Tresco Times Spring 2011 - Volume 6.0

fRONT PAGE1a.qxp:Layout 1

21/1/11

10:39

Page 1

THE TRESCO TIMES “OUR VIEWS ARE CLEAR.”

SPRING 2011

VOLUME 6.0

STILL FREE AND STILL MAKING SENSE OF SCILLY

The Sea Garden Cottages at the Island Hotel

The development of the Sea Garden Cottages continues apace, as does the interest of buyers. In fact, those who have been first in the queue have certainly had the advantage - an advantage available for another few weeks. Timeshare manager Dean Whillis explains:”Further to our initial plans for the cottages, we have made some considerable improvements.Six out of the seven timeshare properties are now actually larger, with an additional TV room.

Three of these, Seagrass, Flotsam and Driftwood, also have extensions at the front, overlooking the garden.

All this extra work and the materials involved have forced a rise in the priceof the cottages by up to 5%.This will take effect in April.

I would very much encourage prospective buyers to take advantage of lower prices in February and March.

Sales have exceeded expectations - I think that quite a few people are realising just how special these cottages are going to be. The highest levels of comfort and a beautiful setting - what more could you ask for?”

For further information about the Sea Garden Cottages please call Dean Whillis 01720 424111

Below - from left to right Sea Garden Cottages Pebble and the extendedSeagrass, Flotsam and Driftwood, all converted from the old Flower Wing of the Island Hotel.

From 18th April until 19th September, Tresco’s much-loved flagship the Island Hotel will be enjoying her swansong before undergoing redevelopment next winter.

Whether you wish to stay for a week or simply take in the view over lunch or a glass of wine, we will be delighted to see you.

Special Offer for Tresco Times’ Readers - Island Flowers by Post.

See page 10.

BRINGING THE LAST PIECE OF ENGLAND TO THE WORLD

Insular things2.qxp:Layout 1

Page 2 Tresco Times

10/1/11

17:46

Page 1

INSULAR THINGS

NEW PLAYPARK OPENS FOR UNDER-FIVES.

From left to right - Maralyn and Isabella Hobbs, Harry Christopher, Joey Walters, Nicola Christopher, Harry Christopher, Emily and Richard Hobbs, Freya and Max Walters.

31st October saw the official opening of the Tresco and Bryher Playgroup’s playground, with Robert Dorrien-Smith cutting the ribbon. An extension of the playground by the Community Centre, it is specifically designed for the under-fives, with disabled access. “All the mothers in the playgroup have made a huge effort to get the new playground up and running.” Said Maralyn Hobbs, mother of two and keen group member. “ We have to thank the Early

Years Sector’s Joel Williams of St Mary’s who secured £10,000 worth of funding for us, Amanda Pender and the Local Action Group funding, Robert Dorrien-Smith and the Friends of Tresco School, all of whom made this possible. The kids are all absolutely delighted and so are the parents!”

The day also saw a Halloween/Guy Fawkes celebration with a vast bonfire on the school green, accompanied by a splendid fireworks display orchestrated by the island’s resident pyromaniac Richard “Nero” Hobbs. The event raised nearly £200 for the Toddlers Group and was vey well-attended.

Richard said: “A big thanks to the Coastguard, Fire and Co-responder crews for their help but if it wasn’t for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company the event would not have happened at all. All the fireworks are freighted over free of charge and have been for the past three years – so an extra-big thank you to Kevin Ayres and everybody at the Steamship Company!”

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Editor hangs his head in shame and apologises for neglecting to honour the recent academic achievements of some young islanders. This summer Kirstie Christopher BA Hons. was awarded a 2:1 in Broadcasting at Falmouth University (pictured above), while at Bournemouth University, Callum Shone graduated with a 2:1 in Media and Moving Pictures. Congratulations should also go to Tash Lawson, Jasmine Callan and Hazel Reading who all achieved excellent GCSE results and are now studying for their A-levels in Truro.

Nick Shiles wins a new Coastguard vehicle for Tresco.

The new playpark, illuminated by Mr Hobbs and company on 31st October.

TRESCO PREMIERE - ISLAND CELEBS HIT THE RED CARPET

Last October, there was a definite stir amongst the paparazzi at the London Film Festival, as some real stars turned out for the premiere of Archipelago, a family drama set and filmed on Tresco . The movie has attracted critical acclaim but the greatest ex-

Left to right - Gallery Tresco Manager Anna Parkes, Gamekeeper and Woodsman Steve Parkes, Director of Archipelago Joanna Hogg and Gallery Tresco Assistant Lisa Roberts.

citement was reserved for the three island representatives who attended the premiere.

Anna Parkes and Lisa Roberts had been working hard on the Gallery Tresco stand at the Affordable Art Fair in London before bringing some genuine glamour to Leicester Square. They were escorted by Anna’s husband, Tresco’s Gamekeeper and Woodsman Steve Parkes, who, as always, only associates with the very highest-quality birds. Steve also is a scene-stealing member of the film’s cast, putting in a convincing performance as the island’s gamekeeper.

The Editor can attest to the depth and sensitivity of Steve’s portrayal of himself but Steve has said only this on the subject: “As you would expect from a woodsman, my acting would qualify as top-grade timber.”

Anyone wishing to speak to Steve should contact his agent.

FILM REVIEW PAGE 7

A new emergency vehicle has arrived on Tresco. The island’s Coastguard Rescue Team has its first official transport. Years of trundling across the North End in a tractor and trailer in search of victims is a thing of the past - the Coastguard now have a four door, four wheel drive Nissan, dashingly painted in MCA team colours.

Tresco was extremely fortunate to receive this piece of serious kit. Only one vehicle was on offer and St Martin’s Coastguard Team were also keen to upgrade to a proper wagon. The ensuing stand-off was broken in 21st century style, making full use of all the modern technology available to the Coastguard...Tresco’s Station Officer, Nick Shiles, and St Martin’s S.O. Steve Walder squared up to each other and drew straws.

Well drawn, Nick!

Walk 3.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:42

Page 1

TRESCO

Tresco Times Page 3

out and about A walking festival which celebrates the very best of Scilly is set to kick off its fifth year running on Sat 2nd April this year. Walk Scilly combines the interests of locals and visitors alike with a range of guided walks across the islands covering every subject from Bronze age burials to edible plants.

On the trail with English Heritage’s Allan Brodie The 16th century Blockhouse - once known as Dover Fort. Walk Scilly 2011.

Since its first tiny steps in 2006, walk Scilly has hit its stride bringing visitors from all over the country to explore the islands.

The walks are certainly not just for those new to to Scilly and many locals are keen supporters of the walks.

Tresco is a popular destination for those looking to walk Scilly and this year Mike Nelhams and Andrew Lawson will be leading parties around the Abbey Gardens. In ad-

dition, Tresco is fortunate to have Allan Brodie of English Heritage using his expert knowledge to show us around Tresco’s fascinating range of fortifications. Allan is coauthor of the recently published “Defending Scilly” and is the country’s leading expert on the military architecture of the islands and is a Senior Investigator for English Heritage.

To coincide with Walk Scilly, exciting developments at the Abbey gardens are taking place. Many readers will remember the excitement more than ten years ago with the discovery of a 3 metre high carved figure from the wreck of HMS Colossus in 1798 (see left and right). The figure, known as Oscar, has returned to Tresco after years of careful restoration at the hands of

the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth.

With the generous funding of the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group a special exhibition is being created for Oscar in the gardens’ History Room. Once it has been completed, the display will be opening its doors to the public specidfically in time for Walk Scilly and an inaugural talk by author, diver and internationally-renowned expert in maritime history and shipwrecks, Richard Larn.

Allan Brodie’s walk around Tresco’s fortifications will take place on the morning of Wed 6th April, while Richard Larn’s Introduction to Colossus will follow in the afernoon of 6th April. For further details please contact Walk Scilly: www.walkscilly.co.uk

Walk Scilly is not just about history - Wild Food Expert Rachel Lambert will be returning for her second year to lead two walks on Scilly on 8th and 9th April, looking at the edible landscape. Rachel has been teaching people about wild food since 2007 and is well-known in West Cornwall, where she lives, for her enthusiastic, knowledgeable and accessible walks. She is passionate about good food, walking and the natural environment. She is familiar with the range of plants abundant on the islands, including the rare and plants ‘unique to the ‘Scillies’.

In a perfect combination of the gourmet and the rambler, Hell Bay Hotel have put together a special Wild Food and Dining

Break with Rachel from14th - 18th April 2011.

For decades botanists have enthused about the range of flora on the Isles of Scilly, and now you can experience them from a unique angle.... Discovering edible leaves, shoots, seeds, roots, flowers and seaweeds, some of which has been historically used on the Scillies, while others remain largely unutilised. From beautiful pink oxalis to the wild growing rock samphire, Rachel will help you discover the secrets of wild food on Scilly.

Each day there will be one or two walks to join. The pace will be leisurely, with regular stops to take in the views, identify edible plants, forage, and learn about different

wild foods along the way. Each walk will be around 2-3 miles long.

The experience will continue back at Hell Bay restaurant, where Head Chef Glenn Gatland will take the best of the wild seasonal tastes and incorporate them into elegant, mouth-watering dinners.

HELL BAY HOTEL, BRYHER - WILD ABOUT FOOD

Rachel Lambert, wild food expert in action

3 cornered leek in flower

Four nights at Hell Bay Hotel including return helicopter flight, dinner, bed & breakfast, 6 wild food walks, entry to Abbey Garden and boat excursions. £840.00pp (Terms and conditions apply) For further details contact Hell Bay Hotel 01720 422947 www.hellbayhotel.co.uk

Hell Bay Hotel, Bryher

there is

a place sport 4.qxp:Layout 1

14/1/11

09:59

Page 1

Page 4 Tresco Times

THERE IS A PLACE...

by James Everingham

There is a place amongst dunes as high as mountains, a place where

smells such as fish and sea breeze fill the air, where the sea sparkles like glitter and the sand feels warm and soft between the toes. There is a place where the waves lap against the shore, making noises, calm noises that can barely be heard, and where small white horses dance and gallop through the waves. In this place, there are trees , ancient trees as tall as buildings, towering above you, and boats, small boats, bobbing up and down in the evening tide. There are ropes trailing up the beach like spiders’ webs, tied to heavy, solid metal anchors, eroded with rust and sea salt. If you board a boat and sail far away from the small, picturesque bay, through the surf and out onto the blue, clear and mighty ocean, eventually you will reach the end of the world. The end of the world is a place that no-one can describe, for no-one has been there and returned alive, but one can picture a steep drop, with water cascading over the rim, churning up darkness below and engulfing anything that dares venture onto...the table. Off the edge of the map, where no cartographer has thought to print.

ISLAND SPORT

The island’s sporting diary has enjoyed its customary seasonal lull this winter, though Tresco’s long-standing Table Tennis Club is as active as ever. With a hardcore of seven dedicated players, regularly supplemented by occasionals and visitors, the club meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at the Commuity Centre.

There are three tables, one of which belongs to one of the club’s stalwarts, while another was bought from the proceeds of a sponsored, 24 hour, euchre drive.

Unusually for a sporting club, proceedings don’t start until 9pm and finish at 10pm. This is something of a preventitive measure. After exerting themselves around the tennis tables, members like to quench their thirst at the New Inn. It was found from bitter experience that meeting any earlier in the evening had serious effects on the company’s sobriety and their general effectiveness the following day.

The other main sporting clubs of the island, cricket and gig rowing, have had a rather more reflective winter. Tresco and Bryher Cricket Club have published their averages for 2010, which makes for interesting reading as always. Ten matches were played in total, with 6 wins and 4 losses. The batting figures are led by Dave Hamilton, with a highest score of 77 and an average of 62.5. However, as he only played twice (quit while you’re ahead Dave!), the spotlight falls on Ben Coleman, whose highest score was also 77 and whose average was 39.5. With the ball, the stars were Andrew Lawson and Liam Jenkins, though mention must also go to our overseas player, Jan from the Czech Republic, who bowled and batted with memorable gusto.

The Tresco and Bryher Gig Club had a mixed season. The Ladies A crew triumphed

Twelve year old James attends Queen Elizabeth Hospital School Bristol and has been visiting Tresco since he was six months old.

Thanks to Bruce and Kate Hodgkinson (James’ grandparents), who sent in this lyrical piece of Tresco-inspired prose.

in both the Swap races and the Overall Points competition this year. The Men’s A crew had a tougher season than in previous years but the B crew displayed great promise and ambition.

As ever with these beautiful wooden craft, the winter means painting and repair. In particular the Men-a-vaur, which is in for a total renovation by gig-builder Peter Martin on St Mary’s.

The gig club would like to thank once again everyone who helped and made donations at the fete - all proceeds of which have been put towards the work needed on the Men-a-vaur. The picture below shows her with most of her paint burned off in Henry’s shed. Removing the paint from around her timbers, particularly at the bow and stern, was time-consuming to say the least!

Eddie the Toast 5.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:51

Page 1

EDDIE ‘THE TOAST’ BIRCH.

Tresco Times Page 5

Tresco’s retired crane and tractor driver writes about unloading goods at the old Carn Near slip.

Before the quay at Carn Near was built to get the goods (papers, mail, bread and meat), we had to go down the old slip and back out the tractor and trailer into the sea. The launch in those days was called the Tean with Jimmy Lethbridge and Harry Robson. She would come in as far as she could and then they would load up a punt, which was towed behind the Tean, with the goods. Harry would row the punt ashore and we would unload it on to the trailer. If the weather was bad, I would return with Harry to the Tean for another load.

One day, the Tean was coming up but the wind was freshening from the south west and quite a big sea was running. Harry

came in with the first punt full of goods and I went out to get another load.After we had unloaded the last of the goods onto the trailer, Harry said to me: “I don’t think I’ll be able to get out to the Tean on my own - the sea’s against me and it’s a heavy old punt!”

I told Harry that I’d give him a hand rowing as luck would have it I had a young lad working with me, who could drive a tractor. I took the tractor up the slip and then asked the boy to take over delivering the goods and to tell the island manager, Mr Hill Smith, what was happening. I was going to be up-

The Old Slip at Carn Near before the construction of the quay.

channel when there was enough water.

I went down to the punt with Harry; we took an oar each hand and started to row. It took us a lot of hard rowing to get to the Tean.

Once we had finally got on board, Jimmy took her up the channel to New Grimsby. By the time we got there it was almost dark but he managed to get her bow into the steps and I jumped off. The manager and the boy were waiting for me on the quay. Jimmy and Harry’s day wasn’t over - after they dropped me off, they carried on to Bryher to deliver their goods!

The Old Slip today alongside the new, extended Carn Near quay

TRESCO’S BIRDMAN DAVID ROSAIR LOOKS FORWARD TO SPRING

Arriving on Tresco, by helicopter, a beautiful late April morning and the views coming over the magical archipelago are something very special, looking every piece the Caribbean. At 1500 feet and passing over the Scillonian the elongated white dots of Gannets are clearly discernable, then the Eastern Isles come into view, the tide ebbing, followed by St Martin’s. As we come in over the Great Pool, flocks of Mallard and Gadwall rise up, along with huge flocks of Great Black-backed Gulls.

Once safely on terra firma and waiting to collect our luggage we are immediately struck by the beauty of Tresco – lofty Corsican Pines shielding the beauty of the worldfamous Abbey Garden, colourful Madeiran Geraniums & Agapanthus, both classified as “weeds” over here, along with the wild Gorse, Three-cornered Leeks and Red Campion make for a kaleidoscope of rich botanical colour. A quick scan over the Heliport reveals 2 Northern Wheatears, a small flock of Linnets, a Stonechat on the wire fencing and a covey of Red-legged Partridge strutting over towards the Abbey Pool.

Luggage aboard, we slowly trundle off along the narrow winding track to the Quayside at New Grimsby – today bound for Hell Bay on the adjacent island of Bryher. The views are just stunning, with the tide now half way out and revealing the sandbars in the narrow Channel separating Tresco from Bryher – several Eurasian Curlew are feeding on the tideline, along with some Redshanks, a Grey Heron and 3 Little Egrets – will they nest on Tresco this year I wonder? As we approach the Tresco Estate we all observe a large mixed flock of Barn Swallows and House Martins hawking after insects over the Great Pool – is there a Red-rumped Swallow amongst them I ask myself? [late April is the time for this beautiful South European waif to visit the islands].

Efficiently offloaded from the Bus at the Quayside, New Grimsby with twenty minutes to wait for the Firethorn to pick us up and make the short hop over to Bryher. Immediately a ringing fluty call indicates the presence of a Greenshank flying into the Bay, conveniently landing next to a small mixed flock of Ruddy Turnstones & Oystercatchers, the latter piping away as they pirouette around in circles displaying to each

other. Scanning down the Channel reveals several Shags continuously diving and 3 Sandwich Terns lazily flapping low over the water, their raucous calls giving away their ID. Below us a couple of Rock Pipits feed amongst the seaweed and overhead a large female Peregrine dashes after some unsuspecting prey. Our boat arrives and a couple of minutes later we are climbing into the Jeeps on Bryher to drive us the short distance to the beautiful Hell Bay Hotel, neatly nestling just behind Great Bay overlooking the mighty Atlantic Ocean. It’s great to be back again!

Perhaps you would like to join David on one of his Spring Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours to Tresco or Bryher this Spring, with venues as follows: New Inn, Tresco 5 nights May 2-7 Hell Bay, Bryher 5 nights May 7-12 For full details of prices and bookings please contact: David Rosair - Island Ventures Tel: 01227 793501 Email: drosair@aol.com www.islandventures.co.uk www.tresco.co.uk

Arts6.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:57

Page 1

Page 6 Tresco Times

TRESCO TIMES ARTS REVIEW CINEMA SPECIAL

ARCHIPELAGO

Regular readers of the Tresco Times may recall reports of the filming of Archipelago on Tresco in 2009.

Having been premiered at the London Film Festival 2010, Archipelago will go on general release on 4th March but the Tresco Times has been allowed a sneak preview…

Archipelago revolves around a wintry family holiday on Tresco. Edward, played by Tom Hiddleston, is preparing to leave for an 11 month stint in Africa as a volunteer health worker. His family gather on Tresco for a farewell holiday, the venue of many such holidays in the past. His mother (Kate Fahy) and sister, Cynthia (Lydia Leonard) are present but the father, who has promised to join them, never actually arrives. Accompanying the family is a cook, Rose (Amy Lloyd) and also staying on the island is an artist (Christopher Baker), who tutors mother and daughter in painting.

What should be a relaxing and enjoyable family get-together soon degenerates into an uncomfortable menage as underlying and unspoken tensions make any semblance of harmony impossible. Edward is full of doubts about the direction of his life,

Cynthia seethes with pent-up bitterness and fury, while mother Patricia struggles to keep the holiday on track despite the absence of her husband, an absence marked by increasingly desperate phone conversations.

The characters of the cook and the artist serve to highlight all these issues further, acting as foils for the emotional foibles of the family. Moments of toe-curling awkwardness and intensity ensue.

Director Joanna Hogg and her cast have developed a very naturalistic style in terms of dialogue, which, with the excellent acting performances of the family members, conspire to make watching Archipelago often seem like eavesdropping on a very real family drama.

The realism brought to the film by the actors is given a documentary edge by the appearance of various locals in speaking roles. Most significantly Mike Pender puts in a cracking rendition of a Bryher lobster fisherman, resolutely delivering shellfish to New Grimsby quay on a cold blustery day, while Steve Parkes’ gamekeeper is a triumph. Andrew Lawson delivers a highly credible Head Gardener, though poor Alan

Hewitt, ex-hotel chef, gets given short shrift

by Cynthia.

The other local star is, of course, the island itself: cloaked in winter, it’s presence is powerful both in sight and sound. Yet, Tresco ultimately carries with it the same chilly isolation that pervades aspects of the human relationships within Archipelago.

Much prominence in the film is given to painting and in many ways Archipelago is more of a painting than a movie, a cross between a family portrait and a still life.This is an intense and reflective work, built around mood and feeling rather than racing plot line or dramatic action. As such Archipelago will not appeal to all but it is a finely-wrought film and one that lingers in the mind long after the final frame.

Unhappy Families: Chilly relations at a winter picnic in Archipelago.

THEATRE

The highlight of Christmas for many islanders was the Tresco and Bryher children’s Nativity play. This year it was the turn of Bryher to host this festive event and the island’s Church of All Saints was packed to the rafters. Under the careful tutelage of teachers, Susanna Gates and Steve Wilson, this year’s performance was declared to be one of the best in living memory.

Susanna, who was the producer and director of this theatrical tour-de-force, commented: “The children were quite amazing – they were so passionate about the play and the music. Quite a few of them were suffering from colds and sore throats but they were all so determined to get out there and do their very best. For the children, it was a real case of the show must go on! The singing was fantastic and I was so proud of all of them. Steve and I would also like to thank Caroline Pearce and Mandy Hamilton, our teaching assistants, for all their help and enthusiasm.”

Susanna was not the only one who was impressed – the audience was enthralled and delighted with both the play and the players.

The kings, shepherds, innkeepers and angels of Tresco and Bryher From left to right Back row: Kerry Hulands, Shamus Pender-Frazer, Jack Austin, Zoe Langdon, Heather Hamilton Front row: Cullen Oyler, William Shaw, Lily Chuter, Isaac Langdon, Chessen Pender-Frazer, Daisy Chuter, Phin Austin, Fraser Hingston and Millie Driscoll-Johnson.

Left Inset - The Narrators, Jack Gatland and Declan Shaw.

Photos courtesy of Tracy Gatland.

AUNTS7.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:54

Page 1

THE DORRIEN-SMITH AUNTS.

Tresco Times Page 7

The first in a series of articles edited by Tresco-born Sam Llewellyn about his greataunts, the five daughters of Thomas Algernon Dorrien-Smith.

An extract from an interview with Charlotte ‘Babs’ Dorrien Smith, conducted by the late Molly Mortimer for The Scillonian Magazine in the early 1960s. This and excerpts that will follow in future editions of the Tresco Times give a picture - sometimes brilliantly sunlit, sometimes dark and tragic, at all times individual - of life on Tresco between the late 1800s and the end of the First World War.

When not ferreting out nuggets about his great-aunts, Sam Llewellyn is a novelist and maritime writer. His latest project will be sure to strike a chord with many of the readers of the Tresco Times:

The Marine Quarterly

Dorrien-Smith family portrait: from back left : Eddie, Alma Smith-Dorrien, Charlotte “Babs”, Thomas Algernon, Gwen. Front row: Cicely, Arthur, his wife Eleanor, Innis.

The eldest of the five sisters, Mary, is not pictured here.

Augustus Smith invited our father over to Tresco to see if he made a suitable heir, and he finally settled there with Edith Tower to a typical Scillonian welcome.

After a week of sun and celebration came the wreck of the Schiller in dense fog. She sank in half an hour, and only 43 of over 400 passengers were saved. Our father received the Order of the Red Eagle and mother an enormous gold bracelet from the German Emperor for their work with survivors.

There were seven of us, five girls and two boys. Arthur and Eddie were sent away to school, but we – Mary, Innis, Cecily, Gwen and Charlotte (Babs) - had a governess and led very active lives.

Our father was always up at seven to attend to business, followed by a cold tub and family prayers in the state room. Cold tubs were the fashion then, and our grandmother had one every morning, even with snow on the ground, until she was 86.

We used to watch the windmills on St Mary’s grinding corn for the islands. Eventually when they were no longer wanted my father made one into a memorial of Edward VIII’s visit with seats round it for old people to sit on. Our corn was ground on Tresco by large millstones at the farm. There was a tall chimney and you could see the smoke and

hear the grinding when the engine was working. There were always bits of granite in the bread.

In 1892 there was a terrible flu epidemic in which my mother died. Tresco, with 300 souls, had hardly one standing. There was nobody to run the launch. Two men on an old sailing boat, the George, got across to St Mary’s to fetch medicine, a sort of salt water mixture sent from the mainland. Even the only doctor was ill.

Our father’s sister, Aunt Alma, came to look after us all. Before the morning crossing she would stay up all night, then take a sleeping draught. Aunt Alma ran a sewing party for women and a carving and carpentry class for young men twice a week. She ran and conducted a brass band and the church choir; and she organised concerts and plays for which we made clothes and painted scenery.

When she took soup and rabbit to poor people on other islands the boatmen who took her had a rare job unless there was a fair wind; she always wore a high hat and unfurled a red umbrella. Sometimes we were allowed to visit the old people, too. Uncle and Aunt Charlie lived by the Blockhouse.

Father allowed them 5/- a week and they had a small farm. When they died there was £800 in a stocking and a good smuggler’s hole.

Edited by Sam Llewellyn, The Marine Quarterly is a new kind of sea journal, reporting subjects of strong interest to everyone who goes on the sea. It is full of big, authoritative articles on sailing, fisheries, adventuring, merchant shipping, conservation, natural history, heritage, trade, naval matters, and anything else connected with salt water.

The Marine Quarterly’s contributors are top sea writers who know how to tell a good story well. Topics for the first four issues include a year in the career of a superyacht; the private life of the Atlantic grey seal; a critical analysis of the restoration of the Cutty Sark; the reminiscences of a nervous gap-year student who found himself sailing to Greenland with the adventurer Bill Tilman; and an extended account of the seafaring activities of some Scillonian great-aunts.

The Marine Quarterly is ninetysix pages of intelligent sea reading. It is published in a useful pocket size, printed on hefty paper, illustrated with charts, woodcuts and line drawings. It is available by subscription only, and will be delivered to subscribers by mail.

It will appear on 1 March 2011 and quarterly thereafter. Annual subscription: UK £40, Ireland and Europe £45, USA £50, Rest of World £55.

To subscribe, visit www.marinequarterly.com or send cheque to: The Marine Quarterly Hope Farm Lyonshall Kington Herefordshire HR5 3HT 01544 340636

ed and letters 8.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

18:09

Page 1

LETTERS

Page 8 Tresco Times

TRESCO TIMES OUR VIEWS ARE CLEAR

EDITORIAL

It is a sad reflection of the current economic climate that one notes the passing of local businesses but one in particular struck a chord this winter. The wholesaler’s on St Mary’s has finally closed its doors after supplying island homes and businesses since 1969.

Reason enough to mourn but its owners made it clear that the economic downturn was not the only cause. Freight costs and mainland supermarkets had brought an end to the island market, which they had supplied for so long.

Their pool of customers had shrunk beyond viability due to the abundant cheap groceries and home deliveries offered to islanders by the supermarket chains in Penzance.

It is the same story nationwide: the buying power of the leviathan supermarkets smothers the small local grocer. As shoppers, it is impossible for us not to compare the prices of goods in the corner shop and the superstore. Once that comparison has been made, there can only be one winner.

There is nothing new here but, on Scilly, the fragility of the local economy, in terms of the low number of shops and the very real lack of alternatives, makes it all sting a little sharper.

Independent local shops are always going to be more expensive than supermarket rivals but it remains the shopper’s choice, our choice, as to the value that we place upon these businesses and their roles within our communities.

It is a question worth addressing while choice remains.

Oscar Wilde had one of his character’s declare that a cynic is one “...who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” What, I wonder, would he have made of Tesco’s?

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

Nothing but praise for emergency response.

Dear Editor,

Early in October, my wife and I together with 2 friends, took our regular week’s holiday on Tresco. We visit at least once a year; staying either in the New Inn or the Flying Boat Club. On this occasion we were staying in Garland at the FBC.

I had been under the weather prior to going, but thought that getting away to our favourite island would be a good idea – with plenty of fresh air and gentle exercise!

This, however, turned out not to be the case! After 2 nights with almost no sleep due to persistent coughing and trying to sleep sitting up I was still barely able to breathe and we were both totally exhausted and very concerned. Early on the Monday morning, my wife decided to make me an appointment with the Doctor from St Mary’s, who comes over to Tresco on a Tuesday and I suggested that it might be useful to tell him what my pulse rate was. The FBC gym did not have a monitor and the receptionist suggested the island’s first responders would have one in their kit. In order to call the First responder it was necessary to call 999 which my wife duly did! In no time at all the 2 (Nick and James) arrived and Kate (training to be a 1st responder) followed soon after. They checked everything and took detailed information about my medical history; all in a very efficient manner, and felt that I should be in Hospital. We also learned that the Paramedic had been alerted by the emergency services and was coming over in the Ambulance boat from St.Mary’s. He (George) went over EVERYTHING again, all the time explaining what he was doing (and why) to all 3 responders, making sure they understood what he was doing. A first class example of the way experience and good practice should be passed on.

He agreed that I needed to be taken to Hospital; in the first instance St Mary’s with limited facilities, in the hopes that I could be stabilised but in the worst case scenario it would have to be Treliske near Truro!

I was taken to New Grimsby and loaded onto the Ambulance and off we went to St.Mary’s where I spent several hours. Finally Dr Schwartz appeared and made the decision that as I wasn’t making the desired recovery with the drugs there, Treliske it would have to be. The Air Ambulance helicopter was not available so a Sea King was summoned and about 4pm I was stretchered onto it for an exciting

journey to Treliske, where I spent the next 4 nights. My wife and friends collected me on the way home to Devon!

I have nothing but praise for everyone that came to my rescue; the first responders, George (the paramedic), hospital staff at St Mary’s and Treliske. We often hear criticism of the NHS but in this case they all showed how well they perform under rather difficult circumstances.

We have kept George up to date with my progress; I am now back to my old self, having finally had the long awaited catheter ablation at the end of October so no more “atrial flutter” which was one of the problems! We are now booked for a special trip to the New Inn for my birthday at the end of February to make up for those lost days! kind regards Tony and Chris Hyson.

Editor - Delighted to hear that you have recovered so well and we look forward to seeing you in February!

Fighting Cystic Fibrosis.

Dear Sir,

Many thanks for sending the copies of the Tresco Times.

I would also like to give a big thank you to the people who have raised a lot of money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. My grandson, now in his twenties, has this awful disease.

We all hope that one day there will be a cure found. He has so many hospital visitas and so much medication, all taken with good heart.

My best wishes to all on Tresco.

Mrs K. Dawes High Wycombe.

Save the trees with the Tresco Times online!

Go green with the Tresco Times - read it online at our website.

Simply visit: www.tresco.co.uk click on “Information” and then click on “Tresco Times” in the menu.

Letters 9.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:45

Page 1

SCILLY AS A PORT OF CALL

Tresco Times Page 9

It is not often that the Tresco Times publishes a letter posted from Tresco and, rarer still, a letter that was written in 1878 but the Editor is indebted to Mr Graham Faiella of Wimbledon for sending a photocopy of the Lloyd’s List, Thursday, October 3rd, 1878. Here Mr Faiella has discovered a letter from T. Algernon Dorrien-Smith of Tresco Abbey, Isles of Scilly to The Secretary, Lloyd’s, extolling the virtues of Scilly as a port of call.

Sir, - The Government having lately established permanent telegraphic communication with the Island of Scilly, I wish to draw your attention, and , through you, the attention of the mercantile interest at large, to the value of the harbour of Scilly as a port of call.

The position at the mouth of the Channel make it the nearest and most convenient place for ships to run to for orders; the easiest to get away from, whether their destination be the English, Bristol or St George’s Channels.

The islands are well lighted by the Bishop Rock lighthouse and the St Agnes revolving light. In thick weather the soundings distinctly mark their position; and, furthermore, the Trinity House hope shortly to be able to apply the new powerful fog signal rocket to the Bishop.

The Trinity House have buoyed the principal entrance and will in the spring place buoys at other entrances; one buoy of especial value to steamers in Crow Sound, short of which they can bring up and remain in perfect protection from all Westerly and Northerly gales.

Arrangements have been made for the supply of coal with the utmost expedition.

There are several entrances to the harbour and it is capital holding ground.

The Scilly pilots regularly relieve one another, and are to be found about 18 miles to the SW of the Bishop. In summer the steamer which goes backwards and forwards between the islands and Penzance on alternate days is available as a tug: in winter a tug is stationed at Scilly.

There is a signal station, which is worked continuously and is in connection with Lloyd’s.

The value of the harbour was put to practical test in the tempestuous winter of 1870-71 during the Franco-German war. Upwards of 0ne hundred German vessels took refuge from French cruisers; and though the bulk of the crews were sent away and only men enough left to look after the chains and anchors, not a vessel drove nor did any accident happen to one of them.

Believe me, Sir, yours faithfully T. Algn. Dorrien-Smith

Thomas Algernon Dorrien-Smith at the tiller.

T.A. D-S became the Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly in 1872, following the death of his uncle, Augustus Smith. T.A. D-S was an indefatigable champion of Scilly and was the islands’ leading light in the development of the flower trade, as well as promoting Scilly as a port of call.

Below: Augustus Smith and the St Agnes pilots.

Augustus battled Trinity House on behalf of the local pilots

BRYHER CHILDREN GET THE BOOT

Dear Editor Whilst staying on Tresco in October our 18 month old granddaughter lost one of her wellington boots on a morning trip to Bryher. As these were her very first pair of ‘wellies’, which she insisted on wearing all day both indoors and out, it was all rather fraught. Where do you buy a new pair of size 4 baby boots on Tresco ?

After lunch my wife saw the school children passing our cottage on their way to the school boat and home to Bryher . She walked down to the Old Grimsby quay with them and asked if they could look out for the missing boot. She explained that she has walked from Hell Bay Hotel to Anneka’s Quay via Sue Pender’s stall and the boat yard.

The following morning there was the missing boot at the top of the steps by the gate and a very happy little granddaughter.

We would like to thank our three ‘heroes’, Zoe, Kerry and Seamus (pictured below left) for their help and kindness in taking time to seek out and return the boot.

We think that the kind deed carried out by the children reflects greatly on their parents, the school and the whole of the islands for bringing up such lovely, polite and helpful children. The beauty and wonder of the Isles of Scilly clearly extends to their inhabitants.

Yours sincerely, Chris and Jack Pavey Marden,Kent

DRAKE’S PROGRESS

Quackers, Splash, the Duck of Luck, Lucky Ducky, Sir Quacksalot, Don Quaxote...the white duck of New Grimsby has earned himself many names in the two years since he arrived on Tresco. Having taken up residence at New Grimsby, the duck has become something of an island talisman as he paddles about the quayside.

Despite his popularity with locals and visitors alike, Quackers has always had a melancholy air about him - a solitary figure, throughout his time in New Grimsby, he

has never enjoyed the companionship of other ducks. Quackers has always seemed destined to dabble alone.

All that has changed. Since the autumn, Quackers has been enjoying some quality time with a new pal. The new duck’s arrival is not a complete mystery and may be related to the release of two white domestic ducks from an island garden. Whatever the cause, we are all delighted by the great improvement in Quacker’s social life.

The Editor has been reliably informed that both are in fact drakes and he is far too polite to enquire further about the nature of their relationship.

Churchtown ad10.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

Page 10 Tresco Times

17:53

Page 1

11. Timeshare page.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:56

Page 1

Tresco Times Page 11

Gallery12.qxp:Layout 1

10/1/11

17:47

Page 1

Gallery Tresco The Sea Garden Exhibition 9th May - 30th June 2011

Sea Garden 1 (Pearl) detail by Maggie O’Brien In conjunction with the opening of the Sea Garden Cottages at the Island Hotel, Gallery Tresco will be hosting the Sea Garden exhibition from Monday 9th May to the end of June. Exhibiting artists are Kathy Todd, Maggie Matthews, Chris Hankey, Imogen Bone, Robert Pittam, Emma Jeffries, Harriet Barber, Rosemary Trestini, Maggie O’Brien, Wendy McBride and Sue Lewington.

For further details please contact Gallery Tresco (01720) 424925 gallery @tresco.co.uk www.tresco.co.uk