Many will remember Brenda Pye who passed away last year.  In a moving tribute, her ashes were scattered in the sea off St Mawes by members of the Roseland Gig Club. 

Brenda, who served on St Just in Roseland Parish Council for eight years and was its first and only female chairman for a year, was so devoted to the nautical lifestyle she invited the Gig Club to use part of her building, the former Pomeroy’s Garage and site of the iconic Shell pumps, to store its boats.  She was also Commodore of St Mawes Sailing Club.

There will, hopefully in the not too distant future, be an exciting new presence in a prominent position on the front in St Mawes.  The will of Brenda Pye includes her wish that the St Just & St Mawes Heritage Group take over the first and second floors of her old home above the disused petrol pumps.

In 1999 she gave the ground floor to the Roseland Gig Club and now planning is under way to prepare the main room on the first floor for public access.

In accordance with her wishes, the sitting room is to be kept, within reason, just as she left it.  Brenda was an art teacher and an artist herself of considerable talent.  Since retiring, and living in St Mawes, she mixed with all the local artists and amassed a large eclectic collection of art by names such Terry Frost, Anthony Frost, Roger Hilton, Kurt Jackson, Barry Cook and many others.

All the walls were simply covered in pictures and after making the building safe for the public, this is how it is intended the main room shall remain.  Presently all Brenda’s valuable art work is in the safe custody of the Falmouth Art Gallery.

Other rooms on the first floor will be used for Heritage Group exhibitions. The project will, however, take time to be realised and considerable fund raising will be necessary to cover the cost.  Speaking to Roseland Online, Chris Williams from St Just & St Mawes Heritage Group said “Brenda was a lovely, very generous lady who loved St Mawes and the Heritage Group is determined that her, somewhat ambitious, wishes will be honoured.”