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The Chance of a Lifetime

Set in stunning grounds and steeped in history, Penhellis House Nursing Home could be nestled in the middle of the countryside yet has the convenience of being situated a very short walk from the centre of the historic town of Helston.

Penhellis House Nursing Home holds the honour of playing host to Helston’s famous annual ôFlora Danceö. The Flora Dance makes its way through the house and grounds on its way through Helston. A spectacular event for residents to watch from the beautiful gardens. Residents are encouraged to enjoy a walk around the garden paths or just take in the fresh air sitting beside the pond.

As well as digital flat screen television, Personal direct dial telephone and internet access in all rooms there is also a high specification Nurse Call system giving peace of mind by logging every single call, visit and attendance by staff.

In addition to communal areas there is also a Hairdressing Salon and Treatment Room for use by the GP, Chiropodist, Dentist, Optician and hairdresser.

We have built a reputation for delivering the highest standards of professional nursing care in luxurious surroundings with a powerful element of exclusivity. We would like to invite you to come and see what we have to offer and join us for afternoon tea – always with beautifully prepared home baked cakes scones and pastries

Every resident will enjoy all of these benefits as detailed subject to availability

24 hour nursing care

Qualified & Trained staff are in the home 24/7 to ensure the safety and security of the residents at Penhellis House, delivering care specific to individual needs through person centred care planning.

Private room

All resident’s rooms are private with either an En-suit or a vanity sink & discrete commode. The rooms are fully furnished to a high standard and include a TV / DVD player, Telephone with a direct dial personal telephone number and WIFI connection in the rooms. All rooms are connected to the Nurse call System where either care assistance or room service can be requested. Residents are also offered their own pendant in order that they can request these services throughout the home. Residents are encouraged to bring personal items such as pictures or small items of furniture to ensure that their new home feels like ‘their home’. Our maintenance team will hang any pictures as required.

Welcome Pack

Residents are welcomed to Penhellis house with a selection of luxury items to make your move into the home smoother and nicer these will usually include flowers, a magazine and toiletries plus a few other nice surprises we feel that you would enjoy.

Newspapers

In addition to the local newspapers which are situation in the main lounge, Residents are able to request one daily paper of their choice which will be delivered to their room every morning.

Dining Experience

Our Kitchen team provide all your food & beverage requirements for a balanced and healthy diet. This will include your choice of breakfast, Morning Coffee and Homemade Biscuits, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Homemade Cakes, Dinner & Night time Hot Chocolate and other snacks are available on request. Specialist diets can be catered for and the team will provide additional assistance for those who require specific meals or support. A glass of Wine or Beer will be offered at Lunch to residents (Health & medication permitting).

Activities Programme

Activities are designed and planned with our residents input, needs and choices taken into account. The Activities Co-ordinator and Life Style Manager will be the point of contact for any suggestions as well as in Residents Meetings facilitated by the home manager. Our activity plan is written around physical, mental and spiritual needs with group and one to one engagement.

Lifestyle Manager

Our Life style Manager will liaise with residents about their experience at Penhellis house to ensure that their needs are met in a holistic and person centred way. This will include organising complimentary therapies, one to one support, activities and trips

Treatments and Therapies

Spa Treatment

Our spa therapist is able to offer various treatments including massage, aromatherapy massage and reflexology. Included in the hotel package is one 60 minute session per quarter.

Hair Salon

Residents are able to enjoy appointments at the homes Hair salon which can be arranged through the life style manager. Included in the hotel package is one appointment per month.

Chiropody

Our professional chiropodist visits the home on a regular basis and appointments can be arranged through the life style manager. Included in the hotel package is one appointment bi-monthly.

Complimentary therapies

The home is able to offer a number of complimentary therapies through qualified practitioners. These include Reiki and Indian Head Massage, Acupuncture and herbal medicine, which can all be arranged through the lifestyle manager for an additional charge

Optician & Dentist appointments

Both the Dentist and optician are able to visit the home for routine appointments and treatments, these will be arranged by the nursing staff as required. Residents will be charged directly for any services carried out.

Welcoming your Family & Friends

We do not operate visiting hours believing that it is important that Residents feel free to welcome their guests whenever suits them, as this is their home after all! For the purpose of security the home is locked, however we do have a biometric system in place that allows people (at the discretion of the home) to come and go from the home as they choose.

 

Communal Rooms

There are a selection of beautiful rooms at Penhellis House for you to enjoy at your leisure throughout all seasons!

Penhellis house is steeped in history and our residents and visitors can learn about the history of the Edwardian building and the families who lived here in the Private lounge. Throughout the home there are a number of antique pieces including antique clocks some of which are for decoration purpose only but which we believe help to capture the feel of the magnificent family house Penhellis used to be.

On the first floor is the ‘Memories’ lounge which can be used for reminiscence or simply for interest! We have a wonderful collection of original antique furniture and items as well as newspapers and magazines from the mid 1900’s.

The Garden room is lovely place to relax outside whatever the weather! Situated in our main Gardens, it is a perfectly tranquil place to enjoy a Cornish Cream Tea or to relax with family and friends

One to one support

One to one support can be arranged if required for trips and appointments or for extra company if required. These sessions can be arranged by the lifestyle manager for an additional cost.

Landscaped Gardens and courtyard

Our mature gardens are accessible for all to enjoy, Residents are able to relax in the various seating areas and enjoy the Cornish fresh air . There is also a secure courtyard with raised beds where Residents are encouraged to make the most of any green fingers and can come and go as they choose or take part in the Garden club.

House Keeping

Our housekeeping team will attend to your room and ensure it is cleaned on a daily basis. We will also change your bed lined and deep clean your room regularly

Laundry

All your personal items will be laundered on a regular basis. The team will provide you with fresh towels and bedding, which will also be laundered in the home.

GP Registration

You will be registered at your choice of surgery (Helston Medical centre or Meneage street surgery) who will visit the home for those unable to attend the main surgery. The GP will manage all your health needs with the home team including all referrals that may be required.

 

Medication

All resident medication will be managed, ordered, stored and distributed by the nursing staff.

Hospital / Medical Appointments

Appointments will be arranged by the nursing team along with transport if required. For occasions when a family member is unable to escort and take you to the appointment one to one support can be provided for an additional charge.

 

GROUND FLOOR

11 single bedrooms [6 en-suites, 1 of which is a luxuriously spacious double sized room]
fully assisted bathroom and toilet facilities,

Lounge with wall mounted flat screen digital television and surround sound
Dining room.
Purpose designed laundry.
Fully commercial kitchen

 

FIRST FLOOR

8 single bedrooms [6 en-suites]

 

SECOND FLOOR

3 bedrooms [2 are double rooms with en-suites and 1 is single en-suite]
quiet lounge / Function Room with Internet access and beautiful multiple aspect view over the grounds
Hair Salon / Treatment Room
Memory Lounge
All rooms are immaculately furnished and presented with all the specialist equipment necessary in a nursing home.

 

The home has extensive policies and procedures in place to protect residents, staff and visitors.

Penhellis is a home which provides general nursing care for up to 26 adults, male and female of varying ages. Accommodation provides adequate space for a wheelchair user and incorporates a seating area in each room. There are communal spaces and bathroom facilities which are accessible for all residents.

To meet the needs of a varied needs of people we are able to provide several communal areas to enable our service users to feel comfortable and at ease within the accommodation. We recognise that service users of different ages will have different interests and so the home is able to provide and support a variety of leisure interests such as gardening, crafts, workshop and social groups; some are on the premises whilst others involve going out into the local community.

The home prides itself on its ability to provide specialist care for conditions such as Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and palliative care. Staff receive regular training both in house and externally to ensure the standards of care we deliver remain high. The home expects to provide further training where necessary to enable us to deliver appropriate and holistic care to all residents. We only admit people once we have carried out the necessary assessments to enable all needs to be met. The home will decline to admit anyone if we are unable to meet needs. It is the homes practice to involve outside agencies and with the involvement and support of the multi disciplinary team.

Our staff have significant experience delivering care for service users with a broad age range as well as those with physical disabilities and degenerative disease. All care needs will be discussed on an individual basis prior to admission.

Our Statement of Purpose gives information to prospective service users on how we run the home and what they can expect from us at Penhellis.

CHOICE OF HOME

Aim

To only admit people that we are sure we can provide a high standard of appropriate care and fully meet their needs.

Objectives

People are encouraged to bring other family members or friends when they come to view the home and discuss with the manager care that would be required and their individual needs.

The manager will have an open approach and encourage staff, residents and their representatives to have an input in the home. The manager will also carry out regular surveys and questionnaires of the people who have an input in the home to ensure high standards are maintained. Regular audits will also be performed in the home to ensure all equipment and services are adequate and meet the needs of those that use them.

The manager of the home will ensure that all policies and procedures are maintained and updated when required.

The manager will ensure that the Statement of Purpose is upheld at all times.

Before a person can be admitted to the home a full assessment needs to be completed by the registered manager or representative to make sure the home is able to fully meet the needs of the prospective service user. This will cover all activities of daily living such as diet, speech & communication, mobility, behaviour, cognition, personal hygiene & dressing, sleep, recreation and a medical history.

People (or their representatives) must read and agree with the homes Terms and Conditions prior to moving in.

Prospective Residents are invited to move into the home on a trial basis of up to 4 weeks. During this time either party has the right to terminate the stay with no notice required.

Where possible all emergency admissions are avoided. However if it is necessary to admit a someone before all required assessments can be completed the home will ensure all necessary information is gained and given out within 48 hours. All other admission criteria will be met within 5 days.

HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE

Aims

To provide a holistic and appropriate plan of care for each individual.

To maintain each person’s privacy and dignity.

To ensure people receive care from outside health professionals when necessary.

Objectives

During the first week a meeting will be held between the manager or other appropriate member of staff and the service user and their representative to formulate a detailed plan of care which suit’s the persons holistic needs.

People will have their own care plan in which all information required to provide a high standard of care is documented. This plan is available for all care staff to read to ensure they carry out the correct care.

Following the formulation of the care plan the manager or representative will call in any health care professionals deemed necessary to improve the care being delivered – or at any time during the stay.

Care plans will be reviewed monthly or more often if necessary by the manager or representative and any changes to the persons health and or care requirements will be documented and changes to care implemented.

Subject to agreement the involvement of family and friends is actively welcomed in daily life, within the scope of the care plan. Subject to us receiving consent from the resident, family and friends are encouraged to contribute to the care plan reviews.

At all times any information recorded in the care plan will be written in such a way that it is accessible to the individual and/or representative – taking into account the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.

The home will has a strict Drug Policy and Procedure, which ensures people receive the correct and appropriate medication. These will be reviewed in house by qualified staff at least annually.

Individuals, where appropriate and in agreement with the management of the home may handle their own medication in accordance with the home’s policy and procedure for self medicating service users.

Whenever a person is receiving personal care, the door to the room will be shut and curtains pulled and only those staff required to administer the care will be present. No member of staff will enter the room without knocking to check it is appropriate.

All consultations with healthcare professionals, legal and financial advisors are conducted in the privacy of the persons room and a nurse will only be present when necessary or requested by the person or their representative.

Service users may entertain friends and relative in their own room at any time, providing consideration is given to other service users and staff in the home.

People will have access to a private telephone in their room for personal use, outgoing calls are charged for.

People will be addressed as preferred and this will be recorded in the care plan and staff will use this at all times.

People will wear their own clothes at all times. People and/or their representative are asked to ensure all clothes are marked with their name. Clothes will then be cared for by the home, unless special care is needed – such as dry cleaning, when it will be the responsibility of the individual or their representative.

People will be treated with respect and the “Principles of Care” will be upheld at all times.

Leading up to a person’s death, the individual and their family and friends will be treated with respect and sensitivity and privacy and dignity maintained.

People are asked in advance if they have any final requests, spiritual needs, rites and or function they would wish to receive leading up to and following their death and what staff in the home would need to do.

The nursing staff will liaise with the service users GP and any other appropriate healthcare professional ie: MacMillan Nurses to ensure the person receives adequate pain relief and other symptoms which are causing distress can be managed.

If family wishes to stay with them during their final illness then staff will assist wherever possible.

Although the home cannot provide separate accommodation relatives are welcome to stay in the home and be provided with meals and beverages.

Families require professional bereavement counselling, copies of leaflets and contact details can be obtained from the staff.

In the event that a person has passed away the nursing staff have a strict policy and procedure to follow to ensure all legal requirements are met. Family and friends will be given adequate time to pay their respects. At all times following death staff will continue to show respect and sensitivity to the person and their family and friends.

DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Aims

That people are encouraged and helped to maintain hobbies and activities they wish to. Relatives and friends are encouraged to become part of the home and play an integral part of the peoples life.

People are encouraged to be as independent as they are able.

People have the right to exercise free choice and control of their lives wherever possible.

Meal times are a social time and meals are nutritional and well presented.

Objectives

The manager or representative will discuss during pre-admission assessments any hobbies or activities  that people would like to pursue after their admission and if these would be practical. The findings will be passed on to the activities coordinator and Life style co-ordinator for any arrangements to be made.

Visits from religious clergy are encouraged and if preferred arrangements can be made to visit their usual clergy. The home can arrange such visits and a member of staff can accompany the person where required. There may be an additional charge for this.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to visit the home and are made to feel welcome. Where people can still get in cars, families are encouraged to take them out. Families and friends are always encouraged to come and have a meal at the home. A charge will be made for this and 24 hours notice would be appreciated.

People are encouraged to set their own timetable for the day and the home has policies and procedures for promoting independence.

People are encouraged to bring with them appropriate personal belongings to help ensure their room feels like home and comfortable, providing items are practical for the room.

The home prefers and actively encourages people and /or their representatives to handle their own financial affairs, but the home will give help and guidance when requested.

The menu includes fresh products where possible and from local sources when available. Lunch is generally the main meal of the day, but changes can be made to accommodate individual service users.

 

Our Staff

We are a team dedicated team to providing a high quality of care which is both person centred around the needs and wishes of each individual and manages peoples health and importantly their wellbeing. We encourage all our staff to undertake training and development so to enhance the care they deliver and staff are rewarded for their dedication to their role and responsibilities and commitment to work towards the homes aims and objectives.

Each team at Penhellis works together to ensure that Penhellis remains a positive working environment where staff are encouraged to excel and develop their careers. We believe that by recognising the hard work and efforts from our staff is a significant factor in us being able to deliver the wonderful care for which we are known for throughout Cornwall.

Daily Life

We encourage people to main their own choices about when they wish to get up and go to bed and we try to oblige as close as is possible to their desired time. We allow people to wake naturally unless specifically requested by the person to wake them at a set time.

We understand that people may have set routines for rising for the day and preparing for sleep. At Penhellis we will do all that we can to maintain these routines and ensure that people benefit from a good nights rest with the assurance that there will be checks throughout the night to ensure their welfare and attend to any requests throughout the night.

Breakfast– People can choose to take breakfast either in their rooms or in the dining room. There is a wide range of options available including a daily Chef’s special breakfast to encourage variation.

Morning Coffee– Served with a selection of homemade biscuits, between 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. there is a variety of hot drinks available.

Lunch– We encourage all residents to enjoy their lunch in the dining room, but they can choose to have lunch delivered to their room. The main meal of the day which always has a hot option, a vegetarian option and a salad option. If a resident does not want their main meal at lunch, then provisions can be made for it to be served at the evening meal time. Please see menu on following page for examples of the dishes that are served, on the occasion where a person does not wish to choose any of the menu choices, an alternative can be offered.

Afternoon Tea– Served with home made cakes between 3 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.

Supper– Usually a lighter meal  and people can choose to take this meal either in their room or in the dining room.

served from 4.30 p.m.

Bedtime drink– Served with biscuits, cake or toast, a variety of drinks are available.

 

HOT DRINKS AND SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, ON REQUEST.

 

Special Dietary Requirements

Special diets can be catered for; this needs to be discussed during your pre-admission assessment to ensure we can meet your requirements.

WE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN DEVELOPING THE MENU, TO INCLUDE MEALS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE COOKED FOR THEM.

At Penhellis House we have both an activities co-ordinator who encourages service users to pursue their interests and hobbies and a Lifestyle co-ordinator who liaises with residents, friends and family to ensure that we are doing all that we can to ensure the well being of our residents.

The activities are tailored around people; their needs and interests, to ensure that we provide a personalised and individual programme. We hold regular Residents meetings, where people are encouraged to express how they enjoy spending time and we can arranges events or trips around the wishes of our residents. Activities are varied and cover physical, social, spiritual and environmental needs and we encourage friends and family to participate in these as well as life at the home.

We offer Spa therapy treatments to all our residents, who love to benefit from the relaxing holistic massages or reflexology treatments. These can either be enjoyed in our treatment room or in the comfort of their own bedroom.

In addition to our in house activities, we organise for entertainers and performers to visit the home on a frequent basis. Church services are held at the home by the local churches on a regular basis and visits from other religious assemblies are welcomed. We are delighted to receive regular visits from the local Helston child minding groups where the residents and children are able to play together, working on craft projects and there is much enjoyment from the singing and story telling sessions. This is hugely beneficial for both our residents and the children and special friendships are developed between the young and old. We also take part in some of the Brownie events and even have our own Penhellis Brownie sash where our residents take pride in being awarded new Brownie badges!

We celebrate seasonal and community events such as the traditional Helston flora day dance and Bonfire night with fireworks, garden parties and a food festival menu taster afternoons. Peoples birthdays are always celebrated and we are happy to accommodate small parties and gatherings for these occasions.

Family and friends are encouraged to spend time at Penhellis at their leisure and are welcomed to enjoy our range of afternoon cakes and refreshments. Our Garden room is perfect for enjoying the outdoors whatever the weather or perhaps sit and reminisce in our memory lounge. However you decide to spend time at Penhellis staff are here to help you make the most of this quality time.

Why you should choose

Frederick Lobb Hil was a County Councillor, an Alderman, and was Mayor of Helston four times. He was also in partnership with Glynn Grylls at Grylls & Hill Solicitors in the Great Office, Cross Street, Helston.

Frederick married Glynn's sister, Loveday Marshall Grylls, born 1809. They lived in Coinagehall Street. They were married on March 3rd, 1831, at Helston and eventually they had six children(pictured right).

Painted on the steps of Penhellis, with distant views of Porthleven.

1. With fishing basket, Frederick Vivian (1831-1904). 2. In yellow dress, Emily Boriase (1833-1916). 3. In pink dress, Georgina Barclay (1834-1916). 4. With hoop, Humphry Grylls (1836-1912). 5. Stroking dog, Pascoe Grenfell (1837-1881). 6. In white dress, Loveday Marshall (1839-1924).

Loveday died just ten days after the birth of the sixth child, on 18th February, 1839 and was buried at Helston.

During the 1830s Frederick employed Mr. George Wightwick of Plymouth to design a Georgian-style house which was soon to become Penhellis. He also designed Helston Guildhall. He was a pupil of Sir John Soane and a friend of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poet, whose son, Derwent Coleridge became head master of Helston Grammar School.

The name Penhellis translated from the Cornish language means "Head of the Town".

We believe that Frederick and the six children  moved to the new house about 1840.

Helston in earlier days was called "Hellys" or "Henliston". The house was surrounded by farmland which we believe already belonged to Frederick prior to building the house. The old farmhouse is now The Vicarage, the farm buildings now Trehane and the old barn was converted in 1972 to a three-bedroom house with the adjoining field. Immediately behind the house was the orchard and the land extended to what is now Osborne Parc and Grylls Parc.

The house consisted of three ground-floor rooms, a huge kitchen with stone floor, two Cornish ranges, a scullery with open spit, a boot room and a laundry room with copper. The only heating was from coal fires. Water was supplied by four wells. There were three servants. On the death of Frederick Lobb Hill in 1874,

the property went to his eldest son, Frederick Vivian Hill.

Frederick Vivian Hill (pictured right) became a solicitor in the family firm and lived at Penhellis until his death. He never married. There is a small book of his "The Poems of William Cowper Esq."; in it is written "This book was presented to Mr. F. V. Hill on his leaving for Rugby School on the 19th August 1847 by the servants in his Father's house as a mark of their high respect & grateful acknowledgements for the gentlemanly and kind conduct he always evenced towards them". Following in his fathers footsteps, Frederick Hill junior was Mayor of Helston eleven times.

 Frederick Vivian Hill

c1890 - Frederick Vivian Hill (before the bow window was added)

Georgina married Richard Phillips of Coventry and died 1916.  Humphry married Lavinia Webb and died at Torquay, 1912. Pascoe was a solicitor, died in Plymouth 1881, unmarried. In 1856 Emily was married to John Ratcliffe at Helston, John was Lord Chief Justice of India and had been widowed twice before. He had two sons, Charles and Thomas, both vicars. Together they had 9 children; Albert Edward, born India, 1863, Loveday Rhoda, Emily Georgina, Mary Louise (died in infancy in India), Caroline Lucy, Humphry Grenfell, Ethel, Oliver Prothero and Decima.

Following the death of Frederick Vivian Hill in 1904, the property was left to his sister Emily's eldest son, Albert Edward Ratcliffe with a proviso that Loveday should remain in the house until her death.

Albert Edward Ratcliffe (1863- 1934) always known to his friends as Berty Ratcliffe was articled to his uncle Frederick and became a partner. After 1905 he was Principal of Grylls, Hill & Hill. He married Margaret Alice Barnes (inset below). Some alterations were made to Penhellis - the major one being the installation of a large bow window in the largest room, this became the billiard room. The second room was a living room with a dining table and twelve chairs. In the window was "Polly", a grey parrot whose favourite day was May 8th (Flora Day). He would talk and dance for weeks after the Flora had been through the house. The family consisted of one son and four daughters - Jocelyn(son), Gladys, Joan (pictured left), Enid and Monica. Jocelyn Vivian played rugger for Cornwall in his youth and later was an enthusiastic sailor, shot and fisherman. He was educated at Upingham, trained in London and joined the firm of Grylls, Hill & Hill. Gladys married Roger Hales, (he had been at Upingham with Jocelyn) and his parents had a holiday home "Trewoon" at Mullion. Joan played golf for Cornwall and hockey for England. In 1924 Jocelyn wished to marry Daphne Naylor Carne of Falmouth, the daughter of George Carne (left) but before any plans for marriage were made, Great-Aunt Loveday had to be consulted. He drove his motorbike to Falmouth and Daphne rode pillion with him to Penhellis. Great-Aunt Loveday was seated in a large chair in the window, dressed entirely in black with a black lace cap. Daphne walked the length of the room to where Loveday sat. "They tell me you are the daughter of Mr. Carne of Falmouth" said Loveday. Daphne replied that that was correct. There followed two further questions. She struck the floor with her stick and turning to Jocelyn said "She will do Jocelyn, you may go". Great Aunt Loveday died one month later - much to Daphne's relief.

Following Loveday's death Albert and Margaret moved from Park Venton (Ratcliffe Lane, Helston) to Penhellis. After their marriage in 1925 Jocelyn and Daphne moved into Parkventon. Jocelyn was now running Grylls, Hill & Hill and opened a second office in Falmouth. Their son Peter (bottom right) was born and in 1929 they moved from Parkventon, Helston to Falmouth where they also named the house Parkventon and had their second child Gillian(bottom right).

Shortly before his death, Albert had sold all the land on the far side of Church Lane, it's believed for £30 per acre. He left Penhellis to his only son, Jocelyn.

Jocelyn Ratcliffe, now  the owner of Penhellis and wife Daphne continued to live in Falmouth. His sister Monica and mother Margaret continued to live at Penhellis. Margaret was a keen gardener, a breeder of wire-haired fox terriers. President of the W.I. and quite late in life had two Jersey cows, who grazed the two remaining fields. She made her own cream and butter.

In 1938 Jocelyn's sister Enid married Seymour Schofield of Godolphin. He rowed for Cambridge at Henley in 1922, and wrote a book "Jeffreys of the Bloody Assizes". They had one daughter, Loveday and lived in Suffolk. Monica married Robert Garland in 1941, they lived at Penhellis for some time and later built Robin Hill in Cross Street. Loveday, Monica, Gladys and Joan were given away by Jocelyn and all four were married at Helston.

With the threat of war the evacuation of children was organised. West Ham Secondary School was sent to Helston. Penhellis was a temporary home. One child was Bryan Forbes. He describes the experience in one of his books. We believe he spent most of the war at Porthleven.

On the outbreak of war Mount House School at Plymouth was urgently looking to evacuate. Jocelyn's son Peter was there, and Penhellis was offered as accommodation.

They moved in and "Monica" and her grandmother Margaret moved to a bungalow at Mullion. The paddocks were ploughed up to make football pitches, but due to the unevenness of the land, they played rugby instead. Later, the school found larger premises and moved to Tavistock where they remain to this day. The American Army then took over Penhellis and later Margaret moved back and was well looked after by the remaining troops. For many years after the war she received visits and Christmas cards. A tree was presented and planted at Penhellis, but sadly grew to an enormous size and had to be felled. Margaret died in 1964 and is buried with her husband at Breage.

 

Jocelyn Ratcliffe(right) and wife Daphne didnt move to Penhellis until 1964 after the death of Jocelyn's grandmother Margaret.

Jocelyn only lived at Penhellis for 10 years and died very unexpectedly at Treliske on New Years Day 1973. Daphne lived alone at Penhellis for two years until moving in with her daughter Gillian where she lived happily for another twenty years and died aged 90.

In the absense of any private buyers Penhellis was then sold to "Keltick" a firm already in the town looking for larger premises, they were exploring Cornish waters for oil. With the house they bought the lower field and the old orchard.

          Penhellis as it was when Jocelyn and Daphne lived there.

From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide, St Michael’s Mount is beckoning.

Striding the causeway, or crossing by boat. Treading medieval pathways or exploring sub-tropical gardens. Climbing to the castle or uncovering stories of harbour, legend and family home. Admire the views, hear the islanders’ tales and unearth a history that lives on in every step. Through time and tide the Mount creates moments to remember. What will yours be?

Discover a very different day out… Whether it's a family trip, a holiday highlight, a personal daydream or a group visit, plan your visit today and find the St Michael’s Mount experience to make your own.

Head south on to the Lizard and the scenery changes. The rare geology of the area creates a haven for exceptional plants and flowers. Around the coastline you’ll find little fishing ports with huge granite sea walls to protect from the Atlantic gales, restaurants specialising in freshly caught seafood, and gorgeous sandy bays with jagged black rocks jutting out in to the sea. Stand right on the tip of the Lizard and look out to sea. At 49°57' N, the most southerly point on the UK’s mainland, watch the waves as they hurtle to the shore and imagine the thousands of ships that have passed by this treacherous part of the coast on their way across the Atlantic.

The villages are picture book perfect with tiny thatched cottages clinging together at the ends of the valley in coves where a small fleet of fishing boats catch fresh crab and lobster. In pubs by the shore there’s folk music and traditional Cornish singing.
Penhellis is truly privileged to be able to be part of the amazing flora day celebrations held here in Helston. During this fantastic day our ground are awash with colour and joy as the procession spin an whirl through the gardens Helston, the Cornish market town, where for hundreds of years, the townsfolk have celebrated and enjoyed the wonderful tradition that is FLORA DAY. This ancient festival is usually held on May 8th , unless that date falls on a Sunday or Monday, in which case the previous Saturday is taken. It is a Spring festival to celebrate the end of winter and mark the arrival of the new vitality and fertility with the trees and flowers bursting into life. The houses and shops of the town are decorated with greenery and floral arrangements to express the spirit of renewal.

When the big bass drum strikes the first beat of the dance at seven in the morning, the spirit of the day is stirred and the celebrations commence. Some eighty couples dance through the streets, entering selected houses and shops to drive out the darkness of winter and bring in the light of spring.

The colourful Pageant, known as Hal an Tow, tells the history of Helston with the participating characters singing about the challenge of the Spanish Armada, the English patron saint, St. George and the fight between St Michael and the devil.

http://www.helstonfloraday.org.uk

Welcome to Helston Farmers’ Market where the very best of locally produced food can be found on the first Saturday of each month (except January) from 9.30am to 1.00pm at the Old Cattle Market, next to Lidl’s and the Boating Lake in Helston.

The market is a project of South Kerrier Alliance Community Interest Company (SKA CIC), a social enterprise, formed by volunteers, to address the needs and aspirations of the people of South Kerrier, Helston and its surrounding parishes.

The market is also organised by a team of dedicated volunteers who work hard to ensure that the market delivers high quality, local food straight from the producer and in doing so, helps to support small growers and enterprises.

Established in 2008 and starting with 13 local producers, the market has grown to be the largest of its kind in the County with over 40 local producers selling the finest quality produce.

 

The idea behind the market is to:

 

enable local food producers, farmers to sell their produce direct to the public give customers the opportunity to buy fresh, locally grown, homemade and handmade produce and products, raise public awareness on issues that involve locally produced food, sustainable farming and land management. Almost all of the seasonal produce on offer has been raised, grown or made within a 20 mile radius of Helston with care and attention to quality and provenance.

http://helstonfarmersmarket.co.uk

Contact us today

01326 565840

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