THE bell from the Bencoolen ship, which was wrecked 150 years ago, was lent for the recent commemoration service in Bude.

Following the storm on October 21, 1862 in which the 'Bencoolen' was wrecked with a great loss of life, T H Hills bought the ship's bell for 50 shillings and transported it back to Port Isaac in the 'Telegraph'.

The bell was later hung in a small wooden belfry on what was the United Methodist Church and was rung on Sundays to 'call the faithful to worship'.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.