Aboard the Lady Daphne in Charlestown harbour, Cornwall, I had the pleasure of attending its first literary event, Books on the barge. This 1923 Thames sailing barge was first moored in 1926 serving as part of the Thomas Watson shipping fleet that transported local China clay. After an interesting life, her current owners Sam and Andy sailed her down from London back to the place where her life had first started. 

The evening was based around the life of novelist Daphne du Maurier with speaker Lynn Goold, who for the past 30 years has been giving talks and tours on this chosen subject. 

Cornish born novelist, Lamorna Ireland who writes contemporary romance set within Cornwall was also in attendance to talk about her new book Along a Cornish Creek, and what inspires her to write. 

Lamorna is also a secondary school teacher, but  during the covid pandemic she made the decision to self-publish her first book which she had been quietly writing for the last four years. To her surprise it was well received. This gave her the confidence to keep putting pen to paper and create a brand for herself in her chosen genre.

The atmosphere was warm and friendly with some beautiful traditional Cornish music  performed by Kerensa on her hammered dulcimer, an instrument dating back to the bible. All together this made a fantastic informative and alternative event. 

More events are to be held during August and September that include Creative Writing and Novel workshops, Open Mic nights, Children’s authors and daily activities. These can all be booked online here. 

Words and photography by Caroline Hancock