OUT AND ABOUT
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A THOUGHTFUL WALK IN FORDER As any walker around the picturesque village of Forder will acknowledge, it’s easy to step back in time. The tight lanes with their ancient stone walls and river running alongside are an easy background to imagine horse drawn vehicles, and the busy tramline carrying stone from the local quarry to the nearby quay. The village would have been a hive of activity, working people coming and going about their business. John Hooper shares a few photos and old postcards from his collection, to inspire us to think back and perhaps walk the same routes around Forder thinking about that industrial past. The Postcard headed The Residence Trematon Castle is a photo by Dingle & Son who had a stationary shop in Fore St Saltash. It was addressed to Mr J Wickett (probably no mother) Kelly Bray, Nr Callington, Cornwall And says, Trematon Castle Jan 1915.
The message overleaf reads, Dear Father, Just a PC to wish you a happy birthday, I hope you are well and will like these socks and handkerchiefs. I hope to be home to see you soon. Hope you are quite well as this leaves me at present. Fondest love from Your Loving Daughter, Gaye John explains, “She would have walked down to Forder to post the card and a very steep hill with a tough climb back to the castle.” “The picture of Forder Post Office with the postman outside is probably the PO that was used, mail then transported to Saltash Post Office and hand stamped. “Sir Vernon Seccombe a local lad was born at the Forder Post Office 14 January 1928. “He died 6 December 2014”, reminisces John, “ A good friend to Sue and I”.