On Derek Tangye's death in 1996 he had instructed that all his and Jeannie's diaries, papers and photographs be given to the Secretary of the Minack Chronicles Trust, Anne Sutton, who was also one of the trustees appointed by him. She was also to ensure that all personal items were destroyed. Also in accordance with his specific instructions, all their other possessions were sold at David Lay's Penzance auction house in April 1997.
At this sale Derek's Trustees purchased manuscript copies of his and Jeannie's books, hand written notebooks in which they collected notes for their writing, uncorrected proof copies, a scrapbook kept by Derek of his first newspaper articles when he became a journalist, and a Garden Log dating from the 1950s in which Derek listed the crops, prices, successes and failures of their market garden.
These items form the basis of the Tangye Archive which is kept at the private subscription library in Morrab Gardens, Penzance, and has since been added to by personal gifts from the readers and from the Trustees.
Access is strictly by prior appointment and usually on Tuesdays and Fridays only, because a member of the library staff must be in attendance at all times. Proof of identity must be provided as a register is kept, and all bags and cameras must be left with the librarian. Paper and pencil only (not pen) may be used while studying the Archive and no photocopying is permitted.
10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturday.
For non-members there is a £3 daily membership for access to the Library and its facilities.
Access to Archive material such as The Tangye Archive is £5 daily membership.
We have agreed a special rate of £3 daily membership for FOMS memberswho show their membership card.
As the Library is run by volunteers and it relies on donations you may contribute more if you choose.
You may decide to take out an Annual membership which is £27.
This runs from 1st January to 31st December,
reduced fees payable if you join part way through the year.
Life Membership is £350 per person, £200 for those aged 60 and over.
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