AT the February meeting, members of Bude Inner Wheel were transported from the cold and wet of Bude to the exotic rainforest of Costa Rica by Rosemary Lee, who gave a fascinating talk about the birds, bugs and flowers of the area.

Before the meeting proper, the club welcomed three new members who were given their badges.

If anyone is interested in becoming part of an international organisation which encourages friendship and service to the community, take a look at Bude Inner Wheel Facebook page. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at the Falcon Hotel.

THE meeting started with a minute’s silence for a member who was a lovely lady and had recently passed away.

Bude Women’s Institute also had two speakers throughout the evening.

Chemohero, talked about dear Lisa, a lady who had breast cancer and with her husband’s Rob's help started a charity to help people who are going through chemo themselves. They organise free boxes for people, which contain practical items to help them in their time of need.

Milly Moore from the Pearl Exchange from Bude, then spoke about the youth of the area. The charity supports young adults between 18 to 35 years old. They provide the young adults with somewhere to go and meet up with others. They too have speakers, who come and discuss topics like job referencing, starting a business and making art and crafts — pupils can also study there.

Competitions:

Winning flowers — 1st Annette Phillips, 2nd Geraldine Edwards, 3rd Anne Denton.

Pearl jewellery — 1st Heather Stephenson, 2nd Madalene Warren, 3rd Joan Lashbrook.

Marmalade — 1st Eileen Harris, 2nd Geraldine Edwards, 3rd Mary le Bihan.

THE annual general meeting of Launceston Railway Circle (LRC) and showing of a DVD on North Devon Railways was held on Friday, January 16, held at 7pm at St Stephens Church Hall, Launceston.

Before the AGM an extraordinary meeting took place to make some changes to the rules so the revised rules would be in place for the AGM.

When this meeting closed Ivory Davy opened the AGM and welcomed around 20 people to the meeting being the first meeting of 2026.

Minutes of last years' meeting were read and approved.

The chairman then gave his report, followed by reports from other officers. David Pike stood in for president John Clifton who was unable to attend. Mr Pike started off the election process and after Ivor Davy was returned unopposed as LRC chairman he continued the election of officers, the results being: Vice chairman, Stefan Gronkowski; Secretary, Sheena Davy; Treasurer, Roger Webster; Membership secretary, Peter Jones; Meeting secretary, Roger Webster; Publicity/press, Les Whaley and Felicity; ACE Journal Editor, Andrew Bird; Archivist, Andrew Bird; Committee member, Geoff Chegwidden.

It was agreed to keep the subs for 2026 at £15.

After the election and tea and coffee, members watched a DVD on the Railways of North Devon.

For more details on LRC meetings and summer outings contact Roger Webster on 01566 779896 or Les Whaley on 07972 333202.

STEVE Ashby from the Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society gave a fascinating talk on the ‘Fall and Rise of the Cornish Chough’.

These iconic birds with their striking red beaks and legs are woven into the history and heritage of Cornwall. They are very intelligent, mate for life and even recognise human individuals. They lay a maximum of five eggs a year with older birds being much more successful at rearing their brood than the younger couples. There are documented examples of younger male Choughs pairing and building a nest together. The oldest Chough in Cornwall will be 21 years old in June.

These wonderful birds were in decline from the mid 18th century, with the last Chough in Cornwall dying in 1973. The RSPB with the NT and farmers started working to restore the habitat for Choughs. Choughs nest on rocky cliffs but need access to short grass nearby to feed. Cattle were reintroduced to grazing right up to the cliff edges. Choughs feed mainly on dung beetles and leather jackets, and these and other invertebrates are killed by ivermectin, a wormer used to worm cattle and sheep. Farmers stopped using ivermectin and the dung beetles returned. With their habitat restored, the first three Cornish Choughs reappeared in 2001 on the Lizard. Their numbers have increased every year since then, with more than 60 breeding pairs by 2024 and they are spreading up the North coast and even inland. It was a story of hope: a reminder that with commitment and care, even species on the brink can be brought back from the edge.

Naomi Finch gave the vote of thanks.

Irene Nash won both the flower and the shrub competition, and the monthly competition was won by Yvonne Tate.

The next meeting is on March 11 and there will not be a speaker. If anyone is thinking they might be interested in joining, contact Cynthia on 01579 370 182. The WI offer two meetings free of charge and there is no obligation to join. All our meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 2pm in Trebullett Hall.

DON’T forget an organ recital is being given on Friday, February 20, at 7pm in St James the Great Parish 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 £10 (£5 retired and children) paid on the door.

Llew is a remarkable 18-year-old musician, who has been studying music since the age of four, 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.

MONDAYS weekly - morning prayer at 10am.

Sunday, February 22 - morning prayer at 11am.

MEET & Eat Breakfast at the Cross Link Centre, Upton Cross at 10am.

THIS will restart on January 17 and continue on the third Saturday morning every month from 9.30am to noon at Rilla Mill Retreat Centre (former Methodist Chapel).

It begins with breakfast - sausages and /or bacon in a bap, croissants, cereal, toast, jam and marmalade, scrambled or boiled eggs, juice, tea and coffee. Then move on to games or craft, loosely based on a Bible story. Do come along, even if just for a cup of coffee or merely to stay for breakfast. The only rule is that children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Messy Church is all age, however, so if you are eighty or so and just fancy chatting with someone for half an hour, all are very welcome. Stay for as long or as little as you wish. For more information contact Maxine on 01579 362611 or [email protected]

THE Beavers have been busy with craft work and the Cubs and Scouts have continued with their First Aid Course.

Also some of the young people with Leaders did the hog roast at the Caradon Inn at Upton Cross when their Christmas lights were switched on. The funds were for the group and the Linkinhorne Parish Hall.

Last term the Beavers also made decorations, Christingles and sent letters to Father Christmas and met a very special visitor in the porch at St Paul's Church who gave them a gift each.

Members of the group met at Minions Shop for their carol singing and hot chocolate, all finds were raised for the Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes.

THANKS were expressed to those who came out to support a special ‘Community Pancake Party’ held at Callington Methodist Church this weekend to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

Louise James, children and families worker for Callington and Gunnislake Section of the South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit, said: “A big thank you to everyone - young and not so young - who came to support the Intergenerational Flippin' Marvellous Pancake Party on Valentine's Day at Callington Methodist Church.”

Thanks were also expressed to those who donated ingredients, cooked, served, made drinks, ate and washed up.

A variety of exciting crafts and challenges were on offer which everyone enjoyed. We raised a total of £106.50 for Callington Foodbank.