Castle opens

its grounds

INCE Castle Gardens at Trematon will be opening its gardens to the public on May 13.

This is a rare chance to view these privately owned gardens, opened through permission of Lady Boyd, and is organised by The Friends of Sir Robert Geffery's School at Landrake.

Chairman of the league, David Lander said: 'We are delighted that Lady Boyd has given us the opportunity to run this open day and give everyone the chance to see her beautiful gardens and views.

'So many of us enjoy walking and gardens but have been greatly restricted recently by the terrible foot and mouth outbreak.

'I am sure that we will have a large turnout on Sunday May 13.'

Entry to the gardens will be £2 50 an adult, children are free and dogs are welcome on a lead.

The gardens will be signposted from the A38 at Stoketon Cross and refreshments will be available.

Special award

for Muriel

MURIEL Bellingham has been presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for her services to Rotary.

Muriel has been a member of Saltash Inner Wheel since 1961 when she was a founder president of the branch.

She accepted the award, named after the founder of Rotary, on Sunday April 29 at the Inner Wheel president's lunch at the Pencubbit hotel, Liskeard.

Muriel is well known in Saltash and her husband, the late gordon Bellingham, was the town clerk of Saltash for 25 years and had also achieved this award.

Muriel is also a member of Saltash First Forum and chairman of Saltash Essa Townswomen's guild.

Town lowers rates

CHAIRMAN of saltash Chamber of Commerce, Bob frost, was happy to announce at last month's meeting that a 15% reduction of rates across the board had been negotiated for all businesses in Saltash.

He explained that there had originally been an initial offer of 10% in Fore Street and 15% for the estates but this had been negotiated up to 15% overall.

However, this does not include any future disruption during tunnel work but any claim for that would be dealt with sympathetically.

Bob also said that this did not include any losses due to foot and mouth disease, but he did have separate forms for anyone who had lost business as a result of the crisis.

The rate reduction will be backdated to April 2000 and hopefully back to April 1999.

Sharon thanks

Saltash

FORMER international swimming star, Sharon Davis, has thanked 13 swimming pools, including Saltash, for supporting her 2001 mile swim challenge for charity.

The challenge is part of the National Swim for Life campaign which encourages more people to swim to improve their health and fitness.

Saltash is one of the 13 pools in the county that is taking part in the challenge, which gets people to complete a mile in their local pool between May 13 and 27.

Sharon said: 'I am delighted at the fantastic support from the management and staff at these pools.

'We depend on pools to help promote the challenge to as many swimmers as possible, in order to raise the greatest amount possible.'

The main beneficiary of the challenge this year is the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

Golden wedding

celebrations

DURING the May fair celebrations, the mayor, Bryan Preston, visited a couple celebrating their golden wedding.

Ron and Valerie Woodley mat at a dance at Tiverton, Devon, and were married at Tiverton's registrar office on May 5 1951.

Ron was once in the Royal Navy and served for 31 years on various ships including some time as a petty officer on board HMS Ark Royal.

Valerie left school at the age of 14 and went to work as a shop assistant at Cameron's Drapery and later Eastman's Drapery until she married.

The couple have lived in Saltash for most of their married life and have four children; Brian, Pat, Teresa and Sarah.

They have nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, the youngest of which is Joshua, aged seven months.

Mr and Mrs Woodley spent their day at home with family and friends calling in.

One member of the family, Sarah, was unable to attend as she was part of a gig racing crew on the Isles of Scilly.

Adult learning

SALTASH College is offering the following events as part of Adult Learners Week to give potential students the chance to see what is on offer both at the college and also out in the villages.

On Tuesday May 15, a free five week course in Complementary Therapies begins at Millbrook Village Hall from 1pm until 3pm. In the evening, at 7pm, in the College's Top Class Salon, there will be an introduction to Haircare for both men and women.

On May 16 there will be an Access to Higher Education Coffee Morning at Saltash College from 10am until 12 noon. In the evening achievements will be celebrated at an Adult Awards Ceremony at Wesley Church at 7.30pm.

On May 17 events move out to the villages, beginning at 1.30pm with a Community Education Drop-In at Millbrook Village Hall and at 7pm at St German's Lodge. In the late afternoon there will be two free IT taster/advice sessions at Sir Robert Geffery's School, Landrake; one from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and the second from 6.45pm until 8.45pm. The day will finish with a French Evening at Saltash College between 7pm and 9pm, celebrating french language, music and food.

On Friday May 18 and Saturday May 19 there will be open mornings at Saltash College from 10am until 12 noon. Staff will be available to answer queries about courses. Link into Learning on the college site will also be holding a Drop-In coffee morning.

Throughout the week there will be free IT taster/advice sessions in the Flexible Learning Centre at Saltash College.

For further details about all activities or to order a new Qualifications for Adults brochure, contact 01572 848147.

Saltash lights to

get sponsors

SALTASH Christmas Lights could be revamped and get a sponsor by next year in an idea mooted by the town's chamber of commerce.

Chairman Bob Frost said that he would like to see the lights revamped for the celebrations and perhaps get some kind of sponsorship.

Fellow member, Mr Westlake said it would be to hard to get them developed for this year, but next year could see a fresh arrangement, with the lights along the buildings up all year and turned on for mayfair, with a specific Christmas theme such as Brunel and Victorian Heritage.