SOME of the entrants to the Charles Causley Trust’s young people’s poetry competition had the chance to meet royalty last week.

Pupils that had entered the competition from Windmill Hill and Coads Green schools went to the home of the late Launceston poet last Tuesday, when the property was visited by the Duke of Kent, accompanied by Colonel Edward Bolitho.

The Duke was paying a visit to the county and was invited to look round Cyprus Well by the Charles Causley Trust.

The new chair of the trust, Ian Tunbridge, welcomed the Duke when he arrived at Cyprus Well at 12.05pm, alongside mayor and mayoress, Margaret Young and Nicola Gilbert.

The Duke had a tour of the house, with many artifacts around that would have belonged to Charles Causley, before hearing some readings of poetry, and signing the guestbook.

As well as readings by poet and trustee Penelope Shuttle, and former Cyprus Well writer in residence David Devanny, Isaac Cude, Year 11 at Launceston College, read a poem he wrote a few years ago for the Charles Causley competition.

Sarah Lake, a pupil at Coads Green, read her poem ‘Along the Cornish Moors’, and Maya Miszewska, Year 4 at Windmill, read ‘Cornish Countryside’, also her own work.

Ahead of the Duke’s arrival, staff from Windmill school said: “They have been hugely excited, saying ‘we are going to meet royalty’!” Mr Pennycomequick is Windmill pupils’ favourite Causley poem, which they’ve added actions to in school, and those that entered the poetry competition were inspired by a recent Charles Causley walk.

When the Duke arrived and had made his way into the front room, Mr Tunbridge explained to the Duke and those gathered around — which included trust representatives and even former students of Causley —: “Charles Causley was not just a significant poet but very much the people’s poet, we are very proud to say Cornwall’s poet. He spent almost his whole life here [Launceston].

“He served in the Second World War in the Royal Navy, returned here and became a school teacher. He became very significant in the world of poetry. When he died there was a very strong feeling we should do something to celebrate his work and ensure the memory lives on.

“Early trustees created the trust and took on this house,” which he added is now a ’major vehicle for promoting poetry’. Students are able to spend short periods of time at the house to undertake internships, and there is also the writer/artist in residency programme.

“There is a schools poetry competition and a national competition for adults. What we have been trying to do is maintain interest in Charles Causley’s work. Also we have a festival each year in the town to promote both his work and the work of other poets, and we work with the three universities who have a presence in Cornwall.”

He added the trust is also trying to support local tourism, and has developed a trail called ‘Causley Way’ so visitors can learn not only about Causley but the town as well.

Kate Neall, the lady who enabled to secure Cyprus Well for the Charles Causley Trust thanks to her generous support, was also at Cyprus Well to meet the Duke. Ms Neall explained to the Post it was 12 years ago when she moved to Cornwall that she saw an article in a newspaper about the Charles Causley Trust and how they were raising funds to try and buy Cyprus Well. She agreed to lend to them interest free for three years, and towards the end of that term for another three years, then decided to gift the funds to the trust that enabled it to secure Cyprus Well.

The Duke was heard to ask trust treasurer Barry Helme if Causley was well loved, to which Dr Helme replied: “Indeed, throughout the world — different ages young and old.”

His Royal Highness then said to mayor Cllr Young: “You must be proud of your poet.” She replied: “Yes, and the town — it’s a beautiful town.

“[Causley] taught for years here, he was a quiet, unassuming man. He enjoyed life in Launceston.”