25 years ago
December 23, 1999
Fishermen are being marooned on shore at Port Isaac, because theives are plundering their boats. Navigational and radar equipment to the value of £3,000 to £4,000 has been stolen from at least three fishing boats. The fishermen who own these boats cannot go out to sea until the equipment is replaced and they are losing a lot of money.
Tintagel Primary School’s production this year contained all the traditional elements such as snow and Father Chirstmas. A new feature this year was created through Michael Rosens poem ‘Christmas Dinner’ when a worm is discovered at the table. The worms were Errin Bennett, Charlotte Burnard, Alex Rundle, Thomas Pound, Hannah Gittoes, Yasmin Sidana, Chris Clark, William Keer, Charlie Plew, Jasmine Babriel, Leo Borrie and Ollie Boungy.
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40 years ago
December 22, 1984
North Cornwall MP Mr Gerry Neale and the mayor Mr Barry Jordan met the staff at Launceston Post Office to see how they are coping with the Christmas rush. With them were Mr Geoffrey Ransome, Launceston’s head postmaster, and Mr Garry Gowans, head postmaster, Plymouth.
Owner of the champion beast at Launceston Christmas Show, 25-year-old Miss Grace Daniel, of Burraton Farm, Stoke Climsland, receives her award from the mayor Mr Barry Jordan. With them was the judges Mr Barry Polkinghorne (Wadebridge) and Mr Richard Packer (Crediton) and Mr John Dennis of Kittows Auctioneers.
Sister Louise Lee retires after 19 years at St Mary’s Hospital, Launceston. She was presented with gift vouchers and a plant bowl on behalf of staff and the Social Club by Dr Robert de Glanville.
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50 years ago
December 23, 1974
Mrs Margaret Short, of Langaton, Whitstone, who had never entered a show before, was celebrating after her Charolais-Friesian cross steer was overall champion at the Holsworthy and Stratton Christmas Show.
The leading parts in Bude Junior School’s ‘do-it-yourself’ farce were played by Kevin Colwill, Simon Sleeman, Andrew Cann, David Wonnacott, Penny Moore, Martin Jannings, Gordon Ingram and Paul Reynolds.
Mr Percy Herbert was presented with a hymn book with tunes to mark his devoted work for Wesley Church, Launceston and the Methodist Circuit.
Rex Ward, chairman of Camelford YFC, represented Cornwall at the Royal Smithfield Show, in the sheep stock judging competition.
Leading Fireman S C Martin was toastmaster at Launceston firemen’s dinner with some of the men being called from the dinner to attend a fire at McAlpine’s welding site in Tavistock Road.
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60 years ago
December 23, 1964
More than 400 carol singers were not deterred by bitterly cold weather and frost covered roads on Friday when they filled Cotehele House, near Calstock, for the 12th annual carol service. So many attended they overflowed from the Great Hall into the adjoining dining hall to listen to St Dominick Church choir and the Methodist Chapel choir leading the singing, and to join in with the 23 carols.
Mr and Mrs William Barrett, of 12 St Stephens Hill, Launceston, slept peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning, unaware of the fire which smouldered its way relentlessly around the sitting room immediately beneath their bedroom. It was not until Mr Barrett came downstairs in the morning and opened the sitting room door that he realised the grave danger they had been in.
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70 years ago
December 24, 1954
The new television transmitter at North Hessary Tor was brought into action on Friday and will serve 380,000 people in the Westcountry. But this is only a temporary station and when the permanent station, with its 750ft mast is in position, another one million viewers will be added.
The county consultative committee, set up under the 1954 Pest Act last week went further in laying plans for the extermination of the rabbit pest in Cornwall to finish the killer disease — myxomatosis — has begun.
Sand removals from Summerleaze Beach, Bude, for agricultural purposes are to start again on January 1.
Holsworthy and Stratton Fatstock Association are delighted with the success of its first show since before the war.
The Boscastle company reversed last year’s decision by defeating Mortehoe in the final for the Negley Farson Cup competed for annually by the Life-Saving Apparatus Companies in the Hartland district.
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80 years ago
December 23, 1944
Died of wounds: Sgt Harold Phillips, of Altarnun.
Yeoman of Signals James Algie, Penhole, Coads Green, has been mentioned in despatches for distinguished service.
Monte J Thorne, RAF, of Ashwater, has been awarded the DFM for bravery over Kiel Harbour, when the under-carriage of his bomber was shot away.
Lieut Col W G Williams, Delabole, has been awarded the OBE (Military Division) for his services as commander of the 2nd battalion Cornwall Home Guard and Major the Rev Canon L M Andrews, of Stoke Climsland, received the MBE for his services with the 18th Devon battalion. In the same honour list, the BEM goes to CQMS George A Walker, of The Cottage, Callington for his Home Guard services in that town.
Mr Stanley Madge Palmer, aged 36, of Lugworthy, Broadwood, was kicked by a cow on Saturday week and died in hospital 10 days later.
The officers and men of Werrington Home Guard have presented their platoon commander, Lieut F Stanbury, of Netherbridge, with a silver cigarette case. The presentation was made at a dinner held at Launceston to mark the ‘stand down’ of the Home Guard and Mr Stanbury said he would like to see an Old Comrades Association formed.
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90 years ago
December 29, 1934
Hundreds of tons of slate, stone and rubble crashed to the bottom of Delabole Slate Quarries during worktime on Saturday morning. the noise was heard all over the village causing great alarm for the workmen’s safety, but happily no one was injured, although a steam crane and many tools were covered and crushed.
Miss L W Scoble is leaving the National School, Launceston, where she has been a teacher for 15 years, to become headmistress of St Stephens Junior School. The headmistress of Poughill School, Mrs Emily Peters, has retired after 30 years at the school.
Holsworthy Rural Council have informed the Ministry of Health that no piper water scheme is necessary for their district, as local sources are adequate.
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100 years ago
December 27, 1924
According to one estimate, there are 100,000 wireless owners in the country at present; according to another two million.
Following difficulties with Launceston’s water supplies, the town council was told by the borough surveyor, Mr J Burford, that he had gauged the water coming in from Carne Down at 141,432 gallons a day, compared with 200,000 when the works and pipes were installed 29 years ago. The present figure gave 35 gallons per head of population. It was eventually agreed that the council should hold a special meeting to go into the matter.
Misses Winnie and Queenie Bimore and Master William Kinver received prizes for perfect attednance at Holsworthy National School on Friday. Their prizes for the most popular boy and girl went to Miss Carrie Beckly and Master Headley Jewell.