The De Lank Youth Club

First published in the March 2025 issue of the Community News Magazine

One From the Archives – The De Lank Youth Club

This month Trevor Ternouth shares his memories of the De Lank Youth Club.

There used to be several youth clubs at different times that ran in St. Breward, ones at the Methodist Sunday School at Row, that later became the Methodist Church till its sad closeure, another which met in the village hall. Trevor attended the one that was based in the old De Lank chapel, which was situated opposite the Brownie and Guide Hall. The Chapel was later demolished and replaced with a house, and the old stable building has recently been converted into a smart 2-storey dwelling.

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The De Lank Youth Club was a success for several years. One time the members staged an evening’s farce! The play had the older members I recall it was an amusing piece of theatre. It was staged in the De Lank Sunday School.

But the main purpose was woodwork in the old chapel stable (now a dwelling). We were lucky to have Cyril ‘Bertie’ Rowe as the leader, a very practical and gifted tradesman. Such a mirage of wood articles was turned out from this old, damp building. Goodness knows where the work benches came from – but we did have quite good tools! Plenty of 3-plywood for ‘Fretwork’ which we youngsters could use. Chisels, planes and drills all razor sharp – not a mark as pair of googles in sight – Health and Safety? You have to be joking. And please don’t ask about the electrics! How we survived I’ll never know – but look at the finished work, pictured. Good old Birdie Rowe. A lovely man and so caring!

Trevor Ternouth

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Following on from Trevor’s report on his interesting school days at St. Breward School between 1946-56, we have heard from the current school secretary on life at the school in 2025 with a comparison.

Pupils: 1946/56 = 120 pupils 2024/5 = 33 (+10 in the nursery).

Classes: 1946/56 = 4 classes (4-15) 2024/5 = 2 classes (4-11) & Nursery class (2-4)

Daily Service: 1946/56 = before lessons    2024/5 = an assembly in the hall every morning.

Catering: 1946/56 = 3 Cooks/Serving Staff 2024/5 = all lunches are now cooked off-site by Aspens Services at a central hub in Camelford, who then send them over with an assistant who serves the meals here at school each day.

Cleaner/Caretaker: 1946/56 = 2 2024/5 = 1 cleaner and a shared caretaker who also takes care of the other schools within our Trust.

Staffing : 1946/56 = 9 staff in total 2024/5 = We have 10 staff in total with some being part-time.

Interesting to know how the things have changed since Trevor’s day.

If you can name any of the individuals in these photographs or have memories of attending any of the youth clubs in St. Breward, especially photographs, please contact the St. Breward History Group c/o Val Hill, Secretary brianvalerie@btinternet.com. (Click on photos to see larger version)

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