Geoff is new soccer chairman

Long serving Callington community college teacher, Geoff Lee, has been honoured for his work in schools football by being elected chairman of the English Schools' Football Association for 1999-2000.

This is the first time in the 96 year history of the English Schools FA that the honour has gone to a serving teacher from South West England.

Geoff has worked in schools football since he began teaching at Callington in 1974. Throughout that time he held many different positions in local and county schools football before being elected to the council of the English Schools FA in 1990 to represent Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. He will combine his commitments of chairman with his full time job as head of sixth form at Callington college.

Geoff, who has lived in Saltash since qualifying as a physical education teacher at St Luke's college in Exeter, will also be chairman of the Schools Association Football International Board whose membership includes European representatives as well as those from the four home countries.

Drama workshop

Following a visit to Callington community college by Frantic Assembly - who mounted a workshop for sixth form students - year 11 drama students are now hosting a visit by Pilot Theatre.

The company will be performing an award-winning version of 'Lord of the Flies' at the Theatre Royal during the forthcoming half-term holiday. Pilot Theatre will be running a workshop throughout the morning on October 11.

Skittles knock-out

Some ten skittle teams (four persons each) recently competed in the Annual Knock-Out Competition in the Callington Methodist Church Schoolrooms for the Cliff Caldwell Perpetual Trophy. Also, this year, the overall and plate winners received rosettes, specially made by Carol Caldwell.

The overall winners were the Brotherhood beating the Choir by only two skittles in the final. The Guild won the Plate competition, for first round losers, with the Door Stewards being the runners-up. The prizes were presented by Rev Howard Curnow, Superintendent Minister of the Callington and Gunnislake Methodist Circuit. A very enjoyable time was had by all.

Drama at Cotehele

Year 12 drama students at Callington community college are to perform at Cotehele House as part of the current Caradon Arts festival. Their piece, entitled 'Cotehele: Clocks and Ghosts', has been commissioned by Lewis Eynham of the National Trust and penned by Jonathon Plunkett, head of drama at the college. The play will be performed at 7.30pm on Wednesday October 13, in the old barn. Tickets, priced at £4 for adults and £2 for concessions, are available from Cotehele House.

Church Services:

The Mustard Seed Evengalical Church, Callington - This Sunday 10.45am Morning Worship (The Book of Acts), 7.45 pm Sunday Celebration, Musician Jacqui Todd and Missionary to Romania Graham Sumner from Christ-Life Ministries (01579 383515).

Callington Methodist Church - This Sunday 11.00am Mr A Rich, 6.00pm Rev H Curnow.

Pool letters wanted

Further discussions have been taking place with architects regarding a leisure swimming pool in Callington.

Money has already been pledged by a number of bodies for the project, but funds will also be required in terms of Lottery bids if a pool is to be built which will fulfil the needs of both the community college and the wider community.

The college would like to receive letters of support for the scheme from any organisations which will benefit directly or indirectly from the new pool. These would add further weight to its bid for funding.

Music for Brotherhood

At the Callington Brotherhood's recent meeting members Andrew Rich was guest speaker and Barry Higgins chairman.

Also taking part in the afternoon service was Jonathon Delbridge, a young musician from Menheniot. Jonathon played solos on the piano and organ, and accompanied the hymn singing.

On October 10 the Brotherhood's 75th anniversary rally will be held at 2.30pm with a collection for the Red Cross.

Money to stabilise an old memorial

The future of the Old Clink memorial in Callington was debated by Caradon councillors last week, and it was agreed £26,000 could be spent stabilising the building.

The repairs will involve installing steel work to support new roof timbers - and the refurbishment of stone window mullions.

The councillors heard that there seems to be no local interest in purchasing the relic, and it was said to be highly unlikely that its listed status will ever be cancelled to allow it to be demolished. It is uncertain whether grant finance for the repairs can be gained, although Caradon has asked the Truro diocesan registry if they would consider a contribution.

Members were pleased that, with the repairs completed, Caradon will save the £200 per month cost of scaffolding.

Centre is now a cottage

The 'Chyvarhas day centre' for the elderly at Callington held an open day recently - the occasion partially due to the centre being given a new name, and a new sign.

As, it was said, many clients had felt 'institutionalised' by the name 'day centre' being part of the title, the facility is to revert to the original name - 'Chyvarhas Cottage'.

James Robinson, the chief executive of Cornwall Care Ltd which runs the centre, local MP Colin Breed MP, Callington portreeve Peter Hambly and his wife, a selection of councillors, wardens, from warden controlled homes in the area, the social services, Cornwall Health Trust, district nurses and people from the community who deal with the centre and its clients were present at the open day.

'New look' all weather pitch

The floodlit, all weather sports pitch at Callington community college is being resurfaced with artificial grass, rather than the old rubber variety which has had the tendency to be slippery.

The work is being financed by D C Leisure, the company which manages the sports facilities on behalf of Caradon district council, with assistance from the college. This means that the pitch will, once again be playable in most weather conditions.

Steve Kenning, head teacher at the college, said: 'We are delighted with the refurbishment of the all weather pitch and very grateful for the D C Leisure commitment to the college. The benefits will be felt by all members of the community'.

The work has been held up by the wet weather - but is hoped to be completed soon, ready for use this month.

Calstock's early

history outlined

AT THEIR annual meeting, members of Callington local history group were treated to an in-depth study of the early history of Calstock parish by Patrick Coleman.

The area ,which in the 14th Century was made a royal manor as part of the Black Prince's Duchy of Cornwall, consisted of settlements in the mainly oak forests which surrounded the downland of Hingston. The Celts left their language in the names of Cuit Heyl, Hir Garth, Tregwyn and Kelli, while Harrowbarrow, Metherell and Latchley names are Saxon.

Officers elected were: chairman Clive Grenfell, vice chairman Frank Edwards, treasurer Inez Allen and secretary Shelia Lightbody.