The Last One

Naomi Casserly
Sep 18
7 min read

What Treargel has meant to you over the years

A stone labyrinth of the Cretan style, in grass, in a wood. — Space to breathe

Melisande, email

For me, Treargel has meant learning a new language: silence.

The peace and space have helped me stay in my body and listen to the elements.

It has let me unravel strong emotions and quietly witness nature circling around me.

Eve, Instagram

A safe haven, a place to rediscover God in new ways, rest, recover, community, peace, healing and holding. So many things… It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Andrew Smith, email

Some thoughts on what Treargel meant to me. In order of importance:

1. Friendship - My visits to Treargel were firstly about maintaining my friendship with Martyn and yourself. As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet:

“Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.”

Loved having long chats with Martyn, and I vividly remember the awesome night sky we observed with the Milky Way and countless stars twinkling when walking back from The Jolly Sailer.

2. Rest & Recovery - Treargel was always a fantastic place to unwind and recover from a stressful and demanding job. Travelling over 300 miles from Yorkshire to Cornwall was always an escape to a place I could properly relax.

3. Scenery & Walks - Such a wonderful location for walks. The walks along the coast, and inland as well as through woods and along streams. I’ve never lived by the sea, so being so close to the sea was nice. My walk to Fowey and a midnight run to the Eden Project, are particular highlights.

4. God - My times at Treargel were often times of renewing my relationship with God.

I’ve attached my favourite photos from my visits to Treargel.

Nadine, email

I just wanted to wish you and your family well for your next chapter

It will be a great loss for everyone but I hope the future will hold special things for you all...

Thank you for providing such a lovely peaceful place for refuge and stillness. I've greatly appreciated my two stays at Treargal and will hold happy memories of exploring the surrounding beauty of the coast as well.

Ben Luck, email

It has meant a great deal, but it's hard to put into words. I have been coming for my annual retreat since 2021, first in the Hermitage and then in the Shepherd's hut. During these times I have experienced great happiness, and a sense of freedom .... also I have become aware of the majesty of God in creation. (Of course, being on Retreat can at times be difficult, too.)

I thought I would give a few quotes from my diaries, as this might convey something of what Treargel has meant to me:

2021 Friday: "Walked the labyrinth with bare feet. When I reached the centre, I had a feeling of energy throughout my whole body. I lifted my arms and hands to God. I did it again, but this time extended my arms and hands as far as possible. I had a feeling of strength, energy, power and liberation..."

2022 Thursday: "The gentle and holy dawn. And then - the glory, the trumpets, the singing, as the sun lit up the trees. In the night, the old orange moon sinking in the east, and stars above."

2024 Friday: "Now my heart is everywhere - the wind in the leaves is my song, the cry of birds is my prayer. The tiny flowers are my adoration....my heart is everywhere, and full of joy!"

9.30pm "A holy peace has fallen upon the world. Got up in the night - so quiet, such grandeur..."

5.15am "The gentle and holy dawn"...."The great spiritual drama of day and night is going on all around us all the time, and we pay almost no attention"

I hope this conveys something of how much staying at Treargel has meant to me.

With sincere thanks, and with very best wishes to you and your family for the future

Sue Taylor, email

I shall not forget my two visits to Treargel last year. My mum had passed away some months before, and Treargel was the perfect place to “just be”, to reminisce and to give thanks for mum’s long life, all 101 years of it. We were blessed to have had her in our lives, and for so long.

The beautiful, quiet location instilled such a sense of peace, and in particular, I shall never forget watching the sunrise from the Shepherds Hut on my first morning there. If I could fit the Shepherd’s Hut in my garden, I would.

Your friendly, warm welcome with a freshly baked loaf and a bottle of milk was greatly appreciated, and thoughtful too. Reading the Visitors Book, Treargel has clearly been such a place of refuge for people, and both it and your warm, gentle manner will be greatly missed. I wish you and your family peace, health and happiness as you soon start the next chapter in your lives, and thank you all for creating such a special, peaceful haven.

Here are some of Sue's pictures.

Elaine, email

Firstly, I have really appreciated your Blogs, which I found inspiring and really resonated with me. Maybe at unknown times in the future we shall have the opportunity to meet up and share thoughts and ideas.

Secondly, I shall never forget the time we stayed at Treargel. The day that sticks most in my mind is walking from Treargel into Looe down the grassy cliffs with wonderful views of the blue, blue sea. Other places we visited during our stay were good too but that was very special. Also memorable were the meals with your family and quiet hour in your lounge which I think was on a Monday. [Our weekly Solitude and Silence]

I'm so glad we came when we did, as our health and ability to drive would have made it so much harder if not impossible later, and I now have these wonderful memories forever.

I think of you often and pray for your future wherever God may lead you.

Juliet McGoldrick, Facebook.

A place where loving and generous friends reached out to give me kindness and to show God's love to me. Thank you, Clare and Artie xxx🙋‍♀️🕊️🙏🌅 I always miss you both 🥰even though I only knew you for a short time, I wish I could have got to spend more time with you both 🌈

Jade, email

I discovered Treargel through the retreat bursary fund after working as a nurse through the Covid pandemic. I first stayed in the Piggery for 3 days during December 2020 and I remember wondering, what on earth I was doing coming so far away and on my own. I arrived late and was touched by the freshly baked bread that greeted me. The minute I met Naomi I felt relaxed and knew I would be okay here, I didn't need her at all but to know she was nearby was enough for me to relax. Those few days were so restorative for me on many levels, and I came back several times after that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous hospitality.

Here are some of Jade's pictures.

David, Kathryn and children Rosie and Oliver - card

Thank you so much for letting us stay at your holiday house. We have been here 6 times and are so sad that this was our last. We have made so many wonderful memories here and will always remember them.

Lorraine, card

My time with you in 2022 is etched in my memory as an oasis, a hidden place, a restorative and exporative place - pure gift to wonder, ponder, pray, cry and be 'open', available. And my second visit in 2024 helped me to retain that gift of pure living water that fell so splendidly whilst at Treargel. Fond memories. Holy.

Harriet, card

I have a host of wonderful memories and will savour these times at Treargel, with you and Martyn, with friends too, over the past 3 or 4 years. Thank you and well done, and know your work and ministries, your lives and love - who you are has touched so many of us.

Treargel Founders, Clare and Artie Shearman

For us, the development of Treargel was the fulfilment of what we believed to be a call from God to 'build my church' (Matthew 16:18). This was individually discerned by us both at different times. An eight-day silent retreat at Sclerder Abbey was part of that discernment! The arrival of Naomi and Martyn as guests initially, and subsequently their positive journey to Treargel, also affirmed the call to continue Treargel as a retreat when we returned to Australia. We are still seeking that person(s) who feel called to continue this ministry and buy this beautiful place. So far that person has not emerged, but we live in prayer and hope.

Naomi's Last Word

The last 7 years at Treargel have been such an adventure, and I have learnt so much from you all. For example, to;

Be curious about my feelings and gut reactions, say 'Hello' to them.
Take time to be present and notice what is around me.
Value myself, by putting time in my diary to Be. Whether a cup of tea, an afternoon or few days. Time to recalibrate and check-in.
Know that nature is the Divine's first Scripture. Their way of showing us who they are.
Know I am never too old to learn and grow. My older guest last week had never done a trip off-grid. She challenged herself to stay in the Hermitage, and was surprised by the results.
So, let's be like her and continue adventuring!

We will now be moving down the road temporarily, to live next door to the lovely Chemin Neuf Community at Sclerder Abbey. Whilst Martyn finishes his Counselling Course, and I find a salaried job. If you want to get in touch, my private email is naomicass@googlemail.com