Library
Tom Waters
In this recording Tom Waters is in discussion with Peter Robinson about his involvement with Mousehole Male Voice Choir. Tom includes lots of detail about the Choirs past including: directors, concerts, television appearances, notable solo accompanists, competitions and a trip to America. He recalls the early BBC ‘Smoking concerts’ (broadcast live from Mousehole), explains the Choirs close connection with Paul Church and his own appointment as Musical Director in 1987. Toms also remembers the loss of the Penlee Lifeboat, the impact of the loss on the families in Mousehole and the funerals of the lifeboatmen. (41 minutes)
Greg and Denise Williams
In the first of two recordings Greg and Denise Williams talk to Mel Mitchell about their childhood and teenage years in Paul Parish during the 1950s/60s. They describe traditional community events like Paul Feast and the annual May celebrations and social and domestic details around shopping, education and socialising. (50 minutes)
In the second recording they expand on some earlier themes and discuss the socio economic reasons for living outside the Parish after their marriage. Greg also discusses the loss of the Penlee lifeboat and the impact of the disaster on his role as Secretary of Mousehole Male Voice Choir at that time. (14 minutes)
John George
In this recording John George is talking to Mel Mitchell about his childhood in Sheffield in the 1940s / 50s . He identifies the closure of the Methodist chapel in Sheffield as the starting point for a lifelong connection with Paul church and Paul. This interview has domestic and social detail about life in Sheffield before the introduction of public sanitation and includes a description of his father’s electrical shop in Paul. John also discusses social events in Paul and the significance of the church as the centre of the community. (54 minutes)
Betty Johns
Betty Johns talks to Mel Mitchell about growing up in Newlyn (Gwavas Estate ) and her connection to Paul church. Betty’s recording discusses the practical impact of WW2 on her family unit and the wider community including the changes that followed the arrival of Belgian refugees in Newlyn. Betty includes social and domestic detail from the time around fishing and family life, local rivalries, football, teenage years, courting and fashion. (1 hour 29 minutes)
Mary Barnes
In several separate recordings Mary Barnes talks to Mel Mitchell about her life in Paul from the mid 1920s. Her first recording starts with a discussion of a photo of the ‘Baby show’ at Paul Village Fete in the 1950s which leads to a more general discussion about village life.
Throughout each recording Mary recounts personal details of her childhood and early married life in Paul. Her recordings contain lots of general social and domestic detail about the village itself. Through discussing her personal experiences Mary accounts contain information about Education, Employment, WW2, Socialising, Marriage, Housing , Hutchens House Paul, Paul Feast, Paul Brass Band and Paul Carnival!
Mary’s recording also explains when and why she moved out of Paul and briefly describes life on Gwavas estate in the early 1960s. (1 hour 21 minutes)
Neil Brockman
In the first discussion with Morvah Stubbings, Neil Brockman covers the broad history of fishing in Mousehole. He includes references to various traditional methods of finding, catching and curing fish, fishing superstitions and the significance of religion (Methodism) in Mousehole in the past. He also refers to the gradual decline of fishing in Mousehole from the 1920s and the rise of tourism there from the 1970s. (27 minutes)
In the second recording, Neil discusses the connection between the fortunes of the fishermen and the Catholic desire for Pilchards and quotes, ‘The prayer to the Pope’. He outlines his personal career in fishing, his childhood in Mousehole, becoming Cox of the Penlee Lifeboat and reflects on 30 years of Lifeboat Service. (24 minutes)
Melvia Williams
Melvia Williams talks to Pauline Sheppard about growing up in Mousehole. Melvia’s account contains details about life in Mousehole in the 1930s and 40s including the impact of WW2 on village life and the arrival of child refugees from London. (35 minutes)
Max and Sue Gibson
Max and Sue Gibson are in discussion with Mel Mitchell about their experience of moving to Paul from Derbyshire 1977 to take over the village shop ‘Central Stores’.
This recording gives an insiders view of the role and responsibilities of a village shop during the period before the arrival of Supermarkets.
(30 minutes)
Diz Stubbings
Elizabeth Stubbings recalls her childhood in Paul in discussion with Mel Mitchell. Elizabeth explains her family connection to Paul, gives details about her education in the village school and is clear about the village ‘identity’ as very separate from Mousehole. (22 minutes)
Harry Pender
Peter Robinson and Harry Pender discuss Harry’s family and his lifelong connection to Mousehole. Harry explains details of everyday life in Mousehole during the early 20th century (open sewers etc.) and the self-sufficiency of the village (lots of shops). He talks about; the family fishing business, WW2 (including references to Dunkirk and family involvement in Decoy fires), education, apprenticeship at Holman’s, National Service, setting up his business in Penzance, marriage, moving out of the village and back with his young family. His memories also include a description of repairing the children’s rock pool in Mousehole in the 1960s and he discusses his long-standing membership of Mousehole Male Voice Choir.
This recording contains some swearing (18 minutes)
Douglas Williams
In this recording Douglas Williams is talking to Diane Ayers about significant local events he covered during his career as a local journalist. Douglas explains the story behind the Torrey Canyon disaster and the loss of the Penlee lifeboat. Douglas also discusses the relationship between the Newlyn Artist colony and the locals in Newlyn. (18 minutes)
Peter Pentreath
Peter is talking with Andrew Yates about his family connection to John Pearce, one of the Mousehole men who went on a missionary expedition to Patagonia. He discusses the outline history of the journey and its outcome and reads some extracts from family letters from John Pearce. Peter also explains his family connection to Paul and visits to the village in his childhood. (40 minutes)
Nim Bawden
In this recording Nim Bawden talks with Anna Murphy about his life and work. He discusses his Apprenticeship at Peakes in Newlyn, the working conditions there and the jobs undertaken. He also mentions building a new slipway in the Harbour, National Service, specific / unusual local jobs and his eventual self-employment as a Shipwright in coves in harbours throughout Cornwall. Nim also talks about joining the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat and the Torrey Canyon disaster. (44 minutes)
Sue Snell
Sue Snell in discussion with Mel Mitchell about the May celebrations in a Paul in the 1960s. Lots of detail about how the village got involved and what actually happened.
She describes the early tradition of ‘picking’ the May Queen at a village social, maypole dancing, music and pasties! Sue also describes life on the farm, education, her family’s connection with the church and cricket club, WI, Mothers Union, bonfire night etc. (30 Minutes)
John Matthews & John George
John Matthews and John George (cousins) discuss their memories of Paul and Sheffield with Pauline Sheppard (Cath Matthews is also present). They discuss Lawerence George’s electrical business, his days building early television sets, Coronation celebrations in Sheffield, Sheffield WI and details about social and domestic life including; village characters, hare coursing, laundry, marble competitions.
(1 hour 36 minutes)
Hugh Cadman
Hugh Cadman talks to Morvah Stubbings about his arrival in a Paul in the 60s. As the only child of the newly appointed Vicar at that time Hugh’s testimony provides a unique insiders view of village life and the involvement of the church. Hugh discusses; village rivalries, details about the Old Vicarage building, and the preparations and running of the Village Garden Fête in detail. He describes the benefits and drawbacks of village life, the work at Trungle to finish the Football and Cricket Club, the role of the Cricket Club in the village and legendary Cricket Teas! Hugh also describes his fathers’ role supporting families and friends of those lost on the Penlee Lifeboat. (1 hour 15 minutes)