At the last meeting Roger Clarke from the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team came to talk about the unit.

The unit was formed on August 17, 1969.

The charity is based in Okehampton, and provided inland search and rescue services for lost, missing and injured people across Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall. It is made up of volunteers who are on-call 24/7 for 365 days a year. Currently there are 40 members and three search dogs. Team members are trained in various aspects; casualty care, navigation, communication, rope rescue, swift water rescue, search management, tracking and dog tracking.

During the Ten Tors, where the weather can cause problems, if it’s excessively hot, they impose rest breaks. They are actively involved in providing search management, safety and water rescue. They also check the equipment of participants.

Helicopter search teams, Devon and Cornwall Police and fire and rescue units also assist when necessary.

As a charity they rely on donations and fundraising, which covers the cost of training and rescue equipment.

After this very interesting talk with slides, Lion president Graham had very great pleasure in presenting Roger with a cheque for this amount, and Roger thanked the club.

Members were given an excellent talk about the North Cornwall Flood of 1497 by Andrew Langdon of Truro at their November meeting.

Introduced by the chairman, John Ellacott, Andrew gave a fascinating talk, accompanied by slides about what happened around the Camelford area, where after intense rain a wall of water washed many bridges away from the Camelford and Wadebridge areas where the River Camel makes its way to the sea at Padstow.

Not only were bridges demolished but livestock were washed away and drowned, while some were found alive many miles away from their farms and smallholdings.

John thanked Andrew for his interesting talk, about a part of North Cornwall history, of which little is known. During a brief business, the society is having a tree at St Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Festival and of the Christmas tea afternoon at Launceston Golf Club in December, for which names are being taken by Bill Roberts.

The cost, which includes entertainment will be £15.

The 2025 North Cornwall whist holiday was this year to Bournemouth, staying at the Norfolk Royale Hotel, for a five day stay. The holiday was organised David and Edwina Broad and Peter and Vron Retallick.

Following pickups in Camelford and Bodmin, a stop for coffee was made at Trethorne Leisure Farm, where the party was joined by friends from the north of the county, with the final pickup point being at Sourton. A stop for lunch was made at the Otter Nurseries, Ottery St Mary, busy with shoppers looking for items for Christmas. Arriving at the hotel and after the evening meal, it was down to the first of 24 hands of whist, with David Broad as MC.

After breakfast on the Monday morning, the party visited the Dorset Horse Farm Park at Verwood, where they saw the heavy horses, had a tour of the stables as well as watching a heavy horse harness demonstration and a Romany Presentation.

Tuesday, a visit was made to Beaulieu Park, with the motor museum, house and park, being of great attractions. Wednesday a trip was made to Salisbury Cathedral, where guided talks gave everyone a good insight into the building of the cathedral and its history. Built in the shape of a cross, it has the tallest spire in Britain. A demonstration was given of the oldest working clock in Britain and everyone was fascinated by the font, and were very interested to learn the building, of which the foundation stones were laid in 1220, is built on a water bed. Also of interest was a copy of the Magna Carta. Here lunch was taken and a browse around the shop, before several made their way to the city shops, to see what was on offer.

Thursday was a free day for everyone to enjoy a walk to the sea front, while others took a bus to Christchurch, where visits could be made and lunch taken at the Priory Church and ruins and to visit the water front and canal and see people feeding the hundreds of birds including swans being fed from peoples hands. Some also visited the theatre to see a show in the afternoon, while others stayed at the hotel and played rainbow whist.

Each year the holiday supports a local charity. This year the Cornish Hospice was chosen. This healthcare charity provides professional end of life care for people with terminal illnesses, as well as providing support to their loved ones. There are two Hospices in Cornwall, one at Mount Edgecombe in St Austell and the other, St Julia’s in Hayle and to aid the funds, a big raffle, with everyone donating a prize was held on the Thursday evening.

Thanks, with cards and gifts were given to the organisers and each evening a tally of scores is kept, with the winners being Robin Leach, of Okehampton, top and the lowest being Muriel Hunter of Callington. The whole week raised an excellent sum for the Cornish Hospice and a cheque has been sent and a letter of thanks received for £700.

Everyone now awaits the 2026 holiday which will be held in the autumn, hopefully to Landudno. Thanks were also given to Steve Tilley and to Tilley’s Coaches.

Every year the Launceston Male Voice Choir donates to local charities the proceeds from the concerts it holds within the Cornish and Devon Post area.

At the choir practice this week it was with great pleasure that Paul Ford, a volunteer with the Cornwall Air Ambulance was present to receive a cheque of £1,000 from the choir as a result of local generosity at one of the summer concerts in Launceston Central Methodist Churcll this was possible because another Cornish Choir – Nankersey from Mylor near Falmouth wished to hold a joint concert with Launceston to celebrate their 75th anniversary. Nankersey and Launceston have had a close relationship for many years this event held on a brilliant summer’s evening one to remember. Both choirs sang separately and at the conclusion two items together.

Launceston’s MVC continues to thrive and now has a membership of over 50. New or potential members are always welcome to join us on Wednesday evenings for a ‘taster’ or just to come and listen. The choir already has a full concert diary for 2026, but is always glad to see how it may help other local organisations raise funds from events.

To end the year choir will be sending a further donation of another £1000 to their own charity – Children’s Hospice South West- and also singing in local care homes and at the Memory Café Christmas celebration.

The Community Breakfast for November was held on Saturday, November 15, in the Methodist Chapel. Over forty people attended from the Village and further afield.

Cereals, Full English, toast, juices, teas and coffees were enjoyed by all. The December breakfast is to be a 'Christmassy Breakfast' on Saturday, November 20. We look forward to welcoming all.

Peter Green of Marhamchurch led the service at the Methodist Chapel on Sunday, November 16. The service continued our series of services on 'Parables'.

Ruth Bealing welcomed all.

We worshipped the Lord by singing: ‘Who breaks the power...This is Amazing Grace’, ‘Holy forever’, ‘Seek ye first’, ‘Meekness and majesty’ and ‘Take my life and let it be’.

The singing was led by Christine Tratt on keyboard and with John Cleave, Geoff Broome and Avril Glessing as vocalists.

Prayers were led by Ruth Bealing and lessons were read by Karen Shepherd and Lesley Coxon.

Refreshments were served after the service.

Clive Smale of Bradworthy led the service at the Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday, November 16.

Colin Tape was the organist for the hymns: ‘Come let us join our cheerful songs’, ‘Fight the good fight’, ‘O Jesus I have promised’ and ‘I cannot tell’.

Lessons were read by Ken Boundy and Janet Ash.

The service was followed by coffee and a chance to chat in The Wesley Room.

The November Luncheon at the chapel was a great success. Grace and prayers for those within our chapel and community in the midst of great sorrow following a recent tragedy were said by Barry Bryne. Over forty enjoyed the delicious beef casserole which was prepared by Rob and Dawn Leighfield. Desserts were all given by people of the chapel.

Thank you to the team for serving and washing up. A portion of the profit from this months Lunch will be donated to 'The Royal Devon Hospitals Charity'. The December Lunch is on Wednesday, November 17, when turkey with a Vegetarian option will be served. Carols will be sung to conclude, and for catering purposes all are welcome to book with Valerie.