in 1954 the val bakers left st hilary and moved to kent and then to london. but three years later they returned to cornwall to a tiny rented cottage in virgin street, st ives and then to church place before in 1958 moving to st christopher's a house overlooking porthmeor beach. it was here that the pottery run by jess began to be successful, and denys would often be found there both writing and serving customers. it was also here that denys started on a series of autobiographical books, inspired by family life at st christopher's.