Lizard area

PARISH CHURCH: The Eucharist service at St Mawgan-in-Meneage parish church last Sunday was celebrated by the Rev Dorothy Noakes, taking her first Sunday service in this church.

Her challenging sermon took its theme from the Gospel reading from Matthew about Jesus asking his disciples who they thought he was.

They had known him for two and a half years and therefore would be well placed to answer. Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

The Rev Noakes asked the congregation to think carefully about how we would each reply to the same question and were we ready to do so.

The communion elements were presented by Derek and Susanne Carter, visiting from St Martin, the lesson was read by Lindsay Hockley and the organ was played by Christine Robertson.

The service next Sunday will be a Family Service at 11.15am taken by Elizabeth Whale.

MANACCAN

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE: Anyone who thought dowsing was just water divining or was sceptical about bent twigs finding water may have left the June meeting of Manaccan WI with a different view.

The speaker, Bart O'Farrell, also known as The Wizard on the Lizard, started by "finding" the stream running under the village hall with a simple forked hazel branch (OK but he knew it was there, didn't he?).

He explained that anyone could dowse, meaning seek, and not just for water, although he admitted that he did have a special talent. He placed lumps of tin and copper on the floor, walked away, and then showed how the dowsing rods would move to when he returned towards them (surely he was moving them himself?).

Then he showed how wire coat hangers could be bent to form dowsing rods and even plastic curtain railing is effective. Dowsing has its roots back in the time of the Pharaohs and Moses and has always been steeped in mystery even to the extent of being considered witchcraft until Churchill repealed the act.

It can be used to detect the difference between tap water and sewage water, the depth underground of water and the presence of archaeological remains, just as long as you ask the right questions.

The swinging pendulum used to detect the sex of an unborn baby can also be used to ask other questions of the body such as allergies and food intolerance or even the ripeness or sweetness of fruit. By now the audience was split firmly into the unbelievers, those who couldn't wait to have a go and those who were sitting on the fence. So could everyone dowse?

Most of the audience attempted at least one method and of those the vast majority was successful, even the true unbelievers. Bart explained that it works by magnetism so there were some flippant comments about our magnetic personalities.

This fascinating evening of information and practical experience was brought to an end by the vote of thanks from Sandy Pulfrey. If you see a woman swinging a pendulum over the fruit in Tesco she was probably at this meeting.

Earlier the meeting started on a sad note with a minute's silence in remembrance of Mary Collins. The usual business included a report on the Liverpool AGM including results of the voting on the resolutions reported last month, and notice of barbecues on July 5 and 10.

The competition for an unusual coat hanger was won by Sandy Pulfrey, and the flower of the month was won by Jenny Shiers with a red rose.

The next meeting of Manaccan WI will be held on Thursday, July 24, is a talk by Mary Murfin on The Children's Hospice South West.

The competition will be your oldest most loved toy and there will be a Trading Stall and the usual flower of the month competition. New members are always very welcome and should contact Marcia Williams 280322.

CURY

VILLAGE HALL: Despite the bad weather, there was a good turnout for the annual Cury village hall barbecue on Friday evening.

Brenda Gunn and Ken Rosevear did the catering. Brenda Lawrance, Priscilla Oates, Marilyn Greet, Marion Jennings and Carol Richardson served refreshments and Sue Sharpe sold the raffle tickets. The live entertainment started off with the "Burns Brothers", followed by the "4G's", with Phil Greet and Nightchasers disco finishing off the evening.

Our next barbecue is on Sunday, August 24, at 6pm.

METHODIST CHURCH: Dennis Bassett was the preacher at Cury on Sunday. Christopher Trounson took up the collection and Sybil Benney was the accompanist. Marion Jennings provided the flowers.

This Sunday, July 6, at 11am is our monthly family service and also the pet service, with the Rev Sylvia Burgoyne.

Our Cornish cream tea for St Julia's Hospice is at the chapel on Thursday, July 10, from 2pm to 5pm. All donations for stalls would be most welcome.

ST KEVERNE

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE: The president welcomed 30 members and the county chairman to the June meeting held in the church hall, which began with the rousing singing of Jerusalem.

The speaker for the evening was introduced, Mrs Nan Collier, the county chairman and a familiar face to many of the members. It was the first time that Nan had been asked to be a main speaker and she spoke about the WI in general and her involvement in it.

Nan was born in West Cornwall but moved away when she was 18 but had returned later in life to her beloved Cornwall, becoming a member of Truro WI.

Nan had served on numerous different committees within the WI and had been delighted to be elected as county chairman in 2005, proudly wearing her chain of office which we were all able to take a close look at!

As county chairman she has the opportunity and privilege to visit many WIs throughout the county and attend all the main meetings held, which includes attending the Royal Cornwall Show. The WI is now 90 years old and the first Cornish group was formed in Madron.

We should all be proud of our Jam and Jerusalem image and all that the WI offers to its members. Nan handed out a quiz for members to answer about the WI and finished her talk with a poem. Everyone had enjoyed hearing about Nan's involvement with the WI and learning more about the organisation. It had been a great pleasure to have our county chairman as our speaker and Nan looked radiant after the health difficulties she had faced in 2007.

Refreshments were then served by Linda and Annette before the business was dealt with. Arrangements were made for the group barbecue at Roskilly's.

Silvia Saywell gave a very detailed account of her visit to Liverpool for the national AGM which she had thoroughly enjoyed and all who had attended the meeting came home clutching an oak sapling, but where would be the best place to plant it?

The competition, four-letter words taken from "our county chairman": 1, June Youl, 109; 2, Kathleen Kenny, 103; 3, Sylvia Saywell, 84.

Flower of the month: 1, Gill Bosustow; 2, Zoe Kevern; 3, Rita Kelly and Margie Moore.

The next meeting will be held on July 17 at 7.30pm in the church hall when David Chapman will talk on "Wild about Cornwall." For further details about St Keverne WI, phone Rita Kelly on 01326 280498.

RUAN MINOR

METHODIST CHAPEL: The Sunday Service was led by Tom and Avis Richardson, the organ was played by Margaret Green and the offering was collected by Michaela and Yasmin Burgess.

Mrs Richardson showed the children a poster that had been typed using a keyboard with a key missing - it was difficult to read! She said each of us is a "key" person - any one person missing makes a lot of difference. Each of us is important to God, with a job to do.

Mr Richardson talked about Abraham's faith, which was tested to the limit when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. His faithfullness was rewarded when God provided a ram for the sacrifice and promised to establish a nation for Abraham. He said that it is the same faith that believes that Jesus has prepared a place for us in Heaven.

The service on Sunday will be led by Mr Bryan Teague.