25 years ago

July 22, 1999

Camelford mayor Brian Lush greeted HRH The Princess Royal outside the Indian King Arts Centre last week, and said it was a great honour to welcome her to the town. “She asked me where my mayoress was,” said Mr Lush. “And I said my daughter was playing in the band. She was as charming as usual.”

A scheme by Tesco Stores Ltd to more than double the size of its Launceston supermarket is being recommended for approval by Launceston Town Council planning committee.

Alyson Tapley has stood down from her position as chairman of the Camelford Pre-School.

A pacesetting medical scheme to help target health problems is being created at Port Isaac.

As well as the Year 6 tester day, in which pupils from Budehaven’s eight feeder schools come from four of the smaller primary schools are also offered the opportunity to participate in two days of fun activities.

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40 years ago

July 21, 1984

In attendance at the Launceston Playgroup Teddy Bears’ Picnic in the Castle Green on Sunday were the Mayor and Mayoress (Barry Jordan and Debra Turner) with Max Davies, Emma Frazer-Mills, Neil Bevan, Tamra Noon, Rebecca Hawke, Bethany Lewitt, Stuart Bruton, Abigail Mallett, Jon Bruton, Naomi Cook and Matthew Kingdon.

At the White Hart, Launceston, on Saturday, Mrs Mary Hills was presented with several farewell gifts from her teaching colleagues. She is leaving St Joseph’s School after 14 years in the French department.

Blessed for the second year running with superb weather, Launceston Agricultural Association’s 97th annual show at Kennards House was yet another record-breaker. A total of 130 trade stands exceeded anything that had been seen on the showfield before, displaying a wide range of farm machinery, feeding stuffs and fertilisers, motor cars and goods for farmhouse and home.

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50 years ago

July 20, 1974

Launceston Agricultural Associatin’s 87th annual exhibition at the Kennards House Showfield yesterday (Thursday) was blessed with perfect weather. This year’s president was Mr Roy Toms of Hamblys (Whitstone) Ltd.

Bude-Stratton’s part-time meteorological officer, Mr Francis Kendall, is to get a pay rise of about seventy per cent, from £1.47 1/2 d a week to £2.50 a week.

Canworthy Water, like many villages, will see the end of local postmen and postwomen. On Saturday Miss Dulcie Cowliong (after 30 years’ service) and Mr and Mrs T Uglow finished their duties. The mail will now be delivered by van.

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60 years ago

July 25, 1964

The decision to cancel all commercially-sponsored dances in the town hall for the remainder of the month was made by Launceston Town Council, on Monday. The committee confirmed the action of the chairman and decided to cancel two bookings for dances at the town hall, on August 8 and September 12. It was alleged that the promoters failed to comply with the conditions of letting and conduct resulted which was unacceptable to the committee. A report presented relating to the dance on July 4, referred to what was described as drunken behaviour. Fighting was said to have taken place on the dance floor.

Devon County Council have contracted to pay £50 for 0.2 of an acre of land at Bradworthy for a site for the county primary swimming pool.

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70 years ago

July 24, 1954

The first prize-giving of the newly-established Pennygillam County Secondary School at Launceston was held on Tuesday, when the headmaster (Mr K A Pascoe) promised “We will attempt to provide the best possible opportunity and education for the children in the school.” The prizes were presented by the Rt Hon Isaac Foot and recipients included Janet Rockey, Kenneth Saunders, Ewart Shillabeer, Terence Screech, Vivien Evans, Mervyn Stone, Alex Cook, Terence Bartlett, Joan Lashbrook and Norman Aunger.

Additional accommodation for sheep has been provided by the auctioneers, Messrs Kittow and Son, at Hallworthy Market.

St Teath Parish Council is supporting Delabole Women’s Institute’s pressure to have a telephone kiosk at Pengelly.

The Duke of Bedford is at Milton Abbott, where his father died tragically last year. Just home from South Africa, the present Duke says he hopes to be able to keep the estate.

Revel Day at Pyworthy was marred by torrential rain, with over 2ft of flood water on the main road at Derriton Bridge.

Kensey Vale Bowling Club has won the Cornwall County rinks championship, with R Sanders, J Wonnacott, F Martin and P T Copp, who now go to the national finals in London.

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80 years ago

July 22, 1944

Killed in action: Sgt Wm J Perkin, of The Square, Holsworthy; Pte W C Alee, formerly of Bolventor, Sgt E H Orchard, RAF, of Sunnyside, Whitstone; Sgt Walter Metherell, a native of Bude; Pte E Cruse, connected with Kelly Bray. Wounded in action: Cpl Cyril Penno, of Lewannick,

Mentioned in despatches; Wm P Stanbury, of Furze Park, Launceston, now serving with the 8th Army.

Sensational news from Germany is of a revolt by high-ranking army officers and a bomb attempt on the life of Hitler. He is reported to have escaped with slight burns and concussion.

Camelford and Callington are both holding their “Salute the Soldier” War Savings Weeks at the moment and are in friendly but keen competition. Callington is well ahead at the moment with £73,000 raised up to Wednesday night, by which time Camelford’s figure was £33,000. Both have a £75,000 target.

First, second and third prizes in Division One of the Plymouth Methodist District Scripture Examinations have been won by Diana Williams, Marjorie Hayne and Margaret Martyn, all three from Pengelly Methodist Sunday School, Delabole.

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90 years ago

July 24, 1934

Bude’s new dance hall, the Headland Pavilion, Summerleaze, was opened on Tuesday for its first social event, a dance to the music of Rees Kersey and his Dialto Syncropators. The first couple to take the floor were Miss M Williams and Mr C Callanan, of Bude. The dance hall is one of the largest in the West of England. Under the supervision of Mrs Edwards, the manageress, the pavilion will be a decided asset to Bude’s amenities.

Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha’s suggestion that a road tunnel should be built under the Tamar to link Cornwall with Plymouth is being supported by the civic authorities.

At the suggestion of the Bude Traders’ Association, Bude-Stratton Urban Council is to investigate the possible provision of an aviation ground for the town.

Cornwall roadmen’s wages are likely to be increased from 36s to 28s a week.

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100 years ago

July 26, 1924

In a thunderstorm, Mr A M Williams, of Werrington Park on Monday laid the foundation stone of North Tamerton’s new parish hall. Another stone bears record of the gift of land by Mrs Alexander and of the great held given towards the building by Mr F Alexander, of Ogbeare Hall.

Lifton Church tower was considerably damaged and the clock destroyed when struck by lightning in Monday’s severe and widespread thunderstorm.

Total takings at Launceston Agricultural Show last week were £175 — over £200 down on last year and meaning a loss of £250.

Reporting on the outcome of his visit to the Ministry of Health in London, the Mayor (Mr W Barriball) told Launceston Town Council that their scheme for an isolation hospital in the town because it was elaborate enough and that their proposed council houses were not approved as the cost — £505 per house — was too high.