Anxious residents living in a quiet backwater of Holsworthy have expressed their concern about the new supermarket plans which would result in them living on a main road. As part of the scheme to build a major new store for the town, the applicants have suggested that the present main road layout — which passes through a notorious low bridge — should be revised. The proposal would make Chapel Street one way southbound through the bridge, which would allow room for a pavement.

Four years ago, when Vivian and Dennis Kilby moved to their pretty house on St Stephen’s Hill, in Launceston, they dreamed of a happy retirement, tending the garden. But, instead, the move has turned into a nightmare, as their roadside house becomes the ever increasing target of crashing vehicles.

Noise, filth, and dust are making life a misery for elderly retired residents of sheltered housing in Bude, as cable laying continues to disrupt normal life in the town.

Just days after bursting into bloom, Launceston’s new hanging baskets are suffering from vandalism and alleged theft — problems which could jeopardise the future of the scheme. In the latest incident, three baskets outside Hardwicks Bargain Book store in Broad Street have disappeared completely.

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New homes could be built by the town council at Bude to raise money for an indoor heated swimming pool and councillors are seeking planning permission for residential development adjoining Shalder Hill. Council clerk Mr Michael Johns said: “The application was placed by the council at this stage to see what reaction would arise out of it.”

The battle of the sexes has turned nasty for desirable ducks on Bude Marshes nature reserve. Outnumbered by more than five to one by males, they are being attacked by drakes eager to mate with them, according to a report which went before North Cornwall’s environment committee on Tuesday.

Kevin Hopkins, of Tregorran, Marshgate, Camelford, gained a first class honours Bachelor of Science degree in chemical science at the University of East Anglia.

A cheque for the Leukaemia Research Fund was handed over to Dr I A H Barker by Mr Reg Sanders following fundraising efforts by customers of Holsworthy’s Huntsman Ian. Also in attendance were Mr F L Barker, landlord Mr Tony Seabourne, Portreeve Mr John Oke and Mrs Seabourne.

Traders in Launceston this week accused North Cornwall Council of making a “dreadful” increase in car parking charges which they claim is driving shoppers away from the town. They say parking charges in Launceston are now higher than in Plymouth because of two rises in eight months. A petition with 250 signatures urging a cut in the charges was sent to the council, but the request was rejected by the environment committee on Tuesday.

Farewell kisses from saucy cyclists Shirley Bridgeman and Clive Abbott ensured a smacking good start for a sponsored cycle rude organised by Launceston branch of the St John Ambulance Brigade. Lucky recipients of the “kissogram” pair’s smackers were St John’s Mrs Jean Martin and Mayor of Launceston John Muir, who was there to give the riders an official send off.

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Mr W O Pope was celebrating his 28th year as official announcer at Launceston Show. The Show President this year is Mr John H Sloman, of Weston, North Petherwin, whose wife presented the trophies.

Miss Susan Dell is the new Carnival Queen of Bude, and Miss Sharon Couch is the newly chosen Bude Band Queen for 1975.

In last week’s thunderstorms Mr G Prouse’s telephone at Vacyee, North Tamerton, was struck by lightening and blown to bits.

Mrs Elizabeth Rundle accepted the presidency of Camelford Wives’ Group at the annual meeting. The secretary Mrs Janet Bastion was re-elected and the treasurer appointed was Mrs Bernice Kitching.

Mr C C Stidwell, of Milton Damerell, celebrated his 75th birthday with an open clay pigeon shoot — the 216th he had organised. Prizes were presented by Mr W Daniel, president of Milton Damerell AFC, who has loaned the field.

Miss Karen McWhinnie was chosen as Hartland Carnival Queen at a dance in the Church Hall on Friday. One surprise entrant, who somehow did not look quite genuine, turned out to be a gentleman in drag!

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Launceston Town Council received with little comment the proposal that in the autumn the head Post Office counter would be closing half-an-hour earlier each evening. It will now close at 5.30pm.

The Wormald Aggregate cup and the Crawshay rescue and Resuscitation trophy were retained by Bude, the current national champions, at St Agnes surf carnival. in the team were Mike Moyle, Tim Higham, Cliff Welch, Mike Martin, Glyn Mill and Charlie Potter.

Kilkhampton Primary School sports were won by yellow house, with captains A Sillifant and M Harrison receiving the shield from Mrs W Francis.

St Stephens Women’s Institute won the cup for most points in the WI competitions at the Launceston Horse Show. President Mrs E Baker received the cup from Mrs E C Chudleigh, wife of the president of Launceston Agricultural Association.

Whitstone carnival queen, Margaret Gill, was crowned by last year’s queen, Sybil Stanbury.

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The extremely hot weather culminated in a thunderstorm on Monday morning. At St Gennys, Mr Northcott, of East Dizzard Farm, lost a horse which was struck by lightning when the storm was overhead. Telephones were put out of action in this area, but no other damage was reported.

The 3pm train from Waterloo to Plymouth was held up for nearly two hours at Meldon Junction, near Okehampton, Wednesday evening, while efforts were made to clear the down line which was obstructed by a tractor and trailer.

Very Rev Father C J White, who has been Roman Catholic priest at Launceston for the past six years, is shortly leaving the town for Bodmin.

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A lively discussion on class distinctions and the town’s morals arose at Launceston borough council’s meeting on Monday over the question of limitation of hours for dances in the town hall. It started with Coun F Philp moving that the wartime restriction that all dances should end at midnight should now be lifted. Other members, however, felt that midnight was late enough, with one commenting that young people who stayed out late at dances till 2 or 3 am were not fit to do their work next day. The class distinction remark came from a suggestion that exception be made for the hunt ball and golf ball, which would be permitted to go on later. On the casting vote of the mayor, Ald G E Trood, who said it was ridiculous to tell people what time to go to bed, it was agreed that the restriction be lifted.

In a letter to the Editor, “A lover of clean films” objects to the language used in the picture “Western Approaches,” a documentary showing the men of the Allied Navies and Merchant Fleets shown locally recently. He suggests that all children should be excluded from such performances.

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Mr H May, secretary of Delabole Football Club, writes to the Editor, complaining of “poaching” by Port iSaac AFC in endeavouring to attract players from Delabole and other clubs.

In the main event of the boxing contests at the Stratton Lecture Hall on Friday, Jim Baker beat “Shiner” Venner for the championship at Stratton.

Polapit Tamar House and estate of 384 acres, built in 1864 and lately occupied by the late Capt R C Coode, was offered by auction at Launceston, Saturday, but was withdrawn at £9,700. The house and North Lodge were subsequently sold to Ms E Bartlett, of Bideford.

Miss Mamie Geake, of Pengelly, has been elected carnival queen of Delabole from 10 candidates in the first such contest at Delabole.

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Belief is growing among farmers, particularly in the Okehampton area, that the recent wave of mysterious deaths among sheep is due to compulsory dipping.

Launceston Town Council are considering imposing a 10-mile an hour speed limit for motor cars in the town. At Monday’s meeting — when a petition was received from 90 inhabitants of St Thomas New Road and Newport, asking for tar spray or water to lay the dust outside their houses — Coun C H Gillbard suggested that the clouds of dust raised by motor cars, threw up germs and this was therefore injurious to health. The surveyor said that the roads of the town were watered daily, taking 15 loads amounting to 3,750 gallons.

A brass crucifix, a gong, and a service book have been taken from St John’s Church, Delabole, where Rev C J Bucknell is priest in charge. Mr Bucknell has been holding controversial open-air meetings and has been carrying on a voluminous correspondence with sister Betty Skinner in the columns of this newspaper.