History of the Rose in Vale Country House Hotel and the Valley Restaurant
The Rose in Vale Country House Hotel and the Valley Restaurant is said to have been built as a winter residence for Captain John Oates.
It seems as though although Captain Oates certainly was an early inhabitant of the Rose in Vale, the Original Occupiers were Mr & Mrs Townsend.
Captain Oates was the owner of the Great Wheal Leisure Copper Mine at Perranporth. He was involved in other mines and is said to have controlled all of the mines in the locality. It was an elegant private house with its Gatekeeper's cottage at the entrance (on the right as you enter the drive) but it is unlikely that Captain Oates built it. It could be that he refurbished or extended it but he could not have built it.
The Tithe map of 1840 shows Capt Oates as the occupier and Sir R. R. Vyvyan as the landowner. It is not known when Capt Oates took up residence but it was probably during the very early 1800s. He was definitely living here in 1830 up until the 1850s. It seems likely that the Nankivells and James' lived in the Rose in Vale before Captain Oates and that the house was built circa 1770.
The Rev. W. Haslam preached on the lawn of Rose-in-Vale and in his book, "From Death into Life" refers to Capt Oates as, the chief parishioner. He was an uneducated man who had risen from the rank of a common miner to that of a mine captain. He further describes him as "Being very shrewd and clever and as having succeeded in accumulating a considerable sum of money." He goes on to say, "Being the wealthy man of the parish, he sat on Sunday in the large square pew; but beyond giving personal attendance, and that very regularly, I do not know what other heed he gave, either to the service or the sermon." In another book, Capt Oates is described as, one of the mining kings of the day. Captain William Roberts in his book, "Perranporth", describes him as, "Uneducated, thrifty, genial, considerate with all". Captain Oates died with no direct relatives and his property passed to Mr. Charles Tregonning. He was buried at Perranzabuloe Parish Church.
The original inhabitants were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nankivell. The Nankivell's lived here in the late 1700s. It was during this time that a young John Opie (born 1761) became a regular visitor to the House as is sister was in service there.
Ada Earland, in her book JOHN OPIE AND HIS CIRCLE (written in 1911) says, "Mr. Thomas Nankivell of Rosenvale and his daughter, Joyce, had also been kind to the boy; there is a tradition in the family that Opie painted young Mrs. Joseph Townsend (Joyce Nankivell) out of gratitude for assistance she had given him in his artistic training. Joyce Nankivell was a local beauty, possessing "great sweetness and animation." The name of her father's house, "Rose-in-Vale", is said to have been given as a pretty compliment from a visitor to this fair Cornish flower set in the deep valley in which stood the house." Joyce has been described elsewhere as, "The Belle of Mithian."
During the early 1780s to the turn of the century The Rose in Vale was the home of John James. John James was the founder of Nalders Solicitors and he was one of the twenty-four capital burgesses of Truro who were the only people entitled to vote at general elections prior to 1832.
In 1804 the Rose in Vale then the estate of John James (senior) was wound up and sold by auction.
The auction notes read,
"Lot 2. For the remainder of 99 years determinable on the death of three lives that genteel and modern built dwelling house together with stables, barn, outhouses and about 14 acres. Called "Rose-in-Vale", Perranzabuloe. Rent £27.2.6.
Comprising drawing room, dining parlour, hall, kitchen, laundry, dairy, pantry, back kitchen, suitable office, eight bedrooms and being beautifully situated in midst of a fine sporting county, render it a suitable residence for a genteel family."
Magor Mill
Part of the estate of the original Rose in Vale was our Gate House and Magor Cottage.
The Gate House, now referred to as "Rose in Vale Cottage" is still there on the right hand side of our entrance as you arrive at the Hotel.
There was also a Mill and cottage known as "Magor Cottage". Unfortunately these buildings have not lasted as well, we believe that they were abandoned in the early 1900's.
Some guests from Australia stayed with us in May 2007. These guests knew that their descendant surname was Magor and that they lived in Mithian. At the time of booking they did not know of Magor Mill but they were delighted to find the remains of the cottage where their ancestors may well have lived. The guests returned in November to undertake further research, if you are able to help them in finding out information about the Magor in Mithian please let us know.
Love at The Rose in Vale
Whilst demolishing a house in Penzance a few years ago some workmen came across a bundle of letters in a cob wall. These were written by a young lady living at Rose-in-Vale and were sent to her fiancée who lived in Penzance. They are dated 1881. The sending address in each case is Rose-in-Vale St. Agnes, Mithian, Scorrier.
October 26th 1881
.My dearest Herbert
I've just had your letter. Thank you for it my dear. I think Friday will be fine as the barometer is going up. I do hope it will for our first promenade round the garden together - you don 't know what pleasure it will be to me, once more to be, walking not hobbling with you again. I shall try to think of the last seven months as only a dream to be forgotten, that is to say, all the pain and trouble, not your care of me, my own, which will never be forgotten. Louisa came down yesterday to induce some of the girls to go to a Missionary Meeting to be held on Friday but they proved "deaf to the voice of the charmer. "I have so many pretty things to show you, when you come up, presents most of them -
Yesterday I went into the farm yard and saw the pigs, one of whom is to depart this life next week, having reached such a degree of fat life must be a burden to him. On Monday someone from Scotland came and stopped from 2 o'clock to six, a Mr Sholys (?), I'll tell you all about him, when you come on Friday. I'm going to buy two more pigs. I cannot write more just now darling as I want to take advantage of the noonday sun to get a little fresh air.
Give my love to all at home, especially Harry, whom I hope (or rather we all do) to see soon, and wish very much to yourself my own darling Herby,
I am as ever dearie
Your own Lottie
November 13th 1881
My dearest Herbert,
I have just read your letter, for which I thank you dear, and am glad you had such nice services yesterday.
With regard to the other matter of which you write, you know I have given you the choice of two things, one of which you must abide by, as I no longer care to lay myself open to unjust suspicions. If you decide that you do not care to come and live here by the time we mentioned, I must then ask you not to come up on Thursday or again, as I am not strong enough to bear an argument on a subject, which can only end one way or the other, though I dare not think what it would be to me if you decide not to come, but if you think you would not be happy with me, why then my own dear Herbert, I love you too well to wish you to come. As to our being able to get on, miss Lord and myself have told you all we can on the subject. Write soon and tell me your final answer, by return if possible, as the continued anxiety is telling on me very much. I am very grateful to Harry for standing up for me, tell him so please from me.
I cannot write more dear, as I am very tired. I am doing all you told me to do - I shall pray that your decision may be that which will enable me to see you again on Thursday. God help me if it is the other way. Now my dearest my Herbie I must say goodbye,
From your loving Lottie
November 30th 1881
My own Herbert,
Your letter made me very glad, as it gave me the good news that your cold is better, do my dear be careful, and not get it again. I shall be so glad to see you on Monday week, if you can come away, though I am trying to bear your absence bravely, but it is very hard work, you see you are so thoroughly part of my life, that when you are away I feel all at sea, and hardly able to settle to anything, am I foolish think you?
Oh I nearly forgot to tell you about another present I have had, it is just lovely, it is a silver fish slice and fork, one of the handsomest I've ever seen, Mrs William Lord sent it us. I am sure you will like it, everyone thinks it splendid. The servants have given me a cut glass cream glass and jug, very pretty, and Charlie has sent me an Indian white silk shawl to wear on the day. Aunt (Madame Hessenhut) has sent a pair of vases set in silver, lovely all ferns. Cousin Jim and his wife Hetty have sent a pale blue Indian shawl, and a - white Persian one, just grand they are. L and E have ordered a splendid tea and coffee service, and Flo has given us a silver preserve fork, all of these presents have come during the last week, and I expect more yet, shan't we be well off for pretty things? I mean to be quite myself again by the end of the month and will be able to go for a drive with you when next you come, shall you be glad? You do not know how much I look forward to going to Penzance with you. I am always proud to go out with you, and especially in Penzance, what jolly walks we will have again. I think Richard should play 'the Wedding March" at the Recital (I'm only in fun darling). Gracie is staying here for a day or two, as she has been far from well, I am doing all you wish just as ~f my darling were here, or rather more so, for I obey you much better (for) when you are away than when you are here, as I like to think I am pleasing you. I have worn no long gowns since you have been away, and mean to be very careful when I go for a drive.
All send love, and so do I, lots and lots. Now my own darling,
Believe me dearie as ever
Yours Lottie
The happy couple were eventually married and their wedding is entered in the Parish Register. It was reported in the Royal Cornwall Gazette that a grand wedding took place at Mithian Church on the 10th January 1882 between Miss Charlotte Frewin Lord of Rosinvale and Mr. John Herbert White of Penzance. The bride's father was Charles Frewin Lord (deceased) and her uncle was the Rev. Alfred Lord (deceased) who founded and built St. Peter's Church. The groom, an organist and composer, was the son of Richard White, Professor of Music. Mr. Cooper Furniss of Truro made the wedding cake and Messrs. Henry Andrews and Co. of Truro supplied the dresses for the bride and bridesmaids.
Back to the History ......
After this time John Whitford, a mining captain, lived at Rose-in-Vale from the 1890s until his death in 1926. He was born in 1858 at Newlyn East and moved to Wheal Liberty when he was only a few years old. At the age of ten he walked the five miles to work at West Chiverton mine which took him past Rose-in-Vale which he vowed to buy when he grew up. He spent many years mining in foreign parts before returning to keep his promise. On the 2lst February 1881 he married Anne Searle Hooper who was a daughter of Simon Hooper.
Joan Juleff of Bolingey, granddaughter of Capt John Whitford and Anne Searle Whitford, recalls that her mother, Lily Searle Whitford, lived there until 1925 when she married Joseph James Powell Tredinnick who was the son of Jolm Tredinnick of Beacon View, Barkla Shop.
Mr. & Mrs. Reuben Hosken were probably the first to use the property for fee paying guests and ran it as B&B during the 1930s and up to the 2nd World War. Mr. and Mrs. Dores then took it over and ran it as a guest house. They are remembered for keeping geese and growing Pampas grass. This was the era when all rooms were supplied with a jug and bowl for ablutions.
Alan and Jean Turner bought it in 1961 and used it as a base for Piran Pony Stud. During this time some upgrading was carried out including removing the old bedroom fireplaces, and it was awarded an AA Two Star rating.
The Hotel brochure from the mid 1970s
Maureen Solomon, who lives at Goshen Cottage, worked for the Turners during their last few years at the Rose in Vale, she continued working here 1984 when Vanda and Tony Arthur took over as proprietors and she still works at the Rose in Vale to this day.
The Arthurs carried out a lot of work in re-building, refurbishing and extending the hotel following this work the Hotel it was awarded an AA Three Star rating in 1991. Two rooms were licensed for marriages in June 1995 just two months after the law permitted this.
There are rooms in the Hotel dedicated to Captain Oates and Joyce. Copies of John Opie's paintings hang at the Rose in Vale and the originals are to be found at Trerice Manor and Truro Museum (Royal Institution of Cornwall).
In 2003 Vanda and Tony Arthur sold the hotel to Chris and Veronica Thomas. Chris and Veronica's stay was shorter than most and the Hotel changed ownership in 2006 to James & Sara Evans.
James & Sara now live at the Hotel with their two boys George & Henry.
In 2007 the Hotel was awarded an AA Rosette for fine dining.
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An oasis of calm and comfort – Mr and Mrs W
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