The November WI meeting took the form of a centenary tree planting ceremony in the grounds of Trebullett Methodist Church where the WI now have their regular meetings. Trevor Stephens was chosen to plant the Rowan tree, then several of the WI ladies joined in and added some shovels of earth and Rev Oseias de Silva blessed the tree. Michael Warren had volunteered to make a bespoke wooden sign with a brass plaque to commemorate the event. Members appreciated this gesture.

Following this, everyone went in the hall for tea and celebration cake. President Diana Anderson gave a few presentations to those who had especially helped towards preparations for this year’s events to Jadzia Kent, Ruth Burden, Cynthia Jewell, Sue Oatey, and in their absence, Irene Nash and Ann Johns

Jo Rider supplied a short slide show with photos of members at the centenary events now completed.

The teddy bear, made by Jadzia Kent, where naming the bear was the challenge raised £237.50 for the Air Ambulance funds. It was won by Gloria Aze.

Final arrangements were made for the Christmas lunch at Launceston Golf Club, and choice of menus discussed.

Members of Callington Methodist Church had a great time at Creation Stations during half term - thanks to everyone who came along and all our wonderful helpers.

The team are now looking forward to the Christmas events including the ‘Cafe Christingles’.

For more information visit www.callingtonmethodist.org

Morning Prayer - Mondays weekly at 10am.

Sunday, November 23 - morning Prayer at 11am.

Sunday, November 23, meet and eat breakfast at the Cross Link Centre at 10am.

On Friday, November 7, a Remembrance service was held at the War Memorial at Upton Cross led by the Poppy appeal Organiser John Kendrick-Crawshaw.

Prayers were given by Lay Minister Andrew Doney, the names of the fallen were read by Peter Sharp and Year 6 pupils from Upton Cross Ace Academy laid wreaths on behalf of the academy, parish council and funeral directors, F D Hall & Son.

The same evening Andrew Doney, Scout Chaplain led a service with members of the 1st Linkinhorne Scout Group present. Richard Doney read the names of the fallen. Wreath made by the Beavers was laid by Flora.

On Sunday the annual service was held at St Melor’s Church, Linkinhorne with a good congregation present. Members of the Scout group presented their flags which were received at the altar by Lay Minister Andrew Doney. The service was led by Lay Minister Brian Norris and Lay Minister Roy Cooper.

Flags were carried by Brendan for Beavers with colour party, Hannah and Riley. Cubs - Jack with Arthur and Lilly; Scouts- Willow, with Flora and Will; Union Flag - Luka with Callum and Alex F, St Pirans- Holly, with Alex T-Owen.

Leaders present were Richard Doney, Cheryl Piper, Mark Turner, Gareth Haimes, Kathryn Haimes and Sarah Doney. The collection was taken by Phoebe and Acer, Buzzy Howett, and Judy Cooper.

Names of the fallen were read by Peter Sharp, the Act of Commitment by Kim Howat, The Act of Commitment was led by Lay Minister Roy Cooper who also gave the sermon. Organist was Mark Smith.

Also on Tuesday, November 11, members of the parish attended at the War Memorial, also led by Poppy Organiser, John Kendrick-Crawshaw.

The November meeting of The Holsworthy History Society met as usual in The Manor Suite to hear a talk by the chairman of The Bude Canal Society who with the aid of slides shown by another member described the original uses and happenings of the canal to the end of its ‘trading’ days brought about as with most canals by the railway. The buildings etc used in those days are now mainly dwellings.

The warehouse at Hele Bridge is now a small museum opened for visitors from July to September. Many of the old style bridges over the canal further on into the rural areas have been re-inforced and replaced and being widened to accommodate modern traffic.

The December meeting takes place in the form of the AGM — all members are welcome and after a short business meeting refreshments will be served and a catch up on things in general.

The next meeting in 2026 is Thursday, March 12, when the speaker will be Mr Mark Shepherd ,a local retired vet talking about practises over the years. All most welcome.

The bulk of the November Altarnun Parish Council meeting was spent receiving reports from Cornwall councillor Adrian Parsons and Altarnun councillor Matthew Halls who attended a meeting of the Cornwall Council led A30 Plusha grade separated junction study – stakeholder working group on October 22.

These revealed that several development and feasibility design options to improve road safety, whilst maintaining connectivity, have now been created along the route from Five Lanes to Two Bridges in the east. In a nutshell, it was stressed that whilst everything is still on the table, this a study by local government with strong stakeholder involvement, with the eventual aim of going back to National Highways with a very strong recommendation for the correct and most effective solution for the long term benefit of our communities. Altarnun Parish Council will respond to the merits and demerits of each design option in due course. Cornwall Council have advised that there will be future opportunities to input on the preferred option(s) when they have moved towards the conclusion of technical findings, probably being in the New Year.

Once again planning applications were thin on the ground, although decisions from prior applications on which the council was invited to comment upon were reported. Those approved at Cornwall Council were for a recycling facility at Trebant Farm to take soils and other inert construction and demolition materials and then produce soil substitutes, aggregates and associated building materials. Also approved was the conversion of a barn adjacent to Cobblestones at Trethinna Hill to a self build dwelling, works to the grade II listed Carne Manor Cottage including to the roof, windows and doors, a retrospective application for the conversion of a barn to a dwelling with the addition of a door at Tredaule Manor Farm and finally some non material amendments to an application dating back to 2023 for a residential build at Tor View Farm. With regard to all of these case, the parish council either supported or advised Cornwall Council it had no objection to the proposals.

It was pleasing to hear that the Remembrance Day services at Bolventor and Altarnun were well attended, with 15 people at Bolventor and in excess of 20 in Altarnun, where the War Memorial railings had been repaired, prior to the service, following a vehicle collision. The Parish Council wreaths were laid at both services as usual.

Please attend our next meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 3, and will start at 7.30pm in Altarnun Village Hall. All are welcome.

Using our brand-new microphone system, business and information was certain to be heard by all members, as president Verna gave out all the latest news. Those celebrating a birthday this month were given posies: Mavis Philp, Jan Luter, Lorna Truscott, Rosie Drake, Christine Matthews and Cath Griffin. A rendition of Happy Birthday was sung (but apparently, the microphone was off).

Sian Bush then showed a large selection of plants that had been sourced locally and members were mesmerised as she created a festive garland in front of their eyes. Using only natural materials on a base of willow, she built up mini bunches, keeping tension on the twine to make the display. We learnt that holly without prickles is due to having no predators feeding on the bush (as well as that it is less painful to arrange). Sian enjoys foraging, finding a wide range of plants to include in her creations, gaining satisfaction from knowing they are grown locally and are always within the seasons. There was a basket full of dried flowers which enthused us to hang some up in our own kitchens! Sian is very busy running workshops for floristry and pottery, volunteering and being involved in art projects – we will certainly be keeping an eye out for these in future to join in and learn more.

Sian then had to be a judge and select from a beautiful array of Floral arrangements in a jug. She chose the competition winners – 1st Verna Dawe 2nd Sue Hill 3rd Frances Tucker. Flower of the month: First, Sue Turpin, second, Jenny Rendle, third, Frances Tucker.

Next meeting: Wednesday, December 10, 7.15pm – Christmas Party – what surprises are in store and will Santa pay a visit?

Thanks to all who have donated so far - please do continue to drop any used stamps for CFWI into the box at Millennium House. Contact us with any enquiries at [email protected]