THE editorial team of a national award-winning east Cornish newsletter found itself in the news this week, when they were on the receiving end of three surprise presentations.

Retiring Stoke Climsland Old School News (OSN) editor Deri Parsons, former layouts designer John Wilmut, and departing distribution chief Ros Hardy, were presented with chocolates, whisky and flowers at the Old School for their years of service.

Based in Stoke Climsland’s community centre, the volunteer-run Old School News is published ten times a year and has a circulation of 4,400 throughout Callington, Stoke Climsland and surround areas.

Deri and John took over the parish magazine in 2008 and worked on it together for 72 issues. During that time it doubled in size and now offers a blend of humour, local news and club reports.

In the 2013 National Parish Magazine Awards, the magazine came second overall out of 710 entries, and in the 2015 awards was voted Best Editor.

Longtime contributor, Diana Bujold said: “I know how much time Deri put into editing the magazine, and I admire him enormously for that. Deri nagged me every month for an article. Knowing that he doesn’t suffer fools, values the OSN too much to accept complete rubbish and — however desperate for material — wouldn’t accept repeat performances if he thought them to be inadequate; I take these things as a compliment.

“Whenever John sent me the draft of the OSN to proof read, he always had the time to add a personal note, and always thanked me when I returned the proof copy. I did appreciate this, given his enormously busy schedule.”

New editor Mary Richards said: “After a combined 21 years at the tiller and two national awards, we thought it only right to mark Deri, John and Ros’ sterling efforts in turning the Old School News into what has become nationally recognised as one of the best parish magazines in the country.

“Without their hard work and inspired vision, none of this would have happened and the people of Stoke Climsland and Callington would have been deprived of a wonderful community resource — and a darned good read!”

Tesco Callington community champion Alan Woollcombe, a columnist on the magazine, who arranged the surprise and conducted the presentation, said: “It’s hard to overestimate how much these three have done for Stoke Climsland and the wider community over the years. Their work for the Old School News is just the tip of the iceberg, which includes their work as trustees for the Old School itself and as former parish councillors, not to mention John’s John O’Groats to Lands End charity fundraising walks.”