Mrs Gladys Cottrell of St Johns Road, Launceston, recently celebrated her 102nd birthday, when among her visitors was the mayor, Mr Colin Warne, who extended the good wishes of the townsfolk.

Queen Victoria was on the throne when Launceston United Cottage Garden Society held its first annual show. On Saturday, the 155th such event proved to be the last one. Changing trends and hobbies, plus the ready availability of produce in greengrocers and supermarkets led the society to reluctantly make the decision to end the show, which once was one of the red letter events in Launceston’s calendar.

The history of a former Methodist manse in Launceston is uncovered on Wednesday in a television programme which explores the memories of the past and present owners. Homes Stories, a BBC2 series which looks at the history of ordinary homes around the UK, examines the progression of number 6, Tavistock Road, Launceston, from a manse to a bed and breakfast and the family home it is today.

At last week’s meeting of Camelford Town Council, presided over by deputy mayor, Cllr Andy Shaw, the subject of CCTV cameras was raised in a letter form the chief executive of North Cornwall District Council, David Brown.

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The nationwide farming feed supply company J Bibby Agriculture is still planning to set up a new feed mill in Launceston.

The Bishop of Truro (Rt Rev Peter Mumford) came to St Peter’s Church, Port Isaac, on Sunday morning to celebrate its centenary.

Egloskerry Revel Queen Virginia Wickenden and the two princesses, Sharon Rundle and Joanna Knight, were crowned by Mrs D Colville. The event was then declared open by mayor of Launceston Mr Barry Jordan.

A presentation of a pair of binoculars was made at Launceston police station to mark the retirement of Mr George Aze, civilian clerk/operator at the station since 1968. Present on the day were Community Police Officer Bill Burtonwood, Mrs Aze, Mr Aze, Det Insp Tony Furzland, Mrs V Jewson, a clerk at the police station and PC Terry Guest.

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Mr Wilfred Gilbert, of Ashwater, was the most successful exhibitor at Launceston United Cottage Garden, Society’s 130th show.

In a letter to the editor, Dr D M O’Connor writes — ‘Were the multi-story car park to be built on the site of Castle Hill House, it could not be more of an eye-sore than that once lovely Georgian residence has become’.

Station officer Arthur Kerridge, of Bude, was in charge of the fire fighting operation when about 3,000 bales of new hay were destroyed when fire ripped through a large Dutch barn at Elmscott Farm, Whitstone, late on Saturday evening. The farm is owned by Mr Herbert Medland.

Nigel and Christopher Nosworthy both won cups at the 21st annual Women’s Guild flower show in the Coronation Hall, St Giles-on-the-Heath.

Kelvin Heard, aged 12, gained his first victory at the Tintagel pony races.

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Covering about 10 acres of derelict workings, the site of an old arsenic producing centre at Coombe, Harrowbarrow, may become a private housing estate of about 35 bungalows of houses. The plan was revealed at last week’s meeting of St German’s rural council.

Holsworthy parish council discussed the question of the concentration point to be used by traders — Launceston of Okehampton — if the Okehampton-Bude line is closed to freight on September 7. Mr F H Stanlake felt Holsworthy should press for the more natural link with Okehampton. Mr W Penhale also thought the Devon town was much more likely to be retained as a rail head than Launceston.

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The suggestion that a ladies committee be formed with their own officers to work in co-operation with the club was made at the annual meeting of Launceston Football Supporters Club. Officers elected were: president, Mr H W Low; chairman, Mr D McCarthey; vice-chairman, Mr B Tremain; secretary, Mr R Venner.

An outbreak of myxomatosis has been confirmed at a farm at Milton Damerel.

At a meeting of Brentor Parochial Church Council, presided over by the vicar (Rev C P M Sharpe) at the school, a presentation was made to Miss F Bellringer, who has been secretary of the Church Council for 26 years.

Wesley Cottage at Trewint was crowded for the service on Sunday and the people were accommodated on chairs and forms out of doors. The Trewint secretary, Mr Stanley Sowton, said that since the cottage became a methodist shrine four years ago more than 30,000 people less crossed the threshold.

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Killed in action: Lieut T J W Rowland, third son of the rector of Egloshayle, Rev C T Rowland. Died of wounds: Pte James Tancock of Kelly Bray. Missing: F/Sgt Donald C Stephens, RAF of Camelford. Prisoner of war: Pte W W H Tunley of 17 Bramble Hill, Bude. Mentioned in despatches: Sgt Herbert F J Hart of Sunnyside, Holsworthy.

Capt G L Holland of Rowlandsfield, Bude, was among westcountrymen taking part in the butter fighting for hill 122 in Normandy, where he reports “Our fellows put up an awfully good show”.

Holsworthy Urban Council has set up a special committee to consider the post-war problems and developments of the town, including the provision of a town hall and recreation for youth.

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Mrs Matilda Palmer, who died at Tintagel last week, was a great benefactress. She gave to the National Trust all the cliffs running from her property at Pellamellon right down to Trebarwith Sands.

East Langford Farm, Kilkhampton (house, outbuildings and 68 acres of land), owned by Mr F Chigley, was sold at auction by Messrs Kivell and Sons at Holsworthy on Wednesday to Mr A Hocking for £600.

Holsworthy Urban Council is borrowing £5,250 over 30 years to construct a new impounding reservoir.

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The vicar of Morwenstow, Rev H Hugh Breton, used a high rock as his pulpit for a service held on the shore at Duckpool, Combe Valley, on Monday to bless the sea.

Mr Colin D Ross, aged 28, has been selected from 109 candidates as Devon’s new agricultural organiser.

Launceston United Cottage Society on Tuesday held the best show in its career of three-quarters of a century, there being over 700 entires on view in the Town Hall.

Bude Races (under National Pony Club rules), held on Thursday at Whalesborough Farm, offered stakes to the value of £230 and attracted an entry of 80.