Death of a former resident

A former Saltash resident, who was born at Liskeard and moved to the town at the age of nine, died at Keynsham near Bristol recently at the age of 73.

John (Jack) Pellow attended North Road school and later Saltash county grammar. On leaving school he initially worked at Tavy Motors, then Biscombes Ironmongers, until called up age l8 to serve in the Royal Marines in Scotland and Deal. After his demob he worked for the Gas Board and then in Plymouth city treasury.

Later he gained a position in the Halifax building society in Plymouth, then becoming manager of the Bath branch where he remained until retirement. He married Rene in l947 and the couple had one son, Alan. Jack used to play for Saltash United football club and was in the choir at St Nicholas and St Faith church, Saltash as a boy.

The funeral service was held in Keynsham.

Church Services

SS Nicholas & Faith Parish Church, Today 8.00am Holy Communion; Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion, 10.00am Parish Communion and sunday School.

St Stephens Parish Church, Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion, 9.45am Sunday School, 10.00am Parish Communion, 6.30pm Evensong and Address.

Saltash Methodist Church, Sunday 10.30am Rev Ian Souter, Holy Communion, 6.30pm Mr Alan Libby.

Burraton Methodist Church Sunday 10.45am Mrs Deborah Cornish, 6.00pm Rev Ian Souter

Cinderella - Tonight, Friday, 7.30pm Cinderella, followed by Comedy Tonight, SS Nicholas 7 Faith Church Rooms; tickets available from Bruce Reid, The Paint Shop, or Margaret Evans. Also Tomorrow, Saturday, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Fun for the over Forties

The January meeting of the Saltash Group of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship included the annual New Year's Party, when fellowship members were entertained to a splendid buffet tea, as well as the usual branch and local news.

Chairman Eric Lewis detailed past and coming events. The next pub lunch will be at 'The Ploughboy', Burraton on Wednesday February 7. The next meeting is scheduled for February 21 when the speaker, Mr Sheaff, will give a talk on "People and Drugs". During the meeting, Des Ellis organised some brain teasers, as well as competitions to test the memory. A picture quiz of beautiful places was particularly popular.

Members had surpassed themselves in the preparation of the buffet. A final set of teasers, distribution of prizes to winners and a further chance to win more prizes from the raffle table brought the meeting to a close.

In his vote of thanks, Eric paid special tribute to Des Ellis for the provision and introduction of the games, plus all the providers of the prizes and all who have helped to keep the group friendly and active.

Park opening

The official opening of the leisure park being developed at Salt Mill is to be sometime this September.

At the town council meeting Eric Lewis said it would be a community event.

Festival will be in its tenth year

Saltash Music, Speech and Drama Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, a special souvenir programme has been printed.

The programmes, at £1 each, are available from Bruce Reid's shop, Fore Street or the Festival venue. The Festival itself opens on January 31 at Saltash Wesley church and starts with the speech and drama section which continues until February 4 inclusive. All members of the public are welcome to attend sessions. The music section will start on February 7 at 6pm and continue until Friday evening inclusive with the Festival concert on Saturday evening when tickets will cost £2.50 adults and £1 for children. A special evening will be held when the mayor's drama award will be presented.

Ski championships to return in July

The national water ski championships, which were successfully held at Saltash for the first time last year, are to be staged again on the River Tamar this year.

They are to take place on July 9, as part of a raft of events organised by the Festival 2000 committee.

Other events will include a special Millennium production by Saltash Youngstagers, which will be entitled 'Time Walk 2000' and which will be held from June 17-23 at Saltash community school.

Youngsters aged between eight and l8 are being encouraged to take part in the show. They should live in Saltash and be prepared to attend rehearsals from February. Anyone interested is asked to write to Marilyn Grose at 8 Carey Court, Saltash or telephone 01752 845672.

Bill Ryan is arranging a concert for combined local choirs, this to be held in the community school on May l8 and l9, while a big band show will take place at the China Fleet club on June 24.

A passion play is to be staged on Good Friday at St Nicholas and St Faith church, a meeting for those interested to take place at St Nicholas church at 7.30pm on February 17 - and a pageant is to be held in Kimberley Stadium on July l. A pageant meeting, open to all who would like to take part, has been arranged for February 15, with another on March 2 (phone Ken Speare on 01752 842361 for further details). Someone who can teach the art of sword fighting for this event is required.

June 10 has been earmarked for a picnic in the park, and a march from Alexandra Square to Longstone Park. On June 24-25 a non-animal circus hopes to arrive in town.