We ❤️ Readymoney Cove - the hidden gem of Fowey, Cornwall

Welcome to the shiny new home of photographs, memories and anecdotes relating to the incredibly special place which is Readymoney Cove, Fowey, Cornwall. 

Hi, I'm Victoria, I opened Readymoney Beach Shop in May 2017 at the very beautiful Readymoney Cove in Fowey, Cornwall. Hands up: I'm not Cornwall born and bred and my Readymoney memories only date back 20 years or so since my parents first discovered Fowey on a holiday to Cornwall. As you may already know (read this if not!) I opened Readymoney Beach Shop more as a solution to a community problem than anything else after the council announced they would be closing the public toilets at Readymoney Cove due to a lack of available funding.

Whilst the business has flourished beyond anything I could ever have reasonably expected, the biggest effect on me personally has been the dawning realisation of what a powerfully special place Readymoney Cove is to so many people for so many different reasons. Many of you reading this will have connections to the Cove which vastly exceed my own, maybe you and your family have lived in Fowey for ever, holidayed here for generations or simply discovered and enjoyed Readymoney Cove for many years of your own lifetime. These unique moments from all sorts of sources give rise to oh so many stories.

Readymoney Cove, the most special place

Although my business social media posts (Facebook here, Instagram here and TikTok here if you're interested!) are understandably primarily for the purpose of promoting my business, almost from the outset I've been beyond humbled by how people respond to the photographs I share. People add their own photographs, stories and anecdotes in the comments, they email or DM me with photos from days gone by or works of art they've created, they tag my business pages in their social media posts of days spent at Readymoney Cove and there are so many wonderful memories stretching back decades at a place that has really changed very little over the years.

Sometimes I'm able to easily to share these special Readymoney Cove moments on my business pages but sometimes it just doesn't "fit" or just isn't my story to tell. Sometimes I'm able to add these things to the business website, like on my Local History page which links to a great account I found of a local lady's memories of time spent in Fowey with Daphne du Maurier. But increasingly I have been of the view that these special stories, from the heartwarming to the heartwrenching, from the extraordinary to the every day, deserve a special place of their own where the sheer joy of time spent at Readymoney Cove (and we do love a bit of Fowey Joy) is top billing, not anyone's commercial venture, including my own.

So, what's this new group then?

So, to get to the point (eventually...😆) I have set up a new community Facebook page called We ❤️ Readymoney Cove and WOW, has it really taken off! Over 500 members in the first 24 hours and so many wonderful photos and memories. Treasured pictures and recollections dating back to the 1950's, honeymoon photos, anecdotes of childhoods spent enjoying the beach, pictures of chilly dips, memories of cold school swimming lessons crossing the cove, incredible sunrises, amazing captures of incoming storms, they just keep on coming and I am totally here for it.

I want this group to be a single focus shrine to Readymoney Cove: if you've got a photo to post, a tale to tell, a memory to share, a painting to sell, a holiday cottage nearby to rent out, a beach clean to muster up volunteers for or even a plea for the safe return of the much loved swimsuit you lost at the beach (actual true story) then GO FOR IT. If you are a business please be respectful of the purpose of the group and please don't post more than once a week and only as long as it's Readymoney related.

But Facebook groups are SCARY places!

Don't get me wrong, this ain't my first rodeo when it comes to the turbulent world of Facebook community groups. We've all seen those groups which thrive on complaints, negativity and the ever persistent issue of dog fouling (there is no such thing as the dog poo fairy). There are (currently) no limits on membership to the group or major restrictions on what can be posted (but do have a read of the group rules please) but let's face it, it's only a matter of time before you open your phone over breakfast to be faced with a photo of a dog poo on the beach. Sigh. I promise I'll keep on top of posts as much as possible but I am just one person with only so much time, if anyone reading this wants to volunteer to co-admin then please just let me know!

I know not everyone uses Facebook and I do apologise if it's not your thing, I will try and pick out any particular gems (assuming I get permission to reshare) to circulate via the shop social media and email newsletters (sign up here if you want in on those weekly emails) so hopefully you won't miss out. 

Get involved

That's enough from me. This group is about YOU and YOUR memories of Readymoney Cove. Thus far it's a place of overwhelming positivity and nostalgia and it's just lovely. Please do head over to Facebook and join the group. The more the merrier, please do share your stories, you can even share anonymously if you prefer!

PS Don't forget that if you want to keep your eye on Readymoney Cove literally 24/7 you can log onto our webcam here, I know quite a few people keep it on in the background whilst they are working!

📷 Amy @Girl Behind The Lens