A POSTMAN from Bude who captured national attention on The Great British Sewing Bee is set to share his inspiring story with members of the Harrowbarrow and Metherell WI.

Tony Rea, who appeared on the popular BBC One programme in 2023, will speak about his sewing journey during a special event at Harrowbarrow and Metherell Village Hall on May 20, starting at 7.30pm.

Organisers say the evening will give members and non-members the chance to hear how Tony taught himself sewing skills that eventually led him onto national television.

Known locally around the Cornish coast, Tony can often be seen delivering post, skateboarding along promenades or cycling through country lanes on one of his many bikes. However, his current lifestyle is a far cry from his earlier career as an international manufacturing manager, where he travelled extensively around the world and lived in the Far East.

During long-haul flights, Tony would pass the time by crocheting and knitting. After changing careers around three years ago, he decided to try sewing using his wife’s old sewing machine to make a bag for his knitting supplies. From there, his passion quickly developed into designing and creating his own clothes, many inspired by 1990s skater fashion.

Since taking up sewing, Tony has created cycling gear and an entire handmade wardrobe, with his creativity and self-taught skills helping him become a memorable contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee.

Away from sewing, Tony has served as secretary of his local mountain bike club, has competed in ultra-marathons, enjoys sea swimming and is known for entertaining people with card tricks and even fire juggling.

The Harrowbarrow and Metherell WI said the event is open to everyone, not just WI members. The group’s competition theme for the evening will be “Flower of the Month”.

For further details, people can contact Jean on 07825 092392.

CHURCH services:

St Melor's, Linkinhorne — Morning prayer, Mondays weekly at 10am. On Sunday, May 24, morning prayer at 11am.

St Paul's, Upton Cross — Sunday, May 24, Pentecost celebration with communion at 10am.

THIS has now moved back to Sunday afternoons, every third Sunday of the month from 3pm to 5pm at Rilla Mill Retreat Centre.

We have crafts and activities loosely based on a Bible theme followed by a shared meal. All welcome, come by yourself or with friends/family. Do get in touch if you want more information. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information contact Maxine Browne on 01579 362611.

THE tower bells were rung to welcome everyone to the service when the Rt Rev David Williams, Lord Bishop of Truro came to St Melor's Church at Linkinhorne.

Afternoon tea was enjoyed by everyone followed by Evensong lead by Lay Minister, Roy Cooper and the sermon was delivered by Bishop David.

The organist for the service was Roger Webster and the offerings were taken by Kim and Buzzy Howat. Thanks to all those who provided the tasty tea and helped in any way.

THE afternoon of March 3 saw the Cornwall Heritage Trust hold their first public consultation about the future of The Minions Heritage Centre, writes Beryl Martin.

Held at Darite we have been promised one in Linkinhorne later in the year. Notes were collected with views which seemed to be in favour of retaining it as a Heritage Centre, with several wanting a community space for the village. I am not sure or whether it was a reflection of the loss of the pub.

The Cornwall Mountain Rescue Group had a practice day on the Moor. Also Contractors working for the Duchy were seen checking the fencing around the Duchy owned mine shafts. Given the very wet weather during the Winter and reports elsewhere in Cornwall of shaft collapses, if you are out walking and see something you think worrying, please report it.

Consultation notices have appeared in Minions for a 20mph speed limit in the core of the village but would finish at the chapel, and not extend down to Duchy Terrace, unless I misheard. Speed watch reported at the Parishes' AGM that have 10 volunteers from Minions. This is a personal view but Minions desperately needs a resident on the Parish Council which has five vacancies. Speak to the Parish Clerk if interested.

THE group have had several connected themes through the last few weeks, navigation around Upton Cross, also blindfold navigation and first aid where the Beavers rescued a teddy stuck in a tree and cared for him with lots of bandages.

There was wild food foraging and an Easter Egg hunt. The other groups have continued with their staffs and been in the Woods with of course, marshmallows. Report by Sarah Doney.

TWO meetings in one this month – as May is our AGM too.

During the AGM section, we heard reports of the year from the president, secretary and vice treasurer. These showcased the many and varied activities, events, meetings and visits members have taken part in. We have also donated over £775 to other charities (Marie Curie, Macmillan, Air Ambulance to name a few).

Prizes were given to the highest points in monthly competitions across the year — For flowers: 1st Sue Turpin, 2nd Jill Pascoe, 3rd Frances Tucker. For monthly ones: 1st Alison Willis, 2nd Verna Dawe, 3rd Jenny Rendle.

Members enjoyed a slice of cake, celebrating our 78th birthday, beautifully decorated by vice president Jean.

Our speaker – Helen Searle (an ex Pensilva WI member) gave us an insight into nursing on both St Helena and The Falkland Islands – accompanied with some amazing photos of penguins, amazing landscapes and fascinating facts. We were surprised how the terrain on the Falklands was so similar to Dartmoor. Great contrasts, but the care of the medical teams she was part of shone through. She is now considering her next adventure.

May’s competition results were: Flower of the month: 1st Verna Dawe, 2nd Jenny Rendle, 3rd Cherry Woodhouse (with Solomon’s tears).

A first aid kit: 1st Mary Yates, 2nd Jo Hodgkinson.

Pensilva WI continue to collect used stamps for CFWI.

Horticulture show - September 12 - schedules are now available.

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 10, at 7.15pm – a talk on The Mercy Ships by Mike Temple.

Contact us with any enquiries at [email protected]

LEZANT Women’s Institute May meeting at Trebullett was an open meeting which caused much interest and encouraging attendance when Jackie Warren introduced Neil Bridges and colleague Barbara of The Cornwall Advanced Drivers, Neil being the chairman of this Cornish volunteering group formed in 2010 who have just acquired charity status.

He presented a slide show showing what all drivers should be aware of and explained this is a Cornish road safety group who give talks and focus on training whoever wants to be a safer driver, often taken up by the over 70-year-olds. There is a small fee which covers this training, membership, and the test itself and anyone interested can have a free taster session.

All tutors are volunteers and offer to take people out for an hour on 10 occasions before taking a test if they wish to do so. They also now offer such sessions to under 25-year-olds to give them more road safety skills and are wishing to get that message out to these younger people encouraging them to be a driver for a year before joining this programme.

Mr Bridges recommended the Police Roadcraft Book as a very good buy.

His main theme was be observant and always be prepared to stop in the distance you can see. Think ’Only a fool breaks the two seconds rule to keep behind a car.’

Ann Foster thanked him for his informative talk.

The new programme for the year had been sent out to everyone. A new What’s app group was discussed, as an easy way to contact everyone.

Next month, member Liz Whitley is giving a talk on cheese judging – ‘it’s a tough life but someone has to do it’. This is on Wednesday, June 10, at 2pm. Everyone welcome to come along.

JOHN and Jean Statton most ably led Rehoboth Singalong on Sunday, May 9.

John provided many amusing and interesting stories from his domestic life and his garden, using them to illustrate truths of the Christian Faith. Jean made many valuable contributions. John and Jean are always well received at Rehoboth.

Supper followed the well attended event. Barbara Uglow played the chapel organ. The charity box continues at the back of the chapel.