Bude WI met on Tuesday, November 12, when the President, Cynthia May, welcomed 59 members and two visitors. After a resounding rendition of Jerusalem the membership were invited to take part in numerous and varied events, including a theatre trip to Truro, a Greenville Group Carol Service in Marhamchurch, Bude WI Christmas party, Holsworthy Panto, to name but a few.

The guest speaker was Kate, professionally known as Flotsam Flo, who detailed the journey to her current occupation, making useful - and beautiful - items from other people’s rubbish.

A sale of donated scarves was sold raising money for WI charity of the year, Bude Cancer Support.

The winners of the evenings three competitions was then announced:

Something useful made from recycled materials first, Sue Cox, second Eileen Harris and third Sue Greenwood.

Flower of the Month: first Geraldine Edwards, second Elizabeth Barker, third Mamie Wildman.

Bake-Off: first Monica Heywood, second Joan Trewin, third Brenda Dunstan. Many thanks to Elizabeth Barker for judging this competition.

The president welcomed new member, Janette Tucker, and presented her with an incoming gift.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm. The next meeting will be the Christmas party to be held on Tuesday, December 10.

For the first half of last Friday’s meeting the Circle welcomed Doug Boden from Cornwall Council. Doug is senior major projects officer for the council.

He started by detailing the many projects between the council, Department for Transport, Network Rail and GWR that have already been delivered to improve the rail network in Cornwall. These include upgrading the sleeper service between Penzance and Paddington, mainline signalling enhancements which has meant an increase in the number of trains between Penzance and Plymouth.

Doug then went on to explain the progress made on the Mid Cornwall Metro. This will eventually lead to direct trains running from Newquay to Falmouth. This project is expected to cost £56.8-million with the majority of the funding coming from the Levelling Up Fund. The most significant improvements will be on the Newquay branch, these are to reinstate one of the old platforms at Newquay station as at present only one is usable. Also a passing loop will be constructed at Tregross Moor. This will then not only allow a hourly direct service between Newquay and Falmouth but also allow long distance trains from London and possibly the north of the country to operate concurrently with local services. Hopefully this will all be completed in the next year. Looking to the future Doug told the members that a return of passenger trains on the Fowey branch as far as Golant was a strong possibility.

After the break Les Whaley said a few words about how he been in contact with the local MP Ben Maguire to ask him about what was happening to proposed Tavistock to Bere Alston rail line. He was able to report that Ben will be taking this up with the Transport Sectary before the end of the year. Following this Cllr Dave Gordon then gave an introduction to Launceston Connect it was in 2021 that he asked the full council to look at returning the railway to Launceston. He added that there has been great interest in this happening.

Adrian Gamon then gave a predicted passenger forecast using population data from a 15km radius around Launceston.

David Hill followed this with the proposed options for the route. David has in the past worked for the railways, he is now a consultant for such projects. He pointed out that big money would be need for a project of this size. There are three possible routes either using the old GWR line to Lydford or the old LSWR route to Halwill.

Both these have many issues having been closed for so long. A third option is to follow the A30 corridor from Okehampton. Much discussion was had on all three routes. However time ran out and in was felt that Launceston Connect should be invited back so this most interesting discussion can be continued.

The next meeting is on December 20 staring at 7pm when Bernard Mills will present “The Mills Railway Year 2024”.

Launceston Old Cornwall Society has had two excellent lectures this year, meeting at the RBL Headquarters in Tower Street.

First, Brian Oldham from Liskeard spoke about John Passmore Edwards and his famous buildings in Cornwall. He spoke mainly on Passmore Edwards’ influence on Liskeard and the building of the Cottage Hospital and the town’s Free Library. He was congratulated on becoming a Bard of the Gorsedh in September. Chairman of the Society, John Ellacott gave thanks from members and spoke about attending the County Federation meeting in Truro and of the forthcoming Heritage Day to be held at Crantock.

Speaker for the November meeting was Terry Faull from North Petherwin. He spoke on the life of George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement. Born in 1624, he died in 1691 and was an English Dessenter who rebelled against the religious and political authorities, by proposing an unusual |approach to the Christian faith. He began preaching in 1647 and when in Cornwall he was sent to Launceston Goal in 1656, where he remained for several weeks. The Society of Quakers began to grow and to day there is an active movement in Tavistock and one of the famous Quaker houses in Cornwall is at Come to Good.

John Ellacott thanked Terry Faull for his talk, which had been greatly enjoyed, and all had learnt a lot. He spoke of the Society doing a tree in the St Mary’s Christmas tree festival and of the Society’s Christmas tea at the Launceston Golf Club on Wednesday December 4 with entertainment from Nigel Nethersole and Garry Tregigda. Tickets from Bill Roberts.

The Society has welcomed three new members in recent months and information can be obtained from 01566 776142. New members are always welcome.

Launceston Old Cornwall in recent weeks lost one of its well loved members, Trixie Strike and Bill Roberts gave a brief tribute, as written by the late Mary Williams, when she proposed her for a Citizen of the Year Award by Launceston Town Council, which was duly presented to her by the then Mayor, Dave Gordon. In the tribute it said that Trixie was born in the lane by the Gas Works (Priory Lane and known to older Launcestonians as Gas Court Lane) and was one of 12 children. She worked for over 40 years for the Peter family at Craigmore, where she worked extremely hard, for in those days grates had to be cleaned, coal and sticks brought up from the cellar, as well as doing vast amounts of cooking and cleaning. When she retired aged 63 she went to live in a house in Western Terrace and continued her long standing work for the Women’s Section of the British Legion (later Royal). She joined the St John Ambulance Associates and helped with the foot clinic, which she later ran until she was 93. With them she helped with the refreshments at the Royal Cornwall Show for the four days for the ambulance workers, as well as doing teas for Inspections and Associate gatherings. She also joined the Old Cornwall Society and was a great supporter of the Gorsedh, attending until she was 97. A little ditty was given of her when her radon alarm went off and she rang for someone to come and put it right and being told she could get a ladder and remove the battery she said ‘I am four foot nine, I am 94 years of age, I am past climbing ladders.’ Trixie died in September aged 98.

At the Probus meeting on Remembrance day Chairman Paul gave an illustrated talk on the origins and history of Remembrance.

Paul started by mentioning that Remembrance went back to the days of honouring of warriors by the ancient Greeks.

He then showed how the Romans tended to honour their leaders rather than ordinary soldiers.

The legionaires that fell in battle had tombstones, but these were paid for by their peers.

The Anglo Saxons also favoured their leaders with lavish burials, although warriors were mentioned in epic poems such as Beowulf.

Next came the Vikings, who again had a strong oral history of their battlefield achievements. They believed that warriors who were killed in battle went to Valhalla, to honourably join their Gods. However to get to Valhalla and all it’s delights they had to die with a sword in their hands. Other combatants, including their foes, could also achieve this.

The Normans on the battlefield are best known through the Bayeaux Tapestry. Their commemorations emphasised the role of kings. Their memorials were for aristocrats, not common soldiers, as part of the memorial process the heart was sometimes buried in a different place to the rest of the body.

In the Middle Ages in Europe kings were judged by their prowess in battle. A king who did not do well in battle was judged to be a poor king. Shakespeare romanticised leaders of the time. The phrase ‘Band of brothers’ originated in the St Crispian day speech. Winston Chuchill’s wartime quotation ‘this blessed plot, this England’ originated from this time.

Memorials relating to the English Civil War were local rather than national. This is because such wars lead to bitterness and division. This is also true of the American Civil War, whereby although there is a national cemetery at Arlington, the Unionist and Confederate graves are in different sections.

By now, monuments were becoming more widespread, and were used to commemorate the Crimean War, Indian Mutiny and Zulu wars. Such memorials celebrated victories, and defeats in the same campaigns were not mentioned.

The First World War gave rise to Remembrance as it is carried out today. The role of rank and file service man became more acknowledged and war memorials were placed in most English towns and villages. The names of those who gave their lives were inscribed on these monuments. As a result of mechanised warfare many bodies could not be identified, which led to the commissioning of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. This was also the time of the rise of the war poets, whose poignant verses brought home the reality of warfare. The Cenotaph, whose name means ’empty tomb’ was built following the war, is the focus of our national commemorations. The march past and two minutes silence have become essential parts of our ceremonies.

An active discussion followed Paul’s talk. It was observed how the process of Remembrance has evolved, to recognising civilian casualties, and the fallen of all sides.

The morning concluded with thanks to Paul for what had been an interesting and informative talk, stimulating the following questions and discussion.

The December meeting will be Christmas lunch for members and partners. During the event there will be top class musical entertainment

For further information on past and future activities of Probus, including talks, visits and contact details visit the website at probusclub.net/launcestoncornwalluk

Pat Mallet led a Craft Making afternoon on making paper angels. She came armed with all items needed for everyone make angels and choose coloured paper, music score, ribbons, buttons, beads, threads and so much more. First of all she showed a selection of her angels and then demonstrated how to start making them. After some time, and much more tuition from her, the end results were brilliant and were gathered together to be displayed at the forthcoming Trebullett Angel Festival on the 5th – 8 Dec at Trebullett Methodist Church as the WI’s entry. There will also be Angel Making Workshops on Sat 7th Dec from 2pm onwards there. Jo Rider thanked her for sharing her skills.

Jackie Warren summed up four resolutions hoping to win our votes next year for the National Annual meeting. More details will follow. Alice Brown reported on the recent CFWI Annual meeting when they were lucky to hear Esme Young of the Great British Sewing Bee as one of the speakers amongst others. She encouraged members to attend these County events as they are always so well organised. Sue Oatey reminded everyone to book for the Lezant WI Christmas meal at The Elliot Arms in December.

A reminder was given that the next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 8, when Malcolm Wright is speaking on ‘Finding the source of the Nile’.

October saw our Institute hold its annual autumn show, and again this year, was a resounding success.

The 12 classes ranged from baked goodies and crafts to something made from a recycled item to a book title on a tray. The book title depicted on a tray posed quite a puzzle to us all, the winning entry was ‘The Clockwork Orange’.

Six different members won top prizes with an overall winner taking home the cup.

This month’s meeting could not have been different – with glue and string everywhere. One of our members, Louise Murray showed us how to make a couple of Christmas craft’s, including decorations using the above (lots of glue, string and balloons!) and pretty snowflakes carefully crafted from seasonal fabric. Our President welcomed members and three visitors, two of which are planning to become new members. Great news for our small group.

The monthly competition’s – ‘My favourite jug’ and the ‘Flower of the Month’ were won by Debbie Nicholls and Val Tape respectively.

The Holsworthy History Society met on Thursday, November 14, and were absolutely fascinated by the talk from Dr Catherine Browness – The Ashwater Starvation Case of 1884.

Catherine explained how the very poor of Ashwater had to rely on relief from the Holsworthy Union and how they were at the mercy of the relieving officer who worked for the Union. One particular family applied on numerous occasions for relief, which was not granted. Sadly the family’s seven month old baby girl died of starvation and initially the mother was accused of being negligent. This was the third case of death by starvation in the Ashwater Parish in as many years which gives rise to the question as to why in the 1880’s, when there were organisations which provided relief to the poor, people died of starvation.

The Society will next meet for its AGM at 7pm on Thursday, December 12, in the Manor Suite of the Holsworthy Memorial Hall. The Society does not meet in January or February so its next talk will be on March 13 when the speaker will be David Kendrick who will be giving his third talk on Winston Churchill – The Later Years.

All are welcome to join us.

The demonstrator for the November meeting of Holsworthy Hamlets Flower Club was Danielle Stephens who was welcomed by the Chairman Sylvie Harris.

We were treated to five arrangements. Using beautiful silver, grey and green foliage and carnations, ranunculus, germinis, limonium, and hypericum to which Danielle incorporated copper cones, beads, baubles and tealight to give a taste of Christmas. The final one, a round raised basket in which palm and shamrock were the base for a large amount of short gypsophila and pussy willow to which a circle of lights was the finishing touch. Some of Danielle's family came with her and they were all thanked by Sylvie.

Several members were interested in attending the Demonstration by a National Demonstrator at Bude Flower Club. Final numbers were taken for the club's Christmas workshop with Elaine Reynolds.

As in previous years the club will have a fundraising stall at the coffee and cake at the chapel on December 14. The club look forward on December 10 at 7.30pm to welcoming, for the first time, Tracy Johnson from Torquay with her title "Sparkle and Spice and all things nice". Members and visitors all very welcome.

Evensong will be held in St Melor’s Church on Sunday, Decmber 1, at 6.30pm.

St Melor’s Church needs you! This Linkinhorne’s parish church which is an ancient Grade 1 listed building and is set in a small rural hamlet with traditional farm buildings and houses surrounding it.

The church building belongs to the parish and as such is a treasure to be used by the people and for the people but needs maintaining.

Two important people are needed, one to set up a “Friends of St Melor’s” fund raising charity. And another to head up the Grants applications and obtain quotes for repair work as detailed in the recent quinquennial survey.

Both these voluntary positions will be supported by the Parochial Church Council and the current church community. Two people who are self-starters and have experience or understanding of fund raising and grant application are needed to help ensure St Melor’s is maintained in good order for future generations.

If you can help contact Kim Howat for a chat on 01579 384054 or email [email protected]

An Advent all age service will be held in St Paul’s Church, Upton Cross, on Sunday, December 1, at 10am.

The 17th Art and Crafts Exhibition and Sale will take place in the Parish Hall at Upton Cross from Friday, November 29, to Sunday, December 1, from 10am to 8pm.

Admission is by voluntary donation. This features new artists and crafters, a raffle, and refreshments will be available.

For more information call Ruth Carthew on 01579 362147 or 07754 194847 or email [email protected]