25 years ago

May 4, 2000

Events are already being planned to help give two Launceston boys who suffer from cerebral palsy the chance to do the kind of things we all take for granted. Michael Spence, aged five, and Jack Sinton, almost four, need special equipment to help them move independently and safely. This will cost a total of £14,000 and although St Stephens Special Unit at Launceston has more than £3,000 promised, many more contributions and fundraising events are needed to hit the target. The appeal to raise the rest of the money was launched in the ‘Post’, which is contributing a £150 cheque and planning a special event.

A national survey claims that housebreakers generally steer clear of the Holsworthy area, but local people say that even one burglary is more than enough.

A post has become vacant for someone to help relieve the stress and tension among farmers and others in the rural community in North and West Devon. The post, based at the Shebbear Methodist Circuit, has become available because the current holder, Deacon Anita Hart, is moving to Norfolk.

In the latest blow to Holsworthy employment the Meggitt Electronic Components factory closed on scheduled last Friday.

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40 years ago

May 4, 1985

Trudging bravely along on his 100-mile sponsored wheelchair push this week is Bill Kneebone, landlord of the Bullers Arms, Marhamchurch. Just a few blisters forming at this stage and many a mile to go from the Devon border to Land’s End. In the chair was John Chubb the development officer of Cornwall Phab — the Physically Handicapped and Abled Bodied organisation. The money raised by the fabulous push — and both Bill and John hope it will be a lot — is going towards holidays which Phab organises each year for its members.

A £1,000,000-plan expansion plan by an Okehampton fruit processing firm was given the go ahead on Monday to set it on the road to becoming the “most modern food factory in Britain”. Messrs G R Spinks and Co which processes fruit products for the dairy and food industries, will more than treble its existing factory, warehouse and office space by moving from North Road to the Exeter Road industrial estate.

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50 years ago

May 3, 1975

International Women’s Year notched up another blow for political emancipation when Miss Ann Brown was elected unopposed to head the North Cornwall Tory organisation as its new chairman.

Kevin Axford, of West Clawton, playing his tenor horn, made a clean sweep at the West of England Talent competition in the Public Hall, Liskeard. He won a total of seven trophies.

Mrs Vicky Ball, of Bude, win the Miss West Britain title at the National Amateur Body Building Association’s competition at Timsbury, near Bath.

Mr Brian Inch was the compere at the choosing of Bude and Stratton Lions Club Carnival Queen of 1975 with the winner being Miss Susan Dell.

Launceston St John Nursing Cadets won the county finals at Bodmin. In the team were C/Ldr Lynda King, Sgt Diane Seager, C/Ldr Rosemary Parnell and Cpl Carolyn Stephens with C/Ldr Nicola Gilbert reserve. The team was trained by Superintendent Mrs J D M Martin.

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60 years ago

May 8, 1965

A warning was given at Holsworthy Rural Council meeting that people who put up posters on other than authorised hordings in Holsworthy and district might find themselves prosecuted for breaches of county bye-laws.

Launceston and District Farmers’ Club are organising a day-trip to Paris. The party will fly from Exeter airport to Beauvais and then leave by coach for Paris. The cost to each passenger is estimated at £12.

Bude won the Westward Ho! cup by beating Fremington 4-2 in the final. Goal-scorers for Bude were Rickard, Higham, Madge and Huxtable.

Mrs Peter Kivell opened the green and threw the first wood at Stratton bowling club. She was welcomed by the president. Mr H Heard, and the president’s spoon competition was won by Mr L Jolliffe. The tea convenor was Miss M Westlake.

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70 years ago

May 7, 1955

At a meeting of the Launcells branch of the National Union of Agricultural Workers on Friday, a resolution was passed supporting the Union’s claim for a 44 hour week.

Among cars sold at the Exeter car auction in Exeter Market in April were a 1946 Sunbeam Talbot saloon, £300; 1940 Alvis 14 saloon, £196; and a 1938 Hillman Minx saloon, £117.

With the dissolution of Parliament, Sir Harold Roper, the sitting MP for North Cornwall, concludes his duties at Westminster today and will be hurrying down to Cornwall for his adoption meeting at Wadebridge tonight.

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80 years ago

May 5, 1945

Died on service: Pte Bernard William Copplestone, of Treyeo House, Bridgerule.

For an act of bravery in saving life when a launch blew up, Lieut G (John) Heard, of Bude, has been awarded the BEM.

With Berlin captured and the surrender of the German armies in Italy, the war in Europe is nearing its end. Further local prisoners of war have been liberated among them Pte C R Fanson, Kilkhampton; Kitch Fry, Boscastle; Mark Henry Worth, Hoopers Lane, Gunnislake; Lewis Colwill, Townsend, Stratton; Pte S Jordan, Woodford, Morwenstow; Mr Pearce, Whitstone Head; Sgt R Collings and Pte Leslie Walsh, both of Harrowbarrow.

A project started in 1933 – the playing field at Bealswood at Gunnislake – is now completely paid for, and is to be administered by a committee including: President, Mr A Stephens; chairman and treasurer, Lieut S E Gray; secretary, Mr W J C Pyne.

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90 years ago

May 11, 1935

In every town and village there were scenes of great jubilation on Monday to celebrate the silver jubilee of His Majesty King George V and Queen Mary. At Launceston there were sports, a free tea for 1,000 children, old age pensioners, unemployed, etc, the presentation of mugs to all the children, a circus in the Castle Green and a fete. At Camelford the day was marked by the issue of a souvenir programme and a parish history, and the borough bounds were beaten by over 300 people. Delabole’s celebrations included a competition for the best decorated house. At Holsworthy the celebrations included the presentation of medals to local firemen.

The Port Isaac Choral Society, conducted by Mr Ronald James, with fisherman bass, Mr Jack Collings as soloist, made their first broadcast on Wednesday from Bodmin.

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100 years ago

May 9, 1925

The first round-up for over 20 years of all the ponies running on the East Cornwall moors took place on Monday. Despite thick mist, about 200 ponies were swept into East Moor Gate, and at a meeting at Five Lanes that night, the chairman of the committee concerned (Major Rodd) said everything had gone satisfactorily. The intention is to breed a smaller type of pony for the future as there animals are sold for pit ponies and of recent years have been getting too big.

Mr J Huggins, who was Portreeve of Callington at the time the Court Leat ceased to exist, has now presented the town with the mayoral chain of office to be worn by the future chairman of the urban council.