We were thrilled to scoop the Gold Award in the small self catering category in the Cornwall Tourism Awards on thursday 8th November at the Awards Gala dinner held at The Headland Hotel – so that’s official – the best self catering business (5 letting properties or less at one establishment) in Cornwall 2012/2013 – we couldn’t have asked for higher accolade!

A short explanation of how we achieved this – this year’s competition was announced in the late Spring and we had a few weeks to complete an online entry form with an option to submit supporting evidence online should we wish. It sounds simple and effectively it is but the great benefit of the whole excercise begins at this point in time when you analyse your business from all aspects – marketing, customer service, sustainability – and whilst we can pat ourselves on the back and think we are doing a pretty good job from our customere feedback there are always things that can be worked upon and perfected that little bit more!

We were then shortlisted and visited to assess us further. Following this stage we were one of a shorter list of just 3 finalists, all of whom were in line for an award. Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner at The Headland Hotel Newquay and our business is one of a number to go on to represent Cornwall in the South West Tourism Awards. The winners of these awards will ultimately go on to be on the shortlist for the Enjoy England for Excellence Awards next year. So watch this spot!!!

The date was in the diary and off I went on wednesday, determined to learn more about our local mining history, on a visit arranged by Sylvia Lowe –  the Marketing and Visitor Information ofiicer www.cornishmining.org.uk  to Geevor, Levant and Botallack Mines all only 15 mins drive from Boscrowan.

On a glorious autumnal day were given a conducted tour around Geevor by Mike who although he admitted to be a bit of an ‘anorak’ was brimming with enthusiam and overflowing with information and anecdotes.

We learnt how the ore was mined, the tin extracted, the extreme conditions in which people worked and were even led through an underground minng tunnel – what an experience!

After lunch in the cafe with the most glorious panoramic views over the sea we went to Levant Mine where even the least mechanically minded of us could not fail to be impressed by the demonstration of the massive, restored steam engine in full working order – a gushing of water, a quiet swish of steam and the well oiled giant rolled into motion, stopping as smoothly as it was started. It had only just been clawed back from the scrap merchant back at the eleventh hour some years ago when the mine had finally been closed down due to the fall in tin prices.

Next on to Botallack – further back along the coastal footpath towards Lands End – to see that irresistible iconic view that many of us know so well. We walked past the recently restored tunnels built in the hillside where the arsenic was burnt off and then scraped off the walls as a solid and sold – it was even used in wallpaper by William Morris! Then down to get that view…………………

Click on the WHS widget on our Out and About page for more information on these amazing Mining sites in the St Just area of West Cornwall and if you have never visited them before then do try and fit them into your holiday plans. The conducted tours are a must and the wealth of information from the volunteers is amazing. It will be an experience that you never forget.

‘Jess and Meg waiting to greet guests last year’

Preparations are well underway for the now annual event at Boscrowan – the Coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care which has now been extended into a Lunch too – by popular demand! We endeavour to ring the changes each year although some things just have to be repeated they are so good – Sue’s carrot cake and Lynn’s lemon and ginger cake are simply the best cakes ever – so it wouldn’t be a Coffee Morning without them! When the Boscrowan bunting returns from a wedding it decorated last weekend that will be strung across the gateway and between the houses and we will be ready to party!

This year we have on sale beautiful padded coathangers made from offcuts of some of the exquisite fabrics that pass through the soft furnishing workroom, that we have made by hand – they make lovely gifts or you could just treat yourself!

The lunch is a ‘taster menu’ – very interesting canapes with a healthy salad and hopefully, looking at the weather forecast it will be another year when we can enjoy sitting out in the garden, in the lovely Victorian summerhouse or down by the pond

Cakes, plants, bring and buy, handmade cards and small gifts, a really good raffle – there’s plenty to see and support this worthy cause. Last year we raised almost £1000 and had a lovely day.