PRAA SANDS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB: It was a perfect, hot day for the coach ride with Tommy to the Helford area where members were impressed immediately with the serene atmosphere of Trenarth House and buildings.

Six centuries had contributed to the main building, which had been a working farm, near the Helford river, with south facing land, bordering streams and woodland. The listed garden walls enclosed vegetables and fruit in the 18th century and three orchards were marked on a later estate map. Later, yew hedges created charming ‘rooms’ and by 1960, the main structure of the garden was established with hedges, shelter belts and walls.

The present owner, Lucie Nottingham, has gone on to make a stunning, varied garden with gravel and palms, wonderful pieces of wood carving and granite, a collection of dierama, (Angel’s Fishing Rod) and a water feature which we all coveted – a granite circular slab which sent rippling water on to pebbles beneath. We dipped our fingers in the cool, moving water and yearned for its removal to our own plots.

A shady courtyard with citrus trees and an outstanding magnolia was a favourite sitting area as we sought shelter from one of our hottest garden outings ever. Lucie Nottingham was a generous hostess, giving us dierama plants as souvenirs and we chalked up another first as our comfort stop was a converted telephone box, deceptively spacious in the Dr Who Tardis tradition, and a great talking point!

After a picnic in the grounds gazing down through farmland to the river, we went on to our second Georgian house and gardens, this time a mile from the centre of Truro with a timeless quality and great planting.

Wendy Perry, the owner, showed us the main rooms with their period features and human stories; then we walked into the pink and mauve garden dedicated to her daughter’s memory and to the ‘hot’ garden with dahlias, cannas and daisies in zinging colours, dazzling in their foliage and flowers.

Cake in the shade, this time in the authentic Georgian kitchen and then the ride home, bewitched and rather warm, nurtured by two charming garden owners, but we had not purchased a single plant - the coach boot was empty - another first for the club!

CHURCH OF ST GERMOE: The Rev Peter Johnson presided at the parish eucharist service, assisted at the altar by Grete Imbrey and Joan Chapman with the chalices and servers Julie and Jason Weeks. Lessons were read by Lesley Townend and Geoff Helmore; Muriel Somerfield led the intercessions; sidesmen were Chris McCormack and Mike Rayment; Joan Chapman was the sacristan and the organ was played by Jay Helmore. The Lammas Lunch will be held on Sunday in church.

LIGHTS OUT: (One Million Candles to Remember) Lights out on Monday is an invitation to everyone in the UK to turn off their lights from 10pm until 11pm, leaving on a single light or candle for this shared moment of reflection to mark the 100th Anniversary of the date Great Britain entered the First World War.

The Royal British Legion invites you to take part in this national moment of reflection and we will be holding a candle-lit vigil to mark the Centenary.

There will be a vigil service in Breage Church on Monday at 10pm. Please come and pay your respects to all those who sacrificed their lives during this conflict. All are welcome.