The monthly meeting of Launceston Stamp Club was held recently with 21 members and guests attending. The chairman Barry Mudie opened the meeting requesting members to stand in a minute’s silence in memory of long standing member Jim Parsons who had recently passed away. Kevin Webb was welcomed as the trader for the evening.

Barry then introduced the speaker for the evening Roger Winn whose subject was ‘My Italian Job but don’t Blow the Doors Off! Roger commenced his display by showing a range of stamps overprinted for use in Italian post offices abroad particularly those in territories acquired from Austria. This was followed by a selection of Italian stamps for use in the Dodecanese Islands which had been occupied by Italy in 1912 during the Turco-Italian war after the Islands had earlier in 1912 declared their independence from Turkey. Then followed stamps from the colonies of Italy and finally British stamps overprinted for use in the occupied colonies after Italy’s capitulation in World War Two. Included within the display was a portrait of Giuseppe Garibaldi and Roger recounted the important role Garibaldi played in the unification of Italy and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. An interesting aspect of the presentation was the various anecdotes that Roger could relate about the individual items. At the conclusion the chairman congratulated Roger on giving such an unusual and interesting display and presented him with the Club’s certificate of appreciation.

Launceston Stamp Club meets at the Yeolmbridge Methodist Church Hall, Ladycross each first Thursday of the month from 6.30pm. Visitors and potential members always welcome.

A Launceston based charity which offers subsidised two-wheel transport to work has launched an appeal for donation of items as it moves to a new workspace of its own.

Confirming the news, a spokesperson for Wheels 2 Work South West said: “We've got some big news - after eight years in our "temporary" workspace, the end is in sight - we've finally got our own premises!

“It's not quite ready yet but we've been working hard over the past few months, turning an empty shell into a two floor dedicated home for Wheels 2 Work South West in Launceston. We hope this move will secure the future of our charity.”

Details on the items required can be found on the Wheels 2 Work South West Facebook page.

St Winwaloe’s Church is the smallest parish church in Cornwall and much loved. Last year two sets of roof repairs were needed and it has become obvious that the church cannot afford to keep repairing it. The slates are crumbling and the nails failing. Although it is a small church it is still going to be a big project – at this point we are needing to put together a the application for a faculty (the equivalent of listing permission) because the building has a Grade 1 listing. Until we have the faculty we can’t get a firm idea of the cost but we know it will be a lot of money. Just doing the work to get the faculty requires architects’ fees and is surprisingly expensive. The roof appeal has got off to a very good start and currently stands at £4,140 (including money we can reclaim through Gift Aid). This has been through some very kind donations, a concert and sales of plants at the Egloskerry Gardening Club plant car boot sale in May. There is a long way to go however. Once the faculty has been obtained we will be making grant applications but funders all require applicants to put up a portion of the funds.

So on Sunday, June 22, there will be an afternoon concert with Port Isaac Chorale at North Petherwin Church in aid of Tremaine’s roof fund. Tremaine being so small cannot seat more than 50 people - the choir alone would almost fill it - so North Petherwin PCC have kindly agreed to host the concert. Port Isaac Chorale will be performing. This will be a real treat; the prize-winning choir is of very high standard and it will be a perfect concert for a summer afternoon. There will be refreshments afterwards. This is not a ticketed event because we don’t want to exclude anyone but also because we know people are very generous, so instead there will be a retiring collection for the Tremaine roof fund. Do come along and enjoy this lovely concert.

There were gasps of delight from members when Graham Parker and Jamie brought along the most beautiful barn owl called Nina. He continually held her on his hand on a glove made of kangaroo skin as he talked about the many types of owls found in this country. Nina is an eight year old European Barn Owl and Graham had hand reared her from birth. He is from “Show and Tell” and spends much of his time sharing the story of owls with schools and many other groups.

Who knew? Owl’s ears are asymmetric. They have such acute hearing that they can hear a mouse’s heartbeat anywhere within 30 square feet and rely on hearing when it’s dark. The commonest owl is a Tawny Owl and generally that or a Barn Owl or Little Owl are the ones you might see in this area, the Little Owl being half the size of a Tawny Owl. Nina weighs just 13oz and feeds mainly on chicken, refusing to eat a wild Barn Owl’s usual diet of mice and voles.

After his talk, everybody had a chance to stroke Nina and feel her incredibly soft feathers and admire her. Linda Watkins was the first to accept the challenge to hold her, then several other did too. What a privilege. A record number of photos were taken as everyone wanted to capture the rare chance of getting this close to such a bird. Nina was held on the left hand, as is traditional in Falconry. In the old days your right hand would then be free to hold your sword.

After refreshments, Alice Brown gave an account of being an observer at the National AGM. It was reported that in the last 12 months there were 22,000 new WI members and 57 newly formed institutes. The new campaign is “Bystanders Can be Lifesavers” to improve public confidence in CPR and defibrillator usage.

A good number entered the competition; an item related to owls. Results: 1st Liz Whitley, 2nd Ruth Burden, 3rd Diana Anderson. There was even an owl pellet as an entry.

The Holsworthy History Society met on Thursday, June 12, and were absolutely fascinated by the talk from David Kendrick – Winston Churchill, The Later Years.

The talk took us from the start of the war in 1939 right up until Churchill’s death in 1965. Neville Chamberlain was stepping down from being the Prime Minister in May 1940 and the Conservative party’s preferred successor was Lord Halifax who was not an advocate for war but was an appeaser. Thankfully Churchill succeeded Chamberlain and the rest, as we say, is history.

The Society will next meet at 7pm on Thursday, July 24, in the Manor Suite of the Holsworthy Memorial Hall When Simon Dell will be giving the presentation – Mutiny on the Moor.

All are welcome to join us.

The service at Chilsworthy Methodist Chapel on Pentecost Sunday was led by the House Groups.

Geoff Broome gave the welcome and explanation, read a reading from Nehemiah and followed this with a talk.

Linda Broome led the prayers.

Mike Reeves, Pam Johns, Maxine Whenmouth and Lesley Coxon all spoke and Mark Shepherd spoke about Pentecost.

We worshipped the Lord by singing: 'How Wonderful How Glorious', 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus', 'Breathe on me Breath of God' and 'In the Darkness We Were Waiting'.

David Heard, Debbie Candlish and Mark Banks all chose videos which were viewed.

Refreshments were served after the service.

In the afternoon the Muddy Church Team organised 'Orienteering' for young families and children in Chilsworthy Woods, by kind invitation of Tim and Ros Watson. Thankfully the event was blessed with fine weather.

On Sunday, June 22, at 3pm at St Andrew's Church, Stratton, the Hartland Chamber Orchestra will perform "Music for a Sunday afternoon".

The programme will include music by Mendelssohn, Finzi, Haydn and "Adagietto" by Rufus Nicolson (A university music student with Stratton connections)

Tickets £12 in advance from Jennie Coles 01288 359601, Stratton Stores, Ark Angel Bookshop in Bude or £15 on the door. Interval free cream tea.

Hilbre Watts led the service of Morning Prayer at the Parish Church of St James the Great on Pentecost Sunday.

The church bells were rung prior to the service.

The singing of hymns was led by the St James Church Choir and organist Luke Francis.

The lesson was read by Gillian Chibbett.

Coffee and biscuits were served after the service by Jennie Read.