A resident living between Delabole and Trebarwith was ‘flabbergasted’ last week when he found out that BT had applied for planning to build a large, telecommunications tower near his home, and in an area described with outstanding natural beauty, writes Sara Fuller.

Launceston could soon have an alcohol-free zone aimed at curbing rowdyism and crime through drink, members of the Town Council heard on Monday night at the Guildhall. Cllr John Hocking reported that Chief Inspector Andy Denton had confirmed that the police approved of the zone.

Holsworthy’s Betty Oke is to be awarded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Gold Badge in recognition of her “long and devoted service” to the Holsworthy anf District Branch.

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Mr Douglas Wright, sub-manager of the Launceston branch of Lloyds Bank, returned recently after more than 40 years’ service. Mr Wright of Hendra Vale, Launceston, was presented with a barometer by manager Mr Robert Joint on behalf of staff at a retirement party in the Northgate Inn.

Two hundred North Cornwall Liberals gathered at the party’s Camelford club for a reception to celebrate the wedding of their prospective candidate Mike Mitchell to Sally Ann Hughes.

Launceston Young Farmers’ Club began the Christmas season with a beetle drive organised by Roger Goodman. The winners were Andrew Hones and Sharon Daniel, with the booby prize being claimed by Robert Tucker. The vote of thanks was given by Andrew Davey.

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“Stuff and nonsense — he’s living in fairyland”, declared Holsworthy Town councillor Clive Tidball after hearing the county area surveyor say that local lorry drivers might prefer to descend narrow, winding Waterloo Hill and up the other side to an uphill T-junction to avoid clutch strain, rather than go another way to the market.

Due to illness of Caroline Cloke, Julie Trewin took the role of Joseph in addition to playing Herod in St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Bude, Sunday School’s play, in mime, ‘The Story of Christmas’.

Claude Harris as the Dame gave his usual inimitable performance in Lewannick Amateur Dramatic Society’s pantomime ‘The Old Woman who lived in a Shoe’ produced by Mike White.

The closing of the lay-by at No Man’s Land, Boscastle, had caused considerable resentment stated Mrs E Brewer at a meeting of Forrabury and Minster Parish Council. Mr W Hilton proposed and Mrs Brewer seconded that a strong protest be made to the county surveyor.

Mr Arthur Venning, Editor of the ‘Post’, is to be the first president of The Cornwall Ladies’ Football League, which will be played for ‘The Cornish and Devon Post’ Cup.

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Mr W L Thomas has retired after almost 24 years as a postman at St Minver following a fall in which he injured his knee.

For the first time in its history Cann Medland Ltd held a dinner for directors and members of staff with their ladies.

Ald R L Hicks, chairman of the housing committee of Launceston Town Council, reported that it was hoped to start work on block C Tower Street 9four units) and Race Hill (16 units) by about mid summer this year.

The secretary, Mr R J Blatchford, reported a slight rise in membership and an increase of £46 in the bank balance at the annual meeting of the Launceston Farmers’ Club.

There are two nominations to fill a vacancy on the Cornwall County Council for the electoral division of Stoke Climsland. They are Mr Donald Ernest Phillips, of Coads Green, and Mr Martin Rich Penney, of Luckett.

The icy road conditions led to the mid morning bus from Plymouth not continuing to Bideford, but turning round and taking waiting passengers back to Plymouth as the two buses from Bideford and Bude were delayed.

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Launceston Town Council at their meeting on Monday decided by a unanimous vote not to take any further action towards acquiring ‘Northernhaye’, the private property on the Lower Walk, which it was suggested at their last meeting they might purchase and convert into flats, possibly for newly-weds.

Holsworthy Rural Council is seeking the aid of the local MP in trying to get electricity brought to some of the villages.

A Suffolk ram went to the aid of a sheep when it was attacked by a buzzard at Pendoggett. The ram circled the helpless sheep, which was on its back until it was aided to its feet. The sheep was untouched by the bird.

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After sheep belonging to Mr P Billing and Mr S Wickett had been worried by dogs at Trevalga, eight of them were found on a ledge many feet down the cliff by “Lady’s Window”. A rescue party was organised on Saturday morning, including PC Reese (Tintagel), Messrs P Symons, F Pethick, W Cowling and Miss Richmond. Messrs P Billing, K Brown and A Pridham descended the cliff on life-lines. Two of the sheep lost their footing and fell over the cliff but the remaining six were pulled to the top. In all 17 sheep are still missing.

Callington Club and Institute held their annual meeting for the last time in the room at the Junior School where they were formed 60 years ago and where activities have been continued ever since. In a few weeks the club will move to new quarters at the old Public Hall in Well Street. Among those at the meeting was Mr John Pearce, one of the founders, who used to play bagatelle by the light of a hurricane lamp.

Voluntary helpers at the YMCA canteen for servicemen in Wooda Road, Launceston, were entertained to dinner on Frida at the White Hart Hotel by their leader, Mrs S J Fitze. A presentation was made to one of the helpers, mrs Strike, who has played a leading part.

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Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show elections: President, Mr A Petherick; secretary, Messrs W T Kivell and Sons; treasurer, Mr W J Rodgers.

The first “flying fleas” — a small aeroplane — to be made in Cornwall has been constructed by Mr Albert Oliver of St Teath. It was tried out on Saturday in a field adjoining St Teath stone quarry.

The land at Launceston occupied by the Dunheved Bowling and Tennis Club has been bought by their president, Mr Maurice Hart, and thus secured for the club.

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Notified by the ringing of the firebell from St Mary’s Church tower and also by the ruddy glare of leaping flames, the reflection of which could be seen for miles around, Launceston people watched a destructive fire rage at St Joseph’s Dominican Convent, St Stephen’s Hill, on Friday evening. Owing to the very slippery nature of the roads, it was not possible to bring the fire engine over from the town. A fall of snow occurred while the fire was at its height. A portion of the main building was utterly destroyed.