Tresco Times Autumn 2010 - Volume 5.9

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T H E T R E SC O T I M ES “OUR VIEWS ARE CLEAR.�

AUTUMN 2010

VOLUME 5.9

STILL FREE AND STILL MAKING SENSE OF SCILLY

ISLAND HOTEL REMAINS OPEN 2011 As the exciting Sea Garden Cottages re-development programme begins, the Tresco Times is delighted to announce that, from mid-April 2011, the Island Hotel will open its doors once again to Tresco’s visitors. In order to minimise disruption for those staying at Old Grimsby, Tresco Estate has made the decision to spread the programme of works at Raven Porth over the next two winters. As a result, the heart of the Island Hotel, with its terrace bar and celebrated restaurant, will be open to guests in 2011.

A total of thirty-one bedrooms will be available from April to September, including the Main, Garden and Cottage Wings, as well as the Golden Ball and Men-a-vaur suites. As part of the ongoing transformation of the hotel, five new ‘cottage’ suites increase the choices offered to guests further.

By the time the Island Hotel opens in 2011, the first stage of the Sea Garden Cottages’ development will be complete. The old Flower Wing, along with the Rocks and Castles rooms, will have been fully converted into seven luxurious timeshare properties.

Timeshare owners will, of course, be able to take advantage of the fine dining available at the Island Hotel, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Changes may be afoot, but the hotel’s standards will remain as high as always.

For further information call the Island Hotel’s manager, Wayne Shaw (01720) 422883

SCILLY MISSION...

29 days 17 hours and 14 minutes, 9000 miles and ÂŁ15,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

They travelled through 14 countries, crossed mountain ranges and deserts, slept in wilderness and swamp, pushed themselves to physical and mental limits - but The Islanders successfully completed the Scilly Mission & Mongol Rally! (Finishing 76th out of 400 teams) Driving from Goodwood (UK) to Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia) was the challenge, but in a small family car with an engine no bigger than 1.2 litres. You may have seen

their choice of vehicle, Pete the Citroen Saxo, parked outside Tresco Stores for the months running up to the event.

Much to the surprise of everyone, that small French car survived a journey that destroyed so many of the vehicles taking part, reaching the finish line with only a few niggles (the front shock absorbers had broken and the driver had the luxury of only 1st and 4th gears).

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

BRINGING THE LAST PIECE OF ENGLAND TO THE WORLD

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SCILLY MISSION - THREE GO MAD IN MONGOLIA

Tresco’s Will Ash, James Druce and Nick Mackey return from their great adventure and share with the Tresco Times some of the ups and downs of this amazing trip: We undertook this challenge as a fund raising event; the three of us have been strong supporters of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and been involved with the running of the Tresco Marathon for many years.

In its absence this year, we saw the Mongol Rally as a worthy replacement something very new, very unusual, and very challenging.

Travelling through Europe was a relatively easy affair, gifted with the quality of roads we’ve come to expect from the UK. Most of the continent was a literal blur, unfortunately not having the time to stop and admire the hundreds of towns and cities we passed through.

Things started to get interesting once we reached Romania, however, as the road conditions deteriorated from perfect tarmac to a veritable obstacle course of tarmac peaks and pot holes.

strange taxes in the attempt to extort money from us (“Too big light bulbs tax” and “Spare wheel tax” are just two examples!). We experienced corruption for thousands of miles, eager policemen pulling us over every hour with bogus claims and bogus fines. All of this, however, added to the experience of being the hardest, yet most rewarding thing we’d ever done.

We travelled across Russia, witnessing first hand the forest fires that dominated international news as they spread out of control through the vast expanses of land.

The car never complained as we drove for up to 36 hours at a time in ridiculous heat, soaring to 45C at one point (a world away from the temperate UK conditions we’re so very used to).

Every country we entered, huge cultural differences could be found, separated by the invisible political border lines – crossing Russia into Kazakhstan, for example, made the transition from a seemingly rather hostile nation of people to some of the friendliest we’d ever met.

Local Kazakhs went out of their way to assist us where needed, crowds formed in small villages as we went through greeted by a plethora of waves and smiles.

Our challenge was almost cut short in the Ukraine, after hitting a small pothole, which resulted in a 3 day wait for parts, whilst being looked after by a local who wanting nothing more than to assist in his home country. As it turns out, we

Ukranian hospitality and kindness (along with a sledgehammer) saved the day.

managed fix the car using a sledgehammer and angle grinder, but to meet a stranger who’d take so much time out of his life and ask for nothing in return was so endearing.

As we left Europe, borders became interesting. At each one, the guards would take pleasure in strip-searching our poor car for contraband - never finding anything, but instead making up

We convoyed with other teams for thousands of miles, each sharing in the highs and lows as we witnessed spectacular scenery and almost alien landscapes (albeit ones that take pleasure in destroying small cars). Arriving at the Mongolian border was an ecstatic affair, our target country and within reaching distance of the capital city – although being impounded at the border for 52 hours with paperwork issues did make us wonder whether we’d ever make it!

The final push through Mongolia was through a land untouched – 800 miles of travelling without roads, simply using worn paths carved into the Gobi Desert and mountain tracks for 4 days. The sight of tarmac as we approached the capital city was a welcome one, providing the equivalent of a long smooth red carpet as we drove the last few hours into the capital city towards a jubilant finish line.

The three of us agree, the Mongol Rally has been the hardest thing we’ve ever done, both physically and mentally.

We’ve driven for 36 hours straight, we’ve gone a week without a shower, toilet facilities consisted of the great outdoors (and a spade), we’ve endured our own company for a week without hearing another word of English, and we’ve camped next to roads in the pouring rain.

But comparing this to the sense of achievement in crossing the finish line, the realisation that we’d traversed such an enormous distance against all odds, the friends we’d made along the way and cultures we’d visited, and the huge amount of money we’d raised; it all adds up to being a life-changing experience.

This challenge would have been nothing but a pipe dream without the huge support of so many people involved; The Dorrien-Smith family and Tresco Estate for becoming our main sponsors, our friends and families for the constant support and sponsorship, the numerous companies that advertised on the car, Jo Ash and her constant drive and enthusiasm behind the scenes, and everyone who visited the website and followed us as we progressed. It was only with the support of everyone we managed to finish, and are on target to raise an incredible £15,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. From the three of us, we thank you all for all the amazing support.

Our website, www.scillymission.com, contains our day by day blogs free to read, along with a comprehensive list of our thanks to all involved.

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INSULAR THINGS drove them swiftly and safely throughout the challenge. The Brothers Lawson completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in a fantastic 21hr 25 min. Their team raised over £7000 for Prostate Cancer, of which £5450 was raised over the bar at the New Inn. WELL DONE!

TRESCO FETE No summer on Scilly would be complete without island fetes and Tresco’s took place on a blessedly dry August afternoon. Face-painted children and beer/Pimms-drinking adults swarmed across the cricket pitch to the sound of excellent local bands. From welly-wanging to cream teas, there was something for everybody (some found the music not to their taste see below). The fete was organised by the gig club and all proceeds went to the renovation fund for the Men-a-vaur, which was brought over from New Grimsby for the day. Over £5000 was raised so a big thank you to everybody involved and all those who attended.

Charity events and fund-raising are island obsessions and this summer has seen frenetic activity involving the Mongol Rally and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. A triathlon (see p.10), raft races,bands at the New Inn...mention must be made of the Brothers Lawson (Andrew and Robin) who undertook the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Trust. They were successful in their gruelling 24 hour attempt to scale Ben Nevis, Snowdonia and Scafell Pike.

However, they were fortunate to make it to the start line as their driver dropped out at the last minute. Step up Geoff Taylor, a regular visitor to Tresco for many years.

Geoff, or the Stig as he was known by the team, volunteered to chauffeur the Lawsons from peak to peak. Geoff, an exTVR racing driver, proved invaluable and

Robin and Andrew Lawson (back left and centre) and Geoff “The Stig” Taylor in the foreground.

SCILLY ART

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Flying low on the fund-raising radar this year has been Trudy Potter of the Abbey, who has been quietly and industriously looking after the Precious Lives Appeal shop at the old heliport hut. This year she has collected over £2000! Well done Trudy and all who contributed!

Cricket Triangle: Win,Lose And Draw

One of the most sophisticated charitable events to be held was the exhibiton of local art organised by Lisa Roberts and Jo Ash (above) on Saturday 3rd July at the New Inn restaurant.

Jo and Lisa contacted artists from all over Scilly to ask them to exhibit, with 50%of all the sales to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Jo and Lisa ended up with an array of fantastic work from handmade wooden furniture, jewellery, paintings, photography, pastels, felt work, sea glass mobiles, pottery ...and the list goes on!

The night was a huge success which Lisa described as “crazily busy”, with peiople from all over the islands attending. Lisa commented “We raised an amazing £2678 in just two hours, so all the hard work paid off. We had work from islanders and established artists; it was great to show off some hidden talents! A lot of help was given to us on the night which was fantastic . Thank you to all who took part!”

Some of the work is still available and is up in the New Inn restaurant, feel free to go in and have a look.

On the sporting front, the Tresco and Bryher Cricket Club enjoyed mixed success at this year’s Triangle Competition, which was hosted on Tresco. Playing St Martin’s first, T&BCC were given something of a pasting by one St Martin’s batsmen from which they never really recovered.

Against St Agnes, however, the team rallied and triumphed. This same pattern of 1 victory, 1 loss was to be repeated by both St Agnes and St Martin’s, so for the first time in many years the competition was a three-way tie.

As holders of the trophy, Tresco & Bryher retained the cup. After several refreshing glasses of beer at the New Inn, the team convinced themselves that, as the trophy was still in their possession, they had therefore actually won, which called for more glasses of beer. O happy delusion!

One of the highlights of tournament for T&BCC regulars was provided by our young keeper for the day, Charlie Drew.

Not only did he prove to be an excellent cricketer, he gave a bravura sledging performance, much to the delight of his team mates and even some of the opposition. Batsmen failing to impress Charlie were treated to quips such as “More blocks than Legoland.” and “More holes than a polo factory” . The Editor’s pick was a chirpy “More misses than Henry VIII”. The team would like to thank all those who helped make it a wonderful day, in particular Pete Marshall, Andy Lawson, Kate Clement and our umpire, Paul Wilson.

Paul was to return to the cricket field as captain of the opposition in the regular Islanders vs Timesharers game. A very fine knock from Ben Coleman set Tresco up for a victory that was nearly snatched away by an excellent innings from Ben Marchant for the Timesharers.

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FREE LOBSTERS ON SCILLY Page 4 Tresco Times

The thought of a boat, loaded with 1000 lobsters, making its way between Tresco and Bryher is enough to make any Scillonian fisherman smack his lips. This June, just such a

cargo motored up the channel but the lobsters on board were bound for the sea not the kitchen. The lobsters in question would not have made much of a meal as each one was not more than a centimetre long.

A lobster in the hand is worth putting in the dispersal tank...

These were baby lobsters and their release was part of an ongoing campaign to maintain a balance between the islands’ sealife and a sustainable fishing industry. The lobster release was an intiative organised by our very own Phillip Callan, Manager of Hell Bay Hotel, and Dom Boothroyd of the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow.

Dom Boothroyd explained: “We are all about promoting sustainable fishing and aquaculture. The process for us starts with a call from a fisherman who has landed a female with eggs. Once the eggs hatch, we raise the larvae in tanks, feeding them plankton.”

“After about two weeks, the larvae actually start to look like their parents. At this point, they all have to be separated as they start to become very aggressive and fight each other. They are grown on in individual cells.”

The lobsters that Dom and his wife Sarah had transported to Scilly were all between 2 and 7 months old. They had sailed over on the Scillonian and been met at the quay by Philip and Tresco Harbourmaster Henry Birch. The team were accompanied by a local TV crew and aided by Tristan Dorrien-Smith.

Phillip had first made contact with Dom, after one of the hatchery’s trustees had stayed at Hell Bay. Phillip remarked: “We always have local shellfish on our menu, so I thought it an important project to get involved with. ” The area for the release, selected

by Henry, was close to Hangman’s Island. The tiny lobsters were decanted from their cells and placed into a tank.

From here, the lobsters were gently pumped into a wide pipe and down into the sea towards the ocean floor. There they will bury themselves into sand and gravel for a further two years.

Philip is looking to the future: “Dom and I hope to develop this joint project further, with a possible protective cage for baby lobsters, secured to a mooring.”

Philip and Dom are not the only ones looking forward to the future.The junior lobsters were helped on their way by Hell Bay’s Chef Glenn Gatland, who was heard to be softly singing “We’ll Meet Again” under his breath.

Another six years, Glenn, another six years.

Sarah and Dom Boothroyd of the National Lobster Hatchery, along with Tristan and Glenn, commit lobsters to the deep.

Tristan and Phillip transfer lobsters to the dispersal tank.

Harbourmaster Henry Birch chose the release site: Henry’s knowledge of the local waters was vital in choosing the right location. The TV crew that was aboard the harbour boat spotted his talent right away and Henry appeared on the local news that very evening.

THE NATIONAL LOBSTER HATCHERY open all year 7 days a week from 10am www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk 01841 533877 info@nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

One of the best things about baby lobsters is that, after five to seven years, they grow into deliciously large lobsters. Beautifully prepared dishes of sustainably-fished, local lobster and crab can be enjoyed at the Hell Bay Hotel, the Flying Boat Club, the New Inn and at the Island Hotel. Alternatively, order island shellfish from Bryher fisherman Mike Pender (01720 422975), delivered to New Grimsby quay for you to devour in your cottage.

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H E L I C O P T E R T I C K E T S : B O O K N O W F O R 2 0 1 1 T I C K E T S AT 2 0 1 0 P R I C E S

To be certain of the best-priced tickets and best-choice of flight times for flying direct to Tresco in 2011, book your seats in 2010. As the Tresco Times goes to print, there is no news yet as to 2011 ticket prices, except, of course, the guarantee that they won’t be going down in cost. Regular visitors, most particularly those with timeshare cottages, may wish to take advantage of this and book early.

The editor was delighted to receive this article from budding-journalist, 13 year old Amber Rees. Entitled ‘Isle of Freedom’, the piece reflects upon the youthful pleasures of holidaying on Tresco.

Being a child on Tresco is like living in paradise; the freedom you feel is unbelievable. Each sunrise brings a new and wonderful day that is filled with adventure and enjoyment. I have spent many of my holidays here, cycling everywhere and anywhere with a sense of excitement and happiness. Tresco was, in fact, the first place that my younger sister and I learnt to swim and cycle – giving us yet greater freedom and independence.

When the blistering hot sun is out, I always find myself biking to the New Inn to buy one of the most amazing ice-creams in the world or, after meeting up with a friend for a swim at the Flying Boat Club, it seems natural to kick back in front of the beautiful beaches with my favourite drink of all time - a hot chocolate (with extra squirty cream of course!). However, freedom is not just great for kids, as, when my sister and I charge off on our bikes, making our own little

Flying Boat Club Members Special

From this autumn, all members of the Flying Boat Club will be entitled to an exclusive 25% discount on all treatments at Tresco’s luxurious and relaxing spa, all year round.

Hannah Shaw of The Spa said: “We would like to reward the loyalty of our club members, with this offer, which covers any treatment, from a massage to a manicure.”

isle of freedom

adventures and exploring the island, our parents can relax in the knowledge that we are safe, and have a break from our endless banter! On Tresco, you really are

allowed to let your hair down and have a whale of a time - that’s why I love it!

Amber Rees

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On 6th July the Old Grimsby Bypass was declared open by Robert and Lucy Dorrien-Smith, along with their children Marina and Tristan (the blue-hatted gentleman on the left is not a Dorrien-Smith but Gordy Richards,digger driver extraordinaire). Rather smaller in scale and lighter in traffic than mainland bypasses, the road has been greeted with unanimous approval. The new route joins up with Back Lane and marks the closing of the seafront road to all traffic other than pedestrians and cyclists. For those staying by the harbour at Old Grimsby, the diversion has been particularly welcomed, allowing for a return to more peaceful times of years gone-by. Many years ago, however, the view along the seafront road was obscured by the tamarisk trees, which were allowed greater freedom to grow. A century ago, any pruning was done by fishermen not gardeners. This description of Old Grimsby was written by Jessie Mothersole in 1910: “Here also are fringes of tamarisk and other low trees, along the shore. St Martin’s men come over in boats and cut off the branches for making crab and lobster-pots - “trimming our trees for us”, as the Tresconians put it.”

Take a trip around Scilly with Birdman David Rosair.

The question I am always asked from prospective “first time” visitors to the Isles of Scilly is “Which is better for birds, Spring or Autumn?” Indeed, how long is an ornithological piece of string is my reply?!

In Spring…….the birds are singing, seabirds are present, busy nesting on the Outer Islands, islets & rocks, the wild flowers are much in evidence and butterflies can be in profusion.

To walk down early morning to the Great Pool and perhaps hear the Sedge Warblers, their fast erratic song emanating from deep in the reedbed, whilst the keener ear will soon pick out the slower, more rhythmical song of the Reed Warbler, perhaps slowly climbing up the reed stem into full view. With luck a distant Grasshopper Warbler may be heard, its “reeling” song so very distinct, but the bird probably hidden deep in scrub. Overheard the first Barn Swallows and House Martins are already hawking for insects, whilst suddenly amongst them appears a Red-rumped Swallow, the pinkish-salmon rump obvious, as are the black undertail coverts. Strolling along Back Lane a Peregrine dashes over, whilst the distinctive “croak” of the Raven reveals a pair disappearing over Castle Down. A white rump flicks over the stone wall – Northern Wheatear, whilst a Cuckoo sings from the dead conifer tree. Spring is here!

The boat ride after breakfast around the Northern Rocks is great fun – Fulmars, Razorbills, Guillemots and Shags are vying for nesting space on Mincarlo, the most southwesterly of the mini-archipelago, whilst in the water a dozen Puffins bob around, suddenly

taking to flight on their tiny whirring wings.

On the way back several Sandwich Terns fly lazily by, en route to further northern climes, whilst a distant Gannet plunges into the sea.

To round off the trip, a flock of Whimbrel can be heard, their “seven-note” whistle so evocative and to me, the sound of Spring. On Bryher we are luckily enough to find both the Dwarf Pansy and the Orange Birdsfoot, both plants not found on the Mainland, whilst Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral butterflies abound in the warm Spring sunshine. A pair of Swifts appear overhead, a splendid late male Ring Ouzel lands briefly on a granite rock, sporting it’s white bib and to then, to cap the day, a superb male Woodchat Shrike perches in the bracken behind the Camp Site, rounding off one of those special Spring days on Scilly.

In Autumn……just what will appear? Light north-easterly winds and it’s looking good.

Strolling along the Middle Fields a Common Redstart flicks up onto the hedgerow, its fiery orangey tail quickly revealing the identity, whilst a dozen Wood Pigeons suddenly flying overhead makes one look carefully for the raptor – a small male Merlin dashing through the conifers. At the southern end of the Great Pool there is plenty of exposed mud after the dry Summer, so careful scanning with the telescope along the water’s edge soon picks up a small flock of Dunlin, one juvenile Little Stint and a further juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, all busily feeding in the soft mud.

More scanning along the edge of the reeds reveals two Common Snipe and suddenly, dashing through the reeds, a superb Spotted Crake – what a start! Several Chiffchaffs are heard calling from the sallow bushes, a fresh juvenile Whinchat alights onto a fencepost and then a cracking Pied Flycatcher flits out onto an isolated gorse bush for all to see! Further scanning over Simpson’s Field produces a Yellow Wagtail, whilst a mixed flock of

Redshank and Greenshank begins to assemble on the rocks as the tide rises. Plenty of Gadwall are swimming in the Pool, the first Wigeon of the Autumn appear and several Little Egrets fly into roost. Wandering slowly back to the New Inn and suddenly a small Dunnock-like bird appears along the stone wall in front of me, with strange blackish markings and a relative long tail – Wryneck I exclaim! I rest my case.

Come and join David next year for a super Birding Holiday on Tresco or Bryher with venues as follows – it’s very relaxed, informal and great fun!

Hell Bay: 5 nights, April 27th-May 2nd.

New Inn: 5 nights, May 2nd-7th

David Rosair, Island Ventures Tel: 01227 793501 Email: drosair@aol.com www.islandventures.co.uk www.tresco.co.uk

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Laurie courted Daphne, who lived on Bryher, rowing over from Tresco in the evenings. They married and had two daughters, both of whom were married in St Nicholas Church, Tresco. Laurie left behind him five grandchildren and, to date, eleven great-grandchildren.

OBITUARIES LAURIE TERRY 1930-2010

Laurence Edward John Terry or Laurie, as he was known, was born on 15th April 1930. At that time his parents, Jim and Mary Terry, lived in Old Grimsby before later moving to Bay House.

Laurie’s father was the island’s woodman and as a boy Laurie often accompanied his father and helped plant trees. It was the sea rather than the land that was to claim Laurie’s abiding interest. He started boating and fishing at the age of seven in a small wooden punt, before progressing to building his own boat, from which he would fish crab and lobster for sale.

Laurie left school on Tresco aged 15 and went off to the Outward Bound Training School in Wales. From there, Laurie went on to serve in the Merchant Navy. Two weeks after returning to Tresco, Laurie received his call-up papers for National Service. He joined the RAF Air Sea Rescue, working on motor launches out of Fowey.

Upon his return to Tresco, Laurie became the 2nd Boatman to the Dorrien-Smith family, working alongside Willie Howard Jenkins. When Willie retired, Laurie took over as Boatman and in all, Laurie was to serve three generations of the DorrienSmith family.

He took a great pride in his job and felt honoured to have met all of the visiting Royal Family and many celebrities. He often spoke of fishing trips and picnics on Melledgan and would recall how a young Prince Harry broke a biscuit in half to share it with Laurie. the very first time that Brian came to the islands, it was clear that it was where he wanted to be.

BRIAN DAN 1936-2010

Brian was born on July 1936 in Plymouth, a third son to Jack and Maud Dan. Brian’s early interest in outdoor pursuits led to a youthful passion for cycling. A regular evening’s training would involve him cycling from Plymouth to Exeter and back: a round trip of about 90 miles. Brian’s talents on two wheels served him well during his National Service in the RAF, when he spent most of his time training with one of Britain’s best competitive cyclists.

Prior to National Service, Brian had served an apprenticeship as an electrician with the firm Heath’s in Plymouth and it was to be his skills as an electrician that were first to take him first to Scilly in the 1960s. From

At first he came as a contract electrician, staying for short periods of time but in 1963 Brian moved over to Tresco with his first wife Maureen. Living with their two children, Kerry and Sally, in Palace Row, Brian threw himself into island life. Brian’s brother Ken and his wife Sylvia were also to move out to Tresco for a number of years. Brian became friends with Laurie Terry and was often out potting with him, learning much about boating and the local waters.

Boats were to remain another of Brian’s great passions for the rest of his life. Even when he was being treated for leukaemia, Brian would hop in his boat and motor across to the mainland to visit Treliske Hospital. He loved to talk about his trips up to Cowlands Creek on the Fal and his adventures with Laurie. Working with the gifted Bryher boat builder, Keith Bennett, Brian was to hone his skills as a craftsman to such an extent that he was to build his own catamaran, Snowbird.

Snowbird was to be where Brian was to find happiness once again after the break up of his first marriage. During his courtship of Gill Parkes they spent much

As well as being the Dorrien-Smiths’ Boatman, Laurie was the Harbour Master, a fireman, Customs Correspondent and Receiver of Wreck. He was involved with the church, dug graves and laid out the dead. He was a devotee of the dances held in the Reading Room and was a keen gardener of flowers and vegetables.

During winter months, Laurie would be found in his shed, making willow pots for the following summer’s fishing.

Laurie retired in 1994 and moved to Brixham to live with his youngest daughter Rita and her family. He swore that his boating days were over but, after a year or so, he became the ferryman for the Res Nova, a floating restaurant on the River Dart ,where his son-in-law Martyn was Head Chef. He continued to enjoy his gardening and found a new pleasure in walking the family dog.

Laurie suffered a stroke in May 2001, which was severe enough to force him into a care home, where he remained until his death on 21st June 2010. time on the boat and after they were married in 1976, Snowbird was their first marital home. By this time Brian had developed his skills as a refrigeration engineer, something much in demand from the flower farmers on Scilly. Brian was now self-employed and the islands’ leading electrician.

Brian and Gill moved on to dry land and the island of Bryher, shortly after the birth fo their first child in 1977, to Carn Villa which remains the family home today.

Brian was the quintessential family man as children, Steven, Kate, Gem, Zoe, Georgie and David will testify.

Family life at Carn Villa defined Brian. He worked very hard to provide for his family, using all his skills as an electrician throughout the islands but most particularly Tresco. Brian’s first job on Scilly was helping to rewire parts of the Abbey and by the time he retired, he had worked in every cottage on the island. From refrigeration to light sockets, Brian’s handiwork remains part of the island’s infrastructure.

Diagnosed with leukaemia in 2005, Brian finally retired from work but spent many hours sailing in his mirror dinghy in the channel between Tresco and Bryher.

During the last year his health declined and Brian died in St Mary’s hospital on 17th July 2010.

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TRESCO TIMES OUR VIEWS ARE CLEAR

EDITORIAL

Over and above the usual summer pleasures to be had on Tresco(boating, beaching, fishing, strolling or just plain lolling), there was a fascinating addition this year. I am not alone on the island in having been seriously distracted by the amusing and exciting adventures of James, Nick, Will and Pete the Saxo, as they made their way from Tresco to Ulaan Baatar on the Mongol Rally. Following their progress and reading the blogs on their website (www.scillymission.com ) became a daily ritual.

Details of their escapades and fund-raising activities can be found in these pages and beyond. For all the distance travelled and countries traversed, there must have been times when that tiny car was something of an island itself. Through the multitude of different landscapes, that small metal capsule had its own miniscule community of three, coping together with good times and bad. Resourcefulness, tolerance, humour and companionship were all vital in keeping their show on the road.

Along with everybody on Tresco, visitors and islanders alike, I congratulate the boys on their achievements. I would also to thank everybody who helped and supported the Scilly Mission, from Tresco to Mongolia. For all the boys’ abilities, enthusiasm and camaraderie, their journey could not have been completed without the aid of those around them and, as is so often the case when travelling, the kindness of strangers. John Donne’s assertion that “No man is an island entire of itself” is never more credible than when we are far from home: an island we are from but islands we are not.

Editor: Alasdair Moore Tresco Times, Tresco, Isles of Scilly. TR24 0QQ t:01720 422849 f:01720 422807 editor@tresco.co.uk www.tresco.co.uk

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LETTERS

Thank you to everyone who wrote to the Tresco Times expressing their sadness at Richard Barber’s death and sending their condolences. A small selection of these letters is printed below.

To all at the Tresco Times, family and friends of Richard Barber, I send my deepest sympathy for your loss, and our loss too. with all good wishes Barbara Wakelin.

Herts.

I was both shocked and saddened to receive the latest Tresco Times, with its front page news of Richard’s death. His wit, energy and tendency to take life by the scruff of the neck were evident in his writing. He will be sorely missed. Please pass on my condolences to his wife and children.

Penny Haine

I was very saddened to hear that Richard had died. He was certainly a larger than life character and clearly made a great contribution to island life...He will be much missed by his wider friends, we readers, but much more acutely by his friends and family who have my deepest sympathies. kind regards to all at the Tresco Times Philip Wollard Mallorca We have been reading the fantastic Tresco Times for more years than we care to remember. Even though we have never been to Tresco, we have felt part of the island’s community through reading the Tresco Times.

How terribly sad we were to read of Richard’s passing. This is the only time in my life that I have ever felt compelled to write to offer condolences about a person whom I have never met. Richard’s warmth, wit, intelligence and his ability to turn a parish magazine into an outstandingly interesting publication will, we’re sure, be only a small legacy of his life.

Please pass on our heartfelt thoughts to Richard’s wife and children.

Chris and Tina Waugh Milton Keynes

IRASCIBLE MR HYAMS ON TRESCO

As frequent visitors to Tresco and numbered among the many who passionately love the island, which we visited last May, we were interested and pleasantly surprised to read the piece 50 Years of the Island Hotel. There was a quote from the former owner of our house, plantsman and gardening writer, Edward Hyams.

Given that he had a reputation for being

somewhat irascible and hard to please, the praise he had for Tresco is praise indeed.

We have a book of his called The English Garden, published in 1964. Hyams writes extensively about Tresco: “The garden acted on me like a drug to which one grows addicted;...all I wanted to do after breakfast at the hotel, and for that matter after dinner and a long day, was to get back inside the gardens.”

He goes on to say: “By bringing together into one blessed place and by harmonising the elements onto an integral whole, the loveliest of the earth’s plants from every continent and by so planting them as to make use of the shape of the land to exclude the rest of the world, the Dorrien-Smiths of four generations have realised the Eden in the heart of every romantic...”

Hyams concludes: “I found it necessary to exercise especial restraint in order to look amiably at other visitors to the gardens, people who had quite as much right as I had to be there, in order not to allow myself to feel that their presence was an outrage. It was as if they had come marching and chattering into a very private daydream; a daydream which, by a miracle had become realised in three dimensions and all the forms, all the colours, in the world.”

Neatly rounding off this small series of coincidences, Hyams was the first lay owner of our house, now known as Hill House Nursery, a former vicarage designed by John Loughborough Pearson, the Victorian architect who also designed Truro cathedral, to the diocese of which Tresco belongs.

Raymond & Sacha Hubbard Hill House Nursery Devon

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The Pyatts, managers of the Island Hotel

Dear Editor, Having lived on Tresco for over twenty years I was very interested to read your informative article about the Island Hotel.

However, I was surprised that you did not mention the managers John and Wendy Pyatt. They brilliantly managed the hotel for several years and built up a loyal and esteemed guest list.

I feel that they will be upset by your exclusion, as no doubt will be many of their former guests and friends, many of whom they are still in contact with.

Needless to say we do usually enjoy your excellent publication. yours sincerely Corinna Christopher St Mary’s Isles of Scilly Ed: Apologies indeed for any upset caused: an act of neglect rather than exclusion.

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LETTERS

Tresco Times Page 9

Island Hotel architect John A. Strubbe writes to the Tresco Times.

Dear Editor, It was of great interest and surprise to receive from a near neighbour your 2010 Summer Issue of the Tresco Times and find myself on page 4.

I was introduced to Tom Dorrien-Smith in November 1958 by Kim Allen, who, with his team, restored the Valhalla ships’ figurehead collection. Tom’s brief was for a 28 bedroom hotel with a flat for a manager (“hide it out of sight behind the existing cottages”). Other requirements were to collect the rain water(hence the flat main roof), use salt water for the toilets, use estate staff and men to build it (supplemented by trades from Penzance) and no main contractor - a very unorthodox situation for the Architect.

I attended meetings with the Treasury and Board of Trade in March 1959 to obtain a grant (Distribution of Industry Act 1958). The design of the hotel was subject to many revisions to reduce costs, consequently most of the bedrooms were too small, but even so did not detract from its very successful establishment.

Very fortunately, John Fison (some may remember him with his dog) put in for the winter at New Grimsby in his small yacht, on his way back to New Zealand. He was taken on as the Clerk of Works, with a telephone link to my office in Richmond, a vital contact between my many regular site visits (night sleeper to and from Paddington).

Above: Transport and Heritage Correspondent Eddie Birch meets architect John A. Strubbe. Left and below - Along with his letter Mr Strubbe was kind enough to send an early advert and these photographs of the brand new hotel’s dining room in 1960.

I had to find all the 44 sub-contractors and supplier of built-in furniture, furnishings and kitchen equipment: all delivered to the wharf of Burt, Bolton & Haywood at Eling Wharf, Totton, Hampshire. From here, it was all shipped by the coastal trader Result in two sailings to New Grimsby. BBH were one of two suppliers with ‘wharf facilities’ invited to tender for the structural walls, roof and floor timbers.

The total cost including fees and expenses was £74,503/8s/9p.

I attended the luncheon for the staff and workforce on Saturday 26th September 1959.Sadly I learnt that my father had died that day, with no flights on a Sunday, a good friend flew down from Sussex to take me home.

After 1960, reluctantly, my time had to be concentrated on other major, distant projects. yours truly John A. Strubbe

G R AV E S I T UAT I O N AT S A N D Y L A N E

Following recent renovation work at Beach, concerns were voiced that the 19th century gravestone that had stood outside for many years, had been lost. It had, in fact, simply been moved for safekeeping and was duly put back in its rightful place. Inevitable questions about its original provenance have been asked of the Tresco Times. In such instances the editor must turn to wiser heads. Eve Cooper, Church warden, explains: “The broken Beach gravestone has the inscription “In memory of / Edmund Ellis / Departed this life April / 1866 / age 14 years and 10 months.

Also his father / Martin Ellis / Departed this life March/1878 / Aged 67 years.”

It was replaced after 1891 following the death of wife and mother, Elizabeth Ellis.

The replacement gravestone is in the large block of graves in the Churchyard.

(7th row from the west end).

When the new gravestone was made to incorporate the name of Elizabeth, the old stone would have been discarded. The damage may have occured at that time.

It is known that it lay outside Beach, as part of the path - possibly covering a pothole - and only in recent years was it lifted to lean against the wall.”

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ALL IN SUPPORT OF THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST AND SCILLY MISSION, 32 HONED ATHELETES, FITNESS FANATICS AND ASSORTED MASOCHISTS TOOK THE PLUNGE, LEAPT ON A BIKE AND HIT THE ROAD RUNNING FOR THE FIRST

TRESCO TRIATHLON Chef Pete Marshall burns rubber.

The brainchild of New Inn chef Pete Marshall, the first Tresco Triathlon was an unqualified triumph.

Held as a fund-raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and its supporters, Scilly Mission, the event kicked off at 3pm on Sunday 11th July.

Above: winner Joe Gresty.

Below: Kate Clement, Tresco’s highest-placed lady, leads the way.

“I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon and with the annual Tresco marathon not taking place this year, there was a gap to be filled!” said Pete. “The course was a swim from the beach by the quay to Farm Beach slip, followed by a 7 mile cycle from the Estate Office, past the heliport to Blockhouse via Pentle, back down Pool Road, back to the office. The finale was a 3.5 mile run with the finish line at the pub!”

Thirty two triathletes competed with several from St Mary’s, as well as one from Bryher. Though overcast, the weather was perfect for the competition: dry, not too hot and not too cold.

The triathlon was officially started by the DorrienSmiths and, with a keenness rarely displayed here by bathers in the sea, the competitiors tore into the water. For one of Swimmers head from the quay to Farm Beach slip. the company this leg of the race

was particularly gruelling. Ruth Nicholls of St Mary’s learnt to swim specifically for the event! This was not the only handicap to face a triathelete - Pete Marshall was at a severe disadvantage, having pulled his hamstring a few minutes before the race. He completed the course manfully.

Tresco provided 14 of the triathletes, including the winner Joe Gresty ( Time of 0.59.03) of the Garden Cafe and a 3rd from gardener Dave Hamilton. Along with husband and wife team Pete and Fiona Hingston, a special mention must be made of fun-loving Dale Robson from the heliport, who came in strongly in 6th place.

The location of the finish line may have provided extra motivation.

Medals were presented to competitors at the New Inn by organisers Pete and James Druce of Scilly Mission.

“James and I have to thank the competitors, the Dorrien-Smiths and all the volunteers on Tresco who made this day such a success. The triathlon has raised about £5000. We’ll be to doing it all over again next year!” said organiser Pete. “ We want to keep everything quite small scale but it would be great to make it a regular charitable event.”

You have been warned...get training.

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