25 years ago

June 1, 2000

Father and son, David and Peter Warne of St Mabyn, Camelford, have won a trip to Stockholm by taking first price in the 1999/2000 National Live System silage competition organised by Genus. The Warnes fought off stiff competition from 100 entrants from around the UK. They won the competition based on both the nutritional analysis of the silage and the quality of silage management.

The annual Wesley Day celebrations at Trewint took on a special significance this year, as it not only combined the thoughts and events some 250 years ago and the relevance of its message for today, but also marked the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of Wesley Cottage and its historic association with the Methodist Church.

Concerned that the heart could be town from the centre of Holsworthy by plans to move the health centre, and by proposed amendments to the Torridge District Plan, members of the town’s planning committee have called for a special meeting of the Town Council to discuss the issues.

Chairs from Bude can be found all over the world, and now the company which makes them has been honoured with a design accolade. Zoeftig and Company have been invited to exhibit their products at the prestigious Design Museum, close to Tower Bridge in London.

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40 years ago

June 1, 1985

Despite a mighty downpour, Launceston Rugby Club’s steam engine and vintage vehicle rally at Polson on Sunday and Monday was a rip-roaring success. “It was a real family affair with something for everybody”, said one of the organising committee. “Despite the poor weather on Monday the attendance were well up to the previous year and we should clear a big profit for club funds.”

The team from the Victoria Inn at Okehampton beat Callington Young farmers in the final of the tug of war pub competitions at Polson Traction Engine Rally.

Bude Castle, recently bought by Bude-Stratton Town Council, is to remain in the hands of the local authority. Town councillors unanimously rejected an approach from Bude architect Mr Jonathan Ball to buy the building. Mr Hall initially approached North Cornwall District Council.

A 16th century thatched Devon long-style farmhouse, at Grinacombe Moor Farm, Broadwood, was seriously damaged by fire on Saturday, the same dat it was due to be auctioned.

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50 years ago

May 31, 1975

Camelford’s new town mayor is Mr S A H Button with Mr Bill Perry as deputy.

The Wesley Day celebrations on Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the cottage at Trewint as a Methodist shrine. Mr Lionel Pooley, of Altarnun, has been secretary to the trustees from the inception of the scheme, and Mr K J Uglow has for long been the treasurer.

Nigel Gliddon, aged 13, was champion of the Bude Central Methodist Youth Club’s seventh annual music and drama festival.

Bude Rotary Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding with a dinner at the Bullers Arms, Marhamchurch. Mrs Gwen Mill, founder president of the Bude Inner Wheel, presented a birthday cake on behalf of the Inner Wheel to Mr Chris Ball jun, president of Bude Rotary Club to mark the 25th anniversary.

After the retirement of Mrs Florence Mehers as leader of the Holsworthy Youth Club, her place has been taken by Mr Barry Parrish.

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60 years ago

June 5, 1965

At the May revel held at St Giles-on-the-Heath, the ceremony of crowning the May Queen, Miss Roselda Hodge, was performed in the Coronation Hall buy the retiring queens, Misses Glenda and Gillian Allin. The May Queen’s attendants were Misses S Doidge, D Martin, Leba and M Rockey, with J Skinner, D Suzzex and C Putt as pageboys.

Ashwater County Primary school swimming pool was officially opened by Mr E A Hartley, assistant education officer for Devon. He was introduced by the headmaster, Mr A K Holt. The older children jumped in led by David Smith, aged 11.

Miss Mary Munn, of Launceston Young Farmers’ Club, has passed a proficiency test in floral art and now gets the gold proficiency badge, the highest award given for these tests.

The 143 year old Congregational Church, Okehampton, was full for its re-dedication service, following the extensive alterations to the interior. The opening ceremony was performed by Miss E Drewe, who is the oldest member of the church.

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70 years ago

June 4, 1955

The Queen has issued a proclamation declaring that a state of emergency exists, and the government have made regulations which will enable them to meet the situation caused by the railway strike.

Sidney George Cottle, of Lower Tresmarrow, Launceston, sustained a broken leg as a result of a motoring accident at Lewdown on Wednesday. In spite of that however, he kept control of the machine and actually rode half a mile to a policeman’s house for assistance.

Liskeard Rural Council, meeting on Saturday decided to support a request to the County Council for an amendment in the law so as to permit children being employed for 45 minutes for newspaper delivery in the morning before school hours.

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80 years ago

June 2, 1945

Flying Officer Wilfred George Jeffery, of Okehmapton, has been awarded the DFM for courage, fortitude and devotion to duty.

Pte Ronalf Mutton, of Pear Tree Road, the last of Callington’s eight prisoners of war to get home, is now safely back, as are C Collings, L C Cunningham, A H Cox, and E Hardwell (all of Calstock parish), Allen Sweet, of Tintagel Terrace, Port ISaac; Gerald Mounce, of Compass, and others.

The seven year old son of Mr and Mrs C Pike of Darley Lodge, got his head jammed in the railings of Upton Cross School yard, and had to be cut free by the village blacksmith.

The Hartland Lifesaving Apparatus company have been awarded the shield for the best wreck service during the past 12 months, for their work when the Norwegian ship Sjofna ran ashore near Welcome last November. They rescued 12 men.

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90 years ago

June 8, 1935

There was an attendance of over 1,000 Rechabites on parade for the district rally at Bude last week, when 26 Tents were represented.

A number of poultry farmers, meeting at Callington, decided to apply for a licence to start an egg-packing station in the town.

Stratton Town Band, 50 years ago one of the best in Cornwall, is to discontinue practices during the summer because of the lack of enthusiasm of some members. The bandmaster is Mr C H Rattenbury and the secretary and treasurer, Mr P Hocking.

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100 years ago

June 8, 1925

Lena Wallis, 11, fell from the hedge at New Road Corner, Stratton, on Tuesday in front of a car. Miraculously, although the car went over her, she escaped serious injury.

Mr Charlton Fredericks delighted local audiences once again by presenting his troupe of American minstrels in Launceston Town Hall this week.

Launceston and District Electric Company has at last turned the corner. Founded in 1911, it had paid practically no dividend, but this year will pay six per cent free of tax.