Winter in Cornwall is a season to be taken, shaken and enjoyed, rain, wind, dark evenings and all. It is the inbetween time, a time that could drag you down, but it is a time when there is time – for people, for each other, for yourself.
During the summer, when Cornwall is at its busiest, there isn’t much time to spare for friends and family. If you are working in a small business that depends on people coming through the door, the task is to provide the quality of service that encourages them to return, to tell their friends. That takes all our time.
Now we are working at a less frantic pace which our bones truly appreciate. It is always good to be able to sit with guests who have become or are becoming friends, to have time to talk, share news, put the world right. The bar is a great place for that. Perhaps we should send the advice that flows almost daily to worldleaders, to the government of this small island – most of the comments seem to make far more sense, to be so much more practical than anything we read about in the papers.
1. NOVEMBER
St Just Feast
Feast week-end is a celebration of the relationship between the church and town, traditionally a time for families to gather, a holiday, a time for our community to come together.
We don’t open for Feast Monday, preferring to take part in the traditional gathering of families and friends for the Meet of the Western Hunt. Market Square fills with spectators entertained by Pendeen Silver Band. Slowly, horses, beautifully groomed, fill the road, their riders, men, women and children, crisp in their elegant riding kit. Then the hounds make their noisy entrance, the huntsmen in their pink jackets. It is a moment of theatre, tradition and history.
Perspectives of War
The Remembrance Day readings that took place in The Cook Book last year moved to Cape Cornwall School, to accommodate the larger number of people who had said they would like to hear it. Perspectives of War received tremendous coverage in the local press, with a half hour interview of three readers live on Radio Cornwall on Sunday morning, as well as a whole page in the Western Morning News. It is a most moving, sad and poignant tribute to those who have fought, still fight for our country. The evening was well attended and we raised a magnificent £300 for Combat Stress and for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Cape Cornwall School Armistice Day Assembly
This was the first time that the school had held a whole school assembly for the hour before 11.00 am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The Armistice Day Assembly was organised by the History Department, led by Tim Garland and Miriam Wilton. Students aged 11 – 13 produced a series of original readings, interviews, poems and a short play that moved many of the audience to tears. It finished with the reading out of the names and family details of 30 of the 78 men of St Just who died in the First and Second World Wars, names that are still familiar here today. After Charlotte and Alana blew the Last Post the silence was profound.
Creative Writing at The Cook Book
Once a month, a small group is being wonderfully encouraged by Chrisy Denny to stretch their imaginations, to let go of the fear of mockery and put pen to paper. It is working, individuals are inspired and inspiring. It is lovely to see such creativity within the café.
2. DECEMBER
Christmas is roaring up on us. Natalie has transformed our window into a beautiful snow scene.
Philippa amazed our Canadian family by posting two parcels, both of which have already arrived. The parcel for Ellie went in good time…we hope it arrives soon.
It is very much in the tradition of Cornwall to have a family scattered around the world. We count our blessings that Jake and Ellie are happy and well, Ellie in Australia, now anxiously waiting to hear if her visa has been extended, and Jake with his family in Canada.
We’re flying out to stay with Jake, Miranda, Olivia and Rowan in the New Year. We may even be there for the birth of our third grand-child.
Becca will be looking after the café, including the refit, bless her, while David’s sisters come down to be entertained by Aggie!
If you’re in Penzance, don’t miss the stunning exhibition of Maggie O’Brien’s new work in The Chapel Street Gallery, in the Old Customs House. It has had a wonderful review by Frank Ruhrmund in The Cornishman and is on until the end of January.
Christmas Lunches
Small groups are booking in for lunches, happy to eat from our usual menu, with added seasonal flourishes! If you would like to book in for lunch, now or at any time, just give us a ring. Don’t forget that you are welcome to bring your own wine or beer, for which no corkage is charged.
Christmas Shopping in St Just
You can buy the most wonderful selection of presents in our little town – and fabulous local food.
Free parking, friendly people, a wide variety of shops and galleries, five pubs, a deli, two cafes, glimpses of the sea, the noble aspect of Cape Cornwall, cliff paths to walk, Cornish Choughs to entertain you, quiet valleys to refresh your soul.
But then, St Just is here all the time. Winter or summer, in fair weather or foul, it is a community that welcomes people.
Christmas Eve at The Cook Book
We will be closing at 1.30 pm on Christmas Eve, so that we have time to get ready for our traditional Christmas Eve Party for all those who have helped and supported us over the past six years.
We hope to see you then.
Winter Opening Hours
We continue to be open every day, but now close at 4.00 pm.
WE WILL BE CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY
This year we are open from 27th – 31st December, inclusive
WE ARE CLOSED ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
3. JANUARY 2009
The Cook Book is open until Friday evening, 9th January
We close for our annual refit on Saturday 10th January, re-opening on Monday 26th January.
4. RECIPE OF THE SEASON
Super Veggie Stuffing
Finely chop 3 cloves of garlic and 1 onion. Cook slowly in oil until soft.
Chop small the following ingredients:
1 Apple
4 oz Pecan nuts
4 oz Prunes
Handful of Parsley
Mix in a large bowl with the onions and garlic
Add 1 raw egg to bind
Mix again, adding seasoning and thyme
Bake in an oven at 180ºC for about 30 minutes
or stuff a turkey with it and cook the bird and stuffing together
WE WISH YOU, ONE AND ALL,
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
