tourism
A HOLIDAY IN PADSTOW 7th MAY 1966
When Mr and Mrs Perceval came down to Padstow on holiday they wrote notes and took photographs like most of us. But with a difference. They realised they had taken one of the final trips by rail and thought they would share those moments with us at Padstow Museum.
They stayed with Mr and Mrs Allsop in “Almora” St Edmund’s Lane now part of the Sea Food Restaurant.
On their last day they did simple things like going to St Saviours and collecting stones then on to St George’s to collect some sand.
The bill for board was £17.0.0 (old money then). Tips £1.10s, Fare £16.12s, Coffee and Pasties in Padstow 4s 8d.
They began by taking the overnight sleeper ‘although the train was two hours late at Bodmin Road Station because the Diesel engine caught fire somewhere along the line’.
7th May Saturday – after arriving early we had a look around then took the bus to Trevone and walked back from there.
Early morning tea on train 1s 6d - Bus to Trevone 1s 2d, Tea (cup) 6d, Stamps 1s 6d.
You could say this holiday was a bit ordinary but nevertheless special to them.
On Tuesday 10th May they ‘ Took the Ferry to Rock and walked over the Golf Course. Found Christine Kelway’s garden and she invited us in. Took bus back to Rock. Return on Ferry 1s 8d. Bus to Rock 1s Tea 1s’
On Wednesday 11th they ‘walked to Trevone in the morning – high seas – caught 12.29am bus back. In the afternoon took bus to Harlyn. Walked by road and footpath to Boobys Bay. To Trevose Head aand Mother Ivey’s Bay, through new Lifeboat Station site. Through caravans as the rain came down. Past toll gate and road back to Harlyn. Took 5.22 bus back to Padstow. Bus fare Trevone to Padstow 1s 2d return Padstow to Harlyn 3s 4d.’
One thing they were very aware of was that part of the Railway that had brought them was due to close under the Beeching cuts. Padstow Station and the line to Wadebridge and Bodmin would be no more. No longer would Reg Ridd take up his duties in the Signal Box nor would we see trains steaming over the Iron Bridge. They captured both of these things. We can now share them with you.
John Buckingham – Padstow Museum