HOW would you like to live in a country where success is measured by happiness and quality of life rather than wealth?

Our February speaker, Rosemary Lee, was lucky to have visited such a country – Bhutan. This is a small Himalayan kingdom twice the size of Wales sandwiched between Tibet and India and one of the most mountainous countries in the world. The highest mountain is just under 25,000 ft with 19 other peaks over 23,000ft. Historically it is one of few countries never conquered by an outside power. However, it was often threatened by Tibet and so turned to the British Raj in India for protection. After independence in 1947, India continued with its protection and Bhutan receives India’s largest donation of foreign aid.

It is difficult for us to accept that the first proper road was built in 1962 which was just a muddy jeep track and, although tarmac was added in the 1980’s, it was still single-track. Work to make this two-lane started in 2015 and is now complete but is still dangerous with a national speed limit of 30 mph and no traffic lights. The first airport was opened in 1968 but only for emergency helicopters. This is still the only international airport but, as it is “the most dangerous in the world” only 24 pilots are licensed to land there. There are now 3 other airports but only for domestic flights.

Geographically the country is made up of a series of steep glaciated valleys running from north to south, making communication and travel almost impossible. Hence each valley had its own ruler who combined the role of religious and state ruler. Bhutan has only been unified since 1885, with the help of the British Raj, ruled by a King. The national religion is Tantric/Tibetan Buddhism and the highest lama in the land holds a position equal to the King. The fourth king came to power in 1972, aged 16 years old, and brought in modern education and healthcare, developed roads, hydro-electric power and tourism. He abdicated in 2006 in favour of his son so that his country could move to a constitutional monarchy.

It was this king who started the philosophy of Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product which was rooted in Bhutan’s Buddhist legal code which stated that “if the government cannot create happiness for its people, then there is no purpose for the government to exist”. This philosophy includes protection of the environment which means that hunting and fishing are illegal, the felling of trees only under strict licence, and the climbing of the highest peaks (where spirits may dwell) is strictly forbidden. Also, smoking and other tobacco products were banned from sale in2004; and cleanliness is very important with roads regularly swept, toilets cleaned and tourist facilities often inspected.

Other interesting facts:

• Electricity is generated from hydro power and 45% of national income comes from the sale of electricity to India.

• Farms are small four to five acres only and they produce rice in paddy fields. Hence lots of chillies are grown to provide some seasoning!

• Seventy per cent of the country is covered by forest, mainly coniferous on the valley sides.

• Not much wildlife, some Macaque monkeys and Grey Langurs. The national animal is the Takin, like a cow/goat mix?

• National sport is archery – target at 435 ft; darts is for the poorer people – target 60 ft! (played with a large heavy dart)

Finally, the most common form of burials is “sky burials”. Bodies are taken to a high place, dismembered and left for the birds to consume. The memorial to the dead is a white flag erected near the village where the deceased lived. As long as it survives, it is a memorial: once it fades and shreds in the wind, so the memories fade. However, the Buddhists do believe in reincarnation.

The photograph shows our speaker in front of the Tiger’s Nest monastery, the most holy in the country because it was built around a cave where the Tibetan monk who brought Buddhism to Bhutan meditated in the 8th century. First built in1692, destroyed by fire in 1998 but rebuilt in 2005.

DURING its centenary last year, a major part of our celebrations was the raising of funds towards the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Women’s Institute member Jadzia Kent made and donated a lovely teddy bear for a Name the Bear competition. Our local community and members raised £247.50 during the year and we topped this up to £300 from funds.

Members were delighted to present the cheque to shop manager Lisa Shirmer at the Air Ambulance shop in Launceston.

“Janina” was won by Gloria Aze who had chosen the name after her daughter. Teddy Janina came to the presentation and once again stole the show!

After the presentation we went to the White Hart for lunch, which made a very enjoyable end to our centenary celebrations.

THE Launceston Railway Circle held its recent meeting on February 20 at 7.30pm at St Stephens Church Hall.

Members had an interesting presentation by David Goodyear on his book the ‘Spirit of Northern Rails’ members saw many slides on main and branch lines including preserved railways thought the north featuring diesel, electric and steam trains, with train designs and liveries past and present will help recall the rails of the 1980's and 90's and offer an interesting contrast the the modern images of the present millennium.

There were mixed slides of mix traction and train fleets in use of passenger and freight capturing the heart of railways in the north.

David Goodyear is well known for his publication's of UK's modern and preserved railways and is fixtures secretary for Plymouth Rail Circle and has a role as a guard on the South Devon Railway.

The next meeting is Friday, March 20, with a presentation by Chris James on Standard and Narrow Gauge railways in Sicily, France and Argentina with Steam and modern traction.

For more details of meetings and summer outings contact Roger Webster LRC speaker secretary on 01566 779896 or Les Whaley publicity officer on 07972 333202.

HELEN Parkyn from Camelford has been shortlisted in multiple categories in the 2025 UK Line Dance Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK line dance community.

Helen who is based in Camelford has been shortlisted in the following categories: ‘UK Rising Star’ and ‘UK Grassroots Instructor’.

Additionally Helen has been nominated as a finalist in the UK Beginner Line Dance of the Year and The UK Line Dance of the Year for her choreography of the Line Dance: Bigger Houses.

The awards finale takes place on Saturday, February 28, in Bournemouth.

St James the Great Church was the venue for a night of sparkling entertainment on Sunday, February 15.

Reg Hambley welcomed all and gave a special welcome to Cornish singer and comedian, Johnny Cowling.

Johnny entertained us all with his unique humour and his wonderful voice, singing beautiful Christian and contemporary songs, many of which the large audience present could sing and clap along to. During the interval, the team served pasties which had been freshly baked that day at The Bakery in Bude.

Rev Teresa Folland gave a vote of thanks to Johnny for making a memorable return visit to St James Church and to all those involved with the planning of the evening and to the team for serving the pasties and hot and cold drinks.

AN Organ Recital was given on Friday, February 20, in St James the Great Church. The organist was Llewellen Blezzard-Greenwell. The programme included: S. Rachmaninoff, arr. L. Vierne - Prelude in C sharp minor J S Bach - Fantasia in C Minor, BWV562 J. S. Bach - Fugue in Eb, BWV552ii F. Mendelssohn - Allegretto from Sonata IV H Howells - Rhapsody No.1 K. Leighton - Fantasy on Helmsley A. Guilmant - Pastorale from Sonata No.1 G Böhm - Vater Unser I’m Himmelreich L. Böellman - Suite Gothique.

Llew is a remarkable 18-year-old musician, who has been studying music since the age of four, plays the organ, piano and harp as well as being a choral singer.

His music ‘CV’ is very impressive, with performances at Aberdeen Cathedral, Halifax Minster, Ripon Cathedral, St Bees Priory and in Poland, France, and many more planned for the coming year. He is currently Organ Scholar at St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. He would like to become a Cathedral Director of Music in the future, and it looks like he is well on his way to fulfilling this. Refreshments were served during the interval.

Savoury and sweet pancakes were served at the Grenville Rooms on Shrove Tuesday. Well over fifty people sat down to the delicious pancakes. Entrance included a lucky number. Thank you to the team for once again serving up delicious food, which was enjoyed by all. Proceeds were for the St James the Great Church Flower Fund.