We had been gearing up for the centre quiz night for ages, debating who was maybe more clever than they looked, making suggestions as to who would win.
I think most people found the questions extremely difficult, well thats what they said anyway!
No questions on music, but a rather difficult ' Cornish' round even for a native Cornish lass such as myself.
The night managed to raise over £500.00 for the centre which was fantastic news and is set to become an annual event here at the centre along with the possibility of a Bingo Night!
Friday, 15 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Hoe-down show down makes money for us!
On Saturday 2nd October the St Austell and district branch of Soroptimists, held a barn dance with proceeds very kindly coming to the Merlin Project.
The lovely lady who organised it all Judith Skinner came into the centre today to drop in a donation for us. £329.00 was made on the night!
It sounds like everyone had a really wonderful evening with attendees who said they just wanted to spectate not partake finding it irresistible to not join in.
I am hoping that they hold the dance again next year...I quite fancy getting my cowgirl gladrags on and dancing the night away to a good ol fashioned hoe-down
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
The lovely lady who organised it all Judith Skinner came into the centre today to drop in a donation for us. £329.00 was made on the night!
It sounds like everyone had a really wonderful evening with attendees who said they just wanted to spectate not partake finding it irresistible to not join in.
I am hoping that they hold the dance again next year...I quite fancy getting my cowgirl gladrags on and dancing the night away to a good ol fashioned hoe-down
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Here and Now Magazine-charity of the month
The Merlin Project are being featured as Here and Now Magazine's Charity of the month in its latest issue.
A few weeks ago Tania, a reporter from Here and Now came to have a look around the centre and meet with Loraine Long, the centre manager.
Read the full story on page 26 of this months issue.....
A few weeks ago Tania, a reporter from Here and Now came to have a look around the centre and meet with Loraine Long, the centre manager.
Read the full story on page 26 of this months issue.....
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Reflection by Sally-Jane Coode
Looking back over the past three weeks the overall feeling is of a fantastic experience, and enjoyed in the company of Bryan. Our friends all the way round the county made our journey possible, and it could not have been accomplished without their kindness and hospitality. The generosity of strangers too was humbling, as they filled Bryan’s Merlin collecting tin. Several parts of the Cornish coast were not familiar to us, and seeing it all in wonderful sunshine was a real privilege, and made us very grateful that we lived in such a beautiful place. There were a few times when one more set of steps seemed insurmountable, but they were rare, and there was never any doubt that we would complete the journey. From the start we aimed to raise £10K for the Merlin Project, and it is looking as though we will exceed this figure – so a big thank you to all who helped contribute to a really worthwhile cause and for making the whole experience a truly memorable one.
Bryan Coode Reflection Time
After writing the first few blogs, Sally-Jane took over, so any personal comments over such things as ‘jelly legs’ expressed in the first person should not necessarily be attributed to us both!
Several of the clergy in the Grampound cluster of parishes were kind enough to promise to pray for good weather during our walk. It was a magnificent achievement to achieve only two hours of rain in 20 days, but at first disappointing that the 21st and last day was so awful. However, on reflection it served to highlight how privileged we had been and a reminder to remain grateful. One reflection in the abundant time available was what it might have been like for other travellers such as pilgrims, as in Pilgrims Progress. My collecting box became heavier in proportion to our success in filling it; it may be analogous to success and material growth bringing with it a kind of burden of responsibility and anxiety. Walking for so long was therapeutic in a way because of being removed from the clutter of daily life. Also to maintain application of covering miles, it was helpful to not to think about walking too long – or perhaps not to think at all! This seemed to lead to mental atrophy which could prove to be either a permanent condition or alternatively perhaps a new invigoration. Time will tell! It was memorable and beautiful, but there were times when it seemed like ‘another boring day in paradise!’ Sally-Jane deserves particular praise for her doggedness and character in doing so well.
A marathon every other day and climbing the height of Everest was how many people described the coastal walk. Also probably 90% of our steps had to be carefully placed. We have a huge sense of personal relief that injury did not prevent us from completing the course, but more importantly gratitude at being able to contribute to the much needed funds for the Merlin Project.
March For Merlin Day Twenty-One
Day 21 28 September Freathy to Cremyll
Had a very comfortable night and a delicious breakfast after which Mary dropped us back at Freathy. The drizzle started as we left Antony so decided to put on our waterproofs. As we approached Rame Head the visibility dropped to about 50 yards and we couldn't even see the sea below us - and the rain, not forecast until tomorrow, started to fall in earnest. We were sosaked and felt that if the rest of the walk had been like this we were much less likely to have got this far. It was miserable. We certainly saw no fellow walkers!
We reached Cawsand, a very attractive village, after a couple of hours where Simon and Sarah Young met us. Simon walked on with us through Mount Edgcombe, a lovely mostly flat walk through the woods, with the rain easing off and the visibility improving as we went. Finally we reached our goal - the Cremyll Ferry. It felt strangely flat. Sarah had driven round to meet us with a delicious picnic which we ate, trying to dry off a bit, in the car as we drove to the Ruckers near Altarnun, where we had left our car twenty one days earlier.
The A30 was blocked by a crashed car - our hearts sank - but it happened only a few cars in front of us and the police had not had time to close the road. Got home to a terrific welcome from our dogs and a lovely bundle of goodies from the team at Merlin - flowers, wine and Radox for the bath which was put to instant use! It was good to be home, having achieved our dual aims - collecting much needed money for Merlin and walking the Cornish coastal path.
Had a very comfortable night and a delicious breakfast after which Mary dropped us back at Freathy. The drizzle started as we left Antony so decided to put on our waterproofs. As we approached Rame Head the visibility dropped to about 50 yards and we couldn't even see the sea below us - and the rain, not forecast until tomorrow, started to fall in earnest. We were sosaked and felt that if the rest of the walk had been like this we were much less likely to have got this far. It was miserable. We certainly saw no fellow walkers!
We reached Cawsand, a very attractive village, after a couple of hours where Simon and Sarah Young met us. Simon walked on with us through Mount Edgcombe, a lovely mostly flat walk through the woods, with the rain easing off and the visibility improving as we went. Finally we reached our goal - the Cremyll Ferry. It felt strangely flat. Sarah had driven round to meet us with a delicious picnic which we ate, trying to dry off a bit, in the car as we drove to the Ruckers near Altarnun, where we had left our car twenty one days earlier.
The A30 was blocked by a crashed car - our hearts sank - but it happened only a few cars in front of us and the police had not had time to close the road. Got home to a terrific welcome from our dogs and a lovely bundle of goodies from the team at Merlin - flowers, wine and Radox for the bath which was put to instant use! It was good to be home, having achieved our dual aims - collecting much needed money for Merlin and walking the Cornish coastal path.
March for Merlin Day Twenty
Day 20 27th September Polperro to Freathy
Slept like a log. Bryan went to buy a newspaper at 8.00 am and managed to persuade a charming east European hotel receptionist to let us use her computer to send the past three day's blog to Merlin, which I duly did in the reception area at the Claremont Hotel (with all the guests saying good morning to me on their way to breakfast!). Due to the collapse of the cliff in Polperro we had to walk up a long precipitous hill to rejoin the coastal path en route to Looe. Quite hard work with steep climbs. Got the ferry to cross to East Looe to save us walking further inland to the lovely bridge - bought a sandwich and set off on what our book said was an easy walk. It wasn't. The climbs were made that much harder by the absence of our sticks and the fact we were carrying more than usual on our backs, and probably we were a bit tired. Sat on the wall by the beach in Seaton and ate our picnic. The day was very hot and sticky, no wind and the sea mirror calm once again. The coast, the beaches and the houses were not that attractive despite the enchantingly named Port Wrinkle. Walked alongside Whitsand Bay golf course and behind the firing range and onto the NT car park near Freathy where we were met by Richard Carew Pole at 5.15pm. He and Mary showed us around their magical garden in the evening sunshine before a lovely hot bath and a thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Retired to bed in a grand panelled bedroom with enormous portraits on the panelled walls, one of which was of Ann Coode of Morval!
Miles for day 16 Cummulative 250 Height 1600'
Only 10 miles to go!
Slept like a log. Bryan went to buy a newspaper at 8.00 am and managed to persuade a charming east European hotel receptionist to let us use her computer to send the past three day's blog to Merlin, which I duly did in the reception area at the Claremont Hotel (with all the guests saying good morning to me on their way to breakfast!). Due to the collapse of the cliff in Polperro we had to walk up a long precipitous hill to rejoin the coastal path en route to Looe. Quite hard work with steep climbs. Got the ferry to cross to East Looe to save us walking further inland to the lovely bridge - bought a sandwich and set off on what our book said was an easy walk. It wasn't. The climbs were made that much harder by the absence of our sticks and the fact we were carrying more than usual on our backs, and probably we were a bit tired. Sat on the wall by the beach in Seaton and ate our picnic. The day was very hot and sticky, no wind and the sea mirror calm once again. The coast, the beaches and the houses were not that attractive despite the enchantingly named Port Wrinkle. Walked alongside Whitsand Bay golf course and behind the firing range and onto the NT car park near Freathy where we were met by Richard Carew Pole at 5.15pm. He and Mary showed us around their magical garden in the evening sunshine before a lovely hot bath and a thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Retired to bed in a grand panelled bedroom with enormous portraits on the panelled walls, one of which was of Ann Coode of Morval!
Miles for day 16 Cummulative 250 Height 1600'
Only 10 miles to go!
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