Thursday 3 September 2009

When the Past collides with the Present...

Last month I was doing some online research when I came across a site connected to my mother's family. There, someone put a request for information about the house that my mother was born and grew up in near Camborne (Cornwall). Being slightly cynical, I emailed him back but found that he was the curator of a well known museum in Penzance. Also that he is well known by several people we know.

Apparently he used to live in this house back in the '60s and is keen to write about the history of the house, which is now a restaurant. Since I stumbled across him, we've exchanged several lengthy emails with fascinating information about the house and glimpses of my mum's past, including a lovely picture of her, aged about 8 or 9, stomping around the garden.

Better still, my mum is coming down this weekend and we are finally going to meet this man so she can answer his many questions – and mine.

What interested me is that my mum never liked the house much. It had a very odd atmosphere, she said, was freezing cold and gave her the spooks as a child. She was sometimes so scared that she'd run down the corridor and jump into bed. Later, when her mother-in-law stayed she came down the next morning and vowed she would never sleep in that room again. (This from a woman who didn't believe in the word 'ghost'.)

Years later, when Jonathan lived there, he had only happy memories. So I shall be interested to hear what else he remembers. Should be a fascinating meeting.

Oh no! He's just emailed to say he's not well so have to postpone the weekend. What a shame!

20 comments:

Akelamalu said...

How fascinating! I can't wait to hear how the meeting goes and what you find out. :)

Flowerpot said...

Ak - yes I'm really looking forward to it!

Chris Stovell said...

Ooh, can't wait, how fascinating.

Anonymous said...

I'll be very interesting to read your piece and learn more about this fascinating place.

CJ xx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

How exciting. I can't wait to read your post about it all.

Flowerpot said...

Chris - yes though I'll have to wait unfortunately!

CJ - the house isn't all that interestin gto look at - it's the history of it that is.

Flowerpot said...

Debs - thanks. Been postponed but hopefully soon - he's sending some stuff via email instead.

Grump said...

I hope you get to the old house soon. But seeing as you may now have a space in your diary, maybe you could get the old sinbin [If it is rocking don't bother knocking] van out, and go for a run down to Treen. Just follow the sign posts to lands end, and hang a left somewhere the other side of St. Buryan.
I look forward to hearing your post on this adventure.
Woof
P.S. Tilly is looking very good on her expensive medication and low allergy diet. We on the other hand are $150.00 worse off.

Flowerpot said...

Grump - we are having a week in Penzance soon so I will certainly put Treen on my list of explorings and report back! Glad Tilly is responding well but - yes vet bills are horrific arent they?

Trubes said...

How interesting FP. Sorry your meeting was postponed.
I'm looking forward to reading more on the story.
It is incredible 'When the Past collides with the Present.
I have been writing about my days as a teenager, in Liverpool with The Beatles et al, in the 'swinging sixties'.
i hope you have time to read my last two yarns!

Hope all is good in Cornwall, lovely sunny day here, bit of a change from the 'monsoons', of the last few weeks!

Di.x

Flowerpot said...

Di - hopping over to read your latest now. Weather in Cornwall is drizzly but warm. The story of our summer sadly!

Philipa said...

Sounds very interesting, for all of you. I hope you will report back after the meeting?

MarmiteToasty said...

Wow it all sounds so fascinating.... I love history well, our English social history and family history...... I wonder what the meeting will unearth :).... skeletons in the cupboard maybe :)

x

K.M. Saint James said...

I was so ready for an update over your meeting.

I'm not a 'ghost' believer either, but I certainly know several -- friends that I trust implicitly -- and they swear to have encountered ghosts. That being said, I could hardly say that ghosts don't exist. I certainly believe that some are so much more psychic than others, simply in turn with the spirit world, that they sense things the rest of us miss. You'd think there had to be something to the house as both your mom and her MIL felt that sense.

Keep us posted.

Flowerpot said...

Phil - I certainly will!

Flowerpot said...

Marmie - it will be very interesting to find out!

Flowerpot said...

Sandra - it's strange about ghosts isnt it? Not one of those things that can be proven but fascinating...

Philipa said...

I think ghosts exist. I lived in a house that had a ghost.

Pat Posner said...

Aww! I hope the meeting happens soon.

xxPat

Flowerpot said...

Phil - REALLY?

Pat - Thanks - so do I!