Category Archives: General Interest

South Hill Connection August/September UPDATE


Coffee morning tomorrow Thursday 28th 10:30am start
Following the success of last month, we’re delighted to get together again for tea, coffee and cakes and lots for chatter. All Welcome. No charge. This time we will have a donations table, where you can bring and buy items, from jars of preserves, surplus fruit n veg, a book you’d love someone else to read, a jigsaw, whatever you think someone will give a few pounds for. We appreciate the support to keep the coffee morning going. See you tomorrow morning.

Murder Mystery at the hall Pushing Up the Daisies.
6 tickets left for a full house this Saturday 29th Doors open at 7:45pm.
£15 includes supper. Raising funds for St Lukes Hospice.
Licensed bar. A great evening guaranteed.
Email anactofmurder@hotmail.com
Or drop by the coffee morning tomorrow, Thursday, for tickets.

Water Butts.
SHARE are on our 2nd order of bulk buying water butts.
They are a standard 200Litres and come with the stand, tap and fixings.
Usually £54, but by ordering 30 butts costs £48.36 each, includes delivery to Golberdon
More details www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/products/view/200-litre-cloudburst-water-butt-kit-38851
If you’d like to order this water butt, let Ali know ASAP, I’ll place an order when I have another 30 confirmed. Let your friends know as well.

Golberdon Community Orchard Sept. 5th Open Day. 4pm till dark.
Plant Your Pants … to see how quickly they deteriorate and how good the soil is.
Identify and record plants and bugs. Plus more activities. Bring a picnic.
Let Ali know if interested. 07305 044049 Everyone and all ages welcome. ///puddings.drain.gearing

St Sampsons church, South Hill, Bells talk Wed. Sept 9th 7pm
“How our ancient bells were restored” an interesting evening with refreshments for the restoration project.

SHARE (South Hill Association for Renewable Energy) is in the early stages of looking to set up a local Energy Club
By matching local energy demand to local generation, the club could offer households in the area the chance to pay less for power, while helping to build a resilient, environmentally conscious energy network that benefits your pocket, your community and your planet. You don’t have to be a SHARE member to find out more.
If you would like to know more, join us on September 22nd following the AGM which starts at 7:30pm. There will also be a guest speaker who helped produce a Home Retrofit Guide, to talk about the changes he has made to his home to save energy, there will be free guides to take away. ALL WELCOME The Parish Hall Golberdon PL177ND

Fun Sing Along & Sumptuous Cream Tea at St Sampsons church. Sunday 27th Sept. 4 -6pm Accompanied by acclaimed organist David Davis
Donations on the day.

The Parish Hall committee had a really successful FUN DAY on August 15th. Thank you to everyone that came to support us and THE METS, Kelliwik Golowi Band, the stall holders and everything that was going on. The next hall meeting is on Sept 10th 7:30pm.
The SHARE QUIZ correct answer was 189 (thousand).

South Hill Horticultural Show August 15th
The trophy winners were:

• Committee Cup (Most points in Show) – Peggy Ede
• K.J.Uglow Cup (Runner Up) – Judith Ayers
• Cup third place most points – Lynette Clarke
• Barbara Ede (New Entrant, most points) – Ella Hicks
• E.C. Pomroy (Most points Floral Arrangements) – Chris Clarke
• Maureen Hindle Trophy (Best Floral Art exhibit) – Chris Clarke
• Best Cut Flowers in Show – Mel Gwynn
• F. Eggins Memorial Trophy (Most Points Cut Flowers) – Brian Arthur
• Jenny Jane Memorial Trophy (Best Rose) – Sue Palmer
• Best Exhibit in Pot Plants – Lynette Clarke
• Gilbert Rickard Memorial Trophy (Most points in Veg classes) – Peggy Ede
• H. Trewartha Cup (Best exhibit in Veg classes) – Brian Arthur
• Best Collection of Vegetables – Brian Arthur
• Buckingham Trophy (Most points in Handicrafts) – Andrea Hill
• Best exhibit in Handicrafts – Andrea Hill
• Mrs. S. Rickard Cup (Most points in Cookery) – Peggy Ede
• Best Exhibit in Cookery classes – Lyn Coombe
• Sheila Cup (Most points in Photography) – Lucy Penney
• Best Entry in Photography classes – Harriet Curtis
• Parish Council Miss Alvery Cup (Local Child most points) – Harriet Sawford
• Child 5 & Under most points – James Penney
• Child 6-10 most points – Harriet Sawford
• Child 11-15 most points – Chloe Coombe
• R.H.G Gimblett Cup (Best Photo by a child) – William Coombe
If you’d like to join the SHOW committee for NEXT YEAR.
Email the show secretary Lyn Coombe southhillshow@hotmail.com

The Medieval Fayre at the church back in June made over £2000 which has helped raise scaffolding again, which this time goes up in the church from 28th September in readiness for the roof and ceiling repairs for the nave- central part of church. Thank you everyone for contributing.
We’re still raising money for the slates here www.justgiving.com/campaign/slates

That’s all folks

Ali
The South Hill Connection

SHARE June 2026 News update


The People’s Emergency Briefing

You are invited to attend The People’s Emergency Briefing film at Callington Town Hall Council Chamber on Saturday July 11th  starting at 4pm till 6:30pm.  

The Film is being shown free of charge and is for anyone invested in their future and local community. It features Chris Packham, Leading UK scientists and experts explaining  the challenges ahead for the climate and nature and why it matters for our:

�� Extreme weather �� Food security �� Health �� Cost of living

After the screening, there’ll be a short open discussion about what it means for our local communities.  The film is not available on line and not suitable for those under 16 years old. Seating is limited so please book early here.www.tickettailor.com/events/callingtonnewoutlook/2251794

National Emergency Briefing

Community Orchard update

Located opposite 1 – 4 Moorland View, Golberdon.

Our volunteers have been busy again, the shelter and deck have been completed with water butts attached, the pumpkin patch has been planted, the gateway improved, wildflowers introduced and encouraged, pathways through the tall grass cut, seating added, strawberries eaten …  

In the shelter there is a blackboard where you can record anything of interest you have spotted. Today some of the stinging nettles were covered in caterpillars. 

Still to do, cut and remove the tall grass, create a pond area, build raised beds, weed around the trees… sit and enjoy and watch the space evolve.

We have visited National Trust property, Haye Farm, at St. Dominick and The Wildlife Trust, Sylvia’s Meadow at St Anne’s Chapel during Green Week, this week, to see how they are managing their land and learning about weeds, wildflowers, grasses,  bracken,  brambles, grazing, mowing and more.

We are planning a visit to Liftondown Quarry where the property has been developed, attracting many species of wildlife. 

IF YOU would like to be involved, please contact Ali. 07305 044049 iamalihumphreys@yahoo.com   

Wildlife Trust events .Events | Cornwall Wildlife Trust


South Hill Horticultural Show

SHARE will be sponsoring the horticultural show again this year. If you have a child up to 15 years old, please encourage them to take part.

Classes as follows, all in the children’s section:-

107.   A model made from recycled items (12” max)

108.  A4 poster— “How can you reduce energy usage at home?”

109.   Photo – Renewable energy

Classes are to be judged in the following age categories:5 yrs & under, 6 –10yrs and 11-15yrs.

Save the date- SHARE AGM

Don’t forget to add the date of our next AGM in your diaries. The SHARE AGM will be held Tuesday 22nd September, 19.30 at the South Hill Parish Hall in Golberdon.

Recycling update

St Sampson’s Update September 2026


A big personal thank you for your continued support for St Sampson’s.

Restoration of St Sampson’s Church is progressing, helping preserve a Christian presence in South Hill and ensuring the heritage building remains accessible for community use now and in the future.

We continue to hold a weekly Sunday service. Our doors are open when the building works permit . Our parish hall is home to Sampson’s Supertots, a lively weekly toddler group, providing a welcoming space for local families. In April, we hosted another  well-attended Easter trail and Easter egg hunt, and in the summer we held a children’s’ holiday club themed around Creation. We have hosted musical events, with performances by Barretts Privateers, Sam Sweeney, Aderyn String Quartet, plus the ‘Big Sing’, and a memorable Medieval Summer Fayre with a falconry display. 

Work began on the Manaton Chapel in October  and we had an exciting time with the archaeologist discovering four Manaton burial vaults, which needed to be excavated before the new floor could be built. This culminated in a wonderful and moving  memorial service and concert to re inter the disturbed Manaton remains. We are awaiting the final report, results from facial reconstruction from some of the skulls and DNA analyses.

The week of January 13th 2026 saw the exciting return of our bells after a four year absence and 50 years silence. They are now ringing out once more.  Over 50 people welcomed back the bells and were able to view them closely before they were hoisted back into the tower.

Since the start of the project we have raised an incredible £750,000 from over one hundred successful grant applications, many generous individual donations, and fundraising.

We are truly thriving in this lesser-known part of Cornwall.

2025 has been busy year and 2026 is promising to be equally busy!  Below is a summary of our plans and everything the St Sampson’s Unlocked project has achieved so far.

2026 plans

  • Manaton Chapel renovations and creation of Community Room continues – due to be completed April/May.
  • Tower roof and internal louvre weatherproofing work
  • Nave roof and ceiling replacement £190K
  • Creation of digital trail, virtual tour and church guidebooks
  • More concerts
  • Medieval Summer Fayre

Plus ongoing fundraising for the next phase: the remaining roof and ceiling works ( south aisle and chancel),  south side rainwater goods, WC facilities, kitchen, flooring and redecoration.

The ending of the Listed Places of Worship VAT reclaim scheme has left us with even more funds to find, an extra 20% on all works. Which we particularly now need to raise for the Nave roof and ceiling works scheduled for October 2026. We were told recently our ‘roof  batons are mush and slate nails are dust’,  highlighting the urgency of these upcoming works.

Previous Works

  • Relocation of Font (2020)
  • Installation of mains water supply (2020)
  • External path lighting (2020)
  • Roof valley gutter (2021)
  • Removal and storage of bells and securing the bell frame (2021)
  • Compost toilet installed in churchyard (2022)
  • Restoration of all thirteen windows, including stonework (2021-2023)
  • Porch stonework repairs, including new stone and pointing (2023)
  • External masonry wall repairs (2023)
  • Restoration of the Michael Hill monument, now reinstated on the east wall in the Manaton Chapel (2023)
  • Full Church of England faculty approval granted for roof, ceiling, WC facilities, and kitchenette, with phased work planned (2023)
  • West door restoration (2024)
  • Installation of new overhead heaters (2024)
  • East wall external masonry repairs (2024)
  • Tower stair door restoration (2024)
  • Additional lightning protection on east end (2025)
  • Rainwater goods on north side (2025)
  • Restoration of internal tower screen door (2025)
  • Tomb recess and dragon corbel repaired and restored (2025)
  • Building regulations approval for WC facilities and drainage (2025)
  • Planning approval for air source heat pump in Manaton Chapel (2025)
  • Repointing various areas of the tower (2025) see photo
  • Repair of tower roof door (2025)
  • Tower pointing and downpipe refurbishment (2025)
  • West end rainwater goods (2025)
  • Bell restoration and re-hanging (2026)

Funding and Support

Our work would not be possible without the generous support of a wide range of funders, including: National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Churches Trust, Headley Trust, Cornish Historic Churches Trust, Historic England, Baker Estates, Sabrina Sutherland Charitable Trust, Doctor and Mrs Alfred Darlington Charitable Trust, Jill Franklin Trust, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Cornwall Community Chest (Viscountess Boyd Charitable Trust), Trefinnick Solar Fund, Church Care, All Churches Trust, Congregational and General Charitable Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, Rural Churches Repair Fund, William and Jane Morris Foundation, Beatrice Laing Family Trust, Bells Gives Back, Swire Trust, Tesco Bags of Help, Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund, Kingsgrove Charitable Trust, Lady Neville Charity, Lord Clinton’s Charitable Trust, Abba Charitable Trust, Ian Foulerton Charitable Trust, Peoples Postcode Lottery, Funds for Mission, Penuel Trust, National Grid Electricity Distribution, Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, Buildings for Mission – Truro Diocese, The Saint Andrew Conservation Trust, Quick Wins – Truro Diocese, Benefact Trust, Sharpe Trust, Elmgrant Trust, Choral Evensong Trust, Give to Go Green, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Aurelius Charitable Trust,  Miss Anna Maria Gurney Charitable Fund, Fentogollan Farm, Brags Garden Supplies, and the Woodland Trust.

We are also deeply grateful for the contributions of individual donors and  those who organise and attend our fundraising events and activities,

 

Thank You

A sincere thank you to all our funders, large and small. This is a remarkable achievement for a small rural parish, and a true testament to our commitment to serving the South Hill community.  If you would like to visit and chat with us about what we have achieved and our continuing progress and needs, please contact me below.

Watch this space!

Blessings,

Judith Ayers Local Lay Leader

Stsampsonssouthhill@gmail.com

Affordable Housing in Golberdon


On 10th November 2025 a public meeting was held at the Parish Hall to discuss options for the small field next to Moorland View in Golberdon.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting.

Chris Sims {Community Link Officer – Tamar to Moor Community Area Partnership}, Justine Rolfe {Affordable Housing Officer} and our Cornwall Councillor, Jim Gale were able to answer some of the numerous questions asked and concerns raised.

This presentation shows the main points covered at the meeting:

Affordable Housing pptDownload

Cornwall Council owns this field, which produces very little income rented out at agricultural rates. They are proposing to sell it on the open market, unless there is an interest in the Community to use it for affordable housing.

The consensus from the meeting was that we need to know more about affordable housing and how that might be a possibility in Golberdon. The way forward and to get answers to our questions is to form an Affordable Housing Working Party which will ensure that the local community is involved in any development.

Copies of a questionnaire were handed out. Thank you to everyone who provided Justine with valuable information by answering the questions. She will very soon be providing a summary which will be posted here.

If you weren’t at the meeting, you can still complete this questionnaire and bring it to the meeting advertised below.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Around 10 people expressed an interest in being part of a Working Party. That is encouraging. If you want to help, the work won’t be on just a few people’s shoulders.

The Parish Hall has been booked for a first meeting:

Working Party , Monday December 15th at 6.00 pm.

This is a public meeting. Anyone is welcome whether you want to join in or just see what’s going on.

The first thing to decide is Terms of Reference for the Working Party. See link to draft below. Next, we will be working towards submitting a pre-application to the planning department. We can also apply for a grant which is available to explore the possibility of forming a Community-Led Housing Organisation. Hopefully we can have another meeting early next year with Simon Ryan as guest speaker. Simon is part of Three Seas, a small independent housing creator for Cornwall.

Draft Terms of Reference