What’s
Community news
Pages 4–7
Storm Goretti follow-up
Pages 24–27
Church update Page 14
Big Breakfast Pages 30–31
Masquerade Ball Pages 16–17
Wasson Probus? and new ARTS & CULTURE page
Wasson + new Arts and Culture
Pages 44–45
Plus: Emily’s wildlife (p20–21), local sport (p47), Probus school staff walk a marathon (p5), Harry runs a marathon (p38), PHCS (p36–37) and more. Front cover: Kay and Martin Hyatt at the PFW Masquerade Ball by Jon Hibberd
Submission deadlines for articles, adverts, alterations and other items for the magazine is the 10th of every month.
Publication dates
May Friday 1st May
June Friday 29th May
July Friday 26th June
August Friday 31st July
September Friday 28th August
October Friday 2nd October
Available online: www.issuu.com/ probusnews/
Probus News is a non-profit making, independent voluntary organisation. Your donations are always welcome.
Public notice
The inclusion of any article or advertisement in this magazine does not constitute any form of accreditation by the Editor or management committee. They are unable to vouch for the professional qualifications, etc, of any advertiser. It is the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure conformity with the Trades Descriptions Act 1975, Business Advertisements Disclosure Order 1977 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Readers must satisfy themselves that an advertiser meets all their necessary requirements. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of their authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Editor or management committee. Our privacy and safeguarding policies are available on request to the Secretary.
By email: editorprobusnews@gmail.com
By hand: Articles for Probus News can be left at Trudgian Farm Shop in Probus Square. Management Team
EDITOR: John Denyer 07824 555519
editorprobusnews@gmail.com
CHAIRMAN: Sheila Bing 01726 883400
sheila.bing@outlook.com
SECRETARY: David Meggs 07850 945626 minesaredwine@hotmail.com
TREASURER: Eddie Bokas 07758 246673 ecbokas13@gmail.com
ASSISTANT TREASURER: Val Forster threeforsters@yahoo.com
ADVERTISING: Kaye Ludlow 07968 722430 advertisingprobusnews@gmail.com
DELIVERY MANAGER: Tim Joyce 01726 884574 timstravels01@hotmail.com
EDITORIAL: Sarah Hoggett 07931 502 939 sarah.hoggett@btopenworld.com
Emily Forster wildforsterphoto@ outlook.com
Clare McNeilly Datson clareprobusnews@gmail.com
Beth Pritchard bethpritchardidiomas@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jon Hibberd 07931 502921 jonyhibs58@gmail.com
Daisy Bassett
SOCIAL MEDIA: Vanessa McGill
PROOFREADERS: Marilyn Joyce, Tania Williams and Teresa Hayhoe.
Printed by: Control Print Ltd, 01209 214200 www.controlprint.co.uk
Community news
PROBUS & THE SURROUNDING AREA
Our local community larder is held four times a week in Probus Church; it’s FREE and open to EVERYBODY in Probus and the surrounding area.
Help us, help yourself and reduce food waste!
We open for tea and coffee half an hour before each session. Why not join us?
Monday 4–4:30 pm
TR2 Community Hub
COMMUNITY
hubs offer safe, supportive environments where people can access help, advice and activities. They rely on collaboration between organisations to provide the best local resources and support.
At this time, TR2 Community Hub activities are currently only in Probus Church.
In Probus Church
Refreshments available:
Monday 10 am–noon
Tuesday 10:30 am–noon
Wednesday 10 am–noon
Friday 8:45 am–noon
Pain Café: 1st Monday of each month 10 am–noon.
Carers Corner: Support and advice for all carers. 2nd Monday of each month, 10 am–noon.
Digital Support Hub: Drop in for advice or assistance with using computers or completing online tasks. 3rd Monday of each month, 10 am–noon.
Move More: Falls prevention course for the over 65s. Wednesday mornings, 10:30–11:30 am.
Community Support and Information Hub: Drop-in support sessions with a range of professionals – adult social care, housing, DWP, Job Centre, Community Energy Plus, social prescribers and vicar. 3rd Wednesday of each month, 2–4 pm. The next hub is on Wednesday 18th March.
Probus Primary School fundraiser
STAFF at Probus Primary School are raising money for an exciting new outdoor play area for pupils.
What began as a casual staffroom chat about starting a walking group has quickly grown into something much bigger. Now, 11 members of staff have committed to walking a full marathon (and a bit!), with a couple of others taking on the challenge of a half marathon.
Many thanks in advance for all support and donations.
https://gofund.me/d6c569cbd
The walk will take place on Sunday 24th May 2026. The team will start in Looe and follow the South West Coast Path to Pentewan – a total distance of 27 miles.
Front row: Katy, Clair, Lucy. Middle: Michelle, Julia, Emily, Lisa, Fiona. Back: Katie and Julie. Missing from the photo is Bex.
Probus Parish Council THERE
are currently four vacancies on the parish council.
As we get closer to the new financial year, we are looking for enthusiastic and engaged members of this community who want to join in the lead-up to April and make a long-lasting change. The Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for co-option to the Parish Council.
If you have an interest in our local community, environment, transport, amenities, planning, housing issues, community groups and events, combating antisocial behaviour, policing and future plan for the parish; then this is an opportunity for you.
For more information please phone any of those listed below.
Do you have a problem?
Why not contact one of your local parish councillors for advice?
Probus Parish Players
ITis almost time for the Probus Parish Players AGM. We have had another very successful year and it is time to start looking ahead to the next one.
If you are interested in how you can get involved with PPP, either on stage or off, please come along to hear a bit more about our plans for the next 12 months.
AUL KAY, December 2024
From acting to stage crew, prop building to costume sewing, bingo dabbing to breakfast cooking, Team PPP offers something for everyone.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@probusparishplayers. co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there. See next page for our AGM notice.
Jack Burr Treviglas Lane jackburr@probusparishcouncil.co.uk
Chris Dutton Carne View Road 07969 451207 chrisdutton@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
James Faull Tresowgar Cottage 07494 756249 jamesfaull@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Nick Gillard (chair) Fore Street 01726 883926 nicholasgillard@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Ivan Myles Kew Wav 07815 944752 ivanmyles@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Wendy O’Callaghan wendyocallaghan@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Ian Peters Carne View Road 07825 889067 ianpeters@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Jo Vincent joannavincent@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk wwwprobusparishcouncil.gov.uk
If you are not able to contact a particular councillor, then contact the Parish Council Clerk Adrian Webster (locum clerk) clerk@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk - Cornwall Councillor Karen Glasson can also be contacted on 07980 975527 or cllr.karen.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk.
St Piran’s Day
March, Truro
PICTURED
below, Laura and Sandra at the St Piran’s Day parade in Truro on Thursday 5th March. Both Probus Old (Historic) Cornwall Society members, in line and ready to parade.
Skate Ramp update
By Probus Parish Council
USERS
of the Probus Play Area are advised that the skate ramp will be temporarily closed with immediate effect following the discovery of structural damage during a recent inspection.
While the surface riding boards remain in good condition, sections of the timber sub-frame beneath the ramp have deteriorated and become rotten. As the underlying structure is essential for safe use, the facility cannot remain open until the full extent of the damage has been assessed and repaired.
To carry out this assessment, the surface boards will need to be removed so that the supporting framework can be inspected in detail. This will allow specialists to determine what repairs are required and ensure the ramp can be safely restored.
In the meantime, safety fencing will be installed around the ramp to prevent access, and users are asked to respect the closure.
Assessment work will begin as soon as possible. However, due to the need to dismantle part of the structure, evaluate the damage, and carry out repairs, it is expected that the ramp will be out of use for several weeks.
We appreciate that the skate ramp is a popular facility for young people in the village and understand that its temporary closure will be disappointing. The decision has been taken in the interests of safety, and every effort will be made to complete the work as quickly as possible.
Thank you to residents and users for their patience. Further updates will be provided as progress is made towards reopening the facility.
A-Z
Probus clubs, societies, organisations and other useful contacts
Acoustics Night (Comrades Club)
Badmington Club
Bees (swarms/issues/questions)
Bookworms Book Club
Bowling Club
Breakfast Club
Church Bell Ringers
Chuchwarden
Comrades Club
Cornwall Councillor
Cycling (Probus Pedlars)
Football (Saturday Club)
Probus Youth FC (Juniors)
Probus FC (Seniors)
Friends of Probus Church
Tim Joyce 07412 126774 timstravels01@hotmail.com
Harry Pritchard 07434 582238
Tony Paddock 07486 295414
Gaynor O’Kane okanegaynor@gmail.com
David Meggs 07850 945626
John Denyer 07824 555519
Liza Deards 07888 684425
Andy McCartney/Matthew Hodge churchwarden@probus.church
Bryan Trebilcock 01726 882747
Karen Glasson 07980 975527 cllr.karen.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk
Dave Light (07966 683852) or Colin Brown (07484 740249)
Steve Flack 07956 049727
Eric Bendelow 07917 008491
Graham Smith 07968 478970
Richard Heath 07849 315432 geotechrich@gmail.com
Grampround Road Cricket Club The Club House 07800 915578 grampoundroadcricketclub@gmail.com
Hawkins Arms
Graham & Phil 01726 882208 www.thehawkinsprobus.co.uk
Historic Cornwall Society (PHCS) Joanna Czlonkowska 07399 544014 joannaczlonkowska@gmail.com
Kids Club (Probus Primary School breakfast/after school clubs) 01726 882647 kidsclub@probusschool.org.uk
Knit & Natter Group
Litter Picking Group
Little Lights & Toddler Group
Eve Richards 01726 882657 or 07767 383982
Nick Lauder 07813 995206 n.lauder29@btinternet.com
Eleanor McCartney 07510 054838 eleanorjmccartney@icloud.com
Mid-Cornwall Wood Turners Baz Bazeley secretary@midcornwallturners.com
MHA Over 55s Luncheon Club
MHA Over 55s Friendship Group
Probus Parish Players (Pantomime)
Pickleball Club
Playing Field Mgmt Committee
Parish Council Clerk
Probus Primary School
Probus Primary School PTA
Probus Club of Probus
Tracy Beavill 07720 680989 tracy.beavill@mha.org.uk.
Tracy Beavill 07720 680989 tracy.beavill@mha.org.uk.
Shareen Partridge 07919 313643 info@probusparishplayers.co.uk
Graham Kemp 07961 716620 drummerboy-13@hotmail.com
Graham Smith 07968 478 970
Adrian Webster (Locum clerk) clerk@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk
Stephanie Moore 01726 882647 hello@probusschool.org.uk
Chris Dutton 07969 451207 probuspta@gmail.com
Nick Hibbett 07432 540108 nick.hibbett@btinternet.com
Probus Church Ground Maintenance/ PEAT Nick Lauder 07403 659869 n.lauder29@btinternet.com
Probus Nursery
Stephanie Moore 01726 883093 hello@probusschool.org.uk
Sticker Memory Cafe 07901 147353 or 07717 333712
U3A Roseland & District
Terry Neil u3aroselandanddistrict.weebly.com
Village Hall Lettings 07749 368162 lettings@probusvillagehall.co.uk
Walking Group (Wednesday)
Walking Group (Fridays)
Young Farmers Club
Kay Hyatt 07948 993635
Teresa Hayhoe (07720 393754) or Kaye Ludlow (07968 722430)
Katie Ellacott 07879 313336 kellacott27@hotmail.com
Other village pages: Probus Cornwall, Probus Super Mums!, Probus News Magazine, Probus Fun Week, plus new group... What’s on Probus & Surrounding
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Kewsyn Kernewek!
LET’S
speak Cornish! Easter falls early this year, on 5th April, but you’ve just about got time to master a few Cornish Easter-related phrases! If you know French, you’ll recognise the similarity between the word for ‘Easter’ in both languages – and you might remember the word lowen from the Cornish Christmas greeting, Nadelik lowen (Happy Christmas).
ENGLISH
Want to learn more?
There are free Cornish language sessions at Wheal Martyn (the first Monday of every month at 10:30 am) and Kresen Kernow in Redruth (the first Thursday of every month at 2 pm). There’s no need to book in advance – just turn up on the day. Details of more formal Cornish language classes at www.gocornish.org.
KERNEWEK
Approx. pronunciation
Do you like chocolate? Yw da genes choklet? Ew da GEN-ess CHOKlet.
Of course!
Heb mar!
Heb MAR.
Here’s an Easter egg for you! Ottoma oy Pask ragos. Ot-OMM-a oi pask RAG-oss.
Thank you very much! Meur ras bras! Murr raz braz. Happy Easter! Pask Lowen! Pask LOW-en. And a Happy Easter to you! Ha Pask Lowen disho-jy! Ha Pask LOW-en THEECE-o-jih
NOTE: There are two main spelling systems in use in Cornish – Standard Written Form (SWF) and Kernewek Kemmyn (Common Cornish), although there isn’t a huge difference between them. This text is written in Kemmyn. In the pronunciation guide, stressed syllables are shown in capital letters (in Cornish the stress usually falls on the penultimate syllable).
A message from Rev Caroline HAPPY
Easter! We find ourselves once again in the season of joy, colour and new life. You may wonder why Christians celebrate so enthusiastically at this time of year, focusing on someone who died on the cross so long ago. But, just as we mark birthdays or anniversaries - occasions that bring a little brightness into our lives, Easter invites us to pause, give thanks, and celebrate together. Sharing joy is part of being human. Think of the excitement that builds when crowds gather to cheer on a favourite football or rugby team, or the sense of companionship that comes from watching a summer cricket match. These moments lift our spirits.
Around 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus was crucified for challenging the climate of fear and intimidation that surrounded Roman rule. His body was placed in a tomb, secured by a heavy stone and guarded. Yet on that first Easter morning, something astonishing occurred: the tomb was empty! The guards, terrified of the consequences, could not understand how Jesus’ body had vanished.
This remarkable event appears in several historical writings, including the Bible itself. According to these accounts, the first at the tomb were the female disciples. Expecting only to mourn, they instead found the stone rolled away, and, even more astonishingly, Jesus appeared and spoke to them. Despite the risk of being dismissed as mad or accused of lying, they bravely shared what they had witnessed.
The male disciples soon arrived, discovering for themselves the open tomb and Jesus’ shroud folded neatly inside. In the days that followed, Jesus appeared to them too. Slowly, the pieces of the story came together, and they understood without doubt that Jesus truly was the Son of God and the Son of Man.
This is why we celebrate Easter today: to remember those first, extraordinary accounts and to open our hearts to the hope they bring. Easter reminds us that new beginnings are always possible, that despair can give way to joy, and that light can break through even the deepest darkness. In keeping with the season of new life, we exchange Easter eggs as symbols of hope, rebirth, and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. As the Bible says: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 1:3).
Everyone is warmly invited to join our Easter celebrations — please do come along to church, where a cheerful and friendly welcome awaits.
Gras ha kres (grace and peace)
Rev Caroline Husband
rector@probusteam.com www.probuschurch.com
Church
Services in April
Thu 2nd, noon Holy Communion
Sun 5th, 9:30 am Easter Sunday
Sun 12th, 9:30 am Holy Communion
Thu 16th, noon Holy Communion
Sun 19th, 9:30 am Connect
Sun 26th 9:30 am Holy Communion 4 pm Cafe Church
Regular Events
Coffee Mornings Tuesdays 10:30 am – noon Fridays 8:45 am – 10 am Little Lights
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Bus network and timetable changes
THEcolumn to the right shows the new times for all 41 bus departures from Truro Bus Station to Probus. If you use this route, you may want to cut it out and keep it for reference.
Handy cut out and keep guide:
Buses from Truro Bus Station to Probus (all bus routes) – Monday to Saturday.
50
Colour key: School days only Saturday’s and school holidays only Truro College days only
Note: This is a new timetable and subject to adjustment. Always check the TFC app for the latest bus times.
Masquerade Ball
AMASQUERADE
Ball to remember was held at Probus Village Hall on Saturday 7th March, raising funds for Probus Fun Week and a charity close to many hearts in the village, Children’s Cancer UK.
Organised by the hard-working Probus Fun Week committee, the hall was transformed like never before. Silk fabric draped from the ceiling created a stunning tent-like effect, complemented by beautiful floral displays and perfectly laid tables, giving guests a wonderful welcome as they arrived.
Everyone dressed to impress, with elegant ball gowns, sharp suits and a dazzling array of colourful and stylish masks adding to the magic of the evening.
Sixty guests attended and enjoyed a delicious threecourse meal prepared by
Phil Bishop-Macrides and his team. Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by Du Hag Owr, Lisa Martin and The Urban Project, with support from the Brassholes.
The evening also featured a lively and competitive auction that raised £2,300. However, we were lucky enough to have someone who was able to double that through their work so the overall total was £4,600. Well done to the Probus Fun Week committee, the village hall team and all the volunteers whose hard work made it such a memorable night.
Graham Bishop-Macrides told Probus News, ‘It was a truly special eveninga wonderful atmosphere, incredible support from the community and fantastic to see money raised for both Probus Fun Week and Children with Cancer’. Photos by Jon Hibberd.
Image by JOHN DENYER
I
•
WILDLIFE in bloom
Emily Forster, local wildlife photographer, known as wildforsterphoto on Instagram, discusses the difference between invasive and native bluebells. Several iconic species begin to appear around Easter, each with its own individual story...
From my experience exploring the local woodlands in spring, bluebells are one of the most striking and recognisable wildflowers. They often grow in dense carpets across ancient woodland floors, creating wide patches of violet-blue beneath the trees. They tend to thrive in shaded environments where the soil stays moist, especially before the tree canopy fully closes for summer. Their bell-shaped flowers hang in one direction along the stem, and they produce a faint sweet scent that attracts pollinating insects such as bees. However, there is also an invasive
species that is becoming more and more prominent across the UK. They differ to the native species by appearing a paler blue, scentless and the flowers grow all the way around a straighter stem.
The common frog is a species I have frequently encountered near garden ponds, ditches and slow-moving stream (or in the case of the one on the left, at work). From observing them closely, I’ve seen that their colouring can vary from olive green to brown, often with darker spots that help them blend into muddy or leafy surroundings. They are amphibians, meaning they spend part of their life in water and part on land. During early spring, you may start to notice jelly-like frogspawn in ponds, which later develops into tadpoles before eventually transforming into fully formed frogs.
One butterfly that has already begun to appear and stands out during warmer months is the peacock butterfly. I have often recognised it by the large eye-like spots on its wings, which are thought to help scare away predators. When resting with wings open, the bright reddish background and bold markings make it very distinctive. I have seen them feeding on nectar from
Get involved...
To be in with a chance of featuring in our next issue, send in your Probus wildlife photos or artwork to: wildforsterphoto@outlook.com
In the upcoming issues look out for my articles about what you can see each month and how you can photograph, document or look after them yourself.
many flowers (their favourite being buddleia), and they are also known to overwinter in sheltered places such as sheds or tree cavities, emerging again when temperatures rise.
Rabbits are among the most common mammals I notice when spending time in grassy fields or woodland edges. In my observations, they are most active during early morning and evening when they leave their burrows, known as warrens, to feed. They mainly eat grasses and other low plants, constantly nibbling while remaining alert for predators. Their strong hind legs allow them to run quickly in zig-zag patterns, and their large ears help them detect sounds from a distance, giving them a better chance of escaping danger.
Brighter horizons
By Sarah Hoggett; photos by Jon Hibberd
WHENStorm Goretti swept across Cornwall on the night of 8th January with wind speeds of 99 mph, the impact across the Duchy’s famous historic gardens was devastating. St Michael’s Mount lost 80% of the island’s tree cover, Trelissick lost 70–80 trees, and Trengwainton near Penzance lost around 150 trees. Almost three months on we talked to Gary Long, head gardener at Trewithen (pictured right), to find out how the clear-up operation is going and what the plans are for the future.
Gary has been head gardener since 2004, so he’s well placed to assess the impact of the storm. So what was it like,
coming in to work on the morning of 9th January?
‘I live on the edge of the estate’, explained Gary, ‘so my “commute” to work is a walk through the woodlands and gardens. Although we heard the storm through the night, I initially thought we’d got off lightly as I only saw six trees down. But closer to the house the extent of the damage became clear. We couldn’t even get through the car park or to the main gate because of fallen trees – 163 mature trees lost in total, some of them more than 200 years old.’
One of the most painful losses for Trewithen was a champion Acer cissifolium near the house (a ‘champion’ tree is one that is an exceptional example of its species because of its enormous size, great age, rarity or historical significance). Another was an awardwinning Rhododendron falconeri that was hit by a falling leylandii. ‘Things like this were as gutting as actually losing the trees’, Gary said. ‘The worst bit is not always the tree falling – it’s what it’s hit’.
The clear-up operation will take many more months but, perhaps paradoxically, the storm has actually created new opportunities for the gardens. Areas that were once in deep shade, where only plants such as Australasian tree ferns and Trewithen’s famed camellias and rhododenrons would happily thrive, have opened up to the light, enabling a much wider range of plants to be grown in future, and vistas that were hitherto obscured by the dense canopy can be enjoyed for the first time in centuries.
In the Cockpit, for example (a former quarry that was used as a cock fighting arena in the 18th century, hence the name), a large ash tree fell and destroyed two Pieris formosa, brought to Trewithen by famed plant hunter George Forrest in 1932. ‘If I’d spoken to [the estate’s owners] Sam and Kitty Galsworthy and said, “please can we cut down these wild-collected plants
and a massive mature ash tree because I want to have a nice view”, it would never have happened’, joked Gary. This cleared space now has the potential to be planted with herbaceous plants such as Meconopsis betonicifolia (Himalayan blue poppy), which likes its roots in shade and its head in the sun. A more long-term plan for the area is to incorporate seating and turn it into a small amphitheatre or arena for smallscale plays and other performances.
Part of the estate’s strategy is to leave dead trees in situ if possible. Quite apart from the cost and time involved in removing them, if they’re left in place they quickly become important parts of the ecosystem, being colonised by hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as all kinds of insects and fungi. There can be more life in a dead tree than in a living one!
Above: Corylus avellana (hazel) catkins. Left: The champion Acer cissifolium that fell near the house.
Where trees have to be cleared because they’re obstructing pathways or access to other areas, the aim is to use as much as possible around the estate. So the smaller branches at the top will be wood-chipped for compost, then – moving down the trunk – the next size will be used for log edging or as logs, larger pieces kept for lumber to replace gate posts and fencing, and the roots turned into stumperies, again encouraging wildlife.
Although so many great gardens were affected, the horticulturalists involved are very willing to share their expertise and ideas. Gary is head of the Cornwall Professional Gardeners Group, which
is open to anyone professionally involved in horticulture within Cornwall. Talking to colleagues on other estates he discovered that, amidst all the devastation, not one Magnolia campbellii had been damaged by Storm Goretti. It seems that magnolias might play a role in protecting gardens from future storms by acting as windbreaks, allowing the wind to pass through rather than coming up against an immoveable tree that can only buckle or snap under the strain. And, as some magnolias can grow very tall, there’s scope for underplanting camellias, which are also wind-firm – so, as Gary points out, ‘future windbreaks could look like minigardens – and that’s not such a bad thing, is it?’
Like many of Cornwall’s great gardens, Trewithen was created largely through the endeavours of plant hunters such as George Forrest and Frank KingdonWard, who brought seeds back from South-West China (particularly Yunnan province) and the Himalayas. These seeds were then propagated in the UK and found their way into the gardens of large estates such as Caerhays, Tregothnan and Trewithen. We’re reaping the rewards of a more modern method of propagation today, in the aftermath of Storm Goretti: the Rhododendron falconeri mentioned earlier has already been micro-propagated by John Lanyon, former head gardener at Trelissick, and (although it will take decades for the seedlings to grow to the size of the specimen lost at Trewithen), it will eventually grace the gardens once more.
One thing is for sure: despite the devastation, everyone involved is determined to make sustainable choices and not to rush into replanting. Gardens are long-term projects that will last way beyond the lifetime of the people who designed them and, with extreme weather events such as Storm Goretti looking ever more likely, it’s important to plan with this in mind. The
team at Trewithen will be taking expert advice from leaders in their field such as Tony Kirkham (former head of Kew arboretum) and Geraint Richards (King Charles III’s head forester) in deciding how to proceed and, as far as possible, future proofing the gardens against storms to come.
Clockwise from top left: Clearance of fallen trees on a lane leading to the ponds; Myrtus communis (common myrtle); Magnolia stellata; Rhododendron macabeanum; Magnolia ‘Star Wars’. Rhododenron macabeanum, collected and brought back to Trewithen by F.K. Ward in 1928.
Probus YFC Big Breakfast
THEannual YFC Big Breakfast, held on 28th February, was a massive success, selling 162 breakfasts and making a profit of £1398 to be split between Probus Young Farmers Club funds and this year’s chosen charity, Man Down.
Probus YFC would like to thank the following for their donations: Kernow Training for the sausages, Collins Cornish Potatoes for the hash browns, J. Ellacott and Son Agricultural Engineering for the bacon and St Ewe Eggs for the eggs. A big thank you also goes out to the members who made the day possible and to our advisory committee for their continued support and hard work. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came along and supported our day. We were delighted to see so many of you there for Man Down, which is such a great cause; it means so much to us as a club.
(Photos by Jon Hibberd.)
Probus Cemetery and memorial repairs
INthe interests of health and safety, Probus Parish Council has a statutory obligation to carry out a safety check every three years which must be carried out by a professional stonemason. In October 2025, a memorial safety inspection was carried out by a certified stonemason. Sixteen memorials were identified as requiring remedial work. A quotation was provided for carrying out these repairs on a ‘bulk’ basis.
The Council resolved to make the memorials safe, but firstly to contact
the owners of the plots affected by the health and safety report, both to seek their permission and to recover the cost of repairing their property.
In the event of not being able to contact any owners/relatives of the affected graves and monuments and in the interest of safety, the Parish Council will need to consider the option for these monuments to be laid flat.
The memorials in need of repair are listed in the table below and we are appealing to any relatives or next of kin to contact the Parish Council for information about the work and costs of repair.
Please kindly contact the Clerk to the Council by email at: Clerk@ probusparishcouncil.gov.uk or by phone on 07749 626021.
Memorial Year installed Issue
Frances Betty Jones 2001 Detached from plinth
Geoffrey Henry Gatley 1994 Whole memorial moving, no anchor
Arthur Stanley Endean 1994 Detached from plinth, no anchor
Thomas John Osmand 1992 Has movement but will not fall
Shirley Eileen Gatley 1997 Detached from plinth, no anchor
David Frederick Watts 1990 Detached from plinth
Doreen Eileen Sampson 2014 Detached from plinth
Adelaide Sarah Vigus Addie 2006 Detached from plinth, no anchor
Betty Thomas 1995 Detached from plinth
Enif Margueritte Hodder 1991 Whole memorial moving, no anchor
Leslie John Sanders 1992 Whole memorial moving, no anchor
Stephen Chellew 2013 Detached from plinth
Adam John Leach 1997 Detached from plinth, no anchor
Tom / Win Mitchell 1994 2001 Detached from plinth, no anchor
Amy Lineham 2002 Whole memorial moving, no anchor
Peter Morgan 2007 Detached from plinth
Probus Historic Cornwall Society
By Laura Van Kempen-Wilson
ONMonday 9th March, Samantha Barnes from Historic England, the public body responsible for protecting and celebrating England’s historic environment , gave us a fascinating talk about listed buildings and the processes involved in researching and registering them.
The first state protection for the built heritage in Britain began in 1882 and was mainly prehistoric monuments. In 1913 a department was set up called The Ancient Monuments Branch, staffed by architects and archaeologists. By this time, protection had been extended to include Roman sites and ruined castles and abbeys and, by 1939, 3,000 sites were protected as ‘scheduled monuments’. Today, there are around 20,000!
During WW2 a scheme was drawn up to provide emergency repairs to buildings of historic interest but the department
needed to know where they were, so 300 architects were appointed to identify them. This list formed the basis for the first national listing survey. Further surveys followed and, since 2016, Historic England has invited everybody to share their photographs and stories of listed buildings through ‘The Missing Pieces Project’ on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).
Contrary to what you might expect, buildings do not have to be particularly old to be listed: the grade II-listed library in St Austell and County Hall in Truro were both built in the early 1960s. Nor are buildings listed purely for their architectural merits: for example, although the slipway of the Penlee Point Lifeboat House is a relatively early and almost intact example of a structure of its type, the building is also listed for its historic association with the ‘Solomon Browne’ lifeboat disaster on 19th December 1981. And you’re just as likely to come across humble domestic and agricultural buildings on the NHLE as the grand stately homes and manor houses that many of us, associate with Historic England.
In fact, the structures on the NHLE include far more than just buildings but all, in one way or another, open a window onto the past and give us an insight into social history. There are battle sites and hillforts that are centuries old, pre-Christian holy wells, turnpikes at which tolls for road maintenance were collected before this became the responsibility of local authorities, ice houses used to preserve food in the days before refrigeration, sites that preserve the workings of industries that have now vanished, street furniture, parks and gardens and even shipwrecks!
Probus has 90 (yes, 90!) listed monuments! To view them, go onto the NHLE website and put Probus into the search area. You will certainly be familiar with some of them, such as the church, the war memorial in the churchyard and the Hawkins Arms. Others may surprise you! Here’s a small selection from the village and surrounding area. How many do you recognise?
Clockwise from top left: Iconic K6 telephone kiosk designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott; 1 and 2 Cornish Mount, formerly the Bell Inn and first site of Probus Comrades Club; 16thcentury brick wall at Golden Manor; early 19th-century wrought-iron gate with granite piers at Trewithen; granite milestone dating from 1830 at the foot of Tresowga Lane, one of 12 marking the route between Truro and Fraddon at a time when new roads were being commissioned to provide a ‘modern’ passage from Falmouth to London. (Photos by Jon Hibberd)
Probus Bowling Club ON
27th March, Probus Bowling Club enjoyed a successful Presentation Dinner – a wonderful start to the new season.
The Club is delighted to announce that the green will officially open on Saturday 11th April at 2 pm. Everyone is warmly invited to come along and try lawn bowling; beginners and visitors are most welcome.
A huge thank you goes to Mike Way, whose dedication and hard work have kept the green in superb condition, despite the challenges of the recent wet weather. Thanks to his efforts, the surface is looking perfect for the season ahead. We hope to see you on the green!
APRIL activities
Local History: Wednesday 1st April, 10:15 am to noon at Tregony Church Hall, The Heyday of Cornish Tourism.
French Conversation: Monday 6th and 20th, 2–4 pm at the Pavilion Roseland Parc Tregony.
Craft Group: Friday 10th and 24th, 9:30 am to noon at Probus Village Hall.
Scrabble: Monday 13th, 2–4 pm at The Pavilion, Roseland Parc.
Book Club: Wednesday 15th, 2–4 pm in the library, Roseland Parc.
Strum for Fun: Monday 27th, 2–4 pm in the Pavilion, Roseland Parc.
Lunch Club: Thursday 30th, 12 pm for 12:30 pm – venue to be arranged.
There will be no classic films for the time being.
u3aroselandanddistrict.weebly.com
Marathon Runner
GOODluck to Harry Cranstone who takes on the London Marathon on 26th April trying to raise money for mental health charity, Mind Cornwall. Harry say’s that running the marathon is something that he’s dreamed of for years – in support of a cause that has impacted him and his family over the years.
To read Harry’s story go to www. justgiving.com/campaign/ cornwallmindlondonmarathon2026 and scroll down to find Harry Cranstone.
J o i n u s e v e r y T h u r s d a y a t 7 : 3 0 p m a s
K a c a h o s t s o u r f a n t a s t i c a r t c l a s s e s
l b e j o i n i n g u s o n
t h e 2 8 o f A p r i l ! S t a r t t i m e 8 : 3 0 p m t h
W a n t t o d i n e w i t h u s
b e f o r e h a n d ?
G i v e u s a c a l l t o b o o k
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£ 1 5 p e r p e r s o n
I n c l u d e s a l l y o u r m a t e r i a l s
E v e r y W e d n e s d a y , o u r l o v e l y o v e r - 6 0 ’ s c a n
e n j o y a d e l i c i o u s l u n c h w i t h u n l i m i t e d t e a &
c o f f e e f o r j u s t £ 6 9 5
I f y o u ’ d l i k e t o j o i n u s , s i m p l y g i v e u s a c a l l t o
b o o k y o u r t a b l e , w e ’ d l o v e t o s e e y o u
SILVER
Wasson Probus? 2026
Secretaries: To publicise your meetings or events, let us know well in advance and we will include details here. The contact details for all groups/clubs/ societies can be found on page 8.
Key: PVH = Probus Village Hall. PCC = Probus Comrades Club.
Acoustic Night Upstairs Last Monday of the month at PCC, starting at 7:30 pm.
Badminton Club: 8 pm every Monday at PVH.
Bookworms Book Club: 7 pm on the third Tuesday of every month. Get in touch for details of the venue and book to be discussed.
Breakfast Club: Monday 20th April, 9 am at Grigg’s Restaurant, Sticker. Everyone welcome – book your place via John Denyer – see page 8.
Coffee ‘n’ Chat: Every Tuesday morning from 10 am to noon at Probus Church. Open to everyone, young and old, church-goer or not.
Friendship Group: MHA Communities Cornwall is open to folk 55+ on the 1st Thursday monthly from 10 am to noon at PVH.
Luncheon Club: MHA Communities Cornwall is open to folk 55+ on alternate Wednesdays from noon to 2 pm at PVH.
The next lunches are on Wednesday 7th, 15th and 29th April.
Mid Cornwall Wood Turners Club: Meet the first Tuesday of every month 7–9:30 pm with demonstrations and competitions. Training nights on the third Tuesday of the month at PVH.
Mobile library: Next visits are on Friday 17th April, 15th May at PVH car park between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm.
Pickleball Club: Fridays 7:30–10:30 pm, Sundays 6:30–9:30 pm, PVH.
Probus Club of Probus: Coffee Meeting on Thursday 16th April, 10 am. Committee Room, PVH with a guest speaker from Shelterbox. New members welcome.
Probus Historic Cornwall Society: Monday 13th April, 7:15 for 7:30 pm start in Probus Village Hall. Speaker Barry West on George Fox, Father of the Quakers, jailbird and traveller. PHCS members free, Visitors £3.50 to include refreshments.
Probus Knit and Natter Group: Every Wednesday 10 am at PCC.
Probus Litter Pickers: First Saturday of each month at 10 am. Meet at PVH.
Probus Parish Council: Meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Next meeting is on 15th April, 7 pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and are given 15 minutes public participation. www.probusparishcouncil.gov.uk.
Probus Pedallers: Leave from the surgery every Sunday at 9 am. The more leisurely group leaves at 10 am.
Probus Walking Group: Every Wednesday 9 am or 9:30 am start. Every Friday for shorter walks 10 am. New members always welcome.
ARTS & CULTURE
Welcome to our new Arts & Culture page where we’ll round up some of the many fascinating events held throughout the Duchy. We’ll endeavour to introduce you to some new sights and sounds, and remind you of some old ones. We won’t be able to touch on them all so do let us know if we’ve missed something special and we’ll include it next time...
Q Victoria Gardens Easter Trail
Friday 3rd April to Sunday, 19th April - Victoria Gardens, Truro. Clue and entry sheets can be collected from Truro Community Library, Truro Visitor Information Centre or Pollen Café – Victoria Gardens. Search the gardens for Easter bunnies. Each bunny displays a letter, find them all to reveal a special Easter phrase. Follow the clues, find the bunnies and win a prize!
www.visittruro.org.uk/whats-on
Friday 24th to Sunday 26th April. The muchloved Porthleven Food Festival returns for a three-day celebration of Cornwall’s culinary brilliance. Expect streets and quaysides filled with local producers, colourful food stalls and chef demonstrations. There’ll be live music, family-friendly activities and plenty of opportunities to sample fresh seafood, artisan treats and seasonal delights. www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com
Q The Roseland Festival
Friday 24th April to Sunday, 3rd May. The festival is a fantastic celebration of the local culture and community on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. With a mix of music, art, and fun activities for all ages, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy everything this charming area has to offer! Folk and jazz, history and art, films and photography, choirs and quartets, walks and talks – they are all featured in the diverse programme of events that has the Roseland Festival offering something for everyone. www.roselandfestival.co.uk
Q Trevithick Day
Saturday 25th April. Trevithick Day celebrates Richard Trevithick, Camborne’s pioneering engineer, acknowledged across the world as the inventor and creator of the very first steam-powered locomotive. Its inaugural drive took place on Christmas Eve 1801, ‘up Camborne Hill’, and has since been immortalised in song. Every steam engine across the world is a descendent of Trevithick’s invention.
A working replica of Trevithick’s Engine, the Puffing Devil, is the star of the show, and visitors can view dozens of heritage steam engines. The parades, dances, fairground, street stalls and music stages are huge draws. www.trevithickday.org.uk
Q Porthleven Food Festival
PROBUS
FC First team sit 14th in the Kernow Stone St Piran League – Division 1 West. Played 17, won 5, drawn 2, lost 10 with 17 points. Just like Spurs they are getting uncomfortably close to the drop. That said, and unlike Spurs, they have plenty of games remaining this season to make amends
April home fixtures - Probus FC
and enough games in hand to keep out of danger. We won’t mention some of the depressing results during February and March, but April brings a string of home games – let’s just hope the rain stops, the pitch dries out and is playable. Two divisions below, Probus Reserves sit 13th in the Kernow Stone St Piran League – Division 3 West. Played 18, won 5, drawn 1, lost 12 with 16 points. (Correct as of 22nd March).
Sat 4th First team Illogan RBL 2nd 2:30 pm Home
Wed 8th First team RNAS Culdrose 1st 6:30 pm Home
Sat 11th First team Falmouth United 1st 2:30 pm Home
Tues 14th First team Troon AFC 1st 6:30 pm Home
Saturday 18th First team Porthleven 2nd 2:30 pm Home
Tues 21st First team Holman Sports Club 1st 6:30 pm Away
Saturday 25th First team West Cornwall 1st 2:30 pm Home https://fulltime.thefa.com/fixtures.html? then search for Kernow Stone St Piran League
Grampound Road
Cricket Club
Grampound Road Cricket Club
2026 Season:
Probus Bowling Club
See page 38
Clubhouse: Our fully stocked bar is open every night – now opening earlier on Fridays – from 5pm. Everyone is more than welcome to drop in for a drink – no membership (or cricket interest) required! We also show a wide range of sport in the
A botanical legacy. A living history.
Discover the rich legacy of plant hunters and horticulturalists at Cornwall’s beloved ‘house of the trees’.
Trudgian Farm Shop
Central Heating Systems, Bathroom Design and Tiling, Leadwork, Boiler Servicing and Commissioning, Solar Hot Water Systems, Unvented Pressure Systems, Repairs and Maintenance
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6 Larkfield Rise, St. Mawes
Truro, Cornwall TR2 5DF
Phone: 01326 270217
Mobile: 07792 406673
Email: crplumbingandheating@gmail com
