Cornwall blogs for towns, businesses and people in Cornwall.
The fourth annual British Tourism Week (BTW) takes place from 15 – 21 March 2010. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will once again be Patron for this series of inter-related events, which aims to raise local, regional, national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain’s £114 billion visitor economy.
For more information see: http://www.britishtourismweek.com/
Any ideas for Penzance please get in touch – events@visit-penzance.co.uk
On Thursday 4th Feb, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the PDTA met with Malcolm Bell (Head of Tourism at Visit Cornwall) at the Penwith Business Breakfast hosted by Penwith College.
Malcolm was the key speaker and told us that events and festivals are key to increasing footfall into towns.
He said that although weather plays a key part in the decision making; towns which offer unique festivals and wide-ranging events usually enjoy higher levels of visitors.
This is great news for Penzance – especailly as we have some key events planned for the coming year.
Andy Curtis, Chairman of the PDTA said: ” Although we are still in the negotiation stages for one particularly big event, we are hopeful this event will get the go ahead and will allow the town to enjoy an even higher profile both nationally and internationally!”
With the potential to have P1 Powerboats in Penzance and the international sports coverage this affords; through the likes of Sky and ITV; we hope Penzance will once again achieve global presence and success!
“Pubic meeting re Higher Trenant about to begin – full house.”
“People of Wadebridge argue eloquently vs sell off of council building at Higher Trenant at Camelford mtg.”
“Public putting their views very well – all against the sale of Higher Trenant – officers not looking too comfortable.”
“Cllrs Double, Ansari, Eva, Kerridge not convinced by arguments for sell-off. More research needed.”
“Cllr Steve Eva says councillors not consulted properly re-sell off either.”
“Cllr Mann says massive hole in business case. Cllr Hughes – quality of life in surrounding villages threatened.”
“Cllr Eva says Higher T worth 2.5m at most – not 10m.”
“Councillors recommend to Cabinet that Higher T be part of strategic overview of council property and look at feasibility of upgrading it.”
“Committee vote unaminously to send decision on sale of Higher Trenant back for further consideration.”
Thanks to stevedouble and UCFJourno for providing the live Tweets.
“This is a shocking development just a year after the last round of post office closures which decimated the service in North Cornwall. It has been apparent to all local residents that the current situation was unsatisfactory, but the loss of the town centre post office will hit local people very hard.”
Read full article at Cllr Alex Folkes blog
(Alex Folkes has recently won the New Councillor of the Year award by the LGIU.)
Negotiations are in the final stages to bring a round of the Powerboat P1 World Championships to Penzance over three days – Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May 2010. This tremendous coup is thanks to the work of Penzance Town Councillor Mike Lovegrove who initially negotiated with the organisers of the races. Cllr Lovegrove gained the immediate support of Penzance Chamber of Commerce and the Penzance & District Tourism Association as both organisations saw the enormous economic potential for the town.
Not only will the event be held this year but it is possible that it will be held in Penzance for a further 4 years at least.
The Powerboat P1 World Championships will be covered by Sky Sports throughout the weekend and the organisers are also negotiating with Channel 4. This will bring unprecedented advertising for Penzance which could generate a huge amount of additional trade throughout all business sectors.
The racers themselves and their support crews number around the 400 mark and the races are followed by a large number of supporters.
Races will be held along Penzance Promenade which will provide a superb vantage point for spectators that will not only enable them to have a very clear view of the boats but they will also benefit from the outstanding backdrop of Mounts Bay, one of the 12 best Bays in the World.
Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Mike Waters, said that “businesses are extremely excited about the event itself and the spin-offs for Penzance as a whole.” He went on to say “We are indebted to Mike Lovegrove for his foresight in getting involved in the proposition as soon as he heard about it.” Andy Curtis, Chairman of the Tourism Association said ”This is great news for Penzance, I look forward to working with Mike Lovegrove and Mike Waters to make sure that the event is a success and that Penzance gains the maximum amount of publicity and trade out of it.”
For further information please make contact
Following my questions to the Council about the office transformation plan, Council Leader Alec Robertson wrote a letter to local newspapers saying they own over 4,000 properties, and suggesting that disposing of 48 of these is really not that significant. I don’t agree, but I do think that if he wants to communicate directly, openly, and transparently with the public he shouldn’t just tell us half of it.
So let me refer to two other Council properties which they are currently marketing:
(1) Devoran Old School. On Monday evening I was one of over 100 people who attended a meeting called by Devoran Action Group. This group has been working to develop plans for the community to take over the village centre building and develop it as a community centre with a nursery, after school clubs, village shop, and other employment units. The Council backed this scheme by applying for it to be one of two possible community asset transfer pilots and access government funding. The outcome of this bid is not yet known, but those at the meeting on Monday evening want it to go ahead. However, while the Council is waiting for the outcome of the bid they have put the property on the open market, and say that if Devoran Action Group cannot come up with a competitive bid and available funds by 11 February (next Wednesday) they will accept one of the other bids they have so far received. The fact that they are trampling on the wishes of the community seems to make no difference.
(2) Old Richard Lander School site – which is in the ward I represent as a councillor. This site was placed back on the market on 23 January 2010. Now this is one of very few brownfield sites in Truro, and one which local residents accept could sensibly be used for new social and affordable homes. The draft Truro and Threemilestone Action Plan – which has been through public consultation – ear-marked the site for housing development including 50 per cent affordable housing as it is currently public sector land. But the Council has now ignored it’s own plan and advertised the land as suitable for development of a district retail centre, with limited housing, of which only 35 per cent will be expected to be affordable. The fact that they are trampling on community aspirations to meet the need for social and affordable housing on a suitable, available site which is in public ownership seems to make no difference.
Neither of these Council property decisions has been communicated well, or fairly, to the communities involved.
I am glad the Liberal Democrats lost control of Cornwall Council last year, but the fact that their group of councillors then refused to work as part of a no overall control Council leadership means that – frankly – they have no-one else to blame for their current exclusion from decision-making, no matter how often they throw their toys out the pram at scrutiny and other meetings, as they did today. Choosing to be Liberal Democrat is choosing to support a political Party that will never form a UK government, but they could if they wanted to accept responsibility for stopping the worst excesses of Cornwall’s new Council leadership, rather than opt to protest feebly and futilely from the wings. This is not just about Council properties east of Bodmin, important though these are to residents in east and north Cornwall.
I have no illusions about the Tories. I saw what they did at every level of government in the 1980s and it didn’t work. What they did impoverished and damaged entire communities including many in Cornwall. People were made homeless while unscrupulous profiteers cashed in by buying repossessed first homes and turning them into holiday lets – not least, in this constituency. If you want to find out what ‘broken Britain’ – or broken Cornwall – would be like, time travel to the 1980s by asking someone who can remember.
Hello everyone,
We have just joined the One Cornwall site. Looking forward to a long and happy relationship.
Cornish nationalism has its roots in the same argument as Welsh nationalism: namely that the Kingdom of Kernow existed well before England and always apart from it.Simply Green Cornwall Valentine offers here
While few people disagree that Cornwall should work towards alternative forms of energy supply, the positioning of the planned wind farm at Davidstow is a pretty dreadful choice of location. Bodmin Moor is one of Cornwall’s special places and needs to be looked after for future generations as much as energy supplies do.
PENSEYTHEN GERNEWEK – CORNISH LANGUAGE WEEKEND
Friday 5th to Sunday 7th/Monday 8th February 2010
The Western Hotel, Gabriel Street, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2ND
HOLMANS IN ITS HEYDAY – HOLMAN CLIMAX – FILM SHOW
CAMBORNE WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH – FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2010
7PM START, DOORS OPEN AT 6:30PM
FREE ADMISSION, REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE
By Jacqui Walls
“On Monday, I was actually following Cllr Andrew Wallis as he posted regular Twitter updates on the discussion in Cabinet about the future of Penzance Harbour. At no point did he give an opinion on what was taking place (his position on the strategic planning committee would have made it difficult for him to openly comment), he just gave a straight report of what was going on in occasional one-liners from his Twitter account. And I, for one, thought it was brilliant. I felt as though I was almost part of that meeting because I could find out what was going on in real-time.”
Following the refusal of application for membership in December 2004, by the Commonwealth Games Federation ( CGF ), the former Cornwall Commonwealth Games Association will continue it’s fight under the new name of Campaign Kernow. A financial target of approximately £50,000 is sought to legally prove that Cornwall has a legitimate right to recognition, and representation, as a Commonwealth Nation.
The campaign will seek a judicial review on the CGF’s decision as soon as is possible and have great confidence in their legal position headed by solicitor, Notary Public Mr.John Kirkhope, who at present is a taking a Ph.D. at Plymouth University into the Laws of the Duchy of Cornwall. Mr Kirkhope is regarded by many as the expert on the Laws and Constitution of Cornwall.
Some of Cornwall’s most famous sportsmen have thrown their weight behind the campaign – led by campaign manager Graham Hart, a well known campaigner, musician and himself a prominent sportsman – and the campaign team now have a Commonwealth Games ‘Committee in waiting’ ready to take the campaign all the way should the legal fight work out in their favour.
Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens – President in waiting.
Brian Lessiter – Vice President in waiting.
Dave Buzza – Chairman in waiting.
The campaign’s new website launched today by FTI Cornwall features a long list of reasons why Cornwall is legally and constitutionally eligible for entry in the games; with the campaign legal fight being led by one of the world’s experts in Cornish Law and constitutional matters the future looks bright for Cornish sports men and women.
A Trust Fund has been set up with the aim to raise £50,000 to cover the legal costs – you can donate to the fund at the campaign web site.
New indoor 5aside league starting in February at YMCA Cornwall in Penzance.
All teams entering the league receive free kit and it is free entry.
The league is fully affiliated to the FA and will have a qualifed referee.
As the league is filling up if you wish to enter please fill in a entry form online now!
“At 08.30 on Tuesday 26th January, 2010, Mike Chappell is going to be interviewed live on BBC Radio Cornwall by James Churchfield.
The interview will concern the ongoing abuse and insults shown to the Cornish by the media and individuals and follows formal communication between various people and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. (the Cornish have been accused as being lazy, lacking in intelligence, inbred, yokels, straw suckers and much worse in the papers and by others and so on countless occasions) Mike has copies of these comments taken from newspapers and elsewhere as recently as last week and so the evidence is there!
Later during the Lawrence Reed show, 12 noon to 3 PM, Mike Chappell’s interview will be replayed as a recorded piece and then apparently an invited speaker, an academic from Durham University is going to speak. His take is that the Cornish as a people do not even exist and so cannot be insulted! It is possible that Professor Philip Payton from the Cornish Institute may have air time to be interviewed to refute this – we can but hope.
We all know that the Cornish are here and that they are entitled to be regarded as a National Minority along with their Celtic Brothers and Sisters and numerous other groups.
Please, please can you listen into BBC Radio Cornwall and if possible telephone to add your support to the Cornish cause?
BBC Radio Cornwall is broadcast on 103.9 FM, 95.2 FM and 96 FM as well as on the internet.
The telephone number is 01872 22 22 22 to call a show and you can Email at: radio.cornwall@bbc.co.uk
Please could this message be circulated in the hope that the BBC can be shown the strength of feeling over this issue!
Meuras / Thankyou!”
(Received by email today 7.20 pm – sent by Tony)
(In reverse order – latest tweet at the top).
Pz has a choice, back option A or it’s Falmouth. What will those in PZ do now?
Option A is still the proposed option by CC’s Cabinet. Option C will not be pursued. Falmouth is a fall back option.
Looks like Cabinet is supporting Option A. No motion as yet but all Cabinet have spoken in favour of Option A
Cllr Toms says it’s been a good debate where all Cllrs have been able to speak if they wanted. I agree with him.
You may not agree with Cllr Hicks, but he believes in what he says is right for Cornwall and Pz
Discusion has decended into Political Tit-for-tat. Not a good move. Lots of mentions of standards board thrown about
Cllr Hicks claim there has been a vicious campaign against this plan. He says Option C is not cost effective
Leader has closed further question. We may get a Cabinet Decision soon
Hope everyone is being kept in the loop over the Route Partnership for Penzance
Head Lawyer says if application is resubmitted he will do everything in his powers to make sure no Cllr hasn’t predetermined themselves
Cllr Hicks says Cllr Biscoe is talking a lot of rubbish. (Biscoe had asked for a meeting with all sides and no preconditions)
Route partnership. Penzance to Isles of Scilly link. Discussions continue at Cabinet meeting this afternoon.
Cllr Varney says Falmouth would be able to deliver the link. Emotive speech from the Falmouth Member
@RobNolanTruro Cabinet is spending the money, not the Council
Cllr Fonk asked why all the interested Parties have not met together at the SAME time. Good Point
Officer says it would take to the end of the year to work up a business case for Falmouth link
Councillor Bain speaks, shame it’s not During CSF items!
Alledged figure of £2.5m will be lost to Pz if no link. Statement made by a Cabinet Member
Head of Planning says Application should be submitted as a new Application to Strat Plan if Cabinet wants to press ahead with Option A
Route Partnership is now being discussed
Public Questions all about Route Partnership. All the same Questions with all the same answers
CC vision plan will not be called in because of lack of evidence. Backroom revolt in the air
Waves to all the Twitter Gang at today’s CC Cabinet meeting
Many thanks to Cllr A Wallis – follow him at: http://twitter.com/CllrAWallis
————————-
Tweets from other councillors
RobNolanTruro tweeted -
“Cllr Fonk condems Council for spending £250k looking at Falmouth, money that could be spent resolving matters in Penzance.”
“Armand Toms says he and Graeme Hicks are to blame for rents mess last year.”
“Leader just said that we don’t mind hiring in expertise but we don’t want them full time and that he is against consultants. ROFL”
“Officers confirm consultants will probably be used on Bodmin office plans”
Why not become a “friend” for only £10.00 a year or £15.00 for a family.
This entitles you to a free quarterly newsletter plus free entry to talks and slide shows held throughout the year.
Saturday 13 February 2010 – Coffee morning, Memorial Hall Annex 10 am – 12 pm.
Wednesday 24 February 2010 – AGM – Wesley Hall, 7:30 pm.
Further details can be found on their website click here for details.
Perranzabuloe Old Cornwall Society, formed in 1958 meet at Perranporth memorial hall on the second Wednesday of the month between September and May.
You can become a member for only £5.50 a year or if you wish to try before you buy, it is only £1.00 on the night.
The next meeting is on Wednesday the 10th February, this is recorders evening and the speaker on the night will be Mr David Higgins. Visitors and new members are always welcome, therefore, if you would like to learn a little more about your village, then this is the ideal opportunity.
Today’s unemployment figures show a slight decrease nationally in the number of people seeking work. But in this constituency – even though unemployment is lower than the national average – there has been a slight increase in the number of people without a job.
The figures published today show the UK average has returned to the level of unemployment in March 1997 (4.1%). But in Cornwall, this comparison tells a different story. It isn’t good that unemployment in this constituency has now risen to 3 per cent. But this is three quarters of the national figure, and just half the level of unemployment in Carrick in March 1997 (5.8%).
Every one of the 1,622 people seeking work in this constituency faces a challenge, and I know from listening to people who are seeking work locally that more support and better help is needed.
They will be helped by the fact that – even in the wake of the recession – Cornwall’s economy is now much stronger than it was before Labour was elected in 1997. Labour’s investment and employment policies – including the minimum wage and tax credits – mean that those seeking work now face brighter prospects than those who were unemployed in March 1997.
There is an interactive map here with more information about unemployment during the last previous recession in 1991-2 compared to today.
On Ridgegrove Hill, Launceston, stands a line of small cottages. One of these is the former home of the Cornish poet Charles Causley, perhaps Launceston’s most famous son.
The house is now owned by the Charles Causley Trust which is seeking support to save the property and turn it into a museum and poetry centre.
Alex Folkes, councillor for Launceston central and the new Chairman of the Launceston Community Network met with two of the Trustees who are seeking support with their aims. Although the house is in a bad way at the moment, it has the potential to be a fascinating attraction in the same way as Dylan Thomas’ boathouse or Wordsworth’s cottage is.
To achieve the ambitions of the Trust will require a lot of money – as much as a quarter of a million pounds – and this won’t come easily.
If readers have any thoughts about the property, the Trust and its aims, please get in touch with the Trust – www.thecharlescausleytrust.org or email Cllr Folkes or phone him on: 07984 644138
For more information please contact cornishquest@hotmail.com
