25 years ago
April 16, 1998
Richard Harris, the first ever headmaster of Jacobstow County Primary School, received the gift of a picture from a pupil Emily Maloney, on behalf of the school, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee celebrations. Mr Harris returned to signal the start of the festivities. Clock for the cook: The cook at Jacobstow County Primary School, Mrs Reed, received a carriage clock, presented by pupil Hannah Crocker, to mark her 25 years’ service, when the school celebrated its Silver Jubilee recently. The presentation was watched by Jeremy Dowling, a governor.
A year of celebrations has begun for the golden jubilee of the Cornwall County Fire Brigade with a service of thanksgiving at Truro in which Bude Fire Cadets played an active part. Over 700 people attended the event, from former members who served the brigade 50 years ago, to the firefighters of today. Guests travelled from as far afield as Sunderland and London to join in.
Major renovation plans for Bradworthy Memorial Hall have taken a giant step forward following confirmation of grants from the Community Council and Torridge District Council. Hall committee members hope that if a final grant application to the Rural Development Commission is successful, work to transform the hall beyond all recognition will start in June.
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40 years ago
April 16, 1983
After much hard work bagging and selling farmyard manure to local residents, Callington YFC raised sufficient money to donate a sigmoidscope and cheque to Derriford Hospital. The cheque will be put towards the purchase of sheepskin underblankets. Consultant surgeon Mr Sutherland Jones received the donations on behalf of the hospital after giving an informative talk on the use and importance of the medical instrument. After the presentation by Alison Daniel and Shirley Bruna, club members were treated to a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the hospital and later a buffet supper.
North Cornwall’s MP Mr Gerry Neale last week issued a General Election rallying call to party workers and told them to be prepared to challenge the arguments of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
The barking of a family’s pet dog saved a mother and her two children as fire swept through the sitting room in the early hours of Monday morning.
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50 years ago
April 14, 1973
The children were dismissed for the last time at St Gennys County Primary School yesterday (Thursday). St Gennys together with school at Poundstock and Week St Mary, and the old school at Jacobstow, gives place to the new school at Jacobstow which opens after the Easter holidays.
A new public house will be opening in North Cornwall tomorrow (Saturday). It is The Port William at Trebarwith Strand which is part of an interesting old building which until last season housed the Port William Club. The proprietors, Ken and Vicky Shepherd, were granted a full licence by Camelford Magistrates.
Mr Alf Cole received the silver medal for being Launceston branch chairman for 21 years as chairman of Callington branch, at the AGM of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers at Truro.
Boton Wagtails (Mr Graham Martyn, Mr Neil Martyn and Mr William Dinner) have taken part in over 30 concerts this season helping to raise money for the benefit of local charities.
David Rice (Under-16) and David Edgcombe (U-11) were the winners of the recorder solo classes at the Week St Mary Circuit Sunday School Festival held at Week St Mary Methodist Church on Friday.
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60 years ago
April 13, 1963
The new CSE examination is expected to come into operation in Cornwall’s county secondary schools in 1964/65. The examination will be taken at the end of five years at a secondary school and 46% of the children in these schools are expected to pass in two or more subjects.
The buildings sub-committee of Cornwall’s education committee have decided that the governors of Sir James Smith’s School, Camelford, should be informed that if they submit a detailed scheme and estimate, including the capital and running costs, their proposal regarding a swimming pool for the school will be regarded on its merits.
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70 years ago
April 11, 1953
There was keen competition at a public auction at Callington, Wednesday week for two pasture fields comprising eleven and a half acres, with shippen, piggery and other farm outbuildings near Maders, Callington. The property was brought by Mr and Mrs J Smith, of Woodland House, Callington, for £1,975.
The marriage took place at Stoke Climsland Parish Church on Saturday of Stoke Climsland’s first carnival queen, Miss Mary Penhorwood, who married Mr Thomas Rundle, of Pyworthy, Holsworthy, Canon L M Andrews officiated.
Growing traffic problems at the Saltash and Torpoint ferry crossings were cited at a meeting of St Germans Rural Council when new moves were made to speed the provision of a road bridge across the Tamar.
Mr W de G Liddicoat has retired as headmaster of St Teath CP School, a post he has held for 15 years.
A new games room to perpetuate the memory of Sir Donald Maclean, a former MP for North Cornwall, and a canteen were opened on Monday. The total cost is £300.
Reports of continued progress, which supported his contention that the Launceston and District Trades Council was now well established, were given by Mr R V Uren at the annual meeting of the council.
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80 years ago
April 10, 1943
Mentioned in despatches: engineer Cecil Williams, of Vallima, Callington.
Among prisoners of war repatriated from Italy was Mrs Charles Sandercock, of Stratton.
A section of the Girls’ Training Corps has teen formed in Bude with membership of more than 50. They are receiving drill training from Sgt T Aunger.
Holsworthy and District Savings Committee has been awarded a certificate of honour for its splendid effort in the recent Tanks For Attack Campaign.
Madge Callaway has been awarded the Lord Marks prize at Camelford Grammar School and Tom Jago has won the Douglas Jerrold scholarship to Oxford. The school now has 78 boys and 71 girls on the roll.
A meeting at the Liberal Hall, Delabole, with Mrs E Williams presiding, voted to form a branch of the Women’s Institute for Delabole.
Men employed by Okehampton Town Council to dig a new water main went on strike on Monday. The pay offered was 11d for digging up a yard of roadway. The men went back to work after a better rate had been given.
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90 years ago
April 12, 1933
The suggestion that England should have women in its police force is gaining widespread support. They would not wear hobble-skirts, of course, but could have an attractive uniform of a long navy coat with brass buttons, blue felt hat and black gloves.
Seven more young Delabole men left for Canada on Friday, there being a large number at the station to see them off.
Some quarters are demanding that Launceston should have an electrical call system for its fire brigade. This system has been installed at Budeford and Tavistock and has worked well. To connect the houses of five firemen to a street alarm box would cost £28 10s; nine house, £43; 10 houses, £103. Advocates of this system claim that experience has shown that the sirens, used in some towns, bring many complaints of the noise and also is a collector of undesirable crowds.
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100 years ago
April 11, 1923
In the partially restored church at Poundstock, a road screen was dedicated on Thursday week.
A fire, which might easily have proved the most disastrous in the annals of the Borough of Launceston, broke out in the grocery stores of Mr N Baker in Castle Dyke early on Tuesday morning. Much damage was done.