THE Launceston based author Geoff Provis has now completed volume one of ‘Delabole at Work and War’, which contains the actual words of Delabole people.

The book also contains over 200 historic photographs and some illustrations, and it sets out to explain the hardships and nature of life at Delabole in by-gone years.

It has been very well received by a Delabole historian and Mr Provis hopes that this book will prove invaluable for local families who can learn how their ancestors and, indeed, recent generations worked and at times suffered harsh conditions and poverty, and many chose to emigrate in search of a better standard of living.

Details of the Delabole families who decided to venture abroad is described in detail including an account of the hazardous voyages. The war section contains details and photographs of the Italian Prisoner of War Camp at Trewennen Bridge, the WRNS of Treligga, Treligga Aerodrome, stories of local experiences during war-time and full details of Delabole war fallen are described with photographs in many cases.

In 1946 Mr Provis was born into a Port Isaac fishing and sea-faring family and he enjoyed a fantastic childhood into his teen years, enjoying himself on the sea in family fishing boats and local youth clubs and organisations. In the early 1960s there was no future for him in the fishing industry so he followed a different career but remained in Cornwall throughout. After retiring he became aware that his home village was in the latter stages of changing from a Cornish community to one becoming ever more reliant on the holiday industry, and a strong feature of this was the use of the local housing stock for holiday-homes and homes to let. He decided to record some local history which was very much focused on the people of Port Isaac.

When 15 years of age he signed to play football for Delabole for a short period and he was fascinated by the local Delabole accents and the nature of life there compared to Port Isaac which was only a very short distance away. He is now delighted to work with the local Delabole people to assist them in their wish to record their equally fascinating history. Volume two to follow.

Geoff has written three history books on Port Isaac and in 2012 his book The Seafarers of Port Isaac was nominated for a prize by the Holyer an Gof Cornish Book Awards.

Volume one of ‘Delabole at Work and War’ is being launched between 1.30pm and 6pm on Saturday, November 27, at Medrose Chapel, Delabole, where local people will be able to purchase it and meet the author.