New phase of
work at church
MEMBERS of St James Church in Torpoint have launched the next stage of restoration work at their premises in the centre of the town.
A programme of building and restoration has been running at the Anglican church for more than 20 years.
In that time a new parish hall has been built, major repair and weatherproofing work has been carried out on the west wall, and the east end of the church has been restored. The 1902 organ has been completely overhauled, the town clock tower and the church bell cote have been restored, and the interior of the church has been redecorated.
The latest - and biggest - undertaking, the re-roofing of the nave and vestry, was completed last year.
The new stage of the programme will include modifications and improvements to the church hall covering work on the kitchen and toilets and provision of wheelchair access from the worship area of the church.
St James Church, whose foundation stone was laid in 1816, has expanded over the years as the town has grown.
A new vicar is due at the church and a special service, to which representatives of town organisations are being invited, will be held on Friday, May 3.
Prebendary Brian Anderson, the Rector of St Breock and Egloshayle at Wadebridge, and Rural Dean of Trigg Minor and Bodmin, is to become Priest in Charge of Torpoint and Antony with Sheviock.
Brian after memories
of town's fire brigade
STORIES about Torpoint Fire Brigade, which reaches its centenary this year, are being sought from local people.
Brian Hobbs, who lives in the town, is writing a history of the brigade and would welcome more information on the firefighters and their achievements.
He said: "Torpoint Fire Brigade, whose motto is "Ready Aye Ready", is 100 years old this year. I would be grateful to anyone who has any information, no matter how small.
"I already have a large amount of information but I am hoping for a lot more. To date I have over 100 names of past firefighters. If people's relatives were in the service I would like to know for the records. If there is a photograph I can include, then so much the better."
Brian is hoping people will rummage through their attics and cupboards for pictures and other information.
He said that the first fire station in the town is now the garage of the Harbour Lights.
He also knows there was a station in Albion Road but he has no records about this and would be particularly interested to hear from anyone who has. "I am only too willing to pop along and see people to record anything they can tell me," said Brian.
He also hopes to find out more about one local incident: "A boy got his head stuck in the school railings in Albion Road - was it you?"
Brian can be contacted on 01752 814575.
Coffee
mornings
A COFFEE morning in aid of the Mayor of Torpoint's official charity will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at the Torpoint Silver Band Hut between 10am and noon. Proceeds will go to the Chestnut Appeal which aims to raise money to set up a state-of-the-art unit at Derriford Hospital for prostrate cancer patients.
Mayoress Christine Martin, wife of Mayor Stan Martin, said: "There will be various stalls including cakes and bric-a-brac, a raffle and a guess the name of the doll competition."
Next week the Torpoint and District Twinning Association is holding a coffee morning at Cornerstone Church in Fore Street, Torpoint, on Saturday (May 4) from 10 o'clock.