CARICATURES of regular pubgoers in St Agnes by a leading artist from the 1950s are to go on display at St Agnes Museum.
The images of Reg Trezise and George Morrison, who were captured while enjoying a pint in the St Agnes Hotel, were drawn by renowned artist Hyman Segal.
He worked from the renowned Porthmeor Studios in St Ives and became known locally for his black and white drawings of people, fisherman and cats. The pub pictures were donated by a local resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
Liz Thompson, from the museum, said both Reg and George were well remembered by former landlord Gerald Simmons, whose parents kept the pub when the images were drawn.
"Gerald recalled George Morrison who, along with his brother Ken, was a school bursar," she said.
"George was, self-evidently, quite large, but Ken was like a beanpole. They stayed in St Agnes during the school holidays.
"They eventually retired to the Quay Flats at Trevaunance Cove and walked up to the St Agnes Hotel every lunchtime for a half of bitter and lunch cooked by Audrey, Gerald's mother.
"Gerald thinks they worked part-time as solicitors' clerks for Jo Bates in the Ope. This would have been in the 1950s."
Mr Trezise, she said, was a character known for his tall tales and used to take regular ocean trips, probably on the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth, to visit relatives in Canada.
"He had a sharp wit and a great sense of humour," she said.
"Gerald remembered one tale where he was asked how his crossing had gone, replying that two days out and on top of the waves you could see Land's End."
"From each of his visits he brought back a wooden stick that he gave to the St Agnes Hotel. They were mounted on the wall."
Two sticks, attached to a wooden post in the bar, remain to this day. Current landlady Diane English was intrigued by the story and said she would try to find out more about their origins and whether they once belonged to Mr Trezise.
Mrs Thompson said the sketches led to the discovery of a new fact about the artist, a founder member of the Penwith Society of Arts in Cornwall.
"Even though he settled in St Ives he did live for a time in St Agnes, perhaps while he was providing art therapy for TB patients at Tehidy Sanatorium," she said. "He enjoyed sketching people in local pubs. Older residents will remember Reg Trezise of Water Lane, sketched here with his cap and walking stick."
Anyone with information about where Segal lived in the village and for how long is asked to ring the museum on 01872 553228.
