Page 74 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Chapter 14
PORTHLEVEN – A VILLAGE FOR ALL SEASONS

Why have I reminisced my memories? I am not sure. Did I wish to tell my
family and wonderful grandchildren about my near perfect upbringing by
my Dad, grandparents and many kind friends in the village of Porthleven.
Or was it the interesting and encouraging comments I received from people
who read my stories on Facebook?

Porthleven, the idyllic village which was once my home, and still is in many
ways. I would like to describe life in this village by the seasons….

We had the winter months, November to April when the village was virtually
asleep. The fishing fleet all but gone, perhaps to Newlyn, Falmouth or further
afield. The bulk is down, closing the harbour, protecting the few boats which
are there over the winter months. All the nets, crab pots and baskets of long
lines are stored away in the net lofts or in niches around the harbour.

There were no visitors walking around, the one or two wood built, galvanised
cafes are shut and boarded up to be protected from the sea when there is a
south west gale blowing. However, there were always one or two very busy
places in the village. The first is the Institute, it would be packed with
fishermen if the weather was too bad for them to go to sea. Joining them at
the Institute would be the retired men of the village. They would play
snooker, card games, and dominos, reading in the small reading room or,
yes, just chatting and recalling their past.

There was even a cottage joined to the Institute where the caretaker lived.
The Institute was an important building to the village. Look at it today. A
majestic building which has withstood many, many storms and punishment
the weather could throw at it from a storm force south westerly gale along
with the sea breaking over it. Unfortunately today it is not maintained as it
once was and it is not respected and used as it was years ago. I wonder what
Mr Bickford- Smith would think about the Institute today. It saddens me
when I hear it is currently in such disrepair.