The choir of St Mary Magdalene under the direction of Dr Sean Sweeney returned from their August holiday to sing a service of choral evensong for the first Sunday in September. The service was led by the vicar, Rev. Dr. Michael Dobson, returning from his break in Canada, who also preached and acted as cantor in the Responses by Sanders.

The choir also sang Psalm 121 and Kate Hancock read the lessons from Isaiah and St John. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were sung to a setting by Tertius Noble in B which involved all four voice parts dividing, the organ played by Dr Sweeney with Bernard Pink conducting as well as singing the top tenor part.

The anthem was the unaccompanied “If ye love me,“ by Thomas Tallis and Dr Sweeney ended the service with a great organ prelude in C minor by J S Bach.

Next Saturday 13 September, after a wedding at 12.30 pm, Andrew Millington, former Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral, will give a free lecture on the organ music of Sir Edward Elgar at 2.30pm after which there will be a retiring collection and light refreshments.

The next choral evensong will be on Sunday 5 October at the usual time of 5.30pm.

As part of our ongoing series of musical events, St Stephen’s Church is excited to welcome Marco Cannovo and his troupe of talented and inspiring musicians on Saturday October 25, 2025 for a day and night of medieval music! St Stephen’s Church will return to its ancient roots and the church will be filled with sounds not heard for centuries as Marco and his colleagues, Steve Tyler and Katy Marchant delight us with the music of the Hurdy Gurdy, Citole, Organistrum, Symphonie, Gothic Harp, Portative Organ, Bladder Pipe, Lute, Bagpipe, Shawm, Recorder, Gothic Harp, Percussions and more... many of their instruments are handmade, preserving these now rare instruments to ensure they continue to delight us for years to come.

Everyone is invited to join in with this unusual and fascinating event and we look forward to seeing the church packed with people wanting to learn more. Tickets start at £8.50 for under 18s, and family tickets are available.

Workshop: Saturday 25, 2pm to 3pm.

All ages are welcome at the interactive, fun and costumed workshop, where Marco, Steve and Kathy will demonstrate their various ancient musical instruments, from bagpipes to harps, talking about the way they are made, and how they are played, and the sounds they make, as well as their history. This suitable for children and adults of all ages, and there will be plenty of time after 3pm to talk with the musicians in more detail. Children are welcome to come in medieval costume!

Concert: Saturday 25, 7pm

A costumed journey through time from the 12th to the 15th century as Marco, Steve and Katy play the full range of beautiful historical instruments with a wide repertoire of musical pieces. During the concert the musicians will take time to introduce their instruments, telling us a little about their history.

About 60 people, including many of our members, plus neighbouring WI’s came along to support our afternoon tea event on this very hot August day.

We set up the hall in record time and it looked really pretty, in particular the bunting around the table put up by Lottie, granddaughter of one of our members.

The hall, tables, teapot flowers, Marion and Joyce’s flowers and of course the food were outstanding, we had some great raffle prizes, thank you so much to those who provided them.

It was deemed a huge success by all who came along.

Our treasurer Lynn confirms that we raised £348.50 for The League of Friends of Tavistock Hospital and £175 for our Centenary Fund.

Date and venue for next meeting: Monday, September 8, 7.30pm, Lewdown Victory Hall for Ann Mercer: Yaks and Monasteries in the Himalayas.

Rev Richard Ward-Smith led the service at Morwenstow Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday 31st. The theme of the service was 'What makes God smile? Our quiet trust in God'.

Colin Tape was the organist for the following hymns: Awake my soul and with the sun; If I were a butterfly; Who put the colours in the rainbow; and Praise my soul the King of Heaven.

The Merrytones Praise Group rendered: 'The Streets of London'.

Bill Cleave led the prayers of intercession.

The service was followed by coffee and a chance to chat in The Wesley Room.

Our friends from Bodmin Street Methodist Church joined us for Worship at Chilsworthy Chapel on Sunday 31.

The service was led by David Ley of Langtree.

We worshipped the Lord by singing: Who can know the mind of our creator; The Goodness of God - all my life you have been faithful; Hear the call of the Kingdom; All my hope on God is founded; and Where can we find you?

The singing was accompanied by Christine Tratt and Sandra Shepherd playing keyboards, Mark Shepherd playing guitar and with Geoff Broome and John Cleave as vocalists.

The lessons were read by Catherine Paddon and Geoff Broome.

The prayers of intercession were led by Linda Broome.

Refreshments were served after the service.

The monthly Village Coffee Morning for September was held in the Social Club on Thursday, September 4.

This month, proceeds were in aid of chapel funds and our hosts were Lesley Coxon and John Cleave.

On Sunday, August 31, the people in Stratton were able to see a new Creationtide Flag flying at the top of the Tower of St Andrew’s Church. The flag was designed by Christina Ball, approved by the church authorities, and was the winner in a competition this year to create a flag that displays Creation and the Environment in its many colours and shapes.

St Andrew’s Church has been following the endeavours of conservation by allowing some areas of the churchyard to be left wild each year until July which results in a multitude of wild flowers to set off the more disciplined care of the rest of the churchyard. In particular this year paths have been regenerated to be cleaner and safer so along with attention to the bushes and trees the whole area is a haven of peace and tranquility for the local folk to enjoy. There is seating in several areas and the church is always open in the daytime for quiet study and for appreciation of the Grade 1 building.

This month the famous East Window above the Altar has been removed by the firm of Holy Well Glass from Wells in Somerset, who over five months will restore the glazed panels to the glory created by William Morris and Edward Burne Jones in 1874. Fundraising of £52,500 approaches completion but donations are still being accepted, described in a display at the back of the church.

SCENES of pride and congratulations greeted the landlord and staff at an award-winning Bodmin pub.

The Hole in the Wall, a traditional pub based in the town, has won its third CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) award in two years with its latest accolade, the CAMRA South West pub of the year award being the first time the venue has won the prize.

The latest accolade comes after four victories in the Cornwall CAMRA pub of the year competition in the last ten years, with previous wins of the local award coming in 2015, 2016, 2024 and 2025.

Each of the winners in the local areas is then put forward to compete against each other for the regional prize for the entirety of the South West and it is this prize that the much-loved Bodmin venue successfully won for the first time.

It will now go forward to the national CAMRA pub of the year award where it will compete as one of 16 pubs, representing the regional winners of each area to win the main prize.

Steve Hall, the venue’s long serving landlord, and his team were presented with the award by Pete Bridle, the regional director for South West CAMRA, with the outside area covered by a marquee to welcome guests while the inclement weather pelted it down with rain.

Mr Bridle also took the opportunity to address those in attendance on the dangers facing the pubs ahead and encouraging them to engage in CAMRA’s efforts to ‘save the locals’.

Reacting to winning the South West pub of the year award, Steve Hall, the landlord of the Hole in the Wall said: “It is a real honour to represent Cornwall and the South West CAMRA region and to be in the last 16 for the overall national pub of the year award is a great honour for me, my excellent team, our locals and Bodmin in general.”