AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015

CALSTOCK

NEWS 50p

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’

First things first. The New Calstock News team would like to thank the outgoing

editors for their excellent work during the last seven years, in preparing issue after

issue of informative, interesting local news and features, presented beautifully.

They will be missed! It will be a struggle to improve on the format, which was

elegant, considered and – most importantly – very readable. With a new team,

though, will inevitably come some changes; your comments on these changes are

very welcome.

Importantly, there is a new email address for submissions: info@calstocknews.org.

The old email address will still be monitored, at least until the next issue.

Calstock News’ circulation has remained steady, but its appeal to a younger

readership is low. The aim will be to keep hold of loyal customers and patrons but

also to broaden CN’s appeal, to attract new (especially younger) ones.

Should CN reflect the community? We hope it does, by advertising events and

highlighting local news – the content is as diverse as Calstock’s residents – but to

stand a good chance of it staying the course and being relevant and interesting,

please keep writing in. We hope you enjoy this edition.

The new CN Team

ANGELA NEWBERRY ARCA, ARTIST & PRINTMAKER

Jackhammers are going and the dust is flying: fingers crossed, my new Studio One

will be open in time for the Drawn to the Valley Open Studio Event from 29

August to 6 September. Catalogues available from Levine’s.

Calstock neighbours and fellow artists are cordially invited to the preview on

Tuesday 25 August, 6-8pm, at 1 Lang Gardens Calstock (next to the railway

station). Studio One will be open until end of September. For opening times,

please call 01822 834069. Angela Newberry

Website: www.angela-newberry.co.uk

CALSTOCK BOATYARD

There is great interest in what is happening at Calstock Boatyard. Boat owners

have been told that the yard is closing and most boats have been sent away.

To clarify the position, I am the owner of

the yard and I cannot prevent a tenant

closing down their business and sending

boats away. But this has never happened

before – usually the next tenant is only too

pleased to start collecting charges from

immovable customers already sitting

comfortably on land!

No matter what reasoning is behind their action, ‘Boat-b-q” (Rob and Liz) have a

lease until 5 January 2016, so it is up to them what they do with their customers.

On 6 January a new tenant, one of several interested in taking a short lease, will I

hope start a proper boat business again. One sadness for me will be the loss of the

best boat-handling I have ever seen here. Rob and Paul have it taped – thanks to

both of them.

Meanwhile, please use the post-box in Lower Kelly – the black box marked ‘Hollow’

hanging on the fence – to leave messages about the future of this beautiful place

and what you would like to happen here.

· There will be work to do (leave your CV!)

· Your boat will be welcome (leave details)

· New ventures to try (preferably legal).

· What could be your input?

· All ideas will be welcome (clean ones).

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Important note: Please leave your message on paper – I cannot do modern stuff

and I need the security of written information to refer back and remember. Thank

you. Nancy Hollow

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

MORWELLHAM QUAY

Thursday 13 August - Queen Victoria’s Visit

Celebrations on the anniversary of the Queen’s

visit in 1856. Join us for a day of glorious

Victoriana.

19 & 20 September - Vintage Festival &

Miniature Steam Rally - Enjoy a vintage day

with steam engines, cars, tractors and old

bicycles on show. Also stalls selling vintage

collectables.

For both events, usual admission prices apply.

Free for members.

For further details visit www.morwellhamquay.org or Tel: 01822 832766.

COTEHELE

1-10 August - ‘Look Sharp!’ 11am - 4pm.

Not just for the kids. Take a closer look at the bladed weapons in Cotehele House.

This is your chance to handle some of our bladed weapons that usually hang on

the walls. Don't forget to bring your camera, you'll be able to amaze all of your

friends.

3-5 August - Medieval Summer Fun

Join us for a summer of Medieval fun with various family-based activities with a

Medieval theme. During our Medieval summer fun, we'll make purses & pouches,

cool paper, bows & arrows, swords & shields and play quoits - a different activitiy

each day.

Sundays in August - Costume Sundays at Cotehele Mill, 11am

Come and meet the mill team dressed in Victorian costume. Milling demonstrations

and mill tours.

Find details at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele/things-to-see-and-do/events/

More information: Tel 01579 351346 press 0, email: cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk

COTEHELE NEWS

Many of you will have noticed, in fact can probably see from your windows, that

the Northwest tower at Cotehele is shrouded in pink scaffolding. The tower that

was built c1550-70 and heavily modified in 1652 suffered severe water damage

during the winter of 2014-15. This was due to the failing mortar between the

courses of stone. Water penetrated the full depth of the mortar and through to the

inside walls. So our masons will scrape out the old, loose porous mortar and refill

the gaps with new mortar.

Whilst the scaffolding is in place Holy Well Glass, glass experts who conserved the

heraldic glass in the Hall, will repair the deteriorated lead work on the windows and

sort out the rotten casements.

Costume days at the mill are always popular and these are every Sunday during

August. There are also milling demonstrations and tours.

A new exhibition starts in the Gallery and continues until Sunday 1 November. This

one features lights by Inka Gabriel and mixed media paintings by Jean May

Parsons, supported by other West Country Artists. This exhibition is called Wild on

the Outside and is open from 3 August every day from 11am – 5pm.

Our free Heritage Open Day is on Saturday 12 September, your chance to come

and see us and if you are not already members then it’s free entry.

We also have Apple Day on Sunday 20 September and Crumble in the Jungle at

Cotehele Mill on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

If you want to know more about these events, just give us a call or look on our

website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

One final piece of news is that we have a new holiday cottage. The Malthouse on

Cotehele Quay has just come on line and sleeps six. With the fantastic views of

Cotehele Quay it is a brilliant place to spend holidays. So if you have friends or

family who are looking for somewhere to stay and you either don’t have room or

they want their own space, have a look online at The Malthouse or any of our other

eight holiday cottages.

See you at Cotehele and happy summer. Charmian Saunders

HELP WANTED

We are still cultivating the three little gardens on the Quay and people do enjoy

looking at them. However, the grass is still a problem, particularly in the bed

nearest the Tamar. If anyone could come and help remove it that would be great.

We are always grateful for a little help in other ways, eg weeding, cutting back the

sad looking plants, and of course donating plants. Thanks to those who have

dropped off plants; more are always welcome – just leave them on our decking – 3

Tamar View, the house with the blue pots on the Quay. Jane Kiely

FRIENDS OF THE TAMAR VALLEY

We have had a successful series of events this summer. The last one will be on

Tuesday 18 August with a guided visit to Ermington and Saltash Churches to see

the Pinwill wood carving. All welcome. £5.00 for the visit, including coffee at the

old vicarage at Ermington (where Violet Pinwill lived as a child - now a hotel), and

lunch in between sites. We will be shown around by Helen Wilson who has done

all the research into this amazing lady. Booking essential, call 834964.

Our new season of talks begins on Friday 11 September at the Tamar Valley

Centre, Drakewalls at 7.30pm, with a talk by Councillor Joe Ellison on the Saltash

Celtic Cross which many will have seen when crossing the Tamar Bridge. Again

non-members welcome for a small charge. On Friday 2 October Ted Coryton from

Pentilie Castle will give us an entertaining insight into the history of this amazing

estate in the Tamar Valley.

We have a full programme throughout the winter, running on the first Friday of the

month at 7.30pm in the Tamar Valley Centre, full details can be found on the Tamar

Valley AONB website. For details of joining and an application form, please contact

me. Jane Kiely Tel. 834964

CALSTOCK COFFEE MORNING

Every Thursday from 10-11.30am in the village hall, for coffee, tea, biscuits and a

chat. Do come and join us, whatever your age, and meet new people from our

lovely village. There are lots of things to do, from buying Tamsin's lovely

vegetables, fruit, eggs and flowers and cards, to theatre trips, as well as making

new friends - why not give us a try?! Jane Kiely

CALSTOCK’S ‘SOLAR SCHOOL’ – WHAT NEXT?

On the last day of term, the total raised by Calstock's community was a little over

£6200, plus a further £780 pledged – an astonishing amount since October – all

thanks to the generosity of donors and the hard work of supporters: the children

themselves, parents, carers, teachers, families, friends and neighbours,

organisations and businesses large and small.

A Solar Scoping Study of the school’s roof has been carried out by consultants

(JoJu) who are advisors to Solar Schools. They identified the most cost-effective

roof spaces to use, given pre-planning advice that the installation would be

‘permitted development’ if the panels did not sit within 1m of the roofline.

Their recommendation was for a 5.2kW system - considerably lower than the 10kW

thought possible at the beginning – as various factors made some roof spaces less

viable. Anyone interested can find a copy of ‘Solar Scoping Study (2)’ in the ‘Files’

section of the Calstock CP Solar School Facebook page. A smaller system would

reduce the long term benefits to the school but lower the cost considerably.

At a recent meeting of school governors it was agreed to put in a formal planning

application and request removal of the ‘1m from roofline’ condition, so that more

panels could be installed on the most productive roofs.

The school is a public building so scaffolding and installation work must go out to

tender; at least three quotes are required and a specification is being drafted.

Recommendations for Solar PV installers/electricians and scaffolders are welcome

and those companies/individuals will be invited to put in a quote.

Fundraising will continue over the summer. The feed in tariff is progressively being

lowered – meaning that the sooner the panels are installed, the better the return.

On the other hand, the more panels fitted, the more electricity can be both used

and sold. On balance, the end of 2015 seems like a good cut-off date.

Until then, supporters are encouraged to make grant applications, or raise money

for the project in whatever way they choose (cheques to ‘Calstock School Fund’,

please). Having come this far, a solar installation is in sight - but the amount raised

will determine its size!

This collective effort will leave a lasting legacy for Calstock CP School and its

children for at least the next twenty years. Thank you. Helen Randle

www.solarschools.org.uk/Calstock

CALSTOCK CHESS CLUB

Calstock Chess Club has moved a couple of pawns up since our inaugural meeting

in the Calstock Arts Centre, featuring a simultaneous display by the English junior

international Theo Slade. Notwithstanding a summer holiday during August, we

continue to meet in the Boot Inn on Thursdays from 7pm for a mixture of serious

and fun chess (tactical discussions encouraged and take-backs allowed, even if

you’ve taken your finger off – the best way to learn). The club caters for all levels,

from novice to expert. As well as face-to-face contests, we offer training sessions

dealing with opening theory, strategy and tactics, chess problems, and endgame

analysis. If you’ve never played chess, or if the last time you played was rather a

long time ago, come along to the Boot and join in. A big thank you to Shaun and

Kim for letting us use their pub.

We made a contribution to

Calstock’s involvement in

the Plymouth Refugee

Week with the enthusiastic

involvement of an

international clientele

willing to play chess in the

open air behind the village

hall, in direct competition

with a four part choir

followed by Alex

Noisemaker and Big Beat.

At least two talented players emerged who had learnt their chess in the Middle East

(where the game was popular before it arrived on our shores in the version known

as Byzantine Chess). The hope is that some of these will find their way to Plymouth

Chess Club.

The club has registered with the Cornwall Chess Association and will be entering in

two separate Cornish leagues next year, both requiring teams of four players. The

first is the ‘quick play’ so-called 500 League, for which the aggregate English Chess

Federation (ECF)] grading must not exceed 500. Players without an ECF grading, eg

those who have played only casually or online, will be given a provisional grade

that will be adjusted at the end of the season. Quick play in this instance involves

each player playing two games in an evening, one as black and one as white, both

subject to a time control of 45 minutes for all the moves. If after this time the flag

on your clock falls, you have lost!

The other league is the Roberts Cup League, which is organized on an East and

West Cornwall basis as Group Competitions. As in the FIFA football World Cup, the

top two teams from each group go through to the quarter-finals. Unlike the 500

league, there is an obligation to keep score sheets and there is a time control after

35 moves as well as total time of 1 hour 40 minutes per player. The club began its

preparation for the rigours of league and tournament play by hosting Lerryn chess

club in the Boot.

The club is keen to encourage junior players, and

recently offered a couple of ‘taster’ sessions at

Calstock Community Primary School. We hope to

offer an after-school chess club in the autumn

term, so if you have a chessboard somewhere in a

cupboard and you’re headed off on holiday with

your family, take it with you: log a victory while

you still can.

White to move: checkmate in two

David Jenkins and Richard Hendin

CALSTOCK JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL

Here is an event you will want to put in your diary right now… the fourth Calstock

Jazz and Blues Festival is taking place 22nd - 25th October 2015. Headline acts

include Empirical, dubbed: “The coolest of Britain’s young Jazz Bands” by the Daily

Mail; Norma Winston (“There is no Jazz singer in the country to touch her” – The

Times) and the Mercury prize-nominated Femi Temowo Quartet.

The Festival also features local acts including the Calstock Big Jazz Choir, Tavistock

College Schools Choir, Louise Parker, Jeff Horsey and many others - all to be joined

by international singers, and masterclass workshops.

For tickets visit www.calstockjazzfestival.co.uk, or follow the festival on Twitter and

Facebook at Calstock Jazz.

BIG CHEER FOR DISCOVERY TRAIL CHALLENGE WALKERS

Around thirty walkers set out last weekend for this year’s Discovery Trail Challenge

in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The sunshine showed the Tamar Valley in its best light, but the heat made it tricky

for the walkers, who were grateful for refreshment stops, with water and muesli

bars kindly donated by Tesco Callington.

The majority of walkers finished the 15-mile route at the Tamar Trails Centre, where

tea & cake at the Beech Café was very welcome! Sponsorship money is currently

being calculated, but early indications are that the walkers have raised in excess of

£1,000 for Living Options Devon, who provide the Tramper for hire along the Tamar

Trails. A big thank you to Nisa Local, Pearce’s Service Station at Drakewalls, who

kindly donated £200 to the fund from its Making a Difference Locally scheme.

Neil Warren, Project Manager for Countryside Mobility, Living Options Devon,

recorded part of his walk, which you can view at https://youtu.be/hHtfoffoEAA

If this has spurred you on to sign-up, plans are already underway for next year’s

Challenge. If you have a charity in mind that you would like to help raise funds for,

please contact the AONB team on: 01822 835030, email: info@tamarvalley.org.uk

Huge thanks to the team of volunteers who maintained the trails and waymarkers

before the event, and to those who helped out on the day.

KNORR CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Currently available at Levine’s! What to do with it?

1. Boil it up with water as described

2. Add a beaten egg while it bubbles

3. Add a big spoonful of chopped parsley

4. Eat with crusty bread – nourishing and cheap!

Name and address supplied

TAMAR VALLEY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF ‘OUTSTANDING’ LANDSCAPE

Join the Tamar Valley AONB team this summer for five days of fun, as they

celebrate 20 years since the Tamar Valley was designated as an Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A special Tamar Trail Festival, packed with over 30 events and activities for all to

enjoy throughout the Valley, will be held from 26-30 August. Pick up your free

programme from local outlets now, or go to www.tamarvalley.org.uk and click on

the link.

Join in with creative workshops, guided walks and art exhibitions; forage for wild

food, or take part in an owl survey. The ever-popular guided tours of Greystone

Quarry are back for you to enjoy, or you may prefer to spend some time in the

trees or canoeing. A day of celebration will be held on Sunday 30 August, in the

grounds of the Tamar Valley Centre, just 5 minutes’ walk from Gunnislake Train

Station. Drop in at a time to suit you to enjoy a food fayre, craft fayre, face

painting, bug hunts, mask making, nature trail, creatures of the night, and much,

much more.

Many events are FREE of charge, but we are expecting the Festival to be popular, so

please book your places early to avoid disappointment.

The Tamar Trail Festival, encouraging you to discover more within the AONB, will

run from Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 August. For further information please

contact the Tamar Valley AONB team on 01822 835030, info@tamarvalley.org.uk.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE TAMAR VALLEY

The Helping Hands for Heritage initiative has several volunteering opportunities on

offer this summer. All events are FREE and many include a free lunch.

Geophysics can help us tell what lies beneath our feet! GeoFlo from Somerset will

lead an event at Dunterton Church on Saturday 8th August. The Church was

once surrounded by a settlement but now stands alone; using a variety of equip-

ment, find out more about the remains of the settlement and discover what it tells

us about historic times in this part of the Valley.

On Thursday 13 August, experts from the Living Ash Project will be in Tiverton to

explain more about Ash dieback and what this means for the character of our

landscape, including how to use the ‘Ash Tag’ smartphone app to record and

monitor the health of local ash trees.

A family-friendly Biodiversity Bike Ride will take place along the Tamar Trails on

Saturday 15 August. Caroline Jones from the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre,

will reveal how the wildlife has fared in this once industrial landscape, on the 5-mile

route.

In the evening, the Devon Moth Group will visit the Tamar Trails to set up moth

traps along the tracks leading into the woods. Discover the range of nocturnal

wildlife that comes to life after dusk on the Trails and what this can tell us about

the quality of our environment and how best to conserve Devon’s moths.

Booking is essential for all events as spaces are limited. To secure your place, or

for full details of each event, including what to wear/bring, please contact the

Tamar Valley AONB team – 01822 835030, volunteering@tamarvalley.org.uk

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2015

Following last year’s successful parish Christmas Tree Festival we have decided to

move the event on from St Andrew’s Church, Calstock to St Anne’s Church in

Gunnislake for 2015.

This year’s festival runs between 11-13 December and we look forward to seeing

lots of imaginatively decorated trees and having lots of visitors enjoy them.

If your organisation or business entered a tree last year you will be contacted by

email at the end of the summer. Trees from new organisations and businesses

would be welcomed (there is no charge but you need to provide the tree and

decorations).

Please contact Kathy Thomas (kathy.tigerella@gmail.com) if you would like to

receive further details.

AUGUST AND BEYOND AT CALSTOCK ARTS If you’ve not been to our Gallery Bar Specials for a while, check out the ones we

have coming up in the Autumn. They have settled in to a seated gig format with an

interval, rather than a social with background music. It’s a good night out for just a

donation.

Speaking of which, we had a cracking Gallery Bar Special with Calstock’s own jazz

quartet, Just Friends, in July. It was a great turnout and the band was kind enough

to donate the proceeds to Cancer Research – over £300 was raised. Thanks to

Peter, Marianne, Li and Al for a great night.

If you used to enjoy our regular afternoon cafes, you’ll be pleased to hear about

our new Sunday Sessions events starting on 27 September – more below.

Finally, a heads-up for Calstock’s many comedy fans: Mark Thomas is back in town

on Friday 11 December. Tickets are already at Levine’s. I wouldn’t hang about if I

were you.

Friday 7 August: Gallery Bar Special with Helen Porter’s Jazz Divas

Eight singers from Helen Porter’s Big Jazz Residential will perform solo jazz

standards with Tango Siempre pianist Jonathan Taylor, and Misbehavin’ double

bass player James Budden.

Doors and bar open at 7.30pm, music from 8.30pm.

Free entry, informal atmosphere, bucket for the band.

Thursday 3 September: John Otway

Madcap mayhem and scintillating stunts from a man old enough to know better.

£14 advance, £15 door, £1 reduction for Friends of Calstock Arts.

£10 students and unwaged

Doors 7.00pm, start time 8.00pm.

Friday 11 September: Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly

An evening with two stalwarts of the British R&B scene, two great voices, two great

reputations. A wonderful evening of acoustic blues, soul and good times, with a

little humour on the side.

£18 advance, £19 door. £1 reduction for Friends of Calstock Arts

£8 under 18s.

Doors 7.00pm, start time 8.00pm.

Friday 18 September: Gallery Bar Special with Gareth Lee and Annie Baylis

Up and coming acoustic folk duo winning acclaim both locally and nationally.

Free entry, informal atmosphere, donations to Gareth and Annie please.

Doors 7.30pm, music from 8.30pm.

Sunday 27 September: Sunday Sessions - Polperro Fishermen’s Choir

Our new Sunday afternoon strand launches with the very best in traditional Cornish

and modern choral performance.

£5 advance, £6 door. No discount for FCA.

Tea, coffee, cake from 2.00pm, music at 3.00pm.

Friday 9 October: Gallery Bar Special with Ensemble Baklava

With a unique combination of instruments, Ensemble Baklava create evocative,

stirring and lively music and song from the Mediterranean region, both

contemporary and ancient.

Free entry, informal atmosphere, donations to Ensemble Baklava please.

Doors 7.30pm, music from around 8.30pm.

Enjoy the Summer, see you in the Autumn Kate – Tel 833183

.

DEDICATION: GERALDINE WILTON

Longtime Calstock resident Geraldine Marion

Wilton passed away on 4 June one month shy

of her 88th birthday. Geraldine lived in Kelly

Gardens for more than 60 years. Her daughter

Linda offers this tribute:

This is a dedication to Geraldine my mother

and my great friend.

Geraldine was stubborn, obstinate and feisty.

She was strong and independent and lived her

life the way SHE wanted to. She had a sharp

wit, an excellent memory and a wicked sense of

humour. She had lots of little sayings like:

“Bless your cotton socks”;

“Never say die, say D-A-M-N,” (she never said it but always spelled it);

“There is only enough blue sky up there to patch a sailors trousers.”

I never once heard her swear or say a rude word UNTIL... during one of the last

days of her life, laying in her hospital bed shuffling and shifting around, she said -

reverting back to her East London roots: "Cor blimey, my arse isn't half sore!"

Art and I looked at each other, and I said: “Did she really say what I thought she

did?!” and he said: "YES, SHE DID!" – and we both collapsed in a heap, laughing.

Geraldine started her life as a sophisticated city girl in London and ended her life as

a simple country lady in Devon. We all love her and will miss her terribly.

P.S. The Vicar has assured me that I will not go to H-E-L-L (spelled out) for saying a

rude word in church. Linda Barker (daughter and best friend).

MEN’S TENNIS LEAGUE, PT 1: CALSTOCK VS. TAVISTOCK

And so it came to pass that after much negotiation with Richard Hendin, Calstock

Middle-Aged Men's Tennis Brotherhood were persuaded out of their comfort

zones to take part in their first ever competitive match against the league-

hardened Timothys and Jeremys of Tavistock.

On a fresh evening of sideways drizzle (we usually play indoors and air-

conditioned!) we crossed the border, promising ourselves that it was 'just for the

experience' and with little expectation, whilst really hoping to pull off an epic David

vs Goliath upset about which songs would be sung in eternity by our descendants

in the watering holes of Calstock.

With four doubles pairs comprising self-confessed tennis primadonna Gary French,

John 'Tramlines' Tilbury, backspin Jedi master Jamie Hutchings, the electric Ant

Barker, Mr Angry Matt Barnes, Simon 'Hawkeye' Ball, YouTube tennis pupil Paul

Wright and myself, there was a good chance we could definitely drink them under

the table afterwards, at the very least.

All began well as Richard foolishly put our number one pair, Gary and John, up

against an elderly gentleman and a young lady. Jamie and I were paired with an

expensively-educated chap called Jeremy and his mate, who made light work of the

first set 6-1 while being awfully nice about it. This would not do and we resolved to

dig deep, cast off our inhibitions and channel the 300 Spartans!

All around me I saw Calstock men playing great shots and testing their Tavvy

superiors – but 25 minutes later it became apparent that we were the only game

left playing and that every other Cornish train had hit the buffers, including our top

duo who later proclaimed their unlikely opponents to have been Fred and Ginger,

Torvill and Dean, and Samson and Delilah, all rolled into one.

At 5-4 up in the second we had a chance, but it wasn't to be. Handshakes all round

then a few mixed-up fun sets in the swirling rain followed. The Tavistock folk were

extremely gracious in victory, and to a man (and woman) were kind of like us – but

a bit better at tennis. They even gave us some measure of revenge on their town's

historic pubs and general economy by taking us for drinks in their new Wether-

spoons drinking mall.

The event was considered a big success despite the inevitable result, and we will

have another go at them sometime with this experience under our belts. Who

knows, we may yet see in our lifetimes a Calstock sports team beat the big town

over the river. We have even been invited to join their league, which won't happen

for a while, but just might get some new momentum behind the plan for a court

here in the village. Bernie

MEN’S TENNIS LEAGUE, PT2: CALSTOCK 1 - TAVISTOCK 0

An encounter on a windy Monday night saw Tavistock closing in on victory against

a valiant Calstock squad lead by Bernie Hawes, at which point it was pointed out

that the Tavistock player called Sarah and wearing a skirt, was in fact a girl, in

contravention of the regulations, whereupon the match was summarily awarded to

Calstock.

Saturday 12th September - Open Afternoon at Tavistock Tennis Club from

2pm – come along and have a go at tennis for free. Everything provided, even

mini-tennis courts for youngsters (so bring your children). All standards welcome,

especially beginners. Richard Hendin

LIME KILN GALLERY NEWS

Our Summer Show comes to a close on Thursday 20 August. Thanks to all of you

who have made it a success. The combination of Jo March and Sue Richardson's

colourful paintings together with Richard Allman's drawings from 'Tamarama' has

really drawn people down to Calstock to appreciate some fantastic contemporary

art. This sort of success inspires us to work harder to bring more and more great

stuff here.

The annual Drawn to the Valley Open Studios week will be our next event. We

will be opening a day early on Friday 28 August with new work from our own Ley

Roberts and Tanya Morel from Lydford.

Ley's work will be familiar to many of you.

Etchings and drawings inspired by the

incredible beauty of the Tamar Valley are what

makes her our most popular artist here in the

gallery. With new work regularly appearing, her

Open Studio every year provides a powerful

argument as to why we all love this place,

celebrating, as it does, another year in the

gentle protective folds of Southeast Cornwall,

one of our nation's best kept secrets.

As a printmaker, Tanya Morel's work will contrast very well with Ley's. Her healthy

sense of the absurd, and humorous take on life come through cleverly in her

images of idiosyncratic characters and off-key moments. Tanya's last show with us

was very popular, and other galleries came a-calling, so we are very excited to have

her back in Calstock.

Open Studios finishes on 6th September, but as always we will be continuing the

exhibition, and adding collections by our regular favourites including Jo March and

sculptor Bill Cramer, until the middle of October.

An ever changing selection of the best local jewellery, ceramics and glass always

complements the shows, so come and see what's new. The gallery is open from

11am to 5pm every day except Mondays. Bernie

TAMAR VALLEY WALK AND TALK DIARY

The walking programme for the regular Wednesday walks follows. The walks are

free and dog friendly. It's a good chance to have a good chat, meet new people,

and get some exercise! Please wear suitable footwear and appropriate clothing for

the weather conditions. Walking poles can be useful.

For any further information contact Maggie on 01822 832364.

Date Time Walk Where to meet

1 July 10.30-12.30 Cotehele Circular via Dung Quay, the mill, elbow wood and the house – 50p to park

Cotehele Quay car park

8 July W&T+

10.30-2.30 Tamar Trails to Chimney Rock and Morwell Road - £2 for parking

Gunnislake station to car share or Tamar Trails CP

15 July

10.00-1.00 Ferry to Cotehele returning via Newton and Danescombe Valley - Booking essential

Calstock quay

22 July W&T+

10.10-12.30 River Lynher and Cadsonbury Callington FCP to share cars

29 July 10.00-13.00 Bere Ferrers Station to walk to Lopwell Dam and lunch in The Old Pump House Café

9.30 Gunnislake station or Bere Ferrers station

5 Aug 10.30-12.30 Tavistock to Whitchurch Pimple Change needed for parking

Gunnislake station or The Wharf car park Tavistock

12 Aug 10.30-12.30 Calstock circular Calstock quay 19 Aug 10.30-2.30 Weir quay to Thorn point -

Limited parking Weir Quay (usual place!)

26 Aug W&T +

10.30-2.45 Devon Consoles – new route - £2 for parking

Gunnislake station or Tamar Trails

2 Sept 10.30-12.30 Bere Alston station circular along the Tamar

Calstock village car park

9 Sept

10.30-12.30 Kit Hill from A390 - Limited parking, please share cars

Layby, A390

16 Sept W&T+

10.30-12.30 Yennadon Down from Burrator Reservoir dam

Burrator reservoir dam

23 Sept 10.30-12.30 Gunnislake station circular returning along the Tamar

Gunnislake Station

30 Sept 10.30-12.30 Danescombe valley from Calstock

Calstock village car park

CALSTOCK VILLAGE HALL NEWS

Actually, our big news is about the bar! We are thrilled to be able to show off our

new-look, fully-redecorated bar. A few weeks ago a team of volunteers came

together for a weekend and built a new stud wall above the bar, took down some

redundant and rather ugly strip lighting, painted the whole room and rubbed down

and chalk-painted the wooden front to the bar itself. We are rather impressed with

the results and we hope that you will agree it’s a vast improvement.

Thanks to all involved! There are some fun pictures of the transformation on our

Calstock Hall Facebook page.

For the next opportunity to prop up the bar, join us for ‘Extravaganza’ - Le Navet

Bete’s latest theatre offering on Friday 7 August. It will be wild and whacky and

tickets are almost gone so hurry over to Levine’s or the Lime Kiln to pick yours up!

Children’s Theatre at the Hall

For some great children’s entertainment, the Angel

Heart Theatre will be returning to Calstock on Sunday 2

October with Freya – a Viking Saga.

Tickets will be on sale in Levine’s, Lime Kiln Gallery and

at www.Calstockhall.com.

Freya, a Viking girl and friend of the gods, is in a bit of a pickle. She’s about to

become a giant’s dinner and must use her wits to escape old Gorm's cooking pot.

The rivalry between the Norse gods and the Frost Giants is brought humorously to

life in this colourful re-telling of two famous Viking myths and Freya’s own saga.

Angel Heart and Rattlebox Theatre go 'a-roving' together through the Viking world,

with this family puppet show full of boisterous gods, dunderheaded giants and the

music of the fjords.

“So much barn-stormin' fun I even brought me kids along!”

-Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark

Folk Roots & Blues Season at the Hall

This autumn we have a star line-up of artists. We kick off on Sunday 30 August

with a double bill featuring Wizz Jones and Steve Tilston who we have been able

to entice here as they are individually performing at the Cornwall Folk Festival.

Both of them are fine guitarists with Wizz having been an early influence on Eric

Clapton, Keith Richards and John Renbourn. Steve is a prolific songwriter and will

be featuring songs from his just released album “Truth to Tell” – and both spin a

good story, too!

On Saturday 10 October we have

Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer

from the San Juan Islands,

Washington State. Their latest

album “Maritime” was conceived,

written and recorded on this

archipelago and soon after release

achieved No 1 in the

EuroAmericana chart. They were

introduced to us by Po’Girl –

enough said!

Tickets for the shows are £10 and £9 respectively, details on www.calstockhall.com

Next up, the Jazz and Blues Festival, followed by Sam Lee then Martin Simpson.

* * * * *

And finally … this year has seen the 25th Anniversary of the Hall in its current

incarnation. We would love to celebrate with you and therefore we invite you all to

join us for a Sunday Afternoon Tea Party on 20th September from 2pm.

It would be wonderful to hear some of your stories about the building of the hall

and some of the memorable past events that have been part of the history of the

village. Do come forward and share these. If you would like to be a part of the day

by helping out, or submitting stories that could be printed and shared, please

contact Jo on 834418 or admin@calstockhall.com

TAMAR VALLEY COMMUNITY BUS – trips open to all ages

SEPTEMBER

Date Destination Cost/£ Departs Returning

Tues 1 Exeter £ 7.00 9.00 5.00

Mon 7 Callington/U3A* £ 2.90

22.9022

.2.90.00

9.30 12.30

Mon 7 Afternoon Tea £ 3.00

3.003.0

08.00

1.30 5.00

Tues 8 TRAGO MILLS*** £ 5.00 10.00 4.00

Tues 15 Mevagissey £ 7.00 9.00 5.00

Thurs 17 Callington/Library* £ 2.90 2.00 4.00

Mon 21 TRURO £ 8.00

8.00.00

2.90

9.30 5.00

Tues 22 Garden House, Buckland Monachorum £ 5.00 9.30 4.30

Sat 26 Cornwall Food Fayre, Truro £ 8.00

82.90

9.30 5.00

Mon 28 Bude £ 6.00 9.30 4.30

Tues 29 Pub Lunch £ 4.00 11.00 4.00

OCTOBER – booking opens Monday 21 September

Mon 5 Callington/U3A* £ 2.90 9.30 12.30

Mon 5 Afternoon tea £ 3.00 1.30 5.00

Tues 6 Barnstaple £ 6.00 9.30 4.30

Thurs 8 Callington/Library* £ 2.90

2.905.0

0

2.00 4.00

Tus 13 TRAGO MILLS*** £ 5.00

90

10.00 4.00

Mon 19 TRURO £ 8.00 9.30 5.00

Tues 20 Homeleigh Garden Centre, Launceston £ 4.00

4.006.5

0

11.00 4.00

Mon 26 Lanhydrock NT £ 6.00 9.30 4.30

Tues 27 Pub Lunch £ 4.00 11.00 4.00

Thurs 29 Callington/Library* £ 2.90 2.00 4.00

BOOK with JULIA on 01822 832931 Mon – Fri 11am – 5pm

WEDNESDAYS 9.30 – 1.30 (approx.) – Callington/Co-op/Tesco - £2.90 return

THURSDAYS 10.30 – 12.15 (approx.) – Post Office Gunnislake / Coffee Morning

FRIDAYS 9.30 – 2.30 (approx.) – Tavistock/Morrisons - £2.90 return

* 50p to concessionary holders *** TRAGO & TRURO free to concessionary holders

PARISH CHURCH NEWS

St. Andrew's in the Spotlight. For a number of years St Andrew's has had two

spotlights high up over the altar in the highest part of the chancel roof. Very useful

they were, too but, as is the way with spotlights, the bulbs burnt out. First one,

then the other. How exactly do we get up there to replace them, thought the

Churchwarden. Put a ladder up of course, came the reply. So the Churchwarden

thought about the matter of 30ft ladders, slippery floors and idly speculated how

long one would have before one hit the floor to consider the folly of climbing long

ladders with no secure footing and no secure resting.

There is a solution to most problems and, if the

problem is electrical, the solution may well involve

Antony Barker. He procured two LED spotlights

which use next to no energy, shine a bright light and

have a life expectancy measured in decades if not

centuries. Next he begged, borrowed or stole (we

are making no enquiries) a most splendid climbing

frame which his young apprentice shot up and down

at great speed. Meanwhile, Antony balanced on a

work platform balanced on the top of the frame and

reached into the beams. Since he was positioning the

lights in a slightly different place to where the

previous ones had been, it seems unlikely that anyone had touched the beams

Antony was drilling since the Victorians repaired the roof a century and a half ago.

If the LED's last as long as advertised, even a youngster like Antony should be

retired by the time they need replacing again. Ho hum.

Christian Aid Week. When the final figures came to be calculated, including the

gift aid tax refund, the total contributed came to nearly £4,000. This is an

astonishing amount for one parish to raise, even if there is more than one village in

the parish. Very many thanks to everyone who was involved and especially to all of

you who gave so generously to this most worthwhile charity. Either directly, or

indirectly through partner organisations, Christian Aid is involved in just about

every trouble spot in the world - quite apart from its ongoing low key background

support for many countries and communities not facing immediate disaster.

The Rev'd Chris Painter, our new Rector, is now well settled in. By the time this

issue comes out it will have been almost 3 months since his licensing in St. Dominic

church. In the next issue we hope to have an interview with him to see how he and

Andrea have adapted transferring from Manchester to Calstock.

I refer to Chris as our Rector, and why shouldn't he be? We've always had a Rector

in this parish, though according to the Diocese, Chris is a Priest in Charge. In case

all this seems a little esoteric (which it is), here is the Idiot's Guide: in the Church of

England, and in the past, the Rector was the person who took the tithes of the

church and the income from the Glebe land. The tithes were a 10% tax on the local

community to support the church and the Glebe was land owned by the church

and rented out (I bet Chris wishes he could have 10% of the local economy!) In

consequence and historically, Rectors were often quite wealthy people, (in stark

contrast to the person they followed, and whose Gospel they preached, let it be

said.) They were therefore sometimes quite happy to take the tithe income and

employ someone else to take the services for them. This person had a vicarious

authority to take services and was therefore known as a Vicar.

These distinctions have long since died out along with tithes and glebes. So really

it's badge engineering with a Rector being exactly the same as a Vicar under the

bonnet but with classier upholstery. Of course, both Rectors and Vicars were a step

up from Perpetual Curates who had no right to any income from tithes but relied

on a salary from a diocese, which was a very much chancier affair. Perpetual

Curates ceased to exist in 1868 when they became vicars but, being the Church of

England, it took until 1968 for this to be formalised in law. Quite quick really.

A Priest in Charge is something else again. Technically, Chris is a Temporary Curate

(not even Perpetual!) This happens where parishes are being reorganised – as is

our case, where four parishes are being run together as a joint benefice. Each of

those parishes has a patron, or Advowee, who holds the Advowson – which is the

right to suggest to the Bishop who should be appointed as vicar or rector. These

rights were real property (like the freehold of land), often passed with it, and could

be bought or sold. But by suspending these historical rights, the Bishop can get far

better and more efficient control over the use of his clergy than would otherwise

be the case.

The Church of England is a very strange institution which could never have been

designed but which could only have evolved. Like all the best ideas, it does grow

organically out of the environment in which it lives, and what it loses in efficiency it

tends to make up for in resilience and effectiveness. It is easy to underestimate; in

short, it's very English.

Last word: The crimes of religion have one thing in common. They involve making

God in our own image instead of letting him remake us in his.

Jonathan Sacks: Not in God's Name

For service times and other information visit the parish website:

www.calstockparishchurches.org or e-mail: alloursaints@gmail.com ptb

HACKERS CORNER

Some of the biggest news around is the release of Windows 10, which will be

available to download to everyone who has a legit copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 and

from what I have seen so far, the transition appears to be quite smooth. If you

prefer to have a ‘clean’ install of Windows 10, do the upgrade first and then choose

to do a clean install. If you don’t do it that way round, your copy of Windows will

not be authorised correctly and you might end up having to pay £99 for a new

license.

Just one other thing to note with Windows 10: it will change your default web

browser to Microsoft Edge (their replacement for Internet Explorer) so if you have a

different default browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, you will need to confirm it as

your default browser again. This can be done by opening up your favourite

browser and, when asked if you would like this browser to be the default, click ‘yes’.

Got an Android Smartphone?

At the end of July people started suffering from ‘StageFright’, and unfortunately it’s

not something you would suffer at the Theatre Royal, unless you were also in

possession of an Android smartphone. StageFright is a particularly nasty bug,

which involves sending a specially crafted Multimedia Message (MMS) containing

either audio and/or video to an affected device. Unfortunately an affected device is

anything that runs Android 2.2 or later which, according to the researchers at

Zimperium Mobile Security, is anything up to 95% of the phones in use; in 50% of

cases the user wouldn’t even need to open the message for the exploit to work.

Once in, the attacker would either have ‘media’ privileges – where they could

access the video camera, record audio or listen to phone calls – or ‘system’

privileges – where they would have control over everything. Protecting yourself

from this is relatively easy with the best option being turning off MMS. The way to

do this varies on different phones but a quick Google search should give you the

answer. If you need to send multimedia messages consider using WhatsApp (a free

app which most people have on their smartphones), Facebook Messenger (for

contacting people via Facebook), or if you fancy something more secure TextSecure

Private Messenger (a secure messaging system published by Open Whisper

Systems), all of these are available in the Google Play Store.

Finally the beginner’s taster session in the hall was a success and so the 6 week

beginner’s course will commence on 8 September at 10am. I have already been

asked if people are allowed to bring their own equipment (laptops, tablets,

smartphones, etc.) – the short answer is ‘yes’! I will be there with Jay Chapman

(Superfast Cornwall) and Jane Morgan (Cornwall Rural Community Council) to help

you with all your digital needs, but don’t forget to bring a notepad to jot stuff

down. Attendance is free to all but donations for refreshments will be gratefully

received. alex@semanticsolutions.co.uk

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS!

CALSTOCK REGATTA

This fun family weekend will take place on 8 and 9 August.

Racing starts 11am Saturday and 11.30 Sunday. There will be

stalls, a Tombola, cakes, BBQ, Grand Raffle, games, ice cream,

Pooh Sticks, Café, Cornish Rowing from CRA clubs

Nick Tel. 834615 / Ley Tel. 834634

Please email contributions to info@calstocknews.org

Articles can also be left in the red box hanging on the back of Levine’s door.

Deadline for next issue: 31 September

Printed at Cotehele, courtesy of the National Trust

Views expressed within are not necessarily those of the editors.

WHO’S WHO IN CALSTOCK

Mrs Joan Burch of St Andrews Close

What in your opinion is the best view in the valley? The view from my

bedroom! I can see all the way across the valley, left to right.

Where are you most likely to be seen? In my garden: it needs a good tidy.

How did you come to be in Calstock? My mother worked in Plymouth and

met my father down here. They moved to London, where I was born, and

where I met my husband. After we married in 1945 we moved down here

because he’d been stationed here during the war and thought it was a lovely

spot - there were several of my mother’s relatives still in the area, too.

Your Perfect Day? It would have to be with family. I have eight children and a

lot of grandchildren. It would probably have to be somewhere near the sea…

Newlyn, Penzance, or maybe Fowey, where one of my daughters lives.

Lame claim to fame? My cousin is Henry Hall, the BBC Band leader [most

famous in the 1930’s for his radio show].

Do you have ‘viaduct fatigue’? No, never – I’ve memories of it going back to

the1940’s, when there were more trains carrying flowers up to London than

there were passenger trains.

Favourite local walk? They are all good! I used to have a paper round, and a

dog; he’d get a good walk while I was delivering the papers.

What would your superpower be? Getting someone else to do my ironing!

What for you is the highlight of Calstock's calendar? It could be the Bike

Show (my late husband used to build bikes) or maybe the carols on the Quay at

Christmastime and Father Christmas arriving on the jetty in a boat to give out

presents to the children on Boxing Day.

One thing you would change about Calstock (money no object) I don’t

want to sound rude, but the roads could do with a tidy-up, with the grass being

cut more often! Or I would like a safer path up to the church as I’ve been

squashed against the side by a big truck – maybe a path the other side of the

hedge could be built.

LOCAL TRADES & SERVICES

Building Services etc

Building Renovation PDA Contracts 07721 422665 colin@colinwinter.co.uk

Peter Gadd Carpentry Carpenter and General Builder 07880 841 211 834205

Matthew Utton Plumbing & Heating 07974 415 306 833931

Tony Marson Building & Bicycle Maintenance tony.marson@hotmail.com 832894

Antony Barker Electrical Electrician & Photovoltaic Installer abarkerelectrical@hotmail.co.uk 834346

D&TJoinery Windows, Doors, Glazing, Draught - Proofing and Restoration 834548

Tamar Plumbing Oil heating, General plumbing matthews.phil@btinternet.com 833200

Steve Darbyshire Carpenter 07792 152 827 832466

Computing

Steve Knight All computer repairs ask-solutions@hotmail.co.uk 834017

Computer maintenance & network solutions 07545 872667 semanticsolutions@icloud.com

Gardens

David Earp Garden Design, Construct/ Maintain dave.earp@tiscali.co.uk 832867

Lee Manning Tree and Hedge Cutting, Logs etc 07792 536167 834607

Car repairs / maintenance

Brian Jackman Car Repairs, Church Hill, Calstock 07970 953 433 832543

Pubs / B&B

The Boot Inn Fine ales, wines and spirits Varied menu with local produce 834866

Meadowood B&B Our own eggs, fruit and honey meadowoodbandb@gmail.com 832444

Shops

Levine’s Calstock Village Store Fore Street, Calstock 833786

Art and Photography

Lime Kiln Gallery Contemporary art Commercial Street, Calstock 834654

Complementary Therapies

Haven Natural Health Studio Therapeutic Massage www.thehavencalstock.co.uk 832894

Janet Taylor - Homeopath www.janettaylorhomeopath.co.uk janincalstock@yahoo.co.uk 832526

Miscellaneous

Plush Hair & Beauty 6 Fore Street, Calstock 832215

Make New & Mend Creative Sewing Services Commercial Road, Calstock 833130

Tamar Valley Pre-school Toddler and pre-school group info@tamarvalleypreschool.co.uk 832375

Fernleigh House Care Home & Home Help Service alastair.tinto@fernleighhouse.co.uk 832926

Tamar Valley Pet Care Natalie Utton 07855 890 737 833931

Tamar Valley Interiors Curtains, Blinds & Soft Furnishings tamarvalleyinteriors@gmail.com

Kleen Windows W’cleaning – painting – odd jobs kleentrading@yahoo.co.uk 834510