By

Chris Pollard

Gerrans & Portscatho Correspondent for The West Briton Newspaper

December 7th., 04

BOSCASTLE PRESENATITON

On the evening of Wed. December 1st., Roseland author Chris Pollard presented

an original watercolour painting and a framed poem to the people of Boscastle.

The painting which had been donated by New York artist, Ginger Olansen,

and the poem by Alan Dennis from Derbyshire were presented to the Chairman

of the parish council, George Findlay. The people of Boscastle  turned out on a

bitterly cold evening to attend the turning on of the Christmas lights. This, as the

Chairman explained, was the first time that the village had had such a

Ceremony, but it was felt that this was a positive gesture to say, we have been

down but we are not beaten. After several carols were sung around the tree, the

local vicar, Revd Christine Musser read the poem which received a rapturous

applause.

The chairman explained that it was the councils intention to hang both the poem

and the painting in the new heritage centre, once it was rebuilt and that for the

time being they hoped to find some space for them at the Cobweb Inn. The

evening which was filmed by Sky T.V.  is to become part of a

Christmas documentary telling the story of the

village from the terrible flood to the it's rebuilding.

Please Visit the Boscastle Information Website

Boscastle

The waters wild came rushing down

We watched the river running by

Through this little cornish town

As we watched our houses slowly drown

A sea of mud engulfed the street

Where once the locals used to meet

Gone the bridge where people sat

To talk of weather and such chat

Gone the tea rooms and the store

Lost with houses and much more

Once a tranquil peaceful land

Where young and old walked hand in hand

We look across a sea of mud

Where once our houses proudly stood

No boats now sail to ply their trade

And there is only mud where we used to wade

We thank the lord for saving all our lives

To reunite our sons and wives

And because we are proud Cornishmen

We will rebuild our homes again

Our homes and shops will rise again

And  will proudly bear Boscastle`s name

August ' 04 

©

  Alan Dennis