25 years ago
April 15, 1999
Joan Blackmore, a popular member of the Launceston Amateur Dramatics Society, treated the assembled members and associates of The North Cornwall National Trust Association to an extremely interesting talk, exploring the fascinating history and significance of Mummers Players at the Central Methodist Hall, Launceston on Thursday.
A Tintagel company is seeking to rent 60 spaces at Tintagel Car Park for staff displaced as a result of the visit of the Princess Royal this summer. The Maybridge Chemical Company has asked North Cornwall District Council for exclusive use of the 60 spaces.
For members and friends of Bude and Stratton Operatic and Dramatic Society last Saturday evening at the Parkhouse Centre was ‘Party Night’. First their general knowledge was tested in a Wine and Wisdom quiz, later there was Irish Bingo.
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40 years ago
April 14, 1984
The Bishop of Truro (Rt Rev Peter Mumford) visited the united benefice of St Stephen and St Thomas, Launceston, on Sunday, for a parish confirmation service and eucharist.
The mayor of Launceston, Mrs Cynthia Buckingham, and her consort were at the Leisure Centre at the weekend to give civic encouragement to the 41 swimmers taking part in Launceston Lions third annual sponsored swim.
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50 years ago
April 13, 1974
Annette Heard, aged 16, of Kings Hill, Bude, won the North Cornwall Miss Youth Club contest at Launceston.
Miss M Fraser, chairman, retired from office at the 28th annual meeting of the Launceston Old Cornwall Society and is succeeded by Mr G Uglow.
Miss Anne King presented a bouquet to Mrs E Dalton-White who opened the Easter Fayre at Tintagel in aid of The After Care Home for cancer patients.
A Milton Damerel Parochial Church Council meeting, Mr Norman Webber was elected secretary in place of Mrs Clarke, who has left the parish.
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60 years ago
April 11, 1964
Is the Poundstock 50-mile walk too tough? This was the question being asked when only 12 competitors finished from an entry of 45. The walk started at midnight from The Old Smythy at Treskinnick Cross. By the first light of Sunday morning only 23 walkers continued from the check point at Newport, Launceston. At Holsworthy the field had been reduced to 13, with the last person retiring at Tamarstone bridge. First home were Michael Hicks and Evan Trick, in a time of 11 hours and 56 minutes. They were closely followed by Philip Brock, of Poughill.
In Launceston’s first county election for 38 years, Mr George Bray, a retired farmer, was returned top of the poll with 506 votes. The defeated candidates were Joyce Hart and Albert Sloman. At Camelford, Mr Thomas Wakeham retained his seat with 864 votes. Mr Stanley Johns had no trouble in retaining his seat in the Calstock division — he gained 1,141 votes. At Bude, Mr Alan Curtis was elected. At Tintagel, Mr Edwin Mutton retained his seat with 765 votes, but he was given a close run by Mr William Boney.
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70 years ago
April 17, 1954
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Combined Police Authority decided at Bodmin, Monday, to defer considering a scheme to equip the county police force with radio until they had studied details of the cost.
Rev E J Sanders, Vicar of Laneast with St Clether, is to be Vicar of St Keverne, Helston.
The 7th annual handicraft exhibition of Delabole WI was held on Saturday at the Wesley Schoolroom.
Launceston Competitive Music Festival is still breaking records. This year’s entries exceed those of last year by nearly 150. The total this year is 870 and there are increases in practically all classes.
On Saturday, the Methodist Church at Kelly Bray, which was built in 1908 and has recently been redecorated, was reopened by Mrs Isaac Foot, of Pencreber.
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80 years ago
April 15, 1944
Two soldiers were killed when an Army lorry overturned at Ladycross, Werrington, on Thursday.
Mr Thomas Berlan Rhys who had died at Tenby, Wales, at the age of 87, was a one-time headmaster of the old Launceston grammar school.
A Leicestershire girl on holiday at St Gennys was drowned last week. It is thought she went to sleep on the beach and was caught by the tide.
Mr Oliver Johns, late of Forester’s Cottage, Callington, who has been living with his daughter, Mrs E Marks, at Trewarlett Cross, died at Launceston on Friday at the age of 92. In his younger days he worked in Africa, and while helping to cut the railway line to the diamond fields, he and one of his brothers were attacked by Zulus.
Sergeant Mary Parsons, ATS, of Westhaven, Widemouth Bay, was selected for the South East Command in an inter-command netball tournament in London last week.
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90 years ago
April 21, 1934
Top price in the annual show and sale of Devon bulls, conducted by J Kittow and Son at Launceston, Thursday, was 38 gns for Messrs F J Stanbury and Sons (Carey Barton, St Giles, ‘Carey Viceroy’, sold to Mr Shopland, Broadwood.
The electricity supply generated from the power station of Messrs V Mounce and Son at Lifton is to be closed down and the village will be linked with the West Devon Supply Co. Through the ingenuity and enterprise of Mr Mounce and his son, Lifton has had electricity for 13 years and there are now 120 customers, as well as the street lighting.
Mr G H Gurney has retired as clerk to Stratton Rural Council and MR G L Andrew has been appointed in his stead at a suggested salary of £250 a year. Mr C Densham has been elected chairman and Mr A J Smeeth, vice-chairman.
Launceston Town Council is to meet the Chamber of Trade and Farmers’ Union to discuss whether a weekly cattle market should be instituted for the town instead of the present fortnightly market.
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100 years ago
April 19, 1924
A worshipper just escaped from falling into a hole which appeared in the floor of Bude Wesleyan Church on Sunday dry rot had set in.
Boscastle Flower Show committee, Mr W Mugford presiding, have decided to add a poultry section to their show.
Rev G H Arundell was on Monday instituted to the living of Lewtrenchard, formerly held by the late Rev S Baring Gould. Mr Arundell acted as Mr Baring Gould’s curate for a good many years.
There has been a case of anthrax in Stoke Climsland parish and another suspected case on Mr Samuel Allen’s farm at Coombe Gate, Laneast. At Boyton, on Mr S J Uglow’s farm, a cow, heifer and steer were killed by it.