The sun was shining for the day Ian Botham paced through Launceston, with a big smile on his face. For the star cricketer was delighted at the support the town gave him on his last walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End, in aid of Leukaemia Research.

Bude Area Chamber of Commerce is appealing for help to ensure the town is lit up this Christmas. There is currently a £3,000 shortfall for this year’s display, and there are fears that Queen Street will suffer due to new highway regulations which mean the present set of lights have to be replaced.

Holsworthy Computer Centre is in danger of being closed down, just nine months after it opened. Administer, Ian Henry, explained that the centre must have students representing 59 businesses from the South West area by the end of this month or RATIO (Rural Area Training and Information Opportunities) will remove the ten computers and redistribute them to other centres.

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‘Let No-one accuse Camelford - or North Cornwall of apathy,” commented one of the judges after watching a procession of more than 30 tableaux at Camelford carnival on Wednesday.

A modern stretcher (which can be converted into a carrying chair) together with a set of splints and carrying sheet, was presented by Mr and Mrs Terry Harry on behalf of South West Truckers to Launceston, St John Ambulance and Nursing Cadets Division.

National surveys pointing to a decline in church attendance are scoffed at in Tremaine. The tiny parish has witnessed a startling revival in churchgoing which has delighted its vicar and the small congregation who kept faith with the place during its lean years.

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Mr Peter Parsons, of Trussell, Tresmeer, who rarely enters competitions, won a Mini car in a competition organised by an audio hi fi retailer for customers.

The champion tableaux at Holsworthy Carnival was ‘The Art Master’ (Mesdames Newcombe, Riches and Brock, Hatherleigh).

Paul Laxton proposed that Bude-Stratton Town Council buy Messrs Edwards and Sons Ltd garage at Burn View and turn it into a car park.

The Port Isaac Singers, under their conductor, Mrs Janet Townsend, will be in ‘Opportunity Knocks’ on Westward TV on Monday.

Due to the present livestock crisis, there were two large gatherings of farmers in Launceston last week in an attempt to put pressure on the government to help producers.

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Launceston Town Council meeting on Monday accepted a tender of £78,550 for the construction of blocks A, B and D for the Tower Street / Northgate Street redevelopment scheme. They will comprised 27 one and two-bedroom flats and garages. This was the lowest of seven tenders from Messrs A N Coles (Contractors) Ltd, of Plymouth.

Through the generosity of Mrs G W Kittow, Launceston is to have a stately and gracious civic centre, probably with a museum and art gallery. Mrs Kittow, widow of Mr Horace Kittow, has presented her fine Georgian house, 9 Castle Street, to the National Trust with the stipulation that it should be leased on a long term to the borough council.

Following the recent news that Sir Hugh Foot had been appointed minister of state for foreign affairs, came the announcement on Friday that his brother, Mr Dingle Foot, has been awarded a knighthood.

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There is a possibility that motor racing at Davidstow may continue. Cornwall Motor Racing Ltd are conducting a campaign to enable the former aerodrome perimeter to be used as a race track.

North Cornwall Brick Company’s 100ft chimney stack, erected in 1920 was demolished last week because it was unsafe. It is estimated to have contained enough bricks to build six average size houses today.

Launceston Police Ball, Thursday, was judged to be “the best yet” the elaborate decorations featuring hundreds of multi-coloured lights.

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Killed on service: In an accident, LAC James Greville Oke, formerly of Lifton. Wounded in action: Pte Leslie Adams, of Chapple, Launceston. Missing: Pte Leslie William George Uren, of 4, Tower Street, Launceston; Tel Sephas N Harry, RN, of Westgate Street, Launceston; Marine Noel John Goodman, of 42, Tower Street, Launceston.

The Military Cross has been posthumously awarded for services in Normandy to Capt Carlos L Blackwell, DCLI, whose parents live at Holmbush, Kelly Bray.

Lifton Young Farmers’ Club, which has been inactive for the past three years, is to be revived and the following officers have been appointed: President, Major F O Morris; chairman, Mr S Colwill; leader, Mr Robbins; secretaries, Misses L Barriball and B Kneebone.

Mr R S Best is leaving Boyton School to become headmaster at Blackwater and he received the formally thanks of the parish council — of which he is a member — for his services to Boyton during his stay here.

A public meeting, called by the parish council, has decided to build a parish hall for Lezant.

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The Tonics Concert Party have raised over £90 for Launceston Carnival. The members are Misses Gwen Dymond, Vera Tamblyn, Mrs Ena Phelps, Messrs B Chapman, O Phelps, C Causley and W Blythe.

Rev Norman Charles Honey is to be Vicar of St Teath in place of Rev C W Stenson-Stenson.

A motion was put before Cornwall County Council on Tuesday to raise roadmen’s wages from 36s to 38s per week, but it was defeated.

Launceston is to have a new motor fire engine. The cost will be about £800 and the town council will provide two-thirds of this, the Launceston and Broadwood RDC’s providing the remainder.

Messrs Sprys of Launceston, offer a new Ford 10 de luxe Tudor saloon at £135.

There is pressure for the school-leaving age to be raised to 15 and it is likely to come next year.

Arising out of disturbances at a meeting last month, three Blackshirts (Fascists) were sent to prison at Plymouth for assault.

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Mr R J Trigger, stationmaster at Callington Road Station, Kelly Bray, for 15 years, has been appointed to Bude. Mr C E Underhill and Mr John Brock, on Wednesday, made a presentation to him from his friends.

Launceston Town Council has agreed to the County Council taking over the repair and maintenance of main roads in the district.

Camelford War Memorial Institute is going from strength to strength. This was reported by the secretary, Mr A J Kellow, at the annual meeting when the treasurer, Mr T E Wakefield, said the overdraft had been reduced to under £300.