Are the Isles of Scilly worth a visit

�

A.� Oh yes. They are a beautiful, verdant outcrop off Cornwall - similar in climate, only sunnier.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

�

Q.� Plenty to see, if you know what I mean

A.� Yes - there are many beauty spots.

�

Q.� In all its naked glory

A.� Aah, now I understand your nudge-nudge, wink-wink question. Yes. The good folk of the Scilly Isles are to follow members of Rylstone and District Women's Institute in Yorkshire and produce a nude calendar. Residents have produced the calendar, called Uninhibited Islands 2002, to raise money for a sports centre. The naked models include rowers, a petrol pump attendant and a newsagent, photographed with strategically placed oars, towels and newspapers.

�

Q.� But why

A.� Apart from the fundraising aspect, the islanders wanted to cast off the Scillies' old-fashioned image.

�

Q.� Why old-fashioned

A.� The society there is certainly close-knit. And the islands, in British terms, are remote.

�

Q.� Tell me more.

A.� The Isles of Scilly (population: 2,900) are an archipelago of more than 150 isles and rocky islets, off Cornwall, 28 miles from Land's End, and occupying about six square miles. Five of the isles are inhabited - St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, St. Agnes, and Bryher. The largest, St Mary's, contains the capital, Hugh Town.

�

Q.� Flora and fauna

A.� The mild climate - mean monthly temperatures range from 7 to 16C, seldom frosts or snow - and heavy rainfall allows sub-tropical plants to flourish and flower-growing is one an important industry, with vegetable-growing, fishing and tourism. A huge variety of seabirds visit the islands, including the roseate tern (the rarest British breeding tern) and the Manx shearwater, which has its only British breeding site in the islands. Seals live on the rocks and islets.

�

Q.� History

A.� The isles have prehistoric remains, mainly barrows and pillars. The isle of Samson has ancient stone monuments. Henry I (reigned 1100-35) gave the islands to the abbot of Tavistock in Devon. They became Crown property in the 16th Century and were leased in 1571 to Francis Godolphin, who built Star Castle above Hugh Town in 1593. Prince Charles (later Charles II) sheltered there during the Civil War before escaping to Jersey in 1646. The islands, a pirates' haven, became notorious for smugglers. In 1834 Augustus Smith took over the islands' lease, and in 1933 the main islands became British Crown property - now owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

�

Q.� So which isles are worth visiting

A.� All of them! You can get there by sea and helicopter services to Penzance, on the mainland. St Mary's has most accommodation - mainly in Hugh Town. St Mary's is known for its many coastal walks and was a favourite with Prime Minister Harold Wilson (1916-1995). He is buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard and his widow Mary still has a bungalow there. St Agnes is even more unspoiled - a small, tranquil flower-farming community surrounded by a fine beach. Bryher, the smallest community, is known for its wild flowers and the awe-inspiring Hell Bay. It also features an all-year-round launch service for visitors.

�

To ask a question about People & Places, click here

By Steve Cunningham