Redruth to Elizabethan Plymouth
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
February 2026
On a roughly fortnightly basis since early December, I was catching the 8.42 from Redruth to Plymouth. Of the five journeys only 2 trains were on time: one was cancelled, one was late due to an exceptional high tide in Penzance (I had visions of the train waiting on tenterhooks, muscles straining on the starting blocks to be released the second the turbulent sea briefly retreated), the final one was due to an 'obstruction' in Penzance and then having to make an unscheduled stop at Hayle due to an earlier cancellation. I think the cancelled train did whizz through Redruth station at one point but showed no intention of stopping … That said, I have thoroughly enjoyed my 'commute'. And the return journeys were more reliable; rather like riding school ponies that plod with great reluctance until you turn for home at which point their ears go forward and a spring gathers in their step.
The purpose for these trips was to participate in a project called Page of Plymouth run by Literature Works at The Box. Page of Plymouth is a play written by Ben Jonson and Thomas Dekker which was performed at least once in 1599 at the The Rose Theatre in London. The actual script is lost but it is based on the true story of Eulalia Page née Glanville of Tavistock who had her elderly husband, Master Page murdered so she could be with her true love, George Strangwidge. They and her accomplices were caught, tried by Sir Francis Drake and hanged in 1591. For more information about the project https://literatureworks.org.uk/projects/page-of-plymouth/
The writing group, Women Speak Volumes SW, of which I am a member, were invited by Literature Works to participate in workshops led by the poet Fiona Benson around the characters, themes, morals and expectations of the day using written archive material, contemporary woodcuts and ballads. In short, it has been absolutely fascinating and Fiona is an inspiring workshop leader. I've written reams! We have laughed, cried, gasped and scribbled in our notebooks as if possessed .
On the final afternoon I booked myself on to Fiona's guided writing walk around the 'Elizabethan Barbican' which in the sixteenth century was a busy port for seafarers, privateers and merchants. Time and WW2 bombing have left little evidence of the era. Nevertheless, the prospect of discovery was exciting until the rain took hold as if the heavens were emptying their water butts on us. So we cast a quick rain-curtained eye around the outside of The Merchant's House (above) which is currently for sale, sloshed to the nearby Knead Pizza in Finewell Street, the oldest building in Plymouth and then, head down, made for the Elizabethan House in cobbled New Street which The Box staff kindly opened up for us and accommodated our dripping coats. Finally, Fiona was able able to set us some writing tasks. The rain certainly seeped into mine!
The Elizabethan House. Recently restored by Plymouth City Council. Open from April. Photos: The Box
There are two dates where there will be public sharings from the project:
March 7th at The Box Tableaux of Costumes designed and made by BA Costume Production students depicting the three phases of Eulalia's life: childhood, marriage and execution, with readings from writers.
April 12th at The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth a curated event showcasing the writing from the project. Should be a fabulous event, judging from the writing I have heard.
As you may have gathered, I have loved this project and have been wondering what next... I got to thinking about this blog and also about conversations and encounters I have had, or overheard on train journeys. They could make for a fun blog or two especially if I invited readers to contribute ... Doesn't need to be long. If you have an anecdote to share, please send via the contact. I'll aim to post mid to late March.
As a starter last week on the train I overheard a man on his phone talking, I imagine, to a colleague
"We've been asked to stop work. Can you tell everyone to go to Starbucks and we'll try and sort it out there. Am on the train, on my way …" Intriguing!
Finally, congratulations to a team from Women Speak Volumes SW, who recently read at the Plymouth Literary Festival to a large audience from our soon to be published anthology (in)visibilities. Should be out in the Spring - fingers crossed!
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