Cornwall Historic Churches Trust

This year our Christmas Party was at Boconnoc House on 16th December, which many find is not easy to get to especially when arterial roads are closed, but as more than one guest said is a perfect venue for a Christmas Party. We were delighted to welcome Taylor Money Wealth Management as a sponsorship partner with Jonathan Cunliffe Estate Agents who have supported CHCT for several years. Thanks to their generous support the evening raised around £5,000. Pictured from left to right: Jonathan Cunliffe, Verity Cunliffe and from Taylor Money Jonty Brooks, MD and Freya Randall-Money, Director of Operations.
Libby Reed organised her team of volunteers in the kitchen with military efficiency and Jonathan and Verity Cunliffe’s children, Florence, Jackson and Reuben were star waiters throughout the evening. The quality and quantity of the canapés was outstanding and we are grateful to all those who have taken the trouble to write and thank the chefs for their efforts.

Our thanks to all those who organised or attended parties on behalf of the CHCT through the summer raising £600. Congratulations to Mrs T Kittow who won the draw for lunch for two at The Quarter Deck, Nare Hotel kindly sponsored by Mr and Mrs Toby Ashworth

The annual lunch this year was held on the longest day – 21 June – in glorious sunshine at Caerhays Castle, the home of Charles and Lizzy Williams. The castle was designed by John Nash and built in the early years of the 19^th century for John Bettesworth Trevanion, but the enterprise bankrupted the family whose home Caerhays had been since the early 15^th century. John Trevanion fled to the continent and the castle remained empty for some years, its papier-mâché roof letting in the rain and ruining the contents.

The estate was purchased in the 1850s by the Williams family who rebuilt much of the castle and restored the parish church; successive generations have created the glorious gardens which surround the castle.

Over 80 friends enjoyed a wonderful lunch prepared by committee members, and afterwards were taken on a guided tour of the gardens. St Michael Caerhays church had organised a flower festival a few days previously and a visit to this lovely and ancient building to see the beautiful floral arrangements provided a fitting end to a wonderful day.

We offer our grateful thanks to Mr and Mrs Williams and their extremely helpful staff for all they did to make the event run so smoothly, and to the Nare Hotel for its continuing sponsorship. Your committee is already planning next year’s lunch!

Christine Edwards

Our hosts, Mr and Mrs Charles Williams, drawing the raffle with our Trustee Caroline Tetley