January 7, 1999

A cut to a total of 50 new homes on a Bude housing estate reaching its last phase, may bring another 80 houses on a neighbouring site, Bude councillor Brenda Parsons warned on Tuesday.

In recent times, in fact for a very long time, one of the rarest words heard in Launceston’s Guildhall must be ‘unanimous’ but on Monday evening it was heard so many times that the secretary, Mrs Margaret Sanderson, must have thought she was dreaming as she diligently took the minutes, as the council’s re-instated finance and general purposes committee refreshingly got down to business and actually completed a lengthy agenda’s work in just over two hours.

January 7, 1984

The first passengers on Launceston’s narrow gauge steam railway awaited departure on the line’s first trip towards New Mills, courtesy of the century-old engine ‘Lilian’, restored by engineer Nigel Bowman, of the Launceston Steam Railway Company, which opened for business from its Newport premises on Boxing Day.

YFC winners at Launceston Christmas Show received their awards from the Mayor, Mrs Cynthia Buckingham. 

Cornwall County Council received more generous treatment than any other major spending authority in 1983/84 and there is no question of it having been treated unfavourably in next year’s spending targets.

January 5, 1974

The New Year’s Honours List included the grant of the MBE to Mr Richard Grenville Pomeroy, a dairy farmer, aged 57, of Great Dinworthy, Bradworthy. He has been a prominent figure in farming circles as a member of the Farmers’ Union and also as regional member of the Milk Marketing Board.

Mr Thomas (Ted) Dunstan is not in the New Year’s Honour List, but he had something to celebrate just the same, for it was on New Year’s Day 50 years ago that his father took over the King’s Arms, Holsworthy, and it has been in the family ever since.

Answering questions on first aid, 23-year-old Gillian Barriball, of Hollies Road, St Stephens, Launceston, won £123 on Wednesday’s edition of the Westward TV quiz programme ‘Treasure Hunt’.

‘Lady Godiva’, in the form of Mrs Heather Young, took part in the ‘dip’ in Bude Canal to raise funds for ‘HIPPO’ (Heated Indoor Pool Project Organisation). Mrs Young, aged 31, wore a flesh coloured bathing costume and was watched by her husband and three children.

The New Year was ‘rung in’ on the bells of Lanteglos Church. The ringers were Messrs S A Button, Fred Bennett, W Hayne, H Hawken, S Hicks, Reg Roose, J Stephens, J Saltern, A Spry and W Welch.

January 11, 1964

The Calstock-Bere Alston ferry service, threatened with discontinuation, has been granted a further reprieve. Twelve months ago, the ferry joint committee composed of members of St Germans and Tavistock Rural Councils, decided that the ferry used by only a handful of people and running at substantial loss should be closed.

The youth hostel at Otterham is due to close at the end of the 1965 holiday season. The lease on the property expires in 1966. It is not yet known if new premises will be sought in the North Cornwall area, in addition to the existing 24-bed hostel in Boscastle harbour. The hostel at Otterham, which has been open since 1946, can accommodate 50 visitors at a time.

A view of Launceston drawn in 1851 by James Burrell Smith, was sold for £75 at Sotheby’s sale of 18th and 19th century drawings and sculptures in London on Wednesday.

January 9, 1953

Launceston’s newest school, the County Secondary School at Pennygillam, came to life yesterday (Thursday) with the start of its first team and a total of 95 girls and 155 boys on roll. There are 11 teachers and the headmaster is Mr K S Pascoe.

Mr Charles Colville Uglow, of Tredarrup, Warbstow, who reached his 100th birthday last June, died last week at the home of his daughter, Mrs A C Bluett, of Titson, Marhamchurch.

A four-year-old boy, Kenneth Richards, of Holmscroft, Port Isaac, was pinned under the wheel of a bus in Plymouth on Monday. He was rushed to hospital, where his condition was stated to be ‘satisfactory’.

Mrs Elizabeth Ann (Granny) Barrett, the first known Bude woman to reach a century, celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday. There was a telegram from the Queen, an interview with the BBC, and the town band turned up to play ‘Happy Birthday to You’.

Although the British Legion Choir which helped to put Launceston on the musical map with its BBC broadcasts and other concerts is now defunct, another choir has risen to take its place; the Launceston and District Male Voice Choir, formed at a public meeting in the White Hart Hotel last week. Mr Carey Tolchard presiding. The musical director and conductor is Mr L R Poore, and the secretary is Mr G L Pooley.

Alan Pitt Robbins, laterly News Editor of ‘The Times’ and a descendent of the noted Launceston family of journalists, received a CBE in the New Year Honours List.

January 8, 1944

Killed in action: LCpl Ronald Gifford, of Westcott, Trewartha Road, Port Isaac. Missing during air operations; Sgt Ronald Creber, rear gunner; RAF, of Strand, South Petherwin. Prisoner of war (in Japanese hands); A D Cecil, Wallace Hooper, of Strouds, East Chilla; Cpl Horace Walters, of Mount Wise, Launceston; LAC J E Dunn, of 26 Priory Park, Launceston; Gnr Ernan Dinner, of Bridgerule.

Lt-Cpl H B Coxen, DSo, of the Parachute Regiment, a native of Bude, has won the Military Cross.

Major W J Stuart, Royal Marines, of Flodden Tor, Boyton, has been awarded the OBE.

In the New Year Honours List, a knighthood was conferred upon Mr George Knight, now of Bournemouth, but was well known at Delabole where he was born. It was for his services to religion and as head of the lay preachers of the Methodist Church.

January 13, 1934

A mother and son died within a few hours of each other at Delabole yesterday (Thursday). they were Mrs Rebecca Lake, aged 78, and Mr Martin Lake, 54, both of Roughtor View, Pengelly. There will be a double funeral tomorrow.

Dr T A King has been elected this year’s president of the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Association.

Speaking at Holsworthy on Wednesday, Mr John Day, prospective Liberal candidate for the Tavistock division suggested that a ‘drink more milk’ campaign should be organised.

January 12, 1924

The first lady candidate in a Launceston municiple election, Mrs Annie Truscott-Wood, came second in the poll yesterday. She gained 209 votes, beating Mr J H V Prouse, 189 and Mr A J Steet, 98. The successful candidate was Mr H H Hender.

At Holsworthy UDC meeting on Tuesday, the resignation of Sgt Major Gunn as captain of the fire brigade was accepted. Mr Metters also resigned as chairman of the fire brigade committee, explaining that there had been a fire at the rear of Higher Square early the previous Friday morning, but not a single member of the brigade heard the alarm and there was great confusion.

Launceston Rural and Borough Councils and Broadwood Rural Council are continuing their efforts to provide a joint isolation hospital at St Stephens.