25 years ago

October 19, 2000

Rev William Ackroyd, former vicar of South Petherwin and Trewen will be having a very special celebration soon. Tomorrow (Friday) William Ackroyd will be with his family celebrating his centenary. He should also be receiving an extra special birthday card.

A “serious cash shortfall” is among topics North Cornwall MP Mr Paul Tyler has been discussing with head teachers this week. The MP visited Budehaven Community School on Monday and talked with Mr John Ward, the head teacher. He was at Sir James Smith’s Community School, Camelford, yesterday (Wednesday), where he met Miss Angela Perlmutter. Today (Thursday), Mr Tyler is due to meet Mr Alan Wroath the head teacher at Launceston College.

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40 years ago

October 19, 1985

There was a full house at Holsworthy Theatre for the selection of the carnival queen and fairy queen. After interviews by MC Clive Tidbull the audience voted Lisa Cobbledick, age 17, as carnival queen, and Louise Blackman, 8, as fairy queen.

A 70ft narrow boat to be used as a floating Christian bookshop on Bude canal from next spring arrived in the town last week.

More than 80 members of the Cory family gathered for a reunion in Launceston on Saturday, brought together after two years research by Mr Percival Cory, 78, of Dunheved Road, Launceston.

Launceston young farmer Richard Jenkins, 26, of Bullapot, Werrington, chaired the Cornwall team which came second in debate at the National Federation of YFC’c competition day.

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50 years ago

October 18, 1975

Bradworthy and District Ploughing Association has a new champion ploughman — Mr Colin Heard of Holsworthy. The judges were Messrs A Hill, of Lamerton, and R Toms, of Launceston.

Mrs R A Corser was re-elected chairman at the annual meeting of Stratton Magistrates on Monday. Re-elected deputy chairmen were Mr K Axford and Mr W Keat.

Two enthusiasts, Mr John Willcocks, of Holsworthy, and Mr Bill Young, of Stratton, are hoping to form a sailing club for the new Upper Tamar Lake.

Miss Anne Rowe was elected press/publicity officer at the annual meeting of St Breward Silver Band. The acting musical director, Mr A Hunt, gave a satisfactory report.

Ray Urbans, of Trevillian Down, Warbstow, was runner-up in the final of the Westward TV Angling Festival.

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60 years ago

October 23, 1965

The Launceston committee making enquiries into the case for retaining the freight railhead at Launceston has come to the conclusion that the facts and figures they had collated did not warrant its members continuing the fight.

Mr W Turner, who at 85 is the oldest member, unlocked the door for the re-opening of St Luke’s Methodist Chapel, Bolventor, after a complete renovation scheme.

Mrs Pamela Margaret Penhale, of Chasty, Eley, Holsworthy, was elected Devon County Council member for Holsworthy Division to fill the seat made vacant by the death of Mr L J Whitlock.

Lynda Spry was chosen as Kilkhampton carnival queen and her attendants will be Ann Britton and Margaret Trewin. The fairy queen Susan Britton will be attended by Deborah and Jackie Britton.

In a ceremony at Otterham Station House, Mr A H Harding, who has been stationmaster for the past seven years, received parting gifts of a barometer and cigarette lighter.

Bude-Stratton Urban Council decided to write to the MP for North Cornwall, Mr James Scott-Hopkins, seeking his support in their protest against a decision to close the counter of the head Post Office at Bude at 5.30pm instead of 6pm.

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70 years ago

October 22, 1955

Mr H Spencer Toy, headmaster of Launceston College, stood on the platform of Launceston Town Hall on Wednesday and took part in his last College speech day. He is due to retire at the end of this term.

Two horses names Lion and Tiger, workers on the farm of Mr J Hawken, Wadebridge, are being disposed of by their owner. They worked together for 15 years at Clapper Farm, and were often admired for their affectionate natures by passers-by on the Bodmin to Wadebridge road. In order to save them from slaughter, animal lovers in the district have launched an appeal fund for £70 to buy the horses and save their lives.

Fifty mounted followers and more than 200 on foot moved off from Jamaica Inn at the opening meet of Bolventor Harriers on Saturday.

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80 years ago

October 20, 1945

A local ex-Serviceman writes to the Editor, registering a complaint against “Mussolini’s world beaters” — the Italian prisoners of war who, he says, are now “occupying” this country. He is disgusted at having to queue behind them for the cinema, and complains of their approaches to young women.

The 5th battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry have charge of Josef Kramer and 44 other SS guards at the Belsen concentration camp now being tried for crimes against humanity. Assistant to the court orderly officer in producing witnesses as they are called is Pte P Brown, of Ham Mill, Morwenstow.

Many houses at Yeolmbridge were decorated with flags to greet Gunner Ronald Ellacott when he arrived home last week after three years prisoner of war in Malaya.

News has come from the Far East that the younger son of Rev W Outram, vicar of St Gennys, has been liberated after three and a half years’ internment in Borneo. He is now in hospital in Labuan.

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90 years ago

October 22, 1935

Launceston is to have a rugby football club. Previous attempts have failed due mainly to the bank closing on Thursdays, but now they close on Saturday afternoons. At a meeting at the Dunheved Hotel it was decided on the proposition of Mr H W Wyatt and Mr W F Haste to form a club for the town. Mr J Dingley was elected president and Mr Wyatt, chairman.

A large crowd gathered at Lewannick on Saturday where a woodstore and garage caught fire. The Post Office and cottages were threatened, but Launceston Fire Brigade soon arrested the flames.

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100 years ago

October 24, 1925

There was a lively rate payers’ meeting in Launceston Town Hall on Wednesday, in connection with the forthcoming election. General criticisms raised concerned the parking of cars around the war memorial, shortage of water and the state of the town’s roads. Ten candidates were nominated for the four vacant seats.

Many people at St Teath have come to Delabole when they want to telephone. The parish council is to press for the installation of a public call office at St Teath.

Rev Pierrepont Edwards (known as “The Fighting Parson”) the Unionists “answer” to the Rev Jack Bucknell, of Delabole, has been conducting a series of anti-socialist meetings throughout the district.