Forging memories and designing jewellery in North Cornwall with Claudia Bradby

I spent my childhood holidays, when we could manage them, just inland from many different beautiful Cornish beaches, always on the North coast for the surfing and wildness. My mum’s parents were both from Truro and I have always felt a strong connection to the land in Cornwall. It feels alive with the history and stories and people who have lived and worked in this beautiful county and, I have to admit, I fell in love with Poldark aged about ten when I watched the first TV adaptation. I have read the Winston Graham Poldark series three times over. So Cornwall is imbued with romance, exhilaration, and a sense of coming home for me.

My love of the sea and walking definitely started in Cornwall.  As an adult I only started swimming all year round in the sea, open lakes and rivers, in 2019, and I have my friends Nicky and Lorraine to thank for this.  These two friends not only inspired me, but gave me the confidence and knowledge to swim in the sea, and during the cold months. My favourite place to swim, probably in the world, is Daymer Bay.  I have been coming here since my early 20’s and it has a special place in my heart, as well as being a very safe bay to swim in, and nicely sheltered too.  Catching a glimpse of the sunshine over Brae Hill, or St Enodoc church, as you take a stroke is balm to my soul.  East of Daymer Lundy and Epphaven are similarly special places.  They are both tidal and we have had happy family picnics there as the beach and caves reveal themselves with the lowering tide.  The walk down is particularly lovely, you feel you have walked into a private valley.

The wilds of Cornwall and the succour it gives have definitely inspired my designing.  A recent collection, our meditative collection, is inspired by the water, and the meditative nature of swimming. One of the key features of my design is that every design must have a meaning to it – jewellery has a unique super power of connecting not only into yourself, but with a place or person.  Reminding you of a special trip, or a special person who gave it to you.  Or, indeed it is a wonderful gift to give to remind people of something unique, and special or to mark significant moments in life.

In 2020 I visited the wonderful Coombeshead Farm to pick up some of their infamous sourdough bread and couldn’t resist some of their black bee honey.  As a novice bee keeper, and keen on sustainable practises, tasting this honey has led on to more than the sum of its parts.  I managed to persuade them to connect me up with their beekeeping guru.  Two years on I am on the board of the B4 project and joined my business up to pledge 1% of all our sales to  to support bee conservation (via 1%fortheplanet).  And, yes, our honey bee collection was inspired by this.  So a simple journey to get some bread has led to so much more!  I love the food at Coombeshead, and their ethos of a fully circular food journey.  Truly inspiring.

I am not a particulary ‘pubby’ person, but the very new enterprise called Blunt Rock in Pity Me is a rare gem of a find.  They brew their own beer (they are a nanobrewery) and offer small tasting glasses; the beer is very special.  Regular events include food trucks, live music and quiz nights.  One not to be missed.

 

Claudia’s pocket guide to North Cornwall

• Where to eat: Feast nights at Nancarrow Farm; special dinners at Coombeshead Farm
• Where to drink: Blunt Rock or take a flask and a rug to the top of Brae Hill to have sunset drinks overlooking the Camel Estuary
• Where to shop: Get a custom made wetsuit at Snuggs  snuggwetsuits.co.uk
• Where to walk: Park at Porthcothan and walk to Watergate Bay for Lunch at the Watergate Bay Hotel
• Where to swim: Daymer Bay

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