The highly prestigious annual Pensilva WI harvest auction was held as October’s meeting. Of course, the customary bring and share supper ensured that everyone was well fed, energised and ready to spend their money.

With hammer in hand, president, Verna rattled through many bids for a range of produce. Competition was fierce for all kinds of fruit and vegetables, jams, chutneys, even a wooden camel full of nuts(!) The highlight was a decorated homemade Christmas cake taken home by a generous bidder.

Exciting news was received from County Federation - Pensilva WI has won the ‘Digital Pioneer’ Competition award for being trailblazers - the first WI in County to sign up to the new initiative of having our own email address - [email protected]

Also, Mary Yates has won the Boslowick Cup, for press officers who have taken the role on in the last year, what a nice surprise. Cups will be presented by Cornwall County federation at the AGM in Truro, where Pam Ayres will be speaking.

Posies were given to members who had birthdays this month; Mary Lake, Verna Dawe and Rachael Palmer. A special congratulations posy was also given to a member who was recently a blushing bride!

The Macmillan coffee morning was a very successful and well supported event – thanks to everyone who came along and enjoyed cakes, coffee, company and some great raffle prizes – an amazing total of £328.70 was raised for this worthy cause.

We are continuing to collect used stamps for CFWI and are always happy to receive more, drop into the box at Millennium house or give to any WI member.

Entering its 105th year of dancing in Launceston, the Launceston Folk Dance Club started another year of dancing in September.

It has been meeting every Tuesday in the St Johns Ambulance Hall and plans to do so for the coming year with callers planned. Callers call out instructions which everyone benefits from!

The club continues to hold its twice yearly dances in the Town Hall when live bands come with callers to lead the evenings dancing. The bands come from far afield- Collumpton, Dartmoor, further West and on October 25 the band "Mooncoin" with Anne their caller from Torbay will be at the Town Hall.

The bands are full of praise for the facilities and venue that Launceston Town Hall provides. Next years dances have already been organised with bands from Dartmoor and and Somerset-so it shows that the club is keen to attract new members-for fun, exercise and folkdancing is ideal for singles and couples.

The town hall dances welcome dancers from as far afield as the rest of Cornwall and even Somerset.

North Hill Parish Council held their monthly meeting last night, the October 6 at North Hill Village Hall.

Several members of the public were in attendance who wanted to speak in relation to a planning application, many of whom left following item three public comments. Two members of the public stayed for the remainder of the meeting to listen to current issues.

One planning application was discussed:

PA25/06850 – Yellow on the Broom, Blythes Farm, North Hill – application for permission in principle for the construction of dwellings, a minimum of four, maximum of nine – Several members of the public raised objection to the application during the public comments. Multiple concerns were raised varying from the site not being well located in relation to existing settlements, the application not sitting comfortably with North Hill’s neighbourhood development plan and the negative environmental impact. North Hill Parish Council discussed the application later in the meeting and it was resolved to make recommendations to Cornwall Council objecting to the application.

Other matters discussed included general maintenance and repair work to the play area including the need for new posts and chains around the car park. Concerns were raised that bikes had been entering the field area and driving around. It was agreed that the handyman would replace the posts and chains as a matter of urgency to ensure that this could not continue.

The clerk was also tasked to obtain new shackles for the swings. The laying of the wreath for Remembrance Day which is due to take place on Sunday, November 9, at 3pm at Congdon’s Shop was confirmed, members of the public are welcome to attend. It was also resolved to fund new pads for the defibrillator at North Hill and confirm when this defibrillator was likely to need replacement. The poor state of the roads in the parish was again discussed with the clerk being asked to report several matters to Highways.

Several councillors agreed that pot holes and blocked drains are an ongoing problem, causing incidents and potentially dangerous accidents in the area. Although the clerk reports road defects on a regular basis, members of the public are also strongly encouraged to report pot holes themselves via the following link: Potholes - Cornwall Council.

The next parish council meeting is due to take place on November 3 at North Hill Village Hall at 7.30pm. The meeting welcomes members of the public to attend and raise any issues they may have.

The first meeting of the new Callington and St Ive Wesley Guild session, was held on Monday, October 6.

This was a Devotional evening, led by Rev Tim Wilkinson, with Holy Communion. Including questions/points of thoughts. After a time of discussions in small groups. Led to some interesting feedback.

The next meeting will be on Monday, October 20, at Callington Methodist Church, starting at 7.30pm. Held in the Guild room.

This will be a talk on the work of Mercy Ships. All are welcome.

A concert will be given by The Sterts Singers, at St Ive Parish Church on Sat 18th Oct starting at 7.30pm. Refreshments and raffle, will be during the interval. All are welcome.

The United morning service will be on Sunday, October 19, at St Ive Parish Church, starting at 11.15am. Tea/coffee served following the service. All are welcome.

Morning prayer - Mondays weekly at 10am.

Sunday, October 19 — Evensong at 6.30pm.

Sunday, October 19 - Communion at 10am.

Maxine Browne reports that the meeting took place once again in the Cross Link Centre at Upton Cross.

The planned speaker was unable to make it but members were delighted to welcome Chrissie Le Marchant who is the Chair of Stoke Climsland W.I. And a blue badge holder as a tourist guide whose remit covers Plymouth. She came to speak about Nancy Astor, the first female MP to sit in the House of Commons.

She illustrated her talk with photos which enhanced our pleasure. She told us about Nancy's birth and youth in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and then New York.

Next we learned how she came to this country, meeting Waldorf Astor on board ship, the places they lived in and their family, culminating in Nancy taking her husband's place as MP for Plymouth Sutton when her husband took his deceased father's place in the Lords.

WE also heard about her interest in Christian Science and unusual enthusiasm for daily baths in ice cold water plus many other interesting details of this amazing lady. Sue Morton led a well deserved note of thanks.

In the business section, volunteers were asked to "man" the WI table at Apple Day to be held this year in Sterts in October.

Viv Trill won the posy competition and Muriel Browne the "Cheesewring" one.

The October talk will be by Ele Walters from Tregovenek Community Farm.

For more information contact the president on [email protected]

Next Community Event will be the Annual Bonfire and Grand Firework Display in Parson's Meadow, Rilla Mill organised by members of Rilla Mill Village Hall committee.

Gates open at 6pm. Please no glass, alcohol or sparklers in the field and please be considerate with parking where possible including in the village hall car park. There will be a hog roast, chips, toffee apples, glow sticks, and candy floss available to purchase.

Card payment accepted on the gate for entry.

October in Camelford means only one thing — it is almost carnival time. Organisers are urging people to “wrap up warm and head to Camelford on October 25” for the grand procession at 7pm.

All the proceeds from this year’s collection will help fund next year’s Camelford Christmas Lights.

The crowning concert was held on Saturday, October 4, at Clease Hall, featuring performances from local groups and talented entertainers.

Sally Walkey of Camelford had the honour of crowning this year’s carnival queen, Izzy Sanders, and her attendants, who are excited to greet the cheering crowds during the procession.

Marney Baker, carnival secretary of the Camelford carnival committee encourages anyone wishing to take part or find more information to visit the Camelford carnival Facebook page.