Community spirit has brought success to the village and people of Halwill, who have won through the first round of a competition to find the best run village in the country, having just been awarded “Devon Village of the Year”.

Chapel, church and community have come together to win big money for Tregadillett in the latest round of grants from the Lottery - totalling £195,000.

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It was a real red letter day for Erle and Sybil Axtell and Harold and Carrie Rich last Thursday. The two couples, each celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, were married in Holsworthy on the same day — and in the same church.

The former Bude-Stratton town council chairman who refused to give an assurance not to discuss confidential council matters waked out of a meeting on Monday when he believed police would be called to eject him. Mr Paul Laxton wanted talks on the proposed sale of the parish hall to be heard with the public present but the council voted to discuss the matter behind closed doors.

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The official opening of Halwill C P School swimming pool was carried out on Saturday by Mrs N Wooldridge, who was presented with a bouquet by Barbara Hole, a pupil.

The final act of the opening came when the headmaster, Mr G John, was lifted bodily and dumped into the pool.

Miss Jean Brock received the award on behalf of the village when the trophy, plaque and certificate earned by Poughill as winner of the best kept village competition was presented by Mr W H Ward, chairman of the judges.

Peter Truscott and his wife, of Fairholm Road, Bude, are foster parents to nine Manx Shearwaters after the storms of last week drove many of these charming little birds ashore near Bude.

Mrs M Johnson is the newly elected vice-president of Trevena Women’s Institute and Mrs M King is the newly elected secretary. Mesdames P Nute and M Dawe were voted onto the committee.

M Dadswell and M Phillips, both of Launceston RFC, and Bill Pearce, of Bude, are in the Cornwall County Under-12 XV to play Hayle. David Mason (Launceston) is in the U-23 XV to play St Ives.

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St Gennys Legion Hall was re-opened after renovation by Mrs B Duggan, county chairman of the women’s section British Legion, who was introduced by Wing Comdr A G Parnall, president of the local British Legion.

For the first times in its history Luckett Men’s Institute is going to be opened on one evening in the week for the use of ladies.

Week St Mary harvest queen, Thelma Colwill, will be attended by Susan Dean and Mark Shipton. The queen was crowned by last year’s queen, Janette Rogers.

An angry crowd of 200 home supporters surrounded the referee at the end of the East Cornwall Premier League match between Delabole and Wadebridge, pointing out that there was still 10 mi nutes left to play. Visitors Wadebridge won 4-3.

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Called to Crimpa Farm, Sutcome, on Monday, Holsworthy Fire Service found a four-bay Dutch barn, containing 50 tons of corn and hay, blazing furiously. With assistance from the Bude unit, firemen contained the blaze to an area of about 30 square yards and prevented it from reaching the nearby farmhouse on which the thatched roof was extensively scorched.

For sale — Three miles Bude. Smallholding. Cottage residence. Outbuildings and about eighteen and a half acres of land. Price only £1,600 — (Advt).

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Pte Ronald Ellacott, of Yeolmbridge, a prisoner of war in Japanese hands since the fall of Singapore, has now reached Ceylon on his way home. Miss Margaret Hearson, daughter of a former headmistress of Holsworthy Junior School, who has been interned since the capture of Hong Kong is similarly safe and on their way home. Others now safe and on their way home are: Pte F Couch, of Bolventor; Charles Billing, of Trefloyd House, Kelly Bray; Pte E G Harling, of Launceston; L/Bdr Frederick Beer, also of Launceston.

The whole of the 21 occupants of a Halifax bomber were killed when the aircraft crashed and caught fire at Priddacombe, Bolventor, on Friday. Launceston St John Ambulance could only get within threequarters of a mile with their behicles and the bodies had to be brought out by horse and cart.

Stratton Young Farmers’ Club has been reformed and will hold its first meeting next week.

There was a record entry at Messrs J Kittow and Son’s sale at Hallworthy Market on Friday: 1,600 sheep, 200 store cattle, 24 cows and calves, 40 rams and sundry other stock, including horses. poultry and pigs. Top price per head for store cattle was £45.

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The new St John Ambulance station at Westgate Street, Launceston, was officially opened on Wednesday when the new ambulance was dedicated. The opening ceremony was performed by Capt N R Colville, of Penhale, and the dedication by the Bishop of Truro. Cost of the new building is £1,242, towards which £992 has been raised.

A site has been chosen for Launceston’s new hospital — two acres adjoining the Launceston bowling and tennis club near Dunheved Cross. The appeals funds now total over £4,500.

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Kelly Bray was brilliantly lit with electricity for the first time on Saturday night. The Callington and District Electric Supply Co had offered to provide five lights for £10, and this amount having been subscribed within on day, there will now be eight lights.

In a letter to the press, Mr Richard Bluett, of Crowshire, Poundstock, condemns the practice of tarring roads for their full width. He considers a portion should be left untarred for the use of horse traffic, saying: “The horse has been, still is, and will be wanted.”