Valerian Root - shown with one of the new fortune telling cups
"The root boiled with liquorice, raisons and anniseed, is good for those troubled with cough. Also it is of special value against plague."
Culpeper
Friday, September 30, 2005
September Draws to a Close...
Visitors just keep coming to Boscastle. The season seems to be extending and many of the hotels are booked up for October. The inaugural Boscastle Food and Art Fair is happening next weekend - Oct 8 & 9. There will be displays by local artists in the school and other venues around the village and food stalls will be dotted around. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
In the museum , the collection of fortune telling cups continues to grow with some rather attractive new acquisitions. I'm beginning to to think Graham is developing an addiction to the these lovely old cups.
He's also mananged to finally purchase a copy of a book he's been after for a long time - the trial pamphlets of Joan Wenham of Hertfordshire, the last known instance in which a witch was convicted in England (1713). She was later pardoned.
Those of you who have visited the upstairs gallery will probably remember the dulcit tones of Aleister Crowley chanting one of his poems. We thought that this may be a little intrusive so Graham has set up some 1930s telephone earpieces so that people who wish to listen can do so without interrupting others who prefer a quieter ambience. I took a photo (shown here) of Justin, one of today's visitors, modelling the usage of the aforementioned earphone.
Historian Phillip Heselton has been visiting the library this week to do more research on his upcoming biography of Gerald Gardner. There is quite a lot of correspondence between Gerald and Cecil Williamson in the library archive which hopefully will prove useful in Phillip's research. I foolishly did not get a photo for you to check out.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Swiss Donation
Graham with Wicca who donated proceeds from the collection at her store in Switzerland
Greetings Again.....
Greetings again to you all. Firstly I'd like to say thanks to those who contacted us to let us know the Voodoo Museum & staff in New Orleans are safe. I've passed this on to others in the USA who were worried but had not been able to find any specific reports on them.
The season has continued to be very busy with more bookings than usual being reported in the hotels for October. We've had quite a few interesting visitors lately, most notably the author R.J. Stewart dropped in with a lovely group of American visitors last weekend. Graham was extremely pleased to meet him as he shares a passion for traditional folk music as well. Unfortunately I wasn't on the ball enough to take a photo for the website so you'll just have to believe me.
We also had a visit from a wonderful Swiss woman called Wicca (yes it is her real name) who had been collecting for the museum at her shop in Switzerland. She personally delivered the £300 (approx) they had gathered. She is the writer and publisher of the only Wicca/Witchcraft magazine in Switzerland, Germany & Austria. I think her shop is in Fislisbach so check it out if you are in the area. Thanks Wicca!!
Steve Patterson, the man who does some of the wood carvings and the copper athames which we sell, has started a course on Magik & folklore for people in the village and surrounding areas. I missed the first week but went along last night. I believe the course is going to be extremely interesting and Steve has such a relaxed and enthusiastic presentation style. He mainly does courses around Cornwall so if you are interested and see any advertised it would be a good idea to check them out.
Tinker's Bag, a group of traditional folk musicians and singers, entertained the people of Boscastle at the Village Hall last Saturday night with their show 'The Labourer's Year', featuring songs that reflect the changing seasons. Bob & Jill Berry (the ringleaders for this event) are friends of Graham's from his folky past and wanted to do something just for the villagers to cheer us up after a pretty heavy year. It was a great night with drinks at the Welly afterwards. Judging by the number of hangovers the next day we must have all had a great time. I had a couple of friends, Bernadette & Chrissy, over from Australia who were convinced we'd put the spectacle on just for them!
Herb of the week will be later this week as I seem to have lost the photos in the ether. Keep posted.
The season has continued to be very busy with more bookings than usual being reported in the hotels for October. We've had quite a few interesting visitors lately, most notably the author R.J. Stewart dropped in with a lovely group of American visitors last weekend. Graham was extremely pleased to meet him as he shares a passion for traditional folk music as well. Unfortunately I wasn't on the ball enough to take a photo for the website so you'll just have to believe me.
We also had a visit from a wonderful Swiss woman called Wicca (yes it is her real name) who had been collecting for the museum at her shop in Switzerland. She personally delivered the £300 (approx) they had gathered. She is the writer and publisher of the only Wicca/Witchcraft magazine in Switzerland, Germany & Austria. I think her shop is in Fislisbach so check it out if you are in the area. Thanks Wicca!!
Steve Patterson, the man who does some of the wood carvings and the copper athames which we sell, has started a course on Magik & folklore for people in the village and surrounding areas. I missed the first week but went along last night. I believe the course is going to be extremely interesting and Steve has such a relaxed and enthusiastic presentation style. He mainly does courses around Cornwall so if you are interested and see any advertised it would be a good idea to check them out.
Tinker's Bag, a group of traditional folk musicians and singers, entertained the people of Boscastle at the Village Hall last Saturday night with their show 'The Labourer's Year', featuring songs that reflect the changing seasons. Bob & Jill Berry (the ringleaders for this event) are friends of Graham's from his folky past and wanted to do something just for the villagers to cheer us up after a pretty heavy year. It was a great night with drinks at the Welly afterwards. Judging by the number of hangovers the next day we must have all had a great time. I had a couple of friends, Bernadette & Chrissy, over from Australia who were convinced we'd put the spectacle on just for them!
Herb of the week will be later this week as I seem to have lost the photos in the ether. Keep posted.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Herb of the Week - 7 shown with newly donated Pan figure
Yarrow - "Thou pretty herb of Venus tree, thy true name it is yarrow.
Now who bosom friend must be, pray tell me thee tomorrow."
Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales, James Orchard Halliwell 
Sunday, September 11, 2005
September News
I would like to start by saying that the thoughts of everyone at the museum go out to those affected by Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of the US. We were particularly wondering how the Voodoo Museum in New Orleans has fared. We have tried to contact them and check their website but with no luck. If anyone has any news regarding the museum and the welfare of its staff please let us know.
As for Boscastle, things have started to quieten down again after a very hectic August. The good weather and publicity regarding the flood anniversary helped to ensure we ended the month on a high, so we are now feeling more financially secure after a slow start to the year.
We've had an interesting donation of another Pan figure which is similar to one we have on display upstairs (see Herb of the Week-7 for an image of the donation). Strangely, this week we've had an enquiry from America regarding the same item. Coincidence?....hmmmmm. If anyone knows anything about the artefact please let us know.
A new computer has arrived to replace the old one in the main office which was outdated and very sluggish. In Graham's excitement to set up the transfer of documents to CD as a back up he managed to wipe out his entire "My Documents" folder. Unfortunately, when he checked the CD it had not copied anything so all was lost. Luckily things had been backed up fairly recently so it wasn't a total disaster but lots of recent stuff has gone.
Just had news that "Things" shop has had the go ahead to rebuild as of tomorrow so that will leave only one building to go; the Harbour Lights opposite the museum. More later.
As for Boscastle, things have started to quieten down again after a very hectic August. The good weather and publicity regarding the flood anniversary helped to ensure we ended the month on a high, so we are now feeling more financially secure after a slow start to the year.
We've had an interesting donation of another Pan figure which is similar to one we have on display upstairs (see Herb of the Week-7 for an image of the donation). Strangely, this week we've had an enquiry from America regarding the same item. Coincidence?....hmmmmm. If anyone knows anything about the artefact please let us know.
A new computer has arrived to replace the old one in the main office which was outdated and very sluggish. In Graham's excitement to set up the transfer of documents to CD as a back up he managed to wipe out his entire "My Documents" folder. Unfortunately, when he checked the CD it had not copied anything so all was lost. Luckily things had been backed up fairly recently so it wasn't a total disaster but lots of recent stuff has gone.
Just had news that "Things" shop has had the go ahead to rebuild as of tomorrow so that will leave only one building to go; the Harbour Lights opposite the museum. More later.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Herb of the Week - 6
Walnut Leaves
"If they be taken with onions, salt and honey, they help the biting of a mad dog." Culpeper
Monday, August 29, 2005
Herb of the Week - 5
Sea Wormwood Flowers
"Hysteric complaints have been completely cured by the constant use of this tincture. In the scurvey and in the hypochondriacal disorders of studious sedentary men, few things have a greater effect." Culpepper
Sunday, August 28, 2005
August Bank Holiday
Happy Bank Holiday weekend to you all. It's been really busy here over the last couple of weeks so business is really picking up.
The Beltane Alternative Border Morris side were dancing outside the museum and around the harbour today which has kept the crowds entertained. We were very impressed by their tight "sticking" technique. Crisp clacking is always a must when it comes to Morris Dancing!
I've been asked to put a bit on the blog about car parking & general Boscastle "need to know" stuff for those thinking of visiting. The car park is fully open and the National Trust are allowing the council to use an extra bit at the end when it's busy, so you could say the car park is slightly larger than it was pre flood. There is also a park & ride scheme running on busy days which is located up on the Tintagel Road. I think it's around 50 pence for the ride so it's cheaper than the main car park.
All the B & Bs and hotels are fully reopened except for the Youth Hostel which will be reopened next year after extensive rebuilding work. The Riverside Hotel is now fully opened including the restaurant. The Spinning Wheel is extremely busy during the day as is the Bakery. There are only 2 buildings left to be rebuilt; The Harbour Lights, and Things. Clovelly Clothing rebuilt & opened on the anniversary of the flood August 16 2005.
The Wreck Shield, which was awarded to the Boscastle, Bude, and Port Isaac Coast Guard Teams, is proudly sitting in the window of the museum attracting almost as many positive comments as Graham's Landrover.
The Beltane Alternative Border Morris side were dancing outside the museum and around the harbour today which has kept the crowds entertained. We were very impressed by their tight "sticking" technique. Crisp clacking is always a must when it comes to Morris Dancing!
I've been asked to put a bit on the blog about car parking & general Boscastle "need to know" stuff for those thinking of visiting. The car park is fully open and the National Trust are allowing the council to use an extra bit at the end when it's busy, so you could say the car park is slightly larger than it was pre flood. There is also a park & ride scheme running on busy days which is located up on the Tintagel Road. I think it's around 50 pence for the ride so it's cheaper than the main car park.
All the B & Bs and hotels are fully reopened except for the Youth Hostel which will be reopened next year after extensive rebuilding work. The Riverside Hotel is now fully opened including the restaurant. The Spinning Wheel is extremely busy during the day as is the Bakery. There are only 2 buildings left to be rebuilt; The Harbour Lights, and Things. Clovelly Clothing rebuilt & opened on the anniversary of the flood August 16 2005.
The Wreck Shield, which was awarded to the Boscastle, Bude, and Port Isaac Coast Guard Teams, is proudly sitting in the window of the museum attracting almost as many positive comments as Graham's Landrover.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Llewellyn-Bowen excites Boscastle holiday makers
Lawrence LLewellyn-Bowen is doing a new television show. The episode he is shooting today shows holiday attractions in North Cornwall. Here he is with Graham outside the Museum. He kindly stopped to pose for many photographs with the children visiting the village.
Herb of the Week - 4
Bittersweet (Woody Nightshade)
"The juice is good for those that have fallen from high places.....for it is thought to dissolve blood congealed or cluttered anywhere in the entrails." Gerard
Friday, August 19, 2005
The Day Passes
Well the day has passed. The one year anniversary of the Boscastle Flood is over and we can once more move forward. Media presence was pretty high on the day with Graham featuring on both the local ITV & BBC news programmes and some of the Nationals. Local papers dedicated several pages to a Boscastle special report. I'll try to get more photos of some of the more interesting stories and post them in the next day or two.
On Tuesday night Graham was presented with the Coastguard award for his prompt actions during the flood which saved many lives! The Boscastle, Bude, & Port Isaac teams were all awarded the Wreck Shield for their services during the flood. Congratulations to you all, it is well deserved!! The Awards were presented by John Astbury, the UK's Chief Coastguard and a very pleasant chap.
Business has certainly picked up over the last few days with all this media attention. Boscastle is buzzing with some lovely people with very positive messages. Many find it hard to believe just how much has been done so far with the refurbishment of the village.
On Tuesday night Graham was presented with the Coastguard award for his prompt actions during the flood which saved many lives! The Boscastle, Bude, & Port Isaac teams were all awarded the Wreck Shield for their services during the flood. Congratulations to you all, it is well deserved!! The Awards were presented by John Astbury, the UK's Chief Coastguard and a very pleasant chap.
Business has certainly picked up over the last few days with all this media attention. Boscastle is buzzing with some lovely people with very positive messages. Many find it hard to believe just how much has been done so far with the refurbishment of the village.
On the Other Side of the Camera
David Flower is usually photographing Graham for one of the North Cornwall newspapers so I thought I'd take one of him for a change
One of Graham's many interviews on August 16
Graham is interviewed by Associated Press reporter Sam Mendes
Monday, August 15, 2005
Anniversary
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the Boscastle flood! Much media attention is being paid to the village and the museum at the moment. Most newspapers have done a story to mark the anniversary and a couple have picked up the story of Graham being given an old Landrover to replace the one that was washed away last year. I have included a couple of photos from The Times last Friday and The Telegraph last Saturday. There will be much television coverage tomorrow as well.
Graham will also be receiving his commendation medal from the Coastguards tomorrow evening. I'll try to publish a photo here after the event for your enjoyment. Graham in uniform twice in one month - unheard of!!
More soon.
Graham will also be receiving his commendation medal from the Coastguards tomorrow evening. I'll try to publish a photo here after the event for your enjoyment. Graham in uniform twice in one month - unheard of!!
More soon.
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