Trelawny’s Cornwall is the enjoyable story of a man whose first name is shared with one of Cornwall’s most celebrated saints (and surname is the name of the county’s anthem). So when a stranger challenges the Radio 3 presenter on his ancestry, he returns to the land of his boyhood to rediscover the place where he grew up, and confirm if he still belongs there.
If any member of my family was making a trip, I would beg to be allowed to call the British Rail inquiry line at Truro station, to clarify train times. It was a place I dreamt of working. Sitting, telephone headset on, surrounded by every timetable book and official railway document available, providing essential information to the travelling public.
One man treated every question with glee and enthusiasm. He thoughtfully considered and answered my demands to know about connects in the Midlands, dining cars to Norwich and through train-ferry tickets to the Isle of Wight. I created an imaginary life for him – the shelves of his sitting room were filled with international timetables, his spare time planning trips, making the best use of the discounts offered by his International Railwayman’s Concessionary Travel Pass.
Part history and part memoir, this is a deep-felt exploration of Cornwall, to visit old mines and ancient churches, and sites to poets, musicians and architects. He explores the Tamar river, explores the collapse of Methodism and the decline of the Cornish language. And the county’s sometimes lucrative (but sometimes destructive) relationship with tourism.
I can’t think of a more illuminating guide to Cornwall than Petroc, who loves it deeply and shares it generously. Reverend Richard Coles
about the author
Petroc Trelawny grew up on the Lizard Peninsula in the far south of Cornwall. He presents on BBC Radio 3 and was part of the commentary team for BBC coverage of the coronation of King Charles III and the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen.
