The Constant Times is produced with support from the Constantine Enterprises Company and Transition Constantine. Volunteers distribute free copies to households in Constantine Parish every two months, with extended summer (June/July/August) and winter (November/December /January) issues. Please let us know if you do not receive a copy, or if you would like to help with distribution.
Contact Details
Email: constant.times@gmail.com
Phone: 01326 340908
Editorial
Peter Binns
Advertising
Sue Yates
Printing
Peter Binns
Distribution
Transition Constantine
CONTACT:
D. Down
34 Fore Street
Constantine
TR11 5AB
01326 340813
The band has always taken an active part in the village and the surrounding area giving its services free to the Church and Chapel especially at Christmas. It is also very involved with the village school helping many children to learn to play. The band’s beginner and junior sections provide free instrument loan and training, as well as assistance with practical or theory grade exams. Experienced players are always welcome in the senior band.
Entertainment is provided for the elderly throughout the year and during the summer there are open air concerts on the local bandstand. A very successful carnival is supported by the whole village as well as many friends and holiday visitors from all around. Over the years Constantine’s ‘Brass on the Grass has’ become one of the most popular Brass Band events in the Cornwall.
Constantine Allotments Society has been cultivating the site in Bridge for well over 40 years. We run on organic lines, and members grow a variety of vegetables, soft fruit and flowers. We are family-friendly and children are encouraged to get involved. We are currently in the process of re-terracing all the plots thanks to a grant from the Lottery fund. At present all the plots are occupied, but we run a waiting list and anyone interested can contact the joint chairpeople, Dougal & Suzanna Jeffries, on 01326 341356.
The Women’s Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more in- volved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation’s aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK. The WI will celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has 212,000 members in around 6,600 WIs.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
President: Sylvia Dunstan 340548 Secretary: Gill Just 340434 |
Meets in Social Club, monthly, Monday afternoons.
Contact: Mrs. S. Coot, 16 Trebarvah Road, Constantine (01326) 340050
Varied and interesting programme of speakers and entertainers during the Winter; outings and coach trips organised during the Summer. Over 40 welcome.
Tracey Clowes (01326) 340279
Group recording on CD the memories of Constantine parishioners, to form an archive locally and also as part of a national scheme.
Meets in the school from 8-8.45am and 3.15-6pm
In the Pre School Building and run by Constantine Primary School.
Please book in advance through the school secretary, Christine Beswick: (01326) 340554
A great facility for children from 4 to 11 years. For short term planned or emergency supervision by trained staff. Outdoor activities are always on offer with the use of the school field, playground and adventure areas as well as fun things to do indoors. All children are welcome.
Meets at 7.15pm in the WI Hall on the 3rd Friday of every month except December. In November the AGM precedes the meeting and starts at 7pm.
Hon Secretary:
Mr Don Garman
Chyrose, Bosanath Valley, Mawnan Smith
dj.garman@virgin.net
Tel: 01326 250604
Hon Treasurer:
Mrs Melanie Richards
Ponjeravah Cottage, Constantine
Tel: 01326 340421
A Company (limited by guarantee) managing a variety of projects within Constantine Parish.
The CEC is run by a board of volunteer Directors/Trustees who meet regularly to ensure the smooth running of the company and subsidiaries.
The CEC Directors are:-
Tolmen Theatre Company ‚ Meets in Tolmen Centre, Fore St, Constantine, Thursdays 7pm.
Contact: Jon Welch, Tolvan Cross, Gweek (01326) 341045
Active and enthusiastic group, all ages welcome to come along.
Chairman: Mr. H. Bolt 01326 340306
Treasurer: Mr. D. Burke 01326 341018
Membership Secretary: Mrs. B. Willoughby 01326 340083
Winter meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the WI Hall except February which starts at 7.00pm.
The Summer Show is held on the 3rd Saturday of July in the marquee on the recreation field.
Treasurer/Booking Sec: Mrs. J. Parshall, Vicarage Terrace, Constantine (01326) 340236
Meets in W.I. Hall Wednesdays, 2pm ‚ 4.30pm.
Contact: Mr. G. Doubleday, Church Square, Constantine (01326) 340112
New Bridge playing members welcome.
Constantine Arts Society is a group of enthusiastic amateur and professional artists, which came about in 1974 when a few local people decided to paint together in the village hall.
Today, 40 years on, the Arts Society is still flourishing with over 70 members.
The Society holds an annual, very successful Summer Exhibition, which welcomes everybody to view and buy.
The Society also hosts workshops, social and leisure events.
Contact: Mr. R. Rashleigh, 30 Penbothidno, Constantine (01326) 340047
Contact: Mrs. G. Gove, Tresahor Praze, Constantine (01326) 340266
All year round. Footpath walks, locally and out-of-parish. Meet in Constantine Church Hall car park Wednesdays fortnightly at 1.30pm (winter) or 6pm (summer).
Chairman: Mr. P. Carter, Trengilly Farm, Constantine (01326) 340883
Annual Show ‚ 1stSaturday in July. A super day out at Trengilly Farm!
Many trade stands. Cattle, horses & dogs. Craft & domestic tent.
Twinned with Pont-Croix, Brittany.
Chairman: Mr. Eric Williams, 8 Comfort Wartha, Constantine (01326) 341440
Secretary: Mrs. Mary Owen, Lower Treworval, Constantine (01326) 250700
Treasurer: Mrs. Marian Saunders, Manor Mill, Constantine (01326) 341269
Committee Members: Gia Shaw, Penny McGovern, John Richards, Maggie Mackenzie, Henry Sneesby, Antonia Elleman.
Formed in 1982, the Association covers the parishes of Constantine and Gweek and is twinned with Pont ‚ Croix in Brittany. Every year, either they visit Constantine or Constantine visits them.
A newsletter called ‚ Salut! is published regularly and a lively French conversation group caters for beginner and intermediate speakers.
Contact Gia Shaw: (01326) 250769
Beavers 6 – 8 years Meet MCA Hall, Mawnan Smith, Thursday 5.10 – 6.26pm
Cub Scouts 8 – 10+ years Meet MCA Hall, Mawnan Smith, Thursday 6.30 – 8.00pm
Sea Scouts 10 – 14 years, Wednesday 6.30 – 8pm. Meet Constantine Church Hall with various venues.
Sea Scout leader: Scott Woyka, Vicarage Terrace, Constantine (07968) 332092
Helford River Scout Group Contact: Sue Rosevear (01326) 250225
Aim to help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, by taking part in a variety of activities and experiences.
Girls 10+ to 15 years. Meet in Church Hall, Fridays 7.30 – 9.00pm.
Guide Leader: Mrs R. Nicholls, Vicarage Terrace, Constantine (01326) 341320
Mobile (07533) 221782
Guider: Miss H. Downing Stithians (01209) 861647
Girls 10+ to 15 years. Meet in Church Hall, Fridays 7.30 ‚ 9.00pm.
Guide Leader: Mrs R. Nicholls, Vicarage Terrace, Constantine (01326) 341320
Mobile (07533) 221782
Guider: Miss H. Downing Stithians (01209) 861647
Girls 7 to 10 years. Meet in Church Hall, Fridays
Contact: Mrs. L. Sole, 52 Fore Street, Constantine (01326) 340722
Contact:
Mrs H Maguire 01326 373299
Musical Director:
Melanie Uren 01326 340421
Trengilly Wartha, Constantine
Practice Monday evening 7.15pm in the Church Hall. Mixed Choir, singing all styles from Tallis to Tavener, Baroque to Big Spender, available for concerts, weddings etc.
It’s been a challenging year at the Mullion & Constantine practice, with lots of changes and new ways of working. It’s also been inspiring to see people helping each other to overcome the difficulties of the pandemic.
Dr David Roberts
It’s been a challenging year at the Mullion & Constantine practice, with lots of changes and new ways of working. It’s also been inspiring to see people helping each other to overcome the difficulties of the pandemic.
At the surgery we have seen people keen to help with deliveries of medicines to people who are isolating. We have also benefited from the help of the “Friends of Constantine Surgery” charity, who have purchased the “COVID cabin” which helps us to see patients while minimising the risk of infection to the staff or other patients. We are gradually starting to open the surgery again bit by bit.
This is possible as more and more of the vulnerable patient groups are vaccinated and pro- tected against the COVID virus. In the coming months we hope that we will be able to open the premises more fully, but this will be a gradual process.
Meanwhile, the practice is doing well with the COVID vaccine rollout with about 97% of people in the top four patient risk groups having been vaccinated with their first dose, and about 50% of people in all the patient risk groups having been vaccinated with their first dose (at the time of writing).
As a practice, we would like to thank you all for continuing to work with us, and our special thanks to the Friends of Constantine Surgery who are continuing to support us with improving the Surgery to cope with COVID.
Dr David Roberts
The last year…
What a year we have all had! With the temporary closure of the Pre-School last year in lockdown #1 and reduced opening hours from January, Kate and the team have tirelessly offered support to our children and families throughout this time. They provided story-time recordings, toy library deliveries, useful links for activities and support and arranged one-to-one visits. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated, passionate team who care deeply about their roles and the children.
The last year…
What a year we have all had! With the temporary closure of the Pre-School last year in lockdown #1 and reduced opening hours from January, Kate and the team have tirelessly offered support to our children and families throughout this time. They provided story-time recordings, toy library deliveries, useful links for activities and support and arranged one-to-one visits. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated, passionate team who care deeply about their roles and the children.
What’s going on…
With hope of the times ahead, the team excitedly welcomed back all children on 8th March, along with some new starters who we hope will settle in well in the coming weeks.
This half term the children are investigating the signs of Spring and the new beginnings it brings. They will be planting up the Pre-School garden and vegetable patch and using their role play market stall to sell their produce to their peers!
The team and children are excited to be returning to the woods, for weekly Forest School sessions from the end of March, which we find are invaluable to children’s development and emotional wellbeing (and they’re just super fun!).
We need your help!
Like many charities the impact of the numerous national lockdowns has greatly affected the financial support for our little Pre-School. Our kit that is used for our weekly Forest School sessions is becoming very tired and desperately needs replacing. If you are able to support our cause, we would hugely appreciate any donations through our Gofundme page (gofund.me/ ed7aaa34).
We are incredibly grateful for donations received so far this year and would like to share our appreciation to OTS (running the Bus services through Constantine to Falmouth and Helston) who very kindly made a generous contribution earlier in the year.
Whatever you can spare will make a big difference and will allow the children to continue to fully immerse themselves in the wonderful world on their doorsteps.
If you would like to get in touch to know more about the Pre-School, please contact committee@constantine-preschool.co.uk.
Transition Constantine Update
Chris Hussey
The Church Hall is owned by the Diocese of Truro, along with the car park, the fields below, and the Glebe Garden. Now that the Church has given up its lease on the Church Hall, the Diocese is considering what should happen to it.
Transition Constantine Update
Chris Hussey
The Church Hall is owned by the Diocese of Truro, along with the car park, the fields below, and the Glebe Garden. Now that the Church has given up its lease on the Church Hall, the Diocese is considering what should happen to it.
In mid-March the Parish Council received copies of documents sent to Cornwall Council planning department that form a ‘pre-application’ submission. In other words, the Diocese will be seeking planning permission to re-develop the Church Hall as residential property, and has submitted an outline of the proposal to prompt comment from the planners. There are various options presented, showing the Hall being converted into one, two, or three residences. All involve the current walled car park being taken into the exterior space of the residence(s), with the further car park by the green being extended into the field below.
Early in 2020 the Parish Council suc- cessfully nominated the Church Hall as an ‘Asset of Community Value’. The consequence of this is that should the Diocese put the Church Hall up for sale, there is a requirement for the sale to be delayed by six months if there is community interest in buying the Hall. There is no preferential treatment – the required delay is simply to allow a community group to raise funds. They would then compete in an open market with others interested in the property.
At the time of writing it is unclear what the Diocese’s intentions are. It is possible, but perhaps unlikely, that it will retain ownership of the Hall. Should planning permission be granted, there seem three possibilities. The Diocese could:
Transition Constantine Update
Caitlin DeSilvey
Thanks to the support and patience of the CEC board, we now have agreement on a final version of the lease that will allow for community stewardship of the Glebe Woodland.
Transition Constantine Update
Caitlin DeSilvey
Thanks to the support and patience of the CEC board, we now have agreement on a final version of the lease that will allow for community stewardship of the Glebe Woodland. Our hoped for start date has been delayed slightly as we wait for South West Water to finish their work expanding the holding capacity of the pumping station at the entrance to the woods. The understanding is that once the work is completed the area will be restored to something like the condition it was in prior to the works starting, so it will likely be May or perhaps later before we can take up the lease (and begin our own works).
In February we sent a call-out to people who had pledged support over the last year to cover the necessary set-up expenses, insurance and annual lease payment, approximately £600. We’ve now raised about half of what is needed, and will be doing another appeal once we have the lease start date confirmed. If you would like to be included in updates, or offer a donation, please email me at c.desilvey@gmail.com.