CHARITY BRINGS
History is set to come vividly alive in Saltash for tourists, schools and the local community with news that a Charity is in the final stages of completing the recreation of a beautiful, authentic Elizabethan garden behind its novel Tudor museum.
Trustees from the Tamar Protection Society, which has cared for the enchanting 15th Century Mary Newman’s Cottage in Culver Road since the late 1970’s, have been painstakingly busy over the last nine months bringing the historical project to life after a heritage lottery grant set the wheels in motion.
“The cottage garden is being replaced by an authentic and formal landscape that mirrors a merchant’s house,” says Sarah Page, chairperson, Tamar Protection Society (TPS). “We were having difficulty making an entrance fee of £2 cover the running costs of £3,000 a year and needed a solution that would increase visitor numbers, generate awareness and maximise opportunities to increase revenue,” she adds.
It was Sarah’s parents, founding members of the TPS, who were initially notified that the cottage which is reputedly the first home of Francis Drake’s young wife Mary Newman, was to be condemned by the council, its interior stripped and turned into a form of Housing. With backing from the TPS they intervened to rescue the Grade II listed property and the oldest intact house in Saltash (dating to 1480), so that it could be restored to its former glory for the enjoyment of visitors today.
Four decades on, Sarah and her husband John still continue the family’s interest in the project juggling their full time jobs and using every possible moment of their free time to move the lottery project onwards, matching the commitment of the ten other Trustees which make up the TPS.
“Wherever possible, we’ve used locally sourced materials and traditional building techniques. We’ve also discovered a hoard of other useful little treasures during the excavation from bricks that we’ve recycled for steps to old roots that have been used for foundations in the viewing mound,” says project manager John Page. Throughout the project, his team of volunteers has had a logistical nightmare having to traipse in seven tonnes of granite setts, two tonnes of paving slate from Millhill Quarry, five tonnes of natural walling stone from Lantoom quarry and Tamar Valley Cedar through the museum’s front door. The expertise and experience from the local branch of Travis Perkins has been instrumental in the supply of material for the garden build, and problems with access to the garden for heavy machinery have been overcome with help from neighbour William Gall.
Every Trustee has brought something valuable to the table, even if it’s been a constant flow of tea to keep the others going. John himself draws on 14 years experience as regional surveyor for the Guinness Trust, and to keep costs down has had to put in much of the groundwork and manual labour himself alongside a stalwart team of volunteers. “Nothing has been taken out of the garden – we’ve recycled plants as well as over 100 tonnes of soil, some of which has been used in the viewing mound,” he adds.
Opening up magnificent views
of the River Tamar, the Elizabethan style garden will incorporate
authenticity, practicality and aesthetics that reflect the inside of the
cottage which houses furniture and artefacts on loan from the
“The plants we’ve chosen are reflective of those used in the Tudor period when wives and mothers used herbs and flowers to great effect for medicinal and culinary purposes as well as air fresheners, hair dye and deodorants,” says Sarah. “We have also had donations of plants as well as a multitude of support from Highgrove House,” she adds.
Divided into three main
areas the structure of the garden is being created with an orchard, viewing
mound, timber arbour, herb beds, a Herb seat and Knot. A ‘
“We’re creating a beautiful, tranquil and peaceful haven that the local community can use and be proud of, which is reminiscent of what lay there before but it was in a country garden style,” says Sarah. “We hope that the historic garden will appeal to tourists as well as school children and those who want a quiet place to retreat to, and relax in, during their lunch break and at weekends,” she adds.
Previously hampered by bad weather, all the garden needs now is a fresh injection of enthusiastic, green fingered volunteers to dig deep, get gardening and do the glory work. This will ensure that all the herbs, fruit, hedging, vegetables and flowers which have been planned for the garden for so long can finally be planted. Any gardeners available during weekends in October and November can ring Kevin Procter on 07767 444816 to offer their support.
Mary Newman’s Cottage and Elizabethan garden is to be officially opened in Spring 2008, giving it time to take shape whilst the TPS develops a new programme of activities that could include wine tasting, Elizabethan musical evenings and school education days. In order to open more frequently the Charity is calling on extra volunteers to come on board for the new season.
The Cottage is currently open between May and October on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00pm – 4.00pm, and Saturday’s and Sunday’s from Midday – 4pm. For more information on the tourist attraction, or to volunteer as a steward, please contact Kevin Procter on 07767 444816.
**************************************
LOCAL ARTISTS DRAWN TO SALTASH
Two well known buildings in Saltash, the Grade II listed Mary Newman’s Cottage and “time-warp grocery shop” Elliott’s Stores, have again been chosen by local artists as venues to show their work. The exhibitions are open from 30th August to 7th September as part of the Drawn To The Valley artists 'Open Studios’ project, and entry is free of charge.
The eagerly awaited event celebrates the flourishing talents of Drawn To The Valley members, who are all professional artists, and fosters links within the local community. The artists will open their doors to the public throughout the Tamar Valley area, including the Rame Peninsula and Plymouth, and details on all participating studios can be found at www.drawntothevalley.co.uk.
The Tamar Protection Society manages both buildings in Saltash and their spokesperson Kevin Procter said: “We are delighted to be involved with the artists and the project once again. We are always looking to use the buildings for different events, and believe that they are ideal venues for exhibitions such as the Open Studios concept.
Showing at the charming Mary Newman’s Cottage will be lettering artist Celia Lister, and Melanie Guy, who works mostly in pewter. Melanie offers contemporary art and design in the form of sculptural wall panels, abstract pictures and dishes in traditional pewter material, and other work, suitable as gifts, or as home interior features. A slideshow of Melanie’s work can be seen at www.melanieguyart.com. In keeping with the age of the Cottage, Celia brings new life to the historical Italic style of writing used by Queen Elizabeth 1st but with a contemporary twist. There are daily calligraphy demonstrations and an exhibition of Celia's unique and individual work that combines the expressive qualities of text, colour and illustration with original work, prints, concertina books and cards. Examples of Celia’s work can be found on her website, www.celialister.co.uk. You can also enjoy, for a small charge, the recreated Elizabethan garden with stunning views across the River Tamar – a lovely way to enhance your visit. The Cottage will be open daily from 11.00am-5.00 pm, and from 11.00am-7.00pm on Friday 5th September.
Elliott’s Store is the venue for three artists this year. Painting in oil and mixed media, Jenny Hannaford paints the ever-changing landscape that she enjoys so much alongside a variety of subjects. In addition to original paintings Jenny produces prints and cards from her images. Fascinated by water, light and original viewpoints, Susie Shelley starts her work with photographs, and abstracts the patterns that give them emphasis and drama to produce etchings and prints, and can be seen at www.shelleyartworks.co.uk.
Helena Vallis enjoys making thrown, functional ceramic forms, as well as buttons and small decorative items, all of which are influenced by the Cornish countryside and coast.
Have a small taste of what you can see at the exhibition by clicking here.
Anyone interested in the two buildings, or holding similar events there, should contact the Tamar Protection Society at www.tamarprotectionsociety.org.uk.