IN JUNE an animal mystery was finally solved, as a curious case of weight gain at a Hayle wildlife park turned out to be an exciting pregnancy.

On Tuesday, June 25, Jai-Li, a rare red panda, gave birth to twins at the town's Paradise Park.

The event came as a surprise to many, as in the months leading up to the new arrivals an ultrasound examination had proved inconclusive and nobody could pinpoint the cause of Jai-Li's weight gain.

Staff at the park had said the now two-year-old Jai-Li had not been given more food than her partner, Lang-Za, and it was a welcome discovery when the panda twins were confirmed.

The red pandas' keeper, Donna Sinclair, 27, was also expecting at the time and was on her first day of maternity leave when the new mother gave birth.

However, Donna rushed back to Paradise Park after hearing the news so she could meet the new arrivals.

MAY saw the local elections take place, as Cornwall voted to decide who would take charge of the county as a unitary authority for the second time.

The public went to the polls on May 2 and the results filtered in throughout the following day.

It was being suggested by the afternoon that it was the successful Independent candidates who would decide who would take power at County Hall, as a coalition would have to be created for a majority to be achieved.

Other key points were the Conservatives losing 19 seats, while for the first time UKIP managed to secure council seats – six in number – and Labour also increased its representation to the same figure. The Green Party also won its first seat in the county.

Following the elections west Cornwall's political landscape appeared to remain prominently Tory, however.

It was in St Just, St Ives, Hayle and Penzance that the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour won seats, with the more rural areas left largely blue.

THE owners of Lamorna Cove have called for public support after its historic quay was left badly damaged by perilous weather conditions.

Large swells and high winds brought huge waves crashing on to Cornwall's coastline over the past week and one was seen to tear a gaping hole in the structure and cause part of it to crumble away.

The quay is grade two listed, and as part of the cove falls under the ownership of Roy Stevenson. His daughter Sally, 27, who undertakes an administrative role for her father, said the family really cared about rebuilding and preserving it, but the bill would be too much to bear alone.

"We want to fix it; we don't want it to fall into the sea," she said. "If anybody has any idea how we can get this funded we would be grateful. We want some positivity; what we're saying is, 'Help us'."

Having lived in Lamorna since she was 9, she said, she didn't want to "see her childhood crumble away", and would be as upset as anyone if repairs were not made. Following similar problems in 2006 a quote to restore the structure came to £1.2 million, and the Stevensons say they are now hoping other people will suggest ways in which its future can be assured.

A Facebook post from the cove's café, run by Mr Stevenson's son Dan, responding to residents who had voiced concern, said the quay was built in 1850 and had a life expectancy of 100 years, and that maintaining it came at a price.

Many locals have taken to the social media website to voice their fears that part of the cove's heritage is under threat.

Melanie Pegg wrote: "Such a shame. It is such a pretty cove to visit, but the sea wall hasn't been maintained in recent years," while Robert Mitchell offered another solution: "The National Trust needs to take it over. A beautiful spot going to rack and ruin."

Cornwall Council has also commented on the situation, as it holds statutory powers given the grade two listing.

In a statement the council said it had not yet got involved: "Neither the council's historic environment service nor its building control team has received a report with concerns about Lamorna quay. However, as it is privately owned, the owner will have a duty of care to make sure the site is safe for members of the public.

"In general terms, when grade two properties are damaged we would hope to work closely with the owner to agree either temporary works or permanent repairs, whichever solution is necessary."

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LAND'S END'S coastguard manager "could not distinguish sea from sky" as the biggest waves he had seen in years battered Sennen Cove.

Dave Jackson said monster waves were rolling in on Monday as a big swell, high winds and rough seas hit the county's coast.

Describing it as a fantastic sight, Mr Jackson said onlookers were awestruck at the display of nature's power.

"It was amazing," he said. "I went down to have a look; it was a privilege to see. Some of the waves were 30ft.

"I've not seen seas like that for some time; it was awesome to watch."

Born in Sennen Cove, Mr Jackson said he had seen his fair share of rough seas but in the past 15 years had witnessed nothing to match Monday's conditions.

He also works at the Minack Theatre in Porthcurno and said he had heard conditions were "pretty crazy there as well". Theatre manager Phil Jackson, Dave's cousin, said he was in the office during the day but went out to have a look a couple of times, noting the beach at Porthcurno appeared to have been transformed by the surging waves.

"The sea was reaching higher than we've seen before," he said. "There have been big waves for days – the biggest I've ever seen [were on Monday].

"It'll be interesting to see how Porthcurno will look after it calms down; the beach is looking different already."

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A £110 MILLION retail scheme on the outskirts of St Austell, which is claimed will have an impact on trade in Bodmin and Liskeard, has been earmarked for approval by council chiefs.

Coyte Farm, which will comprise a 90-acre retail park, including Marks and Spencer, Next and Sainsbury's stores, will go before Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee on January 16.

The county authority published its recommendations to members of the committee yesterday – giving the scheme their backing, subject to a long list of conditions.

The Cornish Guardian reported last year how the scheme could take trade away from neighbouring towns, including Truro, Liskeard, Bodmin and Newquay.

In his report Cornwall Council planning officer Gavin Smith said the development will bring economic growth to St Austell and improve competition and choice in the retailing sector for local residents, which he suggests outweigh the "substantial harm" it would cause to a grade two listed church in St Mewan and the loss of trade for town centre shops.

"The application would stimulate economic growth, via a fully funded scheme with a construction value of £50m, which in turn would create employment opportunity to the benefit of the local economy," his report states.

The document states the development will harm the "vitality and viability" of St Austell but would create jobs for the town as a whole.

"It may well result with the loss of employment opportunity elsewhere by the retail component drawing trade to the detriment of existing shops but a significant net gain in employment is expected," Mr Smith said.

A retail impact assessment carried out by property consultants GVA, on behalf of the council, concluded the development would result in a 28 per cent reduction in trade for shops in the town centre.

However, Mr Smith suggests the figure would be more in line with the conclusions reached by the applicant's consultants, Barton Willmore, which concluded the figure would be in the region of 7 per cent.

"I have not attempted to identify a specific figure for trade impact, Mr Smith said.

"But when considering the assumptions underpinning the applicant's and CC [Cornwall Council] consultant's findings, the impact to the town centre is more likely to be similar with the applicant's forecast."

Coyte Farm spokesman Simon Hoare welcomed the recommendations made in the report.

He said: "This is a major step forward to have secured recommendation to approve, which we hope the strategic planning committee will agree when it meets next week.

He added: "It is great news for the local economy, for the job market and for the future of St Austell."

Mr Smith's report states Cornwall Council received 414 letters and e-mails objecting to the plans, including two petitions with a combined total of more than 3,000 signatures, compared to 855 letters and e-mails in support of the application.

St Austell trader Ally Watkins, who set up the Stop Coyte Farm campaign, said she was disappointed with the findings of the officer.

She said: "Coyte Farm is just far too big. It is all about a developer making a lot of money out of Cornwall at everybody else's expense.

"If approved it is not just St Austell that will suffer, so will all the towns within a 25-mile radius."

IN APRIL X Factor judge Gary Barlow, Top Gear presenter James May and television scientist Professor Brian Cox joined Chris Evans, from Radio 2, on a high-profile drive for a cancer charity.

The group assembled at Land's End on April 25 to drive up to John O'Groats in a Thunderbirds-style pink Rolls-Royce for the FAB1Million campaign, aiming to kick-start efforts to raise £1 million for Breast Cancer Care (BCC).

Fans flocked to the site on a windy spring morning to greet the stars, who posed for photos and entertained the crowd before setting off on their journey, with stop-offs planned at a number of other spots on the way.

After the trip the luxury motor was made available for hire for a year, offering anyone who wanted to arrive in style at a swanky function the chance to do so, with all profits going to the charity.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with arson after the £60,000 hospitality marquee at the Pirates' rugby ground went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters from Penzance, St Just and St Ives tackled the blaze shortly before 8pm on Friday at the Mennaye Field. Police also attended.

The crews managed to contain the fire to the 40m x 20m permanent marquee, which was gutted, although it also spread to a small lorry which was burnt out.

No one was injured and the there was no damage to the main stand but police confirmed a man was brought to safety from the temporary toilets by the squash courts.

Watch manager Ian Neal said it was the biggest blaze Penzance firefighters have faced in the past year.

"Immediately, because of the threat to the squash courts and the rugby club itself, I called for four appliances to deal with the situation," he said.

"Our main concern was that because of the strong winds we needed to prevent the fire blowing across to the squash courts and the residential properties on the other side of the fence."

The crews were on the scene for about three hours.

Cornish Pirates spokesman Phil Westren said: "This obviously will be inconvenient for the next few home games.

"The marquee isn't actually owned by the Pirates and it's deeply upsetting for those involved and terribly frustrating, but everybody will pick themselves up and try and move on."

The Pirates' next home game at Mennaye Field is against Ayr in the British and Irish Cup on Sunday at 3pm.

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Ross James Vicars, 22, of Mousehole, entered no plea at Truro Magistrates' Court to a charge of causing arson with intent to endanger life on January 3, involving alleged fire damage to an event marquee valued at £60,000 belonging to Peter Timothy Bawden.

He was remanded in custody to Truro Crown Court on January 28.

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A 22-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with arson after the £60,000 hospitality marquee at the Pirates' rugby ground went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters from Penzance, St Just and St Ives tackled the blaze shortly before 8pm on Friday at the Mennaye Field. Police also attended.

The crews managed to contain the fire to the 40m x 20m permanent marquee, which was gutted, although it also spread to a small lorry which was burnt out.

No one was injured and the there was no damage to the main stand but police confirmed a man was brought to safety from the temporary toilets by the squash courts.

Watch manager Ian Neal said it was the biggest blaze Penzance firefighters have faced in the past year.

"Immediately, because of the threat to the squash courts and the rugby club itself, I called for four appliances to deal with the situation," he said.

"Our main concern was that because of the strong winds we needed to prevent the fire blowing across to the squash courts and the residential properties on the other side of the fence."

The crews were on the scene for about three hours.

Cornish Pirates spokesman Phil Westren said: "This obviously will be inconvenient for the next few home games.

"The marquee isn't actually owned by the Pirates and it's deeply upsetting for those involved and terribly frustrating, but everybody will pick themselves up and try and move on."

The Pirates' next home game at Mennaye Field is against Ayr in the British and Irish Cup on Sunday at 3pm.

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Ross James Vicars, 22, of Mousehole, entered no plea at Truro Magistrates' Court to a charge of causing arson with intent to endanger life on January 3, involving alleged fire damage to an event marquee valued at £60,000 belonging to Peter Timothy Bawden.

He was remanded in custody to Truro Crown Court on January 28.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with arson after the £60,000 hospitality marquee at the Pirates' rugby ground went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters from Penzance, St Just and St Ives tackled the blaze shortly before 8pm on Friday at the Mennaye Field. Police also attended.

The crews managed to contain the fire to the 40m x 20m permanent marquee, which was gutted, although it also spread to a small lorry which was burnt out.

No one was injured and the there was no damage to the main stand but police confirmed a man was brought to safety from the temporary toilets by the squash courts.

Watch manager Ian Neal said it was the biggest blaze Penzance firefighters have faced in the past year.

"Immediately, because of the threat to the squash courts and the rugby club itself, I called for four appliances to deal with the situation," he said.

"Our main concern was that because of the strong winds we needed to prevent the fire blowing across to the squash courts and the residential properties on the other side of the fence."

The crews were on the scene for about three hours.

Cornish Pirates spokesman Phil Westren said: "This obviously will be inconvenient for the next few home games.

"The marquee isn't actually owned by the Pirates and it's deeply upsetting for those involved and terribly frustrating, but everybody will pick themselves up and try and move on."

The Pirates' next home game at Mennaye Field is against Ayr in the British and Irish Cup on Sunday at 3pm.

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Ross James Vicars, 22, of Mousehole, entered no plea at Truro Magistrates' Court to a charge of causing arson with intent to endanger life on January 3, involving alleged fire damage to an event marquee valued at £60,000 belonging to Peter Timothy Bawden.

He was remanded in custody to Truro Crown Court on January 28.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with arson after the £60,000 hospitality marquee at the Pirates' rugby ground went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters from Penzance, St Just and St Ives tackled the blaze shortly before 8pm on Friday at the Mennaye Field. Police also attended.

The crews managed to contain the fire to the 40m x 20m permanent marquee, which was gutted, although it also spread to a small lorry which was burnt out.

No one was injured and the there was no damage to the main stand but police confirmed a man was brought to safety from the temporary toilets by the squash courts.

Watch manager Ian Neal said it was the biggest blaze Penzance firefighters have faced in the past year.

"Immediately, because of the threat to the squash courts and the rugby club itself, I called for four appliances to deal with the situation," he said.

"Our main concern was that because of the strong winds we needed to prevent the fire blowing across to the squash courts and the residential properties on the other side of the fence."

The crews were on the scene for about three hours.

Cornish Pirates spokesman Phil Westren said: "This obviously will be inconvenient for the next few home games.

"The marquee isn't actually owned by the Pirates and it's deeply upsetting for those involved and terribly frustrating, but everybody will pick themselves up and try and move on."

The Pirates' next home game at Mennaye Field is against Ayr in the British and Irish Cup on Sunday at 3pm.

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Ross James Vicars, 22, of Mousehole, entered no plea at Truro Magistrates' Court to a charge of causing arson with intent to endanger life on January 3, involving alleged fire damage to an event marquee valued at £60,000 belonging to Peter Timothy Bawden.

He was remanded in custody to Truro Crown Court on January 28.

THE STORMS and huge swells left beach huts and the Bude sea pool damaged – but the time of adversity has also thrown up a good Samaritan.

Seaside beach huts were wrecked and the railings around Bude Sea Pool were wrenched from the concrete by the massive waves which crashed into the structure during one of the worst storms for a generation.

However, Julian Walford, of the Stainless Steel Studio, based at Bilston in the Midlands, has offered to replace the railings to a higher standard than those currently there.

"He has offered to do the repairs and fit marine standard steel. It is a wonderful, wonderful offer," said Paul Tilzey, chairman of the pool's friends group.

"The storm has thrown up something good. We are very grateful."

Mr Walford said he and his family come regularly to Bude and love the sea pool.

"The pool is dear to the heart of me and my family. When the storm calms down we will come down and take a look at what is required."

The front row of beach huts at Crooklets, owned by Cornwall Council and let to summer tenants, have been badly damaged with walls smashed to pieces by the force of the waves.

Peter Vickery and his wife, Denise, who share a hut with Ali Humphries, say their beach hut is wrecked.

"The waves took the front walls, they have completely gone," said Mr Vickery.

"All the belongings were scattered over the beach."

The huts are rented from Cornwall Council for between £600 and £700 a year.

Some of the information and health and safety signage has also been washed away.

"There is a chance that these will wash back up onto the beaches, so if anyone finds them it would be great if they could be returned to the pool to see if anything can be salvaged," said Sarah Thomas, of the friends.

"Luckily, the main structure seems intact.

"Extra care must be taken until the railings are replaced."

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THE funeral will be held on Saturday for a mum of two who passed away from cancer over Christmas.

Dawn Hendy, 36, was the wife of Darren Hendy, a Cornwall-wide fruit and vegetable supplier based in Helston.

The couple married after the family were told the devastating news late last year that she had terminal cancer.

Mrs Hendy passed away on December 22, leaving her husband and two children, Jayden and Maddison.

Mr Hendy said his wife was a wonderful mum and he would now devote his time to his children. A public service will be held at Gwinear Church, near Hayle, at 11am, followed by a service at the crematorium at 1pm. Mr Hendy said anyone is welcome to attend.

Mr Hendy was forced to wind up his business, DS Hendy Ltd, based at Water-ma-Trout industrial estate in Helston, as a result of his wife's illness.

The company closed just before Christmas with the loss of 20 jobs.

Shortly before she passed away, Mrs Hendy, who was known as Dawn Lindsay before her marriage, gave her blessing to a fundraising campaign on behalf of cancer research. Claire Tresidder, from Helston, who knows the family through their children at school, had already planned to raise money with a pamper evening.

She said: "I promised her I will make this pamper evening one to remember. She was so thrilled about it being in her honour. I promised Dawn and her family I will raise as much money as possible. I would like to get a lot of people involved in this event. I've got nail technicians, hair stylists, a reflexologist and beauticians lined up."

The pamper evening will be held at the Old Cattle Market in Helston on March 8. Mrs Tresidder is also taking part in a sponsored skydive this year, to raise money for the charity Bliss, for its help after her son Harvey was born prematurely.

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A NEWQUAY developer has hit back at a campaign against plans for an apartment complex in Newquay, claiming it is misleading and inaccurate.

David Stein, operations director at Acorn Blue, which is behind the application for a 36-apartment complex on the site of the derelict Riviera Hotel on Lusty Glaze Road, said the campaign is "wrong on a number of issues".

The protest page, no2tower, has been set up on social networking website Facebook and claims the new building would reach 200ft tall.

However, Mr Stein said the new building would actually be 67ft tall and that the site already has full planning permission for a "significantly larger" building.

He said: "While recognising any new planning application can raise emotions, it is nonetheless important that people are not misled. Perhaps as importantly, it needs to be recognised that there is an existing approved planning consent. This consented scheme is not only for a significantly larger building, but has a tower some 10ft taller than that now proposed.

"The new application both shrinks the overall mass of the building and moves the building further from the adjacent X-Capes development. Furthermore, it moves the new (smaller) tower more centrally to the building, thereby significantly reducing its impact.

"The first image posted on the objectors' Facebook page quite clearly had another storey added that simply does not exist."

Mr Stein said Acorn had been embedded in Cornwall for some seven years with a Newquay team comprising 15 people and that the company had invested more than £70 million in the local economy.

The Cornish Guardian reported in November that neighbours had been cautiously optimistic at news the "eyesore" hotel, which has been ravaged by two major fires in the past two years, was to be demolished and redeveloped.

A total of 28 objections against the fresh plans have been lodged on Cornwall Council's website, with just one supporting it.

Complaints focus on the detrimental impact the proposed building, up to seven storeys at its tallest, would have on the surrounding area, casting a "shadow" over the protected Barrowfields green space and neighbouring homes.

In his official objection, Phillip Yelling wrote: "The shadows cast by such an overbearing building will have an impact on the area and across the historic Barrowfields forever and is one of the main gateways into Newquay."

While Stephen Hick said in support: "The height of the structure will not overly impact on the Newquay skyline which is undulating and hilly, and more permanent residential units will benefit the local economy."

Key authorities, including the council's highways department and Newquay Town Council have yet to make any comment, although public body Natural England has stated the plans would be "unlikely to affect any statutorily protected sites or landscapes".

A public consultation into the plans is being held on January 13, at Sandy Lodge Hotel, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. People have until January 10 to comment on the plans, which can be viewed on the council's website.

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THE family of a man who died from a brain haemorrhage while holidaying in Padstow has praised Cornwall Air Ambulance – whose quick response enabled five others to benefit from his organs.

Adrian Hillman was 48 when he suffered a spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage in December 2011 and his life is now being remembered in the charity's online book of remembrance.

The father and grandfather from Kingswinford, near Stourbridge in the West Midlands, woke up one morning complaining of a headache and was airlifted to hospital by Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Although they were unable to save his life, the efforts of paramedics meant Adrian's organs could be used to benefit the lives of five other people; some of his heart tissue was used as a patch for the heart of a newborn baby, an eight-year-old boy had a kidney, a 45-year-old man received his other kidney, a 49-year-old woman had the insulin-producing islet cells from his pancreas and a 61-year-old woman was given his liver.

Adrian loved Cornwall and his family scattered his ashes in the sea off Padstow.

His stepmother, Sheila, said: "Cornwall Air Ambulance fought tirelessly to save Ade. Now they have given us a way to remember him and allow him to live on in our memories forever."

The online book was donated by Cornish company Friends and Relations, part of the Online Book Company and is free to use, although people are invited to donate to the Cornwall Air Ambulance in memory of their loved ones if they wish.

Susie Smith, fundraising manager for the charity, said: "We hear so many stories of people who have been saved by the Cornwall Air Ambulance, but tragically there are some who do not survive.

"We hope this book of remembrance will help people in their time of loss and sadness. Knowing that they can share memories and pictures will help to keep the memory of their loved ones alive."

Pictures and even videos can be added to create a collection of memories on a page that can then be shared with friends and family so that they can add their own personal tributes.

To set up a tribute page or view the book of remembrance go to www.cornwallairambulancetrust.org/remember or to discuss other ways to remember a loved one while helping Cornwall Air Ambulance call 01637 889926.

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CORNWALL MPs have defended their decision to reject a motion calling for an investigation into the use of foodbanks.

A proposal by Maria Eagle, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, called for the Government to publish the results of research into the use of foodbanks commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) which ministers promised to make public in 2013.

Foodbanks offer free food to those in urgent need.

The Labour proposal also called for the coalition Government to bring forward measures to reduce dependency on foodbanks, including a freeze on energy prices, a water affordability scheme, measures to end abuses of zero hours contracts, incentives to companies to pay a living wage and abolition of the under-occupancy penalty – the so-called bedroom tax.

The motion was debated then rejected by a vote of 294 to 251.

George Eustice, MP, for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said: "I attended the debate on foodbanks last week and I also visited the Camborne Foodbank in October.

"Defra, the department in which I am a minister, has already commissioned a report to review the available public evidence on the use of foodbanks and this will report in the new year.

"The reasons for the growth in the use of foodbanks are complex."

Over the Christmas period, Camborne's foodbank handed out more than 1,900 free meals in just two hours.

Sarah Newton, MP, for Falmouth and Truro, accused Labour of playing party politics.

She said: "My team have had a weekly presence in the foodbanks in my constituency since April and will continue to do so.

"I fully support the LEP's [Cornwall Local Enterprise Partnership] strategy for a Cornwall living wage and skills training so people can earn more money.

"In addition to distracting from the real work being done to combat food poverty, I could not vote for the motion because it called for Labour's con, an energy bill freeze.

"There is help for people now struggling to pay their bills.

"I recommend anyone who is worried about their bills to call Community Energy Plus on 0800 954 1956 for help and advice."

Liberal Democrat Andrew George, MP, who represents Helston and the Lizard, said he refused to back a motion "to play party politics with a matter which affects so many local people".

He said: "The fact that foodbanks exist and are necessary is an indictment on both the previous Labour Party and the present Tory-led Governments.

"I deplore those who seek to make party political capital on the backs of those who find themselves having to depend upon foodbanks."

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THE environmental impact of a seafront hotel's expansion plans is to be formally assessed following a plea to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles by a conservation group.

In response to a letter from the Friends of Pendower Beach, Mr Pickles ruled an environmental impact assessment (EIA) must be carried out on the proposed development of the Nare Hotel near Veryan on the Roseland.

The scheme includes extensions to the current facilities and the building of new accommodation units.

Cornwall Council, the planning authority, held that no EIA was required, a view opposed by Natural England, the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) unit and the National Trust.

The Nare sits on a designated Heritage Coast in an AONB and adjacent to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a special area of conservation.

Natural England said it believed the development would significantly affect the shore dock plant, one of Europe's most threatened species, and bats, which are protected. Mr Pickles said he considered the proposal would be likely to have significant effects on the environment for a number of reasons.

Helen Hastings, chairman of the Friends of Pendower Beach, said: "Our aim is to make sure Cornwall Council knows, understands, interprets and implements the law – which they didn't do in this case. Therefore we're delighted with the Secretary of State's decision.

"We're not against all development but we strongly believe that it must fit in with the regulations."

An EIA will assess the effect the development could have on the environment and ensures planners consider this.

Toby Ashworth, proprietor and managing director of the hotel, said: "Unfortunately we're caught between a discussion on technical procedures between Cornwall Council and the Secretary of State. This is a frustration and obviously a disappointment.

"We took best advice in August 2011 on the level of information required, including dialogue with our local planning department, and submitted our planning application on that basis.

"We've already proved there's 'no likely significant environmental impact' and we're working at the moment to supply the additional technical information as directed by the Secretary of State."

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THE final drop-in session to discuss the future of Poltair Hospital is on Wednesday, January 15, at the one stop shop at St Clare, Penzance.

It is the last in a series of four consultation events about the future of the community hospital, which has been shut since October 2012.

Members of the public have been presented with five options, only one of them involving the retention of (five) inpatient beds at Poltair, and two of them not foreseeing any future for the hospital at all.

Around 50 people attended the first public meeting at St John's Hall before Christmas, along with a ten-strong team from the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group.

At that meeting, there seemed general agreement that West Cornwall should have 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.

It was also accepted that the hospital was outdated and much of the focus of the meeting was on what would happen to the proceeds of any future sale of Poltair.

There was confirmation that the proceeds would go straight to the NHS – owners of the property since it was gifted to the service by the Bolitho family – and that there was no guarantee that the money would be used for health services in West Cornwall.

Dr Neil Walden, Penwith Locality Lead, did say that efforts had been made to forge links with the NHS property services and these would continue in the future.

"It is unlikely that we will change government policy but we will continue to make representations," he said.

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

The final drop-in session takes place at Committee Room 1, One Stop Shop, St Clare, Penzance, on Wednesday, January 15, from 4pm to 8pm.

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AN ASSOCIATION of boat- owners in Hayle who keep an eye on each other's craft is trying to attract new members.

Following the storms which left one boat capsized and tore several others from their moorings in Penpol Creek, vice- chairman of Hayle Harbour Users' Association Mike Webb says he hopes more boat- owners will join the group so members can contact each other if there are any problems.

He said that many owners who kept their boats in Hayle Harbour did not live in the town and if they were members of the group they could be assured that a local member could watch over their boat in the sort of extreme conditions that had been seen in the county over the past week.

Mr Webb said: "A fishing boat nearly sank and we can't contact the owner. We're trying to get all boats in the harbour registered with the users.

"Each of us can look after each other's boats. It was decided in our meeting that we'd like all boat-owners in Penpol Creek to contact us so we can create a database. That way, if people see anything they can inform the owner."

A member of Hayle Harbour Users came from as far as Wales to check the condition of his boat after being contacted by members in Hayle.

Mr Webb said he wanted all boat-owners to be in the same position and has urged them to join the association.

Harbour master Peter Haddock said that there was a database listing vessels' owners and the police who patrolled the harbour could use it to contact them if required.

Registration with Hayle Harbour Users' Association costs £10 for the year. The group meets on the first Monday of every month at 7.30pm at the Royal Standard Inn. Boat- owners can contact Mr Webb on 07976 565303.

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POLICE are appealing for information in relation to a recent spate of offences in the Eastern Green area of Penzance.

A property in Foxes Fields was broken into between December 21 to 24 where offenders caused damage using paints and fire extinguishers. The culprits also damaged a large number of personal belongings within the house. (Crime log: AP/13/319).

On Christmas night at about 9.40pm stones were pulled from a Cornish hedge in Branwells Lane.

The stones were then thrown, causing extensive damage to three properties.

Fortunately no residents were injured despite one large stone landing on a pillow in an unoccupied bedroom. (Crime log: AP/13/3195, 3196 and 3197.)

It is thought that the same offenders then walked through Freshbrook Close, pushing over bins before entering the Jewson site on Jelbert Way where two males were caught by police.

Extensive damage was caused to vehicles and property within and again police are appealing for witnesses. (Crime log: AP/13/3198).

The two males arrested are aged 16 and 20, and are currently on police bail.

If anyone witnessed any of these incidents on Christmas night between 9pm and 11.15pm in the Eastern Green area, police would like them to phone 101 using the crime reference numbers or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A police spokesman said: "These offences have caused a large amount of distress to families and residents during the Christmas period."

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THE quick thinking of a teenager led to a burglar being caught red-handed within minutes of a £6,250 break-in at a house in Callington.

The girl, a passenger in a car, called police after seeing 28-year-old Matthew Morton walking along a pavement on the A388 carrying a hammer and looking into gardens.

Morton, of Sunny View, Higher Road, Pensilva, appeared before Bodmin magistrates in custody on Monday when he admitted stealing jewellery, a wallet and cash from a house in Launceston Road on December 10. The court heard he committed the crime to fund a £30- to £40-a-day heroin habit.

Gail Hawkley, for the prosecution, said the householder had reported the break-in at around 11am and only ten minutes later the girl called police. Shortly afterwards a police officer driving from Callington towards Kelly Bray also saw Morton and noticed that when he saw the police vehicle, he put his hand over a wall.

Told he would be searched Morton, looking "extremely anxious and nervous", replied: "I've got some jewellery – I found it in a hedge up there." He claimed he was on his way to hand it in.

Morton then struggled with the officer, who found a pair of socks and items of jewellery in his pocket. Other items were behind the wall.

Ms Hawkley said Morton had broken a window causing damage costing £920.

In a prepared statement to police, Morton insisted he had found the items, but when formally charged admitted stealing them. He had previous convictions, but not for similar offences.

William Hazelton, for the defence, said Morton had been caught red-handed and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He had shown remorse, the property was unoccupied at the time of the burglary and all the goods had been recovered.

The case was adjourned until February 6 for a pre-sentence report and for Morton to be assessed for a drug rehabilitation requirement. He was bailed on condition he resides at his home and co-operates with the probation service.

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