Organisations in Lelant

Version 10 August 2012

Like all villages, Lelant had and has various clubs and societies which villagers belong to and this article looks at the social groups in Lelant, including the associated groups of St Uny's church and the two Methodist chapels. Arrangements to help the poor are in The poor in Lelant. Much of the information comes from reports in local newspapers which often simply record that a meeting was held or give names of people elected at annual meetings or attending, often the same names for several organisations. Usually only an initial not a full forename is given which makes identification hard and newspapers do not always give names or initials accurately. There are probably many more newspaper references to these organisations than I have recorded here.

The reports in local newspapers largely depend on the organisation's correspondent for the papers and are only an approximate guide to the extent of the activity and energy of the organisation. In a few instances more detailed records have survived. The newspapers do not usually record the demise of an organisation.

It is noteworthy that the founders of the junior cricket and football clubs in the 1890s are both women.

Lelant Band of Hope and Temperance Society

There were two teetotal societies in Lelant, the Band of Hope, associated with the Methodist chapels, and the Rechabites. A Band of Hope was established at Lelant in 1859. The Band did a deal of marching up and down through Lelant, what the newspapers reported as processing: this was an economic way of advertising their beliefs, perhaps attracted new adherents, and helped to give members a sense of solidarity. Until 1874 the Band of Hope nationally was barred from using Wesleyan premises but it is unclear how far the bar was enforced.

In the early 1870s they seem to have worked with another temperance organisation called the Knights of the Good Templars.

The Band of Hope and Temperance Society was still active in Lelant in the early years of the twentieth century. A glimpse of their work comes from numerous newspaper reports.

Trendreath Wesleyan Chapel Band of Hope festival [Cornish Telegraph 21 August 1877].

The Band of Hope entertained at an anniversary of the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Lelant. [St Ives Weekly Summary 30 November 1901, also the Cornish Telegraph 27 November 1901].

Entertainment in aid of the band of Hope at Trendreath Wesleyan Chapel [St Ives Weekly Summary 22 November 1902].

Lelant Band of Hope and Temperance Society's annual meeting was held on Monday 20 September. Elected were: President Mr H Gall, Honorary Secretaries T Woodcock and W Vincent, Choirmaster Mr J Maddern, Organist Miss Olds, and a Committee of H Edmonds, J Nankervis, J Crowle, H Coulam, A Roberts, W Barber, F Coulam, and Miss H Hichens, Miss J Pearce, Miss J Vincent, and Miss W Vincent [Cornishman 23 September 1909].

The annual meeting elected: President H Gall, Treasurer JH Blight, Secretaries JH Blight and S Glasson, and Organist Miss Olds [St Ives Weekly Summary 6 October 1911].

Lelant Bowls Group

Meets first and third Friday of each month at the village hall from 2pm-5pm. Cost of £2 per occasion.

Lelant Brass Band

The village had a band for many years from 1905 until after World War II. Our knowledge of the Band's work is gleaned from the occasional brief reference in local newspapers and magazines, from villagers' memories, from photographs, and from a few documents that have reached Cornwall Record Office.

A few references from the local newspapers show how active the Band was.

Lelant Brass Band, under bandmaster Tanner, "played musical selections in the village." [Cornish Telegraph 15 April 1909]

Lelant Brass Band needs more instruments. The Band Trustees were: Reverend WR Erskine, Capt TP Uren, Messrs E Mitchell, WJ Taylor, and J Sandow [Cornishman 2 October 1909].

A letter praising the Band who played at Falmouth and its conductor, John Tanner, and soloist, JF Tanner [St Ives Weekly Summary 2 October 1909].

A Rechabite parade from National Schools to the St Uny's parish church led by Lelant Brass Band [Cornishman 9 October 1909].

"On Tuesday October 19, a successful concert was given in the schoolroom in aid of the Lelant Brass Band. Three new instruments have been handed over to the Trustees to be held on behalf of the villagers" [St Uny's church magazine November 1909, CRO P/120/2/47/1-3].

Lelant Brass Band annual meeting. JH Blight re-elected Treasurer, Capt TP Uren honorary secretary [St Ives Weekly Summary 6 January 1911].

Mr E Richards of London, a native of Lelant, has presented a tenor trombone to Lelant Brass Band [St Ives Weekly Summary 10 February 1911].

Two members of Lelant Brass Band are emigrating to America: WH Pellow and P Edmonds. Various presents were given to them [St Ives Weekly Summary 28 April 1911].

In 1914 the band had a crisis. The minutes of the annual meeting of 3 February record that no one wished to be bandmaster, there was poor attendance at practices, no one wished to be treasurer, and the secretary resigned because of ill-health. At a resumed annual meeting a month later WJ Taylor "referred to dissension amongst the members of the band and said the matters should be threshed [sic] out in the meeting and not discussed outside but there was no response."

That crisis seems to have been resolved as the band continued to flourish.

The Band "has at present eighteen playing members and thirteen members are serving" in the War. Instructor Mr E Wills. Members in the War: N Courtice, J Curnow, C Steer, E Thomas, R Penree, J Pearce, E Newton, G Newton, A Firstbrook, J Roach, B. Rowe, and x Williams [St Ives Weekly Summary 4 May 1916].

Lelant Band re-formed with reverend CT Barclay as conductor [ Cornishman 25 October 1928 page 2

An effusive report of a dance organised by the Ranee of Sarawak who lived at Badger's Holt: "There were so many young people dancing at the Lelant Village Hall on Friday night...no function is more enjoyable than the annual gathering of her village friends of all ages and both sexes, who trip to the music of the Lelant Band, and are refreshed later in the evening with choice creature comforts and cheery companionship..." [Cornishman 9 May 1934].

The Band led the parade through the village for the celebrations at the end of World War II [Cornishman 1945].

Dorothy Meade gives a friendly and lively description of the Band in her 1972 reminiscences Lelant that was 1909 onwards [CRO AD 1102/3] Dorothy Meade and explains that the band played at many occasions, including the annual the garden fete at Trevethoe. From Dorothy Meade's reminiscences we also learn that the Band practised in the village hall and stored their instruments in a small space beneath the gallery that was then in place by the entrance.

A photograph of the Band in 1932 was published in the St Ives Times and Echo on 10 June 1983. The names of the 1932 players were given: L Thomas, D Edwards, C Blewett, J Thomas, H Johns, W Thomas, H Dudley, L Uren, D Williams, A Gregory, F Bennetts, F Stevens, J Curnow, J Gregory, W Blewett, E Banfield, L Gregory, T Nankervis, I Gregory, S Glasson, T Brown, Mr Grills, F Gregory (band master), R Pearce, Mr Hughes, Mr Mortlock, T Harry, J Roach, R Edwards, and C Cotterall.

Frank Gregory was bandmaster for five years. Lewis, Ivan, and Jack, his three brothers, were also members and his father, Albert Gregory, was a drummer in the band.

A few surviving records of the band are at Cornwall Record Office [CRO P 120/28/1,2].

There is a passing reference to "Lelant Band" playing at the celebrations for villagers at the marriage of WB Tyringham and Miss Wilby, March 1865 [Royal Cornwall Gazette 29 March 1865].

British and Foreign Bible Society

The annual meeting of the Lelant section of the British and Foreign Bible Society at the Wesleyan Chapel, Trendreath [St Ives Weekly Summary 13 November 1909].

The annual meeting of the Society at Trendreath Wesleyan Chapel [St Ives Weekly Summary 6 April 1916].

A meeting of the Society at Trendreath Chapel. General Secretary Miss F Maddern, Assistant Secretary FE Mortlock [Cornishman 16 March 1938].

Carbis Bay and District Horse Show

This organisation has links with Lelant.

The Carbis Bay and District Horse Show was founded in 1940. Founder members were J Rogers, the late Miss J Passy of Brush End Riding School, the late AP Elliott and James Olds.

The first show raised £58 and that was given to to the Red Cross. During the 1939-45 war £1000 was given to the Red Cross. Money raised now is given to local causes.

The show has been held in lands owned by the late Mr and Mrs W Wearne, Austin Wearne, and John Badcock. It is now held in a field, owned by Mr and Mrs C Richards, off the A30 opposite St Erth railway station

Lelant Conservatives

Of the political parties, only the Conservatives seem to have had a branch at Lelant. I have found no records of there having been Liberal or Labour branch parties here, though there was a St Ives and Lelant branch of the Liberals (see below).

Looking at the names of Lelant Conservatives, it is clear that there was a strong link between membership of the Church of England in Lelant and the Conservative party in the past. In 1870 RF Tyacke, vicar of Lelant, wrote a public letter saying that WB Tyringham of Trevethoe would not help St Uny's Church because a Liberal supporter (A Anthony) was elected as churchwarden [Cornish Telegraph 21 September 1870, page 3c].

At the beginning of the twentieth century the Conservatives are invariably called Unionists in the newspapers.

Lelant Unionist Association meeting [St Ives Weekly Summary 28 July 1909].

Lelant Unionist Association met on 26 August 1909 and elected Mr RWG Tyringham president, Mr JW Wilkinson vice chairman, Mr J Banfield treasurer, and Messrs W Taylor and HP Hurrell joint honorary secretaries. Twelve delegates were elected on to the central association [Cornishman 2 September 1909].

Lelant Unionist Association held their annual general meeting on agm on 31 March 1911 and elected the following: President RWG Tyringham, Vice Presidents Captain Chads RN and HH Sandow, FW Brooke, and Captain Penberthy, Treasurer J Banfield, Honorary Secretary WJ Taylor. Delegates elected to the central council were Messrs P Rogers, MacIvor Bassett, JN Millett, W Payne, F Whiting, W Wearne, JP Silkstone, J Hobbs, A Brander, J Roach, A Beckerleg, A Begbie, F Craze. The representative on the executive committee was HH Sandow. The Lelant Committee were all these along with Messrs Lawrence, James, Richards, Michael, and Pearce [St Ives Weekly Summary 7 April 1911].

The minute books of the branch show that in 1947 the Lelant branch was revived, as the National Liberal and Conservative party, with Charles ML Scott of Green Loaning as secretary. They cover the period 1947-1981, with gaps, and are at CRO X1108, time embargoed.

Lelant and Carbis Bay Conservative party branches merged in 2008.

Lelant Cottage Garden Society

See also Lelant Village Produce Association

The society's first exhibition was held in the National School on Thursday 3 August 1916. It was very successful and made £90 for the Red Cross. Officials were: Patron RWG Tyringham, President W Ball, Treasurer WJ Taylor, Secretaries E Courtice and HP Hurrell. Large Committee comprising: TR Grylls, A Harvey, RH Bartlett, R Berryman, W Richards, J Uren, F Craze, J Nankervis, J Roach, H Michell, JR Holbrook, SH Green, WB Gilbart, WR Rosewarne, F Jago, J Martin [mentioned twice, two separate people or one], T Sanders, E Penberthy, J Sandow, A Eddy, W Whiteley, T Johns, W Edmonds, C Mitchell, E Bartlett, JH Blight, J Matthews, J Thomas, S Luke, J Johns, H Edmonds, and TJ Lavers. The report in the paper gives the names of the winners of the prize [St Ives Weekly Summary 10 August 1916].

Lelant Cricket Club

The first mention of a Lelant cricket club that I have come across is in 1881. In the Cornish Telegraph for 18 and 23 August and 1 Septmeber of that year there are reports of acrimony at a match played between Lelant and Penzance in a field near St Erth railway station. Lelant players mentioned are: J Maddern, R Luke, J Pearce, R Hampton, RP Tyacke, T Simmons, J Luke, x Gall, J Sandow, and C Banfield.

This club seems to have died at some point because a cricket club was formed at Lelant in 1895, the same year as the football club. The first reference to this one appears to be in the St Ives Weekly Summary for 11 May 1895 when the formation of the club with thirty members is reported. There was also a junior cricket club, the Union Jacks.

The newspapers carried regular reports of the club's activities.

The Cricket Club annual general meeting was on Tuesday evening, 25 February 1896. Elected: President R.W.G. Tyringham, Secretary Albert Burt, Captain James Maddern (the retiring captain),Three Vice Presidents Mr Batten, H. Howard, and Greville E. Matheson, Treasurer W.J. Polglase, Vice-Captain J. Rogers, Committee (other than the aforementioned) H. Hosking, W.B. Gilbart, P. Rogers, W. Toms, S. Edmonds. The Club played at Trevethoe Barton (owned by Francis Craze). There were thirty two members. One (H Oliver) had left for South Africa, R. Triggs had died. The Club had played nine matches, of which it had won five and lost four. Players included S.Edmonds and James Perry, both high scorers; and H.Tregenza, T. Dunstan, and James Perry, the best bowlers [Cornish Telegraph 27 February 1896].

Lelant Cricket Club annual meeting. Elected were President RWG Tyringham, Captain J Maddern, Vice-captain James Perry, Treasurer WJ Taylor, and Secretary George Pearce. Committee members elected were S Edmonds, H Mitchell, C Mitchell, C Olds, and J Olds. A former player, W Millett, was noted as serving in the South African war. The Club decided to ask Francis Craze if they could continue to play at Trevethoe Park [St Ives Weekly Summary 23 March 1901].

Annual meeting of Lelant Cricket Club. Elected were President RWG Tyringham, Captain JK Blackmore, Treasurer WJ Taylor, Secretary W Whitebread, and committee members J Maddern, J Perry, and J Olds [St Ives Weekly Summary 15 March 1902].

In 1903 reports of matches gave the names of twenty-two Lelant players: J Maddern. EG Fuller, F Nicholls, G Pearce (bowler), H Hall (bowler), J George, D Jenkyn, R Roach, J Roach, J Daniel, N Whitebread, RH Lever, C Mitchell, J Uren, x Johnson, WG Dickson, T Dunstan, J Pellow, L Polglase, E Hutchens, P Hutchens, and M Richards [St Ives Weekly Summary reports of 30 May page 3, 27 June page 9, 18 July page 10, and 15 August page 3].

Lelant Cricket Club played Goldsithney. Lelant players mentioned were J Roach, G Pearce, AW Thompson, and JP Graham [Cornishman 30 September 1909].

Lelant Cricket Club held its annual meeting on 19 March and elected President RGW Tyringham, Captain John Roach, Subcaptain JP Graham, Treasurer G Brown [St Ives Weekly Summary 26 March 1910].

In subsequent match reports in the St Ives Weekly Summary in 1910 the players mentioned were W Hall, Burningham, Graham, Dyke, and Thompson [28 May]; H Fitzherbert, James Roach, WJ Roach (brothers) and JP Graham [25 June]; S Durrant, M Vincent, and AW Thompson [20 August].

"Mr Stephen Roscorla has been elected captain and Mr George Brown, subcaptain of the Lelant Cricket Club. A pitch has been secured in Trevethoe Park" [St Ives Weekly Summary 14 April 1911].

Team members on 19 May, 16 June, and 8 September 1911. These are: JP Graham, J Maddern, J Herring, WJ Roach, T Pellow and TH Pellow [same person or two people], AW Thompson, M Vincent, W Vincent, G Brown, OS Gray, James Roach, S Roscorla, H Williams, and E Coram [St Ives Weekly Summary 1911].

Mr WJ Taylor, head of the National School, presided at a meeting of Lelant Cricket Club which agreed to send cricket artefacts to soldiers at the war Front. In 1914 Cricket Club receipts were £12-9-6 and expenditure £11-19-6 [St Ives Weekly Summary 8 July 1915].

A photograph of the Club taken around 1950 gives the following players: Tommy Barber, George Berryman, Gordon Cock, Jimmy Cocking, Ted Hart, Gordon Jeffery, Bernard Mitchell, Walter Palfrey, Tony Roach, Donald Rogers,and [unknown forename] Williams. Edwin Blight and Henry Johns were in the photograph as nonplayers.

Lelant Union Jack Cricket Club

This was a junior cricket club and its activities were noted in the newspapers.

Union Jack Cricket Club met at The Elms to give gifts to Mrs Norsworthy, the founder and treasurer, who was leaving to live in Guildford. The Club also said farewell to Reverend H Wilson who was going to Plympton [Cornish Telegraph 25 July 1895].

A meeting to re-form the Union Jack Cricket Club. President RWG Tyringham, Three Vice-Presidents R Tyacke, WJ Taylor, JN Millett, Treasurer Mrs Tyringham, Assistant Treasurer J Hawes, Captain A Gregory, Vice-captain W Millett, Secretary G Pearce [Cornish Telegraph 19 March 1896].

Union Jack Cricket Club [Cornish Telegraph 8 October 1896].

Food Production Committee

A Food Production Committee was formed at Lelant on Monday 22 January in connection with the Cornwall War Agricultural Committee. The Lelant committee comprised twenty-one people including TR Glasson, WJ Taylor, M Trewhella, W Payne, J Rogers, WN Martin, P Roach, J Uren, JT Rowe (all Lelant parish councillors), E Bartlett, R Bartlett, WB Gilbert, TR Grylls, J Johns, J Pollard, T Sanders, W Thomas, and Mr Trenery. Mrs Ricardo and Mrs Haszard were to canvas Lelant to see if seed potatoes were needed and to see if any garden land was available. Other people were to canvass Trencrom and Carbis Bay [St Ives Weekly Summary 25 January 1917].

Lelant Football Club

Lelant Football Club appears to have been founded in 1895. The Cornish Telegraph of 21 November 1895 carries this report:

"Lelant Association Club played their first match on Saturday [16 November 1895] on their own ground, when they met Press United. Owing to the climactic conditions the spectators were few. Lelant kicked off and soon got the ball near their opponents' goal. When lemon time was called the visitors led by two goals to nil. After changing sides Lelant played a hard game and caused some amount of work for the Press backs. After some smart play Lelant shot their first goal and very shortly sent the leather through the visitors' post. Nothing further was scored but when time was called Lelant was still pressing. The game resulted in a draw."

The location of the ground is unknown.

"Lelant Association Football Club has just issued its fixture card which reflects great credit on both printer, Mr JU White, St Ives, and on the Secretary of the Club. Considering this is the first year's the number of matches - fourteen - is about as much as can reasonably be expected; and Mr Albert Burt may be congratulated on his secretaryship - so far" [Cornishman 5 December 1895].

The Club ceased and in 1938 one was started at Lelant Downs. This in turn was restarted after the War in 1946.

St Ives Amateur Football Club played at the Saltings, Lelant at the end of the twentieth century.

Lelant Union Jack Football Club

This was a junior football club.

At the Union Jack Football Club annual social at Hawkes Point a resolution was passed "thanking Mrs HM Rosewarne, formerly of Lelant, the originator of the club" [Cornish Telegraph 4 June 1896].

Union Jack Football Club [Cornish Telegraph 8 October 1896].

Lelant Hockey Club

There was a Lelant hockey team which played in the 1930s in the field opposite the Golf Club.

Liberal Party

In 1900/1901 the Liberals established a St Ives and Lelant Liberal Association. The St Ives Weekly Summary on 2 February 1901 referred to it and on 16 February 1901 described it as "newly-formed." There was a Liberal Party in St Ives before this and the new organisation is probably a restructuring. There appear to be no references to a separate Lelant Liberal Party.

Lelant Lighting Fund

In the early years of the twentieth century, before local councils took responsibility for street lighting, Lelant had to make its own arrangements. The Cornishman, Cornish Telegraph, and St Ives Weekly Summary reported events in October, November, and December 1901 and this is a composite account based on their reports.

On 10 October 1901 a public meeting was held to consider lighting for village in the winter. There was a "small attendance." WW Chapple said that most villagers supported lighting Lelant and there would be no difficulty in getting the money for it. Mr Andrew moved and Mr Hurrell seconded a motion that Lelant be lit during the winter months and this was agreed. WJ Taylor said that he had estimates from two Penzance firms: each lamp post and lamp complete would cost £3.

A committee was appointed by the meeting to collect subscriptions for the cost of buying and running the lights so that this did not fall on the rates. The three local newspapers disagree in part about the composition of this committee. The five names agreed by all three were: J Banfield, E Mitchell, J Nankervis, JB Shepherd, and F Thomas. Other names mentioned as committee members by some newspapers and not others were: Mr Anderson, WB Gilbart (secretary), E Orchard, WJ Polglase, WJ Taylor, (treasurer), and T Uren.

The village lighting committee asked West Cornwall Rural District Council on 21 November 1901 for permission to fix eight lamps in the village. The district council agreed as long as the parish paid 1d for each lamp each year. They went ahead. The lamps and posts were supplied by James Sandow of Lelant. J Hawes was given the work of the lighting and care of the lamps. On Saturday 30 November 1901 the whole village was lit for the first time. M Bennetts, the son of Mr Bennetts of Riverside, ceremonially lit the first lamp which was in Church Road. The lamps were put out at 10 pm each night [St Ives Weekly Summary 19 October, 23 November, and 7 December 1901, Cornish Telegraph 27 November and 4 December 1901, Cornishman 5 December 1901].

In September the next year, 1902, a new committee was elected comprising E Mitchell as chair, Reverend WR Erskine as vice-chair, WJ Polglase as treasurer, GG Pearce as secretary, and committee members A Beckerleg, FW Bennett, WB Gilbart, Mr Nankervis, F Thomas, WJ Taylor, Mr Uren, and J Whitehead [St Ives Weekly Summary 27 September 1902].

There was some difficulty. The committee set up to collect money for a celebration of the coronation of Edward VII had a surplus and decided to spend £6 of this on the purchase of two lamps for the village to commemorate the coronation. They were to be placed outside the post office in Fore Street and at Towan Farm in Church Road. However, the newspaper reported that a commemorative coronation lamp recently placed outside the chapel at Trendreath had "mysteriously disappeared" during a November night [St Ives Weekly Summary 4 and 11 October and 29 November 1902].

In October 1902 there was a concert in aid of the lighting fund [St Ives Weekly Summary 25 October 1902].

The Cornishman for 14 October 1909 reports the annual meeting of the subscriber members of Lelant Lighting Fund, the villagers who gave money to provide gas street lights, and a lamplighter who lit and extinguished them and the street lights. The Officers and Committee elected were all men: Chair Reverend WR Erskine, Vice Chair A Beckerleg, Treasurer WB Gilbart, Honorary Secretary WJ Taylor, with J Nankervis, FW Brooke, J Banfield, T Johns, WJ Polglase, HP Hurrell as Committee members. W Coram was elected lamplighter.

That year lighting began on 9 November.

Eventually the street lighting was taken over by local government.

On 27 November 1936 there was an agreement for ten years between St Ives borough council, then the council for Lelant, and West Cornwall Electricity Supply Company by which WCES Company provided street lighting for Lelant from one hour after sunset to 2300 hours from 1 September to the beginning of summer time each year. The agreement was for fourteen lamps, twelve of one hundred watts and two of one hundred and fifty watts, and the council paid £51-7-6 a year to the company [CRO DC/Pen 1062].

Men's and Girls' Clubs

There is a report in the St Ives Times 7 January 1921 page 7b of a joint social evening, presided over by reverend AG Chapman, the vicar, which points to these being Anglican organisations. There is a report in the Cornishman of 13 October 1920, page 5e, of sessions at Lelant parish hall being assigned to the Girls Guild and to the Men's Guild.

Mothers' Union

Formed 28 January 1990 for St Uny's, Lelant and St Anta's, Carbis Bay. An organisation for Anglican women.

Lelant Musical Society

"The newly formed Lelant Musical Society" under the direction of Mr Cleave took part in an entertainment [ Cornishman 4 February 1928 page 2]

Mutual Improvement Society

This was organised at the Wesleyan Chapel, probably in the 1890s, and seems to have been primarily a discussion project, perhaps the precursor to the Wesley Guild.

Nursing Association

Formed 1920 for the parish of Lelant. Nurse Gardner was appointed [St Ives Times 10 December 1920 page 7a].

Lelant Planning Group

This is a voluntary organisation of villagers and was established in September 2006 to monitor proposals affecting the built environment in Lelant such as planning applications to the local council and to make collective representations about them to the council. The annual meeting on 30 March 2007 was attended by forty two members and membership was "over fifty households" ( Cornishman 5 April 2007, page 54/c-d); and also "over fifty households" ( Cornishman 7 April 2011, page 49/f).

Lelant Players

The Lelant Womens Institute minute book shows that at their WI meeting on 7 February 1946 Mrs Job said she was the secretary of a newly-formed drama group and invited Lelant Womens Institute members to join.

Their drama group put on plays in the village hall and at drama festivals elsewhere.

Early plays put on were: From five to five thirty (Author, Philip Johnson) and The day's good cause (ME Atkinson) both staged 10 February 1948 at Lelant Village Hall.

Later in 1948 the WI drama group became the Lelant Players and were sponsored by the Lelant Womens Institute.

The Lelant Players put on several plays or performances each year from 1948. On 28 and 29 November 1952 they put on four plays at the village hall. The last one was Dark horses (Authors, EC Bellamy and Margaret Wood) for the county drama festival on 28 March 1960 in Carbis Bay Memorial Hall.

There had been drama in Lelant before this. In her reminiscences Dorothy Meade tells of organising plays in the 1920s after the disused chapel had become the village hall [Lelant that was: 1909 onwards CRO AD 1102/3].

Lelant Village Produce Association

See also Lelant Cottage Garden Society

The Produce Association was formed on 12 October 1944. It organises a few talks throughout the year and runs an annual competitive show each summer. The show mainly deals with vegeatbles and flowres but also includes some handicrafts, art, photography, and wine.

The first officers were: chair CW Wright, secretaries CM Chandler and treasurer Mrs H Job. WJ Roach.

A representative account of the annual show, including a list of winners, is in the St Ives Times and Echo 10 August 2001. A booklet, 50 years on, written by Jill Kelly in 1994 gives a brief history of the association.

Reading Room

A Reading Room for the village was suggested in a letter to the Cornish Telegraph of 5 March 1896. The idea of the letter writer was for "the young men to spend their evenings in reading and amusements instead of loitering about the corners." However, the newspaper reported on 30 /p> July that John Passmore Edwards, who had given money to establish several free public libraries in Cornwall, had rejected on 22 July a petition to him from the village asking him to provide a reading room.

A Reading Room was established, probably in 190/p> 1 and with what money I do not know, and on 12 October 1901 the St Ives Weekly Summary reported elections of officers and a committee: President E Orchard; Vice-Presidents E Mitchell, F Craze, and Captain T Uren; Treasurer J Harvey; Secretary J Edmonds; Assistant Secretary H Hichens. It was decided to open the winter session with a social on 23 October 1901.

On 27 November 1901 the Cornish Telegraph reported a concert in connection with the reading room "recently established in Lelant." The whereabouts of the Reading Room are unknown but may have been at the National School.

Rechabites

The Rechabites were a national teetotal organisation and Friendly Society formed in Salford in August 1835. Adult and junior Rechabites were formed in Lelant 1908 [St Ives Weekly Summary 2 January 1909]. There are many newspaper reports of their activities. The village had two groups ("tents") of Rechabites, Excelsior and St Uny [St Ives Weekly Summary 12 June 1909].

A letter in 1879 explains the origins of the Rechabites and says that they now have 35 000 members in the country and that their clubs are called tents [Cornishman 10 July 1879].

At a meeting of Rechabites in West Cornwall the Lelant representative was WT Newton. Lelant had thirty three adult members and ninety two juvenile members and £40 in funds [Cornishman 16 September 1909].

There was a Rechabite parade from the National School to the Parish Church led by Lelant Brass Band. Among those taking part were JC Frances junior, Spencer Courtice, T Whatty, Herbert Pearce, Norman Courtice, Lily Hosking, Olive Keen, B Rowe, Bertie Williams [Cornishman 9 October 1909].

A report in the Cornishman on 14 October 1909 about the Rechabites mentioned Mr Ernest Ruberry, Louie Blewett, Nellie Blewett, J Rowe, and N Francis.

Rechabite fete in Trevethoe Park [St Ives Weekly Summary 16 July 1910].

Lelant Adult Rechabite elections: Messrs F Greet, JC Francis, JH Blight, S Glasson, AH Hodge, F Brown, J Nankervis, J Beckerleg (all men). J Ruberry - juvenile Excelsior tent [St Ives Weekly Summary 30 July 1910].

Recruiting committee

A recruiting committee was established at Lelant during the 1914-18 war comprising JN Millett, H Sandow, HP Hurrell, MH Erskine, J Banfield, MacIvor Bassett, x Mitchell, W Toms, H Edmonds, TR Glasson, T Scott Brown, WJ Taylor (joint secretary) and HB Trewhella (joint secretary). "The committee will consider the roll of honour, which at present contains forty names" [St Ives Weekly Summary 26 November 1914, page 2]. The last digit of the number on the roll is unclear.

Red Cross

During the 1914-18 war there was a Red Cross branch at Lelant. It sent various things to London for the troops. Examples were: bandages, swabs, operation stockings, pneumonia jackets, sphagnum moss dressings, and day shirts. See the St Ives Weekly Summary of 6 January 1916, 23 March 1916, and of 1 and 7 February, 15 March, and 30 August, all in 1917.

Villagers raised money for the Red Cross by various means. Seven children collected money from singing carols on Christmas day 1915. They were Nellie Coulam, Maggie Courtice, Olive Courtice, Frank Gregory, Emily Harvey, Leonard Harvey, Willie Woodcock [St Ives Weekly Summary 6 January 1916]. Miss G Hosking of Glenside, Church Road, organised the "Our day" collection for Red Cross funds. Collectors were Miss Ida Simons, Miss Winnie Brown, Miss Doris Banfield, and Miss Issie Courtice [St Ives Weekly Summary 25 October 1917]. Dorothy Backhouse (later Dorothy Meade) put on a drama at the National School for Red Cross funds [St Ives Weekly Summary 3 January 1918].

In the 1939-45 war the Carbis Bay and District Horse Show raised money for the Red Cross.

Lelant Tennis Club

A whist drive held in support of Lelant Tennis cLub [ Cornishman 18 November 1937, page 10 ]

Trevarrack Old Boys Club
Formed in January 1921 on th initiative of WW Bastian, the headteacher, for social activities and to maintain friendships formed at Trevarrack board school. The school catchment included an area from Canonstown to Towednack and Ninnis Bridge to Carbis Bay. A report of the inaugural meeting, attended by about forty people, elected RWG Tyringham as president, W Payne as chair, J Roach as vice-chair, J Curnow as secretary. Facilities included games and papers [St Ives Times 28 January 1921 page 9a].

Trencrom Ladies Club

War Savings Association

A War Savings Association was formed in Lelant on 27 February 1917. The committee comprised RWG Tyringham (chair), Mrs E Mitchell (treasurer), WJ Taylor (secretary), AG Chapman (the vicar), Miss N Mitchell, Miss Hosking, Miss G Hosking, Miss Harris, TR Grylls, J Roach, TR Glasson, WJ Pollard, and WR Rosewarne [St Ives Weekly Summary 1 March 1917]. £185 was subscribed to the War Savings ssociation in 1917 [St Ives Weekly Summary 28 February 1918].

See Lelant Womens Institute

Lelant Under Fives Playgroup

A playgroup existed for several years in the village for children and met at the village hall. There is a report in the St Ives Times and Echo 7 June 1996 and the Cornishman 10 July 1977, both with photographs. The playgroup eventually merged and went to Carbis Bay.

Lelant Wesley Guild

The Wesleyan Methodists at Trendreath chapel in the village had a Wesley Guild, basically a religionist educational society for men and women. This held discussions, talks, and walks and in summer met on the beach and played games. The Guild ended ended 1959. There is the occasional newspaper report of the Guild's activities, for example the St Ives Weekly Summary on 7 March reports that the Guild had a social evening with games, musical entertainment from members, and a spelling bee; and on 2 January 1904 the Cornishman said that the Guild had had an evening debate.

Lelant Wesley Guild met on 11 September 1910 and elected the following officers: President Reverend Thomas Dodd [Superintendent St Ives]. Vice-Presidents Messrs E Mitchell, J Nankervis, J Wade, J Hosking, General Secretary Mrs E Mitchell, Roll Secretary F Coulam, Assistant Secretaries Messrs H Olds, A Roberts, and H Coulam. Organists Misses N Mitchell and H Hichens. The Committee was Mrs ER Penberthy; Misses Olds, EM Olds, M Polglase, J Pearce; Messrs H Gall, E Ruberry, and J Woodcock [St Ives Weekly Summary 11 September 1909].

Wesley Guild heard papers on Cowper, the poet, from Mrs A Olds and on Gounod, the composer, from Miss N Mitchell. Then there were recitations, vocal solos, and piano duets [Cornishman 1 April 1911].

On New Year's Eve the Wesley Guild had a social in the Sunday School room at Trendreath Chapel: games, musical program, and refreshments. At 11pm there was a nightwatch service. The report mentions JH Blight, Vice-president of the Guild. The Guild had also had a literary meeting. Frank Vibert of St Ives spoke about "The faith of the fool" [Cornishman 5 January 1938].

Some of Lelant Wesley Guild records are at Cornwall Record Office:
Minutes 1924-1927, 1932-1941, and 1942-1954 CRO MR/I/56-58
Membership book 1937-1945 CRO MR/I/59
Account book 1940-1956 CRO MR/I/60

Wesley Sewing Meeting

The only reference that I have come across to this organisation is in the St Ives Weekly Summary on 30 May 1903 to a tea for the Sewing Meeting at the chapel at Trendreath in Lelant.

Lelant Women's Institute / Trencrom Ladies Club

The Institute's minute books and records show that the inaugural meeting of Lelant Womens Institute was on Monday 23 April 1945 in the Village Hall. It began at 3.45 pm.

There were eighteen members present and thirty-six names were submitted as wishing to become members. In the elections that day the following became the first officers and committee members:

President Mrs H Job, Vice-Presidents None, Secretary Miss Maddern, Treasurer Mrs Rowe. Other Committee members: Mrs Roach, Mrs Pearce, Mrs H Scopes, Mrs E Harry, Mrs Fearne, Miss Evans, and Mrs Gill.

The meeting agreed to hold the WI meetings at the Village Hall in the evenings at 7.30 pm on the first Thursday in the month till September then their time should be reconsidered. The age of admission was agreed at eighteen, a proposal to put the age at fifteen being lost.

The first monthly meeting was held on Thursday 3 May 1945 at 7.30 pm. Nineteen members were present and the meeting began with the singing of Jerusalem. The first speaker was Mrs Clemo of Redruth who gave a talk on handicrafts. It was agreed that members should "refrain from smoking" at meetings.The meeting ended with the singing of God save the king.

The first annual meeting was on Thursday 6 December 1945 at 7.30 pm. Membership was fifty one and the credit balance including sale of work of £85.12.1 1/2d (about GBP85.66p). A choir was formed by the Institute at the end of its meeting on 4 April 1946 with Mrs I Gregory as pianist, Miss Yeomans as leader, and Mrs Johns as secretary. This appears to have lapsed in June. The minutes are held by Cornwall county Womens Institutue.

Lelant Women's Institute ceased at its annual general meeting 9 March 2001 [St Ives Times and Echo 6 April 2001]. It was in effect replaced by Trencrom Ladies Club, with largely the same membership and whose inaugural meeting in Lelant village hall was on 6 April 2001 [Cornishman 19 April 2001, St Ives Times and Echo 20 April 2001]. Despite its geographical name, Trencrom, its membership is predominantly from Lelant and it meets in Lelant village hall.

Volunteer Training Corps

In March 1915 a section of the Volunteer Training Corps was formed at Lelant with R Coulam as instructor and Mr Halsted as secretary [St Ives Weekly Summary 6 January 1916].

Youth Hostel

From 1936 to 1940 there was a Lelant Downs/Lelant YHA hostel at Gonew Viscoe farm. The warden was Miss Barbara KENNARD. The overnights for the five years were 1444, 1872, 2304, 1439, and 365. [Information from YHA Archives]

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