It could be said Lerryn is a village divided by the River Fowey, brought together only by its bridge – which has been in place for over 700 years – and stepping stones which can be negotiated at low tide.

One side of the river is, in fact, in the parish of St Winnow and the other in the parish of St Veep, which could add to a sense of division.

However, the reality is very different, and both sides of the river work in tandem all the time, especially on traditional village occasions such as special boating events during summer and winter, the RNLI barbecue and the school fete, as well as fund-raising for the new Memorial Hall, and the community bus.

Many centuries ago it was the port for Lostwithiel, and the extent of its history is revealed in the fact that Roman coins have recently been discovered near the stepping stones. The bridge itself was repaired in l573 after Queen Elizabeth sent out orders for a rate to be levied for the work. In more recent times the woods at Lerryn are thought to have inspired Kenneth Grahame's 'Wild Wood' in 'Wind in the Willows'.

Only pub

The Ship Inn, now in the ownership of Mandy and Howard Packer, was first recorded in l762. It is now the only pub in the village, although at one time there were two. Andrew Foot's 'A history of St Veep church and parish, including Lerryn', explains there used to be a Crown Inn, but its licence was refused in l870 because both the landlord and his wife were said to be drunkards.

Mandy and Howard have been at The Ship - with a garden extending to the river, a 53 seat restaurant which is open throughout the week and a popular Sunday carvery - for l3 years. Howard said the building was originally three cottages, one being used for the sale of cider from local farms. Expansion came as the fame of the cider spread. It now attracts a swathe of visitors, both local and holidaymakers.

War

However, until recently one seat was always sacrosanct. It was the 'property' of Jack Baker, who now lives in a residential home in Lostwithiel. A plaque on the bench reads: 'This seat is reserved for our own Jack Baker, veteran of two World Wars. Anyone who sits in this seat after 7.30pm is liable to start another war.'

Hanging in the bar is the 'trophy' for the Seagull race, which is traditionally staged between Christmas and the New Year. The race, first held in l988, is open to all craft - as long as they are propelled by a Seagull motor. Howard explained that on one occasion a team arrived with lengths of scaffolding which they lashed together, before attaching six Seagull motors along their length. A special committee, complete with Commodore, arranges such events, which also include an equally entertaining summer solstice marine treasure race.

The local shop and post office is run by Malcolm and Sue Smith who moved to Lerryn from Cheshire three months ago, in a change of life-style. Malcolm, a computer programmer, had spent over l3 years commuting into Manchester, and when he and his wife, an accountant, turned 40 they thought they would opt for a different way of life altogether.

School

They say the villagers have been 'brilliant' since they moved in and have been very welcoming. Their customers include Michelle Aldridge, whose children Wayne and Bethany have both been pupils at the local school, and Ella Philp, who also went to school in Lerryn - some decades ago. She moved away to Kent when she was ten, but returned l8 months ago to be near her family. Unfortunately her twins, Graham and Terry Collett, have died, but her daughter-in-law, Fiona, is St Veep parish council chairman. Ella was born at The Cottage, opposite the shop, but now lives at The Mill, which dates from the l4th century.

The primary school in Lerryn, where David Vipond is head teacher, is very much part of the community. Pupils recently held their harvest festival and distributed produce to all in the parish who are aged over 80. In the coming months the youngsters are likely to be involved in producing time capsules for the church, and village. They are also present at village night and the summer fair.

Bus

The school is among the many organisations who make good use of the Lerryn community bus. Locals such as Jim Kelly, Keith Rooker who is committee chairman and Ann Vipond who is secretary - as well as many more - have been involved in fund-raising for the bus. The current vehicle is the third one - the original one disappearing in the early l990s to be replaced by one without seatbelts. The newest bus is diesel-powered and has seatbelts, and is used by a host of local groups, including a theatre group who travel to various plays and productions regularly.

The school pupils travel in it to swimming lessons. Mr Kelly explained that anybody who lives in the village is automatically eligible to become part of the organisation, with the payment of £1 making them a life member. Jenny Rooker, who works at The Ship, takes bookings - the bus also being hired out for private purposes to help bring in the necessary funds.

The current main village project is the new Memorial Hall. The previous hall, which has just been flattened, began as the Working Men's Institute and then was redesigned in memory of those who died in the l939-45 War. A new hall is to be built, and should be completed around next Easter time.

Money

The chairman of the hall committee, Commodore Francis Allfrey, said that project will cost £240,000, of which £24,000 was raised locally.

A letter was sent to each household in the parish, outlining the scheme and requesting contributions. This brought in about £18,000, the remainder raised through covenants, bazaars and fetes etc. Other financial contributions have come from the Millennium fund, English Partnerships' South West regional development agency, and Caradon Leader 11 who negotiated European money.

Commander Allfrey said the new building has been architecturally designed to fit into the village with a slate roof.

Not only will it serve the needs of the playgroup, and a host of other local organisations, but it will also boast a conference room and an IT centre.

Residents were asked at one stage their opinions on what should be included in the new centre, and a computer link to Fowey community college was one of the suggestions, as well as regular postings of jobs available in the area. There is also to be a link with St Austell college adult education centre as an outreach facility.

The previous building was called the Lerryn and St Veep Memorial Hall in honour of those who lost their lives in the l939-45 War - but the new building will be called the Lerryn memorial hall in tribute to those from both parishes who died.

The gardens in Lerryn are usually delightful whatever the season, but one that really catches the eye is that of Eric Baker and his wife, Phyllis. Eric, of Oaktree Cottage, was the founder manager of the Duchy of Cornwall Nurseries at Lostwithiel. The Duchy had, about 26 years ago, purchased an acre of land, and employed Eric, and a forester to create the Nurseries.

Eric was in charge of preparing ornamentals for sale to the public, with whom he developed a great rapport through the years.

Garden

Now retired he has created a special garden for himself on about an acre of land at the cottage, from scratch.

His garden, open to horticultural groups and societies who book in advance and for local charities, gives the impression of walking into differing rooms.

Hedges separate these varying areas, which include a Japanese grass garden, a garden of pastel colours, a 'cold' garden etc.

It has also been planted so that it is full of colour and interest whatever the season. Eric and Phyllis work on it constantly, so it is always neat and tidy and an aesthetic delight.

The churches at St Winnow and St Veep fall within the area covered by Rev Fred Stevens of St Bartholomew's church, at Lostwithiel.

St Veep is also the home of the St Veep riding stables, run by Eileen Barron, and attended by horse-mad youngsters from Lerryn and beyond, many of whom demonstrate their prowess in a number of competitions.

Among recent rosette winners from the stables were Emily Woodard, Holly Spring, Clare Martin, Sarah Hutchins, Chloe Russell, Georgina Bartlett and Jenna Goodenough.