Fowl fire — Holsworthy Fire Brigade were called to a small fire in a poultry house at Clawton on June 21.

Year 10 pupils from Launceston College have been working on a project to redesign the function room at the Central Methodist Church. They include Treeve Harding, Michael Houghton, Rev Stephen Emery-Wright, Clare Parsons, Beth Strasman and their teacher Andrew Pepper.

Opponents of a scheme to build 59 new homes in Launceston’s Kensey Valley are under “a serious misunderstanding”, says town and district councillor Graham Facks-Martin. He told his colleagues on Launceston Town Council — whose planning committee has opposed the Wimpey Homes scheme to develop off Kensey Hill. “This area of land has had full planning permission for some 11 years.”

Barry Whitlock of Virginstow found more than he bargained for in his garden recently, writes Sara Fuller. Barry, who has lived in the village for years seven years, was out in his garden when after seeing three toads, came across a fourth one, by mistake. On first inspection, Barry said: “I was worried that I had hurt it, as the shape of it looked abnormal,” but after closer inspection, he found the toad had an added feature — a fifth leg!

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Gales and rain drove the exemption and family dog show at Poundstock under cover, but didn’t stop nearly 30 dogs competing. The show, organised by Poundstock Conservative Association, was held at Trekennard House, by courtesy of Mr and Mrs W Bailey. Nine-year-old Julie Hopper, of Bude, won the puppy cup with her Jack Russell, Spotty, while the veteran award went to Afghan hound, Ciggy, 11-year-old and owned by Mrs Joan Wonnacott, of Widemouth Bay.

Counter clerk Mrs Jennifer Balsdon, who foiled an attempted raid at Stratton Post Office, was on Monday rewarded for her cool-headed action. Mrs Balsdon was alone in the office in February when a hooded man threatened to smash the counter screen unless she handed over cash. Mrs Balsdon pressed the alarm and the would-be robber fled empty-handed. Mr Garry Gowans, head postmaster of Plymouth, presented her with a £30 cheque and a bouquet of flowers. He described Mrs Balsdon’s actions as being in the best traditions of the post office service.

Camelford traders’ ghost town fears — Shopkeepers in Camelford, who have a 30-year-old tradition of displaying their wares on the pavement outside their stores, have been told they must remove them or face prosecution. The shopkeepers, some of whom are defying the demand, fear Camelford could be turned into a ghost town if the ruling is enforced.

Farmer’s wife, Mrs Sue O’Reilly, 27, mother of two, of Rectory Farm, Beaworthy, takes over this week as “The Post” news correspondent for Halwill.

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Members of the Court Leet met at Holsworthy under the direction of the Portreeve, Mr F Kellaway, who mentioned the loss they had sustained through the passing of three loyal members. Messrs R H Penhale, S J Rowland and J E Stacey. It is hoped new members will be confirmed at the next meeting.

Long service awards were presented to Ambulance Sergeant J C Linnard. Nursing Sergeant A A Linnard and Ambulaceman C Manning at the annual inspection of the Bude-Stratton Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

Tintagel Primary School’s summer fete was opened by Councillor F Whiting, who was accompanied by his wife. She was presented with a bouquet by twins Brian and Andrew Cook. Mr Whiting being presented with a buttonhole buy Joanne Pennington.

Mike Barriball won the final of the go-kart racing organised by Launceston Lions at the Football Ground, Pennygillam, with Mrs Hester Finnamore convincingly winning the ladies’ race.

The team cup was presented by Mrs R Mitchell to her daughter, Margaret, the captain of the winning red team at Clawton Primary School’s annual sports day.

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At the official opening of the swimming pool at Boscastle Primary School, the headmaster, Mr Lewin, introduced Mrs T Symons and spoke appreciatively of her untiring efforts on behalf of the pool project. Mr Clive Dunhill of Westward TV performed the opening ceremony.

The Bishop of Truro, the Right Rev J M Key, instituted Rev Leslie Gurth Fothergill as Vicar of Poughill. Other officiating clergy included Rev S F Andrews, Rector of Jacobstow.

There are two candidates for the vacant Stratton seat on the county council, caused by the death of Mr E E Cory, of St Gennys. Mr S N Gubbin, of Week St Mary, and Mr S P Grylls, of North Tamerton, are both farmers and members of Stratton Rural Council.

Properties for sale: Detached bungalows on level, near sea, at Widemouth Bay, from £3,800, with garage.

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Mr W G Mooney, a founder member of Launceston Rotary Club, has just been elected president of the club for the coming year. Mr Mooney, who has been junior and senior vice-president respectively for the past two years, was on Monday invested with the insignia of his new office by the retiring president, Mr C R L Lees.

Mr H Spencer Toy, headmaster of Launceston College since it was formed on the amalgamation of Dunheved College and Horwell Grammar School for Boys in 1931, is to retire at the end of the year. Mr D F Rowe, senior English master at Bedford School, is to succeed him.

The Rector of Lifton, Rev R N de B Welchman, successfully applied to the local valuation panel for a reduction on the rate assessment of Lifton’s new Church Hall. The rated of £30 gross was reduced to £15 gross £9 rateable.

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Pte L R Adams, of Ferndale, Chapple, Launceston, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield in Italy, and Cpl R K Martin, DCLI, of Callington, has gained a similar honour for risking his life to rescue wounded from a minefield in North West Europe.

Other awards to local Servicemen: British Empire Medal — S/Sgt W B Warner, RASC, Wadebridge. MBE — W/Cdr F E Frayne, RAF (VR), youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs James Frayne, of Pipers Pool. MBE — Ldg Wrtr E J Wey, of Manaton, Widemouth. BEM (for Home Guard service) — Pte Jennings, of Hals, Kilkhampton (who gained the MM in the first war). BEM — CP L M Hooper, Wrens, daughter of Mrs and the late Mr C Wadge, of Egloshayle Road, Wadebridge (her husband was drowned on active service with the RNR). Mentioned in despatches — F/Sgt E M Bickle, of the Crescent, Lifton.

Mr Royland Jordan, of North Tamerton, has been appointed organist and choirmaster of St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Launceston. He commenced his career at 13 as the boy organist at North Petherwin church and later played at Werrington before becoming organist and choirmaster at Holsworthy Parish Church. He is at present serving in HM Forces.

Col A Treve Holman has outlined a scheme which would link a harbour of refuge at Padstow with a canal across Cornwall to Fowey, via Wadebridge and Bodmin.

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Miss Jane Olde, of Clifton House, Boscastle, won the buttermaking championship at the Royal Show, Newcastle, last Saturday. Miss Monica Olde, also of Boscastle, was third.

The new pavilion at Budehaven recreation ground replacing the old corrugated iron hut, was declared open last week by Admiral Sir Douglas Nicholson.

Miss May Caroline Prouse is this year’s Pretty Maid of Holsworthy St Peter’s Fair.

Launceston Football Club had a successful season, it was reported at the annual meeting on Monday, reducing the old debt by £37. The players have met all their own expenses and not a single match has been cancelled. It was suggested that some Thursday football be played in the town, even if only by a schoolboys’ team. The club chairman is Mr A W Johns and the secretary is Mr W Worden.

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Owing to the double dipping order coming into force on Tuesday, there were few sheep on offer at Holsworthy St Peter’s Fair on Wednesday. There was a good number of cattle and horses, however, while the upper and lower squares of the town were packed with amusements. This year’s Pretty Maid is Miss Elen Medland, of London House, Holsworthy.

The 16th annual sports of the Delabole Athletic Association on Thursday was preceded by a service or remembrance at the war memorial on which Mr W H Hawke, Delabole’s “grand old man”, placed a wreath to the association. Prizes amounted to £100 for the sports, in which competitors from several counties took part.

The county vagrancy committee, agter inspecting Camelford workhouse, commented on the antiquity of the cradle there, which was the oldest they have ever seen.

A football innovation at Launceston has been the formation of a supporters’ club for the Clarets. One of their first objectives is to be the provision of a new roof for the grandstand.