published in 2005

104 pages

In Down Quay Clive Benney provides the text for a wealth of old photographs and picture postcards. Most of the photographs are published for the first time and tell their own story about life as it used to be in the little valley that runs from Peterville to the sea - a valley and beach that, over the years, contained a hive of activity including mining, tin-streaming, seine-fishing, shipbuilding and a once very important harbour.

Down Quay also captures the decline of these activities and the increase in leisure time and tourism which produced its own needs, from cafes and shops to the Surf Life Saving Club and the Lifeboat.

For those who remember the valley and beach as it used to be, Down Quay will be a nostalgic trip into the past. For younger generations, holidaymakers and those new to the area, it provides a valuable and fascinating glimpse of how the area used to look.

Extract:

The Driftwood Spars

The Driftwood Spars Hotel was granted its first licence in the early 1930s but prior to this the building had a varied and interesting history.

It is shown on the 1841 Tithe Map as a warehouse, fish cellar, gardens etc. all held on a lease to Mr Martin T Hitchins, who was a significant shareholder in the harbour and also the Good Intent pilchard seine for which the fish cellar probably catered.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, with the decline in the pilchard fishing industry, the fish cellars were dispensed with and the building was used as a marine store. In the 1920s it became semi-derelict and used as a visitors' car park. Access was via a large side door; the key was kept by a local resident Mr Dicky Parnell.

In the early 1930s the property was converted into a hotel and named Driftwood Spars Hotel but was only granted a residence licence with no bar sales.

The Driftwood Spars
Hotel shortly after
opening in the 1930s.

With the outbreak of war, security restrictions caused the hotel to close. During the Second World War the building was used to billet troops and later evacuated families.

In 19S2, because the licence had been renewed annually, it was re-opened as a private club and a little later as a hotel, this time with a full licence.

Gradually, over the years, the premises were converted and extended and in 1984 it was taken over by Gordon and Jill Treleaven who still run it today (2005)."

The Hotel in
2004 shortlv
belore the
demolition of the
old restaurant.