and on the same day
Ruby May Victoria and William Michael John Duncan were baptised at the 11.0 a.m. Service at St. Keverne.
Joel Allen was baptised during the 9.30 a.m. Service at St. Peter`s Church on 29th August.
We are delighted to welcome Grace, Ruby and William, and Joel into the church family.
Michael Smalley and Emily Grant were married at St. Peter`s Church on 7th August.
We wish every happiness to Michael and Emily in their life together
Jim Cox died in Treliske Hospital on 26th June aged 82. He was born in Carnsullan Bungalow and attended Coverack School before going to work on the land, for Mrs.Wales. A mischievous child, he spent a lot of time in the garden at home and had fond memories of rabbiting with his father and helping Mr. Cazely Chapel with the milk round. His National Service took him to the Holy Land, Palestine and Cyprus and, some time after his return, he married his childhood sweetheart in 1950. Jim and Betty had first met at Coverack School when they were aged 10 and 7/8 years respectively - he was Betty's only boyfriend. The couple lived with Betty's parents in Hill Crest with Jim working as the gardener for the Headland Hotel, where he grew vegetables, maintained the tennis courts and watched over the tadpoles and goldfish in the ponds. There was also again work with Mrs.Wales, picking violets with Betty and the children and along the way Jim learned to make willow baskets - a skill which he taught to others. He was also adept at making animal enclosures, from driftwood, for the many pets which the family acquired. He owned a bullnose Morris which he used to start with the handle and which was used to run a "taxi" service to St. Keverne dances for the family.
Much of Jim's working life was spent driving big dumper trucks for the quarry, sometimes with a 5 a.m. start to catch the tide for the ships transporting the stone. He took early retirement so that others with families would not be made redundant. For many years he was the commander of the cliff rescue breeches buoy and was fond of telling of the time T.V's Magpie programme came to film the breeches buoy in operation, but actually faked it all so that it was nowhere near the sea and the presenters were safe on dry land! However, above and beyond all this, Jim regarded his Christian faith as the main part of his life and it was his trust in God which helped him deal with the difficult last year of his life following Betty's death. It was also the reason he made sure that, only days before he passed away, he was in church to read the lesson and take Communion.
His Christian faith was also reflected in Jim's character - much loved, lovable, infinitely kind; one who could be somewhat stubborn at times, but a firm, fair and truly loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jim has left so many wonderful memories behind him; memories of love and joy.
His funeral was at St. Peter`s Church on 6th July where he was buried alongside his dear wife.
'Dilly' Gear was aged 91 when she died on 15th July at Parc Vro Residential Home. Born at Tregarne, she was the youngest of 9 children. Following an early family move to Trewothack Farm, Dilly attended Manaccan school, walking each way every day for 7 years without missing a single attendance! Helston Grammar School followed, where she excelled at hockey, and during the war she became a Red Cross nurse at Falmouth Hospital, along with her sister Ann. Dilly greatly enjoyed helping on the farm, which included using shire horses; she was also a very able horsewoman, sometimes going hunting with her brother. Dilly met her husband Frank at a dance when he came to design the aerodrome at Predannack and they were married in St. Anthony Church. She once counted up the different ways she had travelled to St. Anthony to attend church there and these included riding a horse, rowing a boat, riding a bike, walking, driving a car and even swimming! Frank and Dilly were blessed with 2 daughters, Liz and Frances, who were born in Southampton during Frank's time there as a quantity surveyor. However, the family moved back to Cornwall in 1958 where they bought Roscrowgey Farm.
A much travelled lady, Dilly had done the "Grand Tour" of Europe before the war with her sisters Ann and Mary. Latterly she went cruising, also with Ann and Mary, or sailing with Frank and friends to the Greek Islands, Turkey and Yugoslavia. There are stories of trouble with Russian Security when Ann took photos of Lenin's Tomb and their camera and film were confiscated!
Dilly loved life and will be remembered as a very caring person. During her life she cared for her father at Roscrowgey until his death; Later she also looked after Frank's sister Doris for many years at Carnoweth in Coverack and, along with Frances, cared for Frank during his illness before he died in 2001. Dilly had the gift of putting people at their ease. Her door was always open. She was sociable and friendly and loved meeting people. She loved her family life and adored her brothers and sisters. Latterly she found great joy in looking after her grandchildren and there are many memories of days on the beach or harbour. Dilly's final years were spent in Parc Vro Residential Home where she received the very best in loving care and attention; prior to her stay there her eldest sister Kathleen had helped a great deal at a time when Dilly was very vulnerable.
Dilly's funeral was held at St. Anthony Church on 21st July and was followed by committal and cremation at Penmount
Brian Peters. Brian died most unexpectedly at home on 17th July. Described by Dilly Tutton, who gave the eulogy at his funeral, as "one of the true P'ralla people" Brian was born there in 1939, the eldest of 3 boys. Early in life he developed a great love of the sea which he shared with his brother Michael. The two of them would disappear for hours on end, to the extent that they once caused a panic stricken search on the beach by the whole village, until they were spotted "rowing home" in their small boat using pulled up floor boards as oars!
Brian began his working life at Manaccan Garage, cycling from P'ralla every day, but his love of the sea led him to the Merchant Navy Training School at Sharpness, at 16, where he became one of the "Vindie Boys'. He worked on the Queen Mary, something of which he was very proud and about which he was always willing to talk! Other jobs included a tanker and cargo boats; he also served on the last ship to pass through Suez before the crisis in the mid '50's. Following his time "on the high seas" Brian joined the R.A.F. in his twenties for three to four years, gaining a medal for active service in Cyprus which he always wore on each Armistice Day anniversary.
Brian and Di were married in 1963 and left Cornwall for her county of Leicestershire. There his work involved travelling across the country erecting pylons; later he joined the Alfred Herbert engineering works. During this time, Geoffrey and Helen were born and his firm started a factory in Falmouth. Brian gained a transfer and so the family returned to Cornwall. Later, Brian worked with Nibbs at Port Navas as a machinist and together he and Michael built a skiff which they sold to Hayle Rowing Club.
Brian was very proud of Geoffrey and Helen who, like their dad, enjoyed sports. Helen in particular excelled at running and Brian was delighted when she competed at County level. He adored his grandchildren and they in turn thought the world of Granddad. His other great interest, which Geoffrey shared, was boxing - taking youngsters far and wide (even over the Tamar!) Many will remember Brian organising a Boxing Tournament in the parish room for the Cambourne and Redruth. Boxing Club. This proved a great success-and fuelled his interest in fund-raising. He was always willing to 'lend a hand' however he will be remembered most particularly for his contribution in helping with the village tree and lights. at Christmas.
In later life Brian developed an interest in gardening and growing things. Indeed his vegetables, entered by Di in this year's local horticultural shows, gained several 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes at both St. Keverne and Coverack and included, at Coverack, the cup for the Novice with Most Points in Show. Achievements which would have made Brian very proud indeed.
Perhaps Di's description of Brian as a "lovable rogue" best sums him up and it may well be the way in which many in the village will remember him. Certainly, with a twinkle in his eye and a quip on his lips he was always "young at heart". Brian's funeral on 29th July at St. Keverne Church was followed by cremation at Penmount.
The Editorial Team would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jim, Dilly and Brian; please be assured that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
St. Keverne Churchyard ©D.J.S.
