Extra funds for primary

Extra funding has been received from the government for years four and six at Callington primary school.

The money is enough for two extra classroom assistants to cover 24 to help during literacy lessons in Year four. In year six the extra cash is being used to fund an extra teacher and a classroom assistant for eight hours a week for seven weeks. During English and mathematics lessons year six are being taught in smaller groups which will enable them to reach their targets. Those involved said the initiatives are for the short term so support should be given to campaigners for fair funding for all pupils all the time.

Church Services

Our Lady of Victories Church, Callington, Sunday Mass 5.00pm; Wed Mass 6.00pm.

The Mustard Seed Evangelical Church, 1 Launceston Road, Callington, 10.45am Pastor Bruce Brown, 7.45pm Sunday Celebration with the Grace Church Worshhip Group. Speaker Martin Bunkum (Grace Community Church).

Flower group

Mrs Barbara Smetherham from Commomoor gave an excellent demonstration to the Callington Flower Arrangement Group entitled 'Winter on the Moor'. She used much natural material such as bark, dried stems, moss and lichen to enhance her arrangements and remind us of all the beauty on the moor. Plant material from local gardens and florists flowers were sensitively used to evoke the colours and moods of the Moor and its seasons.

Companions' March dinner

The Callington Good Companions held their monthly meeting at the town hall on January 20.

The chairman opened the meeting and the minutes of the December meeting were read by the secretary. The Companions' Christmas dinner is to be held on March 1 at the town hall. Members enjoyed bingo, a raffle - with thanks to Margaret, Dorothy and Joyce - and refreshments served by Beryl and Frank. The next meeting will be on February 17 at 2pm when a choir from Plymouth will be entertaining members.

History of the Priory

Callington local History Group began the Millennium year learning about some of Cornwall's earliest history. This was a talk given by Mr Arthur Wills on Launceston Priory, once an important religious and social centre and holder of vast tracts of land in the north of the county until it fell victim to Henry VIII's cupidity.

Mr Wills told how the priory succeeded the college of secular canons at St Stephens in 1127.

The large, magnificient priory took 100 years to complete. It was 233ft long and had two towers. The present St Thomas' Church is the only survivor of the three chapels built in the town. In its heyday, the priory housed 32 Augustinian canons (monks in black robes), but at the time of the Dissolution there were only nine. The site gradually crumbled to ruins and was further vandalsied by the Victorians who built a gasometer over it, while the railway line runs over its chapter house and through its herb garden.

It is hoped that a group visit may be arranged for the spring to what is a sad but fascinating site.

Guild meeting

A Callington Guild meeting was held recently at Callington Methodist church with Miss L James was in the chair.

In the absence of the booked speaker Rev Curnow gave a talk bringing to life a story in the Bible. Mr B Higgins chose and played the hymns and at the end of the meeting tea and biscuits were served by Misses R and E Wooldridge.

Rotary meeting

Past president Roy Geatches arranged a Police Dog Handler to come to Callington Rotary Club at The Bulls Head on Wednesday January 26.

The Officer gave a very interesting account of his responsibilities and training of two dogs - one skilled in apprehending criminals and the other in searching out drugs. The German Shepherd and Springer Spaniel were introduced to the Members present by the Officer who demonstrated his complete commend over the animals.

Rotarian Colin Lake thanked the Speaker for his most interesting talk and demonstration..

Talk on a trip to China

The recent meeting of Callington United Sisterhood was chaired by Elsie Hope.

Happy thoughts were read by Carrie Duance on sharing love, Barbara Paynter on a heavenly grocery stall and Vida Pearce on glasses.

The speaker was Jerry Greener speaking on a trip to China to deliver Bibles. The following week Vida Pearce presided and Happy Thoughts were read by Barbara Paynter, Margaret Brough, Mrs Duke and Mrs Pearce. The pianist was Eileen Wooldridge. The speaker was Wesley Wilton who talked on the life of Philip Doddridge and the hymns he wrote.

Tea was served by Elsie Trevorrow and Winnie Trebillcock.

Father Philip was speaker

Callington Brotherhood members, meeting for Christian Fellowship recently, welcomed Father Philip Lamb (rector St Dominic and St Mellion) as guest speaker. Louise James provided the musical items, she sang four gospel songs, accompanied by Jill Rickard on the piano.

William Coombe read the lesson and the chair was taken by Robert Hope.

School news

Self Defence for the Sixth Form

The first session of Callington Community College's Sixth Form's self defence course went down very well with all the participants.

They learned a lot about what they could do in confrontational situations and had a great time practising their newly found skills on each other.

The course leader, Mr Kevin Davey, who made his way from St Austell to run the course was very impressed with the enthusiasm the participants showed and the skill with which they were able to demonstrate each new move.

Surfing without getting wet

Thanks to the generosity of Callington Community College, Callington Library now has four PC's for the public to use. They are equipped with word processing facilities, e-mail and the Internet.

The PC's may be booked in advance for half hour sessions and are available Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 5pm in term time only.

Charges are 50 pence for the e-mail and word processing for a half hour session and printing charges range from - 10 pence per black and white A4 sheet and 30 pence for colour A4 sheet.

All users of the service must have library membership, if you wish to join just bring along proof of identity and address. Please telephone the library on 383236 if you require further information.

Concert rocks the night away

A recent concert was the third time Callington community college hosted a rock event featuring two local bands, the METs and Chalk.

Both bands have three things in common - they consist primarily of local players being fronted by two local head teachers, Dave Bundy from Stoke Climsland primary school and Steve Kenning from Callington community college; their aim is to play to provide extra pennies for school and college funds; and they are both brilliant live bands.

From the first number to the grand finale which saw all the players from both bands up on stage, the music was electrifying, whether they were playing raw rock and roll, ska, glam-rock or more bluesy numbers. Strong vocals and skilled musicianship on bass, lead and rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica and saxophone gave the venue an atmosphere that prompted everyone in the audience to their feet to dance the night away.

Martin pots the black

Martin Deacon, year 12 student from Callington community college, spent 12 hours competing in only his second snooker tournament recently.

The tournament was open to anyone under 21, with a total of 60 competitors. Martin emerged as the winner, and was presented with the Andy Hicks Millennium Trophy and a cheque for £10.

Suicide verdict on ex-lecturer

A former university lecturer from Upton Cross, Liskeard killed himself as a result of severe paranoia, a Bodmin inquest was told on Wednesday.

Mr Peter Baker, 44, was said by East Cornwall deputy coroner, Christopher Key, to have suffered a paranoid delusion about a builder who was working on the cottage that he and his wife Diane had moved to. The inquest also heard there had been previous suicide attempts.

Mr Baker was found hanging in the conservatory of his home on October 25, 1999. Paramedics, called to the scene, were unable to revive him.Mr Key recorded a verdict of suicide.

He said death had been through asphyxia and hanging.