The Camelford committee of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) held their AGM in the Camelford Fore St Methodist Church on Thursday, March 13.

The chairman, Ang Goodman, welcomed everyone to the meeting including Kim Hammerton from CRUK Headquarters. The chairman proceeded to give her report. She thanked the committee for their hard work and members from the surrounding area who willingly help us throughout the year.

This was followed by a detailed report by Madge Walkey, honorary secretary. Madge reported on the year’s activities which have resulted in another successful year financially. Madge thanked everyone who helped in any way throughout the year. We have such a wonderful amount of people who support our activities each year. Many help with the running of the event, for which we are extremely grateful.

The committee have been raising money for over 47 years; some of the events include bingo, ploughman’s and pudding lunch, pasty supper with a group of friends entertaining everyone with their singing. One committee member raises and successfully sells plants each year. We would not be able to function without the help of so many supporters.

Our treasurer, Sally Moore, gave a detailed report of the year’s fundraising and a cheque for £9,350 was given Kim Hammerton. The officers were re-elected as were the committee members en-bloc.

Kim gave a comprehensive report on the work of Cancer Research UK which was appreciated by the committee members, Ang thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.

Enjoy World Book Night at Holsworthy Library on April 23 from 7pm to 8.30pm.

This event is free but people can book a place with library staff or via Eventbrite. This event is kindly supported by the Friends of Holsworthy Library.

Bradworthy & District Ploughing Association's annual training day, which was held on Saturday, March 22, at Lufflands, Pancrasweek.

It was a wonderful day, full of learning and camaraderie. After a delicious pasty lunch, the trainers and trainees gathered to discuss the fine art of ploughing a straight furrow, as well as the technique of neat ins and outs—an essential skill for any ploughing enthusiast.

In keeping with tradition, Robin, our instructor, shared an interesting piece of ploughing history. He recounted how, many years ago, when he used to plough on Salisbury Plain, before tractors had cabs and heaters a fire was lit whilst ploughing during the winter months.

The weather on the day was unusually mild and warm for March, making the training day even more enjoyable and everyone had a great time.

We are grateful to all who attended and participated, and we look forward to another successful year for the Bradworthy & District Ploughing Association.

The audience at Bude Choral Society’s recent concert in St Michael’s Church was treated to performances of less familiar works by Mozart, his Organ Mass in C and Haydn, his Maria Theresa Mass – discoveries for choir and listeners alike.

Conducted by Bude Choral Society’s long-standing musical director, John Hobbs and accompanied on the organ by local musician, Stephen Tyrrell who also plays for the society’s rehearsals, the evening began with Mozart’s much more well known Solemn Vespers. This masterpiece dates from Mozart’s time spent in Salzburg. A setting of 5 psalms and the Magnificat, the work combines thrilling chorus work with solo passages, the most famous being the celebrated Laudate Dominum in which soprano, Lisa Moffat, soared sublimely over the hushed tones of the choir.

Together with Lisa, contralto Rebecca Squire making a return visit to Bude, tenor Mark Hounsell and bass Christopher Painter all made the interspersed passages for the soloists all sound effortless in all three works. Mozart’s Organ Mass in C is quite short as it had to comply with the edict from the then Archbishop of Salzburg, that all settings of the Mass be as short as possible. Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass is one of his later symphonic masses but has been rather overshadowed by the more often performed Nelson Mass. In all this was once again an evening of local music making at its best.

Members of Bude Choral Society will be contributing to Bude’s VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations on May 8 at Bude Castle as well as collaborating with the Bridge Mill at Bridgerule when it opens on Sunday, May 11, for National Mills Day. Its next concert for 2025 will be on November 29 and will feature works by Charpentier, Handel and Gounod.

On Friday, March 21, the Circle welcomed Jonathan Mann from the Talyllyn Preservation Society.

Through a series of archive film Jonathan took members on a journey showing the first 30 years of the preserved Talyllyn Railway. Before Jonathan started he introduced Michael Farr who had been a volunteer at the railway in the very early days at the start of the 1950’s.

The railway had been owned by Sir Haydn Jones who had been providing a summer service for the tourists to be able to visit the stunning area of southern Snowdonia. Sir Haydn died on July 2, 1950. His wife continued to run the line for the rest of that summer. Tom Rolt wrote a letter to the Birmingham Post that Summer proposing the line should be saved.

The first meeting to discuss the possibility of preserving the railway took place on October 11, 1950 this was five days after the last train had been operated by Sir Haydn’s company.

The committee which been proposed at October 11 meeting met for the first time on October 23, 1950 and negotiations for the railway began immediately and the Society took over the railway on February 8, 1951 after Sir Haydn’s wife had gifted her shares of the company to the preservation Society.

There were several different films shown from the early days when a lot of work was required by the volunteers to restore the railway as it had been some what run down. The final film was a speeded up run of a trip on the line in 1979 which showed all the hard work that had been achieved by all the volunteers over the past 30 years.

The next meeting is on Friday, April 11, when Bernard Mills will be returning to his American travels this time covering the Eastern Seaboard.

Twenty five members of the Lezant Lunch Club were welcomed by Ken Scoble at Trebullett Hall on Wednesday, March 26.

Members enjoyed a delicious meal of pork casserole, served with roast potatoes and cabbage, followed by a white chocolate and raspberry trifle. The main course was prepared by John and Emma Morley. The pudding was made by Mary Tucker. The vegetarian main course was provided by Mary Synott. The servers were Diana Anderson, Judith Smith, Mary Bridger and Helen Judge.

During coffee, members were entertained by a general knowledge quiz. The team scores were close with two teams scoring 13 points, but the winning team scored 14 points out of a possible 20.

The Lezant Lunch Club meets on the last Wednesday of each month. The next meal will be held on Wednesday, April 30. The cost to members will be £5 for two courses plus coffee. Phone Ruth on 01566 782286 to book a place.

The Werrington Ladies Circle began springtime with "How to improve your balance" by talented yoga teacher, and much more, Alison Jones.

Members took to their seats, with all energy directed to the feet, light movements of spreading the toes, circling the ankle for the warm up. From that moment, the calming voice of Alison, entwined the ladies to captivate their inner souls. Small circles for the inner thigh and backward leg motions for the gluts, woke up the untapped muscles for that sweet pain sensation. There were shoulder rolls, backwards and forwards with head rotations to finish. Alison stated that all of these exercises can be done on a daily basis to help with strength and balance.

Alison, then spoke in-depth on the subject of Osteoporosis, which is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures, often occurring in the hip, wrist or spine. This is often called the "silent disease” as it can develop without noticeable symptoms until a fracture occurs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight bearing exercise can help prevent or slow down the progression of osteoporosis.

If anyone, would like to join these eclectic, fun loving ladies from all walks of life within a community, please contact Susan Desmond (president), 01566 773768. Our meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month, in the winter 2.30pm and summer 7.30pm at Yeolmbridge Methodist Community Hall, Ladycross, PL15 8TN. Annual subscription of £15 and guests £3 per meeting.

We look forward to welcoming new members on April 29 at 7.30pm for tea, cakes, friendship, giggles and so much more including a talk on Medical Detection Dogs.