At our June meeting we were treated to a talk and demonstration from Ben McManigan a local potter who lives and works in Polyphant. Ben talked about the different clays that could be used and the types of ceramics made using them.

He talked about the pottery that he makes which is a Japanese style raku, horse hair pottery and copper glazed.

He brought along a simple wheel and threw some pots. He made it look very easy!

When he threw each of his demos away in a heap a groan was heard from the audience. He recommended that type of wheel for anyone who fancied taking up pottery as it was a relatively cheap way to start. Some of our members had a go themselves. It was agreed by our members that it was a very entertaining and interesting event.

Launceston Choral Society and Launceston Male Voice Choir invite you all to their joint summer concert to be given in Central Methodist Church, Launceston on Saturday, July 12, at 7.30pm under the baton of Musical Director of both choirs, Jonathan Mann.

The concert will feature a selection of popular items from the repertoires of both choirs including some joint items. The concert will also include a performance of Andrew Wilson’s setting of local poet Charles Causley’s “Singing Game” specially written for the Choral Society and first performed by them with the Dante Quartet as part of the 2005 Charles Causley Festival. The Choral Society will be accompanied by their regular favourite, Mary Mazur-Park, and the Male Voice Choir by their dedicated accompanist, Lis Mann, whilst both will accompany the joint items.

There will be a retiring collection as usual, this time for Children’s Hospice South West.

Tickets price £8 are available David Parish Menswear, choir members, on the door.

Launceston Folk Dance has met throughout the year and held their Spring Dance in Launceston Town Hall.

Dancing to the Dartmoor Pixie Band with caller Sarah Bazeley led to an evening of plenty of laughter, toe tapping and listening to brilliant musicians as dancers may have taken a rest from dancing.

Having an earlier start time meant that things moved quickly with up to approximately 50 people dancing — both experienced and beginners. Sharing the bring and share supper was a highlight and something different elsewhere but a Launceston tradition much appreciated by the band.

A raffle rounded off the evening and people came from as far afield as Somerset to enjoy the evening.

Since then the club had an evening with Scoot, a Cornish Dance caller at their usual dance night on Tuesdays. This was again an evening of laughter and exercise .

The club has extended its season to July and finishes for its summer break on the second week in July which is party night. The club restarts on the second week in September.

Enthusiastically, members told of activities undertaken, including an evening at Cotehele where they played croquet (own rules), had a picnic and explored the gardens. Others went on a walk to Kerdroya, the Labrynth, at Colliford lake and enjoyed the craftsmanship of the hedges, the many plants and abundant wildlife around the route. Members also enjoyed an evening meal at Wheal Tor to celebrate the Pensilva WI birthday in May. A real variety!

John Gilbert then took us on an incredible journey from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. He showed beautiful pictures of just how much earthquakes have shaped the landscape. With his wife, Julie, we followed as they explored via canoe, on foot, cable car, bus and on bikes, up mountains, getting up close to geysers, tunnels and exploring the towns along the way. We were surprised to learn that there were just birds, reptiles and one NZ mammal, bats, until humans introduced others. Predator free areas are now set up, to save the indigenous nature population. We were captivated by just how fragile the balance between natural processes and the places we live can be, and how similar some of the rock formations were to those around us in Cornwall.

June’s competition table was full with many beautiful flowers for the judge to select Flower of the Month winners. 1st Maureen Walker, 2nd Ann Houlston, 3rd Pauline Caffrey. Lots of choice too for ‘A Postcard’ winner: 1st Alison Willis, 2nd Pauline Caffery, 3rd Cherry Woodhouse.

Pensilva WI Horticultural show September 13 schedules available.

Next meeting: Wednesday, July 9, 7.15pm at Millennium house – a speaker from Clark’s Auction rooms – a chance to see if we have any valuable treasures at home and learn about some that have passed through the auctions too.

Mondays weekly - morning prayer at 10am.

Sunday, June 22 - morning prayer at 11am.

On Sunday, June 8, the Holy Communion service at St Melor’s, Linkinhorne took place when Lay Minister, Andrew Doney, welcomed the Bishop of St Germans, the Right Rev Hugh Nelson.

The sermon was given by the Bishop and Andrew assisted him for the Eucharist. The organist was Mark smith, the offering was taken by Mark Harris, the Epistle was read by Jan Viret and the Gospel by Patrick Newbury. Tea, coffee and biscuits were were served following the service.

Meet & Eat Breakfast in the Cross Link Centre at 10am.

A good number of people enjoyed the History Group walk on Sunday, June 8, which was led by Mark Camp explaining about the history of Bearah Tor area with many thanks.

The next walk will take place on Sunday, June 22, when the village of Rilla Mill will be explored. Meet at Rilla Mill Village Hall at 1.30pm. A cream tea will follow in the village hall at the end of the walk.

The next committee meeting will take place on Thursday, June 19, at 7.30pm.

The next film will be shown at the Parish Hall, Upton Cross, “The Duke” starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. It concerns when in 1961, taxi driver, Kempton Bunton stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from London’s National Gallery, the only theft in its history. Doors open at 7pm for film viewing at 7.30pm.

The Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir is delighted to announce that the very talented, Cornish-born flautist and Soprano soloist, Samantha Rowe will be the special guest artist at the choir’s annual gala concert at St Eustachius Church, Tavistock on Saturday, June 28, at 7.30pm.

The choir, under the baton of guest conductor Dr Sean Sweeney, of Launceston’s St Mary’s Church, will entertain the audience with a wide variety of songs, some old, some new, but always with something for everyone to enjoy.

The evening will be compered by local personality Justin Leigh, who is the choir’s president.

There will be an attractive raffle.

The concert will be supporting Cancer Research UK.

Tickets are available online at tamarvalleymvc.com, at the Guildhall Visitor Information Centre, Tavistock, at Book Stop, Market Street, Tavistock or at the door by cash or card on the night.

This June, children across Cornwall are in for a treat as Bluey, the beloved Australian Heeler from the children’s hit show, makes a special appearance at Bodmin Railway during a fun-packed Children’s Character Weekend.

It comes as part of ongoing celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the first passenger railway journey, which has seen a number of events take place across the United Kingdom to mark the anniversary.

As well as the visit from Bluey, there will be an interactive train set in the exhibition coach to keep the youngsters occupied, while there will also be other events for the whole family to get involved in, including the opportunity to ride on Bodmin Railway’s steam locomotives, with some of the carriages over 100 years old.

Running on June 21 and 22, the event’s organisers says that it promises an unforgettable family day out. Visitors can hop aboard a historic steam train and travel through the beautiful Cornish countryside in carriages over a century old, while enjoying meet-and-greet opportunities with Bluey herself at intervals throughout the day.

“It’s a wonderful way to welcome younger generations to the magic of steam travel,” said Emma from Bodmin Railway. “We’re especially excited to be hosting Bluey during this year’s Railway200 celebrations, marking 200 years since the first passenger train journey.”

A spokesperson added: “The station’s café will serve up classic Cornish fare, including award-winning pasties and cream teas, while little ones can play with the interactive train set in the exhibition coach.

“Visitors will also have the chance to meet the real-life heroes behind the railway – the drivers, guards, and firemen who keep this living heritage alive.

“Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this unique event, so families are encouraged to book in advance.”

For more information and tickets, visit: www.bodminrailway.co.uk