CaféSci, Launceston held its (annual since 2017) “Young Scientist of the Year” competition recently. Students from local schools were invited to give a 10 minute illustrated talk on a science or engineering topic of their choice. Students from Launceston, Bideford and Liskeard colleges competed this year.

CaféSci members who attended or live-streamed were treated to eight talks on a variety of topics. From Bideford College, Matthew Carr asked the question “Climate change tipping points: how close are we to irreversible damage?” while Freya Tonks asked “Could your next dental check-up save your life?” Also from Bideford, Maame Owuswah Amporful’s topic was “Defence and disorder: understanding immune and autoimmune diseases”. Liskeard student, Florence Castleden intrigued with “Ten thousand broken lightbulbs: the science of creativity”. Launceston College was represented by Abi Fraser who talked about “Ancient viruses within the human genome”, Jack Squires who enthusiastically discussed “Have black holes affected our understanding about the early universe and Stamatis Mavroudi-Tayler presented the results of his research into all the data produced in independent studies concerning teenage mobile phone use in “How mobile phone bans impact pupils’ education and wellbeing in secondary schools”. He reported a conclusion which will have surprised many of those present. The judges for the competition were CaféSci chair, Professor Steve Rowland FRSC C Chem, CaféSci founder, Professor Emeritus Colin Webb MBE FR , Professor Michael N Moore BSc PhD FRMS Dr Alan Malvern MA D Phil M Inst P C Phys AFHEA, Meg Walker BSc Microbiology and Genetics London PGCE, Marion McCullagh MVB MRCVS and Dr Alan Whittle. Members attending chose their own favourite for the Members’ Choice competition

The results were as follows:

2025 CaféScientifique, Launceston Young Scientist of the Year: Winner: Abi Fraser of Launceston College; Joint runners-up: Freya Tonks of Bideford College and Florence Castleden of Liskeard College

2025 CaféScientifique, Launceston Young Scientist of the Year – Members’ Choice: Winner: Abi Squires, Launceston College; Runner-up: Florence Castleden, Liskeard.

All prize winners received a money prize and a certificate by Aspire mentor, Professor Fenella Wojnarowska. All competitors who did not win a prize were awarded a CaféScientifique, Launceston Certificate of Participation with their name and title of their project in acknowledgment of all the hard work they had done to take part in the competitions. It was agreed that the standard of talks was uniformly high and getting better each year.

The money prizes were sponsored by Launceston Town Council and CaféSci,Launceston continues to be extremely grateful for this wonderful support.

As they departed after stimulating and informative evening, many members admitted they could not have done what all the entrants had done when they were their age. The future of science is in safe hands.

CaféSci, Launceston’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 9, when Dr Éric Hébrard of the University of Exeter or one of his team will be giving a talk on exo-planets Check out our website www.cafescilaunceston.org and Facebook page www.facebook.com/cafescilanson

St Mary’s provided the perfect setting for an outstanding concert on Friday, July 4, by Levowan Chamber Choir, ably directed from the piano by Mark Smith.

The large audience were treated to fourteen pieces of music, largely unaccompanied, by composers including Bob Chilcott (of King Singers’ fame), Devon composer Andrew Wilson, Sir Hubert Parry and Sir John Rutter. The Choir sang with enthusiasm and the blend of voices was perfect – something not easy to achieve in a small chamber set up.

The audience was very appreciative and an abundance of refreshments were kindly provided by members of the Parish. Levowan XII firmly believes that beautiful music should be available to all and, where possible, free of charge. Notwithstanding free entry on this occasion, £200 was raised for sorely needed church funds and additionally there were donations to further the work of this marvellous group.

Levowan XII hope to return to Launceston in the near future. In the meantime, their next concert is on Friday, July 18, in St Peter’s Church in Plymouth. More information can be found at www.levowan.com

An informal afternoon was spent when member Gloria Aze demonstrated the ancient art of Quilling. She set up all items needed so that members could design and make a card of their choice by rolling up small strips of coloured paper and guided them through the process. By the end of the afternoon cards were completed. Jan Adkins thanked her. Diana Anderson discussed final arrangements for the Lezant Horticultural Show on 9th August when the WI supply the teas and encouraged show entries from them particularly as some classes are WI themed it being their Centenary year.

Pam Ayres of poetry fame is the speaker at the hall for Cornwall at the Annual Council Meeting in October. The County WI always succeed in finding interesting speakers

Thanks must go to our secretary Cynthia Jewell who keeps us so regularly informed on all WI issues and is currently encouraging members to join the National on-line Learning Hubs.

On Friday, July 4, carers, family, friends and volunteers of Bude Memory Café were delighted to welcome Friggin Riggin.

Over the years they have been regular and much-loved entertainers but it has been quite a while since their last visit so they were greeted by a very enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Everyone joined in with singing lots of well-known songs, especially when it came to Trelawny when it resounded with a very patriotic Cornish ending! We very much look forward to another visit from them.

The Memory Café is a place where anyone with memory loss and their carer or family can meet to enjoy an afternoon of social activity. It is fun, friendly and free and we welcome new faces. We meet in the Parkhouse Centre on the first and third Friday of each month between 2pm and 4pm.

For further details contact Gill Weghofer 01288 321363 or Nicky Shaw 01288 361342.

Morning prayer - Mondays weekly at 10am.

Sunday, July 20 - Evensong at 6.30pm.

Sunday, July 20 - Holy Communion at 10am.

Make money for charities e.g. collecting plastic milk bottle tops to raise funds and awareness for e.g. DFW Blood Bikes charity. Please place them in the blue bins in the parish hall car park at Upton Cross. The free Blood Bike courier service for the NHS, transports Samples, Blood plus Products, Medical Equipment and more, visiting hospitals, GP surgeries, Dialysis Units, Air Ambulances and patient’s homes. This is all at no cost to the NHS. All riders, drivers and coordinators are volunteers.

Devon Free Wheelers link up with South West Blood Bikes and Cornwall Blood Bikes to offer a service further afield. You can donate in many ways. You can text DFW and your donation amount. Find out more, or to volunteer, visit the website: www.devonfreewheelers.org.uk

Find out more how to make money for charities via www.south-hill.co.uk/charity-recycling

Pauline Burdett of Bude led the service at the Methodist Chapel on Sunday, July 6.

Ruth Bealing gave the welcome and notices.

Pauline led us in a prayer of Thanksgiving from the Book of Common Prayer.

The service covered the period of time between the Resurrection and Pentecost.

We worshipped the Lord by singing: ‘10,000 Reasons’, ‘He is exalted, the King is exalted on High’, ‘King of Kings Majesty’, ‘Jesus, name above all name’, ‘Lord I come , I confess, bowing here I find my rest’ and ‘How Great Is Our God’.

The lesson was read by Betty Rorick.

The prayers of intercession were led by Karen Shepherd.

Refreshments were served after the service.

Rev Graham Slingo led the Holy Communion service at Morwenstow Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday 6th.

Colin Tape was the organist for the hymns: ‘Praise Him, praise Him! Jesus our Blessed’, ‘Praise to the Lord the Almighty’, ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’ and ‘All Hail the power of Jesus' name!’

The lessons were read by Jennifer Vanstone and Jill Johns.

The Holy Communion was administered by Rev Graham, assisted by Bill Cleave in the form of intinction.

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

The enthusiastic team (including Bailey the dog) from Clark’s Auction rooms got the evening underway by explaining how they pride themselves in finding new homes for treasures old and new.

Mr Clark was then on hand to provide valuations of curios that had been brought in – some nice surprises and interesting information shared. Meanwhile, the staff brought a variety of silverware to the tables for the ladies to identify hallmarks, dates, letters etc and work out where and when the items were made – a fascinating challenge, which motivated everyone to look a bit more closely at items at home!

The business part of the meeting included plenty of events that members could involve themselves in, as well as some which had been completed during the month of June – a village litter pick, a walk up Tregarrick Tor and watching a cookery demonstration (not all at the same time!)

Next meeting is on Wednesday, August 13 — the annual mystery trip, who knows where it will take us for the afternoon and evening.