Outing & Events

Visit to Teagle Machinery Limited at Blackwater - November 26th

Twenty two members went on a visit to the Teagle Machinery Limited's factory on the road to St. Agnes.  We spent a quite fascinating morning there, starting with a PowerPoint presentation, outlining the history and development of the business since its foundation by W.T.Teagle in 1944. 

We then saw how machinery components were designed on computer screens using special CAD software. We then went into the workshops to see how these computer designs were used for the cutting of steel plate into various component pieces. 

Photo by Gilbert Rimes                  

On our guided tour, we saw their agricultural machinery being progressively formed, welded,  painted and assembled. There were many sorts of agricultural machinery but also mowers that could be used for sports fields and parks. There were fertiliser spreaders, baling machines and topping machines.   A particular success has been their "Dual Chop Straw Shredder" which cuts large amounts of straw into long or short segments.   Up to 40% of their machinery is exported in containers to Australia, North America and to Poland and Byelarus in Eastern Europe . The enthusiasm of their staff was most impressive, and we particularly admired their willingness to adopt the latest computer aided design technologies in their fight for export markets.

We thank Fred Teagle for letting us go round the factory, and also Bobby Harbisher for suggesting this visit and making the initial approaches to Mr. Teagle. 

Tony Herring, 26th November

Len Skade's Third Memorial Recital  - Truro School - November 22nd

At the last of the three memorial piano recitals, arranged as a result of a bequest from Len Skade for the encouragement of young pianists, Georgina Sherriff played both piano and organ in the Chapel at Truro School in front of an audience of some 120 people.

Michael Tapp                        

Her playing was superb. She played piano pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Chopin.   Also on the chapel organ, Georgina played a selection of classic pieces by Bach, Bridge, Young, and Walton.   She introduced each of the pieces with a few words of explanation. 

Tony Herring thanked Georgina, together with her piano teacher, Jonathan Carne and her organ teacher Philip Davey for a most enjoyable evening, also the School and Paul Comeau, for their help and assistance in organising theses recitals.

         Michael Tapp, 23rd November  

Visit to The Royal Cornwall Museum - November 13th

Thirteen members went on a visit to the Royal Cornwall Museum on November 13th. We were split into two groups. Jane Marley took us round the Cornish Archaeology specimens on display in the museum, talking to us about Cornish settlements in Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Roman and Anglo-Saxon times. 

We then went back-stage. Laura Pooley showed us how the curators are repackaging thousands of specimens in white acid-free tissue paper, sealed plastic pouches and acid-free cardboard boxes, and keeping them in special temperature-controlled rooms. 

We were surprised to learn that keeping records on computers for long periods can be a problem, as computer technology is constantly changing and old computer discs have to be brought up to date using expensive new software. The Museum still has a lot of its records stored on paper. It was a fascinating morning and we are grateful to Taryn Harris for organising the trip (and the coffee!).

Tony Herring, 14th November

Minibus Trip - Japanese Garden, Padstow and Boscastle - November 8th

Some time ago, Val Le Sage suggested that we should have an outing to the Japanese Garden near Newquay. Mike Tapp agreed to take a group of us there by minibus, and afterwards take us on to Padstow and Boscastle.

On November 8th. he picked fourteen of us up in the minibus and took us to the Japanese Garden. The sun shone. Most of the acer trees there still had their brilliant  red and yellow coloured autumnal leaves and it was a remarkable sight. 

Padstow Harbour, September 2006 - "Spirit of Padstow" Naming Ceremony          

Then we went on to Padstow for lunch and a look around the harbour. Finally on to Boscastle, where the clouds began to gather and the valley looked impressive but perhaps a little sinister. We travelled home with a short stop at Trelawney's Garden Centre at Wadebridge. By then it was raining heavily, but we were able to look back on a most enjoyable day out

Tony Herring, 8th November

Minack Theatre  "The Yeomen of The Guard" - September 19th

Tony Herring, 20th September    

Truro Cathedral Visit - September 11th

South Transept Window - Duncan Tribute                         

On September 11th, Michael Swift took twenty five members around Truro Cathedral to show us the stained glass there.  Starting in St Mary's Aisle, we saw some of the earliest glass there.  He then took us round the main body of the Cathedral to show us the magnificent late Victorian glass.  He explained that when the Cathedral was built, a master plan was made.  The sequence takes us progressively through the stories of the Old Testament and the New Testament, then on to early Christian Martyrs and medieval Saints.  It culminates in the window depicting the laying of the Cathedral's foundation stone.

It was a fascinating tour round the Cathedral conducted by an immensely well-informed and dedicated expert and we all enjoyed it very much.  

Tony Herring, 15th September

Visit to Saltram House - June 26th

On June 26th, thirty nine members visited this magnificent house of Georgian design, several rooms of which have fascinating original Chinese wallpaper which tells the story of tea, from the planting of the bushes, through all stages to the tea ceremony.

There were wonderful Robert Adams room with incredibly detailed plasterwork ceilings and all the original contents of the house, including some of Joshua Reynold's paintings.

The lovely 19th century Gardens and Orangery are surrounded by huge landscaped parklands with walks to the estuary.  we all appreciated the new Park Restaurant at the stables and the Art and Crafts gallery - so much to see - and the weather stayed fair.  I do think our group are wonderful timekeepers - a real bonus on coach trips - thank you

Pat Butt, 30th June 

CUC - Tremough - August 11th

Thirty five of our members visited the Combined Universities in Cornwall campus at Tremough on August 11th. We went straight to the boardroom in the old convent building for coffee and biscuits. 

Paul Robinson, the Director of Support Services at Tremough, gave us a short talk about the University, which now has 2500 undergraduates and hopes to double that number in the next few years. They have accommodation for 800 students on the site and are about to build accommodation for another 450. He explained that Dartington College is now linked to Falmouth School of Arts, and 600 Dartington students will be coming to the Tremough campus when Dartington closes down in a couple of years' time.  

We then went to the Renewable Energy Department. We saw some of their research equipment and listened to a very interesting talk about wind turbines and wave power. There were a lot of questions, and we were in that department quite a long time. We then visited the Media Studies Department and one of the administrators described the various courses run there. Finally we went on to the Camborne School of Mines Geology Museum and admired its wonderful collection of rocks and mining artifacts.    It was a most interesting afternoon and we are grateful to the Tremough authorities for taking us round

 Tony Herring. 11th August