Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Waterstones Truro Book signing 2nd November 2013 @...

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Waterstones Truro Book signing 2nd November 2013 @...:     Ann E Brockbank be signing copies of my book Mr de Sousa’s Legacy – A Cornish Love story, in Waterstones Truro, on Saturday 2nd Novemb...

Waterstones Truro Book signing 2nd November 2013 @ 11.00am Ann E Brockbank Author of Mr de Sousa's Legacy - A Cornish Love story

 

 

Ann E Brockbank be signing copies of my book Mr de Sousa’s Legacy – A Cornish Love story, in Waterstones Truro, on Saturday 2nd November from 11.00 am.  If you are unable to come and see me on that day, signed/dedicated copies are available by Stock Transfer to any UK Waterstones

 

If you like a good old Cornish love story in a similar vein to Santa Montefiore or Rosamunde Pilcher, this may be something that appeals to you.
Let me take you on a journey, from Cornwall, to Tuscany, Yorkshire, to war torn Devon, as Mr de Sousa’s Legacy spans the decades in an intense and epic love story... 

 A perfect Cornish Christmas present.

Here it is displayed against ‘Carne’ the beautiful and evocative original oil painting used for the cover of my book, by kind permission of the Artist Robert Floyd BA (Hons)


Also available from Amazon.co.uk in Paperback
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
and on Kindle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
and Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk


Follow me on Facebook Ann E Brockbank Author/ Facebook
Follow me on Twittter @AnnEBrockbank1

 

 

Gweek. Helford Cornwall

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Gweek. Helford Cornwall: Gweek, Helford, Cornwall The setting for my new novel     I just thought I would give you a little insight into the beautiful Helfor...

Skipton, North Yorkshire – Another location in my novel Mr de Sousas’s Legacy.

Skipton North Yorkshire - The Gateway to the Dales

 

Skipton, my home town, is a market town in North Yorkshire.  Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is located on the course of the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to the south of the Yorkshire Dales. 

I could not write my novel Mr de Sousa’s Legacy without including Skipton in my story, after all, it is where I started writing.

 

Skipton was anciently distinguished by Skipton Castle, constructed in 1090 as a wooden motte-and-bailey by Robert de Romille, a Norman baron. In the 12th century it was  strengthened it with stone keep to repel attacks from the Kingdom of Scotland to the north, this elevated Skipton from a poor dependent village to a burgh. The protection offered by Skipton Castle during the Middle Ages encouraged the urbanisation of the surrounding area, and during times of war and disorder, attracted an influx of families.

To the right of Skipton Castle is the Bailey, and in 1939 it snowed so hard and laid so deep, people could walk level with the top of the lamp posts in the Bailey. Someone actually put their cap on top of the lamp post, and when the snow thawed away, it was still there as a reminder.

Skipton became a prosperous market town in the Middle Ages, trading sheep and woollen goods, which also led to its naming, derived from the Old English sceap (sheep) and tun (town or village). A market is still held in Skipton on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

 

In the 19th century, Skipton emerged as a small mill town connected to the major cities by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Dewhurst mill - or Belle Vue Mills, was the home of spinning, weaving, dyeing, and the making of sewing cotton (Sylko) (Trylco)

Built 1828 by John Dewhurst, Belle Vue Mills on Broughton Road in Skipton was built and opened as a spinning and weaving mill, but burned down two years later, and was immediately rebuilt, this time as a cotton mill. In 1852 an extension was added to allow 385 looms to be housed. In 1870 a further extension was added. In 1882 Dewhurt's had a floor area of 20,000 square yards spread over 5 storeys, and employed over 800 workers. It wasn’t until 1886 that electric lighting was installed.

The mill was the main source of employment for the Town of Skipton and its surrounding villages. Down the generations most Skipton families had someone working at the mill.  I, like my father and grandmother, was one of them. I remember my Grandmother telling me that she used to go to school in the mornings, and work at the Mill in the afternoons. Then she would collect a stone of flour from the local flour mill and carry it, in her apron, two and half miles home. This she did most week days.

Even in the 70’s the local secondary schools were all geared up to churn out fodder for the Mills, only the very few managed to aspire to greater things.

Consequently I started my working life there after leaving school and stayed for nine glorious years,  until the Mill closed in 1983. The Mill had been taken over by Coates Viella and the whole business was moved up to Scotland, leaving hundred of people out of work. It was a sad day for all concerned. I remember our last day, none of us wanted to leave each other, and none of us wanted to take off our overalls for the last time. But as they say, one door closes and other opens and redundancy is not the end, but the beginning of something new. Which was so very true.

My book Mr de Sousa’s Legacy touches on life in the Mill, though I probably didn’t show the Mill in the best of lights. For the story, it needed to show the negative side of working there in the Second World War. I need to show the hardships of working for long hours in a very noisy and dusty environment.   Having said that, I have very fond memories of working at the Mill, I met my wonderful husband there; in fact most people met their spouses at the Mill. I remember with joy working with some wonderful people, I missed the camaraderie and the fun after we were made redundant. 

But that was all a long time ago. 

Thank you for reading.


Ann E Brockbank now lives on the banks of the River Helford in Cornwall.

Mr de Sousa's Legacy - A Cornish love story.

1938 - In the ancient port of Gweek, on the beautiful banks of the River Helford, nothing can detract from the happiness widow Rachel Pendarves has found with the enigmatic Adam de Sousa. But, Rachel never anticipated being attracted to the same man as her step-daughter Verity, or realised how tragically the affairs of the heart would become entangled and split her tight knit Cornish community.

With the outbreak of World War Two, a shocking event tears them apart. With her world shattered, Rachel must fight her own inner battles.

1960 - The following decades bring their share of happiness and heartache for Rachel, then a chance encounter with her past, looks like history is about to repeat itself in a most shocking way. What ensued would haunt Rachel for weeks as she is forced to confront a devastating and heart-breaking dilemma……

From Cornwall, to Tuscany, Yorkshire, to war torn Devon, Mr de Sousa’s Legacy spans the decades in this intense and epic love story.

Want to know more about Mr de Sousa's Legacy? The book is now available in Paperback at Waterstones Truro, and as a Stock Transfer from all UK Waterstones.

From Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

From Amazon Kindle store http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk 

Read the first three chapters free on kindle. If you haven't got a Kindle download the Kindle app from the Amazon Kindle Store.

 

 

Tuscany plays an integral part of my novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy

Although my book Mr de Souas’s Legacy is subtitled A Cornish love story, the novel takes you on a journey to Tuscany, Yorkshire and Devon, although the story continually weaves its way back to the Cornish village of Gweek on the Helford River.

Let me share with you why one of these places influenced me and prompted me to write my novel.

Tuscany is well known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its permanent influence on high culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and has been home to many figures influential in the history of art and science.

 

 

 

I first visited Tuscany in the early 80's and was enchanted by the beautiful countryside.

I remember standing on a hillside in the baking heat, overlooking the vineyards, where rows of vines, laid out in formation, reached out into the rolling hillsides with snaking rust coloured roads between them.  Then as I looked further into the distance, green cypress trees flanked the roads as they wound their way up to the red roofed farmhouse on the hill top .  It was truly awe inspiring, I knew I would have to write about it one day.

 

 

One of my favourite places is Pisa, if you can look beyond the hordes of people all having their photo taken trying to hold the tower up .

I especially like the Camposanto, if feels such a tranquil haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

In the 12th century, knights of the fourth crusade brought back loads of soil from Golgotha, the place of Christ’s crucifixion in Jerusalem, and created a sacred burial space in Pisa. Over the centuries, the Camposanto became the cultural center of Pisa and the region. Many were buried there, and priceless Roman sarcophagi and statues, along with biblical relics, were housed there and the walls were completely decorated in beautiful frescos. The Camposanto was the one of the most important and priceless historical structures in all of Italy.

My story begins in 1938 just as Britain teeters on the brink of WW2, as rumours of war begin to filter through, life is about to change for all of Europe.

 

In Mr de Sousa's legacy I take my readers to beautiful Tuscan hills to enjoy the delights of Pisa and the surrounding area just as the country was on the cusp of War.
A few short years later Pisa would be a wounded city as it was bombed on August 31, 1943.  The area was bombed 53 times and 1753 people died over the course of 2 years. 953 of these people died in the first bombing. Over 200,000 houses destroyed. Factories raised to the ground. Three bridges bombed. The monumental cemetery burnt to the ground. But Pisa was not bombed by the Nazis. It was bombed by the Allies.

Although the leaning tower and famous cathedral in the centre of town survived, the cemetery next to them called the Camposanto, seen above, was completely destroyed.

 

 

On July 27, 1944, a wayward Allied bomb started a fire nearby that quickly spread to the Camposanto. The wooden rafters burst into flame and melted the lead on the roof, which dripped down and melted the frescos off the walls and completely destroyed everything inside.

 

Today, work still continues at the Camposanto to restore it. Though it will never be as it was, burnt fragments of the paintings have been pieced back together and can be seen on display. 

 

 

In Florence, Oct 2012, putting the finishing touches to Mr de Sousa's Legacy and doing a bit of sightseeing too.



I have travelled the length and  of Italy, soaking up the culture and delights of this beautiful country, gathering stories to be told. If you want to see why I took my readers to Tuscany, my book Mr de Sousa's Legacy is now available from Waterstones Truro, Cornwall. Any UK Waterstones as a Stock Transfer. Most Amazon sites and Amazon Kindle store.

Kindle Link - read the first three chapters free.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
Amazon Paperback link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Thank you for reading.

Original oil painting by © Robert Floyd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its here! Mr de Sousa's Legacy, now out in Paperback

Its here! My new novel ‘Mr de Sousa’s Legacy’ has arrived in paperback.  Here it is displayed against ‘Carne’ the beautiful and evocative original oil painting used for the cover of my book, by kind permission of the Artist Robert Floyd BA (Hons).

 

If you like a good old Cornish love story in a similar vein to Santa Montefiore or Rosamunde Pilcher, this may be something that appeals to you.
Let me take you on a journey, from Cornwall, to Tuscany, Yorkshire, to war-torn Devon, as Mr de Sousa’s Legacy spans the decades in an intense and epic love story…..a perfect read to snuggle up with on these chilly autumn evenings.

 Available Now

The book is now on sale at Waterstones, Truro. It will also be available as a ‘Stock Transfer’ from Truro to any UK Waterstones.

 

Also from the Premier shop in Gweek, Cornwall.

 

Also from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com and most other Amazon sites

Paperback link to Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Kindle version

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

 

'4' 5 star reviews on Amazon.

 

Come sail up the River Helford and meet the enigmatic Mr de Sousa

Come sail up through the age old oaks that flank the beautiful River Helford in Cornwall to the lovely River village of Gweek and watch the enigmatic Adam de Sousa fall in love with the young widow Rachel Pendavas, follow their, tragic and epic love story in 'Mr de Sousa's Legacy'. Don't miss this truly heartfelt, evocative and beautifully engaging story.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_h2pgsb0EP7FWV via @AmazonUK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_50pgsb1NQAHPT via @AmazonUK

Widecombe in the Moor - plays an integral part in my novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy

If you don’t already know of it, I want to introduce you to Widecombe-in-the-Moor a small village located within the heart of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. The name is thought to derive from 'Withy-combe' which means Willow Valley. Although my novel Mr de Sousa’s Legacy is marketed as a Cornish love story, an integral part of the book in set in Widecombe during the 2^nd World War.

 

 

I first visited Widecombe about eight years ago whilst on a camping holiday and as I walked the quiet lanes skirting this pretty village I felt as though I stepped into a Thomas Hardy novel. I was so inspired by its beauty, I knew I had to use it in my novel.

 

 

The village is well known for Widecombe Fair, held annually on the 2nd Tuesday in September and celebrated by a folksong of the same name, featuring 'Old Uncle Tom Cobley and All'.

 

 

The Widecombe Fair Poem and Folk Song describes the 'adventures' of Uncle Tom Cobley and his friends and the fate that befell the poor old grey mare that they borrowed from Tom Pearce... The words were first published in 1880.
It is based on a supposedly true happening. Tom Cobley's grave is at Spreyton, just North of Dartmoor.

 

The church of St Pancras is known as the 'Cathedral of the Moors' in recognition of its 120 foot tower and relatively large capacity for such a small village.  This is the church I had in mind when I wrote about the Harvest Festival and also the venue where one of my characters got married.

 

The church was originally built in the fourteenth century, in the Perpendicular style (late Gothic), using locally quarried granite. It was enlarged over the following two centuries, partly on the proceeds of the local tin mining trade. Inside, the ceiling is decorated with roof bosses, including the tinner’s emblem of a circle of three hares (known locally as the Tinners' Rabbits).

 

In Widecombe churchyard is the grave of novelist Beatrice Chase who lived in a cottage close to the village. Her real name was Olive Katharine Parr, and she was a direct descendant of William Parr, the brother of Catherine, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.

The Darmoor ponies roam the village green quite freely. But there is great concern over the number of ponies being killed on open Moorland roads. I have heard that some of the ponies wear a neck bands which shows up in the headlights of cars at night which keeps them safe, but none of the ones I saw, when I was there, had them on.

 

Mr de Sousa's legacy is now available in Paperback and on kindle

Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760

Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A

 

 

 

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Mr de Sousa's Legacy now out in Paperback

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Mr de Sousa's Legacy now out in Paperback: Turning cappuccinos and toasted teacakes into novels at my beachside Café office at Kynance Cove     What could be better than this beautif...

Mr de Sousa's Legacy now out in Paperback

Turning cappuccinos and toasted teacakes into novels at my beachside Café office at Kynance Cove

 

 

What could be better than this beautiful Cornish view?

Reading my new Cornish novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy that what!

 

When you read my novel, I hope to help you lose yourselves for a while. I want to take you to wonderful places, whether it’s the wild rugged cliffs of Cornwall, the lush green hills of the Yorkshire Dales, or the heat of a Tuscan Village. Come with me on a journey, cry and laugh with equal measure, but most of all enjoy my love stories.

 

Available from Amazon as a kindle download and in paperback.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1490930760/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_6H2dsb0XENWND via @AmazonUK 

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Mr de Sousa's Legacy will be published in Paperbac...

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Mr de Sousa's Legacy will be published in Paperbac...: Just finished proof reading the paperback of My novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy. Watch this space for more information of when it will...

Mr de Sousa's Legacy will be published in Paperback soon!

Just finished proof reading the paperback of My novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy. Watch this space for more information of when it will be available to buy.

 

Its available as a Kindle download at the moment if you cant wait for the paperback

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_p0Mbsb106AVT5 via @AmazonUK

Gweek. Helford Cornwall

Gweek, Helford, Cornwall

The setting for my new novel

 

 

I just thought I would give you a little insight into the beautiful Helford river village of Gweek which gave me the inspiration to write my novel.

 

This is the view of the bridge in the middle of the village, as mentioned in the first chapter of Mr de Sousa's Legacy. Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

Gweek is a village and civil parish in the Kerrier district of Cornwall, England

The name derives from the Cornish word wyk meaning creek.

 

This is a view of the river from the first bridge. Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

This lovely village nestles at the upper reaches of the tidal limit of the Helford River which is a ‘drowned river valley system which was formed thousands of years ago when the land sank and the valleys were flooded by the sea. It is located on the soft side of the lizard (the most southerly point in England.)

 

The Helford River is one of the loveliest and most unspoilt rivers in Cornwall. Deep sheltered valleys covered in ancient oak woodlands, lead down to hidden creeks, century old villages and gardens and is far removed for the wild jagged cliffs and treeless heaths at the west of the peninsula

 

The Ancient Harbour of Gweek

The old port of Gweek is at the head of navigation of the tidal Helford River

History books show there was a port in Gweek as long ago as 450 BC when tin was traded with the Phoenician merchants from the eastern Mediterranean. The Romans named Gweek ‘Vicos’.  In Mediaeval times Gweek was the busiest harbour with its own Customs House, when Helston port ceased to be workable owing to the build up of shingle and silt at Loe Bar.

It was here in Gweek that the pilchard-fishery carried on extensively, with 200 boats being employed in bringing the fish, which were cured in the various creeks and coves within the limits of the port. In addition to the fishery, the chief trade consisted in the exportation of copper-ore, corn, and oysters, and the importation of limestone, timber and coal; the latter needed to run surrounding mines.

 

Now in the 21st century the river is still navigable at high tide through a small channel and is now mainly used for pleasure craft.

Gweek is once again a beautiful thriving bustling village where the village facilities are well supported, making it a busy community within a tranquil river village setting.

Gweek Quay Boatyard keeps the village live and vibrant and is a thriving workplace which houses several boatbuilding, repair and maintenance companies. The Boatyard also has facilities to overwinter some 250 yachts. The Old Custom House still stands within the Boat yard

 

View of the Old Custom House in Gweek Quay Boatyard Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

 

The Black Swan Gweek

This is where is all begins.

 

  

Authors note: Mr de Sousa's Legacy is now available
Waterstones Truro and all UK Waterstones  by Stock Transfer from Truro
The Black Swan at Gweek
The Premier Shop Gweek
The Waymarker, Constantine, nr Gweek
Poldhu Cove Café 
Amazon Kindle Store
Amazon.co.uk and all Amazon sites

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Follow my Twitter feed @AnnEBrockbank1

Like my Author Facebook page
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Ann-E-Brockbank/229210743875484

 

I am currently working on my second novel

Thank you for reading my blog 

 

A Cornish Love story - Mr de Sousa's Legacy

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : A Cornish Love story - Mr de Sousa's Legacy: Mr de Sousa’s Legacy is set in the beautiful village of Gweek ( Cornish : Gwig , meaning forest village ) situated at the top of the Helfor...

A Cornish Love story - Mr de Sousa's Legacy

Mr de Sousa’s Legacy is set in the beautiful village of Gweek (Cornish: Gwig, meaning forest village) situated at the top of the Helford River in Cornwall.

 

It is now Available to download on Amazon Kindle Store, and paperback available to order from Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DS6DO6A/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

My Beachside Office

Poldhu Café, Cornwall,  a place of inspiration and good coffee. This is my beachside office, where I gathered the inspiration for my novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy.

David Bowie is............a bit of a disappointment really.

I've just come back from London and amongst other things I went to see the the David Bowie is Exhibition at the V&A and was very disappointed.

 

The first thing I saw was his famous Tokyo top bodysuit, which measured about a metre across and I thought, ‘I’m in for a treat here’.

 

Oh how wrong could I be? The design of the exhibition felt quite bewildering. The first thing I came across was an installation of oranges, and a film of the artists Gilbert and George! The room was packed to the gunwales with people all queuing to look at, well, not a lot actually. I stood in the queue to take a peep into a couple of spy holes in a heavy wooden door, only to see, an artist studio in one and a Buddha in the other.  Feeling very claustrophobic and hot I decided not to continue queuing with the hordes and make my own way around the exhibition, nipping in and out of openings only to find the odd film about the Moon landings which had some reference to Major Tom, but whether it was because I couldn’t see some of the exhibits properly through the mountain of people I just felt, some of it didn’t seem to have any reference to David Bowie.  After being in there 15 minutes the next hoards of people came into the room and the feeling of being hemmed in was quite unbearable.

As I turned a corner I found a few people flipping through his albums as though they were browsing in HMV and had an overwhelming feeling of boredom. Things brightened up a bit when I came across a few photo shoots of how he came to choose the cover photo on Aladdin Sane. There was also a tiny sketch that became the album cover for Diamond Dogs, and story-boards that took you through his thinking. There was also a crayon-drawn cover for the single of Ashes to Ashes which was exactly replicated in the finished product.

There were some of his costumes but not the kimono he wore at his last ‘Ziggy’ performance, which was a huge disappointment to me. This was and still is the most memorable costume he ever wore to me. I had headphones on and as I stepped near the exhibits Howard Goodall commentary faded in and out giving clipped versions of his life, but most of the time I couldn't get near enough to make the commentary kick in . His songs were played is tiny snippets and there was a whole wall of posters advertising things like Lionel Bart’s musical ‘Oliver’!?  and ‘Cabaret’ yes, I can see the connection there.

 

Half way through the exhibition things became a little ghoulish. Kansai Yamamoto's geometrical bodysuits, Alexander McQueen's distressed union flag frockcoat, and a ghastly pair of platform-heeled turquoise boots were modeled by a succession of white, blank-faced dummies that look like statues in a Greek temple, while Ziggy Stardust seemed to be laid to rest in a glazed coffin.

What I did like were the lyrics, there were loads of them, some written quite neatly but others scrawled or typed, as he apparently experimented with the William Burroughs ‘cut-up’ method. His lyrics, which were the highlight for me, were written on notepaper, graph paper, and scrap paper, with lots of crossings out and amendments.  To a Bowie fan like me, these pieces of paper are holy relics.

The exhibition was meant to take 90 minutes to go round, after 35 I had had enough, I know I missed a great deal due to the enormous amount of people in there, consequently, I came out feeling very deflated. 

I don’t know what I expected, but I know I didn’t get it.

Ann E Brockbank is the Author of Mr de Sousa's legacy, available to download from the Amazon Kindle Store.

 

My new novel Mr de Sousa's Legacy will be published on 5th July 2013

I am proud to announce my new novel will be available to download from Kindle
on Friday 5th July 2013.
If you like a good old Cornish based love story in a similar vein to Santa Montefiore or Rosamunde Pilcher, this may be something that appeals to you.
Let me take you on a journey, from Cornwall, to Tuscany, Yorkshire, to war torn Devon, Mr de Sousa’s Legacy spans the decades in an intense and epic love story…..a perfect summer read.

Kneehigh production of Tristan and Ysuelt at the Hall for Cornwall

I Had the great pleasure of seeing this production last night and would highly recommend you seeing it if possible. It was without doubt the most spectacular and moving piece of theatre I have ever witnessed. The theatre was electric from start to finish.   The cabaret-style setting was intimate; the acting was powerful, gloriously comical and heartbreakingly passionate. A more talented group of actor’s musician and singers would be had to find.  It had moments of heart-wrenching poignancy, which moved me to tears. The memory of this production will stay with me for a long time and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation it got at the end.

 

Ann E Brockbank Novelist : Gweek - The setting for my new novel Mr de Sousa's...

I just thought I would give you a little insight into the beautiful Helford...

Gweek

Gweek, Helford, Cornwall

The setting for my new novel

 

 

I just thought I would give you a little insight into the beautiful Helford river village of Gweek which gave me the inspiration to write my novel.

 

This is the view of the bridge in the middle of the village, as mentioned in the first chapter of Mr de Sousa's Legacy. Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

Gweek is a village and civil parish in the Kerrier district of Cornwall, England

The name derives from the Cornish word wyk meaning creek.

 

This is a view of the river from the first bridge. Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

This lovely village nestles at the upper reaches of the tidal limit of the Helford River which is a ‘drowned river valley system which was formed thousands of years ago when the land sank and the valleys were flooded by the sea. It is located on the soft side of the lizard (the most southerly point in England.)

 

The Helford River is one of the loveliest and most unspoilt rivers in Cornwall. Deep sheltered valleys covered in ancient oak woodlands, lead down to hidden creeks, century old villages and gardens and is far removed for the wild jagged cliffs and treeless heaths at the west of the peninsula

 

The Ancient Harbour of Gweek

The old port of Gweek is at the head of navigation of the tidal Helford River

History books show there was a port in Gweek as long ago as 450 BC when tin was traded with the Phoenician merchants from the eastern Mediterranean. The Romans named Gweek ‘Vicos’.  In Mediaeval times Gweek was the busiest harbour with its own Customs House, when Helston port ceased to be workable owing to the build up of shingle and silt at Loe Bar.

It was here in Gweek that the pilchard-fishery carried on extensively, with 200 boats being employed in bringing the fish, which were cured in the various creeks and coves within the limits of the port. In addition to the fishery, the chief trade consisted in the exportation of copper-ore, corn, and oysters, and the importation of limestone, timber and coal; the latter needed to run surrounding mines.

 

Now in the 21st century the river is still navigable at high tide through a small channel and is now mainly used for pleasure craft.

Gweek is once again a beautiful thriving bustling village where the village facilities are well supported, making it a busy community within a tranquil river village setting.

Gweek Quay Boatyard keeps the village live and vibrant and is a thriving workplace which houses several boatbuilding, repair and maintenance companies. The Boatyard also has facilities to overwinter some 250 yachts. The Old Custom House still stands within the Boat yard

 

View of the Old Custom House in Gweek Quay Boatyard Photo © Ann E Brockbank

 

 

The Black Swan Gweek

This is where is all begins.

 

 

 

 

 

Authors note: Mr de Sousa's Legacy is now available to download from the Amazon Kindle Store
and in paperback from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com