Former fire chief, Eric Chapman, was sworn in as new mayor of Launceston on Thursday at a gathering of over 400 people who had come to witness the traditional ‘Mayor Choosing’ ceremony in the Town Hall.

Hot on the heels of success at the Holsworthy Show, David and Sally-Anne Martin, scored resounding successes at the three-day Devon County Show with Elmford Gladiator.

Online at last! That has been the exultant cry in Holsworthy’s shiny new Visitor Information Centre, where after weeks of confusion, resembling a ‘Whitehall farce’ the telephone has finally been connected — thanks to a little help from the ‘Post’.

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Holsworthy and Stratton Show secretaries were Mrs Annette Dennis and Mr Graham Whitlock.

Councillor Dick Willoughby reported at a meeting of Bude-Stratton town council that young people had been seen on the roof of the Castle.

Twelve teams gathered at Weileux Farm, Laneast, to do battle for the title of Tresmeert Super Farmer for 1985. David Venning, whose team from St Clether won the competition last year, made a special journey from “up country” to lead the team again in the defence of the title.

A small but enthusiastic meeting told Mrs Joan Towle, Cornwall branch chairman of Cruse, the national organisation for the widowed and their children, that there was a real need for a Cruse social club in the Launceston area.

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Mr W J Cory, 92, a senior member of Stratton and Holsworthy Agricultural Association, presented a hunting print to Mr Bob Kivell to mark his retirement after 50 years as show secretary.

The new hall committee to be responsible for the management of the Crackington Institute, St Gennys, comprises Mrs M Pridham, Mrs C Smeeth, Mr D A Thomas, Mr John Ward and Mr Leonard Ward. Thanks were expressed to Mr Richard Gliddon for his work in organising the band of voluntary helpers who painted the walls and ceiling of the hall, and cleaned and polished the floor.

At the re-opening of Whitstone Methodist Church, Rev D Heap introduced Mrs Cyril Ham, of Frithelstock, formerly of Whitstone, who unlocked the door. There followed a sacred concert given by the Mitchell family with Mr D Squance of Sutcombe as the chairman.

Bridget Jones was champion of Lifton Girl Guides Flower Show in the Church Hall and the runner-up was Helen Trant. The prizes were presented by Miss Richards and Mrs Lloyd Jones.

Dave Goodman scored from the penalty spot as Camelford lost 2-1 to a Plymouth Argyle XI which included manager Tony Waiters and some of the promotion winning team.

Mrs Gilliam Whitford is looking for players for Lifton Ladies’ football team which last year enjoyed its most successful season yet. However, Lifton failed to raise a team for the first six-a-side tournament of the season, at Lewannick, which was won by Altarnun, who beat Calstock 1-0 in the final.

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The official opening ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Ashwater Methodist Church was carried out by Mrs A Bridgeman, a former Sunday School scholar and teacher, who received the key on a silver salver from Mrs J H Griffin, the oldest member.

The WI competition at Holsworthy-Stratton show was won by Week St Mary who received the rose bowl from Mrs Elliot, wife of the show president, Stratton were runners-up and joint third were Pyworthy and Tetcott.

Jane Gilbert, aged four and a half years, of Valley Cottage Flat, Bencoolen Road, Bude, will represent the Westcountry in the 1965 “Preparing to be a beautiful lady” competition to find “Miss Pears”, and she has a chance of winning £500. She is the youngest child of Mr and Mrs Ronald Gilbert.

Launceston’s Harry Collins had a spectacular crash at Plymouth stock car meeting. He was uninjured when his car ended up on its roof, minus a wheel and with a broken half-shaft. John Taskis, of South Petherwin, also had a bit of trouble.

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The parish church of Week St Mary was filled with parishioners and friends on Saturday for the induction by the Bishop of Truro of the Rev W T Soper.

For the first time since the war the Cornish Riviera Express is this summer to cover the two hundred and twenty five and three-quarter miles between Paddington and Plymouth in the even time of four hours.

The Football League have received several offers from commercial companies for the televising of league matches.

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Former prisoners of war continue to arrive home. At St Stephens Church Room, Launceston, on Wednesday, presentations were made to four of them; Pte Leslie Northey, St Stephens; Sgt Brown, Northgate Street; Pte Ken Batten, Yeolmbridge; Pte Uren, Tower Street. Messrs David Vosper and Leonard Partridge have received a presentation at Altarnun. Others safely back include Gnr Victor Boundy, of Maxworthy, who was captured early in 1940, and Pte Jack Hooper, of Lordswaste, Bolventor. There is also news that Sgt E Colwill, of Stanbury Farm, Morwenstow is safe.

Holsworthy Rural Council is to make a start on its post war housing programme by putting up six houses at Bradford, Milton Damerel and Chilsworthy.

From 33 candidates little Shirley Dymond, a pupil at the council school has been elected carnival queen for Launceston’s welcome home fund. Her attendance are Shirley Jones and Brenda Hodge.

Demobilisation of men from the Navy, Army and Air Force will start next month and the call up of women has been ended.

The Launceston British Legion have acquired a mansion — Edymead House — for the use as a social centre. Built in the last century by a Mrs Bunbury, it was subsequently occupied in turn by Col Byng and Mr F S Vowler. Mr Vowler’s only two sons gave their lives in the last war and the four nieces who inherited the property have generously agreed to accept a low figure from the Legion. Appropriately enough it was on VE day that the final negotiations took place.

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The long cherished ambition of the parents of Stratton may soon be realised that their children will no longer play in the streets and alleys. Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of a playing field on a hill to the west of the town and a public meeting to this end was held on Monday.

A peal of grandsire triplets, 5,040 changes, was rung at Bridgerule Church in three hours five minutes on Saturday, as a complement to Mr A J Metters on his 25th anniversary of joining the Devon Guild of Ringers.

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The annual meeting of the Devon and Cornwall District of Ancient Order of Foresters was held at Launceston last weekend. Delegates were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor, Mr H Hoskin.

The new order covering the provision in workhouses of baths for casuals, and facilities for drying and disinfecting their clothes were described as “extravagant and unnecessary” at Liskeard Guardians meeting on Saturday. Mr E Hicks said there were hundreds of poor people in Liskeard who could not have a bath and never saw one.