AFTER a well attended combined benefice service in the morning the choir of St Mary Magdalene sang an Advent Carol Service under the direction of its musical director Dr Sean Sweeney who conducted the choir with assistant Josh Hughes playing the organ.

The service began with the congregational hymn, “O thou, Redeemer of the earth” with Amber Newton singing the first verse after which Rob Tremain welcomed a good congregation.

The choir sang a version of “Adam lay y bounden” arranged by Philip Ledger before the congregational hymn, “Come, thou long expected Jesus.”

The next choir item was “On Jordan’s bank,” to the well known tune but arranged by Malcolm Archer before the congregational hymn, “Lo, he comes with clouds descending” with words by Charles Wesley.

After the 5th lesson the choir sang the Bach chorale from the Christmas Oratorio, “Wie soll ich dich empfangen” both in German and English before the well known, “The angel Gabriel” arranged by Archer.

The congregation sang the final hymn “O come, O come. Emmanuel” before an address by Methodist Minister, David Millar who also read the collect for Advent Sunday and the closing prayers before Josh Hughes played a fugue in C major by JS Bach.

The lessons were read by Kate Hancock and Mike Warne from the choir, Bill Roberts, Geraldine Rennie and Don Sharpe from the congregation at St Mary’s and Sue Howe, Andrew Baker and Rev David Millsar from Central Methodist Church.

Next Sunday the choir will be singing choral evensong at the usual time of 5.30pm.

Chairman Ivor Davy open the meeting on Friday, November 21, with a minute’s silence for member Tony Adams who had recently passed away.

He then introduced Paul Lewin director and general manger of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Paul started of by telling members he had now been involved with the railways for 46 years starting as a volunteer before becoming general manger a post he now held for 23 years making him one of the longest serving GM’s of a heritage railway in the country.

In this time he has seen the railways grow to 40 miles of track with a turnover of 7.1-million pounds a year. There are now 95 full time staff 800 volunteers and 6000 members of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Trust. Also 10-million pounds in grants has been raised for the railway. Paul then went on to give an update of recent activities on the railways. Firstly telling of the South African locomotive NG15 No134 that had arrived in the 1990’s and had three attempts to rebuild it.

Finally this year it ran on the railway fully restored. The railway was offered two of the electric locomotives that were surplus from the construction the new sewer called the Tideway in London. These loco’s weigh 14 tons which is ideal for the railway and are proving very useful for shunting at Boston Lodge Works. They are charged up using power from the solar panels on the workshop roof making them very environmentally friendly.

The workshops at Boston Lodge Works which have stood for nearly 200 years were talked about in great detail. Due the limit amount of space a site for the new carriage shed was created by reclaiming land on the seaward side by placing large steel piles in the ground and back filling with rocks. 10 million pounds as been spent on restoring the original builings as it is part of world heritage site. These buildings are now being used for modern purposes such as running the railways IT system. The workshops have built new locomotives in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. There is now guided tours of the works.

As it was the railways 70th year in preservation and 200th anniversary of the first passenger train in the country this year the Ffestniog marked this by putting 200 wheels on the Cob. This was done with 28 steam locomotives which formed a cavalcade from Porthmadog to Boston Lodge.

Paul then concluded with a look at the locomotive Velinheli. This engine had spent many years at the Launceston Steam Railway. In 2018 it left Launceston and went to Kings Cross Station where it was on static display for a short while. From there it was taken to the Ffestiniog Railway as by this time the boiler had been condemned. After another inpection at Boston Lodge this was confirmed to be the case. The decision was taken to build a new bolier this was done in conjuction with the railway at Launceston with a number of the pieces being made in the workshop at Launceston. All this was put together in Wales and the finished engine was painted with Midland Red paint that Paul had found under the stairs at his fathers house. Velinheli returned to steam in 2024 and now carries the nameplates Felinheli which is it true Welsh name pronounced in the same way as the V does not exist in the Welsh language. Paul was asked whether Velinheli would every return to Launceston. He said both himself and Nigel Bowman would like this to happen however the transport costs were now very high to make this possible.

The next meeting is on December 19 when Bernard Mills will be showing pictures of his travels around Britain in 2025. The meeting starts at 7pm.

The First Sunday of Advent was celebrated at St Petroc Church, Hollacombe by the first Advent Carol Service to be held at St Petroc.

It was led by Rev Alison Hardy who after each of the five readings gave a short explanation of the text. Refreshments followed.

The other services to be held at St Petroc for this great season are Christingle on December 14 at 3pm, Midnight Mass at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, 10am on Christmas Day and the traditional carol service at 2.30pm on Saturday, December 27, with refreshments to follow.

Twenty-six members of the Lezant Lunch Club met at Strawberry Fields restaurant on Wednesday, November 26.

Members enjoyed a delicious menu with a choice of three main courses and four desserts, followed by tea or coffee.

We will return to Trebullett Hall for our annual Christmas meal next month. It will be held on Wednesday 10th December 10, and we will be entertained by the children of Trekenner School afterwards.

The cost to members will be £5 for two courses plus tea or coffee. Phone Ruth on 01566 782286 to book.

Barbara welcomed everyone to our craft session meeting with our member Julia Terry.

We began by singing Jerusalem. We received lots of positive feedback for the October open meeting with Nigel and Sarah Hicks from OVAID.

Although not a WI activity, Lynn, Ruth and several members and friends managed to send off 36 shoe boxes for the Romania appeal, well done all what a fantastic effort.

Sue produced another great newsletter, everyone is very happy with this important part of keeping members in touch with all that is going on.

This is a report of thank-yous as we extend another huge well done and thank you to all the poppy makers - keep on making them - we will make room for them all, Lewdown and Stowford Hall looked stunning with their display.

After a bit more business, Barbara handed over to Julia, who started to explain and show us how to stylishly decorate a polystyrene bauble. Julia brought lots of lovely pieces of fabric, sequins, pins & ribbons. The hall went very quiet for a bit as we all concentrated on creating our masterpiece, whilst trying to avoid not to get too sticky or get glued to our bauble. While waiting for the glue to dry on our nearly completed baubles refreshments were served, what delicious biscuits Joyce made. After a bit of chatter over tea we finished off our baubles by attaching a ribbon and a bow. They all looked lovely and everyone had a really nice time, even those members who are not normally into craft making. Thank you Julia for your time and patience, it must have taken quite a while to do all the prep work.

The date and venue for next meeting is on Monday December 8, at 7pm in Lewdown Victory Hall, which will be the WI’s Christmas party.

Dates for your diary: December 18, coffee morning; January 12, monthly meeting at 7pm; January 15, coffee morning.

Walks are suspended until the spring.

Callington Lions have raised nearly £1,000 for St Luke’s Hospice following a packed evening of Cornish comedy, music and community fundraising.

The group hosted entertainer Johnny Cowling, drawing a lively crowd for a night of laughs, singing and traditional pasties in support of the much-loved local hospice.

A raffle featuring two extra-large hampers – complete with St Luke’s “forget-me-not” flower kits – helped boost the total to £955.52.

The Saltash Tamar Lions also lent their support by running the bar and pledging to donate all profits to the cause.

Callington Lions recently welcomed Sarah Wallis from St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth to receive the cheque. Members said St Luke’s holds a special place in the hearts of many locally, and that raising the money – and handing it over – was “an absolute joy.”