The February meeting of the Launceston Stamp Club was exceptionally well attended with 25 members and guests present.

The chairman Barry Mudie opened the meeting by welcoming the dealer for the afternoon Kevin Webb after which he outlined the preparations for the club’s fair being held at the Lifton Community Centre on March 1.

He then introduced the speaker for the evening Bob Wheeler from Totnes. Bob had previously displayed with the club last year which was well appreciated. This display entitled the ‘Four Kings’ was equally as good with a plethora of unusual items such as proofs, artist drawings, colour trials, printer’s waste and paper trials. Among the items shown were essays of a 1923 airmail stamp, 1924 Wembley Exhibition stamps, 1929 Universal Postal Union stamps and the 1935 and 1937 Jubilee and Coronation stamps. Other unusual items included pencil drawings of proposed Edward VIII high value stamps and essays for a stamp for use throughout the British Commonwealth. There was also an example where colour trials were used to test how the various colours of existing stamps would appear with the introduction of electric light into the post offices. There was a lot more of similar material displayed by the speaker.

After the display the chairman presented Bob with the club’s certificate of appreciation.

The next meeting being held at Yeolmbridge Methodist Church at Lady Cross will be an auction. Meetings on the first Thursday of each month commence at 2.30pm during winter and 7.30pm during summer.

Further information may be obtained from the secretary on 01566 786826.

The Inner Wheel Club of Launceston held it's monthly meeting on January 27.

In the absence of president Ann Boundy, vice president Helen Bailey chaired the meeting. Helen welcomed Liz Williams, the Inner Wheel Zone 1 Leader to the meeting. Members enjoyed fellowship and a meal before the business meeting began.

After the business meeting Liz gave an update on the new Inner Wheel District structure. She also talked about recent District events and events that were coming up in the next few weeks.

Inner Wheel meet at Trethorne Golf Club on the fourth Monday of each month. They meet a 6pm where they enjoy a meal together followed by a business meeting. The members enjoy fellowship together whilst raising funds for charitable causes both locally and internationally. If you feel this is something you would like to get involved in then please email [email protected]

The next meeting is on Monday, February 24.

Diana Anderson, president, introduced the speaker, John Ellacott from Launceston Old Cornwall Society, talking and showing photographs from his huge collection of old ‘Images of Launceston’.

He highlighted many interesting places and aspects of the town as they used to be, Launceston College and its grounds, the open swimming pool in the Coronation Park, the hospital area, the railway at Newport, the priory ruins found when excavating for the railway, Newport and the river, Zigzag, the construction of the by-pass and the roads as they looked prior to that.

The many well used allotments mainly growing vegetables, the parade ground, the construction of the War Memorial and many street scenes amongst others.

He finished with a selection of photos taken when Launceston and St Stephen WI celebrated the NFWI 100 year celebrations a few years ago and ended up in the Town Hall, inviting many, with a live video of Queen Elizabeth II as a guest at the annual meeting at the Albert Hall in London that day. Val Bugden-Cawsey who was Lezant’s president for several years before moving to Launceston instigated that successful event.

He commented that someone once said of the WI: “Wonderful Individuals”. What a great analysis.

After this Linda Watkins gave the vote of thanks.

The flower and shrub competition was won by Irene Nash,

The old photograph of Launceston; 1st Linda Watkins, 2nd Ruth Burden, 3rd Gloria Aze.

The most enjoyable evening at Rehoboth singalong on February 9, was led by Rev Jess Lancaster.

She contributed prayers, readings, and personal thoughts and recollections. Barbara Uglow played for the hymns.

The charity box continues at the back of the chapel. Supper concluded the interesting evening.

Once again a full house for Marhamchurch WI with members and visitors who may become members. The Methodist Sunday school room was full of smiles and chatter.

The group was lucky enough to have as the guest speaker Millie Moore a partnership manager from ‘The Pearl Exchange’. An award winning charity based in the old Bude DIY building and set up to support 18 to 35 year olds from the North Cornwall and North Devon area.

The charity was started by Rose and Johnny Bamford in 2020 following the death of their daughter Pearl aged 19 to assist young people in the area and give them positive help, something they were aware was lacking as they helped Pearl with her struggles.

The Pearl Exchange has progressed miraculously in such a short time. They have moved from the pitch and putt to their new premises. Members saw for themselves the hard work which must have taken place to convert the damp and dark DIY shop to the light and airy space fitted out with a kitchen, creative workshops with sewing machines and a screen printing area. There are lots of different workshops to attend and a programme can be found on their website.

The Pearl Exchange aims to address many of the problems for young people living in rural areas. Transport is a big problem — very little public transport and alack of funds to afford a car. The Pearl Exchange will try to arrange transport for those who wish to attend from outside Bude and eventually would like to open other branches.

As well as creative workshops there are budgeting and cookery courses, open mic nights, Theatre groups and the popular ‘easy Sunday’ with bread donated by the Electric Bakery for a get together on what can be a particularly difficult day if you are young and single.

To combat the horrendous waiting list for NHS mental health treatment The Pearl exchange offers free and expert mental health support which can be independently and privately accessed.

The cost to run the Exchange is £200,000 a year with no government funding and limited grants. There are plans to expand into the yard next door and create a garden area. All agreed that a considerable amount has already been achieved by the five part time workers and 10 volunteers as well as all who donate to such a worthy cause.

If you get a chance visit The Pearl Exchange (phone for appointment) take a look at all the inspiring activities and don’t forget to donate if you can.

Thanks were given to Millie for explaining the workings of The Pearl Exchange and the meeting closed with tea and biscuits.

Morwenstow WI began its February meeting with the speaker Alan Rowland then moved on to programme planning for the coming year to include a coffee morning/sale and choosing ten classes for the ‘Autumn Show’ in October.

Alan, a local man, explained the history of Methodism in Morwenstow. The parish contained eight chapels in the 1800’s, mostly Bible Christians alongside a couple of Wesleyan chapels. A Cornish gentleman named William O’Bryan converted to Wesleyan Methodism then went on to establish the Bible Christian movement.

Many of the original buildings are now private homes or have disappeared altogether. Today only two active Chapels remain, one in Woodford and one in Shop.

Most members entered both the competition and the flower of the month, with the winners being: The competition - A Winter Scene (any medium) won by Debbie Nicholls and the ‘Flower of the Month’ won by Judith Ingram with an unusual, speckled Hellebore.

On Candlemas Sunday, commemorating the presentation of Christ in the Temple, the Holy Communion service at the Church of St James the Great was led by Rev Teresa Folland.

Hilbre Watts read the first reading and Rev Teresa read the gospel reading. The prayers of intercession were led by Ian Mason.

The congregation handed 'God bless you' cards to each other as the Choir rendered: 'O love that wilt not let me go'.

Congregational hymns were led by Luke Francis playing the organ and the church choir.

The hymns were: ‘Through all the changing scenes of life’, ‘O Zion open wide the gates’, ‘My God and is my table spread’ and ‘The Church is one foundation’.

The Holy Communion was administered by Rev Teresa assisted by Kevin McGrath, during which the Choir rendered: 'New every morning is thy love'.

The offertory was taken up by Lyn Ward-Smith.

Coffee and biscuits were shared after the service.

Rev Teresa blessed a basket of candles, which were given out as the congregation left the Church after the service.

The Candlemas luncheon was held in The Grenville Rooms the following Sunday (February 9). Wines and fruit juices were served on arrival. Grace was said by church-warden Mr Francis. Beautiful table decorations containing glowing candles graced all the tables and a first class roast beef luncheon was served with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and a selection of vegetables. This was followed by the sweet trolley, groaning with a large selection of desserts and teas and coffees were enjoyed with cheese and biscuits. A vote of thanks on behalf of all was proposed by Kingsley Bryant to Joyce Davis and her hard-working team for preparing and serving such a wonderful Candlemas luncheon.

Okehampton Baptist Church will be hosting community praise and worship meetings over the coming year.

The meetings will include music from the band, interviews with people of interest, a short talk and activities for the children.

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, February 23, at 5.30pm and will feature an interview with Ruth Wilson who spent many years travelling the world as a midwife and more recently, working for the Faith Mission locally.

Held at St James Primary School, there will be drinks and snacks throughout and a short talk which is part of the series ‘Who is Jesus?’.

The meetings began at Christmas in addition to the Sunday morning sessions in town.

Everybody is welcome to attend.

Weekday service Monday’s only for morning prayer at 10am.

Sunday, February 23, morning prayer at 11am.

On Sunday, February 2, the Candlemass service took place at 6pm with Acolytes Judy Cooper and Buzzy Howat. The service was led by Licensed Lay Minister Andrew Doney and the Eucharist was given by the Rev Andy Atkins. The first lesson was read by Licensed Lay Minister Roy Cooper and the gospel was paraded by Andrew and read by the Rev Atkins. The collection was taken by Kim Howat and the organist was Roger Webster.

The Feast of Candlemass which the church celebrates on February 2, is entitled ‘The Presentation of Christ in the Temple’.

We are reminded how Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, in accordance with the law that every first-born son had to be offered to God. The child could be redeemed by the offering of an animal for sacrifice.

For the very poor, this meant the minimum of a pair of pigeons or turtle doves. Joseph and Mary came into this category and made their simple offering.

Candlemass was a popular service in mediaeval times and the custom of putting up lighted candles in churches and homes long survived.

Snowdrops, the first flowers of Spring, appear by the beginning of February. In some parts of the country as “Candlemas Bells” — the whiteness of the flower reflecting the purity of Mary and the bell-shape heralding the ringing-in of better weather to come.

Snowdrops were placed on the altar at St Melor’s too for this service.

Today Candlemass is seen as the climax of the Christmas cycle and a pointing forward to Lent and Easter. It is if we say, “One last look back to Christmas then turn towards the Cross!”

Linkinhorne History & Community Archive Group will relaunch once again on Thursday, February 20, at 7.30pm.

There will be a few archives books to browse and anyone is welcome to attend to hear the plans for the year ahead. Also to find out about an exciting new project.

Information was given for upcoming events and Posies handed out to members with a February Birthday– Rosemary Farley, Margaret Hanger, Lynette Pook, Anne Deegan and Tilly Whittle.

Postponed from January, we were finally able to welcome well over 50 members and visitors to an open event, with engaging speaker and Bude postman, Tony Rea who was a finalist on Series 9 of the Great British Sewing Bee.

Explaining that he got into stitch-crafts when he started to crochet on long haul flights to pass the time, he then branched out into cross stitch and eventually made a bag using his wife’s long forgotten sewing machine. He just couldn’t stop and eventually was convinced to apply for ‘that busy bee show’ by fellow posties. The application process involved interviews and an actual test day in Leeds (where all filming is done for the show). He was successful and spoke about the creations with passion which were displayed as a colourful rail. Challenges included: made to measure (with an amazing model called Tiger), the transformation (using materials such as a wind break to make a coat), a dress for a child, and culminated in the beautiful two in one dress which his daughter proudly modelled in the final. He spoke of the tight team of people behind the scenes and even made shirts for all of the crew. He wore his ‘Esme’ shirt at the event which she has approved! Since the show, he has attended awards, been a judge, engaged in podcasts and radio shows and displayed at exhibitions. As Tony is an advocate for sewing for mental health, Pensilva WI were happy that this event raised over £200 for Tony’s chosen charities including CALM and Mind.

Pensilva WI are still collecting used stamps for CFWI.

Marie Curie afternoon tea on Saturday, March 15, from 2.30pm to 4pm at Pensilva Village hall — everybody most welcome for delicious refreshments, raffle and bring and buy.

Next meeting Wednesday, March 12, at 7.15pm titled ‘First Aid’ with Dave Thompson.

Bodmin’s community litter picking team of volunteers, known as the Bodmin Tidy It Team or BlueTiTs have once again been out in their community keeping it as free of litter as it is possible to be.

Their latest pick saw them collect litter from the area surrounding the town’s Asda supermarket on Launceston Road, with 18 bags of rubbish and eight bags of recycling collected by the tidy it team.

The group hold accessible litter picking sessions each Wednesday with their location announced on their Facebook page with all welcome to join.

Gilly Arnold, from the Bodmin Tidy It Team said: “Bodmin Tidy it Team were out and about the Asda area collecting 18 bags of rubbish and eight bags of recycling with five other bags added by Claire, Ros and Gilly. Our running total for 2025 so far is 203.

“We were joined on this pick by Shadow and Corrin. Thanks for joining us, we hope you enjoyed yourselves and come along again.

“Fantastic team work all round, thank you to Linda, Roger, Gary, Trish, Steve, Max, Tom, Ros, Nigel, Sue, Richard, Andy, Jeremy, Debs and Andy, Biffa and Clean Cornwall.

“Asda treated us to a drink and cake which was just what we needed. Thank you Asda”.