the crib remains in the church until Candlemas, or it should do, and the altar frontal and the priest’s vestments remain white or gold until then also.

What is Candlemas then?  It is known as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple.  Each first born son, by Jewish tradition, needed to be presented in the Temple and redeemed, that is bought back by way of a sacrificial offering to God.  You may remember that in St Luke’s Gospel this is the moment when Simeon gives thanks, in the Nunc Dimitis, that he has seen God’s promises made good.  He and Anna, a prophetess, recognised that Jesus embodies the hopes and aspirations of their people.  (See Luke 2; 25-38). So, keep celebrating until February 2nd, if you read this in time, and remember that although Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, Sundays are never fast days; because they always mark Christ’s resurrection.                                                                            Best wishes, Andrew

TREVENNA HOG ROAST

"A Hog Roast Evening” is being held at Trevenna

in aid of

St. Neot Church Funds

on 26th February 2010 from 7.30pm.

All are welcome

Tickets for Hog Roast & Glass of Wine @ £10 per person

are available from Fernley Rowe on 01579 320751

or Bridget Kent on 01579 321603". 

CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND  SUNDAY  SERVICES  FOR  FEBRUARY  2010

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 17.ii.10, with services at St Neot at 9.00 a.m. and at Cardynham at 6.30 p.m.

St Neot Methodist Chapel

Community Programme

Superintendent Minister

Rev Ruth Goodland

Services every Sunday at 11.00 am

followed by refreshments in the Sunday School Room.

Chapel Secretary

Joycelyn Hocking – 01579 320673

Village Contacts and Key holders

Derek & Sandra Fairhall - 01579 320170

----0----

Thurs 11th February, 1.00 pm

Bible Study

at the home of

George and Joycelyn Hocking

Thurs 25th February, 1.00 pm

Prayer meeting

Sunday School Room

Fri 26th February 3.30 pm

Chapel Council Meeting

Sunday School Room

Bible Study

February’s Bible Study will be at the home of Joycelyn and George Hocking, 64 Twelvewoods Place, Dobwalls, on Thursday 11th February starting at 1.00 pm.

Prayer Meeting

February’s Prayer Meeting will be held in the Sunday School Room at 1.00 pm on Thursday 25th February.  Everyone is welcome to join us.

Annual Chapel Dinner

The Annual Chapel Dinner, originally to be held on 30th January, has been postponed as the date clashed with a concert at the Parish Church.  But you don’t have to worry, we’ve re-scheduled it for 6.30 pm on Saturday 6th March.  You’re just going to have to be patient for a few extra weeks – it will be well worth the wait!

Please contact Ruth Wherry on 01579 320296 to reserve a place.

JAM Club and TGFS

The children of JAM Club will be back a week later than planned (owing to the snow!) to enjoy the various activities that are on offer on Tuesday evenings from 6.15 to 7.30 pm.   Any child aged 7+ is welcome.

The next TGFS will be at 10.15 am on Sunday 7 February in the Sunday School Room.

A word of thanks to all those very generous people who helped JAM Club to raise £76.55 during their carolling evening around the village.   This amount was added to that raised at the Candlelight Carol Service in aid of Action For Children (formerly the National Children’s Homes).

 Contact Numbers