Rescorla Centre

The home of Cornish culture in mid Cornwall.

Find us in the centre of the hamlet of Rescorla, near St Austell.
Please have a look at our events page to find out all that's happening at Rescorla.

  •  11/04/2023 07:00 PM

A celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of Rescorla. Come along to an evening of entertainment with music from Ilow Rescorla and song by Kana Rescorla. All welcome.

  •  12/04/2023 01:30 AM

This month we will be discussing 'The Betrayal' by Helen Dunmore.

  •  14/04/2023 07:00 PM

The Hurdy Gurdies are delighted to return to The Rescorla Centre to play a fundraiser for this amazing community project. Entry by donation. The Hurdy Gurdies play authentic music from the 60s.

  •  08/07/2023 10:30 AM - 16/07/2023 06:00 AM

The Rescorla Festival takes place over the third weekend in July - however this year we are having a longer celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of chapel. There will be a flower festival, guided walk, demonstration of Cornish Wrestling, the Cornish Studies group, workshops, music by Fable, Ryb an Mor, Ilow Rescorla and Bagas Crowd. There will be others, to be confirmed nearer the time. There will be the traditional Tea Treat on the final sunday afternoon. All welcome. More details will be on the website and Facebook page nearer the time.

  •  25/03/2023 02:00 PM

Accordion Fest at Rescorla on Saturday 25th March at 2.00pm. Different styles and instruments from the accordion family are welcome. All welcome. there will be refreshments.

  •  19/03/2023 06:00 PM

Celtic service with David Michael. All welcome.

  •  18/03/2023 07:30 PM

Come along to the Sawles Arms and join in with the music and song. All welcome.

  •  11/03/2023 02:30 AM

The Cornish Studies Group meeting at the Rescorla Centre this coming Saturday will focus on the subject of Cornish byways. What is their story? What can they tell us about the economic landscape of the past? A good example is the route in the photo which was part of the pre-1830s road from St Austell to Bodmin before a new route through modern Bugle led to new housing development close to the expanding clay industry. This particular session will start at 230 instead of the normal time of 1030am

  •  25/02/2023 10:30 AM

Come along for music, song, poetry, dialect readings. Refreshemnts provided. All welcome.

  •  19/02/2023 06:00 PM

Celtic Service with David Michael. All welcome.

  •  18/02/2023 07:30 PM

Music session with Kana Rescorla and Ilow Rescorla at the Sawles Arms. All welcome.

  •  18/02/2023 10:30 AM

In association with Luxulyan Old Cornwall Society. Trever Smitheram will talk about Rick Rescorla and this will be followed by a general discussion on the Cornish diaspora. Refreshments will be provided. All welcome.

  •  15/02/2023 01:30 PM

This month we are discussing 'Frenchman's Creek' by Daphne Du Maurier. Refreshments provided.

  •  28/01/2023 02:30 PM

If you can speak some Cornish join us at this free event on Saturday 28th January 2.30-4.30 Rescorla Centre, a great opportunity to practise your conversation and have some fun. Book your tickets now through Eventbrite. Please see our Facebook page for details.

  •  28/01/2023 10:30 AM

Come along to the Saturday Kitchen to enjoy good company, food ,traditional Cornish music and song and dialect readings. All welcome.

  •  21/01/2023 07:30 PM

Come along to the Sawles Arms to hear Kana Rescorla sing traditional Cornish songs, feel free to join in. We will aslo be suported by Ryb an Mor. It promises to be a lively and enjoyable evening! All welcome.

  •  21/01/2023 10:30 AM

The topic for discussion this month is transport. Please bring along your memories and any artefacts that you have eg. photos. Refreshments will be provided. All welcome.

  •  15/01/2023 06:00 PM
  •  31/12/2022 10:30 AM

Come along to Rescorla for Hogmanay! There'll be music, singing, readings and food. All welcome.

  •  18/12/2022 06:00 PM
  •  17/12/2022 10:30 AM

Come along to the Winter Festival here at Rescorla. In the morning we will be finding out about Cornish Christmas traditions. Then the festival will continue in the afternooon witha Christmas party with music, song and seasonal refreshments. All welcome.

  •  14/12/2022 01:30 PM

This month we will be discussing 'Frenchman's Creek' by Daphne Du Maurier.

  •  26/11/2022 10:30 PM

Come along to the Saturday Kitchen where there will be music and song. Opportunities for people to contribute music, song and story as well. All welcome.

  •  20/11/2022 06:00 PM
  •  19/11/2022 07:30 PM

Kana Rescorla will be singing at the Sawles Arms. All welcome to come along to listen or join in.

  •  19/11/2022 10:30 AM

The topic for discussion this month is female Cornish writers. All welcome.

  •  12/11/2022 10:30 AM

Ever thought about learning Cornish or just want to find out more about it? Then come along to this taster session run by Kim Hopewell, our Cornish Language Officer. There will be refreshments. All welcome.

  •  31/10/2022 01:30 PM
  •  22/10/2022 12:00 PM

Come along to the Celtic Harvest here at Rescorla. It will start with a harvest lunch, (price £7:50 and let Enid Rose or Garry know if you would like lunch) At 2pm the traditional harvest auction will be presented by David Michael. There will be music by Fable and Ilow Rescorla. There will be Welsh song from Maryanne Thomas and the Lord's Prayer in Irish by Griffith Collins. It's always an enjoyable occassion! Donations for the harvest auction are gratefully received.

  •  19/10/2022 01:30 PM

We will be discussing 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' by Mark Haddon.

  •  17/10/2022 01:30 PM

An upbeat music seesion. All welcome. £1:50 charge. Refreshments provided.

  •  16/10/2022 06:00 PM
  •  15/10/2022 08:00 PM
  •   Sawles Arms at Carthew.

Music session led by Ilow Rescorla but all welcome to participate. Contact Garry if you would like to be involved. See the details on our Facebook page.

  •  15/10/2022 10:30 AM

We will be looking again at Cornish personalities. There will also be refreshments. All welcome.

  •  26/09/2022 07:00 PM

Kana Rescorla meets every Monday at Rescorla at 7pm. Please come along if you would like to join in. No auditions. Refreshments provided.

  •  24/09/2022 10:30 AM

At the Saturday Kitchen we welcome members of the Bodmin Youth Band. Thanks to Alice Margetts for arranging this. There will also be the usual opportunities for people to contribute music, song and story. All welcome.

  •  19/09/2022 01:30 PM
  •  18/09/2022 06:00 PM
  •  17/09/2022 10:30 AM

The topic for discussion is Personalities in Cornwall's Past. All welcome.

  •  31/08/2022 01:30 PM

This month we will be discussing 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. All welcome. Refreshments provided.

  •  26/08/2022 10:30 AM
  •  21/08/2022 06:00 PM
  •  20/08/2022 10:30 AM

Cornish Studies Group will be looking at personalities of Cornish history. Refreshments provided. All welcome.

  •  18/08/2022 06:00 PM

Thursday 18 August: Roche, Coldvreath, Trezaise and Roche Rock. Meet outside St Gomonda’s Church (SW 98806 59793) at 6pm.

  •  30/07/2022 10:30 AM
  •  18/07/2022 01:30 PM

Come and join in with the Roots Music group wher 'upbeat' music is played. All welcome. £1:50 per session.

  •  16/07/2022 10:00 AM

We are looking forward to the Rescorla Festival which will take place over the weekend of the 16th and 17th July. On Saturday 16th there will be a guided walk in the morning with Malcolm Gould. Meet at 10am at Drinnick Yard in Nanpean for a 'clay country walk'. The walk will finish back at Drinnick Yard at approx 12:30 where you can have a pasty for lunch in the cafe. From 2pm there will be an exhibition based on the series of walks: 'Walking The Higher Quarter'. The Cornish Studies group will also be meeting - all welcome to come along. There will also be a demonstration and talk on Cornish wrestling with Simon Margetts. Refreshments will be available during the afternoon. On Sunday 17th from 2pm there will be music by Ryb an Mor, Bagas Crowd, Maryanne Thomas and Frank Bigham and the Rescorla Band. The famous Snail Creep dance and processsion will take place. There will be a BBQ during the afternoon. It's going to be a great weekend! All welcome. There is no charge but donations are gratefully received.

  •  11/07/2022 01:00 PM - 11/07/2022 07:00 PM

On Monday 11th July between 1 and 7pm as part of Rescorla's 'Walking the Higher Quarter' project there will be an opportunity to portray through weaving your impression of the nature, colours and memories of the area. Nicola Builder from Wayward Weaves will be bringing her looms and you can try your hand at Saori weaving, a freehand style that is easy to learn and do. The results will be exhibited at the Rescorla Festival on July 16 & 17th.

  •  07/07/2022 06:00 PM

A series of evening walks exploring Clay Country Walking the Higher Quarter For further details, please see either the Luxulyan and District Old Cornwall Society or the Rescorla Centre face book page or visit website https://rescorlacentre.site123.me/, You can also contact the secretary on 07929 747397 Thursday 7 July: Carloggas Downs, formerly Singlerose. Meet at the car park at the foot of the access road off the A391 (SX 01410 56528) at 6 pm. Thursday 21 July: Treskilling, Resugga and Lantern. Meet at the Rescorla Centre (SX 02726 57502) at 6 pm. Thursday 18 August: Roche, Coldvreath, Trezaise and Roche Rock. Meet outside St Gomonda’s Church (SW 98806 59793) at 6pm. All are welcome to join these walks, there is no charge.

  •  19/06/2022 06:00 PM

Celtic Service at 6pm. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome.

  •  18/06/2022 10:30 AM
  •  15/06/2022 01:30 PM

We will be discussing 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves' by Karen Joy Fowler. There will be refreshments.

  •  05/06/2022 03:30 PM

Come along to Rescorla to enjoy a High Tea and listen to music to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. All welcome.

  •  28/05/2022 10:30 AM

Come and enjoy delicious food, chat and music at the Saturday Kitchen. Listen to music by our special guests this month - 'Ryb An Mor' and 'Fable'. All welcome.

  •  21/05/2022 10:30 AM

The Cornish Studies Group will be looking at 'Roman Cornwall' with Tash Fulbrook. There will be refreshments. All welcome.

  •  15/05/2022 06:00 PM

Celtic Service at Rescorla. Followed by tea and refreshments. All welcome.

  •  15/05/2022 02:30 PM

Meet at the Rescorla Centre at 2:30pm for a guided walk of the local area. Garry will be leading the walk. Remember to bring a bottle of water with you.

  •  06/05/2022 07:30 PM

Come along to Rescorla for an entertaining, musical evening with the Hurdy Gurdies! Refreshments will be provided. Entry by donation.

  •  30/04/2022 10:30 AM

Come along to the Saturday Kitchen where you can enjoy a chat, delicious food and music. Our guest for this month is Mo Keast who will be singing and using dialect for story telling! All welcome.

  •  27/04/2022 01:30 PM

We will be discussing 'Black Rabbit Hall' by Eve Chase. There will be refreshemnts.

  •  23/04/2022 10:30 AM

The group will be discussing Cornish entertainment from Plen an Gwari to magic lanterns. All welcome. Refreshemnts provided.

  •  17/04/2022 06:30 PM

The Celtic Service for Easter with David Michael will take place at Rescorla. However please note that building work to the interior walls will have started. There will be scaffolding in the building, however it will be placed to one side so that the service can take place.

  •  20/03/2022 06:30 PM
  •  19/03/2022 10:30 AM

This session will be on Methodist Heritage - buildings, customs etc. There will be refreshemnts. All welcome.

  •  16/03/2022 04:00 PM

This month we are discussing 'The Trouble With Goats and Sheep' by Joanna Cannon. There will be refreshments.

  •  11/03/2022 07:00 PM

Come along to the Film Night where films about Cornwall are presented by Malcolm Gould. There will be refreshments. All welcome.

  •  05/03/2022 11:30 AM

Celebrate St Piran's Day! Come to St Austell Church in the centre of St Austell where a programme of talks and demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day starting at 11:30 am and continuing until 3:00pm.

  •  26/02/2022 10:30 AM

A warm welcome awaits you at the Saturday Kitchen. Special guest his month is Luna the Harp. Come along to hear music, song and dialect readings.

  •  20/02/2022 06:00 PM

Come along to the Celtic Service by David Michael. Refreshments provided afterwards.

  •  19/02/2022 10:30 AM

Come along to Rescorla to discuss an area of interest in Cornish history and culture. Refreshments will be provided.

  •  16/02/2022 01:30 PM

Meet at Rescorla to discuss this month's book "Zennor in Darkness" by Helen Dunmore. There will be refreshments.

  •  11/02/2022 07:00 PM

Film night presented by Malcolm Gould. Refreshments will be provided.

  •  29/01/2022 10:30 AM
  •  16/01/2022 06:00 PM

Celtic Service held by David Michael. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome.

  •  15/01/2022 10:30 AM

We will be looking at Cornish family names. Refreshemtns will be provided. All welcome.

  •  14/01/2022 07:00 PM
  •  19/12/2021 11:00 AM

Yule Celtic Service followed by lunch. There is no charge for lunch but please book in. Please book your lunch and advise of any dietary requirements. Contact: 07886734492

  •  18/12/2021 04:00 PM

Meet at Rescorla at 4pm to go Carol singing around the village! There will be mulled wine and mince pies afterwards!

  •  18/12/2021 02:00 PM

At this session we will be looking at Cornish place names. There will be refreshments. All welcome.

  •  18/12/2021 10:30 AM

We will be loking at Cornish family names. Refreshments will be provided. All welcome.

  •  10/12/2021 07:00 PM

Cornish Carol Service on 10th December at 7pm. Come along to a Cornish Carol Service, arranged by David Michael, supported by the Red River Singers from Redruth. There will be many old Cornish Carols including those by Merritt, Broad and Nicholas.

  •  04/12/2021 12:30 PM

Come and enjoy a Christmas meal (with vegetarian option) on Saturday 4th December. At 2pm the Washaway Choir will be singing traditional Cornish Christmas Carols. A wonderful festive occassion! The Christmas meal, with tea and coffee and mice pies is £8:00. Places are limited to 30 this year so please reserve your place before the end of November.

  •  27/11/2021 10:30 AM

Richard Trethewey will be our guest performer for the November Saturday Kitchen session. There will also be readings, performances, singing and the Rescorla Band. Delicious breakfast baps by Enid. All welcome.

  •  21/11/2021 06:00 PM
  •  20/11/2021 10:30 AM

Come and join us at the Cornish Studies Group when today we will be looking at and discussing paintings, pictures and photos of Cornwall. Come along and discuss your favourite picture of Cornwall and what it means to you. There will be refreshments too!

  •  17/11/2021 01:30 PM

It's our first anniversary! We will be discussing "Into Danger" by Kate Adie. We will also discuss which one of the books that we have read over the year has made a lasting impression. There will be refreshments and cake! All welcome.

  •  12/11/2021 07:00 PM
  •  30/10/2021 10:30 AM

Join us from 10:30am to celebrate the Celtic Harvest. Our special guest today is Kathy Wallis who will be story telling and singing. There will be an open session for people to play music either individually or together and there will be music from the Rescorla Band. There will be music from The Isle of Man and Scotland, Gaelic singing and singing in Breton. We will have readings and poetry as well. We will have a pasty lunch (there will be a vegetarian option) and homemade cakes. All donations of cakes gratefully received! We are looking forward to a wonderful Celtic celebration. All welcome.

  •  20/10/2021 01:30 PM

This month we will be discussing 'Heat and Dust' by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.

  •  17/10/2021 06:00 PM

Celtic service of healing and celebration will be hosted by David Michael. There will be refreshments afterwards. All welcome.

  •  16/10/2021 10:30 AM

We will be discussing film in Cornwall. All welcome.

  •  08/10/2021 07:00 PM
  •  25/09/2021 10:30 AM

Come along and enjoy breakfast baps by Enid, enjoy music and poetry. Our guests today are Alison and Merv Davey.

  •  18/09/2021 10:30 AM

Today we will be looking at the landscape of the Clay Country. What does the Clay Country mean to you?

  •  15/09/2021 01:30 PM

We will be discussing 'Friendly Fire' by Patrick Gale.

  •  28/08/2021 10:30 PM

Saturday Kitchen returns! Come along to chat, listen to music, poetry, dialect readings. There will be an invited guest to share their music with us. There's no charge for this, but donations are gratefully received.

  •  18/08/2021 01:30 PM

The Book Group will meet to discuss 'All The Light We cannot See' by Anthony Doerr.

  •  14/08/2021 10:30 AM

The next meeting of the Cornish Studies Group will look at myths and legends and the landscape of the local area. Please come along with a myth or legend to share with the group.

  •  24/07/2021 10:30 AM

Rescorla Festival Saturday 24th/Sunday 25th July 2021 The annual Snail Creep Festival returns with a weekend programme of music, words, dance and heritage. It will be opened by Liz Carne, Grand Bard of Gorsedh Kernow, on Saturday 24th at 1030am and will be followed that day with music from: Bagas Crowd Lamorna Spry and John Carter Kiera Smitheram Rescorla Band and others Snail Creep will be performed during the day and all are welcome. Food and refreshments will be available but any contributions to the tea treat table will be welcome. On Sunday 25th July at 1030am Doug Carpenter, Larry Mclaughlin, Audrey Caust and other friends will continue the entertainment in true Rescorla style. Malcolm Gould will then lead us on a heritage walk in the Carclaze area at 230pm. All welcome: contact us for further details. No charge but donations welcome Further details from: Rescorla Festival Office, 10 Hallaze Road, Penwithick, St Austell, Kernow PL26 8UT. Tel: 07714210966. See our Facebook site (Rescorla Centre) or check out our website for news of the festival and our other activities - www.rescorlacentre.site123.me/

  •  21/07/2021 01:00 PM

At the next meeting of the Book Group we will discuss 'The Go Between' by LP Hartley. Refreshments will be provided and the next book will be available, with thanks to St Austell Library. If you would like to come along please get in touch with Tracy on 07761443733.

  •  14/03/2020 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK
  •  25/02/2020 06:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Celtic Service to celebrate Lent at the Rescorla Centre. This will be followed by pancakes. All welcome.

  •  14/02/2020 07:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Film night at Rescorla. Starts at 7pm. Tonight's film is 'Stocker's Copper' - a film about the 1913 strike at a Cornish clay pit and the tensions that arise when Welsh police are sent in to keep order. Light refreshments provided. Film Night is free however all donations made are gratefully received and go towards the funding of events at Rescorla.

  •  02/02/2020 06:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Celtic Service for Candlemass. This will be followed by tea. Enjoy a time of Celtic worship and some food and fellowship afterwards. All Welcome.

  •  25/01/2020 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along for the Saturday Kitchen. Good food, join in with some Cornish songs, music provided by Kana Rescorla, listen to dialect readings, meet friends. There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla however all donations are gratefully received. All the money goes towards funding the events at Rescorla.

  •  10/01/2020 07:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along to Rescorla for the film night with old films on the theme of Coastal Cornwall by Bob Keys and Malcolm Gould. Light refreshments provided. There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla, however all donations are gratefully received. All money donated goes towards the funding of the events.

  •  28/12/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along to Rescorla for a Cornish Hogmanay! There will be hog's pudding, haggis and a vegetarian option. Music and song provided by Kana Rescorla. All events at Rescorla are free however donations are gratefully received. All the money goes towards funding the events.

  •  12/12/2019 08:00 PM
  •   Luxulyan, Bodmin, UK

Picrous Celebration at the Kings Arms, Bridges from 8 pm

  •  07/12/2019 12:30 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch at Rescorla. This is very popular so please ensure to book - final date to book is Saturday 30th November. Contact us via the email on the contact page.

  •  30/11/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Enjoy delicious food - please bring something to share if you can, it will be greatly appreciated, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and join in with singing traditional Cornish songs.

  •  24/11/2019 06:00 PM
  •   Gunwen Methodist Chapel

Come along to a service held in the Cornish Language. The service will be followed by a traditional Cornish tea.

  •  21/11/2019 07:00 PM
  •   Luxulyan, Bodmin, UK

Luxulyan and District Old Cornwall Society Talk by Roger Smith “Protecting Luxulyan’s Heritage”, Luxulyan Memorial Institute, 7 pm

  •  08/11/2019 07:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Film Night - an opportunity to see a selection of short films about the history and culture of mid Cornwall. The film that we will be showing is by Johnny Frenchman filmed in Mevagissey in the 1940s. It's a lovely film that looks at fishing and the relations with the Breton fishermen. Light refreshments are provided and a warm welcome awaits. The Rescorla Centre is a charity. There is no charge to any of the events but donations are gratefully received. All money raised goes towards the charity and funding future events.

  •  27/10/2019 02:30 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along to Rescorla for a traditional Celtic Harvest. There will be music by Kana Rescorla, delicious food - please bring along something to share if you can - a harvest auction and 'Crying the Neck'. This is a Cornish tradition to give thanks for the harvest and to look forward to next year's harvest. The Celtic Harvest at Rescorla is a wonderful celebration! We look forward to seeing you!

  •  26/10/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along to Rescorla for a Harvest Celebration as part of the Saturday Kitchen. Delicious food will be provided by Enid - please bring something to share if you can, it would be greatly appreciated. Make corn dollies with Jo Tagney. Listen to the wonderful singing of Kescana and music provided by Kana Rescorla. Also if you have any donations for the Harvest auction, which will take place on Sunday 27th October, please bring them along with you. A wonderful morning awaits!

  •  17/10/2019 07:00 PM
  •   Luxulyan, Bodmin, UK

Luxulyan and District Old Cornwall Society Talk by Hazel Harradence “The Home Front in the Great War”, Luxulyan Memorial Institute, 7 pm

  •  28/09/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Enjoy delicious food, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and chat with friends.

  •  19/09/2019 07:00 PM
  •   Gunwen Chapel, Gunwen.

Crying the Neck, a Cornish tradition to celebrate harvest, followed by a Harvest supper at Gunwen Chapel.

  •  07/09/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Come along to Rescorla for a one-off workshop about working with clay. Zenna Tagney is leading the workshop, in association with the White Gold Festival. Light refreshments form the Cornish kitchen will be provided by Enid. There is no charge for this workshop, but donations would be gratefully received.

  •  31/08/2019 10:30 AM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

Enjoy great food, listen to music by Kana Rescorla, hear dialect readings and chat with friends.

  •  18/08/2019 02:00 PM
  •   Innis Downs SX 02959 62861

Guided Walk to Castilly Henge.

  •  03/08/2019 01:00 PM
  •   Rescorla, Saint Austell, UK

This is a free community lunch. Booking essential. Please contact David Michael.



Saturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn.
Come along to Rescorla on the last Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 12:30pm for the Saturday Kitchen.
Enjoy delicious food, please bring something to share if you can - it would be greatly appreciated, however please label incase of allergies, chat with friends, hear dialect stories and readings, listen to music by Kana Rescorla and join in with the singing. We will also have a special guest each month.
There's no charge for any of the events at Rescorla, however donations are greatly appreciated. All money goes towards funding  the events and maintaining the building.
Saturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn. imageSaturday Kitchen - Kegin dy'Sadorn. image

The Cornish Studies group meets at Rescorla. The aim is to record people's personal histories of Cornwall and to move on to looking at cultural and historical aspects of Cornwall.
We meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10:30am. Refreshments will be provided. All welcome.
At our first meeting we began by looking at personal objects that tell a story. The stories were recorded and will be broadcast in a podcast at a later date.

If you feel this is something you'd like to be involved in, please get in touch either via the email on the website or via the facebook page. 
The group is an informal conversation group that meets on Mondays at 10am, however some knowledge of the language would be useful in order to join in. The group is run by Kim Hopewell who is our Cornish Language Officer.

If you would like to join please get in touch with Tracy on 07761443733.

Click on the link below to hear the interview with Jack Murley from BBC Radio Cornwall. Jack visited on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 and interviewed Kim Hopewell, Di Pomroy and Di Trudgeon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0b68vy3



Rescorla Book Club imageRescorla Book Club image
The Rescorla Book Club meets on a Wednesday afternoon every other month at 1:30pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday 12th April 2023 at 1:30pm at Rescorla when we will be discusing 'The Betrayal' by Helen Dunmore.
If you'd like to come along please contaact Tracy on 07761443733.

Rescorla Book Club
February Meeting.

Hi everyone,
It was so nice to see you again after such a long break!
Thank you Linda and Neil for your apologies – looking forward to seeing you both in April.
Most of us liked the book – ‘Frenchman’s Creek’ by Daphne Du Maurier. We liked the characters of Dona and the French pirate – although some had reservations about Dona! However we liked the fact that it was a great adventure story with a woman as the main character. We liked the descriptions of the scenes. Thank you to Ros for explaining where the raid took place – you helped us to locate the scenes in the area around Fowey. Some of us thought that Dona wasn’t a particularly loving hands-on mother whilst others thought it would be quite nice to shut ourselves away for a few days to go on an adventure! We  noted that it was written in 1941, during the war, and that may have explained why the character of the French pirate was so sympathetically drawn. Overall we enjoyed the book.
Thank you Linda for letting me know that you and Neil also enjoyed the book – apparently Neil is becoming a Daphne Du Maurier fan – which is good news as we will have ‘My Cousin Rachel’ for our next book in April.
A review of the book:
From the desk of Tracy Hickman:
Revisiting a classic novel years after first reading it can yield surprises. Add a hazy recollection of major plot points and you are approaching a fresh canvas rather than a reproduction of a familiar portrait. I was intrigued to revisit Frenchman’s Creek because having last read it in high school, I retained only a faint memory of dissatisfaction with its ending, but found I was unable to recall the specifics of the story. Would rereading the novel confirm my youthful opinion or uncover a different experience of Daphne du Maurier’s adventure?
Originally published in 1941, Frenchman’s Creek features the coast of Cornwall as the setting for a romantic novel featuring an English aristocrat and a French pirate. The heroine, Lady Dona St. Columb, is the toast of Restoration London. She is beautiful, reckless, and enjoys flouting social conventions, but underneath the froth and frivolity, Dona admits to herself that she is bored with and ashamed of her hollow flirtations and outrageous pranks. At the opening of the novel, she leaves London for Navron, her husband’s estate in Cornwall.
“So the first day passed, and the next, and the one after, Dona exulting in her new-found freedom. Now she could live without a plan, without a decision, taking the days as they came, rising at noon if she had the mind or at six in the morning, it did not matter, eating when hunger came upon her, sleeping when she wished, in the day or at midnight. Her mood was one of lovely laziness.” (31)
But amid the peaceful ease of country life, there are also hints of mystery at Navron: Dona finds a jar of tobacco and a volume of French poetry in a drawer in her room. Soon after Lord Godolphin, a neighbor, warns Dona of French pirates that have been robbing locals, she sees a ship stealing in towards land at sunset from a vantage point on the headland. After midnight, Dona observes a clandestine meeting of her servant, William, with an unknown man at the edge of the woods that border the estate.
Her curiosity piqued by the stranger’s visit, Dona sends William off on an errand, and steals through the woods where she saw him disappear the night before. She discovers a small creek, alive with butterflies, bees, birds—and a ship under repair! Overhearing the crew members speaking French, she realizes this is the pirate ship that has been raiding the Cornwall coast. Dona briefly considers reporting the pirates to the authorities, but she decides instead to keep the discovery a secret. Unfortunately, before she can slip away, she is captured and brought before the captain of La Mouette.
“My men are told to bind anyone who ventures to the creek,” he said. “As a rule we have no trouble. You have been more bold than the inhabitants, and alas, have suffered from that boldness. You are not hurt are you, or bruised?” 
“No,” she said shortly. 
“What are you complaining about then?” 
“I am not used to being treated in such a manner,” she said, angry again, for he was making her look like a fool. 
“No, of course not,” he said quietly, “but it will do you no harm.” (53)
During their verbal sparring, he repeatedly defuses Dona’s anger with gently teasing humor. They continue talking, and then share a meal aboard his ship. When the pirate captain challenges her to join his ship’s company, she accepts his dare, boldly signing her name to the register and allowing him to introduce her to the crew. He tells his men that henceforth she is free to come and go; she is one of them. Dona, in turn, invites him to Navron the following evening, telling him:
“Pirates do not call upon ladies in the afternoon. They come stealthily, by night, knocking upon a window—and the lady of the manor, fearful for her safety, gives him supper, by candlelight.” (61)
The lady and the pirate spend their days together and soon fall in love. This part of the story is wonderfully idyllic: afternoons spent sketching and fishing in the creek, evenings spent before a campfire and under the stars. The Frenchman is educated, charming, and playful, while Dona’s husband is boorish, dull, and in London. The bond between the lovers grows daily, even when they are apart.
“She would be playing with the children at Navron, or wandering about the garden, filling the vases with flowers, and he away down in his ship in the creek, and because she had knowledge of him there her mind and her body became filled with life and warmth, a bewildering sensation she had never known before.” (96)
Dressed as a cabin boy, Dona joins a daring nighttime raid on a merchant ship. But soon Dona’s enchanted world is threatened: her husband arrives from London, determined to work together with other locals to capture the pirate captain who has robbed and humiliated them. Dona must make a choice: return to her old life or risk a new one with her lover.
It’s easy to see why many du Maurier novels have been adapted for the screen: Frenchman’s Creek is a classic tale of romance and suspense. It has all the elements necessary for a compelling, page-turning, and ultimately satisfying read. The narrative descriptions are expertly balanced with dialog and action. The theme of escape woven through the story resonated strongly with me. Who hasn’t dreamed of escape from time to time? But du Maurier takes this idea further than mere wish fulfillment. What is the price paid for escape? Is it worth it?
The emotional punch of the story surprised me. Daphne du Maurier is not afraid to unpack uncomfortable emotions. Some readers may not admire a heroine who contemplates abandoning her husband or her young children. Dona can be selfish and arrogant at times. But her struggle to balance family responsibilities with longings for meaningful connection creates an emotional depth that separates Frenchman’s Creek from more traditionally HEA romances. Frenchman’s Creek offers an escape of the highest order, with an exciting narrative and complex characters that live on in the imagination long after the story ends.
5 out of 5 Stars
Books with’Spring’ in the title:
    
Quotes about Spring:
Maya Angelou -“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
Margaret Atwood -“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
Leo Tolstoy - “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 12th April at Rescorla at 1:30pm when we will discuss ‘The Betrayal’ by Helen Dunmore.
Our following book will be ‘My Cousin Rachel’ by Daphne Du Maurier. This is to tie in with the Rescorla Festival in July. On Friday 14th July John Ault will be giving an author talk – we have his book ‘Thirty Days in February’, and in the evening we will be showing the film of ‘My Cousin Rachel’ at Rescorla as well. Hope you are able to attend one or both. As usual no charge for any events.
See you all in April.
Happy reading!
Tracy.
The Kana Rescorla Singing Group meets every Monday at Rescorla at 7pm.
If you're interested in joining please come along. There are no auditions.
Refreshments provided.
Kana Rescorla imageKana Rescorla image
The Rescorla Festival takes place over the third weekend in July - however this year we are having a longer celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of chapel.
There will be a flower festival, guided walk, demonstration of Cornish Wrestling, the Cornish Studies group, workshops, music by Fable, Ryb an Mor, Ilow Rescorla and Bagas Crowd. There will be others, to be confirmed nearer the time. There will be the traditional Tea Treat on the final sunday afternoon.
All welcome.
More details will be on the website and Facebook page nearer the time.



The Rescorla Festival 2022 was another success! During the weekend there was a guided walk, the Cornish Studies Group met, there was a demonstration of Cornish wrestling, there was music and dancing and the traditional Snail Creep was performed! There was also a BBQ and cream tea.
Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the Rescorla chapel. Plans are already underway for an extra special celebration that will take place over the week.

Higher Quarter is the old name for the northern part of the historic parish of St Austell. The aim of this innovative project supported by Arts Well in association with Cornwall Council is to develop a walking trail of heritage landmarks in this area of the Clay Country that will feature on digital platforms and on a website. Members of the public are invited to participate by a) walking the trail, b) exploring the history behind these sites and c) recording these landmarks through an artistic medium that appeals to you such as photography, drawings, paintings, poetry or music.
The use of mobile phones would be especially encouraged since we would provide ST20 Portable Selfie sticks that have 360 degree rotation and a tripod. Volunteers associated with ‘Walking the Higher Quarter’ can then make short videos that can be long the lines of the popular BBC series ???? Photographs, narratives and poems would also be collected in digital format and for a pamphlet. There would also be an exhibition of artistic work produced by members of the community at the Rescorla Centre.
The next walk is: Thursday 18 August: Roche, Coldvreath, Trezaise and Roche Rock.
Meet outside St Gomonda’s Church (SW 98806 59793) at 6pm.

Check out our website https://rescorlacentre.site123.me/, join our facebook group ‘Rescorla Centre’, email cornishstudies@exeter.ac.uk or telephone 07714210966.

There will be a Celtic service of healing and celebration on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 6pm here at Rescorla. The services are hosted by David Michael.
Refreshments will be provided afterwards. All welcome.
Celtic Services. image





How many can you get right?
Ivan's memories, part 2.
An Eos Hweg (Sweet Nightingale in Cornish) sung by Noor accompanied by her dad Howard Tresidder Tonkin
ntroducing... #WhealMartynCreate! We challenge you to re-create our historic photographs. We will post new images each Monday and share our favourites througho... See more
 Have a look at a Pathe Film from 1939 of St Enodoc on the coast. It was uncovered from sand by the 1860s.
Today's film is an excursion through Cornwall in 1916​​​
If you are looking for something to do on the cultural front  then read some of the articles on Cornish Story.​​​
Ivan has recorded some of his memories. We will be playing them in installments. You can listen to the first installment of Ivan's memories now.​​​
This week's Cornish language radio show - including a singing session like you would have at the Cornish language weekend. Agan towlen an seythen ma - hag ynni yma sesshyon kana kepar dell gevir dhe Bennseythen Gernewek.​​​
A selection of Cornish songs with the words to sing-along to and some readings. Something to help break the boredom of the staying at home. Feel free to share. A collection of Cornish Songs to sing a long to with some Cornish readings too. Songs including Camborne Hill, Lamorna, Proper Job, Little Eyes, Hail to the ...​​​
Cornish around the home.
More of Ivan's memories.​​​
Cornish dance.​​​
Cornish kilt in 1961.​​​
Cornish story.​​​
A week of 20 minute virtual talks.​​​
A song by Viv.​​​
More of Ivan's memories.​​​
A new series on Cornish Story exploring the work of artists in mid Cornwall​​​.
Another testimony film about the Gunwen area from the Institute's Tallys anTyr project by Sarah Trevillion​​​.
Another cultural series on Cornish Story. In this case the legends and drolls of Cornwall's Wivelshire by Robert Burroughs Robert Burroughs explores the legends and drolls of Wivelshire in the introduction to a new series. South East Cornwall is often referred to as ‘Cornwall’s Forgotten Corner’ in part due to its geog…​​​




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