January 14, 1999

A big cat is believed to be responsible for sheep killings near Launceston close to the area where a lynx type animal was sighted. Two farmers who have land on both sides of Trebursye Woods found one of each of their flock killed over the New Year period.

Werrington farmer Richard Jenkin is the new chairman of Cornwall National Farmers’ Union branch.

Swimmers using a special scheme at Launceston’s leisure centre have been left horrified by a 300 per cent cost increase, it has been claimed — indoor rowing champion Gillian Burrell from Egloskerry fears she ma have to cut down her training due to the axing of a direct debit system, being replaced by a voucher system; the same as that which replaces the gold card scheme.

January 14, 1984

Former waitress Linda Parsons, of Lynstone Road, Bude, is off to a flying start in her new career with the Royal Air Force. Linda, 19, has passed out of the RAF School of Recruit Training at Swinderby, near Lincoln, as best recruit of her flight. She was congratulated by the Reviewing Officer, Group Captain Mike Pierson, and presented with a certificate of Merit to mark her achievement. Linda, a former pupil of Budehaven Comprehensive School, is now going to RAF Newton for specialist training as a policewoman.

The generosity of a Holsworthy town councillor has saved a local charity for the disabled from going into the red because of a clerical slip. After a payment was missed local councillor Barry Megson offered to make up the difference.

January 12, 1974

Mr William John Mules, of 6, Duke Terrace, St Stephens, retires next week after nearly 50 year as a pharmacist’s assistant. He joined Wilson’s Chemists, Launceston in 1925 and stayed on when the business was taken over by Mr Norman Tilley in 1955.

Mr Peter Williams has been elected chairman of the newly formed management committee of Bradworthy Youth Club. For the time being the Holsworthy Community College youth tutor, Mr Barry Megson, will act as secretary.

Mr W K (Bill) Jacobs’ 17 year’s service as an auxilliary postman at Delabole was marked by the presentation of a certificate of appreciation from the head of the postal department. The presentation was made by the Head Postmaster, Truro, Mr R H Harrison.

Altogether ten trees in the garden of Langfield House, Bude, were blown down in the gale which lashed the South West on Tuesday. The trees left craters in the garden of the house which is run as a hotel by Mr and Mrs Roy Dinshaw.

The Deputy Mayoress (Mrs J D Rashley) and 92-year-old Mrs Gilbert combined to cut the cake at the 25h old people’s party at Launceston, which was organised by Ald Mrs K A Keast.

January 18, 1964

A three-ton lorry skidded at Clawton, completely demolishing a telephone kiosk and ploughing into the village Post Office and stores. Postmistress Mrs Alice Parnell was sleeping in her room above the premises when the crash occurred. Mrs Parnell’s husband, Redvers, had left the Post Office where he had been tying up mail only two minutes earlier.

The Cornwall Education Committee has drawn up a plan for the proposed new county grammar school for 300 girls and boys at Callington, which has been the subject of considerable discussion in the area, in view of the urgent need for fresh accommodation for the Callington primary school which is due to move into the existing grammar school from its present propped-up building.

January 16, 1954

More than four thousand people have seen “Puss in Boots”, the Wadebridge Amateur Music and Dramatic Society’s first venture into the realm of pantomime.

Penallick Point, Tintagel, had been given to the National Trust by Mr W Boney, in a tribute to the memory of King George VI and to mark the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr C L Symons, chairman of Launceston Rural District Council, has died at his home, Trebartha Farm, North Hill, at the age of 64. He was the son of a former Mayor, the late Alderman W H Symons.

Over £600 was raised by a special effort at Wesley Methodist Church, Launceston, yesterday (Thursday), aimed at clearing the debt incurred for decorating and repairing the church, which was reopened yesterday. A luncheon in the Town Hall was attended by over 200 guests.

Three flowering trees given by the Women’s Institute in commemoration of the Coronation, have been planted in Milton Abbot churchyard, the ceremony being performed by Mrs Blanchard, president for over 20 years, Miss I Davey present president, and Mrs C Spear, vice-president.

Mr W J Mitchell, assistant postmaster at Launceston, is leaving on promotion to Head Postmaster at Harwich, Essex.

January 15, 1944

Prisoner of war in Java: Mr Leslie Holman, of St Ann’s Chapel. Awarded MBE: Maj D C Witaker, of Dorchester, formerly a pupil at Camelford, Grammar School.

In Speeches at Launceston, Bude and Delabole over the weekend, Mr T L Horabin, MP for North Cornwall, suggested a Liberal-Labour alliance to form a national radical government after the war. Failure to achieve this, he said, would mean that we would become a third-class power with a very low standard of living.

Mr Sydenham James, of Okehampton, has created a record by holding the post of organist at Okehampton Parish Church for 60 years. He has received congratulations from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Sandhill, Gunnislake was called “suicide hill” by Councillor Duance at Thursday’s meeting of St Germans Rural Council. The council agreed to his suggestion to press for warning signs for lorry drivers.

January 20, 1934

Davidstow Church was struck by lightning on Sunday night, with one of the pinnacles of the tower crashing through the roof and causing some £300 damage.

Launceston Chamber of Trade have been discussing changing the town’s half-day from Thursday to Wednesday, but reached no definite conclusion, although the chairman, Mr W E Miller, commented that he thought the time was coming when Saturday would become the general half-day. 

Launceston Town Council is considering the establishment of a weekly cattle-market for the town and has arranged meetings with the Farmers’ Union and the Chamber of Trade.

January 19, 1924

An X-ray department is to be provided to Stratton Cottage Hospital and a committee, under Mr P C Thornton, is to investigate ways and means of raising the £500 required.

Mr Thomas C Heal, the prominent trade unionist, who died in Yorkshire, was born at the Carriers’ Inn, Bude, 74 years ago. One of his daughters, Mrs Leslie Vickery, still resides at Bude.

We hope that from the health point of view, Laucneston Town Council, having regard to the display of secondhand clothing, etc, set out beside the butchers’ stalls in the pannier market, will consider flooring the large space above the stalls so that the bottom portion may be used for the sale of food only.