JOIN THE FRIENDS OF TRENANCE COTTAGES
WE HAVE FUN!
How to Join
The "Friends of Trenance Cottages" group was formed in Autumn 2005 at the behest of Restormel Borough Councillor Lesley Clarke with the express purpose of working with the council to save and restore Trenance Cottages.
Restormel Borough Council had inherited the cottages from Newquay Urban District Council and, at the time the Friends were started, had formulated a plan to restore them with the aid of grants from Heritage Lottery, Objective 1, etc. RBC envisaged creating workshop units for renting out to local businesses. In order to support their bids for funds, they wanted to demonstrate community support for the scheme, and that's where the Friends came in.
2006 was the Centenary year for Trenance Gardens, and the Friends of Trenance Cottages seized the opportunity to organise both large and small events by way of celebration. These would also raise awareness of the whole Trenance area and draw attention to the efforts to "save" the cottages. Hundreds of Newquay residents and visitors turned out to support the Teddy Bears' Picnic at Easter 2006 and three open-air concerts held close to the cottages. There was a tennis tournament at the Heron Tennis Centre in May, and a series of talks included a flavour of the history of the gardens, using slides and listening to the recorded voice of the last resident to live in the cottages, plus other subjects.
The community was beginning to bond via the thread of the overall project. Schools were involved as hundreds of local children took part in an art exhibition depicting aspects of the gardens, their history and wildlife, and a quiz which called for research to enhance knowledge of the area.
There was also an enthusiastic family response to a Gala Lakeside Day in September in which the Friends resurrected gig rowing and held pedalo races on the boating lake, and Father Christmas's Grotto (constructed in the cottages!) was visited by nearly 500 children in December.
Despite the efforts of the group, and the pleasing fact that the Friends' membership had exceeded 600 by the end of 2006, Restormel Borough Council failed in their bid for grant-funding for the restoration of the buildings. Another tack had to be employed.
The Friends decided to form a Community Interest Company and seek ownership of the cottages. The Trenance Cottages Community Interest Company was launched in April 2007.
While the CIC works hard to secure funding for the project, the Friends are actively seeking more members. Currently the total stands at around 850.
Members:
- Receive a regular Newsletter
- Help out at our events
- Help with fundraising - see Sponsor a slate
- Have the opportunity to join the Committee, helping to steer our endeavours.
- Will have plenty to involve themselves in when the cottages are restored!
