On Sunday, August 10, John and Denise Weller held a charity ‘Tea Party’ on behalf of Bude Freemasons from Granville Lodge. Entertainment was provided by All@C, Bude’s Ukelele All Stars Band.

John and Denise expressed their thanks to all the very many Lodge members, friends and family who helped make the day such a great success. The afternoon raised £1,250 which has been distributed to the local charities Exercising for Mobility, the Pearl Exchange and Talan’s Trust with the All@C Ukelele Band passing their donation straight to the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

The Worshipful Master, Jeff Green, and the charity steward, John Weller, presented Sarah Penny from Talan’s Trust and Fliss Loxley from the Peral Exchange with cheques for £400. Jeff and Bill White presented Jo Barnes from Exercise 4 Mobility with the same.

Talan's Trust is a Bude-based charity set up by Sarah Penny and others in memory of her son, Talan Penny, who died from rhabdomyosarcoma at age 19. The trust aims to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research, particularly rhabdomyosarcoma, and has partnered with the Institute of Cancer Research to help fund scientists working on the disease. You can find out more at talanstrust.org

The Pearl Exchange, which this year celebrates its 5th anniversary, is a Bude based charity which supports 18-35 year olds through a wide-ranging programme of free wellbeing workshops, educational courses and mental health support.

With isolation and loneliness increasingly recognised as a growing crisis in our rural, coastal communities, the charity is one of the only safe and welcoming spaces in the area. Offering a place for young people to connect, learn and share experiences. Activities on offer include music workshops, creative arts, financial advice, yoga and dance, life coaching and business skills training, all of which is aimed at boosting confidence and providing practical tools for life to young people.

Alongside this, The Pearl Exchange provides free one-to-one counselling with minimal waiting times. To date, hundreds of young people have accessed the service, many of whom would otherwise face lengthy waits for NHS support.

The charity was founded in memory of Pearl Bamford, who died at the age of 19. Her parents, Rose and Johnny, were inspired to create a community hub after experiencing first-hand the lack of services available for young people struggling with isolation and poor mental health.

Since its launch in 2019, The Pearl Exchange has grown into a thriving hub engaging hundreds of people each year and it continues to grow in success and impact thanks to the support of its community.

You can find out more at www.thepearlexchange.org.uk

Exercising for Mobility (E4M), Bude provide fun chair-based fitness sessions for people of all ages and an opportunity to meet friends, old and new in a welcoming and friendly place.

The chair-based fitness sessions are one hour long, with a short water break around half time. All exercises are done to music and there is always an uplifting playlist to sing along to! After the water break they stand behind or beside the chair to practise balance and strengthen leg muscles, exercises proven to reduce the risk of falls. There is always a warmup and cool down sequence too.

You will find E4M in the Ivor Potter Hall of the Parkhouse Centre, Bude. There are limited parking spaces outside the Hall and a larger Pay and Display Car Park behind the building.

The fitness sessions normally take place Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. More information including details of the session timings can be found at exercising4mobility.co.uk

Granville Lodge is holding a charity distillery tour and BBQ in aid of Bude Food Bank and Cornwall Air Ambulance on Saturday, September 20, at Norton Barton, Launcells, Bude EX23 9LG. Entry from 2.30pm with the distillery tour starting at 3pm. Please book in advance by calling 01288 321921 or email to [email protected]

Granville Lodge in Bude is always happy to hear from people looking to join their Lodge and become a Freemason. Anyone interested should contact them for more information at: [email protected]

Despite the vagaries of the weather vegetable and flower entries were on a par with last year while the cooking and handicraft sections were well supported.

The usual suggestion sheet was available for exhibitors and members of the public to contribute ideas for next year. The cups and prizes were presented by Reverend Dr. Paul Fitzpatrick our local vicar.

Results:

“Top Tray 2025” - Brian Wonnacott

Beechwood Cup for best vegetable exhibit winner -Brian Wonnacott

Halwill Mill Challenge Cup for most points in the combined pea and bean classes was won by Brian Wonnacott

Guy de Bethune Memorial Cup for the highest number of points in the tomato classes combined was won by Brian Wonnacott.

Francis Holway Cup for the heaviest potato - Brian Wonnacott

Thompson Cup for highest total of points overall in the vegetable classes - Brian Wonnacott.

Fruit Cup for highest total of points was a tie between Peter & Eleanor Williams.

“Top Vase 2025” - Doreen Bray.

Margaret Darke Trophy for the best house plant winner was Doreen Bray with a Geranium

Susan de Bethune Memorial Cup for most points in the roses classes – Pat Smallacombe.

Jane Wonnacott Cup for best vase of cut garden flowers –Doreen Bray.

Noon Rosebowl for highest total of points in the flower and potted plant section was won by Eleanor Williams.

Wright Cup for highest total of points in the flower arranging section – Betty Darke

Doreen Norris Memorial Challenge Cup for the best lemon drizzle cake - Betty Darke

Smallacombe Vase for highest total of points in the cookery classes – Eleanor Williams.

Metherell Gard Cup for highest total of points in the handicraft section – Anji Hall

Trout Cup for the highest total of points in the photography section – Chris Towell

Towell Cup for the best single photograph - Chris Towell

Dennis Hunt Novice Shield awarded to the exhibitor with the overall highest number of points who has not won a cup at this show before was won by Peter Williams

Parish Council Cup for the overall highest number of points in the show was won by Brian Wonnacott. Eleanor Williams was second and Betty Darke was third.

At our First September meeting Launceston Probus members were given an fascinating insight into local radio by Daphne Skinnard. Introducing Daphne our chairman Christopher was pleased to inform us that Radio

Cornwall recently won the Silver award by coming second in the Local Radio Station Of the Year category at the 2025 Audio and Radio Industry Awards - the radio equivalent of the Oscars.

Daphne went to school in Plymouth, and then studied at Falmouth College. It was here that she got a taste of interviewing, which led to her well known association with Radio Cornwall.

She also holds positions with a number of other local organisations including Truro Cathedral and Truro and Penwith College. She is currently Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and as such is a representative of the monarch in our area.

Daphne explained that Radio Cornwall started in 1983 and is one of forty local BBC radio stations, all of which are funded by the licence fee. It currently presents a combination of specifically Cornish programmes and programmes shared with Radio Devon.

Daphne commented how technology has changed over the years. At one time programs were taped, and the tape timed with a stopwatch and edited by being cut and spliced. Now music is chosen by an algorithm from a national database.

Daphne's specific responsibilities for Radio Cornwall include organising outside broadcasts. She accompanies James Churchfield on his breakfast programmes out and about in Cornwall. These broadcasts have also changed over the years. The Radio car with an aerial on the roof is a thing of the past. Now outside broadcasts are automatically transmitted by using technology in a suitcase. Recorded interviews are carried out with the aid of a microphone plugged into a mobile phone.

She said that Radio Cornwall always looked to get involved in topical and local events. They have just finished coverage of the ‘Make a difference’ awards - a BBC initiative which recognises volunteers who have given outstanding service to the community. For National Postcard day James Churchfield is urging people to send him postcards, and has received 300 so far.

The next BBC event in which Radio Cornwall will be participating will be Children in Need.

Daphne concluded by answering questions from the audience.

Chairman Christopher then thanked Daphne for her presentation, which was followed by lunch.

Mens’ Probus meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month and Ladies’ Probus on the third Monday of each month, with a speaker followed by an optional lunch.

The next meeting in September will by an illustrated talk by club member Ian on the maiden voyage of the cruise ship Queen Anne.

For further information on past and future activities of Probus, including talks and visits, visit probusclub.net/launcestoncornwalluk