Savills team (l-r) George Hill, Chris Clifford, Rosey Murphy and Michael Pennington.

When our Chairman, Caroline Tetley, initiated the CHCT Christmas Drinks Party I am sure she never conceived how popular it would become.

The generosity of Elizabeth Fortescue at Boconnoc and Caroline and Richard Williams at Scorrier in offering stunning venues on alternate years has meant that the Party reaches most of the Cornwall and its lengthy geography.  This year we were able to attract guests spanning nine separate decades.  The youngest, Master Barnaby Hodgson, declared after handing around canapes that it was ‘not too bad after all’ and he would be keen to return in 2020.  Praise indeed.

We are so grateful to Savills who have been the most generous Sponsors of this event and the team on the night is massively helpful to the CHCT committee.  This year over £6,000 was raised.

Susie Gore galvanised her team once again to produce the most mouth-watering canapés and plenty of them!  The kitchen is always great fun on the night and Susie has us brilliantly organised.

Jill Jobson

Our hosts: Caroline and Richard Williams.

Vanessa Leslie with Father Christmas

We met for our annual meeting at St Michael Penkivel to hear the most enlightening talk by John Allan, who is the Exeter Cathedral archaeologist. John had us riveted for over an hour as he explained how during the Decorated period c.1250-1350 work down in this part of Cornwall was as elaborate in design as some of the work being done at Exeter and Wells, the leading Gothic-style in Europe at the time. Although not on the same scale the use of ‘S’ shaped tracery and elaborate curvilinear designs can be found in quite a few of our parish churches here in Cornwall like St Michael Penkivel and also a group in South East Cornwall centred on St Germans, St Ive and Sheviock.

Notes from the talk by John Allan

Nick Jeanes also made a short presentation about St Michael Penkivel church and pointed out the face of William Morris planted on the little figure of the devil in the bottom left corner of the East window – a jest by the artist who did not credit William Morris with the respect he was getting at the time.

It was a great pleasure to have our Honouree Life President Lord Falmouth with us. In his centenary year Lord Falmouth remains as interested and supportive of the work of the Trust as ever having himself been one of the founder members.

A cream tea rounded off the afternoon in the old school house and was enjoyed by all.

The CHCT Annual party is undoubtedly one of Cornwall’s Christmas highlights, and deservedly so.

The elegance of Boconnoc was echoed by the guests who once again turned up in party mood ensuring the great success of the evening.

Deep gratitude goes to Elizabeth and Claire Fortescue who loaned the house for the party, and also to the dedicated team of canapé ladies who year after year produce mouth-watering eats whilst enjoying a parallel party in the kitchen – each party is as much fun as the other!

A huge thank you goes to those who collected and donated prizes for the Raffle and the hamper, also to Alexandra Bolitho for the stunning and most original wreaths, all of which add so successfully to the profits of the evening.

And of course, it wouldn’t even happen without the very generous and dedicated support of our sponsors, Savills, so a huge thank you from all of us goes to them.

I am happy to report that a healthy sum in excess of £6,500 was raised at this year’s party.

Caroline Fox

photos by Charles Francis www.charlesfrancis.photos

Our Savills Sponsors; Michael Pennington, Director & Head of the Cornwall office; Ben Davies, Associate Director – Residential; Chris Anderson, Associate Director –  Rural Professional; Paul Cressy Director and Head of Estate Management

Miss Cicely Willis, Dr Robert and Mrs Kirby-Harris, Mrs Christopher Harvey-Clark, Mr William Trinik and Revd. Philip de Grey Warter (hon treasurer)

Our hostess Mrs Anthony Fortescue and the winners of the raffle, David & Cecelia Bisson.