December 31, 1998

The year of 1998 began with relief and exhilaration as workmen moved on to the A30 Kennards House junction to carry out long-awaited improvements. And the year ended with an even greater sense of achievement as the new two-level junction was opened ahead of schedule, giving hope that the notorious blackspot where six lives have been claimed would no longer be a site of such tragedy in the future.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) might possibly cover Newport and Pennygillam Industrial Estates at Launceston — not just the town centre — if the mooted project gets off the ground.

The work of repair and restoration at St Thomas’ Church, Launceston, costing, well over £70,000, is nearing completion. 

Midwife Jacky Provis delivered a Christmas baby in Launceston for the first time ever in her 26-year career in the district. Baby Victoria Holly Smith, daughter of Tracey Smith from Duke Street, St Stephens, Launceston, was born at 8.30am at home on Christmas morning.

December 31, 1983

The Bishop of Truro (Rt Rev Peter Mumford) put his episcopal crook to unorthodox use to capture the attention of five-year-old Peter Yelland during his recent visit to St Catherine’s School, Launceston, to the obvious delight of his classmates.

Mr Michael Galsworthy, chairman of the Cornwall Body Scanner Apeal, received a cheque for £1,062 from Mr Robert Flower, Camelford Rotary Club president, at a recent lunch held at Sunnyside Hotel. This represents proceeds from a ‘fun-run’ held last summer in the Boscastle area.

December 22, 1973

Mrs Davey was the winner of the Maid of Honour tarts contest at the monthly meeting of Delabole Women’s Institute. Mrs Dungey won the flower of the month competition with a fuschia.

Janet Sikorski and Gwendoline Paul will have an all expenses paid trip to London after winning the annual draw among female employees of Marathon (Launceston) Limited. Paul Ellacott won the male draw for a night out with the partner of his choice.

Mr William Stanbury, of Carey Barton, St Giles, the well known cattle breeder, has been invited to judge the Devon cattle classes at the Royal Sydney Show.

Mrs Mary Cobbledick, of Week t Mary, has received a certificate and special badge from the Royal British Legion for her services in selling poppies in the village for 30 years.

David Chudley was one of three Bude and Stratton Lions Club members who were sold as ‘slaves’ at an auction. He was bought by Mrs Carol Brown, who said: “David is going to do my Christmas cooking.”

January 4, 1963

A three-hour rescue operation ended successfully when a lamb stranded on a ledge 400ft from the top of the high cliff Strangles, St Gennys, was brought to safety. Police Sergeant E M Thomas, Bude, Divisional Officer Raynes, of Cornwall Fire Service, and Station Officer Richards, of Delabole, took part in the rescue.

In the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, the award of the OBE has been made to Mrs Joan Barriball, chairman of Launceston Borough Magistrates, has a long and active association with the Conservative party, giving outstanding service at all levels.

This season looks like being a year full of cup cheer for the soccer clubs of North Cornwall. Only one of the area’s senior sides has been defeated in knock-out competitions so far — Bude, who were unlucky to lose in the Cornwall Senior Cup and the Plymouth and District League’s senior victory tourney. Camelford and Launceston and Wadebridge march on in the senior and charity cups. But Bude are storming ahead in the Westward Ho! Cup competition and making steady progress in the Torridge Cup.

December 26, 1953

Mr Edwin Malindone, a London businessman has been recommended by the Divisional Executive as prospective Parliamentary Liberal candidate for North Cornwall. It is also recommended that Mr Dennis V Flacey, from Wells, Somerset, should be the successor to Mr F L Tyrell as Divisional agent.

John Gavin Lea, 16-year-old second son of Dr and Mrs J M Lea, formerly of Lifton, was drowned at Lime Regis last week when during a walk along the shore he fell from some rocks into a shallow pool.

Sir Harold Roper, Conservative MP for North Cornwall is off to Burma where he spent so many years before the war. But this time only for a short period as a member of the Parliamentary delegation which is visiting that country and also India and Pakistan.

Sir Douglas Marshall, Conservative MP for SE Cornwall was married on Saturday in a quiet ceremony at Stoke Climsland Parish Church to Mrs Susanne Penzer Symons, of Hatt House, Saltash. The first Mrs Marshall died in November of last year and the bride lost her first husband in 1951.

The Holsworthy Deanery magazine celebrated its diamond jubilee with its December issue — its 720th edition.

The Haye charity founded by James Haye who died 214 years ago was distributed at Callington over the Christmas period. The income comes from the rent of two fields in Liskeard Road known as ‘The Poor Ground’ and it provided for 9s to each of 42 beneficiaries. A further £15 was distributed under the will of George Hawke who died in 1928.

Basic scales of pay for teachers will be increased from next April going up to £450 a year for men and £405 for women.

Werrington Churchyard is to be extended, Corn Williams having generously given an adjoining piece of land.

December 24, 1943

Reported missing in the Middle East: Pte Penno, of 6, St Thomas Hill, Launceston.

It is hoped that in the net three months, everyone in Britain will get at least a 1lb of oranges. They are coming from Spain and Palestine.

Mrs Mary Emma Pengelly, aged 30, was killed on Sunday evening when walking with her husband and small son towards their home at Trebursye. She was knocked down by an American Army lorry.

Launceston Rural Council is having trouble building council houses because of the shortage of labour. Men are brought down from Bristol under the Essential Works Order, but costs are rising to steeply that members feel they will be unable to let the houses for the 12s 6d a week which is proposed. One member commented he thought it would be difficult to get tenants who would even pay that sum.

To a crowded audience of parents at the annal concert given by pupils of Headland College, the Principal, Mrs Normington, reported that numbers had increased every term since the school had evacuated to Gunnislake in 1941. In the past year, over 50 boarders had to be refused entry because of lack of room.

Mr Corbett, headmaster of Whitstone Council School, is being recalled to Croydon, and at an evening gathering on Friday he was presented by the youngest pupil, Winifred Sleep with a cheque from managers, parents, etc in recognition of all his work for the school and village.

December 30, 1933

Thousands of frozen lambs have been sent from Australia to England as Christmas presented to relatives and friends in the Old Country. Mrs B C Sloaman, Treroose, Laneast, has been one of the recipients, the gift being from her brother, Mr A B C Dinnis, of Melbourne.

Mr John Ernest Tiffin, of Arlesey, Beds, has been appointed divisional agent for the North Cornwall Conservative Association, in succession from Com Denton.

December 29, 1923

Rev G A George Davis has accepted an invitation to become pastor of the Congregational Church, Launceston.

Mr C E Lease, the headmaster, in his annual report presented at the prize distribution of Camelford Grammar School on Friday said the number of pupils now attend (39 boys and 28 girls) was a record.