25 years ago

August 20, 1998

After a lapse of five years St Gennys has had a carnival which was held in the field behind the Crackington Institute, the field was lent by Mr and Mrs Rex Ward.

The North Cornwall and West Devon Branch of the Burma Star Association held their annual VJ dinner and dance at the Eagle House Hotel, Launceston, on the evening of Thursday, August 13. The occasion was enhanced by the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Launceston, Cllr Colin and Mrs Doreen Warne, who were the honoured guests.

Up all night organising the Delabole Horticultural Show and setting up, but Trevor Wills still raised a smile, and so he should with best local veg, best local flower, best dahlia, best local rose, winner of class 27 and top vase bronze medal.

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40 years ago

August 20, 1983

The cast of the Peregrine Players’ highly successful and amusing production of ‘Waltz of the Toreadors’ by John Anouilh at the theatre, Holsworthy, were commended.

Mrs R J Burden crowned Joanns Lees as St Gennys Carnival Fairy Queen for 1983.

The chairman of Bude Theatre Club, Mrs Ivy Joll, presented a cheque for £283 after one of the club’s summer show performances, to Mr Gordon Bath, representing St Blazey House, Par.

Altarnun Carnival Queen (Jennie Brown) and her attendants (Lucy Howitt and Heather Murphy) were crowned in front of Launceston’s Mayor (Mrs Cynthia Buckingham) and her consort together with the town crier (Mr Robert Tremain) and Mr Douglas Edwards (chairman).

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50 years ago

August 18, 1973

Holsworthy’s popular town crier came second in the National Town Crier’s Championship at Hastings. He tied with three others at the first hearing and thus took part in a ‘re-run’. As a result, he was placed second with the championship going to Mr Ben Johnson of Fowey.

It was announced yesterday (Thursday) that Poughill were the winners of the Cornwall Tidy Village competition for 1973. The result was not known on Poughill Revel Day which was opened by Mrs A Yeo who was presented with a bouquet by Carolyn Barker.

One of the sights of the afternoon at Launceston Rugby Club’s first sponsored obstacle race was Di Dennis, Peter Cotton, Mervyn Copp and Jill Thorne holding hands to go over the see-saw. The race was won by Paul Hicks.

The presentation of a cheque was made to Rev J B Healey by Mr M C Hicks on behalf of the Delabole Methodist Churches. This followed Rev Healey’s farewell service at Medrose Church on Sunday evening.

Bude-Stratton Urban councillors a their meeting on Friday offered no objection to a request from Bude Rugby Club to set up a playing pitch at The Marshes.

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60 years ago

August 17, 1963

Among outstanding aircraft apprentices who have completed their training at No One Radio School, RAF Locking, Somerset, and received Air Ministry prizes was aircraft apprentice John Herbert Parkin, 19, of Forda, North Petherwin. Educated at Launceston College, he joined the RAF in September, 1960.

Messrs H M Martyn and Co, of Borough Bridgerule, have sold a young boar to the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, whose representatives visited the farm to select the animal.

Launcells new village hall was officially opened on Saturday by Mr R G Pomeroy, of Bradworthy. Among those attending the ceremony was Mr J J Smeeth, of Poundstock, who was president for the day. He was introduced by Mr E Honey, chairman of the management committee.

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70 years ago

August 22, 1953

One of the oldest houses in Launceston is in its death throes. Madford House is dying. Messrs John Garrett and son, builders, Plymouth, during the past six or seven weeks, have been steadily dismantling this ancient house. The Inland Revenue offices which adjoin this house will remain.

The need for road improvements at Pennygillam, emphasised recently at Launceston Sessions, was stressed again at Monday’s meeting of Launceston Town Council.

There will be no cattle, sheep or pig classes at Okehampton show next month — for the second successive year — because of two cases of foot-and-mouth disease in North Devon.

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80 years ago

August 21, 1943

Killed in action: William G Kemp, of Kelly Bray; Capt G D Spread, of Berridon Hall, Bradworthy. Wounded in action: Ernest Dymond, of Germansweek. Prisoner of war: Sgt Harold Philip, RA, of Callington.

US soldiers, stationed in the district have on several occasions rendered valuable assistance to bathers in difficulty at Bude and on Monday they saved a man’s life by forming a human chain to rescue him.

A brother and sister, Gladys (12) and David (9) Fansome, have made perfect attendances at Coads Green Council School for five years and four years respectively.

Launceston’s War Savings have passed the £1-million mark; the local hon secretary Mr R H Keast, reports that since 1940 a total of £1,072,250 has been invested.

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90 years ago

August 26, 1933

Two tramps who refused to break stones after staying at the Page’s Cross Institution, Launceston, were sent to prison for 14 days by the Borough Magistrates on Monday.

A stupid practical joke deprived Okehampton of water last weekend. Someone blocked the mouth of the intake at Yes tor, and as a result householders were to be seen going from door to door with pitchers and jugs begging for water.

Stratton and Bude Urban Council are complaining of the nuisance of street musicians: Coun G A Gaite said that they did not want to be “down” on the unemployed, but there were three such bands within an hour at Queen Street recently.

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100 years ago

August 25, 1923

Archdeacon Du Boulay, who is retiring, and his family received presentations from their parishioners at Lawhitton on Monday. The several gifts were presented by Mr R B Rogers, Rector’s Warden, Misses L and F Bowden.

Miss Perry, of Newport Villa, Launceston, and formerly of Dorset Boyton, is taking the place of Miss H B Jones (retiring) as Matron of Rowe Infirmary, Launceston.