A very courageous family from the Launceston area took more than a plunge when they jumped off of a 150ft building in Plymouth. To help raise money for Imperial Cancer Research, Jeanie Baker from Launceston, her son Martyn, his girlfriend Dena Johns and Jeanie’s daughter Donna Roman, abseiled down the Civic Centre, the largest building in Plymouth.

Simon Box of Bradford, Holsworthy, who joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in September, recently completed his Army training at Aborfield, Berkshire. Simon is a former pupil of Bradford Primary School and Holsworthy Community College, and he also belonged to Launceston Army Cadet Corps. Simon is now going on to complete his engineering course at Bordon in Hampshire.

Delays in getting Holsworthy’s Visitor Information Centre on line have infuriated a Thornbury farmer’s wife who is trying to diversify. Valerie Wood, whose 300-year-old Forda Farm accommodation has been listed and commended by the English Tourist Board, says that she is losing a lot of business as a result of the changeover in control from Torridge to Holsworthy.

* * *

There was no opposition for the new mayor of Holsworthy. Mrs Betty Wonnacott, the first woman mayor of Holsworthy since the post was created in the 1970s, was last week unanimously elected. Mrs Wonnacott was the only nomination for the job.

A pub customer chased jewel thieves who fled from the Old Market Inn, Holsworthy, after they were spotted prowling in a bedroom by landlord’s son Neil, 12. The raiders, who snatched gold and silver jewellery valued at £1,000, escaped in a red Vauxhall Viva after shaking off a motorist who tried to catch them. The thieves described by the police as “scruffy”, struck at the crowded pub on Sunday night after ordering a meal and drinks. Two of them slipped upstairs to search the bedrooms but fled when Neil saw them in his parent’s room and raised the alarm.

* * *

The Budehaven school team of Graham Keat, Rollo McGrath, Kathy Keat and Peter Blewett lost to Falmouth in the semi-final of Westward TV’s sports quiz ‘On your marks’.

Mrs L E G Lewis performed the opening ceremony at the dedication service of the new organ at Putford Methodist Church. The guest organist was Mr David Ley.

At the general meeting of Camelford Conservative Club, Mr Jack Ward was elected honorary life member in recognition of his services to the club throughout the whole of its 50 years’ existence.

At Treknow Women’s Institue’s first anniversary party the cake was cut by Mrs Carter, the oldest member.

One of the judges Mr E G Jewell, of Werrington, said that the quality of pigs was above average at the Cornwall and Devon Pig Breeders’ Association annual spring show and sale at Launceston market. The president of the Show was Mr B D Uglow, of Patrieda, Linkinhorne.

* * *

Although the scaffolding outside our head office and printing works at Western Buildings, Launceston, disappeared a while ago, it was only last week that it was dismantled and removed from the interior. Workmen have been clearing up and putting the finishing touches, and we are at last at the end of our major reconstruction scheme.

Some 1,200 people attended the exhibition of hobbies and leisure-time occupations arranged by Bude Rotary Club. Mr D Neil, chairman of the exhibition committee, said he was delighted with the response and felt that a representative exhibition had been presented.

The old people’s home which is to be built at Hendra, Dunheved Road, Launceston, will be called Miller House. This has been decided by the Cornwall County Health Committee, who reported that seven tenders had been received for its erection.

It was a double success for Ian Headon, Holsworthy baker, driving his home-constructed special at the North Cornwall Motor Club’s autocross. He clocked the fastest time in his IRH2 at 2.49, and as runner-up won the specials and sports class award.

* * *

Mr A J Tope, head postmaster at Launceston for some years will be leaving the town shortly, having been promoted to Kendal.

The General Election campaign is now in full swing and adoption meetings in North Cornwall during the weekend made it clear that the hydrogen bomb is likely to be one of the main issues on which the election will be fought. Sir Harold Roper, Conservative, said he dreaded that if the Socialists were returned to power, Russia might be encouraged to start a world holocaust. Mr Vernon Cornford, Labour, said the capitalist way of life was leading us to an end and the coming of the hydrogen bomb brought us face to face with that end. For the Liberals, Mr Edwin Malindine, said the spirit of Liberalism was firmly rooted in Britain and throughout the world. One of the issues he proposed to make a real issue in North Cornwall, was the unity of the nation.

* * *

With the unconditional surrender of Germany on Tuesday, the war in Europe is over. Now it is only a matter of time before Japan shares the same inglorious fate. There have been celebrations and services of thanksgiving in every town and village.

Fusilier Eric John Bassett May, of Holsworthy, has won the MM for bravery in action in Italy; and Sgt Joseph Ward, Allied Air Command, who is well known at Camelford, has been awarded the BEM.

Further returned prisoners of war include Messrs Leslie Northey, of St Stephens, Launceston, and Kenneth George Viant, of Dimson, Gunnislake.

The Tamar Valley Guild of Ringers held their 48th annual festival at Week St Mary, with teams taking part from all over the district.

“If we can spend millions a day to fight the enemy, we can certainly find a few million to provide houses for the men who have been doing the fighting,” declared Mr J M Olde, when re-elected as chairman of Camelford Rural Council on Thursday week.

* * *

Bridgerule football team have won the Dr Gray Cup, beating the Holsworthy Old Boys in the final 2-1. Teams: Bridgerule — M Vinnicombe; Saltern, Congdon; Mills, R Venner, Dinner; Goodman, Foxloe, Wakeham, Dell, N Venner. Old Boys — McCarthy; Stanlake, Petherick; Dymond, Dingle, Parsons; Benson, Carthew, Clarke, Lock, Dunstan.

The first case in the district of exceeding the new 30mph speed limit in a built-up area came before Launceston magistrates on Monday when a Plymouth motorist was fined 2s 6d.

Villavin Farm, Pyworthy, 78 acres, was sold at auction by Messrs Kivell and Sons for £1,000 to Mr T O Yeo, of Thorne Park, Holsworthy.

* * *

As ringing was in progress at Bridgerule church tower, a large piece came out of the cracked and bound second bell and fell into the chamber below, giving the ringers a great scare.

Mrs Charles Symons, of Little Skinnish, Egloskerry, who has retired after 50 years as rural postman in the Egloskerry-Trewen district, was on Thursday, at Pipers Pool, presented with an armchair subscribed for by the households he had served. it was handed over by mr G Keast, of Bush Park.