Plus: Leo and Finlay walk a marathon P39, PEAT P26, Sport P47 and more. Front cover: Bluebells in full bloom at Enys Gardens near Perranworthal by Jon Hibberd.
Submission deadlines for articles, adverts, alterations and other items for the magazine is the 10th of every month.
Publication dates
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August Friday 1st August
September Friday 5th September
October Friday 3rd October
November Friday 31st October
December Friday 12th December
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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
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Community News
June church services
Sunday 1st 9:30 am - Connect
Thursday 5th noon - Holy Communion
Sunday 8th 9:30 am - Holy Communion
Sunday 15th 9:30 am - Connect
Thursday 19th 12 noon - Holy Communion
Sunday 22nd 9:30 am - Holy Communion
4 pm - Café Church
Church community hub events
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. Next hub is on Wednesday 18th June.
Other events
Little Lights: Every Thursday 9:30–11 am
Plant sale on the cobbles
THEplant sale is always popular and this year people were queuing up to buy things before the event even opened! £850 was raised for the church as part of the ‘Give to Go Green’ campaign, a matchfunding project from the Church of England that doubles locally raised donations during a 6-week window, up to 13 th June. If you’d like to contribute, donations can be made using the card readers located in the church.
Community News
Cornwall Councillor
ASProbus Village Hall
ONyou may know, I was re-elected on 2nd May as Cornwall Councillor for Probus and St Erme Electoral Division. I was first elected to serve you and represent your views to Cornwall Council in 2021. It was then the greatest honour of my life and it remains so. To be re-elected is a privilege and one that I take very seriously.
In the last four years, I have tried to represent the views of the residents of Probus and many other organisations fully to Cornwall Council. I have helped with over 800 pieces of casework and tried to get to as many events as possible, including being part of the Probus Fun Week and Village Hall committees.
Over the next four years I ask you, the residents of Probus, to tell me your priorities. Our wonderful Parish Council is working on a Neighbourhood Priorities Statement and I urge you to have a look at this on their website. As an elected representative I will always do everything I can to help anyone, but I would love to hear from you. I am always available to chat to anyone who has any questions, concerns or suggestions, so please do not hesitate to contact me on 07980 975527 or by email at cllr.karen. glasson@cornwall.gov.uk.
I thank you for your support and am truly honoured to once again be your elected Cornwall Councillor. Karen Glasson
Friday 9th May, the Probus Village Hall Committee held its AGM. Following our call-out for help in the previous issue of Probus News, the people of Probus really came together to support us. Twentynine residents came, including twelve representatives from our regular users, with four more tendering their apologies but giving offers of help.
Karen, Neil and I would like to thank everyone who attended. We appealed for help and were not disappointed, with help being offered in almost all the areas in which it was needed. Following the formal meeting, a few people came forward with further offers of help, which I am sure we will be able to take up.
The village hall is an important asset to the community and with this support it will continue to thrive for years to come. We thank you all.
Ivan Myles, Chair, Probus Village
Hall
Above: Probus Village Hall being re-roofed in January 2022. Credit: Jonty Hill.
Editorial
IThas been a difficult month for the Probus News team. Just as we were publishing the last edition, we received the sad news that our secretary, Peter Clarke, had passed away suddenly at home. Peter was a wonderful person, deeply involved in village life – not only with the magazine, but also with the bowls club and the walking group. He was a regular at the Friday 5 o’clock club at the pub and the club, and was well known and well liked throughout the village.
Peter was fairly quiet, but with a dry sense of humour and quick wit, he had a way of making those around him smile without saying much. He will be greatly missed by all of us and by his muchloved family.
Peter’s funeral is to be held at Penmount Crematorium, Truro, Cornwall on Monday 2 June at 2:30 pm.
Do you have a problem?
Why not contact one of your local parish councillors for advice?
Afterwards, his family would like to invite friends back to the Hawkins Arms, for drinks and refreshments. Family flowers only. If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please donate to Blood Bikes South West or Cornwall Hospice Care.
Missing magazines from our archive.
We have a sizeable gap in our archive, and wondered if anyone has any old back copies of Probus News stored away in their loft or garage that they no long want.
The missing editions are from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. If you have any of these, I’d be very happy to hear from you.
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 Maria Roper 07749 626021 clerk@probusparishcouncil.gov.uk - Cornwall Councillor Karen Glasson can also be contacted on 07980 975527 or cllr.karen.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk.
Ross Goldsworthy
MBE
A life of flight, service, and quiet strength
ROSSGoldsworthy MBE passed away peacefully on 18th February 2025, aged 69. A lifelong aviator, devoted husband, public servant, and community leader, Ross lived with humility, passion and quiet conviction.
Born in Redruth, Ross grew up in St Michael Penkivel, Tresillian, Porthtowan and Threemilestone alongside his brother Keith. He discovered a lifelong love of aviation at Redruth Grammar School, later joining 77 Redruth Squadron of the Air Training Corps and becoming a key figure at 626 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) at Predannack. Over nearly five decades, Ross flew more than 14,000 glider launches and mentored hundreds of cadets, many of whom credit him with shaping their futures.
Commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1978, Ross became a linchpin of youth aviation training, inspiring leadership and adventure
through Ten Tors expeditions, mountain survival weekends, and tireless dedication to his cadets. When 626 VGS faced closure, it was Ross who rallied the team and led it into a new era. The school flourished under his leadership.
Professionally, Ross served with HM Revenue & Customs, ending in the Trusts and Estates division - work he really enjoyed. He retired in 2015 after decades of respected service.
In 1982, Ross met Julie, the love of his life. They married in 1985 and settled in Probus, sharing a passion for travel that took them across the globe – from India and Peru to Botswana, which held a special place in Ross’s heart.
Even after being diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2024, Ross continued to live fully, returning to Botswana, and cruising the Danube. It was a holiday to India this year that proved to be his last. But even then he left us in style – in a remote, rural and beautiful area in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Ross also served his local community on the Probus Parish Council, the Probus Village Hall Committee, and in several Masonic roles. Ross was, at his heart, a man of quiet conviction. Thoughtful, articulate and endlessly kind, he gave generously of his time, wisdom and humour. To those he mentored, he was a guiding hand. To his community, a steady presence. To Julie and those closest to him, he was everything.
A military funeral was held at Truro Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations raised over £2,000 for Pulmonary Fibrosis research.
Ross leaves behind a legacy of service, flight and love. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Fly high, Ross.
Ross Goldsworthy, 27th February 1955–18th February 2025. Rest in Peace.
Acoustics Night (Comrades Club) Tim Joyce 07412 126774 timstravels01@hotmail.com
Badminton Club
Bees (swarms/issues/questions)
Bookworms book club
Bowling Club
Breakfast Club
Church Bell Ringers
Churchwarden
Comrades Club
Cornwall Councillor
Cycling – Probus Pedallers
Football - Saturday Club
Probus Youth FC - Juniors
Probus FC - Seniors
Friends of Probus Church
Nicky Plant 07771 726118
Tony Paddock 07486 295414
Gaynor O’Kane okanegaynor@gmail.com
David Meggs 07850 945626
John Denyer 07824 555519
Liza Deards 07888 684425
Grampound Road Cricket Club
Hawkins Arms
Please send updates to editorprobusnews@gmail.com
Steve Dalton 07813 995206 churchwarden@probus.church
Terry Neil 01872 530196 u3aroselandanddistrict.weebly.com
Village Hall Lettings 07749 368162 lettings@probusvillagehall.co.uk
Walking Group - Wednesdays
Peter Clarke 01726 884177 - Fridays
Young Farmers
Teresa Hayhoe or Kaye Ludlow 07720 393754 or 07968 722430
Tori Dymond - Sec
Lewis Marsh - Chair 07393 984713 07522 874798 toridymond2005@icloud.com
Other village pages: Probus Cornwall, Probus Super Mums!, Probus News Magazine, Probus Fun Week
Updated: May 2025
Advertisers’ Index
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A message from Minister Scott
JUNE is one of my favourite months, as summer is upon us with long, warm days (well, hopefully!). A season of BBQs and holidays, of enjoying warm evenings in the garden with family and friends and, of course a nice cold beer –and my birthday is in June.
On 8th June there is another birthday of sorts, the Church’s birthday! We commonly know it as Pentecost. Pentecost is a significant Christian holy day that Christians celebrate that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in Acts 2:1–4. It occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday, hence the name ‘Pentecost’, which comes from the Greek Pentēkostē, meaning ‘fiftieth’.
nature – one body, but inclusive of all peoples and cultures.
Today, if a person asked where the Church is, most people would most likely say, ‘it’s in the middle of the village, in the square, you won’t miss it, it’s a big church’. But this would not be the view of the early Church. For the first few centuries, Christians met in homes, catacombs or outdoors. Buildings came later. What made them a church wasn’t the place, but the people, the presence of believers united in Christ. Maybe the picture below sort of shows what I mean.
I guess for many people Pentecost means very little, but it marks the moment when the Church becomes a public, spirit-empowered community. Before this event, the disciples were hidden and uncertain; after Pentecost, they began boldly preaching the good news about Jesus and gathering new believers. At the first Pentecost, people from many nations heard the apostles speak in their own languages. This reflects the Church’s universal
Today this is what the Church tries to be, a people who simply live alongside others, sharing our lives, our hurts, our failings, our losses, our fun and of course our stories with others who we live along with. So, the Church is not just a place to go: its people, you and me. People who simply seek to serve God through a relationship with Jesus. This is who the Church is, our neighbours, our friends and work colleagues. Next time you look up at our church building, or climb the tower, remember that, thanks to Pentecost the church is not one place but everywhere.
Churchyard open day
By Sarah Hoggett. Images by Jon Hibberd
ONSaturday 17th May, visitors had the opportunity to explore the work of the living churchyard team. Members of the team were on hand to describe how they had cleared the overgrown site of tonnes of brambles and debris and introduced wild flowers and grasses. There’s an impressive list inside the church entrance of plant and animal species. Next time you visit, why not see how many you can find and identify?
The churchyard is also home to some interesting tombstones and an information sheet pointed out some of the most noteworthy, including the three Commonwealth War Graves, the elaborate tomb of Hawkins family members and the grave of Emily Stackhouse, one of the most eminent Victorian botanists and illustrators.
I
•
•
june
WILDLIFE
By Emily Forster
JUNE
invites warmer weather and an abundance of flowers and greenery to your back garden. It is important to have insect-friendly plants to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and moths. Choosing plants with nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, buddleia or honeysuckle is important for luring them into your garden. However, you could also decide to grow native wildflowers such as cornflower, red campion, yarrow
A common misconception about moths is that they only come out at night. However, species such as cinnibar, sixspot burnet, large yellow underwing and hummingbird hawk moths can regularly be seen during the day. Large yellow underwing moths are nocturnal by nature but can be seen during the day, often when they have been disturbed by a passing gardener. They feed on nectar from flowers and flash their bright yellow-orange hindwings as a defence mechanism when they feel threatened.
Thanks to Probus local, David Toon, for sending in a collection of his garden wildlife photos. This photo of a red fox shows that they too are not only nocturnal but can also be considered as crepuscular. This means an animal is most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. If you want to create a fox-friendly space in your garden, the important thing to note is that occasional feeding (of dog food or eggs) is okay but overfeeding can cause unnatural dependence. A shallow dish
Large Yellow Underwing Moth | EMILY FORSTER
Red Fox in Probus | DAVID TOON
of water can also help an abundance of small mammals to remain hydrated.
Along the coast, you may be able to spot some new visitors. Risso’s dolphins begin to appear along the south coast of Cornwall in late May and throughout June. A good local place to spot them would be from Nare Head, looking out past and around Gull Rock. They feed primarily on our plentiful populations of cuttlefish and deep dive along the edge of continental shelves over periods of up to 30 minutes at a time. They are highly social animals, often found in groups of ten to 50 individuals, and can be seen breaching, spyhopping and tailslapping.
Risso’s are born with smooth dark skin, but their bodies become heavily scarred with age to the point where older individuals appear almost completely white. These scars usually come from other individuals’ teeth as they rub up against each other and bite each other in social behaviour. While protected under various UK and EU wildlife laws, they are still vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear, noise pollution from shipping or naval activity, plastic pollution and chemical contaminants.
Europe’s largest seabird, the northern gannet, can be seen travelling and hunting along our coast. While there are
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
no breeding colonies in Cornwall, these powerful birds can be seen diving at speeds of up to 70 mph, head first into the water. Their chicks begin hatching in June and are ready to fledge by August. A newly fledged gannet is almost completely black or dark brown in colour. As gannets get older, they slowly become more and more white in colour. The bird in the image below is probably between three to four years old. As it reaches maturity (at five years old) it will only have black on its wingtips. The rest of the bird will be pure white with a pale yellow head.
Hunting gannets are a great indicator of rich food sources below and can be a great way of spotting cetaceans. Groups of feeding gannets form circling clouds before pouring into the water below, where you may also spot fins or backs of dolphins, tuna or whales joining in the feeding frenzy.
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.
Risso’s Dolphin
Roseland u3a
JUNE
events at the Roseland u3a:
Patchwork and Craft Group: Fridays 13th, 16th and 27th, 9 am to 12 noon at PVH.
French Conversation: Tuesdays 3rd and 17th, 2–4 pm in the Pavilion at Roseland Parc, Tregony.
Local History: Wednesday 4th, 10:15 am to 12 noon at Tregony Church Hall, Fal Navigation Act 1939.
Classic Film: Thursday 8th, 10 am to
12 noon at PVH. The Tale of Two Cities (1958).
Scrabble Group: Tuesday 10th, 2–4 pm in the Pavilion at Roseland Parc.
Book Club: Wednesday 18th, 2–4 pm, Roseland Parc.
NEW GROUP Strumming for Fun: Tuesday 24th, 2–4 pm, Roseland Parc.
Lunch Group: Thursday 26th, 12 noon. Venue to be decided.
Please see our website u3aroselandanddistrict.weebly.com
PEAT
Probus Environment Action Team
MANYthanks to Nick Lauder and his churchyard team for all the work they have done over the spring period. Many residents have commented on the wonderful display of primroses this year and the daffodils also did better than last year. The bluebells have brought a fine show of colour, especially to the sides of the churchyard. The pollarded hedge on the west wide of the churchyard along Wagg Lane is sprouting new growth nicely now and the surrounding area will benefit from more sunlight as the year progresses.
The team has sown wild flower seeds and planted small shrubs in various places, which should benefit from the recent good weather. We are very grateful to the Parish Council for their recent grant of £250 towards the cost of these.
The team meets every Saturday morning at 10 am, apart from the first Saturday of the month when they join the litter picking team. They would really welcome any volunteers who could join the team. For further information, call Nick or Steve Dalton. Contact details on page 8.
Images: Nick Lauder
Bookworms’ review
By Bethany Allen
OUR book for April was The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan, which explores the relationship between AmericanChinese Olivia and her Chinese halfsister, Kwan. Kwan has ‘yin eyes’ and claims to be able to communicate with the spirits of the dead. In the course of a visit to China, disturbing details of their family’s history are revealed and Olivia is forced to confront aspects of her own past.
I liked the blend of Chinese and American lives and thought the author did a great job of representing the nuances between cultures. I got confused when Kwan started talking about her ‘past life’, as I initially thought she was talking about her own childhood in China before realising that it was a previous lifetime. However, once I got used to this flitting between lives, I enjoyed the contrasting timelines and stories.
The book had a very mixed response from the Bookworms. The majority enjoyed the second part of the novel, which dealt with the trip to China, more than the first, and found the writing of this section well described and evocative. When scored out of 10 it reached the mid/higher end of the range, but surprisingly only one or two Bookworms said they would read the same author again.
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‘Exercise Roseland’ replayed to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day in Probus
On 19th February 1943, the Probus Invasion Committee met at The Sanctuary (now Glebe House) to complete an exercise that all invasion committees across the Roseland were expected to undertake.
Some context: In February 1943 the Second World War was still on a knifeedge. The United States and allies were taking the war to the Japanese in the Pacific. The British 8th Army was having some success in North Africa, and on 9th January the Russian army had just taken surrender of the German 6th Army in Stalingrad following appalling casualties on both sides. But all of Western and Eastern Europe was still in Nazi hands. The ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ was in full swing, with devastating and coordinated U-boat attacks on allied convoys. Plans for the invasion of Sicily and Normandy were secretly being drawn up, but certainly not in the public domain. It’s fair to conclude that in early 1943, those living in Probus, (and across the world) didn’t know how this war would end, or indeed if it would ever end.
Back to Glebe House: At 6:05 pm, the committee opened the first of 19 small brown envelopes, each one containing a possible invasion scenario that would impact the village. The remainder had to be opened at specifically timed intervals predetermined by the County Invasion Committee in Truro. Over the next three hours and 20 minutes, the committee’s task was to discuss and provide a written answer to how they would respond to each one. At the conclusion of the exercise, they submitted their responses to the Country Invasion Committee at County Hall in Truro for assessment. The county committee produced a report that was sent out to the parish Invasion Committees, which provided feedback on the answers they had submitted, along with a model answer for each scenario.
Fast forward 76 years to 2019, when local historian and Probus resident Ryan Davies came across this material while researching the impact of WW2 on Probus and its inhabitants. Ryan wondered how 21st-century residents of Probus would handle the same scenarios that our forebears did in 1943. That idea lay dormant until February 2025, when Ryan convinced a small group to come together and recreate ‘Exercise Roseland’ as a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The primary purpose of the event would be to highlight the important and overlooked role local volunteers played in the war effort.
It was decided that the exercise would be restaged in conditions that were as close to the original as possible, with the wording of the scenarios being kept exactly the same as in 1943. Each team taking part would form an individual Probus Invasion Committee and be given a new scenario at specifically timed intervals. Given that we were, thankfully, not at war in May 2025, it was decided to condense the exercise to two hours duration and to name it ‘Operation Roseland’.
The original scenarios and report for 'Exercise Roseland' 1943 (Source: Kresen Kernow)
Of course, the wartime Invasion Committee knew the village, the shops and key people, which would have enabled them to answer questions about the village very quickly. That would not be the case for people looking back at wartime Probus today. Back in 1943, the Invasion Committee had
been provided with a small booklet of ‘Consolidated Instructions’ on subjects such as the digging of slit trenches should invasion become imminent, the arrangements for ensuring the equitable distribution of food if the area were cut off, how to accommodate people who had been forced to leave their homes because of bombing or shelling, and how to receive and convey information from official sources. The 2025 working group decided to replicate this to provide information to the teams; they also included notes about the responsibilities of the personnel involved on the invasion committee (ARP warden, rest centre officer, food officer, WRVS, first aid officer and auxiliary fire service), as well as auxiliary details such as the emergency food stocks held for the area and the location of resources such as spades, shovels, mattresses and hurricane lamps that could be commandeered at short notice.
On the evening of 4th May 2025, twelve teams came together in the village hall to begin the exercise. As the organisers had kept everything under wraps, no one quite knew what to expect but the mood was set right from the start with a video in the style of a 1940s public service broadcast reiterating that we were at war and that everyone had their part to play.
Just five or ten minutes were allowed for the teams to open, read and provide their answers to each invasion scenario, with the scenarios themselves increasing in urgency and intensity as the evening wore on. In the first one, conditions were merely thought to be favourable for an enemy invasion. Each scenario built upon the previous one,
Kaye and Richard Ludlow, Tim Joyce and Susie Calvert take on the role of the Probus Invasion Committee in an early run-through of ‘Operation Roseland’ in March 2025.
and the pressure and seriousness of the situation increased significantly towards the end. In the last scenario, heavy fighting and destruction resulting in multiple casualties had occurred. A German platoon had taken one of the committee members hostage, and ordered the already full rest/first-aid centre to be cleared immediately. The committee was anticipating the battle to resume in the morning, but still had responsibilities for the local civilian population.
When we look at documentaries or drama series set during the Second World War, it’s usually the military aspect that dominates; stories relating to the Home Front (Dad’s Army or Goodnight Mister Tom, for example) tend to be somewhat nostalgic and cosy in tone. It was chilling to realise how seriously our forebears had to take the threat of possible invasion. Nowadays, perhaps, many of us tend to think that the war didn’t really impact rural Cornwall, but
of course, Probus is only 50 miles or so from Plymouth which, after London, was the most heavily bombed city in the country. ‘Operation Roseland’ certainly fulfilled its aim of highlighting the important and overlooked role that local volunteers played in the war effort.
To accompany the exercise, a wartime artefact display was set up, with silhouettes occupying the seats around the table. The table had place names laid out with the names of the wartime Probus Invasion Committee upon them. Wartime leaflets in front of each of the
silhouettes added to the visual, along with an old map of Probus stretched out in front of the Chairman’s seat. It was here that a special moment was captured.
One of the participants at the event was Andrew Kennedy who, while reading through the handbook, came
across his great-grandfather’s name. Mr Mennear had been the Probus Invasion Committee’s First Aid Officer, something that Andrew had never known.
Andrew stands by his great grandfather's silhouette at the recreated wartime Probus Invasion Committee's table.
It was lovely to witness a family connection being made and clearly demonstrated why commemorating VE Day is important – remembering not only those who served in the Armed Forces but also those who played their part on the Home Front.
The organisers wish to thank everyone who took part on the night for the enthusiasm and very useful feedback, and also for their generous donations which amounted to £130. This has been passed on to the Royal British Legion.
The feedback from those took part was overwhelmingly positive:
‘Thank you. Really thoughtfully created and presented. Very thought provoking. Certainly makes you realise what our grandparents experienced. Wished we had asked more of our grandparents’.
‘This exercise has made us really stop and think and realise how people had to react. Really interesting to focus on the domestic side of the war. Thank you’.
‘When you hear about places you know it brings it all home (literally). Excellent idea and interpretation!’
‘I’m mind-blown to think my greatgrandfather did this exercise for real, here in Probus’.
‘Well done, everyone! A fantastic evening. A fascinating exercise which felt incredibly personal at times; taking us back to how we may have thought/acted 80 years ago.’
‘Immersive and informative! Thanks to the organising team’
Thank you to Graham and Phil from the Hawkins Arms who ran the bar selling Tribute at WW2 adjusted prices. Thanks also to Neil Glasson and the Village Hall committee for their help and support.
team
The
behind Operation Roseland: Susie, Jon, John, Ryan (and Cadan), Kaye and Paul. AWOL Richard Ludlow.
A botanical legacy. A living history.
Discover the rich legacy of plant hunters and horticulturalists at Cornwall’s beloved ‘house of the trees’.
Phoebe: Student Pastry Chef of the Year
SIXTEEN
year old Phoebe, who lives in Probus and studies at Cornwall College, Camborne, has been crowned the winner of the Student Pastry Chef of the Year competition in West London. The event showcased the finest emerging pastry talent from across the UK and was hailed by judges as the most impressive edition yet.
Phoebe started her education at Probus Primary School, before moving to North Carolina in 2018. She returned in 2021 and joined Penair School, doing very well in her GCSEs. Now studying for a Culinary Chef Diploma at Camborne College, she hopes to forge a career in fine dining.
This culinary contest drew elite student chefs representing colleges nationwide. Each finalist delivered a unique interpretation of pastry mastery, demonstrating exceptional technical skill, creativity and professionalism.
Phoebe’s winning creations — a Tropical Arctic plated dessert and Lychee Lime Fizz and Nutty-Nana petit fours — stood out for their precision, artistry and flavour. Her composure and generosity were equally praised, as she allowed fellow contestants to present first due to warm conditions, earning admiration from judges and peers alike.
‘I’m so excited to win, I can’t believe it. I’m crying happy tears!’ said Phoebe. ‘This has been a fantastic experience. I’m so grateful to my mum Lucy and my lecturers Clyde Conollon and Ashley Carkeet for their wonderful support.’
In addition to the title, Phoebe received a hand-painted Wedgwood plate and a host of prizes, including a culinary trip to France to visit Andros Purée HQ, a training day at PatisFrance HQ in Paris with a development chef, and a collection of luxury ingredients like 23ct edible gold.
Joint Head Judge Martin Chiffers praised the professionalism and passion on display, noting his pride in Cornwall College’s success – a college where he began his own career in 1984.
Joint Head Judge Franciane Tartari added: ‘Congratulations to Phoebe – her artistry, skill, kindness and composure truly set her apart as a deserving winner. The future of British pâtisserie is in brilliant hands.’
Congratulations, Phoebe, you’ve certainly made a great start to your chosen career.
Young hikers go the distance
CONGRATULATIONS
to Leo and Finlay from Probus, two determined young adventurers from the 18th Truro (St George’s) Sea Scout Group, who have successfully completed a marathon walk – all in support of the Royal Society for Blind Children.
As part of their quest to earn their Personal Challenge badge, the pair set themselves the ambitious goal of hiking a marathon distance (26 miles) during the month of April. They not only achieved this personal milestone, they exceeded it, walking 32.5 miles in total. That also helped them secure the prestigious Chief Scout’s Bronze Award –the highest honour a Beaver can receive.
At just seven years old, identical twins Finlay and Leo showed tremendous dedication, raising nearly £50 for their chosen charity. Understandably, the boys are incredibly proud of their achievement – and so they should be!
The 18th Truro Sea Scout Group, based at Turners Hall in Boscawen Park, Truro, will soon be cheering the boys on once again as they prepare to move up to Cubs when they turn eight.
Well done, Leo and Finlay – true Scouts in the making!
Trudgian Farm Shop
FATHER’S DAY
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It’s Goldilocks!
PROBUS
Parish Players will be taking to the stage once again in February 2026. Directed by Andrew Kennedy, and choreographed by Shannon Wignall, Goldilocks and The Three Bears is the next traditional tale to be transformed in a way that only Probus Parish Players know how.
Auditions will take place in September 2025. Keep your eyes on our social media pages, and the Probus News, for further details to be released in due course. We can’t wait to get started (oh no we can’t!)
Kewsyn Kernewek!
LET’S speak Cornish! As this edition of Probus News is being published shortly after the village’s annual Ale and Cider Festival, here are a few boozerelated words and phrases for you to try out. It’s the kind of conversation you might just happen to overhear in one of our local watering holes. Yeghes da! (Cheers!)
Want to learn more?
There are free 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 – just turn up. You can also find details of more formal Cornish language classes at www. gocornish.org.
What do you want to drink?
A pint of beer, please. Pinta korev, mar pleg. PEEN-ta KOR-ev, mar pleg
Bitter or lager?
Korev hwerow po korev gwynn? KOR-ev HWER-oh po KOR-ev gwinn
Is that beer Cornish? Yw an korev na kernewek? Ew an KOR-ev na ker-NEH-wek
Cornish beers are the best. Korevow kernewek yw an gwella. Kor-EV-oh ker-NEH-wek ew an GWELL-a
Do you like this cider?
Cider made from rhubarb! My grandfather is turning in his grave...
Yw da genes an sider ma? Ew DA GEN-ez an SEE-der ma?
Sider gwrys a drenkles! Yma ow thas-wynn ow treyla yn y vedh.. SEE-der griz a DREN-klez! IM-ah oh THAZ-winn oh TRAYL-ya in ih veth
Let’s get another one. Kevyn onan moy. KEV-in ON-an moy You’re drunk. Medhow os ta. METH-oh oss ta
The man behind the bar’s good-looking. An den a-dryv an barr yw teg. An DAIN a-DRYV an BAR ew TEG You’re very,
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).
* NOTE: Cornish doesn’t have words for ‘yes’ and ‘no’, so you have to repeat the verb used in the question. In this case, that means saying either ‘it is’ (yw) for yes or ‘it is not’ (nag yw) for no.
PROBUS
EVENTS DIARY 2025
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.
Acoustic Night Upstairs (at Probus Comrades Club). Last Monday of the month, starting at 7:30 pm.
Badminton Club: 8 pm every Monday at PVH. New members welcome.
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: Everyone welcome to meet for breakfast and chat on Monday 9th June at The Plume of Feathers, Portscatho at 9:15 am. Booking essential.
Coffee ‘n’ Chat: Every Tuesday morning 10 am to 12 noon at Probus Church. Open to everyone, young and old, church-goer or not.
Friendship Club: MHA Communities Cornwall is a national charity that runs a friendship club for folk 60+ at PVH on the first Thursday of each month from 10 am to noon. Tracy Beavill 07720 680989 cornwall@mha.org.uk.
Mobile library: Next visits are Fridays 13th June and 11th July. PVH car park between 11:30 am and 12:20 pm.
Over 55s Luncheon Club: Under new management. The next lunches are on Wednesdays 11th and 25th June and 9th, and 23rd July at PVH. Noon to 2 pm. All welcome.
Probus Art Exhibition: At Probus Church 9–12th October 2025. Mevagissey Male Choir on Saturday 11th October.
Probus Club of Probus: Coffee Meeting on 19th June. Ray Schofield will talk about restoring a vintage motor car.
Probus Fun Week: 9–16th August. See page 22.
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 meetings are on 19th June and 17th July. Members of the public are welcome to attend and are given 15 minutes public participation. Details at www.probusparishcouncil. gov.uk
Probus Pedallers: Leave from the surgery every Sunday at 9 am. The more leisurely group leaves at 10 am.
Probus Primary School key dates: Friday 27th June PTA Summer Fayre. Friday 18th July PTA Leavers disco. Wednesday 23rd July Last day of term.
Probus Shindig and Vintage Rally 2025: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June 10 am–4 pm.
Probus Walking Group: Every Wednesday 9 am or 9:30 am start. Every Friday for shorter walks 10 am. New members always welcome.
Local sport
Grampound Road
Cricket
Club ALL scorecards can be viewed on our Play-Cricket website: https://grcc.play-cricket.com
Centurians: Two centuries were scored for Grampound Road on the first weekend of the new season! Freddie Matthews scored an impressive 147 for the 2nd XI against local rivals Ladock and 3rd team skipper Alex Rust carried his bat to score 102 not out against Newquay. In their first match, Dave Hoskings scored 54 and Harry Gregory 50 for the 1st XI against Wadebridge.
Voneus National Village Cup: Grampound Road 2nd XI comprehensively won their 1st round match against Constantine by 9 wickets. Their 2nd round match opponents from Devon, Tale Miller CC, conceded, so Grampound Road proceed to the 3rd round.
Youth Training: Girls’ Hardball, All Stars, Dynamos and Ball Skills every Monday at 6pm. All welcome. Sunday
Probus Bowling Club
The club has recommenced evening league matches, along with a few club competitions and friendlies.
All matches start at 6:15 pm unless otherwise stated.
CDL = Mens Cornwall District League
Seeking sponsors
Probus Bowling Club would be grateful if any local business could provide sponsorship.
Contact Dave Meggs on 07850 945626
Home matches in June
Wed 4th Triples vs Veryan
Mon 9th Triples vs Hvy Trans
Tue 10th CDL vs Stenalees ”B”
Wed 11th Top Team vs NQY Trenance
Tue 17th CDL vs Imerys
Wed 18th Triples vs NQY Trenance
Sun 22nd Friendly vs Truro 2 pm
Tue 24th Ladies Rippon Cup vs Looe 2 pm
CDL vs St Austell “A”
Thu 26th Ladies Rippon vs St Austell 2 pm Triples vs Imerys “B”
Fri 27th CDL vs Mevagissey
Sat 28th Friendly vs Stithians 2 pm.
AWARDS DAY 2025
CELEBRATE THE END OF THE 24/25 SEASON AND HELP US TO SUPPORT OUR CLUB
SAT 14TH JUNE KO: 12PM
BUCKING BRONCO BUNGEE RUN PRIZE RAFFLE BBQ FOOD AVAILABLE ON THE DAY
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