A SPECIAL Christmas Food Market will take place in St Ives Guildhall on Saturday as part of the ever-growing St Ives In December programme of events.

The hall will be packed with local businesses selling a wide range of Cornish produce, from bagels to Brussel sprouts, from chutneys to turkeys, and from ales to olives.

Local crafts will also be on sale, offering some unusual, high-quality Christmas presents.

There will also be a varied programme of live entertainment throughout the day, including performances from local musicians and singers and a children's face-painter will be in action. The food market will run from 10am to 4pm and admission is free.

Tim Andrewes, who is helping to organise the event, said: "This is going to be a great opportunity for people to stock up on festive food for the holiday period, and also to find some interesting ideas for food- and craft-related gifts."

CONCERNS were expressed about where the proceeds of any future sale of Poltair Hospital would go as the consultation period over the future of the hospital began with a meeting at Penzance's St John's Hall last week.

Around 50 people attended the meeting along with a ten–strong team from the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group as views were sought on the five options put forward for the community hospital sited between Madron and Heamoor.

Dr Neil Walden, the Penwith Locality Lead, stressed that the consultation would be completely open.

"An enormous amount of energy has gone into making this open and transparent," he said.

However, with only one of the five options involving the retention of (five) inpatient beds at Poltair, two of them not foreseeing any future for the hospital at all and a recognition that there would need to be a significant investment to bring Poltair up to date, the focus turned to what would happen to the money if the hospital was sold.

Pauline Schofield, a former Penwith district councillor, said her family had gifted Poltair a 'dying with dignity room' after the death of both her parents there and asked for a "categorical assurance" that any monies would stay in Penwith.

But it was confirmed that the proceeds from any sale would go straight to the NHS – owners of the property since it was gifted to them by the Bolitho family – with no guarantee that the money would be used for investment in health services in west Cornwall. There seemed general agreement among those attending that west Cornwall should have a facility of inpatient beds to care for the frail and elderly based in the Penzance area in addition to Edward Hain Hospital at St Ives; the Bellair clinic and former Bolitho maternity unit on Penzance promenade were suggested as possible sites.

Carol Rowe, chairman of the Friends of West Cornwall and Poltair Hospital noted that one of the wards at West Cornwall Hospital was full of people who would normally be treated at Poltair and also that the number of community beds in the area had already been reduced by a third.

It was a similar story at St Just's drop-in meeting on Monday after which town councillors expressed concerns that a potential sale of the hospital would see the money raised used outside of west Cornwall.

Neil McFadden, deputy mayor, said he did not want to see money "go upcountry" and argued that the council should "collectively say something to protect residents".

Consultation documents are available from NHS Kernow; GP practices in west Cornwall; libraries; community hospitals; pharmacies; council one stop shops; West Cornwall Hospital and online at www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/poltair

Further sessions take place at St Ives Leisure Centre on January 8 and at Committee Room 1, One Stop Shop, St Clare, Penzance on January 5.

THE Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has relaunched a Cornwall branch but West Cornwall MP Andrew George cautioned that Cornwall doesn't want to be turned into a replica of England "with deserts of millionaires and not a Cornish person in sight".

He said: "We're quite used to people coming down and telling everyone that they've 'discovered' the place, but we don't need any more Nimbys who pull up the draw bridge after their arrival and proceed to tidy up and manicure the place into placelessness."

VOLUNTEERS are being asked to help shape the future of the Gwinear-Gwithian Parish.

The parish council is launching its neighbourhood plan and looking for residents in the villages to make their opinions heard.

Gwinear-Gwithian has been granted approval as a designated neighbourhood plan area, which means residents will be able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built and what infrastructure should be provided.

Brian Pocock, chairman of Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council, said there was a lot of local knowledge in the area which he hoped could be used effectively to create a plan residents will be happy with.

"We have set up a steering group and will need volunteers which can include parishioners, businesses, landowners and other interested parties to form task groups to help prepare our neighbourhood plan over the next couple of years."

Mr Pocock said it will take up to 18 months to complete the plan, which has to be externally scrutinised and examined before parishioners are given the chance to vote to implement it.

The parish council recently launched a new website to try to interact with and engage more people in its work.

A timeline for all the stages of the plan will be posted on the website, along with information regarding committee meetings and ways that the local community can get involved. For more details about the plan visit www.gwineargwithianplan.org.uk or contact the neighbourhood plan steering group on 01209 614618.

FESTIVE Christmas puds or three pairs of sparkly pants – you make the decision!

For Penzance resident Karen Wall the new Christmas lights which stretch from Causewayhead to Queens Square certainly remind her more of the latter.

She wrote to The Cornishman with the accompanying picture, right, saying: "I understand that they are supposed to be Christmas puddings in silhouette. Unfortunately, the eye is drawn to that which makes the silhouette."

Local traders however do not seem overly concerned about the idea of sets of pants hanging over their premises.

Indeed Emily Kavanaugh, from Pure Nuff Stuff which is housed in Chapel Street's historic Egyptian House, is all in favour.

"What's not to like about men's pants in Penzance?" she said. "They should be everywhere in the town."

A spokesman from Lou's Shoes, at the bottom of Causewayhead, said the design had definitely provoked plenty of remarks.

"People are always commenting on them," he said.

"I think they're OK myself; we could do with a few more of them as they are a bit isolated although it's easy to criticise and it all comes down to cost."

And Trevor Wootton, from Woots News, halfway up Causewayhead, said he wasn't bothered about the 'pants' and thought that probably the designer didn't realise that there could be two ways of looking at the display.

"Lights are lights and I think overall they look better this year in Penzance, especially in Market Jew Street."

Karen Wall has even written a poem in honour of the lights, titled 'In celebration of A Pantastic Christmas'. To read Karen's poem and her letter in full, see page 28.

What do you think – pants or puds? Let us know at www.cornishman.co.uk

A RECORD player owned by Elvis Presley during his Army service in Germany has sold for £4,400 at a Penzance auction house.

The record player was given by 'The King' to German woman Ellen Marschhäuser, who helped Elvis's father, Vernon, with some German translation.

She later married an Englishman, Jim Jenkin, and the record player lay in his attic for decades until a picture in a national newspaper of Elvis Presley with an identical record player jogged Mr Jenkin's memory.

The sale, at David Lay's Penzance Auction Rooms last week saw a Danish bidder on the internet secure the record player against some strong opposition from other bidders.

Mimi Connell-Lay, from David Lay's, said: "Obviously the record player caused the most excitement and the sale made headline news all around the world, particularly in India."

However the item which fetched the highest price was the massive Liverpool Spring Cup, a tour-de-force of Edwardian silversmithing, which was presented in 1903 to 'Fighting Furley' a highly successful racehorse of the time.

The cup made £6,200, going to a bidder in the room, despite a famous racecourse also bidding strongly for it.

A LUNCH group celebrated its 1,000th meal last week after it first dished up food more than 20 years ago.

Pendeen Lunch Club, pictured, has been running since 1990, cooking up fresh plates and home-made puddings for anyone who fancies a social sit-down meal in the parish.

Held at the village's chapel hall and run each week entirely by volunteers, last Thursday's event was the 1,000th anniversary – and organisers charged just £2, the cost in 1990.

Paulene Beckham, who currently organises the lunches, said it was a lovely day.

"Everybody really enjoys it and last week it was great," she said.

"It's a way of bringing people together – it's for people who are lonely or people who have lost their partners. But everybody is welcome, we have young and old people come along."

Mrs Beckham said nearly 50 people went to the lunch, which featured a festive menu complete with turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.

She added the group, which has four cooks and other helpers, will continue to run for as long as it can.

Lunches are normally £3.50 and are made using local, fresh produce, said Mrs Beckham.

WISHING you a 'Wonderful Christmas' are these enchanting angels from St Ives Infant School.

This is just one of dozens of pictures taken by our photographers of school nativity plays and shows in West Cornwall. To see the rest of them, buy next week's Cornishman.

CORNWALL'S largest secondary school and primary school will join forces next year in a "brave and innovative" move to improve students' education and save cash.

Newquay Tretherras Academy and Newquay Junior Academy, which have around 1,650 and 550 pupils respectively, will operate as a multi-academy trust (MAT) from April 1.

Named Newquay Education Trust (NET), the schools will be known as the Newquay Tretherras Campus and the Newquay Junior Campus.

Sue Martin, the current head at Tretherras, will take on the role of executive head of the trust, as Newquay Junior's head teacher Steve Bywater is due to retire at the end of the academic year.

She said: "It's brave and innovative; it's a big thing for Newquay and it's a big thing for Cornwall. The challenge is to build on the considerable successes of both schools, and it's one I'm looking forward to."

Mrs Martin said that cash savings – such as shared costs for cleaning and catering – were not the primary motive behind the formation of the MAT, although they would be an "added advantage".

The overriding aim of the collaboration was to ensure a seamless transition from primary to secondary school for students, to maximise their chances of success.

Mrs Martin said: "Schools need to get into these types of partnerships with funding the way it is going and education policy often being decided at a local level. It's a practical and pragmatic solution and lots of schools, particularly in Cornwall, are looking to form trusts and partnerships where they can share costs.

"However, the main reason is for the educational benefits, to deliver that 'all through' approach to education and speed up the progress of students from primary to secondary."

Pupils making the move from primary to secondary schools often take around six months to acclimatise to their new surroundings, she said, but under a MAT they will already know the new school site and many of their new teachers, meaning their education is less likely to suffer.

The move also allows teachers to work closely to ensure the curriculum follows on smoothly from primary to secondary education.

"It will break down that divide for students so they can feel more confident," Mrs Martin said.

"It's about continuing the pace of progression for students, so they don't have a dip or lose momentum. It's a great opportunity."

NET will work closely with parents, staff and pupils to monitor the success of the new trust, and government education watchdog Ofsted will continue to inspect both campuses separately.

FROM a pretty pink stable in St Mawgan to trotting his way down the red carpet, Mr Happy is the model horse – literally.

The Lipizzaner-cross-shire, who is said to be "unfazed" by his new-found fame, already has his own website, but now superhorse Mr Happy could be set for Hollywood stardom after modelling in a 12-hour fashion shoot in London.

The 17-year-old, with feet the size of dinner plates and also known as the 'mystical white horse', made the trip from his St Mawgan home near Newquay to London before being transformed into a pink unicorn for the shoot.

He was then photographed carrying a princess, led by the hussar, through makeshift snow with children and puppies following close behind.

The pictures are now featured in London department store Fortnum and Mason's Christmas catalogue – this being the first time in the company's history that animals were used in the publication.

Mr Happy's owner, Rosie Malcolm, said it had been an "exiting experience".

"For the past several years Mr Happy has been used for photoshoots, modelling and a music video but this summer he had his big break," she said.

"We are with a few animal agencies in Cornwall and have had the odd call but nothing really came of much.

"Then we had a call to say we had been chosen for a promotional shoot but they could not tell us what it was going to be initially.

"It was an incredibly exciting experience for Mr Happy and myself.

"Mr Happy was very well behaved and even gave all the children and crew individual rides around the woods at the end of the day."

The dashing white 17hh-tall horse, whose mane nearly reaches the floor in length, also has its own social networking accounts on both Twitter and Facebook.

He also enjoys more traditional equestrian hobbies, and has competed with British Eventing at BE80 level in the past.

Rosie said Mr Happy was excited about his future career but promised to remember his roots.

"Mr Happy likes being the centre of attention but is quite happy to return home and just be left alone," she said.

"He enjoys resting in his quiet stable with his companion Mervin and doesn't really see what all the fuss is about. Maybe he thinks 'surely every horse is as beautiful as me?'

"He enjoys eventing but he just runs out of puff on the cross-country.

"My mother rides him daily and he hunts with the Four Burrow."

Mr Happy is available for TV, film, photoshoots and music videos. To see his portfolio visit www.mrhappy whitehorsemodel.com

A FORMER Newquay guesthouse owner famed for 'introducing Cornish pasties to Huddersfield' in the Thirties has died aged 105.

Phyllis Mellor was known across Cornwall for her delicious pasties, and had hundreds queuing outside her home for the tasty treats when she moved to Yorkshire.

Known as the 'Queen of the Cornish Pasty', Phyllis died at Shaws Wood Residential Care Home in Strood, Kent, on November 19, just a few weeks before her 106th birthday.

She was born on a farm in Chacewater, and opened a popular guesthouse in Newquay with two of her six sisters in the Twenties.

Son John said: "Her Cornish pasties were to die for. In 1936 I think she must have been the first person to introduce Cornish pasties to Huddersfield.

"Every week I remember her making about 100 and people queuing up at the door for them.

"Now there are Cornish pasty shops all over Yorkshire and in most towns and cities around the country."

Phyllis learnt the secret of making the perfect pasty, as well as clotted cream, while living on the farm with her father, Ernest Matthews.

As a Sunday school teacher, she met future husband Arthur at a conference in London before marrying the "love of her life" and settling down in Huddersfield for 30 years from 1936.

The couple had two children, John and Jennifer, five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

During the Second World War, while Arthur was serving with the RAF, Phyllis took in a German Jewish couple who had fled Hitler's Germany.

In 1966 the couple moved back to Cornwall, to Redruth, where Arthur was employed at Rodda's Cornish Cream factory.

Phyllis always enjoyed travelling and in 1975 visited two of her grandchildren in Africa. A devout Christian, she was always kindhearted and generous, said John.

He added: "She was always full of energy and said her long life was the result of hard work. She loved having the family around her and was much loved by her great grandchildren.

"Wherever she lived she had the capacity to build long-lasting friendships.

"She was a wonderful mother who always wanted the best for her children.

"She was a very active lady who lived life to the full. The seven sisters were always very close – when they got together they seemed to be able to all talk at once and yet have a meaningful conversation."

THE young owners of a Penzance café face a less than merry Christmas and far from prosperous new year after metal barriers were put up, restricting pedestrian access to their premises.

James and Nina MacLean, of Mackerel Sky, describe the move to barricade off the top of New Street on health and safety grounds as a "real body blow".

On Monday afternoon, without any prior warning, Cormac workmen put up two metal barriers and 'Road Closed' signs, preventing anyone in Market Jew Street from visiting for a coffee or meal.

The only alternative access is to take a detour of several hundred yards to approach the café from the Exchange Gallery end of the street.

The work was carried out because of safety fears over the long-standing bulge in the wall of the historic Star Inn across the road from Mackerel Sky.

"I couldn't believe it," said Mr MacLean. "There was absolutely no warning at all.

"That lump in the wall of the Star has been there for at least 10 years and now they decide to close down the street on health and safety grounds."

Mr MacLean says the closure could not have happened at a worse time.

"We could lose £10,000 to 13,000 over the next two weeks," he added.

"The Christmas period is absolutely integral to our business and are our busiest two weeks of the year before we close for a month in January.

"This has come as a real body blow – at least half our trade is from footfall direct from Market Jew Street, but Cornwall Council just doesn't seem to respect small businesses in Penzance."

Other businesses affected by the road closure are Harris's Restaurant, Marita's Hair and Beauty Salon, The Cycle Centre and the New Street Gallery, while the elderly residents from St Michael's Cottages also face a detour to get to the town centre.

However scaffolding is due to be put up today which will not only shore up the problem wall but also provide a safe pedestrian walkway.

A spokesman from Star Pubs and Clubs, which owns The Star's leasehold, said: "Due to the recent deterioration of the outer wall, it has now become dangerous and we are therefore taking evasive action to ensure it is made safe as quickly as possible.

"The pub wall will then need to be demolished and rebuilt which may take a number of weeks.

"In spring 2014, we intend to undertake a major refurbishment of the whole pub, subject to planning consent.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the local community as a result of the wall's collapse and wish to thank them for working with us to resolve the issue."

Cornwall Council confirmed that it had met with representatives of the Star Inn to agree a schedule of emergency works.

A POPULAR doctor is set to retire after nearly three decades at Marazion surgery.

Dr Alistair Hamilton has witnessed many changes in general practice since he joined the surgery in 1986.

At that time, doctors were responsible for the practice at night and weekends as there was no out-of-hours service or mobile phones.

The GP recalled a time when his wife Joy, who has supported him throughout his career, found herself looking after two children and answering patients' phone calls when they called the couple's home.

Dr Hamilton reflected on his time at the surgery ahead of his retirement this month.

He said: "I am not sure where the past 27 years have gone. On reflection I have been extremely fortunate to be a GP in this lovely part of Cornwall. A family doctor is a very challenging and responsible job. You see all the various facets of medicine relating to life and death, while caring for friends and acquaintances in your community.

"You share the sadness and the joy, while at all times being a professional. As one patient said to me, 'Alistair, you're a normal bloke doing a pretty tough job'; I think that sums it up. The whole Marazion team are a pleasure to work with and I am proud to have been a part of that team."

Dr Hamilton qualified at Aberdeen University in 1979. He worked in obstetrics and gynaecology for two years in Manchester, followed by a GP course in North Oxfordshire, gaining his MRCGP in 1984. He worked as an inner-city GP in Manchester before moving to Cornwall – a place he knew well as his father-in-law was a Penzance man.

Dr Hamilton wanted to thank those who have sent kind words of support and best wishes for the future.

He added:"I hope to spend more time with my wife, seeing more of our daughters and hope to travel more."

A WEST Penwith man is setting up a 'heart start' and emergency medical aid campaign to give as many people as possible the skills and confidence to treat those in need.

Chris Gendall, from Porthcurno, is launching Heart Start Penwith (HSP), a free training scheme, early in 2014.

Mr Gendall works for the NHS at a doctors' surgery in St Ives and said in a rural community being equipped and ready to deal with problems such as heart attacks and severe bleeding is "vital".

Treat

"Living rurally, knowing how to treat someone can mean the difference between life and death," he said.

"Having someone there who understands how to treat a patient in an emergency situation saves lives – giving life support to someone, being able to deal with heart problems, it can increase the chance of survival by 80 per cent."

He has brought together nurses, a doctor and other industry professionals to set up the project, which will provide training to anyone willing to learn.

The first session will be in January in either Porthcurno or St Levan – with other areas such as Pendeen, Zennor and St Buryan in line to benefit.

"It will teach people how to deliver all the necessary techniques to help patients," he explained.

"I've set this up because we have all lost somebody – I want people in our local community to have the knowledge.

"I think it is essential here."

Mr Gendall also mentioned he intends to introduce training into schools and will be entirely run by volunteers.

Linda Petzing received training in April and is now involved in the project.

She said having the ability to keep someone alive until help arrives is "an essential life skill".

HSP is affiliated with the British Heart Foundation which, along with the council and local businesses, has provided additional funding for the project.

Katherine Bassey, BHF's Heart Start co-ordinator for Cornwall, said Mr Gendall's scheme is really positive.

Skills

"He wanted to be able to offer people in his community these skills – there is a real need for them.

"I think it's great. We need people like Chris who are willing to give up their own time."

If you would like to offer support, take part in training or simply get in touch, e-mail Mr Gendall at heartstartpen with@outlook.co.uk

Heart Start Penwith is a separate initiative to the Heart Start campaign supported by The Cornishman and Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity (RRMC) which is placing defibrillators in public locations.

A GROUP of fundraisers from Callington have raised more than £1,000 for charity after taking part in a three-day cycling challenge.

Firefighters, rowers, schoolchildren and police officers were among the team who took part in Tesco's nationwide Cycle to Lapland challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK.

PC Jennifer Williams, who set one of the fastest times, said it was a great event to be involved in.

"We love the opportunity to be part of our community, so we have done this during our dinner break," she said.

"We know so many people who suffer from diabetes so this is quite personal to us," she added.

The team, which also included the mayor and portreeve of the town, Denise Winfindale, as well as students from Callington Community College and rowers from Cothele Quay Gig Club, cycled a combined total of more than 400 miles on exercise bikes at the Tesco store on Tavistock Road.

Store manager Martin Hawkins thanked everyone who supported the event.

"It's a fantastic event to be involved in, and many thanks to our community for supporting Diabetes UK," he said.

"The community spirit has been tremendous and we have been bowled over by the generosity and fitness of Callington's finest."

In total the team raised £1,055 for Diabetes UK.

BUDDING cyclists who go to school together have formed a new club in Penwith – and have already enlisted the support of a London 2012 Gold medallist.

Dani King, who won gold in the cycling team pursuit alongside Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, has agreed to be honorary president of the club.

She was contacted by one of the organisers and now club chairman Duncan Smith, who saw the potential for a Penwith-wide club.

He said: "The club is thrilled that world champion and Olympic gold medallist Dani King, MBE, has agreed to be honorary president, and after her recent successes in Mexico, club members are looking to forward to meeting her in 2014."

The club has been formed out of a group of riders from St Ives School.

Mr Smith, who used to lead pupils from the school on guided cycle tours of Second World War sites in France, said he realised there was potential for a wider membership.

He said: "For a number of years we have been taking youngsters to Normandy to tour the D-Day landing sites and cemeteries by bike.

"The training has always involved some weekend rides around Penwith and through word of mouth, it became clear that there was enough support to open membership to young riders from other schools."

After months of planning, preparation and trial rides, organisers of Penwith Velo are now opening the doors to new members.

Now affiliated to British Cycling, the club has broadened its provision to include trail riding as well as touring, and is essentially a community club for riders aged 11 and up.

Mountain bike coach and club secretary Andy Wooders said he was encouraged by the support the club has had from the community.

He said: "Cycling is growing enormously in popularity and we are committed to providing as many opportunities as we can to riders of all disciplines.

"The French rides are always amazing but our first off-road trip to Cardinham Woods, near Bodmin, has introduced road riders to the exhilaration of trail riding."

The club's planned programme for 2014 includes trips to the Newport Velodrome, the D-Day beaches as well as a sponsored ride from St Michael's Mount to Mont Saint Michel in Normandy.

Interested riders are welcome to join and can find information at www.penvelo.org.uk or on the group's Facebook page.

There are rides planned on Monday and December 30, with a meet at St Ives School for a 9.30am start. Mince pies and hot chocolate to be served afterwards.

SMALL firms in St Ives have an added incentive to butter up their customers after a competition was launched to find the area's best business.

St Ives Small Business of the Year Award was launched at the opening of the town's newest small business – boutique Ocean One in Tregenna Place – on what was named Small Business Saturday. This was an American idea imported to encourage people to use local traders.

It was used to launch the competition by St Ives Mayor, Colin Nicholls, chairman of the chamber of trade, Andrew Mounsey, and the town's Conservative parliamentary candidate, Derek Thomas, who came up with the idea.

Mr Thomas said: "I want to see our town centres thrive, I want to see good jobs created where people live and I want to encourage aspiration. Our small businesses are the key to achieving these priorities which is why I want to encourage them with our small business award."

Councillor Nicholls, who runs the hardware store Colenso's in St Ives, said: "I think the award is a great idea. Our shops, cafés and other small businesses need all the help they can get and this award helps to highlight their importance to the community. It is often forgotten that a large part of the money spent in our small shops is recycled within the local area, unlike the money spent in the large multiple shops."

Voting on the award is open until February 28 and the winner will be the small business that receives the most votes from customers. Voting forms are available at all the businesses that have entered.

The idea is getting the backing of St Ives' resurgent chamber of trade, which has been heavily involved in promoting new initiatives across the town in the past 12 months.

Mr Mounsey said: "This is an exciting initiative. I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm it has received from businesses we have visited today. St Ives Chamber of Trade and Commerce is an enthusiastic partner in this scheme and any local businesses wanting information or materials can contact me at my business, Trim, on Tregenna Place."

Mr Thomas said: "The St Ives Chamber of Trade and Commerce is working incredibly hard for St Ives. I want to support the members to achieve a workable traffic management solution and nurture an all-year-round retail economy. Furthermore, small businesses are telling me that business rates and parking charges are frustrating their efforts to build and maintain a healthy economy in west Cornwall. These are things I want to work to resolve."

Customers can vote for as many businesses as they like but can only vote for each business once. The aim of the award is to encourage people to shop locally and support small businesses in their communities. You can also vote online at www.derekthomas.org/smallbusiness