Work has recently been completed on the renewal of a long forgotten gig shed on St. Agnes. Islanders and members of the gig club have just finished putting a roof on the building which is situated just up the road from the Turks Head. It became clear that a new gig shed was needed to house the local gig, the ‘Shah? after a recent re-fit was carried out during the summer of 1999. Until now, the Shah had been kept alongside the waiting room during the summer months and in a shed at Cove-Vean during the winter, it has not yet decided whether or not the Shah will return to Cove-Vean in the winter but the new shed is undoubtedly going to be extremely useful for protecting the Shah against the elements during the Gig racing season in the summer. The position of the proposed new shed was paramount to it’s success, it was to be built near the top of the Quay until it became clear that this was not in favour with the planning committee. I was suggested that there had been a previous gig shed on the hillside next to the Turks Head but it had become overgrown and neglected, many islanders didn’t even remember this. After some excavation, the foundations of the old building were found and a planning application was submitted, this time it was reacted to more favourably as it was seen as restoration. Islanders showed their community spirit and all chipped in to help out in any way they could, donating granite or trying their hand at building. The new shed is visible from boats coming into St. Agnes Quay, and does not look out of place in it’s renewed state…
