THE key words when describing the village of Doublebois, and how it has evolved during the years, are transport and industry.

There used to be a station there, on the main line between Bodmin Parkway and Liskeard, and many of the local cottages developed to serve the railway - as there were sidings where the Tiflex firm now is, on the outskirts of the village.

There were also two or three corn mills, set up nearby because of the station goods yard - and local industry also included a slate quarry which is still there, but not in use.

George Hamlyn, who has lived in Doublebois most of his life, remembers climbing over the steam engines in the sidings. George and his family lived, when he was young, in Doublebois House, which has now been converted - despite falling into disrepair at one time - into luxury apartments.

His father, Harvey, was a farmer, and they moved there from Hatt, near Saltash. George said at one time the estate was huge. He believes it was owned by the Herman family, who made their money from a plantation they owned in India, probably producing spices.

However, by the time Harvey's family arrived, the estate had lessened in size, but he remembers that they were able to hold great parties in the large building.

He has not moved far since those days, and now runs Doublebois Garage on the site where the old stables still stand.

The garage boasts a new MOT bay - with its other workshops in a building erected by the US Army during the Second World War as a workshop for lorries and tanks, and another building which served as NAAFI stores.

He thinks the area was probably chosen as it was a large estate that was far away enough from Plymouth not to be bombed.

The stables still house some army equipment. From the premises one, solitary, distinctive tree can be spotted on the horizon, where there was previously a stand. George said this mirrors another tree of the same type which can still be viewed over towards the big house, and they could be the remnants of the two woods which perhaps gave Doublebois its name.

All vehicles, and class 7 commercials, can be MOTed at Doublebois Garage, which has been on site since l976, and all repairs can be expertly tackled.

The new MOT bay is a bonus which allows even more efficiency.

George, who was an apprentice at Rowe's Garage, bought and sold his first car when he was 10 years old.

Cheering

He takes part in non-contact stock car racing called lightening rod racing, but is a great stock car fan, and is to travel to Kings Lynn soon. There he, among many hundreds of others, will be cheering on local hero, Peter Gilbert, who will be competing in the world stock car championships.

Peter has already won five Formula Two finals in the Cornish stock car racing season, from the eight already held. He is a hot favourite to land the Radio Cornwall All Saints series. He has yet to win this particular cup, but on current form is more than likely to do so in the final Cornish race, on Sunday at Retallack Park, St Columb.

Repairs and MOTs also feature highly at Doublebois Commercials, which deals with cars, but also with a large array of commercials. The company, run by Claude Whell and his son John, has been on the Doublebois Industrial estate for the past 20 years.

A friendly, welcoming service is always guaranteed, and secretary Lynn Fontier said they are well sited due to the nearby A38 road, and over the past two decades have gone from strength to strength.

Repairs are also undertaken, with great professionalism, at A1 Auto Electric, based at The Old Mill, Doublebois, on the opposite side of the road to L and M Richards, builders merchants.

The A1 business is aptly run in a village with a French name, by Frenchman Pascal Michel. Pascal, who has lived in a host of countries including Holland, Spain and Russia, and speaks around six languages, has been at The Old Mill for the past nine months.

He is an electronics expert, and has worked on cars and boats and planes, as well as agricultural machinery.

He can tackle any problem with electrics, can recondition starter motors and alternators, fit and supply alarms and immobilisers, repair electric windows and central locking and car phones - in fact turn his hand to a welter of customers' electronic worries.

His clients come by recommendation or through his successful website.

Next door to him is another car-based firm, Mad For It, run by mechanic Colin who specialises in Ford parts, while further into the industrial estate is a further company which is based around transport, although in their case agricultural machinery.

Christian Smith Agriculture is run by husband and wife team, Christian and Diana Smith who celebrated their 20th anniversary in business on October l.

They began at Doublebois by renting a unit in l98l, but went on to buy the premises, and then very successfully expanded.

They sell tractors and farming machinery, both new and used, as well as running workshops and a shop with horticultural tools and DIY - in fact everything for the farm. The horticultural/DIY side is now expanding, and items such as steel and welding equipment are readily available from them.

They stock Clarke International tools, being one of the biggest stockists in the county.

Among their claims to fame is the gold medal they won at the Royal Cornwall Show for the best agricultural stand. They have also made impressive appearances in St Neot Carnival.

The motor business is also shared by another resident, John Harding. He lives at Doublebois with his wife, Trudie, and daughters Gemma aged four who attends the playgroup at the Taphouses, and Samantha aged seven who is a pupil at Dobwalls school.

Peaceful

His father lived at Trebrownbridge, and was keen on stock car racing. As a result John, who runs John Harding Motorworld and is in the scrap car collection and transportation business, already knew many of the Doublebois residents through the car trade before he moved there.

He covers an area between Plymouth and Bodmin collecting scrap vehicles, his company being in operation for around three years.

He says Doublebois is ideal for his young family, being a green and peaceful area for them to play in.

Among those firms on the industrial estate not linked to transport is Rydon Pine, run by Tina and Ian Smart, and specialising in making dressers, beds, chests of drawers, kitchens etc to customers' specifications from Canadian pine.

Clients just have to arrive with the measurements they require, and leave it to them to give a quote, and do the rest.

Tina and Ian moved from London to premises on the Miller Business Park, Liskeard, and from there to their unit at Doublebois which Tina described as 'perfect' for them.

But Doublebois is not dominated by industry. It also is a rural retreat for many who holiday at Pine Green Caravan Park on one side of the A38, and Doublebois Park on the other.

Pine Green Caravan Park is managed by Norma and John Henshall, and is mainly a park for those who bring their own caravans and tents (there is one static caravan on site).

Set in three acres of well kept land, it has around 50 pitches, and is also used by caravanners who wish to store their vehicles when not on holiday.

Norma and John have been in the business for 15 years, and were in North Devon for four years where they ran a site which covered 17 acres.

Norma described Pine Green as a 'little haven' and said it always proves popular with their visitors, for they find it a very central site from which to explore the rest of the county.

Doublebois Park, run by the Hoburne Company and managed by Gill and David Hawkes, is also a haven for holidaymakers - and for golf enthusiasts.

It boasts around 40 lodges which are sited around what was the old walled garden and the orchard area of the house and, for the visitors, a tennis court, a games room, a children's play area and a woodland walk for youngsters.

Also to be found on the verdant and peaceful site is the old theatre, used for entertaining the troops during the war. Bookings are taken via the Hoseasons brochure.

Visitors can also enjoy the impressive nine hole golf course, which is also open to non-residents to play on a pay on the day basis.

Hermit

It is one of Doublebois' best kept secrets, and is ideal for locals who enjoy a round of golf, or those who want to play without joining a club, or use the nine hole course as a springboard to an ardent golf career!

The golf course was formed before the lodges were built, and David and Gill were also working there before they were developed.

They are now helped by receptionist Sue Bedford, greenkeeper Trevor Andrews and housekeeper/receptionist Eileen Brown.

One resident of the village whose spirit may linger on is the late Albert Massingham, a hermit who 'lived' beside the now widened road as it approaches the A38. People used to leave him food, and George remembers him making a television appearance once following an interview by Angela Rippon.