Launceston may not at first seem to bear much resemblance to sixteenth century Verona in Italy. Yet, last Friday, William Shakespeare’s classic story of Romeo and Juliet, found its way onto Launceston’s Castle Green, which proved a great setting for an atmospheric performance of the Bard’s famous tragic play.

Pioneering work by workers at Lifton factory, Ambrosia, is to be used as part of a worldwide campaign to improve environmental awareness. The aim is to reduce waste.

Are student Hannah Wheeler painted her daughter, Jessica, in triplicate as part of her work towards gaining her ‘A’ Level art at Budehaven Community School. The triptych of 18-month-old Jessica was part of studies over three years — because of the birth of her daughter — that Hannah, from Grimscott, undertook.

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“Young people shouldn’t get bored — they should take up model-making.” That’s the advice of 86 year old Mr Clarence Davey, who practised what he preached by taking up the hobby just six years ago. (Do any of our readers know where Clarence is from? It was not listed in the article).

Veteran journalist Douglas Allen, who joined “The Post” as an apprentice reporter in 1929, has retired after a career spanning more than half a century — the last six years back in Launceston. Mr Allen, who worked for the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express and later became the Western Morning News’ tourism correspondent, returned to “The Post” newsroom as a part-time sub-editor.

North Hill’s annual horticultural exhibition attracted nearly 500 entries, making it the largest show for several years.

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In the National Town Criers’ Championship at Hastings on Saturday, Holsworthy’s Town Crier, Mr William F Matthews, won the title of Champion Town Crier of England.

The schoolchildren of Marhamchurch have elected 12-year-old Louise Rutlidge to be Queen of the Revel next Monday. At the same time, Christopher Heywood was chosen to be the marshal and Guy Underwood to be the page-boy.

Back on duty as director of the showyard at Camelford Show was Mr Jack Ward, who was too ill last year to attend the show. This year’s show president is Mr John D Hodgson, of Launceston, whose wife presented the main prizes.

Mrs Winifred May Nelder, of Rock Terrace, Dutson Road, Launceston, has been promoted from Serving Sister to Officer (Sister) in the St John Ambulance Brigade.

Teenager Graham Kneebone produced the shock of the day at Lifton Flower Show, leaving all the ladies gasping; when he won first prize for the fruit cake from a given recipe.

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The annual horticultural show at Holsworthy was a triumph for Mr Clifford Bailey, of Cookbury, who always does well in the local flower and vegetable classes.

Peter Anderson, the world professional casting champion, was the principal guest at the first bude fishin week.

Mr J Scott-Hopkins, MP and Sir Henry Studholme, MP, have visited Whitstone brickworks, near Bridgerule, to enquire about the future of those who are losing their jobs as a result of the works closing.

The government’s restrictions on capital expenditure by local authorities have been eased in respect of the now disused Lewannick School so that it can be converted into a factory for light industry.

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At Monday’s meeting of Launceston Town Council, Ald W E Miller referred to the severe traffic congestion on the main A30 road, saying there had been queues of traffic up to three miles long and many of the motorists had been saying: “Whatever happens in future we will avoid Launceston.”

The borough engineer (Mr R A Brunskell) reported at Monday’s meeting of Okehampton Town Council that ten mil samples failed out of 14 and four ice-cream samples failed out of eight, during examinations last month.

There were 313 entries at Lydford Women’s Institute flower and produce show at the Nicholls Hall, Lydford, on Saturday.

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The war has ended. In a dramatic midnight broadcast on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mr Attlee announced the surrender of Japan. At Wadebridge, the news was greeted with singing and cheering in the streets, led by a Scottish soldier playing the bagpipes, the bonfire being prepared on the playing fields was prematurely and unofficially set alight. Launceston’s bonfire on Windmill was more formally lit by the Mayor, Ald G E Trood, on Wednesday night, there was a spectacular firework display. The bells of all three churches in the town pealed out. At Bude, there were many bonfires and also a searchlight display by antiaircraft units stationed locally.

For a number of years, Italian prisoners of war have been a familiar sight in Launceston and district; now 500 German POWs have arrived to work on local farms.

Reference to the difficulty in making clothing coupons go around and the consequent black market was made at Launceston Magistrates Court o Monday. A woman was fined £2 10s for selling coupons and another £10 for buying them.

Preaching at Gerrans on Sunday, the Bishop of Truro offered thanksgiving at the near prospect of final peace, but also spoke of a sense of insecurity and apprehension about the new atomtic bomb.

Stratton Farmers’ Union are to call a meeting to see if something can be done to solve the difficulties arising from the fact that there is no Blacksmiths in the district.

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“The Phantom Light”, a British film about Cornish wreckers, is showing at Bude next week.

Holsworthy’s water supply failed on Monday morning, the reservoir being empty, and the townspeople are now dependent on supplies, which are being taken from house to house, in barrels.

Mr Arthur George Lyne, aged 24, youngest son of the Mayor of Bodmin, Ald A Browning Lyne, formerly of Launceston, was killed when the plane in which he was a passenger, crashed during an air display on Bodmin Moor.

Delabole carnival on Saturday was one of the best for a long time. For the first time there was a queen, Miss M Geake, whose attendants were misses Mary Seccombe and Winnie Thomas.

The new extensions to Stratton Cottage Hospital were opened on Thursday by the Bishop of Truro, Dr J W Hunkin. The cost is £2,600, nearly half of which has been raised by subscript ons and legacies.

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Following complaints at the state of the road for horse traffic, action is being taken by the authorities. At Launceston, for instance, a track for horses has been left on the road from Pennygillam to the town.

Gunnislake Football and Cricket Clubs staged their athletic sports at Hawkmore on Saturday, when runners from a wide area, including several from Plymouth, competed. Chief successes went to R J Hill, of Milton Abbot, who was in great form and ran well.

Rev H J Gliddon preached his farewell sermon at Launceston on Sunday. For three years he has been superintendent minister of the Wesleyan circut.

The Marconiphone wireless demonstration van, fitted with loudspeakers as used at Wembley, gave a demonstration at Windmill, Launceston. The loudspeaker could be heard two miles away.