Grumpy Volunteer Corner

by Keith Evans

A funny thing happened to me on the way to the museum last week; I passed a submarine in Penryn. Now you must admit you don't often pass submarines in Penryn. On second glance I saw it was the 17th century oar propelled 'Drebbel'. I know there are defence cuts and the Navy is short of ships but this is ridiculous. I hear they're creating a new Artificer grade submarine oarsman. There's an opening there for gig rowers. Applications must be in by 1st April.

Friday Surprise!

Jenny Wittamore surprised us all by giving birth to Eliza Mary on Friday at about midday. Eliza weighed 6lbs 4oz and was six weeks early. They're still in Treliske while Eliza spends a few days in the neo-natal unit but she is absolutely fine.

Congratulations to Jenny & Kevin!

Grumpy Volunteer Corner

by Keith Evans

Lying awake in the early hours recently I was thinking about the Waterfront. Goodness knows why but suddenly I had a eureka experience. Now calm down ladies I didn't leap out of bed in the nuddy. Running around the pool shoving boats off the lee shore is a real pain. So why not fit the bar and the boats with repelling magnets - problem solved! Alternatively we could wire up the consols to give the perpetrators an electric shock. That'll learn 'em!

I'd had a quiet period on Waterfront recently when an engaged couple came down. See was gorgeous; dark hair, blue eyes, enough to put a hermit's hormones into hyperactivity. He was podgey with a face like a beetroot. I asked whether they were used to handling boats. 'I am. She's not.' he snorted. 'I'm not very good' she said flickering her long eyelashes at me. Now control yourself Keith, you're acting like a recycled teenager. I set them off. She did a faultless round. He collided with everything in sight. Finally going on the lee shore. 'Come on' he growled before his time was up. 'I'm going up the tower.' She followed obediently giving one a dazzling smile. I would push him off if I were you, I thought. You're not going to marry him are you? Love is blind.

Life on the Rocks - the Volunteer party

A terrific Volunteer party on Friday 12 February had a theme of Life on the Rocks. Some of the familiar costume designers were absent but the remainder more than made up for the shortage with ideas ranging from a lighthouse keeper, several Bishop Rocks, a mermaid and a rock itself (complete with puffin). Music was, as usual, by Manouche. A good time was naturally had by all.

The winning quiz team of Clive Mathison, Pauline and John Fortey, Jenny and Mick Duff, Peter Hartley and Ken Impy (pictured here) seemed to know a thing or two about lighthouses although even they struggled. The editor prescribes two years in the Hold for the defaulters.

Huffin the Puffin, nestled in his rock.

There is a link to the photo gallery on the right or click here.

Lighthouse Launch Party

Ex-Lighthouse Keeper Eddie Matthews in front of his photo

Three former Lighthouse Keepers

Lizard Lighthouse Visitor Centre team

The Museum Fayre

(to the tune of Widdecombe Fair)

Oh Jonathan, Jonathan, show me the light,
Down in the Hold & away from the sea
Lightships & lighthouses make a good sight
Says Sarah & Andy & Milllie & Phil
Graham & Trevor & Michael, Annette
And Colin from Trinity House,
and Colin from Trinity House.

So let’s hope the visitors queue at the door
Then into the darkness where flashes are seen,
And those who don’t know what a lightship is for
Ask Stuart & Naomi & Jenny or Phil,
Michael or even the Boatbuilding crew
And Colin from Trinity House
And Colin from Trinity House

The Museum Poet

Changeover - the end of the line

Five weeks ago we closed Under the Sea. The snow came down and we shivered our way through the first few weeks of work as we always seemed to need to open the boat doors when there was a blizzard or northerly wind. There were highs and lows but few crises as large objects were very gradually moved into place, wired up and started turning. Objects were placed reverently into prepared cases and labels were added. The roomset was dressed and a fake seagull was added.

A very, very big thank you to the whole team who have pulled together to make it all happen:

• To Ben, Sarah, Andy, Milly, Jenny and Danny 
• To Annette, Naomi, Michael and Stuart
• To Trevor, Phil C and Phil P
• To Graham who always deserves a special mention
• To the incredible Boatbuilding volunteers who have appeared on strange days and built so much of the exhibition
• To everyone else who has had to endure the enthusiasm of the core team, making their own special contribution

Now we have come to the end of the line and it is for you to judge the result.
Here's to Lighthouses and may it keep us firmly off the rocks.

Jonathan Griffin

Oh look: another award/badge/marque

We have won/gained a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. This sounds very grand but it means that Stuart has successfully filled in a form promising that our Education Service is absolutely wonderful - which it is. The result is another certificate which says that we are 'pledged' to:

• Engage in an ongoing process to sustain high quality learning outside the classroom
• Meet all the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge indicators

Where do they find people to draft things like this? I think the aim is to say that we provide high quality learning outside the classroom but we knew that already. Still, it is nice to have a badge saying so.

Well done the team. You have two years before we have to re-apply.

Grumpy Volunteer or Charming Volunteer?

by Keith Evans

Far be it from me to cause controversy (see recent comments on population demography) but, as a diplomat, I feel I should calm the situation. One can sympathise with views of my anonymous colleagues and maybe he should have added nagging, demand for credit card and withdrawal of conjugal rights. Not, of course, that I would be so ungallant to suggest this.

In spite of that we (males) love the ladies with whom we work. I myself have the warmest relations with my female colleagues. Very recently I was invited to share an umbrella from the car park with a delightful (female) member of staff. Mind you and sadly, not much can happen under an umbrella in a howling wind and pouring rain; unless you have experience to the contrary in which case please send details on a postcard to the editor.

Changeover week 5

We will have little to tell you this week for the bulk of the work has now been completed. The major exhibits are in place and the Hold has been cleared so that the floor can be painted afresh. A tide mark of rubbish and equipment is slowly being pushed further and further to the margins and eventually squeezed out of the space altogether. The lighting setup has been completed and the end is most definitely in sight.

Friday's official opening beckons ...