A centenary celebration

To mark our 100th issue of Cornwall Living we join some of our founding friends in taking a look at why Cornwall is so special to us all.

It’s the early hours of the morning and bleary-eyed we press the print button for the first time on a new magazine, Cornwall Living. Born out of a desire to help local businesses expand and grow, through both advertising and editorial, and to create engaging content for our readers who love Cornwall as much as we do. I’m not sure that any of us knew what to expect on our journey, but as someone who has been involved from the very first issue I couldn’t be prouder of the magazine it has become today.

And so, in tribute to eight years of creative content in print and online, we hear from those who supported us from the start. I first met Jonathan Cunliffe when I was interviewing him for a comment piece for one of our early issues. He was working for another company at the time, but has since started his own successful estate agency (jonathancunliffe.co.uk) and continues to be an advocate for the magazine.

Self-confessed as having lived in Cornwall a very long time, Jonathan is inspired by Cornwall’s coast and history. His treasured times have all involved the water, as he spends his free time either on it or in! When asked for his favourite place to be, a couple of secret beaches were not going to be divulged but he does recommend the New Yard Restaurant, Trelowarren and La Cave, Falmouth as his favourite eateries. I’m intrigued as to Jonathan’s view of why Cornwall is such a unique place to live and work: “Because people choose to live here, rather than live here because they work here. Also, because water sports is the common denominator. Everyone either surfs, sails, rows, dives, paddleboards or swims, creating an ocean community.”

And as to his association with the magazine: “The team behind Cornwall Living has a proven track record at distribution, which means their publications get in front of the right people, rather than gathering dust on a newsstand. It has been a pleasure to work closely with them since they created this vibrant magazine.”

My association with George Edward-Collins began while creating a brochure for his company Cornish Traditional Cottages (corncott.com). Back in the days when you could meet over a coffee and a cheek kiss was the adopted continental etiquette for greeting, I remember commenting on the softness of his beard! A classic Hannah-spanner moment, but George, always the gentleman, was kindly non-plussed by my random comment and we have successfully worked together ever since.

George has lived in Cornwall for 38 years and worked here for the last 11. “I get inspired by the diversity of the Cornish landscape as I love the outdoors and feel very privileged to have this on my doorstep. When I am fit and well I love surfing, cycling and walking mostly with the family and I love the open spaces on Bodmin Moor. It’s the peace you can get when having an early surf or cycle ride.”

Ever the romantic, George proposed to his wife whilst picnicking on Hawkes Tor, his unforgettable Cornish memory: “We have it all here, coast, country, history and diversity, which makes it such a brilliant place to live and work. We are proud to have supported Cornwall Living since it came into publication. I have found their audience to be engaged with the magazines, and this has served us well in getting our business in front of the right type of customer. I have always found the team to be helpful and professional throughout our relationship and I look forward to working with Cornwall Living for many years to come.”

Michael Spiers Jewellers (michaelspiers.co.uk) is a Cornish retail icon, crafting and selling fine jewellery and watches for over 60 years. Michael’s son Adam met our founder, Andy, when Cornwall Living was just an idea: “We were drawn in by his passion for life in Cornwall and his vision of something different for the county.” Adam has lived and worked in the south west for most of his life – a Cornishman born and bred. For him it is the diversity of landscape, beaches, towns, villages, people and food that inspire him daily.

A common theme amongst our commentators, Adam also loves the beach and the water: “As a child, I could be found running around Looe barefoot, completely feral until the age of 10!” Slightly more restrained these days, he would normally be found surfing at Watergate Bay, but sadly a knee injury in March put paid to this. But it’s not all bad as Adam now has more time to spend sampling the amazing local food and wine! “For me it has to be lunch at Mannings and dinner The Alverton, both in Truro. I never need an excuse to visit our Truro store! I feel blessed that my father started the business in Looe during the late 1950’s. He was drawn down by the amazing lifestyle, but more importantly the people.”

“I can’t imagine a better place to bring up a family and to take time out to count your blessings.”

No retrospective would be complete without talking to Tamsin Thomas, Head of PR and Communications at Cornwall Hospice Care (cornwallhospicecare.co.uk). Her smiling face has brought cheer to our offices on every visit and her passion for Cornwall and the charity for which she works is truly inspiring. Tamsin grew up in the tiny village of Polruan opposite Fowey: “I now realise it was an idyllic childhood. My most treasured memories both as a child and with my own children, are of being in and around the Isles of Scilly. We spent many holidays on St Agnes when I was little and with my children, we sailed there every year, in fact we still do. At 21 I joined the BBC and set out to conquer the world, but my love of Cornwall was too strong and I’ve been based here throughout my career in broadcasting and then charity communications. I now live in Fowey with a view of my original home village!”

Inspired by the sea, the landscape, the people and knowing she’s always been a part of this amazing community has been her motivation: “I can’t imagine a better place to bring up a family and to take time out to count your blessings. I spend my spare time sailing, walking the dogs, supporting my daughter with her horse riding activities and meeting friends in special places like secret beaches or the not so secret Duchy Nursery at Lostwithiel! I think my favourite place in Cornwall has got to be home in Fowey, but I have to say that when I was working for the RNLI I developed a love for every Cornish place that had a lifeboat!”

For Tamsin it’s all about striking a good work life balance: “Here I can be at work and twenty minutes later I can be walking on the beach, breathing in the fresh salty air and clearing my head. For me there’s a pride in working for a charity that serves Cornwall and its people. I also believe people underestimate how forward-thinking Cornwall is in terms of supporting business, providing technology and encouraging remote working.

“Cornwall Hospice Care has enjoyed a very successful relationship with Cornwall Living. It’s provided us with a professional platform from which we can share our story, the ways in which people can get involved and the difference our supporters make. Caring for terminally ill patients and their families calls for teamwork, but so too does our determination to ensure everyone understands who we are and why we are here.”

As editor of Cornwall Living it has been a pleasure to meet and interview so many wonderful people over the last 100 issues. Cornwall is everything to me – my family, my home, my friends and my place of work. All connected by this beautiful county. We have lived through some strange times these past six months, and it has taught me to see Cornwall anew. From the resilience of its people to newly discovered places, from a new way of working to returning to old values. I believe we have emerged bolder and stronger and I look forward to the next 100 issues!