THE Camelford Committee of Cancer Research UK held their annual general meeting at the Fore St, Methodist Church on April 23.

The chairman Ang Goodman, opened the meeting by welcoming members. She then asked everyone to observe a

minutes silence in memory of Jan Stratfield, a valued member for sixteen years, who died in January and will be much missed by us all.

The Honorary Secretary, Madge Walkey reported on the years activities which have resulted in another very successful year for the charity, Madge said that as a committee we were indebted to countless individuals and organisations who support the committee in so many ways throughout the year and to the residents of Camelford and district for their unstinting support. She said without their help the committee wouldn't have been able to achieve the result they have.

The Honorary Treasurer, Sally Moore gave a very detailed financial report and in the absence of our area manager, who was unable to attend, a cheque for £10.000.00 has been sent to head office. Ang, Madge and Sally were then re-elected as officers. Enid Andrews, Nicky Hill, Karina Lee-Edmunds, Judy Lamb, Pam Lyons, Lynn Oliver and Jennifer Wood were also re-elected to serve on the committee.

The committee are grateful to Adrian Jasper, our photographer, for publicising the work of the committee at every opportunity. Ang then closed the meeting.

THE community of Stratton’s church and their many friends and supporters have welcomed the success of the full restoration of the East Window by Holy Well Glass of Wells and the repair of the bell frame and restoration for the church’s eight bells by Taylors of Loughborough.

The temporary disharmony of the clock face and chimes has been corrected and with our Flag flying according to the season the church is returning to its full place in the Town of Stratton. Financial support from several grant giving institutions, the Friends of St Andrew’s and other generous folk has made this success a great complement to all who contributed.

A spokesperson said: “We wish to acknowledge the help of the The William Morris Fund, The Benefact Trust, The Blanchminster Trust and a Conservation Grant from the Cathedral and Church Buildings Department of the Church of England for the East Window and the Diocesan Guild of Ringers Bell Restoration Fund, The Balsdon Trust of Holsworthy and the Sharps Trust for the Bell Frame. The Cornwall Historic Churches Trust gave grants for both these worthy causes.”

The churchyard figures in a lot of people’s minds and is kept tidy by the PCC for the public to come and enjoy with safe paths and special areas left to become wild for the benefit of wild flowers and insects. Some areas are cared for by volunteers and anyone may come and look after any particular area that would benefit from their tender loving care. Financial support especially for the churchyard is always very welcome.

The church family and supporters are now preparing for our annual Flower Festival with the theme of “For the Beauty of Flowers” which is on May 22, 23 and 24, from 10am to 4pm on Friday and Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

In the summer we have “One week in Summer” when St Andrew’s has a Music and Arts Festival July 11 to 19. More publicity to come about activities inside and outside the church in due course.

THE final fundraising event of the year for the Inner Wheel Club of Bude was an afternoon with Tony Rea.

Tony is well known to the our people of Bude, not only as a local postman but also as a finalist in the BBC Great British Sewing Bee. Over ninety ladies (and a few gentlemen) came to the Methodist Church in Bude to hear Tony give a fascinating talk about his very varied career. He explained the different challenges set to the contestants in the Sewing Bee, illustrated with many of the actual garments he had made on the show. Tony’s latest project is leading Thread Brothers, an initiative supported by Devon Partnership NHS Trust which will teach men to sew, repair and create upcycled clothes and, in doing so, improve their mental wellbeing.

After the talk there was a lively question and answer session and the opportunity for everyone to look at the many examples of Tony’s work on show. It wouldn’t be an Inner Wheel event without food so the afternoon finished with a delicious spread of tea and cakes.

President Mandy Hamley and the members of Bude Inner Wheel are extremely grateful to Tony for making the afternoon so enjoyable and to everyone who came. Inner Wheel Clubs of Barnstaple and Tavistock were represented and we were delighted to have the company of the Deputy Mayor of Bude , Vicky Herbert-Coulson. A goodly sum was raised for the President’s charities, Adsurf and Cornwall Mind.

COAD’S Green group, Women on Wednesdays, (WOW), has planned a number of outdoor visits and activities for the spring and summer months in 2026.

The May meeting was hastily brought forward to the end of April as the planned visit to enjoy a bluebell walk at “The Willows Cafe and Woodland Walk” in North Petherwin would have resulted in missing the very best of the bluebells. Bluebells have arrived earlier this year, as a result of the warm, wet winter and the stunning displays were not to be missed.

The afternoon social was well attended by sixteen members and Drake, the border terrier. The gentle walk around the peaceful 20 acre site took us around the woods full of native trees set amongst the stunning flowers which covered the banks with a carpet of an intense blue. There was plenty of time, afterwards, to enjoy the excellent food and good company in the cafe. Thanks must go to Daphne Tucker and Christine Walters for making the event possible.

In other news, members provided the breakfasts at Coad’s Green Farmers’ Market on Saturday, April 25.

The group will meet next on Wednesday, June 10, at 2pm, at Firste Park, Winsor Lane, Kelly Bray , Callington, to visit the gardens of Mrs. Tina Monahan.

THE monthly meeting on May 5. Two members of the public were in attendance, one was particularly interested in the parish council’s views on the use of glyphosate weed killer and the best way forward.

The clerk was asked to again report the street lamp currently not working at Lynher Way, due to how dark it is in the area making it almost impossible to access some homes in the dark and the accompanying safety hazards of this.

Other matters discussed included the potential use of glyphosate as a means of weed control by Cornwall Council. Members of the parish are strongly encouraged to respond to the advert on facebook, the website and the local parish boards, which is asking for the community views and feelings in relation to this. Anyone who wishes to input their views can contact the clerk on 07399189548 or [email protected] and ensure their voice is heard. North Hill Parish Council do not want to proceed against the majority feeling of the community and understand there is a need for some form of weed management however want to ensure the best way forward. Your voice is important and we encourage everyone to make contact.

The clerk fed back to the meeting that the application for community infrastructure funding was not successful which was disappointing however it was felt that the reason for the application did not mitigate the impact of housing development and the applications significantly outweighed the amount of funding available. The potential development of a Neighbourhood Priority Statement was also discussed however no decision was made. It was felt that adequate resources to ensure the views of all parishioners was not available and the nature of the survey made it impossible to represent over 50 per cent of the parish population. It was agreed the clerk would write to Neighbourhood Development with the concerns. The clerk shared some recently obtained sewage spills figures into the River Lynher as had been requested at the recent meeting, the amount of hours spillage was quite shocking to all at the meeting. One footpath was raised as an issue as the style is loose at the entrance, the clerk was asked to report this to countryside services. Finally, the clerk was asked to again speak with Highways to see if any progress had been made regarding works to Mill Lane and Port Lane in the hope that repairs could take place prior to the winter months.

The next meeting is due to take place on June 1 at 7.30pm at North Hill Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend or alternatively, can forward any concerns they may have to the clerk and these will be shared at the meeting.