St Mabyn Garden Club

SPRING TRIP TO ARLINGTON COURT, BARNSTSTAPLE

As members and friends stepped out of the coach, we were greeted by a marvelous array of beautiful trees clothed in many shades of green. The grounds of Arlington Court have a very natural feel about them accentuated by groups of foliage and the curved driveways and paths revealing a vista of open green meadows. Due to the rain at the start of the visit the exploration of the house was a priority. Arlington Court is an graceful house full of memorabilia, much of which has been collected by Chichester family’s marine travels all over the world. Although the house is reminiscent of a bygone era of wealth and elegance it retains the feeling of a lived in family home. The house and estate after 500 years of ownership by the Chichester family was handed over to the National Trust in 1949.
The Stable Block is the jewel in the crown and houses a magnificent collection of carriages including a coach in which it was possible for two passengers to lie flat for overnight travel; possibly the forerunner of the sleeper car on a train! A recent acquisition is the huge Speaker’s State Coach, which has been used by the Speaker of the House of Commons on State occasions. It was built circa 1698 for King William III and has been painstakingly restored retaining original structure and
materials where possible, revealing the intricate gilded carving of the bodywork and vibrant colours of the painted panels.
The gardens were created in the picturesque style of early 19th century with the large lawns leading into the paths where the many varieties of plants and shrubbery can be appreciated. The Kitchen Garden has now been fully restored and now fruit,
vegetables and beautiful flowers are growing in abundance.
Though the weather had not been too kind for our visit to Arlington Court, it was agreed that it had been very enjoyable and many members are now looking forward to September for the club’s visit to Marsh Villa Gardens, Par.
For more details for the Marsh Villa trip, and our programme of speakers for 2011/12 contact Angela Bunney 01208 841511.

St Mabyn book swap

Starting Saturday 11th June is a Book Swap in the Coffee Lounge at St Mabyn Village Stores and Post Office. Do come along between 10am and noon. Bring a book that you would like others to read and choose one to take home to read at your leisure.
It is hoped to run this on a fortnightly basis. Please contact Angela Bunney 01208 841511 for more details or just turn up on the day book in hand!

Open Studios

St Mabyn artist, Janie M McDonald and painter Ashley Hanson will be working 'live' in Shire Hall Gallery, Mount Folly Square, Bodmin from 28th May - 18th June in front of an exhibition of their work as part of Open Studios Cornwall.
The gallery is open Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm.

ST MABYN GARDEN CLUB

The 2011 April AGM was held in March with a very good attendance of members. Venning Davey kindly agreed to continue as President for the forthcoming year. John Lobb was unanimously re-elected as Chairman.as were Vice-Chair Fiona Murpy, Treasurer Anne Caldwell and Secretary Angela Bunney. After the business of the AGM had been completed members Joanne and Colin Hyde gave us a treat by showing their colourful slides of their holiday in New Zealand. The pictures captured the beauty of this country and the vast tracts of emptiness New Zealand has to offer. Many thanks to Jo and Colin for such an interesting evening.

For our May meeting we were very lucky to get Wadebridge’s own Adrian Langdon, who is well known for his photography and knowledge of Cornwall’s wildlife. His slides on the Camel Estuary varied from otters to birds to badgers, even to a very large basking shark just off the coast. I particularly liked the birds in flight. Adrian accompanied his slides with information and some very amusing anecdotes. (If you happen to come across Adrian don’t forget to ask him about his wildlife encounter on Rough Tor!) Tea and biscuits were then served by the tea hostesses whose work every month is greatly appreciated by the thirsty members.

The Garden Club is on holiday until Wednesday 14 September when we shall be going to Marsh Villa Gardens in Par, St Austell. Members to meet 9.30 am at the bus stop shelter and take own cars. This is a morning trip as it will give members
the opportunity to spend the whole day out elsewhere if they wished. We start our meeting in St Mabyn Hall Wednesday 12 October with a visit from George Kestell on Propagation. Should be very interesting.

For more details about anything above please contact the secretary Angela Bunney on 01208 841511.. Please note annual subscription is still only £5 .

ST MABYN ROYAL WEDDING PARTY

The organisers of the the Royal Wedding Party held in St Mabyn Village Hall would like to thank all those who contributed to a very successful afternoon. The tables were loaded down with plates of sandwiches, cakes, pasties and all types of tasty bites generously brought along . Many thanks to those who contributed both with the food and financially and also many thanks to Joe and Laura at the Post Office and shop for arranging the collection box. It was lovely to see so many people there enjoying the food, company and the weather!. Many thanks to Mike Haywood for the marvellous music he played throughout the afternoon, Colin Hyde for putting up the bunting and not forgetting the helpers in the kitchen without whom the afternoon could not have gone ahead.

PARISH COUNCIL CASUAL VACANCIES

Three vacancies exist on St Mabyn Parish Council.
The Parish Council will be making arrangements to fill these vacancies by co-option.
These are unpaid positions that would suit those interested in helping their community and parish.
To be eligible to apply you should be registered on the current Electoral Register and lived in, or within 3 miles, of the parish for over 1 year.
If interested, please contact...

Mrs J. Hoskin (Parish Clerk)
Branston Farm, Bodmin Road, Bodmin PL30 4BB
Telephone (01208) 72789
or
Cllr Mrs Helen Barrett (Chairman) on 01208 841342

St Mabyn church roof report

A fascinating report by Ian Tyers for English Heritage on the dendrochronological analysis of the oak timbers of St Mabyn church can be downloaded here.
The calculation of common felling periods for the three roofs suggests construction dates of AD 1513–35 for the north aisle, AD 1485–1514 for the nave, and AD 1487–1523 for the porch.

FURIOUS residents challenge giant solar farm.

Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee voted 9-8 in favour of allowing a solar farm, which will stretch over 36 acres of farmland near St Mabyn.
Read the full article here.