A SERIES of colourful mosaics will decorate a new pathway through a Roseland recreation ground.

Community groups came up with designs for St Mawes recreation ground and brought them to life at special workshops.

It was organised by the St Mawes Recreation Ground Committee treasurer Dina Croft and involved groups from the playgroup to the Golden Age Club, the Sea Angling Club to the Bowling Group.

She came up with the idea after the current pathway was damaged by heavy rains earlier this year, making part of it unusable.

Mrs Croft said: "I have always loved the mosaics at the Eden Project, and thought that the new path would create the perfect opportunity to have one of our very own in St Mawes."

About 135 people took part in the fortnight of workshops run by artist Joanna Dewfall, and created 31 mosaics.

The project was made possible by a £25,000 grant from Sita Cornwall Trust, which will also help rebuild a new disabled-friendly pathway, replace the zip-wire and children's' swings.

The trust provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is available for community and environmental groups to carry out a range of improvement projects.

Recreation ground committee chairman Charlie Pridmore said he was delighted by the community's response.

Thanks to funding allocated to the project, colourful designs of boats, starfish, mermaids, gigs and even a pasty will decorate the new pathway.

Mr Pridmore said: "We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of everyone who took part in creating the mosaics. Everyone from the children to the older residents of the village really enjoyed coming together and creating something special that we can all enjoy for years to come."

MORE than 7,000 books with a total estimated value of £87,500 are missing from Cornwall Council's libraries.

The irrecoverable books are thought to be long overdue, lost or stolen from libraries across the county, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Of a total stock level of 750,800 books, 7,296 were recorded as missing for the financial year of 2012-13.

The council operates 37 libraries across the county, incorporating 33 branch libraries, four community libraries and five mobile services.

A council spokesman said: "Libraries encourage members to return books or other borrowed items on time and in good condition and will send out reminders to encourage them to do so with robust processes in place to follow up on fines or late returns."

The total amount represents an average of 197 missing books per library, at an individual library cost of £2,365.

Torpoint library had the highest number of books recorded as missing in Cornwall, with St Dennis library at the lowest end of the scale. Roche community library had a slightly lower number of missing books than St Dennis, but shares stock with mobile libraries, making the combined figure higher.

Commenting on the number of missing books, the spokesman said: "The figures include missing and overdue books, however, the (library) system doesn't differentiate between lost, non-returned or stolen items.

"Although a book may be listed as missing, this does not mean that they are stolen, as they may have been misplaced within the library."

A replacement fee is charged for books or other borrowed items that are lost or not returned.

Library books and other items can be renewed online or by using the 24-hour renewals hotline on 0845 6076119 (calls charged at local rate).

IF A piece of furniture could name-drop, then a simple pine and elm table which is being sold by David Lay's Penzance auction house this week could brag for hours.

It has an extraordinary history and the names of those who have sat and shared meals upon it and the settle that accompanies it, read like a veritable Who's Who of the artistic, theatrical and military circles that the Penrose family moved in in the middle of the 20th century.

Its story starts at Lambe Creek, the Cornish summer house near Falmouth, where in 1937 Roland Penrose, with his new love, the great photographer Lee Miller, hosted what is now described as 'The Surrealists in Cornwall'.

He gathered together such luminaries as Max Ernst, Man Ray, Leonora Carrington, Henry Moore and the poet Paul Eluard and the table was used for dining during a heady summer of artistic creativity and free love.

From Lambe Creek the table was moved by its owners, Annie 'Spitfire' Penrose and Beacus Penrose, to the family home of Killiow, near Truro in Cornwall.

Here it served Max Ernst again, most notably when he stayed in 1951 with his wife, Dorothea Tanning.

Ernst was very taken up with producing material for an exhibition he was mounting – while sitting at the table he noticed the marvellous natural whorls and knots in the grain of the table.

Using paper and pencil he created very clever frottages of owls from the whorls and these creations formed part of the exhibition.

Although its owners moved in highly artistic and theatrical circles (Beacus Penrose had been the lover of Dora Carrington and Annie Penrose had been married to the actor Robert Newton) they also entertained politicians, admirals of the fleet, field marshals, and peers.

Other great names that are known to have sat and eaten at this table include Augustus John, John Betjeman, AL Rowse, Daphne Du Maurier and Boy Browning, Robert Newton, John Mills, the Richardson family, Googie Withers and John McCullum.

The table, along with many other pieces including works by artists Bryan Pearce, Gill Watkiss, John Frederick Herring Junior and Senior, George Vicat Cole and Frederick Leslie Kennet, will be sold at David Lay's Fine Art sale in Penzance next Thursday, January 16.

BUS FARES due to rise by around 35 per cent last weekend have been altered following pressure from a Cornwall councillor.

Sue James, of St Just in Penwith, wrote to the First group's headquarters in Plymouth before Christmas after the company's plans to increase ticket prices came to light.

From Sunday fares between Pendeen and Penzance were set to rise by up to £2, with a return journey costing travellers £7.50 – previously £5.50.

But she has been told by the operator that a return fare will instead go up by 50p, and will be usable for up to five days instead of just one. A single journey is now reportedly cheaper than before.

Alex Carter, director for First South West, told Councillor James: "I am pleased to confirm we have reviewed the proposed revisions to fares between Pendeen or St Just and Penzance, and from Sunday, when the changes are introduced. These will now be £4 single (a reduction of 30p on the current fare) and £6 return (an increase of 50p, but now valid for five days rather than just on the day of issue as is the case currently)."

Mrs James said it was good news: "Hopefully this will help local people continue to use the bus service. I am really pleased that he has listened to what people have told me and has taken swift action on fares."

However, while the proposed price hikes have been scrapped, the service from Penzance to St Just and Pendeen that was changed at the end of 2013 remains. Residents voiced concern and sent a petition to First after the route saw its buses stop halfway into Pendeen, leaving some with a longer walk to the bus stop, reduced disability access and a longer journey time.

A GROUP of caring women are hoping to continue their charity and support work in 2014 after getting off to a good start last year.

Liz Sullivan formed Whole Again Communities, which aims to help individuals or families on tight budgets eat well by cooking up "nutritious, tasty soup", and has some ambitious plans for the months ahead.

"The need reflects the hardship a lot of people are facing," she said. "Lots of people are struggling at the moment and soup is a way of eating healthily, cheaply."

Ms Sullivan said she really enjoys working with people, and after a positive trial in December, she has started a soup kitchen in Penzance, which will give people the opportunity to learn more and meet others. She also hopes to set up a communal allotment, championing the idea of "growing our own" to help alleviate food poverty.

"I want it to be all about the community – this year I want to build it up," she said.

"My inspiration is when I went through hard times myself. Eating properly is so important."

Ms Sullivan will also be working with Women of Wonder (WOW), set up by Suzy Messenger and Judith Kingdom of St Just Free Church, towards the end of 2013.

The ladies are looking to provide "love, care and opportunity" for some of the more deprived people in the area – and said recent cuts to services, as well as rising living costs, are making times increasingly difficult.

Miss Messenger said after seeing success over past weeks the team has been inspired to put on more events, with free pampering and advice sessions for women.

"We have manicures on offer, hot stones and bamboo massage," said Ms Messenger. "Liz the soup lady has some great ideas," she added.

The volunteer said the WOW evenings are all about "reaching out to women in west Cornwall".

Ms Sullivan's soup kitchen is set to run every Thursday at the Colcombe Centre on Penzance's Treneere Estate, from noon to 2pm, starting today. The next WOW event is tonight at St Just Free Church's Lighthouse Café, from 7pm to 9pm. Entry is free.

A TRURO dance teacher has drawn on her contacts to create an art film that she hopes to enter in the Cornwall Film Festival.

Lisa McNally, head of the Cornwall Dance School, handpicked six of her students aged 15 and 16 and called in help from an assortment of contacts to create the film Natura.

With Geoff Mason Brown, who shot the film, she enlisted help from professional hairstylists, nail technicians, lighting and sound experts and even a composer, all of whom are from Cornwall and were willing to give up their time to help the project.

She said the film, shot in a single day on Sunday, aimed to provide the students with vital filming experience that would stand them in good stead for their future endeavours.

Ms McNally said: "We want to create memories for everyone involved and provide the youngsters with skills that they can use later in life and put on their curriculum vitae or university applications.

"When we were filming we had one chance to get it right and overall it couldn't have gone any better, which is a testimony to the hard work of everyone involved.

"I've been so lucky that so many talented professionals have been willing to give up their time to work on this project," she said.

"We had the smallest of budgets and there's no way we'd have been able even to get to the point of filming were it not for the help we've received."

Ms McNally, 25, took over the Cornwall Dance School in August 2012 and has since seen its student roll increase from 25 to 130.

After the success of Natura, she said, she now intended to work on a similar project with her next batch of pupils.

THANKS to the continuing support of local businesses, the future is looking bright for the Hall For Cornwall (HFC).

A number of companies have renewed their sponsorship, including Watson French, Robinson Reed Layton, Vickery Holman, Truro and Penwith College and the West Briton, with Business Cornwall becoming the most recent member to come on board.

Katie Hill, who manages corporate accounts at HFC, said: "We can't thank our supporters enough for their unfailing loyalty.

"Many companies continue to renew their corporate membership each year, providing the vital funding needed to secure the theatre's future."

In return for becoming corporate sponsors, companies receive benefits such as priority seats, free tickets and hospitality spaces at the theatre.

As a 'thank you' to the companies that have supported them, the HFC staged a backstage tour of its recent pantomime Cinderella for employees and their families.

THE NEXT Launceston Networking Breakfast at The Business Space in Launceston takes place tomorrow from 7.45am to 9.30am.

The aims of the networking breakfasts, organised by Cornwall College Business (CCB), are to provide opportunities for businesses to network with like-minded people to grow their relationships throughout the region.

The theme of Thursday's breakfast is Connecting With Your Customers, with Ann Vandermeulen from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Ann will discuss the importance of customer communication with other businesses and organisations.

She said: "The FSB really advocates the importance of businesses talking to both their customers and to each other to find out how they can help each other,"

Following the breakfast, delegates will have the opportunity to gain more helpful tips by attending a session with Jacqui Franklin, trainer at CCB, entitled, Meet The Experts Surgery.

Jacqui said: "All organisations have customers and in order to survive in a competitive world, companies must identify their customers and look to meet their needs and exceed their expectations."

To book a free place at Launceston Business Networking Breakfast, contact Cornwall College Business on 0800 7317594, or via e-mail to enquiries@ccb.cornwall.ac.uk or visit www.ccb.cornwall.ac.uk

CORNWALL Wildlife Trust marine conservation officer Abby Crosby said a post-mortem examination at Exeter University was expected to reveal why the rescued dolphin later died.

The trust's Marine Strandings Network is investigating and the carcass will be examined as part of a national programme called the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.

"Sadly, these incidents do occur," she said. "These are very rare animals and we only have a very small pod left in the county, which means it's even more important to make sure we get information as to how it died."

The 24-hour stranding hotline can be contacted on 0345 201 2626.

A ST COLUMB mother has admitted causing the death of a pensioner by careless driving when under the influence of alcohol.

Tamara Milby, of St James View, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday where she pleaded guilty to having caused the death of 77-year-old Margaret Doherty while over the prescribed limit.

Mrs Doherty, of Tresillian, was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital on Thursday, June 6, last year, after a two-car collision in Summercourt, but died in the early hours of the following day.

Her 78-year-old husband, George, the former vice-chairman of St Clement Parish Council, was also taken to hospital following the crash.

The Dohertys' silver Nissan Almera was travelling from the direction of Newquay towards the A30. Milby was driving a Peugeot 307 on the A3058 at the time of the collision and she was found to have had 118mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

The legal limit is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

Mike Gregson, for the defence, said Milby had medical problems at the time. He said: "Mrs Milby has no previous convictions. She is a young mother of three children."

Judge Eric Salomonsen adjourned the case to January 31 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report on Milby. Milby was given an interim disqualification from driving, pending sentence.

At the time of her death, Mrs Doherty, was described by friends as a family-orientated woman, who had previously been actively involved in a number of community groups.

A VILLAGE community shop which will donate all its profits to charity is to open soon at Polyphant, near Launceston.

This particular shop will not only stock all necessities for locals' convenience, but all its profits will be going to charity.

The 3 Cows on't Green, as it will be known, aspires to be in the forefront of the local community, not only being a central hub for the local population but to give back to those around by way of donating all its profits to local charities.

The 3 Cows on't Green will be a strong supporter of Cornwall Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes as well as regularly donating to different local charities.

Over the Christmas period managers Joanne D'Entrecasteaux and Stuart Bruton turned the premises into a grotto for local children and children of the staff at Bowden Derra Park, a local residential care home.

After Santa had been and given away free gifts, there was a surplus of presents for children aged up to 10.

Cornwall's Little Harbour Children's Hospice was asked if it wanted the presents and Judy Pride, a community fundraiser, accepted on behalf of the children's hospice.

A NORTH Cornwall family who fell ill after they inhaled potentially deadly carbon monoxide in their home on Sunday morning were treated by paramedics.

The two adults and a child in a house near Bude were woken up at 6am when their carbon monoxide alarm sounded.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service rushed to West Beckon Close, Morwenstow, and paramedics were called to treat the occupants.

Lee Shelton and his partner Angela Taylor and a child had made their way out of the house and were sitting outside in their car.

The source of the carbon monoxide leak was removed and the house has been ventilated.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "At 06.07am this morning a call was received from a property whose carbon monoxide alarm was sounding and the occupants were reporting that they were feeling ill.

"Six firefighters from Bude were mobilised to the premises with a gas monitor.

"The gas monitor displayed a positive reading for carbon monoxide in the building and the source of the gas was isolated.

"Three casualties were treated on scene by paramedics and appropriate advice was given."

The Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service warns that carbon monoxide is potentially fatal and even low levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to health.

On average, carbon monoxide poisoning kills 40 people a year in the UK and injures around 300.

PREMISES in Padstow and St Issey have become the first in the UK to be fitted with the latest version of a lifesaving device.

Community Public Access Defibrillators (cPADs) at Padstow harbour commissioners' office, the Old Ship Hotel and the Ring O'Bells pub in St Issey are now operational.

The Old Ship Hotel bought its cPAD outright, while Cornish charity FLEET (Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust) and St Issey Parish Council provided funds for the other two defibrillators.

Defibrillation can save the life of someone suffering a heart attack if administered swiftly.

The new-style cPAD has power and a secure internet connection so it can be continuously monitored by ambulance control operators who can remotely unlock the device when required without the need for key codes.

When a 999 call is received, ambulance control can direct the caller to the nearest cPAD, and as soon as it is opened alerts are sent to nominated locals who can help treat the patient and ensure the defibrillator is maintained ready for future use.

FLEET's Mike Trebilcock paid tribute to David Rich, a Community Responder and Padstow coastguard, for his efforts in getting the new machines fitted.

"David recognised the difference that the cPADs could make and has been working tirelessly to get devices installed in his community," he said.

"The efforts of all those involved, particularly David, have been fantastic and while we hope the devices will never be used, the likelihood is they will and will save lives soon," said Mr Trebilcock.

Ring O'Bells landlord Chris Ivins said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for St Issey and we thank the parish council and FLEET for providing this equipment which may save someone's life in our village."

FLEET has set itself the challenge of placing a Community Public Access Defibrillator in every town and village across the county this year.

A NORTH CORNWALL woman dubbed a female 'Walter Mitty' character claimed she was pregnant, had cancer, and even that she was dead to con boyfriends out of thousands of pounds, a court heard.

Conwoman Juliet Clarke, formerly of St Michael's Close, Lawhitton, near Launceston, escaped an immediate jail sentence for telling a string of bizarre lies to play on the sympathies of partners and their families.

The 31-year-old sent a former boyfriend a text purporting to be from her father asking for his bank details because she had supposedly died and left him money in her will.

Clarke had previously told him she had cancer, Plymouth Crown Court heard last week.

Clarke also encouraged a new boyfriend to lend her money by claiming members of her family had died and bequeathed her large sums.

She also told the second man and his family she was pregnant by him and even sent someone else's ultrasound picture showing twins.

The boyfriend's mother was so convinced she was to become a grandmother that she bought baby clothes.

The second boyfriend was also told she had cancer, the court heard.

Julia Cox, for the prosecution, said that in total she defrauded the two men out of about £7,000 between October and December 2011.

Both were driven into debt and forced to pay overdraft fees or take out high-interest loans.

Miss Cox said the defendant spent her money on luxuries including hair extensions costing £230 and a holiday.

The court heard the second victim, a solider who had served in Afghanistan, took it upon himself to investigate mysterious payments on his account. He even visited the hairdressers where she had the hair extensions.

Clarke, who has now moved to Crediton, near Exeter, had earlier admitted three offences of fraud by false representation.

She asked for four similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Paul Rowsell, for the defence, said she was like a "female Walter Mitty character" but unlike the film she lived out her fantasies at the expense of others.

He added that she regretted her offences.

Mr Rowsell said she had married since the offences but was already separated from her new husband.

Judge Paul Darlow said that her psychiatric reports showed she wanted to be the "centre of attention".

He added: "You are well versed in playing on the sympathies of others with false illnesses and false conditions.

"Your conduct was deliberately fraudulent, mean-spirited, targeted and devious."

But Judge Darlow said she had pleaded guilty at an early stage and had no previous convictions.

He handed her a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Unemployed Clarke will remain under probation supervision for that time and must complete an education and training course.

Judge Darlow ordered her to pay the first boyfriend £500 compensation and the second one £1,500.

NEW SEA defences in a village battered by storms would cost £500,000 to replace, Cornwall Council has said.

Seaton, on the south east Cornwall coast, was pounded by high seas and heavy rain two weeks ago, leaving many business and homeowners counting the cost.

Looe residents were also clearing up this week after the storm surge left large parts of the town centre under water.

In total, 60 homes and businesses were swamped in Fore Street, Quay Street and East Looe Quay with four inches of water reported to have flooded the streets. But councillors there say they have seen far worse flooding and praised townsfolk for their resilience in dealing with the high water.

Cornwall councillor for West Looe and Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Planning, Edwina Hannaford said: "Although 60 homes and businesses were flooded by the high tide, it could have been a lot worse as the wind thankfully changed direction.

"I have seen worse flooding in Looe but that is no consolation to the people who have had to get their mops and buckets out yet again.

"I would like to pay tribute to the volunteers in the RNLI, coastguard and fire and rescue who were out in force from early Friday morning helping to bail out and warn traffic on West Looe Quay and Fore Street."

Cornwall councillor for East Looe, Armand Toms, said: "The town gets up and gets on with it.

"The flooding is so regular that people are used to it and clean up their places.

"It's a resilient place and it will probably get flooded again in the future. It's flooded all my life and my dad's life and even my grandad's life, who was alive in 1891."

Looe harbour master Jeff Penhaligon said: "Once you have been flooded a couple of times people just get on with it and clean up.

"I don't know of any business that wasn't open by lunchtime.

In Seaton, residents rallied around to clear up debris left behind by the storm.

Led by chairman of the Friends of Seaton Valley, villagers took part in a beach-clean last weekend.

The beach café, which was badly damaged in the storm, reopened on Wednesday.

Ms Williams, organiser of the clean-up, was delighted with the turnout of 22 volunteers, with 23 bags of rubbish collected.

She said: "It was an incredible mess.

"It was pretty filthy, there's still a bit of mess there.

"The difference in the look of the place after the clean-up is pleasing."

Cornwall councillor for Trelawny ward, Jim Candy, said: "I congratulate the residents on their clean-up.

"There has been a huge amount of damage to the beach but no lives were lost.

"Everyone was surprised with the ferocity of the storm.

"The storms caused devastation throughout the county and sand was lost at Whitsand Bay as well as Seaton beach."

A Cornwall Council spokesman said: "The council is continuing to carry out temporary repairs, to protect from further damage.

"Designs are in progress for a more permanent solution – costs for the permanent rebuild are estimated to be in the region of £500,000."

The total bill for the clean-up and repairs in the county stands at an estimated £2 million. For more on this story, see page 16

POLICE have appealed for help after a thief made off with a rare coin worth £120.

The gold 1914 half- sovereign and its black case were snatched from a stall in Truro's Pannier Market on December 20.

The thief – described as shaking badly – was white, in his mid- twenties and 6ft tall, with short, neat brown hair. He wore beige trousers, a dark grey top and carried a large Sports Direct bag.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Truro police on the 101 non-emergency number quoting crime reference GT/13/2468.