Judi Spiers at Lions

Charter night

TV and BBC Radio Devon broadcaster Judi Spiers, returned to Looe on Saturday last as guest of the Lions at their 35th Charter Anniversary. The Looe Lions Club was the first in Cornwall, forming in 1966.

Responding to the toast of ladies and guests, proposed with much humour, by Roger Philp, Judi spoke of her early memories of Looe and family connections with the town. She commented that it felt like 'coming home'. She also recalled once entering the town carnival herself and years later being invited to judge the entries.

Judi said how she had seen Looe change over the years, not always for the better, and hoped that the plans being considered for its future would restore it to the premier town that she remembered. She also complimented the Lions for all the good work they do.

The toast to Lions Clubs International was proposed by President of Looe, Graham Lang, who spoke about the origins of the club and paid tribute to its Charter Members. He mentioned in particular the part played in the club by the late Arthur M Taylor, who died in January, and had been a Past District Governor.

President Graham also reported another highly successful year of activities, including a donation of £5,000 to the Cavitron Fund, plus many other donations to local and international causes - Children in Need, Eye Camps and Water Aid - as well as many individual donations including the Alex Lane Trust Fund. A total of more than £13,000 had been distributed since the last anniversary with all the funds raised by members' hard work at many local events.

Responding on behalf of the International Organisation, District Governor 105SW, John Cook, from Seaton in Devon, also paid tribute to the hard work and brought greetings from International President, Jean Behar.

Clubs represented included all the zone clubs from Liskeard, Torpoint and Rame, Saltash and Callington as well as Presidents from Bodmin, Holsworthy and Plym Valley Lions.

The District Governor presented long service awards to 12 Looe Lions having a total of 230 years service between them. They were Godfrey Bryant, Malcolm Neale and David Pickering (10), Adrian Lean (15), Arthur Kinver and David Pengelly (20), Bill Ough, Bryan Norman and David Hearnden (25), Mike Delf and Ron Kirsopp (30).

The President also presented Certificates of Appreciation to BBC weatherman Craig Rich for his support of Lions over many years and to the Hannafore Point Hotel, which has been the 'home' of the club since its formation.

Also present were the mayor and mayoress of Looe, Cllr Ron and Pat Overd. The Loyal Toast was proposed by Hedley Martin and Toastmaster was Arthur Kinver.

Spring clean for

the Wooldown

EAST Looe Town Trust is to give the Wooldown a spring clean up. Trustees have decided to start the work soon after Easter, when the four fields which make up the area will be cleared of overgrown brambles and brushwood. They say they want to make the popular area easier to walk around and a nicer place to visit. New equipment is being purchased to deal with the work.

The Trust is also very pleased that to date there have been five applications in response to the beach concessions, which are to be hired out. They say this will free up the workforce for other duties around the Trust properties in the town.

Bakery duo's

leap for blind

JOSIE Hoskin who celebrated her 60th birthday last weekend, leapt into retirement on Sunday, by abseiling some 200ft down the side of Plymouth's Civic Centre. She was accompanied by an equally plucky Tonia Lewis, the pair taking part in the city's annual charity abseil, this year in aid of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, for which they have raised more than £400.

Josie has worked as an assistant at Looe Bakery, of which Tonia is the proprietor, for the last 12 years, and decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday and retirement by doing something different but worthwhile. 'I felt very pleased to be doing something for the blind' says Josie, 'and both Tonia and I will never forget the experience. It was thrilling but we were relieved to reach the bottom'.

Tonia and Josie say they are grateful to all the shop's customers, family and friends for their support, and to the other staff members who went along to watch them on the day.

Lemons are

main haul

THE main haul for the fleet now is lemons, although once again poor weather is having an adverse effect on the market. Mackerel hauls are fairly large, but the fish are mainly small.

Figures for week Friday, March 16 - Thursday March 22 (weights in kilos): Fri - lemons 1600, plaice 250, whiting 150, mackerel 3500 (mostly small); Mon - plaice 500, cuttle 100, lemons 2100, whiting 330, pollack 470, ling 270, cod 100, dove soles 80, mackerel 5500; Tues - ( only a few boats ventured out in poor weather), cuttle 60, lemons 500, plaice 130, mackerel 800; Wed - no market; Thurs - cuttle 180, lemons 1000, plaice 160, whiting 500, mackerel 180.

Figures supplied courtesy of Looe Fish Selling.