The March meeting being the last of the winter season was held as usual in the Ambulance Hall in Westgate Street. Mr. Ellacott, society chairman welcomed members and then introduced a surprise visitor. Mr. Nev Meek the newly elected Federation president was making a courtesy visit to all Old Cornwall Societies, Launceston being the 32nd in the county. Mr. Ellacott gave a short report on the recorder's meeting which he had attended at county hall Truro. Mr. Tremain announced details of an exhibition in the county library in Bounsall’s Lane relating to the bi-centenary birthday celebrations marking the birth of John Passmore Edwards.

The monthly Cornish Language spot was presented by Pat Tremain. Mr. Ellacott then introduced Mr. Christopher Jewell the invited speaker for the evening whose chosen subject was the Bude Canal and Mr. Michael Moore who was in charge of the illustrations. Though early plans for the canal had stalled in the 18th century the appointed surveyor for the new scheme was James Green who started work in 1817. The canal was opened for business in 1823-1825. The Bude Canal became one of the largest engineering undertakings in the area. Members were interested to learn some of the statistics of the canal. It was 35 miles in length with branches stretching from the great Sea Lock at Bude. At Bude sand was brought up to the wharf from the beach in small rail trucks and offloaded into barges.

The canal passes what was Aclands warehouse and Pethicks Mill and on vie Rodd’s Lock to Hele Bridge. At Hele Bridge George Casebourne’s House was mentioned as were the nearby canal barge workshop and various warehouses Here the canal narrowed and cargoes and transferred from barges onto narrow tub boats. After Hele Bridge, the canal reaches Redpost then branching off toward Tamar Lake and branching to Vealand toward Holsworthy and on to Blagdon Moor wharf. Another branch from Redpost headed toward Druxton Wharf near Launceston. The canal passes what was Aclands warehouse and Pethicks Mill and on via Rodd’s Lock to Hele Bridge. At Hele Bridge George Casebourne’s house was mentioned as were the nearby canal barge workshop and various warehouses. Here the canal narrowed, and cargoes were transferred from barges onto narrow tub boats;

Over the canal’s length, there are six grassy incline planes Hobbacott being at 935 feet in length, raises the canal 225 feet, arguably the most spectacular. Tub boats each carrying 5 tons of cargo, linked to an endless chain were hauled by water power up and down from one level to another on rails. During the talk, other features were highlighted. On the Holsworthy line Burmsdon Aqueduct spanning the river Tamar was shown veering away toward Virworthy wharf toward Tamar Lake. Back at Redpost, the line carves its way toward Launceston.

The Werrington incline plane between Bridegetown and Tamar Town over the public road and the wheel pit at Tamar Town was mentioned. There followed a short question and answer session. Mr. Ellacott thanked Mr. Jewell and Mt. Moore and for a most interesting evening and members for attending this fascinating meeting which was amply illustrated with old and modern photographs diagrams and maps. The monthly raffle was run by Vera Ellacott. The next meeting the first pilgrimage of the summer season will be to Chagford with a guided tour of the church by Reverend Timothy Newcombe. Members wishing to join the party contact Vera Ellacott by Telephone 0I566 776142 All are welcome.