Newsreader

to open fete

BBC newsreader George Alagia is to open Callington Primary School's summer fete in the school grounds.

The fete, which is on June 23 from 11am to 2pm, has a lot of stalls, games, plants, face painting, a bouncy castle, refreshments and all the usual fete activities.

Mr Alagia will hopefully stay around after the 11am opening to sign some autographs. Also appearing is Little Miss Naughty, of Mr Men fame.

Guided walk

around history

CALLINGTON is perhaps best known today for being home to 'Ginsters' pasties.

However, the town has a rich and interesting history, dating back to Saxon times. By 1584, it had become a borough with two MPs!

On June 20 there is an opportunity to find out more about Callington on a guided walk led by local Blue-badge Guide, Chrissie Le Marchant.

The walk will also include a look at the many murals around the town.

The guided walk is free of charge and starts at 2.30pm in the free car park in Saltash Road.

It will take an hour and a half for the walk to be completed with refreshments available at the end. For more details or to book a place on the walk contact the Tamar Valley Service on 01822 610676.

Coffee morning

for the fund

ST MARY'S Church is hosting a coffee morning and bring and buy sale on June 16 from 10am until 12 noon .

The event is organised to raise funds for the Church Improvement Fund.

Gunnislake

class win

CLASS DM from Gunnislake Primary School have won third prize in The Royal Institute of British Architects Studies of the Environment.

The class were out in the village last month making a study of 'street furniture' for the award and will be attending the prize giving later this month at the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum at Carthew.

About a month ago, Class IR went on a visit to the garden of Hilary Fairhurst, an assistant at the school, they made a study of the plants which were just starting to grow.

Last week they returned to Hilary's garden to compare growth, colours and sounds. The pupils finished the afternoon hunting for 'mini beasts'.

Birthday and bell ringing

celebration for Dick Mitchell

MR J R (Dick) Mitchell celebrated his 90th birthday last week. Dick came to Callington on May 8, 1935. He worked with Silcocks, then eventually retired from Glover and Uglow having been their transport manager for many years. During the war he served with the Royal Air Force.

Dick was always heavily involved with the church, serving on the P.C.C., the fabric committee, vice-chairman and churchwarden for nine years.

One of his greatest commitments was to bellringing. Having learned to ring on Widworthy, East Devon, at the age of 14, he was the driving force behind the Callington Ringers for over 50 years. When the old ring of six bells was sent away to Taylors of Loughborough to be recast into eight and rehung in 1975, Dick was the organiser behind the whole operation. This included all fund raising activities, sponsored walks, collecting and baling old newspapers and chopping firewood to name but a few.

He was secretary and vice chairman of the Eastern Branch of the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers for 18 years and president of the Guild for two years.

On Friday officers of the Guild and three of the Callington bellringers rang a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples to celebrate Dick's birthday and 75 years of ringing. A short ceremony was then held in the Church when Bishop Bill of Truro presented Dick with a 75 year Ringing Certificate.

Afterwards, Dick, his two sons, Arthur and John and daughter, Valerie, rang together in a Call Change Peal of Queens Changes. Ringing continued until nearly 9pm when everyone adjourned to the Bull's Head for a buffet meal.

Pictured above - Bishop Bill of Truro presenting Dick Mitchell with a 75 year Ringing Certificate on his 90th birthday last week.

Picture: P Wilkins.