‘AJ ordered 2 pairs of trousers’

‘Heard cuckoo first time’

‘War ended’

These snippets from early 1900 diaries, kept by Tamar Valley market gardener Joe Snell, has inspired a month-long initiative – Diarykeepers –  to gather information on the daily lives of Tamar Valley residents today.

If you live in the Tamar Valley, we invite you to become a part of local history by keeping a short diary each day throughout June: we hope this will give a snapshot in time of what it is like to live in the Tamar Valley today. Everyone can take part, and you only need to write up to two sentences each day.

Organiser, Anne-Marie Culhane, who is working on behalf of the Cordiale Project (selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme called INTERREG IVA France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund), says:

“The handwritten diaries of Joseph Snell, spanning 24 years from 1914, give a fascinating, personal and often poetic account of the comings and goings of Valley life, including everyday incidents, the marking of the changing seasons and his work, leisure and social life. It would be wonderful to gather the essence of Tamar Valley life as it is today, through Diarykeepers. Your personal history could be as fascinating to future generations as Joe’s is to ours.”

You can write about any part of your life – what is happening in the landscape, your garden, school, work, local events, the world, your dreams, fears or hopes; whatever feels important. You can combine the very personal (in your back garden) with what you hear about happening the other side of the world. For Twitter, the limit of 140 characters per tweet is a useful guideline.  Don’t worry if you miss a day, just think back to what single event or thought stood out that day.

If you would like to take part, you can register by email, text or Twitter with your name and where you live, or pick up a free Diarykeepers diary from local pubs, post offices or shops (listed on www.tamarvalley.org.uk/projects/cordiale/) or the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls. Alternatively, email or call with you name and address, and we will send you your diary.

You can send in your entries daily by Twitter, email or text or at the end of the month by email or post.  You can also drop your Diary in at the Tamar Valley Centre or back at one of the local pick-up points. We need to receive your diary by Monday 9 July 2012.

You and your family will then be invited to an evening of performance created from the Diaries with refreshments in September 2012 (venue tbc) and all Diarykeepers will be acknowledged collectively.

Contacts:

Tel/Text: 07849 073394 (Anne-Marie Culhane, Diarykeepers Organiser for Cordiale Project)

Email: diarykeepers@tamarvalley.org.uk

Twitter: @diarykeepers

Website: www.tamarvalley.org.uk/projects/cordiale/

The 1.8km walking route will be opened by Sir Richard Carew Pole, from Antony House, at 10am on 2nd June. All are welcome to come along and walk the Trail. Experts will be on hand during the walk, to discuss the history of the site and point out the bird life that can be spotted along the River Lynher. The walk will finish at The Ring O’Bells pub in Antony for coffee & cake.

Rosemary Teverson, Tamar Valley AONB, explains; “The new Trail is still a work in progress, and we will continue to improve the surface of this rural path over the next 12 months; the work doesn’t stop here! One more work day has been scheduled to finish & tidy the Trail in time for the opening, so if you can spare any time, we would love to see you on Sunday 27th May, 11am – 4pm”.

Visitors to the site can also look forward to joining in with events and activities along the Trail and on the quay in the future.

Wacker Quay is one of the few places within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where people can enjoy stunning views and free public access to the River Lynher. The quay was first established in the mid 19th century as an agricultural dock complete with lime kiln. In 1886, the site changed completely when a military railway was constructed. You can find out more about the history of the site in the current issue of The Valley newsletter, available at no charge from local outlets, visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk for an online version, or visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk/explore/wacker-quay/

John Page, Chair of the Tamar Community Trust, says; “I am delighted to have been involved with such an enthusiastic group of people who have turned a great idea into reality, and look forward to years of active partnership on this idyllic site”.

John continues, “I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has devoted so much of their time, working in all weathers, to make this much-needed recreational resource happen. Thanks also to the MoD and the Antony Estate who have been most helpful in providing a license for the Tamar Community Trust to take over the land, the Ring O’Bells pub for sustaining our volunteers and Natural England’s Higher Level Scheme (HLS) that provided most of the funding”.

For the opening of the Trail, please meet at Wacker Quay car park (clearly signposted from the main A374 road from Torpoint to Trerulefoot, 2 miles west of Antony village) at 10am on Saturday 2nd June. Please wear suitable footwear for muddy conditions.

For further information, please contact Dave Readman, Walks Coordinator for the Tamar Valley AONB, tel: 07792 483669 or email walkscoordinator@tamarvalley.org.uk.

This exciting four piece band has played a major part in the revival of Cornish traditional music.

Tickets £7 in advance £8 on the door.

Doors open 7.00pm. Start time 8.00pm

Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2012-06-30

Paper Aeroplanes have supported Ron Sexsmith, Ed Sheeran and Chris Wood and have played in a live session with Bob Harris.

“Intimate, jaunty and confident lo-key pop with great melody.” The Guardian.

Tickets £10 in advance £12 on the door

Doors open 7.00pm. Start time 8.00pm

Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2012-06-02