A new online resource bringing local news to St Agnes Parish.

Following in the footsteps of sadly discontinued The Bolster, its aim is to serve the community with updates from around the parish.

If you'd like to contribute any local news or announcements (be that a sports club, community group, or personal story), please get in touch.

St Agnes Parish News

Parish News – June – July 2024

4th Jun 2024

Written by: Ben Jackson

A (slightly) new layout!

Hello everyone, please be patient with us whilst we trial a new layout after listening to reader feedback. We now understand that not everyone will want to trawl through posters and articles to find out event dates for things happening around the parish… so this section will now feature a lot closer to the top.

As always, this newsletter thrives on user submissions, so if you have anything you wish to be submitted please send it to [email protected] by the 18th of the month for it to feature in next months newsletter (always released on the 1st).

Article submission guidelines

Who may contribute?

Everyone and anyone! Including any societies, groups, clubs, activities, events, communal / community buildings, local businesses holding events, sports clubs / teams or local charities. This list is not exhaustive. Artists, photographers and other creative people may provide articles, but note direct advertising will not be accepted.

The following provide an overview of what and how articles may be submitted:

Articles should be with the Parish Council by the 18^th of each month for the following month’s publication. Send articles to [email protected].
The author or a clear point of contact with whom the Parish Council can discuss submissions must be included. If not provided and there is a concern with what has been offered, the article may not be published.
Do provide a title in the email and make it clear who, what, where and when the event(s) took place (or will do). Occasionally a why might be needed.
Any narrative can be included either as part of the body of an email or as a stand-alone document attached to an email.
Pictures should be attached to the same email in .jpeg format and posters as a .png. Other documents may be submitted as a .pdf.
Any narrative should be succinct and no longer than a few short paragraphs. If the submission is unduly long it can be submitted as a series of articles across two or three editions. (If so, the Parish Council will liaise with the author).
Do use a separate email for each individual submission, particularly if a regular contributor.
The Parish Council has a volunteer ‘Roving Reporter’ who can be requested to cover special events, if available. Details can be provided by the Parish Council offices.
Sometimes, the submission of only a poster as an attachment will suffice.
If you have an event for the calendar (when finalised and included in the e-Newsletter), please make sure it has location, time and date, with a brief description of what the event is.
The Parish Council reserves the right to edit all submissions or not publish if deliberate, gratuitous advertising.

Remember, an article should be:

Short, succinct, with pictures and/or posters to catch the eye of the reader.

St Agnes Parish Council news

Notice of vacancy in office of Councillor

Pursuant to Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that due to the resignation of Lauren Porter, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the above Parish Council.

For more information, please click here.

Notice of Election – St Agnes Ward

An election is to be held for ONE Councillor. If the election is contested, the poll will take place on Thursday 13th June 2024.

Nomination papers can be obtained from either the Parish Council Clerk, or from the Deputy Returning Officer at Cornwall Council.

For more information, please click here.

St Agnes Parish Council meetings

Previous meetings:

Annual Council meeting (07/05/24)

Minutes
Agenda

Planning (20/05/24)

Minutes
Agenda

Future meetings:

Full council (03/06/24)
Environment and property (10/06/24)
Planning (17/06/24)

Community Calendar

2nd June, 12pm -3pm
Porthtowan Village Hall
Community Event- Eden Big Lunch. Everyone welcome to this village event to meet your neighbours, make new friends, join in family activities, hang out and enjoy a burger or hot dog or bring your own “bring and share” lunch. Teas, coffees, cakes, bar open – fundraising for the Village Hall and Play Park, two excellent community facilities.

8th June, 7pm
Porthtowan Village Hall
Pure Love Frequency Concert.

15th June 2024, 10am-4pm
Porthtowan Village Hall
Summer Bazaar. 30 stalls selling hand-made and artisan items. Plus refreshments and entertainment.

18th June
St Agnes W.I
Surfers Against Sewage talk

22nd June, 10am – 12pm
Mount Hawke Methodist Church
Summer Supermarket at Mount Hawke Methodist Church, donations welcome

22nd June
Blackwater
Vintage vehicle show.

13th July
St Agnes Academy
St Agnes Summer show.

13th July, 12pm – 3pm
Blackwater
Blackwater Village Fete.

27th July
Porthtowan Village Hall
Take Flight summer show “Hits from the Musicals.”

Photos from the Parish

Some amazing photos of a vixen and her cubs snapped in the parish by Rebecca Williams.

See more of her work here.

Liam Alford captured this great shot of the northern lights behind Wheal Coates.

You can see more of his work here.

News from St Agnes

St Agnes Women’s Institute

At our May meeting we had a talk from Tina, the owner of Cornish Lavender at Carnbargus on the edge of the parish. We heard about how she set up the fields and how the lavender farm has developed. Members were given oils to smell from different varieties and explained their uses. She also brought us some home made lavender biscuits to eat with our tea.

Our next meeting is in Tuesday 18th June, where we will hear from the locally based environmental campaign charity Surfers Against Sewage.

St Agnes Summer Show

The weather is improving, so it seems appropriate to think about the Summer Show next month. The show will be held at St Agnes Academy on Saturday 13^th July.

Full schedules, including flower classes, rules, and entry forms should be available by the end of June, in both veg shops and newsagents in St Agnes village.

The more people who enter, the better the show will be.

Below are the produce and craft schedules, for those who would like to have a go:

Produce

White loaf (made by hand)
Three cheese straws
Three sausage rolls
Three plain scones
Three pieces of tray bake
Three pieces of flapjack
Victoria sponge (max 8” with jam filling and top dusted with caster sugar)
Treacle tart (max 8”)
An entry of your choice, but must include dried fruit (give the recipe)
Lemon drizzle cake (your own recipe)
Cherry snowball biscuits (recipe will be provided in schedule)
Cornish black cake (recipe will be provided in schedule)
One jar of jam
One jar of marmalade
One jar of jelly
One jar of fruit curd
One jar of chutney (label to state hot or mild)
Four eggs to be displayed on a plate
One bottle homemade wine labelled with flavour
One bottle flavoured gin or other spirit labelled with flavour
One bottle of beer/ale/stout/lager/ labelled with type (kit or grain brewed)

Handicraft

A hand-embroidered greeting card – maximum size 180mm x 127mm (must state if kit used)
A hand crafted greeting card – maximum size 180mm x 127mm
An item of woodwork
An item made from recycled materials (please state original use)
An original hand-embroidered item (to include design notes and inspiration)
An item made of glass
An item made of air dried clay
A felt Christmas Tree decoration
A book mark – any medium
A knitted child’s cardigan
A knitted accessory (hat, scarf, pair of gloves etc)
An item of jewellery – any medium
A crochet garment
A crochet item other than clothing
A head band/ fascinator
A Scarecrow (family or group entry to be exhibited outside)
Any other item not included above

Handicraft

Black and white
Planes, trains and automobiles
Sea and sky
Nature’s perfection
Photo of St Agnes for a time capsule

Art

A hand painted greeting card – maximum size 180mm x 127mm
Oil or Acrylic – maximum size 400mm x 460mm overall (including any mount/frame)
Water colour – maximum size 400mm x 460mm overall (including any mount/frame)
Pastel or drawing- maximum size 400mm x 460mm overall (including any mount/frame)
Mixed media/collage- maximum size 400mm x 460mm overall (including any mount/frame)

Short Mat Bowls at the Scout Hut

Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30pm – 4:30pm and Wednesdays 6:30pm – 9:30pm. Please contact Fran Appleton on 01872552773 or 07854615613 for more information.

Walking Netball

News from Mount Hawke

Mount Hawke Millennium Green works

Great work again by Rowland and Mark, extending our raised bed for use by the local Beaver group and youth club.

A big thanks to Chris, James and Paul came to the rescue to remove our old equipment before it started to become a danger to children playing. This piece of equipment has been enjoyed by many children, ever since the playpark was first installed, all those years ago!

Keep your eyes peeled for the new equipment that is being planned to replace it! If you have any suggestions for what you think should be put in its place, please email [email protected] and have a chat with us.

Summer fundraiser for new football pitch

Our wonderful village is home to a cherished treasure – our Millennium Green, where the heart of our community beats strong and where lies our beloved football pitch, a haven for young and old alike to come together, kick up some grass, and enjoy the beautiful game.

However, like any well-loved treasure, our football pitch needs a little TLC.

To read more about this fundraiser, please click here.

Mount Hawke Methodist Church

Mount Hawke TRA

News from Blackwater and Wheal Rose

Blackwater Vintage Vehicle show

Blackwater village fete

News from Porthtowan

Another Blue Flag for Porthtowan!

Dear All,

Porthtowan has yet again received the Blue Flag for the 2024 Bathing Season!

Thanks to Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club, Porthtowan Dunes Community Group and St Agnes Marine Conservation Group for their work throughout the year which supports the flag application and to Cornwall Council for their sponsorship.

Niki Willows, Chairwoman of Porthtowan Beach Association

Mermaid basket

The mermaid basket is ready to receive old nets and rope that will be recycled and turned into new produucts!

Niki’s print making sessions

A roomful of creativity at Blue Bar in May. Seven beautiful linocuts cut, rolled and printed by hand over the course of the day. We began with a look at vinyl v traditional lino and tried out all of the woodcut tools to see what shapes they make. The group then created a design and transferred it to the lino to cut. A quick lunch break overlooking the beach with some great food from Blue, then back to printing.

These are short daytime sessions at Blue which fit in with school hours. The next one is in July, then September. I am running a more complicated Saturday Reduction Linocut course on June 8th at Upcycle Kernow.

All tickets are here – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nikiwillowsprints

Or message me on social media at Niki Willows Prints on Instagram and Facebook.

Take Flight Dance Studio hosting auditions for “Hits from the Musicals”

Take Flight summer show “Hits from the Musicals” will take place Saturday 27th July at Porthtowan Village Hall.

It isn’t too late to sign up! Rehearsals start this week!

Please contact [email protected] for more information!

The Big Lunch at Porthtowan Village Hall

Summer Bazaar at Porthtowan Village Hall

Pure Love Frequency at Porthtowan Village Hall

News from Mithian

Mithian Duck Race

Massive thanks to everyone who came and supported the Duck Race today and made it a great couple of hours. Excellent turnout and lots of children having fun.

The rustic river race course made for plenty of thrills and spills.

A grand total of £344 raised from three races and some pasties!

Market in Mithian’s Village Hall

The Village Association will be holding Mithian Market in the Village Hall on the second Saturday of each month, starting on this coming Saturday, between 10:00am and 12:00noon. There will be free teas and coffees, local crafts, local produce and cakes etc.

Why not call in for a coffee and chat and see what’s on offer!

Library News – June 2024

Local Author Clive Benney at St Agnes Library

Local Author and Historian Clive Benney sold signed copies of his new book “Ken Young’s St Agnes” along with all copies of his many previous titles at the library on Saturday 11^th May. The event was part of May’s Local and Community History Month and a display of Cornish history books (including many of Clive’s!) were available for borrowing.

South West Water

A representative from South West Water visits St Agnes Library on one day each month from 10am until 12 noon. Please pop in and speak to them about how you can save water and save money on your water bill. The next date will be Monday 10^th June as part of “The Great Big Green Week”.

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

The Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday 6^th July and the theme this year is “Marvellous Makers” as we celebrate creativity. Library Assistant Claire will be visiting our 4 area schools – St Agnes, Mithian, Mount Hawke and Blackwater to promote the Challenge and how to get involved.

Join us in St Agnes Carnival!

We’ll be entering St Agnes Carnival with St Agnes Parish Council on Saturday 3^rd August and we’d love you to join us. Our entry will be called “Marvellous Makers” this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme and you can dress up as anything related to creativity and the arts. You will need to provide your own costume, but you can be as creative as you like. Please ensure you wear comfortable footwear as we will be a walking entry. Join us in the carnival assembly field on Goonvrea road by 4.30pm for judging, the parade itself sets off at 5pm and finishes at the Sports Club, Enys Park, at the other end of St Agnes. If you would like more information, please pop into the library and speak to Library Assistant Rachel on Monday or Wednesday afternoons or Saturday mornings.

Temporary Reduction in Library Opening Hours

Please note the revised temporary opening hours which took effect from Monday 18^th March 2024 and are operational until further notice. The changes include closure of 1 hour on Monday lunchtimes (12:30-13:30) and an earlier closing time on Fridays (5pm).

Children’s Jigsaws wanted!

St Agnes Library runs a jigsaw lending scheme. Library members can borrow jigsaws free of charge for 3 weeks. Simply pop in and choose a jigsaw from our current catalogue, we have jigsaws for both adults and children.

We are delighted with how popular the scheme has been, therefore a polite reminder to anyone who has borrowed one, to please return it after 3 weeks, so that it may be borrowed by someone else.

We are also still accepting donations of good quality junior/children’s boxed jigsaws to expand our collection. Please bring donations to St Agnes library, during opening hours. Thank you!