East Cornwall Foresters Court Goodwill has hosted its highly anticipated annual Ten-Pin Bowling Tournament at Trethorne Premier Bowl, Kennards House, Launceston.

The event, which kicked off at in the morning, brought together many members and friends including from West Cornwall Foresters Court Pendennis for an exciting day of competition and camaraderie.

After two action-packed games, the results were incredibly close, with only a two-point difference separating the top two bowlers.

George Haddy took home the coveted shield once again with a stellar score of 183.

Hot on his heels was Chris Bennett, who earned second place with 181, while Gary Webber rounded out the top three with 170.

At the other end of the spectrum, Rosemary Wadland finished with 56 points, but her spirit and good cheer were a highlight of the day.

Joan Thomas, Chief Ranger, in effect chair, of Court Goodwill, presented the winner’s trophy to George Haddy.

Following the bowling, everyone gathered for a delicious fish and chip lunch at Launceston Fryers Restaurant in the town centre.

The event was a resounding success, blending friendly competition with great food and even better company.

The choir of St Mary Magdalene under the direction of Dr Sean Sweeney sang a service of choral evensong for the first Sunday in October. The service was led by the vicar, Rev Dr Michael Dobson, who also preached and acted as cantor in the responses by Richard Ayleward.

The choir also sang Psalm 142 and Bill Roberts read the lessons from Nehemiah and St John. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were sung to a setting Thomas Walmisley accompanied by Dr Sweeney with Bernard Pink conducting as well as singing.

The anthem was “Lord, Give me faith” by Kathleen Robson and Dr Sweeney ended the service with an organ chorale improvisation by Karg-Elert. The previous day members of the choir took part in the diocesan choral festival at Truro.

On Saturday, October 25, there will be an organ recital by assistant organist, Josh Hughes and on Saturday, November 8, one by Dr Sweeney, both at 1pm. The next choral evensong will be on Sunday, November 2, at the usual time of 5.30pm.

For our recent meeting, we were treated to the expertise of Fiona Hammond who specialises in ‘Imposed Arrangements’. This is where the flowers, greenery and containers are supplied by the Flower Club Committee and Fiona has two hours to prepare five designs from scratch using the materials provided. Fiona did not disappoint.

Using a shallow basket for her first arrangement, she filled it with Viburnum, Pittosporum and other greenery to add a variety of texture. The flowers were then added which were Vanilla Ice Sunflowers, Feverfew, Veronica, white Japanese Anemones and white Chrysanthemums.

For her second design, Fiona used a tall urn filled with Fatsia and Laurel and created a stunning green and white arrangement using green Chrysanthemums, large white Roses and a creative use of Phormium leaves.

The third design was in a tray of foam on a large brown urn wrapped around with a spiral of twigs. Japanese Maple, Fatsia, and Sea Hazel formed the foliage base and set off the vivid orange Gerberas and Alstroemeria. Two Proteas created a visual focus and Chinese Lanterns and Hypericum Berries provided contrast.

Design four was foam free and for this Fiona used a tall glass vase filled with ‘Wood wool’. A big chunk of twisted ivy stems sat in the vase with other material threaded through it such as dried Mace, Safari Plant and Purple Hydrangea. The flowers were peach Roses. Sprays of fern added the green.

For her final design, Fiona used a pale green crate box and used tall twigs covered in Lichen held in place by three sticks. Into this she placed Dogwood, Ivy, burgundy Viburnum and crab apples. The flowers were pink Nerine, purple Clematis, dark burgundy Carnations and a huge pink Lilly.

All the arrangements were stunning and the winners in the raffle were delighted.

Everyone attending felt that it was a most entertaining and inspiring afternoon.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 21, in the Parkhouse Centre at 2.30pm when Rose Elesmore will be demonstrating ‘Autumn Days’ and our Christmas Special is on Tuesday, December 9, when Tracy Johnson will give us ’Sparkle & Spice and all things nice’.

On Monday, September 29, Martin Hazell came to talk to us about the Civil War in the South West.

He began in general terms about the reasons for the dispute between Parliament and the King; and how the War began with the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 and developed into a country wide thing that included Cornwall and Devon. He illustrated his talk with various photographs and film, and he also displayed a three yard long Halberd and a Lobster helmet.

Of course the Battle of Stratton, the death of Sir Bevil Grenville at Lansdown and the exploits of Anthony Payne (the Cornish Giant) were all included.

Mr Hazell had been a member of the Sealed Knot for some time, that charitable outfit has been reenacting Civil War Battles with many men, horses, military accoutrements and reproduction weaponry and gun-powder, when women as well as men get involved.

Glorious sunshine heralded Harvest Thanksgiving which was was celebrated at the Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday, September 28.

The previous Friday had seen a lot of hard work going into the decorating of the Chapel with Harvest gifts brought by members and friends of the Chapel. A table at the front was laden with non-perishable items and another was laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, much of which was grown in local gardens and fields. Pampas grasses, corn, eggs and an abundance of apples adorned the Chapel as well as beautiful flowers on the communion table and in every window. All of this set the scene for a joyous celebration on Sunday which was led by Rev Richard Ward-Smith. 'Sharing' and 'Providence' were just two of the things we learnt more about and the hearty singing of Harvest hymns was accompanied by Colin Tape at the organ.

The hymns were: Come Ye thankful people come; Praise O praise our God and King; We plough the fields and scatter; To Thee O Lord our hearts we raise; and I the Lord of sea and sky.

The lessons were read by Jill Johns and Ken Boundy and the Merrytones Praise Group sang: 'Song of the Ocean'.

We shared in the reading of a poem Rev Richard had asked to be included in the service entitled, 'Cauliflowers Fluffy'. Thank you to Jennifer Vanstone for controlling the projector.

After the service some left and more arrived for the Harvest Celebration Lunch. Tables and chairs were soon set up and laid.

The buffet in the The Wesley Room consisted of a non-alcoholic fruit punch, cold beef and ham, boiled potatoes, beetroot, salads, coleslaw, chutneys and yeast splits. This was followed by a delicious selection of desserts and cheese and biscuits with teas and coffees.

Flowers were given to ladies who had travelled to Morwenstow from further afield for the occasion.

The following morning, all the Harvest gifts were taken to Bude Food Bank where they were gratefully received. Thank you to everyone for their generosity in giving for the celebration in many ways. With the giving of gifts for the Food Bank, for their time in decorating the chapel, for preparing and giving food for the Lunch and special thanks to the large number who attended the service and Lunch, for without people, there would be no celebration.

Muddy Church for children and young families was held at Pooh Corner on Sunday, September 21, by kind invitation of Mark and Sandra Shepherd. The afternoon included activities and games, food, friendship, plus a story and songs.

Stay and Play was held in the chapel on September 11 and 25 and continues to be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Café Craft has been renamed 'Craftanoon' and was held in the chapel stable on September 11 and 25 and continues to be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Ruth Bealing gave the welcome and notices at the chapel service on Sunday, September 28.

Mark Shepherd led the service with his sermon entitled: 'Parables that Jesus told the crowds'.

We worshipped the Lord by singing: Come now is the time to worship; Your grace is enough; Open the eyes of my heart Lord; All I Once Held Dear; and Amazing Grace.

Matthew Kurian spoke on the continued work of the El Shaddai Charitable Trust - helping street children in India.

The service was followed by coffee and biscuits.

The monthly Village Coffee Morning for October was held in the Millard Room of the Social Club in the Village Hall on Thursday, October 1. Thank you to Joan Sussex and Lesley Coxon for acting as hosts for this month.