A quick bit of business and great feedback from the Christmas meal at Great Trethew and a Craft day at Cowslip got this month’s meeting started. Members and their guests were welcomed, then it was straight into table challenges – Festive dingbats, Carol and Hymn anagrams/word puzzles and the alphabet naming Cornish places – apparently the only letter that can’t be completed is ‘x’ – unless you know different?

Posies were given to members celebrating December birthdays: Pat Bates and Tina Tubby.

Everyone was then ready to tuck into the amazing spread laid on – bring and share is always a wonderful feast in Pensilva! Vol au vents, sandwiches, pinwheels, platters, quiche, sausage rolls – an endless list! And then dessert – cake, shortbread, meringues, cheesecake…

Once everyone was content and tummies were full, it was time for Bingo – prizes won for one and two lines and of course the full house. After the answers were given and totting up of points from the challenges, there was the sound of bells as two Elves and Santa arrived to give out handmade gifts to all members and chocolates to the visitors. President, Verna thanked everyone and wished all a very Happy Christmas. The evening was rounded off with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Pensilva WI are collecting used stamps for CFWI (Cornwall Federation of WIs) – all money raised will go to events within Cornwall. Please give to any member or put in the collection box at Millennium house. Perfect time to recycle those on Christmas card envelopes. Thank you!

January Meeting is a special event open to Everyone: Wednesday, January 8 – an evening with Tony Rea from Great British Sewing Bee. £5 to visitors and there will be a raffle for Tony’s charity. He will display some of his creations and talk about his time on the show. 7.15pm Millennium House. All welcome!

The annual North Cornwall whist holiday, saw 37 whist players, accompanied by four partners, travel to Ilfracombe. Leaving Cornwall on the Sunday in extremely wet weather, a stop for coffee was made at Trethorne, where the party were joined by players from the top end of North Cornwall.

It was then off to Sourton Cross and finally to Okehampton, when the party was complete. A stop was made at a Barnstaple Garden Centre for lunch and then off to the final destination. Arriving in better weather at the Imperial Hotel, the party was greeted by the manager, before settling in. Some took the opportunity in the afternoon for a walk to the harbour or to take some of the walks around the cliffs by the sea. After dinner it was down for the first 24 hands of whist.

The holiday was organised by David and Edwina Broad of Tintagel and Peter and Vron Retallack of Coads Green and each evening David MC’d. Up bright and early on the Monday morning, the sea at Ilfracombe was extremely rough, but it did not deter some from going out and watching the waves lashing against the sea walls.

It was then off to Rosemoor Gardens at Torrington, where after a cup of coffee, everyone made off to tour the gardens, which runs to many acres. Those who found walking a little difficult could hire a mobility scooter. The weather cleared up, which gave everyone the opportunity to explore this garden run by the RHS scheme, which included using the underpass and visiting Lady Anne’s historic garden. Everywhere was beautifully kept by a number of gardeners, and the turning of the trees saw a wonderful array of colour. The lake attracted a lot of people who saw the last of the water lilies in flower. After lunch in the restaurant and a tour of the shop , it was back home for a rest, and change for the evening.

Tuesday it was off to Bishop’s Lydeard and a ride to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway on the vintage steam train travelling through many coastal villages on the way. After a short say in Minehead, where many were able to walk along the sea front, it was time for the homeward journey, via Porlock Hill and a tour across Exmoor, where at the top of Porlock Hill stood a magnificent stag watching everything that was going on.

Wednesday and the party made their way to Taunton, where they visited the County Classics Motor Museum, which brought back many memories of vehicles of yesteryear dating from 1916. Lunch was take and then there was time to be able to do some retail therapy. Thursday was a free day in Ilfracombe to visit the harbour to see Verity, or to walk the main street and also visit the museum. In the afternoon many settled down to play rainbow whist and once everyone got in the way of things an enjoyable afternoon was had.

After the final dinner, Ivor Pellow gave thanks to David and Edwina, Peter and Vron for organising a wonderful week and presented then with cards of thanks and a gift. As the Thursday was the final evening a grand raffle of prizes given by the players, raised about £200. As the week is a fundraising week, the chosen charity was Ataxia UK. This is a degenerative disease of the nervous system and can mimic those of being drunk with slurred speech and incoordination among other things and can affect people of all ages. This can lead to an early death. Peter and Vron both carry the gene and their son Stuart sadly died from this disease when he was 29.

For the journey home, a stop was made at Dartington Crystal in Torrington, where a tour was made to see how items are made from the furnace, the glass blowing and on to finishing room. After lunch it was off to the shop and as there was a sale, many purchased items. It was then homeward and the first departure at Okehampton. A big thank you went to the driver, Eric Harris and to Tilley’s coaches.

The Imperial Hotel welcomed everyone and the waiting staff of young lads and girls, all from Ilfracombe were to be applauded for the fantastic way they carried out their duties, where nothing was too much trouble and was seen to at the double, so much so that everyone gave towards a collection as a thank you. The meals too were excellent. Before leaving the manager thanked everyone for using the hotel, which had been newly refurbished and looked forward to seeing everyone again. During the week 186 hands were played. A tally of the main whist was kept during the week and the jackpot was won by Rosemary Braund of Bude and the lowest was Pam Sobey of Launceston, who each received a money prize.

Everyone now awaits the 2025 holiday to wherever. Sadly since their return one of the players Vina Lobb of Mevagissey has died.

Recently at the weekly whist drive at Otterham Hall on a Monday a presentation of £600 was made to Peter and Vron for the Ataxia UK charity.

Trish Shanks opened the November meeting by welcoming all the visitors and members. She then introduced Tony Rea, a Sewing Bee finalist in 2023.

He started his talk by telling us a bit about himself. He started work at 16 and worked his way up to being a design engineer for quite a few large companies. It was a very busy life style for him, so at the age of 50 he decided to have a gap year! He and his wife went on a year long trip around Asia and had a wonderful time. When he returned he decided to find an easier and quieter job. So became a postman in Bude. Whilst away travelling he started to crochet during the long flights and found he enjoyed it so continued. He also he took up knitting. Then found a old sewing machine and thought he would try some sewing for himself. His mates at work then started to ask him to do sewing repairs etc. then they mentioned the Sewing Bee!! To keep them quiet he applied, thinking he would get nowhere but to his surprise after many phone calls and auditions the TV company said they would like to have him on the show.

The show is recorded in Leeds over a period of eight weeks, which the contestant must sign up to do. Tony took holiday time off from work and went ahead with the show. The show has three parts to it, the pattern challenge, the transformation challenge and the made to measure challenge. Tony brought along several of the clothes that he made on the show including the child's party dress that he won garment of the week. The party dress was made from Neoprene material which is usually used for wet suits. It was white with a big bow on the front and the skirt stood out like a frill. He loved making the pattern challenge as he had already been making shirts for himself from a pattern he had made up. His transformation challenge from windbreak to rain wear he said was great fun and he brought that along too. The most difficult challenges were the made to measure as he had only made garments for himself before and mainly shirts!! In the finals week he had to make a two-in-one dress. Tony's dress started of as a black puffball dress and turned into a fishtail dress in wonderful psychedelic material. He came 2nd in the final. Tony also talked about meeting all the other contestants and the fun they had helping each other out on the show and after the filming. He opened the meeting out for questions and they were many. It was a fabulous evening and we ended it with a Christmas buffet for all to enjoy.

The flower competition was 1st Sue Williams and 2nd Sue Hicks. Trish then mentioned on Sunday, December 15, 4pm to 6pm, there will be carol singing in the Coronation Hall and everyone was welcome. Tea, coffee and mince pies will be provided. Trish then thanked Tony again for his wonderful, interesting and fun talk. She also reminded everyone that the money raised that night, which was £288, was going to the hall funds for new and better heating and decor. She then wished everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 21, with Colin Sargent, a wonderful wildlife photographer. The meeting closed at 9.30pm.

Due to "Eyes Down" at level 1, the RNA meeting was elevated to 01 Deck!

Under the firm control of our president/acting chair, meeting opened at 7.30pm in the normal manner with a loyal and enthusiastic attendance.

A warning of foul weather was expected apparently - but Sou'Westers on, we would embrace it! A few "apologies" on the night due to family or health reasons, but the resultant financial situation was both healthy via branch or social aspects. However, the "volunteers" nominated for January raffle provision were identified as S/ms Ian and Jaqi Edwards, Phil Gavin, Bob Gelder, Colin Hainsworth, Glenn Hodgkiss and voluntary contributions.

The Branch would provide a "Meet, Greet & Recruit" presentation at Sainsburys, Bude on Sunday, December 15.

Branch's customary "Widows' Christmas Cards, Gift Tokens & Letter" had been despatched.

The Branch would be in attendance for the Area AGM and Area Meeting at Dorchester on January 18, 2025 via chair, honorary secretary and welfare/wellbeing secretary.

Nominations to fill branch committee roles to be invited at January meeting and an individual vote to take place at February AGM.

Currently, the branch strength is excellent - but always would welcome those new to the area who have the ethos of the RNA at heart.

Various salient points and advice was presented via "welfare" .

Following the "Loyal Toast", the subsequent Raffle and Auction was very well supported.

On Monday, December 2, Bude, Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society held their Celebration of Traditional Advent “Carols of the Stratton Hundred” at St Andrew’s Church, Stratton.

A welcome was given by Reverend Teresa Folland.

The carols were introduced and conducted by John Hobbs, and the organist was Dafydd Thomas,.

The first carol - Arise Behold the Heavenly Choir Symphoni, from the Bert Tape Morwenstow Collection, followed by Whence Those Sounds Symphonious from the Kilkhampton Collection.

Memories of Elizabeth Howlett’s early Stratton Childhood, 1990’s read by Judy.

Carols - Modrep Maria – words by Rev R S Hawker, music by Jori Rowe.

Night of the Angels, words by Susan Cotton, music attributed to George Hallett, Bude.

Preparing for Christmas from Ethel Jewell’s Stratton Childhood, was read by Diana.

The next two carols were This is the Day, from the Ethel Jewell Collection, and To Us a Child of Hope is Born.

Rev Teresa read Isaiah 2 v. 1- 5 from the King James authorised version.

The following two carols Away in a Manger, and A Virgin Most Pure were sung in Cornish.

The next two carols were Behold the Grace Appears, from the Morwenstow Collection and While Shepherds (Marhamchurch Anthem) from the Ethel Jewell Collection.

Audrey read “Eddi’s Service” at Manhood End A.D. 687 (Chichester Marshes).

The following two carols , were Welcome That Star – words by Rev.R.S Hawker, and Flaming Seraphs, a Traditional Stratton Carol.

The final Epilogue Carol - Oh Fair, Oh Fair Jerusalem from the Bert Tape Collection was sung.

Alan MacIntosh, chairman of the Old Cornwall Society, gave a vote of thanks to everyone involved.

Tea, coffee and warm mince pies followed to bring the enjoyable evening to a close.

Morning prayer will be held at 10am on Monday weekly.

Carol service at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 22.

There will be holy communion on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 9.30pm.

On Sunday, December 22, in St Paul’s Church, Upton Cross, there will be a ‘Meet & Eat’ breakfast at the Cross Link Centre, at 10am.

December 24, Christmas Eve, Crib & Christingle at 4pm

December 25, Christmas Day, Celebration at 10am

December 29, cluster communion at 10am.

Pat Newsome reports that very shortly returning from the last trip to Ukraine, the breaking news was that catastrophic floods had badly flooded Valencia area of Spain.

It was decided to load a van with mops, buckets, shovels, along with essentials such as bottled water, food, medicines, to mention but a few, and the van set off to Spain to help with relief effort. You can imagine the reaction from the Spanish residents upon receiving the aid/help.

Unfortunately, at the moment we can not accept any adult winter clothing until further notice. Baby clothes can be accepted. The next convoy will be approximately December 18. Items can be taken to either St Paul's Church, Upton Cross, open daily 9am to 4pm. Or at the Humanitarian Hub, Unit 6 Tinners Way, Callington. Many thanks.

The Cornish play ‘Seven Stars’ written by Simon Parker will take place in Rilla Mill Village Hall on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December at 7.30pm. Adults £6, Child £3 can be obtained from the Manor House Inn, Rilla Mill & on the door. Recommended for children aged 8 years and over. Proceeds in aid of Mount Edgecombe Hospice.

Film night at the parish hall in Upton Cross will be held on December 21 for ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Doors open 7pm, film starts 7.30pm.