Calstock to Bere Ferrers
- May 8
- 4 min read
April 2026
The day before setting out on the Tamara Way, part 2, Tony, Sheena and I went to Plymouth for the final sharing of the Literature Works Page of Plymouth Project. While I peeled off for the pre-show read through at the Barbican Theatre, they went to see the fabulous Beryl Cook exhibition at The Box. This was the culmination of The Women Speak Volumes (WSV) writing workshops with poet Fiona Benson, as well as other groups and costumes designed and made by students from Plymouth University. A selection of our writing around themes in the play were read by the writers and a couple of actors who also narrated the event. The actual play, Page of Plymouth by Ben Jonson and Thomas Dekker, is now lost but we do know it was performed at the Rose Theatre in London. It was based on the true story of a wife, Eulalia Page, having her husband murdered in Plymouth in1591. It was such an a thought provoking project and although the theme is pretty grim, Fiona shared some fascinating research and themes and a few of us even found a bit of humour in it all. As well as the performance there were printed pamphlets sharing some of the writing. I can honestly say that I have loved this project. Huge thanks to Literature Works, Fiona Benson and David Prescott for making it so memorable.
We stayed over in Calstock for the night. It was Sheena’s birthday the following day and she was keen to celebrate by walking our next stage of the Tamara Way from Bere Ferrers to Bere Alston. About 7.5 miles. It was a beautiful sunny crisp day. The only slight downside being that everything is closed on a Monday and not a single cup of coffee could be found on either side of the Tamar …
We caught the Tamar Line branchline train from Calstock, over the viaduct to Bere Ferrers which took about twelve delightful minutes! And then we walked through the most glorious countryside, mainly along paths and tracks, across fields and through woodland with the mighty River Tamar our constant companion. All of the time we were in Devon but our view was of Cornwall. What a beautiful place! We stopped at a bench by the river to eat our lunch and shared the location with a group of binmen who certainly knew the best spot. We met a couple of dog walkers; one woman who lived in her great grandmother’s cottage by the river bank. Her great grandparents had sailed upriver from Plymouth many decades before, moored up, claimed their plot and the family have stayed ever since. But mostly we just strode in awe of the spring flowers and birdsong ringing from every hedgerow. I can’t describe it better than Charles Causley in his poem The Seasons in North Cornwall (one of the few verses I know by heart and delight in reciting each Spring):
O Spring has set off her green fuses
Down at the Tamar today,
And careless, like tidemarks, the hedges
Are bursting with almond and may.
After a long woodland climb, we suddenly arrived in Bere Alston where Tony collected us and drove us home. It was a brilliant, memorable day. Next time, we head for Gunnislake.
Calstock Viaduct; Calstock Station murals; looking slightly worn out at Bere Alston Station.
I will also just mention another great day out, inspired by Tracey one of the WSV group. She proposed for her special birthday, a writing session in Totnes and hired a room for this purpose. Not just any room but one that used to be part of the town walls but now now spans the High Street like a Venetian bridge. From inside you have a great view of the of street as people stride and stroll beneath your feet. It is part of a language school so we shuffled up the stairs with a group of excited Spanish teenagers. After all the happy chat, we even managed to do a bit of writing. Such a great group of women - if someone says 'Let's...', there is a always a chorus of 'Yes!'.
A great way to spend a birthday with friends and doing what you love. There was even time for a good rummage round the charity shops and bookshops. And then the train back to Redruth.
Time for a plug: the WSV group have just published a pamphlet of poetry and prose entitled (in)visibilities. We have quite a few reading and panel events coming up, the first being at the Cornwall Indie Book Festival on May 16th and 17th where we will also be selling the book.
We also have a website Women Speak Volumes (South West)
And social media presence, thanks to Tracey’s daughter Jasmine
April is proving a very exciting month. Next blog: West Sussex and London.
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