The hamlet of St Winnow could be said to claim one of the most picturesque, peaceful sites in the county.

It stands alone at the end of a winding lane - with its banks currently bursting with spring flowers - and its church, which historian A L Rowse claimed to be his second most favourite, dominates the bank on the river between Lerryn and Fowey.

Indeed such is the unspoilt beauty of the area that the church was chosen for filming during the BBC series Poldark, and is where Dr Dwight Enys 'married' Caroline Penvenen.

The crew descended on the area for two days, and many residents happily appeared in the episode as extras.

Pictures of the event are displayed in the church, together with historical records and details of past St Winnow celebrations.

It is also an area rich with wildlife, especially on the foreshore, a favourite haunt for waders.

This is one of the reasons why ramblers, making their way from or to Lerryn or Lostwithiel, head for St Winnow, and are spotted on the local footpaths throughout the year, enjoying the wealth of scenery.

In the summer, one stopping off point is often St Winnow Barton farm where John Stephens, and his wife Angie, run a museum stocked with a vast array of past agricultural machinery and domestic items, and where Angie serves welcoming cream teas.

The couple, whose son Martin, aged seven, attends Lerryn Primary School, concentrate on their beef and cereals farm throughout the year, but the museum - which includes a blacksmith's shop - is open from Easter through to late September.

The museum is packed with machinery collected over the years by John's late father, Henry.

This takes in ploughs galore, a milkchurn actually used by John's grandmother, a l926 horse trap which once bowled along nearby lanes, a potato planter, seed barrow, tractors which have been shown at vintage rallies, a David Brown tractor used on airfields to pull aeroplanes, and a host of items made by local blacksmiths - these just a fraction of what can be seen.

Another exhibit is the wagon on which Henry's parents brought all their possessions when they moved to the farmhouse in l909.

Buttermaking was an art in which Henry's sister, Sidwell Bulbeck, who will be 90 this year, was an expert.

Sidwell, now living in Lostwithiel, started competing in buttermaking at the Royal Cornwall Show in l928, and in l933 won the championship, and went on to become the butter making champion of all England.

She was actually born in the farmhouse at St Winnow on Royal Cornwall Day.

Although not based in the hamlet itself, St Winnow Church of England School, around three miles away, falls within the parish.

This year is shaping up to be a memorable one for staff and pupils, for it marks the 150th anniversary of the current school building, which is listed.

The site for it was given by the Fosters of Lanwithan Manor - although it is believed there has been a St Winnow school from around l8l8, but in a less substantial building.

The celebrations will take place in June, opening with a special service at St Winnow Church, and lunch in the meadow with games and activities.

Memories

Other festivities during the week will include a Victorian school day, a re-dedication service led by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Bill Ind and involving diocesan director Julian Pykett, and a display of photographs spanning past decades, log books, and memories - which all ex-pupils and staff are being asked to contribute to.

There will be an'open house' where all are invited into the school to look at the display, and a summer fete with a Victorian theme will be organised by St Winnow School Association.

The head teacher is Diane Strawbridge, who is in her fifth year at the school.

There are currently three classes and 93 pupils on roll and 3.5 staff members plus ancillary assistants.

However, growing numbers in the surrounding area mean from next school year there will be a fourth class.

Pupils will then be placed in early years/reception, or in a class of years one and two, three and four, or five and six.

Mrs Strawbridge said the school has a true family atmosphere, with an intake from both the surrounding rural area and the town of Lostwithiel.

There are strong links with St Winnow Church, which belongs to the Lostwithiel benefice.

The Vicar, the Rev Fred Stevens, visits every week, and pupils regularly journey to St Winnow, to see the farm museum, take part in festivals or special services, or present a nativity play with a carol service every other year.

A school banner, produced by Sue Udy and three girls in the junior class, has been made for the l50th birthday, and was used in Truro Cathedral at an Education Sunday service.

One growing element at St Winnow Barton is St Winnow Yachts, run by farmer Frank Stephens as a diversification project.

Frank, and his wife Stephanie and their four children Sam, Lowenna, Grace and Alice, live in the farmhouse.

This was built in l740 and incorporates features from the old manor house, which fell into disrepair after the Civil War when its Royalist owners were heavily fined.

The farm now concentrates on beef and sheep, but Frank says he has become more of a part-time farmer in recent years - because of all the problems besetting the agricultural industry.

In contrast the small business he began, when 'laying up' around three yachts for friends, has expanded.

Enthusiastic

This followed on from his own interest in sailing, and now he not only overwinters yachts he also carries out repairs, and has started selling new boats by Italian firm Selva Marine, these ranging from dinghies to fishing craft. He launched this part of the initiative at the Earl's Court boat show, and as a spin-off is developing the brokerage side as well.

The site is ideal - being right on the foreshore. Frank also tracked down a special 'cradle' device in Southampton which enables him to take large yachts from the river for storage.

Another St Winnow resident, George Beddison, who lives with his wife Joan in a cottage with a view right over the river, moved to the hamlet in l947.

Previously he had been evacuated from Bermondsey to St Cleer - but he never returned to London, settling instead for the peace and quiet of St Winnow, and for work on the Barton.

He has been a bellringer at St Winnow Church for more than 50 years.

In fact the belfry is home to an enthusiastic band of new ringers, of all ages, who initially formed a group of around 12 to ring in the Millennium.

Led by tower captain and church warden, Jim Pearn of Lostwithiel, last weekend they rang at St Winnow at their second wedding.

They ring for every family service at the church - these held on the first Sunday in the month - and have in Jim as captain someone who has rung at St Winnow since he was a boy.

They belong to the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers.

The other churchwarden is Frances Stephens, stepmother to Frank and John.

Former vicar of St Winnow, Canon Miles Brown, was deeply interested in local history, and Frances has taken over from him as keeper of the 'Terrier', the inventory of information about the church, which was probably founded by a Celtic religious community around the 7th Century. It was founded by St Winnow or Winnoc who came to the area in 670.

The 12th Century Norman church was enlarged in the 15th Century when the south aisle, tower and porch were added. Frances is often called upon to explain the church's fascinating history.

She can give a talk varying from two hours to 30 minutes or shorter - whatever is required!

Among notable features are wonderfully carved bench ends, the favourites being a man in a Cornish kilt with a leather drinking bottle in hand, and a sailing ship.

Carvings on panels, which include what is thought to be a 'river spirit', date from the l5th Century, as do the fine stained glass windows and a screen which was expertly restored at the beginning of the last century.

Frances said the church also holds a memorial to Teignmouth Melvill of Ethy, and Lieutenant Coghill, who died at Isandlana in the Zulu Wars in l879 trying to save the Queen's colours. They were posthumously awarded the VC.

Another interesting memorial - which forms an anagram - is that of William Sawle. The letters of his name were switched around to read 'I was ill; am wel'.

Expertise

Frances explained that following the Mothering Sunday service this Sunday, in which the youngsters will be involved, parishioners will tuck into coffee, squash and Simnel cake.

Such is the community spirit that many from St Winnow joined in with church members from throughout the benefice to perform the pantomime Cinderella at Lostwithiel earlier this month.

Featuring among the musical offerings was the 'Winnow Way', sung with gusto and expertise to the tune of 'Lambeth Walk'.