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St Martin By Looe

Winter 2011Published and funded by

St Martin By Looe Parish Council.

stmartinpc1@btinternet.comwww.stmartinbylooepc.btck.co.uk

Photo Julie O’Shaughnessy

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St Martin By LooeParish Councillors

ContactNumbers.

ChairmanKim Smith 07855 677708

Vice ChairmanRobert Henly 01503 240738

CouncillorsRoberta Powley 01503 240650

Barbara Reynolds 01503 240520Ronald Matthews 01503 262845

Lynne Burt 01503 240383Mike Elford 01503 265922

Parish Clerk & Magazine EditorCharles Hyde 01579 340905stmartinpc1@btinternet.com

County CouncillorArmand Toms 01503 264823

atoms@cornwall.gov.ukAdvertisements

If you would like to include an advertisement in the next edition of St MartinBy Looe News please contact The Clerk, Charles Hyde on 01579 340905 orby email stmartinpc1@btinternet.com. Costs: £20 for a full page, £10 for a½ page, £5 for 1/3 page. Contract discounts are available.The magazine is printed quarterly and has a circulation of 300 copies whichare hand delivered to every home in the Parish.

ContributionsWe always welcome contributions from people living in the Parish. If youwould like to air your views on a particular subject or have a photograph orpiece of artwork for the front cover please get in touch with The Clerk.

Statutory DisclaimerAll articles and advertisements are published in good faith, St Martin By LooeParish Council cannot check all details in the articles and any views ex-pressed may not necessarily reflect those of the Parish Council. Neither canwe be held responsible for the actions of any advertisers now or in the future.

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Welcome to the winter editionIn this issue you will find all the usual articles including a fascinatingHistory Snippet by Jenny, a Christmas story by Kim and a ChristmasQuiz to keep you entertained. Remember this is your magazine and itwould be great if you could let me have anything you would like to seein future issues.....to date NOTHING has been contributed by readerswhich is very disappointing. Charles Hyde, Editor.

Planning ApplicationsAn application has been received for the use of land for stationing of fourcamping pods together with retention of three areas of raised decking atTregoad Campsite. This will be discussed during the December meeting.

DonationsA donation of £50 was agreed to Spectrum a Cornish Charity whospecialise in providing Autism Services.

Salt BinsCornwall Council have filled the salt bins in readiness for the winter,however they will not refill them once they are empty, this responsibilityhas been passed to the Parish Council who are working with Looe TownCouncil who hope to agree a contract with a local company who willservice the salt bins. There is a cost implication which the Parish Councilhave agreed to fund from the Annual Precept. REMEMBER the salt isfor use on the Parish Council roads only and not for use on privateproperties; anyone seen taking salt from the bins will be prosecuted.

2012/2013 Precept.The Precept for the forthcoming new financial year has been set at£9073.00 an increase of 2%. Despite substantial increases in the costof running the Parish Council we have tried to keep the increase in thePrecept to a minimum.

2012 meeting datesJanuary 5th , February 2nd, March 1st , April 5th, 7.15pm Annual ParishMeeting followed by the Parish Council Meeting.May 3rd, 7.15pm Annual PC Meeting followed by the Parish CouncilMeeting. May 31st (June meeting), July 5th, September 6th, October4th, November 1st, December 6th. All meetings unless stated start at7.30pm. Public participation is always welcome before the meetingsstarts. Please inform the Clerk if you have comments on PlanningApplications giving at least 48 hours notice.

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Fully Stocked for all your groceryrequirements at sensible prices

INCLUDING

Beers, Wines and Spirits

ALSO

Daily & Sunday Newspapers

OPENING HOURSMonday to Saturday, 7am - 6pm

Sunday 8am - 2pmElaine & Martin look forward to seeing you soon.

Tel: 01503 240840

Raymond Reynolds (Ray)It is with much sadness that we have to report the loss of one of theParishes most respected businessmen Ray Reynolds (R J ReynoldsPlumbing & Heating). Our thoughts are with Barbara, Jason and Darrenand their families at this sad time.

Diamond Jubilee2012 sees the Diamond Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the ParishCouncil will mark this historical event......see the next issue for full details.

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Looe Police Station contact number.If you need to contact your local Police Station you can use thenumber below:

01503 266173If there is no one available to answer your call please leave a

message and a member of the team will contact you on their return.

To report a crime, or for information andadvice:

Call 101 (Calls cost 15p)

Emergency 99901392 452935 (Minicom)

0800 555111 (Crimestoppers)

Event InformationThe Jumble Sale held in aid of the Children’s Hospice South Westraised a fantastic £507.83; the Committee would like to thank all whocame to buy and a special thanks to goes out to all who donated raffleprizes. The event was a great success, however it was spoilt by the ladywho helped herself to the DVD, we do hope you can sleep at night!The Remembrance Service raised £62 for the Looe Branch of TheRoyal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Diary Dates - All WelcomeSaturday 3rd December Christmas Fayre 2.30pmFriday 16th December Christmas Bingo 8pmSaturday 17th December Carol Service 6.30pmWednesday 21st December Christmas Whist Drive 7.30pm

Regular Events from January 2012Mon, Tue Thurs Yoga, contact Marie

Tues Mornings 10am - 11am, Stretch & ToneWed 9.30am - 11.30am, Mother & Toddler Group

Wed 7.30pm Whist DriveMerry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year to you all

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* Contact us too if you want a copy of the summary of the test report.

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Why not let it throughFISHER MANAGEMENT20 years experience inProperty Management

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2012 ...... A Date for your Diary ..… 2012To celebrate 'Big Breakfast Week'

Cornish Farm Holidaysare hosting a 'Big Breakfast' at

Bucklawren Farmhouse, St Martins by LooeSat January 21st ….. 9:00am ~ 4:00 pmPay at the door £7.50. No reservations

Proceeds to St Martins Church Looe andRotary Shelter Box

Bring and Buy for Childrens Hospice South WestMore information Tel: 01503 240738

The aim is to promote Cornish B&B and hospitality whilst supportinglocal business by using as much local produce as possible

St Martin By LooeParish CouncilNOTICE OF

CONCLUSION OFAUDIT AND RIGHT TO

INSPECT THE ANNUALRETURN

Annual Return for the year ended31 March 2011

Section 14 of the Audit CommissionAct 1998The Accounts and Audit (England)Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/817)1. The audit of the accounting state-ments for the St Martin By Looe ParishCouncil for the year ending 31 March2011 has been concluded.2. The accounting statements areavailable for inspection by any localgovernment elector for the area ofSt Martin By Looe Parish Council onapplication to : Charles Hyde , ParishClerk, 8 Trelawny Road, Menheniot,PL14 3TS.3. Copies will be provided to any localgovernment elector on payment of £5for each copy of the annual return.Charles HydeParish Clerk. 1st December 2011.

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Traders in West Looe are planning their first ‘Christmas in West Looe’celebration on Saturday 3rd December from 10am - 6pm.Local Cornwall Councillor Edwina Hannaford who has been helping thefledging group said, “Although West Looe may be the quieter side of theriver, the shops have a very distinctive flavour with a wide selection ofartisan shops.” “The day seeks to showcase West Looe by offeringchildren face painting, carol singing and shop window competitions,mulled wine and of course, the highlight is the 20ft Christmas Tree kindlydonated by Hillcrest House Nursing Home which for the first time will bebedecked with hand painted stars.”Owner of The Lovely Lane Interiors Christine Iles said, “West Looe isgaining a reputation for quality hand crafted, stylish and unusual gifts.The range of shops is fantastic with flowers & Christmas wreaths, a caféand tea room, curios, paintings, art pieces, jewellery, ladies wear, shoesand accessories, delicatessen and food store as well as home ware andsoft furnishings.” “We invite people to come and have a browse, samplesome mulled wine, join in the carol singing and rest your feet with acuppa and cake in West Looe’s café and tea room.

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C J BUILDERSGENERAL BUILDINGBrick & Block work, plastering,

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Christine continued, “ People often overlook the businesses on WestLooe at Pennyland, The Millpool and Hannafore, we want to make surepeople are aware of not only the wide range of shops but services whichinclude an optician, haberdashery, hotels and guest houses, charityshops, hairdressers, florist and dog grooming parlour.West Looe boasts the oldest pub in Looe and possibly one of the oldestpubs in the country The Jolly Sailor. The pub is featured in a willscigarette card collection called 40 oldest inn's. You will also find the 14thcentury St. Nicholas Church on the harbour side, which is apt as StNicholas was a man known for his generosity.The characters of Father Christmas and SantaClaus are based on him and his good works.Hand painted Christmas Tree stars dedicated toa loved ones were commissioned.Children from surrounding schools were busydecorating stars which were donated by WestLooe businesses.The winning designs were judged and all starswere put on the tree.

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Quiz answers1. 26th December2. Jacob Marley3. Holiday Inn4. Norway5. Ladies dancing6. God Rest Ye MerryGentlemen7. The Nightmare beforeChristmas8. White9. Clarence (Oddbody)10. Hogmanay

Once again Looe will be celebrating the festive season in style this year.The lights will be switched on and Santa will arrive on the evening ofDecember 2nd.The lantern procession and carol service will take place on Thursday15th. The processions will leave at 6.30 from the Millpool Carpark, WestLooe Square and the Globe Inn. They will then all join for the main carolservice on or near the Fish market at 7pm. Hot soup and rolls will beavailiable in the Tourist Information Centre afterwards....and don't forget, the biggest free party in the South West takes placein Looe on New Year's Eve!

Fancy Dress and fireworks to see in 2012.

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Dear all walkersFollowing the last walk at Antony House & Woodlands the volunteer walkleaders met afterwards to discuss some changes to how the group issupported. When Pat Gormley retired from the council the Mobiliseproject took responsibility for the Caradon Monthly Walks working withthe walk leaders to make the walks sustainable.From January 2012 the walk leaders will continue to organise a pro-gramme of walks without the support of Mobilise but they will continue towalk under Natural England's 'Walking for Health' scheme.This means that the group will no longer receive publicity support fromMobilise and certain administration tasks will be undertaken by the walkleaders. Hopefully as walkers you will see little difference except thatnotification of future walks will be by email only to your magazine editoror directly if we have your details (if anyone has any concerns about thisplease speak to Mel and Mandy Fisher).

From January 2012 the following will change:1) Brigette Mann, Alison Jewell and Mandy Fisher will take responsibilityfor inputting the registers and outdoor health questionnaires onto the'Walking for Health' database.2) Mel and Mandy Fisher will be taking responsibility of the email corre-spondence making sure detailed information for each walk reaches you.3) At the next walk you attend please update your details with the walkleaders;There will be a list with your name, email address and contact telephonenumber on it. You will be asked to check the details and add an emergen-cy contact name and telephone number if you wish the leaders to havethis information in case of an accident / incident.You will be asked to complete an outdoor health questionnaire to ensureall your health information is up to date and to help our walk leaders bettermanage the database of walkers. You can complete this form at homeand return it on the following walk if you prefer.Please see on the next page the details of the January 2012 walk andbelow dates for your diary.

1st February 2012 Cotehele & surrounding areaWalk Leaders: Alison Jewell & Roger Dawes Tel 01579 370376

7th March 2012 Rame to Kingsand & BackWalk Leaders: Jack & Brigitte Mann Tel 01579 344631

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Date: Wednesday 4th January 2012Time: 10:00am for prompt start at 10:00amMeeting: Free Parking at Camel Trail Car Park approached through the Bor-ough Arms Car Park (Bodmin to Wadebridge Road at Dunmere)Grid Reference: SX 047675Lunch: Borough Arms offer a variety of food served from 12 noon to 9:00pmdaily. (food not purchased at the Pub cannot be consumed on Pub premises).There will be a short "snack" stop en route.Dogs: A popular dog-walking area but dogs must be kept under close controlat all timesClothing: Dress according to weather conditions! Good walking surfaces butthere could be isolated muddy patches in Woodland area.Walk Information: Distance 5/6 hours. Duration 3 hours (including recupera-tion periods) A circular walk mainly off road along the Camel Trail but alsosome quiet public roads with light traffic. One steep hill near Bodmin Gaol,otherwise level or gentle inclines. Great scenery and plenty of Flora & Fauna.Walk Leaders: Shirley & Peter Waye 01579 346089 email:shirelywaye@gmail.comSupported by Mel & Mandy Fisher 01579 340881 or 07866 428965

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To give or to receiveAs John began to wrap his son’s first ever Christmas present, he beganto think how much pleasure you can get from giving a present tosomeone at any time of the year. But he had not always thought thatway.John began to think back to his Aunt Alice, his best friend Paul and tothe events of Christmas 15 years ago that had changed the way hethought about presents.The best presents he always had, were those given to him by his AuntAlice. His father had always told him she was his Great Aunt, but nobodyhad told him what she had done to be called ‘Great’. As Aunt Alice livedmany miles away she did not visit very often, but when she did John wasalways given a present. It did not matter what the present was, Johnalways knew it would a good one. He thought so much about presentshe always forgot about everything else including his best friend Paul.Whenever John was given a present he did not notice that Paul becamequite and would not come a play with him for a few days. He did notknow that Paul came from a small family and that he was only givenpresents on his birthday and at Christmas.Until that fateful Christmas John had always wanted as many presentsas he could and never thought about those who did not get anypresents. He always thought Christmas was extra special as Aunt Alicewould stay with them and bring special presents with her. When Johnwas given his presents to put under the Christmas Tree, Aunt Alice toldhim that Christmas was a special time and that it was nice to receivepresents, but it was even better to give presents. He did not know whyshe had said this to him, he could not understand why it was better togive presents away than to get them.It was Christmas Eve morning and John was going to the shops withAunt Alice, they were both keeping out of his Mother’s way, as she wasdoing her normal last minute Christmas panic. As they neared Paul’shouse, John noticed a police car parked outside and he saw a police-man speaking to Paul. John ran up to them and asked what was wrong.Paul was crying, and the policeman told John that Paul’s house hadbeen burgled and that all the Christmas presents had been stolen. Thepoliceman took Paul into the house and John told Aunt Alice that Paulhad lost all his presents and had nothing to open. Aunt Alice asked Johnhow he would feel if he had did not even have one present to open.

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John replied he could not think how bad it would be having nothing toopen, especially on Christmas Day.John woke up early on Christmas Day morning, he rushed downstairstook the presents from under the Christmas Tree and sorted them intoseparate piles for himself, his Mum and Dad and Aunt Alice. He hadbreakfast and then waited an hour for everyone else to come down-stairs. John handed the presents out, he noticed how happy the otherswere when they were opening their presents. John was delighted withthe presents he had opened, he then came to the best present of all, theone from Aunt Alice.He sat there looking at the present, he then remembered what AuntAlice had told about giving and receiving presents. He then thought ofPaul sitting at home and having no presents to open, John then decidedAunt Alice’s present should be opened later and put it back under thetree. After they had had Christmas dinner and his Mum, Dad and AuntAlice were asleep, John picked up his unopened present, put on his coatand shoes and slipped quietly out of the house.As he ran along the pavement towards Paul’s house he shouted ‘MerryChristmas’ to everyone he saw. He arrived a Paul’s struggling forbreath, and knocked on the door. Paul’s Mum answered the door andtold John to come inside, as he did, he could see Paul standing on thestairs looking very sad. John then told Paul he wanted him to have thispresent as he had lost all his other presents. Paul was so surprised bythis, that he did not know what to say or do. John told him to open it sothey could see what it was. Paul opened the present and to his surpriseit was a new football kit, something that he had always wanted. Johnhad watched Paul opening the present and had never felt so happy ashe saw the look on Paul’s face when he saw what the present was.Leaving Paul to enjoy Christmas with his Mum, John ran home. Whenhe got home he told he parents and Aunt Alice what he had done. Lat-er that evening Aunt Alice asked John whether he liked to give or re-ceive presents. He said, “I like both, but there was something specialabout giving Paul the present and seeing him open it”. After this dayJohn always gave the same importance to giving presents as he hadto getting them. Story Kim Smith

To give or to receive Cont:

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Meal for two for under £6In Purely Cornish the Wessex range of mouth watering pies at £4.99using only the finest local West Country ingredients have proved reallypopular with locals so we are expanding our selection with GrumpiesPies of Cornwall.Grumpies are in individual portion sizes at £2.99 hand made inLaunceston using the best locally sourced ingredients including localvegetables, Cornish ale and meats from a prize winning local butcher.The recipes have been carefully developed with the emphasis of qualityand taste avoiding artificial additives preservatives and processedingredients.We are also now taking orders for Christmas Cutting Pies these largepies sell for £12.50 and include Chicken & Apricot, Game Pies, Salmon& Broccoli, Ploughman's Pies, Chicken & Ham.Something for everyone - Beef & Guinness - Game Pie - Venison & Port- Chicken & Ham - Chicken & Leek - Roast Pork and Bramley Apple -Salmon & Broccoli - Luxury Fish Pie - Steak & Ale - Lamb, Mint & Potato- Chicken, Gammon & Link - Pork, Apple & Cider.

Look out for our range of Festive Pies coming soon.

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History was yesterday’s news! Discovering the facts makes it fun!The Parish Magazine will become a valuable source of local history oneday.Meanwhile more and more people are bringing tit bits from the pastwhich are invaluable.This leaflet advertising the glories of Millendreath is undated. It musthave been before 1965 (when it was sold to the miners) and when Looestill had a manual telephone exchange.

You must visit

MILLENDREATHBEACH

The exclusive playground of the West___

Lovely sands – Safe bathing___

Deck chairs – Beach mattressesBathing tents available

___Car Park adjoining beach

___On the Looe – Torpoint Road, turn right at GreatTree Camp, St.Martins, or a pleasant 15 minute

walk along the Cliffs from Looe.

Under entirely new manage-ment, is open to welcome you atall times - so Do not waste timepacking Picnic Baskets. Weserve the best food obtainableand the famous “Orange Hue”Home Made Cakes.

Proprietress: Mrs. O. M. SmithPhone Looe 339

So far I have been told that a man was employed to empty the chemi-cal toilets by the woodland log cabins - but there is no obvious sign ofthem now.Did you hire a bathing tent or play Jokari? Or remember the divingraft?Please share!

Reprint ofpages 1 & 2

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At last!The Holiday of your dreams!You can now book Delightful Log Cabins (tosleep 6,4 or 2) and four-berth Caravans situated inabout 10 acres of Natural Woodlands, aboundingwith Flowers and Wild Birds, adjoining our Beachand the Restaurant, where full board may beobtained if required.Imagine the joy of having your own privateaccommodation - get up when you like - eat whenyou like - preparing it yourself, or, having every-thing done for you.The Perfect Freedom to do what you like, whenyou like, without being haunted by the DinnerGong and having to change from the comfortablesunsuit to eat. Here you can have all mealsContinental Style on the Terraces overlooking ourlovely Bay.Bookings taken for this year and next.

EXTRA ATTRACTIONSA new All-weather Tennis Court ready shortly,Paddle Floats Diving Raft, Plenty of Grounds forChildren to play. Fishing Tackle on Hire etc.

This leaflet makes fasci-nating reading and is asnapshot of times pastbefore computers andcomplicated technologyruled our lives, soremember as youdesign your 2012web-site or choose thefont for your advert -keep a copy for the Par-ish record!It’s history in the makingand may one day in thefuture your work maywell appear in a futureissue of this magazine!

Reprint of pages3 & 4 from the

Chalet Cafe leaflet.

If you have anything thatyou think may be of

interest for future articlesplease contact

Jenny Wallis or TheClerk.

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Winter gardening can be just as pleasurable and exciting as gardeningat any other time of It just means you have to pick your days when theweather is favourable before you venture outside. You may have towrap up warm, long johns, extra jumpers and thick socks. But if it is dryand not freezing there are lots of jobs you can do around your garden.Dig over your vegetable plot, dig nice and deep, and add plenty of wellrotted manure or compost. It will all break down to a nice texture overthe winter, just ready for sowing in early spring. Dig over those beds andborders that have not been dug for the last couple of years. And addsome well rotted manure or compost while you're at it. This is a goodtime to dig any new beds and borders or a new vegetable plot. Don'tforget the manure or compost. You can generally tidy up your garden.Remove all those annuals and biennials that finished flowering longago, they really do look a mess and will just harbour slugs, snails andunwanted diseases if left. So dig them out. Clear around your perennialplants, remove old spent leaves and gently loosen the soil surfacearound them. This helps to break up compacted soil and allows air andwater to get down to the roots. While your at it remove all those weedsthat are still hanging on. Dig them out if necessary, you don't want any

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www.freegardeningplants.com

roots left that will shoot into life next spring. Clear up all those fallen treeleaves.Tidy up any shrubs, bushes or hedges by pruning or trimming. This agood time of year to do this. Now's a good time to do any hardlandscaping. Paths, garden walls, bases for your new potting shed orgreenhouse. Use this time of year to your advantage and you will findwinter gardening really pays dividends through spring, summer andautumn, fall. Don't walk on soil that is frozen, covered with snow or toowet as you will destroy its structure. This is especially important if youhave a clay soil. Winter gardening can be a good time of year, out andin amongst all those show off winter flowering plants. There are lots ofplants that flower throughout winter and some will even flower intospring. Amongst the best Cyclamen Hellebore Anemone Pansies ViloasIris Crocus Adonis NarcissusAnd don't forget heathers. Heathers in groups make a real winter gardendisplay. They bring what could be a barren landscape into a pleasantrolling show. There are many different coloured heathers, yellow, lilac,blue, white. Most are low growing but some are taller and will add height.All are excellent ground cover plants. Grow them in groups of the samecolour for the very best effect. Heathers in a garden plot just on theirown make a splendid display. They are really worth growing for someautumn and winter colour.There are lost of shrubs that flower in winter and they too bring colourand relief to dark dreary days. Some good shrubs for winter colourCornus Chosya Eleanus Euonymus Garrya Holly Mahonia PhotiniaPyracantha Saracococca Skimmia Viburnum Winter HoneysuckleWinter JasmineBut what if the weather is wet or freezing or even snow-ing. You can still do winter gardening, but from the com-fort and warmth of your own favourite easy chair. Planyour garden for the coming seasons. Spring will be herebefore you now it. And spring is the time of year to startsowing seeds. So go through those seed catalogues andorder your seeds. Browse through those plant cataloguesfor spring and summer plants and order them now. Theywon't be delivered until they are ready but get your orderin early to make sure you don't miss out.

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By Lesley Waters - www.bbcgoodfood.com

Hang these from a Christ-mas tree or pack them intoboxes as end-of-term giftsfor teachers and friends.

Ingredients140g icing sugar , sieved

1 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg yolk 250g butter , cut into small cubes 375g plain flour , sievedTo decorate

200g icing sugar , sieved edible food colouring , optional edible gold and silver balls approx 2m thin ribbon cut into 10cm lengths

Method1. Tip the icing sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter

into a mixing bowl, then stir together with a wooden spoon (or pulse in a food processor until well combined). Add the flour and mix to a firm dough. Shape the dough into two flat discs and wrap in clingfilm. Chill for 20-30 mins. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

2. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about the thickness of two £1 coins. Cut out Christmassy shapes (use a cutter if you like) and place on the baking sheets. Using the tip of a skewer, cut a small hole in the top of each cookie. Bake for 10-12 mins until lightly gold en.

3. Lift the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with a few drops of cold water to make a thick, but still runny icing. Colour with edible food colour ing, if you like. Spread it over the cooled biscuits, decorate with edible balls and thread with ribbon when dry.

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Jessica Tamblyn-HaywardQualified Pet GroomerBray FarmBindownNomansland, Near Looe01503 240841 or07834 473835

Saturday 12th November was an exciting day for music in Cornwall.Seven acts competed against one another to win the Kan rag Kernow,a competition for new songs written and performed in the Cornishlanguage.This year's competition, which is was organised by MAGA, the CornishLanguage Partnership for the second year running, attracted interestfrom top Cornish artists such as alternative folk rock band Hanterhir,Chethams music scholar Bénjad and acclaimed singer songwriter An-drew Bate, who starred as the lead actor in the Govyn Kernewek awardwinning film, 'Skynt the Musical'."The aim of the competition was to encourage people to create newmusic in Cornish across a range of genres," says Elizabeth Stewart,Project Support Officer for MAGA, "and to do this we offered freeassistance to musicians who wish to take part but are not themselvesfluent speakers".The winner of the competition goes on to represent Cornwall at theprestigious Pan Celtic International Song Contest in Ireland, where theycompete against acts in Welsh, Breton, Manx, Irish and Scots Gaelicthat have won similar preliminary competitions in their own celtic na-tions.

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In the cold of the early evening David left the bus station and walkedthrough a light fall of snow to the railway station. He looked at his watchhe had 3 minutes to get to the station, he hoped he would make it, as itwas more than an hour to the next train. He went through the emptyticket hall, unusually the station porter was not at ticket barrier checkingtickets. Looking down the platform he saw a train approaching and alsonoticed that there was no one else in the station.In a cloud of steam the train slowly ground to a halt. For some reasonthe whole platform was covered in the cloud of steam, as he made hisway carefully to the platform edge he David noticed how quiet it hadgone and that no one was getting off. He opened the carriage door andsat by the window, as he breathed out he could see his breath. So noheating and another cold journey home, he thought that the only twopeople on the train who would be warm tonight would be the driver andfireman on the footplate.The whistle blew as the train began to move slowly out of the station.As David looked out of the window smoke from the engine began toobscure his view, but he noticed that the snow had began to fall heavilyagain. He wondered whether the snowfall in the valley was heavyenough to block the line as it had done last week.As the train rattled along the tracks, he looked round the carriage hewondered where the rail company had found it. The seats had seenbetter days they were dirty, threadbare and uncomfortable, still despitethe snowfall of the last week he was lucky that the trains were stillrunning. Despite the cold he began to drift off to sleep.The shrill of the whistle and the violent braking of the train woke Davidfrom his brief sleep, the train was still moving, but very slowly. He lookedout of the window, but could see very little as the snow was still fallingheavily. In an attempt to find out what had happened he opened thecompartment door, he looked down the corridor, but it appeared thatnobody else was curious about what had happened. As he walkeddown the corridor towards the front of the train, it was only then that henoticed that all the other compartments were empty.As he entered the next carriage he came face to face with the conduc-tor. David asked his what had happened. The conductor replied ‘thatthe train has hit a light snowdrift, but we can continue as the line is notblocked’. The conductor then walked past David and continued to walk

A Train from nowhere!

25

A Train from nowhere! Cont:

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to the rear of the train. It was only when he was walking back to hiscompartment that he noticed that all the other compartments wereempty. The blinds were drawn on the next compartment he came to, itwas then that he decided to open the door and go in. Again thecompartment was empty, the only thing to show that someone had beenthere was a newspaper that had been thrown onto the floor.He went into the carriage and picked up the newspaper, as he did sothe whistle blew and the train began to slow. David looked out of thewindow and through the snow he could see lights, he realised that thetrain was approaching a station. He ran back to the next compartmentand picked up his bag, as the train came to a halt the train and platformwas once again enveloped in a cloud of steam. Opening the doorcarefully he stepped down onto the platform and turned to close thedoor, as he did so he saw the conductor standing in the compartmentsmiling. The conductor said ‘have a safe journey David’ and closed thedoor. The whistle blew and still shrouded by the steam the train pulledaway and disappeared.How did the conductor know his name? David was still thinking this,someone asked him ‘what he was doing on the platform’. Turning round

26

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A Train from nowhere! Cont:

he saw it was the stationmaster, David replied that he had just got offthe train. This answer surprised the stationmaster, he then said ‘youcould not have got off a train, the line has been blocked overnight by atrain caught in a snow drift’. He replied ‘I did get off a train, I was the onlyone to get on board in Gloucester, and look here is a newspaper I pickedup on the train’.He showed the newspaper to the stationmaster, who then said to him ‘you could not have got this today, it is 25 years old, but looks like new’.Grabbing the newspaper, the date read 23rd December 1926. Davidcould not understand this the newspaper was old, but looked as thoughit had been printed today! Looking at David the stationmaster said, ‘ Idon’t know what kind of train you caught here but it was not a normaltrain’. David did not know what kind of train he caught, neither did thestation master, do you? If it was not a ‘normal train’ was it a ‘GHOSTTRAIN’? It is for you to decide. Story Kim Smith

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1. What date is St Stephen's Day?2. In Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol, who was Scrooge'sdead business partner?3. The song White Christmas was first performed in which 1942film?4. London's Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is traditionally givenby which country?5. In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, '...my true lovebrought to me nine...' what?6. Which Christmas carol includes the lyrics '...To save us all fromSatan's power, when we were gone astray..'?7. The character Jack Skellington appears in which 1993 TimBurton film?8. What colour are the berries of the mistletoe plant?9. In the inspirational 1946 film, It's a Wonderful Life, what's thename of George Bailey's guardian angel?10. What is New Year's Eve called in Scotland?

Answers on page 10

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