25 years ago

June 17, 1999

The Jackpot Team, from Launceston, scythed their way through the waters of Roadford Reservoir, near Lifton, as part of the Dragon Boat Racing Day, on Sunday, which drew a large crowd and many competitors. The event was in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West, and four of the teams entered the event in support of Country Holidays for inner City Kids (CHICKS), which is based at Woodside Retreat, near Launceston.

A time capsule containing everyday items was buried at Kernow House Nursing Home, Launceston, this week, when the children who provided the items promised to return in 50 years for the diggin up and re-opening. It contains various paintings and everyday articles — the efforts of pupils from St Catherine’s Church of England School, Launceston, which was represented by two pupils from each year, including: Lucy Peel, Matthew Robbins, Ian Kennedy, Simon Hall, Lisa Donaldson, Rachel Robbins, Emma Baker, Aaron Bleech, Daniel Rousen, Jane Fraser, Ryan Julian and Samantha Stringer.

The mayor of Camelford is planning a Millenium Ball but it won’t be on January 1. Cllr Brian Lush asked Camelford Town Council to support the idea in principle at a meeting on Tuesday night.

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40 years ago

June 16, 1984

Young Gavin West and his grandfather, of Tregwindles Farm, Wadebridge, prepared to meet Prince Charles at Royal Cornwall Show. They were helping with the Gillard flock animals from Holsworthy.

Drought conditions and a lack of water supplies hold no fears for Mrs Joi Barnes, of Middle Wheatley, near Whitstone, who has her own unique method of collecting water — she has four husky dogs which she uses to pull a three-wheeled rig down to the nearest stream to collect supplies.

1st St Minver guides were pictured at the strip of land which they will “Adopt and Cherish” in the national competition sponsored by Lloyds Bank. With them were theiur Guiders and Mrs David Gill, clerk to the parish council. The sloping strip is between the road to the main car park and the beach.

Densham Court Abbeyfield Home was officially opened last week by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Lt Col The Earl of Morley seen with committee members of the Abbeyfield Holsworthy Society and Torridge District Council.

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50 years ago

June 15, 1974

Mr and Mrs W Venner, of North Road, Lifton, had not seen their only grand-daughter since the age of three months, her parents having emigrated to New Zealand in December 1954. However, Mrs Venner picked her out of 1,000 passengers leaving a ship at Southampton.

Mr Gordon Smale, of North Petherwin, scored a double at the Royal Cornwall Show with his five-year-old Friesian cow Glebewin Herald Snowflake 9th being female and breed champion.

At Tintagel Parish Council monthly meeting, Mrs Y Adams reported that she had had several complaints of an obnoxious smell coming from the stream at Trebarwith Strand.

Diane Sword, Graham Denford, David Daniel and Roger Skinner took part in a road walk at North Tamerton on Whit Monday and raised over £51 for Christian Aid.

Trevor Tucker received the sportsman of the year cup at Week St Mary Football Club annual dinner at Lewtrenchard Hotel.

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60 years ago

June 20, 1964

Freehold development land in St Germans Road, Callington, near Chibb’s Hotel, with a frontage of 103ft and a depth of 82.5ft was withdrawn at £850 at a public auction at Callington on Wednesday.

Six members of Launceston YFC have been successful in passing the milking proficiency test. They are Bernard Tucker, Trevor Stephens, Philip Medland, Andrew Donney, Anthony Donney and Neil Burden.

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70 years ago

June 19, 1954

Sir Winston Churchill was installed as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Monday.

Members of Holsworthy Rural Council at their annual meeting on Wednesday were told by Mr J Boles that the country roads committee had approved a scheme to borrow £250,000 to put unclassified roads into thorough repair. All the money, with the exception of £40,000, was to be spent in North and West Devon, and a lot of the unclassified roads in those areas were to be dealt with within the next twelve months.

The annual meeting of the Launceston Red Cross Detachment was held on Monday and at the commencement the decisional president (Miss M Harvey) paid tribute to the wonderful work done for the society by the late D E Cottrell, who would be much missed in the detachment and division.

Mary Tavy Carnival Week was marred by bad weather, most of the events having to be held indoors.

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80 years ago

June 17, 1944

Guardsman G Sleep, Irish Guards, of Tettaridge Gate, near Launceston, previously reported missing, is a prisoner of war in Germany.

Nurse Harris, of Trebullett, has been notified that her youngest son, Bruce, has been wounded in action in Italy.

A train smash occurred at Halwill yesterday (Thursday) when the engine ran into the stop block just outside the station, jumped the metals, crashed down the embankment, and finished up lying across the Beaworthy Road. The driver, fireman and guard all jumped clear and no one was hurt.

After having been a prisoner of war in Germany for four years, Pte Fred Jeffery, has returned home to Delabole as one of those exchanged under the recent repatriation scheme.

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90 years ago

June 23, 1934

For the first time in Midsummer Eve celebrations of the Old Cornwall Society, a bonfire on Brown Willy will join the chain of fires throughout the county. It is being organised by the Launceston Hiking Club.

The Ministry of Health has suggested uniting Broardwoodwidger Rural District with Holsworthy Rural District, but the council itself is strongly opposed to this, an attitude endorsed by a meeting of ratepayers.

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100 years ago

June 21, 1924

The scheme to construct a breakwater at Port Isaac in well under way and the money appears readily to be forthcoming.

At Launceston Town Council on Monday it was reported that the estimate for the suggested improvement at Page’s Cross was £84. This is an increase from the original £37, the council decided that is was too expensive. It was stated that congestion at the cattle market was being caused by the vast increase in pigs brought in, from 30 or 40 a few years ago, to about 300 or 400 per market now.