PCS - Perpetual Contact Sheet

Welcome to PCS, the contact sheet for singles living in Cornwall, UK or intending to move there. This started in paper format in the early 1990s and was supported by commercial advertisement in local papers in Cornwall, and has male listings and female listings. Click here for other Cornwall sites.

The basic concept was (and is) : You can stay listed for as long as you want for only one fee.

I originally devised PCS when I was looking for a partner myself. As things turned out, I found one elsewhere, but as PCS was obviously welcomed by its clients it has been continued and it grew to nearly 200 people by the end of 1993. It was therefore designed with the user in mind, and also it has been altered to maximise ease of use and efficiency at fulfilling a need.

The Internet version offers the following facilities. You can email a response to longevityrpt@yahoo.com stating the box number and the text you want to send. This will be printed and snail mailed to the client. Obviously you will have to give a postal address for a reply, as most people in PCS are not on the Internet. Please do not use the service if you do not live in Cornwall and have no intention of moving there. If you want a box number from which to reply or to place your own listing, please join PCS - you will have to print and snail mail the form together with your cheque or postal order. You can then have your own listing and use your box number as a mailing address for initial correspondence if you wish.

Most people have this romantic notion that the world has someone waiting for them if only they just sit back and let things happen. However in reality the sexes are quite highly segregated in our society during the normal work-a-day life. Even you think this is not true for you, you will still find that most people in your life are paired off some way or another. Therefore the world is not just about to push someone your way - unless, that is, you do something about it yourself. You have taken the biggest step already by replying to PCS's advertisement. The next step is to subscribe to PCS. You have now tipped the odds in favour of finding that special someone. You will still have to work at it and do the selection yourself, but at least you are in an environment where all the people you meet are not paired off. They do in fact have the same problems and motivations as yourself.

To reply to box numbers on the lists,

1. email your reply to longevityrpt@yahoo.com stating clearly the box number and name. In this case, your email would look like

Message for Linda, box F9876 (Truro)

Dear Linda,

I saw you PCS listing on the Internet, and I also like .. (Blah Blah).

You can write to me at (address), .....

(end)

Obviously you do not want to be too personal at this stage, you can enter into private correspondence once you have established a means of communication with the other member of PCS.

PCS grows slowly, and to keep up to date just check this web page.

Sample Listing (name and details are made up.)

Linda F9876 (Truro)

I was born in 1952, am 5'10" tall and slim, non-smoker, social drinker. I am divorced with a teenage daughter, living with me, and married son. I live on a small holding and keep pigs. I am interested in horse riding and country life, walks, gardening, sports, motor bikes and also steam engine rallies. I like eating out and local travel. I am looking for a tall man of similar age and interests for a possible lasting relationship. No objection to children.

Recommended Form of Listings

All our listings will be under box numbers, stating nearest town [eg Box M123 (Redruth): M=male F=female]. If you want to use a town other to your postal town, please let us know. Instructions for applying to box numbers are given overleaf. We have allowed you around 100 words, so make your listings readable. We reserve the right to edit listings, and will not print surnames, addresses, telephone numbers or anything offensive.

It is important to present a good image of yourself and to state clearly what sort of person you hope to meet through your membership of PCS. We hope that these notes will be of assistance to you.

1. Make a positive statement about yourself. Don't say too much about being lonely ... after all, you would not be taking this method of meeting people if you were entirely happy with life!

2. Try not to be too obsessed with age. It is unfair to lie about your age ... most people will be 'found out' if they make exaggerated claims and it wastes other's time replying to unsuitable age groups. It may be better to give an age range for the person you are seeking, e.g. 30 to 40, rather than state "I am 35" etc.

3. Give an accurate description of your interests and hobbies. A person with a variety of interests is usually able to share things with another and to learn about new things.

4. Make a point of things which are important to you. e.g. You must stress "non-smoker", if you hate this, or dislike (or like) pets, if this is important to you.

5. Give as clear a picture of your background as possible. e.g. Your family may be living with you, which may make a difference to the sort of person replying to you.

6. Be wary of giving details of a financial nature ... we have no way of knowing if someone may be just an opportunist, looking for that "independent, financially secure home-owner"! Helpful statements such as "car-owner" are different, as this may mean that future meetings are easier.

7. Give a brief, personal description of yourself, but again don't exaggerate ... if you say you are slim to make people reply, it is disappointing and embarrassing if they meet someone who is very overweight. We all like to present an image of what we want to be rather than what the mirror tells us! Remember too, that we don't all consider the same things to be attractive features ... what a boring world it would be!

8. Don't frighten off potential partners by demanding too much. Remain open-minded and don't reject someone because they have blue eyes or because they are too short.

9. Don't be shy about putting in an advert. We are often requested just to pass on letters. This is halving your chances of finding a partner.

Once you are on your way with PCS, you may like to consider how you deal with the replies.

Most people find that a simple letter introducing themselves is the easiest way. The best impression will be given if you use writing paper (rather than rough paper), giving details other than those given in your advert. You may prefer to write a number of times or to speak on the phone before meeting. If you are shy about revealing your address, then using the 'phone or your box number is the only route you can take. Suggest a convenient time for the person to telephone, giving alternatives in case the time is impossible for them. It is better to chat a few times rather than hold one long conversation as you may run out of things to chat about on that all important first meeting. Ladies are often much too shy to telephone a man first, so letters are most important in this case. Remember though, everyone on the list is probably shy about making the first contact, so someone needs to take the plunge. The worst that can happen is to be told that someone doesn't want to meet you and that should not matter if you don't even know them in the first place!

It is suggested that first meetings should be in a public place. A pub is often the easiest, but other places such as cafes or coffee bars may suit those hating drinking. It is sometimes less embarrassing if you have exchanged photographs as people's descriptions of themselves are often less than accurate. Above all, try not to be late, leaving someone standing or sitting in a public place, feeling very self-conscious. Keep the first meeting relatively short, then if you want to take things further it will be easier the next time. We have heard complaints from men who feel themselves out of pocket if a lady expects to be treated to a meal on a first meeting that is going to prove to be the only meeting!

First impressions are important ... your advert is the first ... so is your contact with an advertiser ... so is that first meeting! The right partner could even be that first reply, so the best of luck from us all.

Age

People often write to ask if they are too old to join. No one is too old to find a new companion. It can bring a whole new lease of life. Of course we also have enquiries in other age groups, many of whom may be compatible. But no one will know unless they send in their listings. As this is a perpetual listing system, even if we don't have your ideal partner now, we could have in the future at no further cost. We consider we offer the best possible value to people looking for a local friend than any national magazine, newspaper or telephone system..