St Mary’s Church at Callington was packed for the annual civic service on Sunday, which was preceded by a procession accompanied by the town band. At the head was the town crier Tony Stentiford and the Cornish flag of St Piran carried by deputy portreeve Mark Smith. Callington’s outgoing portreeve Andrew Long praised the community spirit that he said is ‘alive and kicking’ through more than 60 clubs and organisations that provide such a wide range of services, not only in the town itself, but often to the surrounding villages in the catchment area. ‘This town is an amazing place to live,’ he said. ‘Considering the fact that we have a population of just over 6,000 people, the level of community activity is incredible. So many residents give of their time free to help others and also help themselves. ‘When you are in a community like this, there is always a risk that people will talk the talk but not walk the walk. I am proud to say that in our town there are many people working many hours to, indeed, walk the walk.’