The January meeting of Women on Wednesdays at Coad’s Green was led by member Julie Freeman who shared her interest in making greetings’ cards.

Julie had accumulated a number of cards from friends and family members and a year ago she decided to reuse as many as possible and avoid buying any more. The benefits of this exercise were to reuse, reduce the waste and to recycle. It also reduced the cost of buying new cards. However, the unseen benefit was the mindfulness that this activity brought with it, through being involved in creativity and the achievement of producing a well received end product.

All members were provided with a card kit, including an envelope and coloured papers, to create their own personal cards. Advice was given on how to build the cards and Julie had a visual tutorial to help with ideas.

Rosemary O’Brien thanked Julie on behalf of everyone, saying how much we had enjoyed the demonstration and the opportunity to be involved in making our own greetings cards.

Julie has a presence on Instagram under the name of ‘Dewdrop’.

Refreshments were provided by Jackie Stephens and Gerry Rennie.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 11, at 7.30pm in the chapel meeting room when Rob Barrett will be presenting poetry and song.

AFTER a well-attended and enjoyable Annual Lunch in The Brendon Arms, Bude-Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society held its first talk of 2026 in the Parkhouse Centre, Bude on Monday, January 26.

To a packed audience, the society’s president, Michael Heard, gave a fascinating presentation on “The similarities of Cornwall and Brittany”. Recounting his experiences on a tour of Brittany in 2024 he was able to highlight many of the architectural, archaeological and geological features he discovered with an extensive slide show. He explained the historical links between the regions and, through his enthusiasm for the topic and wide knowledge, left us with a good understanding of how much we have in common.

The chairman, Alan McIntosh, gave the vote of thanks and Michael was available afterwards to answer questions and to exhibit a mixture of objects and literature he had collected during his trip.

The next event will be on Monday, February 23, between 2pm and 9pm in the Parkhouse Centre when we will put on a display of some of our records and from 7pm we will hold our annual general meeting. The display of records is open to everyone. The theme will be “Bude and the surrounding villages” and will include many story book collections of photographs and news articles which have been assembled by our members over the years, covering a wide range of interests.

On the last Sunday of January members of Bude Inner Wheel, together with guests including the president and secretary of Launceston Inner Wheel came together for the ‘President’s Social’ afternoon.

President Mandy Hamley welcomed everyone and, after a delicious buffet meal, introduced David Buncle from West Country Falconry. David gave a very interesting talk about his work with birds of prey and introduced three of his charges - a Harris hawk, a barn owl and a large turkey vulture appropriately named Carrion Marion.

A collection was made during the afternoon for Bude’s International charity, Mary’s Meals. This is a very worthwhile charity which operates in the poorest countries of the world providing more than three-million good meals to children every school day, ensuring that not only are the children well fed but also gain an education and better opportunities for the future.

The first meeting of Marhamchurch WI in 2026 was held on Tuesday, January 13, and titled ‘All about Ice Cream’.

The meeting was well attended and opened by president Shirley Youldon.

Marhamchurch were thrilled to welcome guest speakers Tom and Beth Fell from Dunstaple Farm, famous for their Farmer Tom’s Ice Cream.

Members listened as Tom explained how he became involved in ice cream making. Tom had been a herdsman when in 1999 he suffered a farming injury, being kicked by a cow and breaking his leg. A chance meeting with another farmer wishing to retire began his foray into ice cream making.

And so Dunstaple Farm luxury Ice creams and sorbets was created. The Farm’s own dairy herd provided the milk to make the ice cream. The initial plan was for Tom continue as a herdsman, with ice cream being a side business. However, the ice cream business grew like topsy from 17 customers to approximately 300 and now milk and cream is sourced from many local farmers.

The Ice cream is stocked to many shops and wholesalers and delivered throughout Cornwall and Devon.

Tom said the supermarket trade was explored, but after discussions, it was rejected as the rules and regulations were unsustainable.

Tom explained that to cope with the increased summer trade, stock is built during the winter months. Freezer capacity is good and in the event of a power cut there are no worries for the first 24 hours.

And now to the much awaited tasting. Tom had bought several different flavours including chocolate and strawberry and they have gained the Marhamchurch WI seal of approval. Members being allowed to take home any left over. Who knew that the many years Tom has spent experimenting would result in 50 different flavours-Cappuccino crunch being Toms particular favourite. They are supplied in several different sizes although not all the flavours are available in all the sizes. Please don’t forget the wonderful sorbets and non dairy alternatives or that all the packaging is fully recyclable.

In recent years, Tom’s two daughters Beth and Molly have also joined this thriving business and hope eventually to run it together, continuing the family business. Jen Spettigue thanked the couple for their visit and for sharing some of their super luxury ices.

Feel an ice cream session coming on, check out the website for all the flavours and then find your nearest supplier of these award winning desserts these include Widemouth Beach Cafe, The Brendon Arms, Moo Moo Ices and the Wharf Bude.

Next month Marhamchurch WI’s guest speaker will be Rosemary Lee to talk about Costa Rica. Visitors always welcome.

The choir of St Mary Magdalene under the direction of Dr Sean Sweeney sang a service of choral evensong for Candlemas. The service was led by James Wonnacott, who also acted as cantor in the Responses by Ayleward.

The choir also sang Psalm 24 and Bill Roberts read the lessons. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were sung to a setting by Walmisley in D minor accompanied by Dr Sweeney with Bernard Pink conducting as well as singing.

The anthem was the unaccompanied anthem “Locus iste” by Bruckner and Dr Sweeney ended the service with a Theme and variations by Andriessen..

The previous Saturday Dr Sweeney gave a popular organ recital and on Saturday, February 28, assistant organist Josh Hughes will be giving another organ recital also at 1pm.

The next choral evensong will be on Sunday 1 March at the usual time of 5.30pm.

There was a good turnout for the January Lezant Lunch Club. Thirty-two members were greeted by Ken Scoble with some amusing stories. Members enjoyed a delicious meal of beef casserole served with fresh vegetables, followed by bread and butter pudding and cream. Our chefs were Jo Rider, Sue Oatey and Ruth Burden and service was provided by Helen Judge, Mary Bridger and Janet Honey. During coffee, Angela Morrison entertained members with a picture quiz based on animal cartoon characters.

The Lunch Club will next meet at Trebullett Hall on Wednesday, February 25. The cost to members is just £5 for two courses plus tea or coffee. Phone Ruth on 01566 782286 to book.

DON’T forget an organ recital is being given on Friday, February 20, at 7pm in St James the Great Church, Kilkhampton.

Organist: Llewellen Blezzard-Greenwell. The programme will include: S. Rachmaninoff, arr. L. Vierne - Prelude in C sharp minor J. S. Bach - Fantasia in C Minor, BWV562 J. S. Bach - Fugue in Eb, BWV552ii F. Mendelssohn - Allegretto from Sonata IV H. Howells - Rhapsody No.1 K. Leighton - Fantasy on Helmsley A. Guilmant - Pastorale from Sonata No.1 G. Böhm - Vater Unser I’m Himmelreich L. Böellman - Suite Gothique. Refreshments will be served during the interval.

Entrance to be paid on the door. Llew is a remarkable 18-year-old musician, who has been studying music since the age of 4, plays the organ, piano and harp as well as being a choral singer. His music ‘CV’ is very impressive, with performances at Aberdeen Cathedral, Halifax Minster, Ripon Cathedral, St Bees Priory and in Poland, France, and many more planned for the coming year.

He is currently Organ Scholar at St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. He would like to become a Cathedral Director of Music in the future, and it looks like he is well on his way to fulfilling this.