BLUE skies, grey skies and a little drizzle marked a very special day in the history of the town of Camelford, when the town’s folk celebrated their church’s 80th birthday, dedicated on July 30, 1938.

A celebration weekend was designed to show the large part this beautiful little church plays in the spiritual and practical life of the town. Inside was an exhibition, in fresh and silk flowers and various other materials, depicting a year in the life of St Thomas’ Church.

Displays showing weddings, baptisms, funerals, confirmations, Christmas, Easter, Advent, Harvest and the food bank, sadly a real necessity in Camelford, demonstrated the skills within the church and town.

It was a superb team effort, but one person must be named — Val Bluett was the driving force and a tower of strength, for which the whole team and congregation expressed their thanks.

The congregation worship alongside their Methodist brothers and sisters, on a regular basis, and this was beautifully demonstrated in one of the displays. One display emphasised the importance of organ music within a service. St Thomas’ was a picture, and a focus for much joy and companionship.

The church was open for teas, coffee and cakes, and there was a service of Holy Communion on Sunday, July 29, attended by members of the town council and members of the other churches in the Camel-Allen Churches.

On the actual birthday, there was a morning prayer thanksgiving service and in the evening the four days were completed with a beautiful and rousing concert by the Boscastle Buoys.

On the Saturday afternoon, the whole town was invited for afternoon and cream teas. This was free of charge and a number of people came. The priest in charge, and the congregation wanted to give thanks for a generation who, in the 1930s, in the face of the most dreadful financial crisis, raised the money to build and furnish the church. They cannot be thanked personally but hopefully some of their great grandchildren and grandchildren could receive thanks on their behalf, and on behalf of generations who have worshipped within its walls.