“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Colin Powell.

I have just returned from a holiday in Cornwall. A story from that county featured in my first book “Be First Class” which was published in 2016. It’s an excellent example of how you can turn a vision into a reality through hard work, determination and collaboration. For the blog this week, I have included the content from that chapter of the book.

During a visit to Cornwall I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Minack Theatre and watch a production. The Minack is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea. It’s situated at Porthcurno which is 4 miles from Land’s End. It has inspiring and breath-taking views over the neighbouring coast line. If you’re lucky and it’s a clear night, a sunset provides a fabulous bonus to the production.

Many visitors who arrive at the Minack imagine that it was built by invading Romans but the truth is the theatre was the brainchild of Rowena Cade. Miss Cade had moved to Cornwall after the First World War and built a house for herself and her mother on land at Minack Point for £100.

The history of the theatre as stated on the theatre website is that in 1929, a local village group of players had staged Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a nearby meadow at Crean, repeating the production the next year. They decided that their next production would be The Tempest. While Rowena Cade did think of offering her garden to stage “The Tempest” there really was nowhere to seat an audience.

Always resourceful she prospected alternatives, one of which was on the opposite side of the bay. Then, looking into the gully above the Minack rock she said “I wonder if we could make a stage here?” With the benefit of decades of hindsight and with her remarkable theatre spread out below, the answer was clearly “Yes!”

Over the course of six months and during a harsh winter, Miss Cade and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, made a terrace and rough seating, hauling materials down from the house or up via the winding path from the beach below. In 1932, The Tempest was performed with the sea as a dramatic backdrop, to great success. Miss Cade resolved to improve the theatre, working over the course of the winter months each year throughout her life (with the help of Billy Rawlings and Charles Angove) so that others might perform each summer.

Over the next seven years there were many improvements and extensions. Then, with the coming of World War II, it seemed as though all the back-breaking work might have been wasted. When peace returned, Rowena looked out over a ravaged theatre. It had been reduced back to what it had been in 1932. However, with great determination Rowena slowly brought the Minack magic back to life, working on improving and developing the theatre for over 50 years.

Looking at pictures now, it’s remarkable what she and her two helpers achieved. Apparently she worked each winter in all weathers until she was in her mid-eighties. When she died, just short of her ninetieth birthday, she was still thinking of the future. She left elaborate sketches suggesting how the Theatre might be covered on the days when it rains.

This frail looking lady must have had tremendous strength and determination to achieve her vision. It’s quite remarkable what she managed to create and leave as a legacy.It’s a facility that has thousands of visitors each year and brings pleasure to many who are grateful for Rowena’s work and perseverance.

After visiting the theatre, a few things occurred to me about the power of having a personal vision and goal setting in general. I have shared these thoughts below:-

  • When you set a goal or have a personal vision, you have no comprehension of the potential impact it can have on hundreds of thousands of people and the positive ripple it can create.
  • It’s incredible what a few committed individuals with a common purpose (working without machinery) can achieve. Truly remarkable and inspiring.
  • When you have a vision it require lots of determination and perseverance to help you overcome obstacles and set-backs that you encounter along the way.
  • Your commitment and resolve will be tested but when you meet and conquer the adversity you emerge stronger and wiser for the experience. You can then look back with a sense of pride at your accomplishment.
  • It’s possible to create something that outlasts you.

This week why not take a few moments out to reflect. Consider what one action step you could take to ignite or energise a personal goal that you have.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk