CHARITY shops are booming with more and more springing up in high streets across the county.

In hard times, it seems shoppers are keen to grab a bargain and have realised the hidden gems which can be discovered when perusing through second-hand goods.

However, with the demand in products comes the pressure to find more volunteers to run the shops.

One Penzance store said it is struggling to keep up with shoppers – because there simply aren't enough willing volunteers.

The Cornwall Air Ambulance store at Greenmarket is desperately looking for help to deal with the masses of donations they receive ever week.

Store manager Karen Tarry said she would love more volunteers so they can stay competitive with other stores.

"It's busy and we are at the point where we need volunteers. If we have a few people we can keep on top of it, but if on my own there's mountains of it. If it gets to a point where we can't cope on our own one day we'd have to shut the shop."

The shop currently has around ten volunteers, with an average shift consisting of two or three hours a week.

Six days a week the store is a flurry of activity as a small dedicated team of volunteers work tirelessly to keep the shop going, helping to meet sales targets.

Karen, who has managed the Penzance shop since August last year, said extra volunteers would help ease the pressure.

"It's nice if you can get someone who's really dedicated. At the end of the day it's all voluntary so we have to avoid overworking our staff. We have to be flexible to what they can do."

Karen started as a volunteer before progressing to store manager and knows first-hand the benefits of volunteering.

"There's the possibility of training for those interested in retail. People can get involved in what they like, whether it's front of house or not. Volunteering builds people's confidence and there's a chance of progression. We can accommodate people from all walks of life," she said.

Maria Pellow is retired and has volunteered at the shop for two years.

She has often dropped everything in short notice to help Karen at the shop because she wants to ensure it will stay open.

She said: "We work hard but we can have a laugh and it's a nice atmosphere. Since I have been here I have been working on the window displays and I help the customers. I get work satisfaction out of it. It helps to save lives. It might not look like I put much in but at the end of the day, every little bit helps."

The Penzance Air Ambulance shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm.

If you can spare time to volunteer, call Karen on 01736 369241 or visit the website corn wallairambulancetrust.org

HOW to ensure St Mary's airport pays its way in recession while its charges don't defer is the balancing act facing the island council owners of the facility.

Setting fees and charges last week for 2014-15, after what was called "a bumpy year", the transport committee heard the arguments for and against charge hikes.

The discussion took place against the sensitive and stark issue of loss and a warning from committee chairman Chris Thomas: "The airport must not be a burden on the island ratepayers."

Last season's 108,000 passenger expectation was a significant – 17 per cent – over-estimate, the final figure being 90,000. The airport's financial shortfall, as a result, was £137,000.

Authority chairman Amanda Martin warned: "I will not support a cut. We need to support our airport."

Steve Sims said by not increasing charges they would be "treading water and making it worse in the long term".

He said the airport had to be "safeguarded".

Mr Sims suggested an increase in line with inflation. The council's senior airside operations manager, Howard Cole, had recommended a 3 per cent rise.

However, it "greatly concerned" Robert Dorrien Smith that they were talking about a rise of any kind.

Referring to "11 years of declining numbers" he said they should embrace a "symbolic" reduction rather than increase or, failing that, a freeze.

He suggested the budget be tied to an estimate of 96,000 passengers, not the predicted "rock bottom" figure of 90,000.

Gaz O'Neill thought it "beyond ridiculous" to contemplate an increase, while Colin Daly was "uneasy" about such a notion and James Francis, calling for charges to be kept down, said they ought to issue a "flying is in good order" message to encourage passengers.

Mr Francis said: "One of the weapons we have in our locker is that there seems to be a large hike in terms of overseas travel. This allows us the opportunity to not increase."

Marian Bennett said promotion of the islands "leaves a lot to be desired".

It was unanimously agreed that the budget should be set for a target of 93,000 passengers for 2014-15 with all charges frozen.

ST PIRAN'S Day has come round again and West Cornwall is holding its fair share of events to mark one of Cornwall's patron saints and the patron saint of tin miners.

Wednesday, March 5, marks the day when the life of the man who was washed up on a Cornish beach in the 6th century AD and introduced Christianity to Cornwall.

Legend has it that Irish kings, jealous of his influence with local people, had him bound to a millstone and hurled from a clifftop into the raging seas.

As he plummeted downwards, the storm abated, the sun came out and his millstone floated on the calm sea.

Cast-up on the beach at Perranporth, his first converts were a fox, a bear and a badger. He built a chapel in the sand dunes and the Cornish flocked to see him as news of his teachings spread.

Celebrations this year start in St Ives on Saturday, when the town's St Piran's Parade will take place at 2pm, starting at the Guildhall.

People are invited to wear black and white and bring along a St Piran's flag.

On Tuesday, March 4, there will be a concert in St John's Hall from 7pm with a choir of local primary school children, accompanied by the choir of Humphry Davy School.

On St Piran's Day itself, the annual Penzance procession of schoolchildren, musicians, the grand bard, Penwith bards, civic dignitaries and members of the Penwith Old Cornwall Societies starts at 10.15am at the top of Causewayhead.

The parade will go down down Causewayhead, to Market Jew Street as far as the post office, back up to Burton's, through Queen's Square and along Parade Street to Morrab Gardens. Finally it will proceed up Morrab Road finishing at St John's Hall at about 11am.

A proper Cornish tea can be enjoyed in St Buryan village hall from 3.15pm.

This traditional celebration of St Piran's Day costs just £4 per person and includes entertainment by children from St Buryan Academy School.

In Marazion, the St Piran's Day procession will leave the town hall at 5.45pm to progress to the Gwelva for the ceremony.

On Thursday, March 6, there will be a Cornish evening for St Piran's Day at St Peter's Church hall in Newlyn at 7.30pm. It will feature storytelling by Anna Murphy, Mike Sagar-Fenton, Stephen Hall, David Barron and Liz Harman plus music from the Boilerhouse Singers. Entry is £5 and includes refreshments.

A 15TH-CENTURY church tower is in danger of collapse after suffering extensive damage in the recent storms.

The bell tower of the grade one listed St Stephen-by-Saltash Church – the second highest in Cornwall – survived bomb damage during the Second World War, and was restored in the 1930s and 1970s.

But now it is facing a new threat – from Mother Nature.

John Reid, St Stephen-by-Saltash's church warden of eight years said: "If we don't do something now the whole lot will collapse. The tower could fall through the roof, meaning that the church would have to close.

"The water is coming down and washing away the mortar that is holding the whole wall together. With these violent winds and rain from before Christmas the water has come in through the south-western walls and gone through the tower – all we can do is put buckets down.

"It's a centre spot for the community and it's always been important in my life. I have been involved with the church as long as I can remember and it's important for the local community. We couldn't rebuild the church tower as it's an English Heritage site and a grade one listed building."

In June last year, a church architect reported cracks in the walls and recommended a surveyor inspect the place of worship.

Last week, technicians surveyed the south-west elevation of the church hoping to find out how water was getting into the building.

The Reverend Canon Alan Butler, who has been at St Stephen-by-Saltash church for 16 years, said: "The repair work could cost tens of thousands of pounds. It means a tremendous amount of expense through fundraising and grants. The storms have exacerbated the flooding problem in the church." St Stephen-by-Saltash Church is used for craft fairs, events, weddings and funerals, with capacity for more than 200 people.

TWO events are being staged within eight days of each other in memory of a hugely popular primary school teacher.

Friends and family have already raised thousands of pounds this year through a charity set up in remembrance of Beth Clench.

The 24-year-old of St Andrews Terrace, Par, died in November after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Friends and family are keeping her memory alive through the charity Beth's Inspiration, launched by Beth's mum Sue Abbot-Smith.

Beth, a former girls' sport captain at Fowey Community College, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in February 2012 and beat the disease twice.

The courageous young woman, who was also an accomplished horse rider, succumbed when her body became too weak to overcome an infection.

Beth's Inspiration helps other young people fighting the illness.

Friends have already staged a wintry plunge at Readymoney beach, a horse ride from the St Veep Showground field near Lerryn and held bingo nights.

Now the charity is preparing for the first two events, which they hope will have people pulling on their platform shoes and afro wigs.

A Seventies and Eighties fancy dress disco, will be held at the Galleon Inn, Fowey – where Beth worked when she was younger – on Saturday and donations will be welcomed on the door.

Miss Abbot-Smith said the most recent fundraiser – a bingo evening – raised more than £2,000 and she is hoping to raise a similar amount at the disco.

"We can't thank people enough for their support," said Miss Abbott-Smith.

On Sunday, March 9, the charity is staging another ride at the Eden Project.

The riders will set off from the Cherry car park between 10am and 1pm but those who wish to go faster are asked to set off before 11.30am and slower riders after midday.

There will be a choice of a 4.5-mile route or the longer 9-mile route, and riders are invited to wear a splash of pink in memory of Beth and can either donate a minimum of £10 or collect sponsorship.

Sponsorship forms are available from the Beth's Inspiration Facebook page or call Lorraine Tonkin on 07973 544797 or e-mail lorraine.tonkin@hotmail.co.uk

A WEST END performer is set for a Cornish homecoming to present an evening of classic musical theatre.

Chloe Hart, from Trispen, left Cornwall aged 18 and has since appeared in popular productions including Hairspray, Les Misérables and Wicked.

She said: "I certainly appreciate Cornwall a lot more now that I've moved away.

"I enjoy living in London but miss my family and the beach so I'm really looking forward to returning home."

Chloe, a self-confessed 'massive geek' at Penair School, studied a BTEC in performing arts at Truro College.

"I loved my time growing up in Cornwall but I knew that if I was to achieve my dream of performing in the West End, I'd have to move to London.

"At 18 it was a massive step to take, but I had to do it."

Prior to moving away, Chloe took part in the Playwright Theatre Project before getting a place at the Guildford School of Acting, where her career started to take off.

During her third year, Chloe was spotted by a group who came into the college to watch a practice performance and she was subsequently offered the role of Tracey Turnblad in Hairspray.

"I couldn't believe it when I was offered the role, as I was just a student at the time, so it really was a great surprise for me," she said.

"After Hairspray I successfully auditioned for the part of Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables and it was a part I definitely knew very well, as I also played it when I was 14 in a Cornish production."

Chloe then went on to perform as part of the ensemble in Wicked and featured in Christmas pantomimes.

During her homecoming show, Chloe will perform as part of her new acoustic duo, Calling London, with guitarist Simon Small.

"I did a show in Trispen a year ago and it was a complete sell-out so hopefully there will be a similar audience this time," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to it, and the Cornwall Theatre School will also be coming along to perform."

The performance will take place at the Trispen Community Centre on March 16.

The show begins at 7.30pm and tickets are available from www.wegottickets.com/event/257417, priced £12.50.

PASSENGERS have again found themselves cut off following the axing of four bus routes in Falmouth and Truro.

Fal River Buses took over the 326, 327, 329 and 330 bus services in December after the First Group had stopped running them.

Tim Light, from Fal River Buses, said in a statement: "I am very sorry that we are no longer able to offer this registered commercial bus service.

"The reason for this, despite the fantastic support from many of you, our MP, Sarah Newton, Falmouth Town Council and potential support from Truro City Council, is that it is not possible for us to pay the cost of operating from the grant we receive from the national concession scheme. We have tried really hard with our wonderful staff to give you a first-class service and we very much regret that we are unable to provide you with a bus service together with employment for our great drivers and staff."

Mr Light confirmed that tomorrow will be the final day that the services will run.

Bus 329 is a circular route running from the Moor via Falmouth station, Woodlane and Gyllyngvase beach, with bus 330 connecting Falmouth town centre with Mylor and Flushing.

Bus 326 serves as a link between Truro and Malpas and 327 runs from Rosedale and Redannick to Truro's Lemon Quay.

Falmouth Town Council member Candy Atherton remains hopeful the routes can be rescued for a second time.

She said: "I'm very concerned by this news. Unfortunately the routes weren't as popular as we had hoped and although everyone involved was prepared to underwrite losses of a certain per cent, all of that allowance was eaten up.

"We are looking at possibly extending the route of the Falmouth Shuttle Bus and hope to provide a service again as soon as possible.

"People are reliant on public transport.

"Without it many people could become trapped in their homes, so we'll be doing everything we can to provide people with access to public transport again."

SIX innovative projects aimed at getting new people involved in church went head to head in a Dragon's Den-style show this week.

Bishop's Den saw community groups from across Cornwall pitch their ideas before a panel of judges in a packed hall at Truro College.

The six groups were shortlisted from more than 40 who entered the competition to win cash from a pot of funds collected from the sale of church land.

The entertaining event, thought to be the first of its kind in the country, was organised by the Bishop of Truro, The Right Reverend Tim Thornton, under the banner 'Doing Church Differently'.

About 200 people watched as each of the projects, from Penzance to Callington, put on a show to demonstrate how they would use the funds to attract people to their church.

Shortlisted groups were:

SHEDS of Hope, from St Columb Minor

Fusion Bus Project, from The Lizard

Community Shop, from South Petherwin

Pioneer Youth, from Truro

eWaves, from the Penlee cluster of churches

Kick Start 4 Youth, from Callington.

SHEDS was keen to build sheds in their area to bring together the community in a gardening project.

Fusion wanted to buy a bus to help reach isolated communities across the Lizard and take the church to them.

The Community Shop was keen to set up a shop in the church at South Petherwin, to attract different people into the building.

Pioneer Youth was keen to establish groups for young people around interests, such as video games and sports, rather than religion.

Penlee's eWaves wanted to use technology, such as apps, to make the church in west Cornwall more interactive.

Kick Start hoped to use the funds for a youth worker and youth church to help disaffected young people in Callington.

The event was hosted by Alan Dedicoat, the voice of the National Lottery, with the Bishop, BBC Radio Cornwall's Daphne Skinnard, the Dean of Exeter, The Very Reverend Jonathan Draper, Volunteer Cornwall chief executive Ian Jones, and Catherine Mead, director of Lynher Dairies, on the panel.

After much deliberation, the panel agreed to fund up to £100,000 each to the South Petherwin Community Shop and eWaves and work with them to bring the projects to fruition.

Bishop Tim said: "I hope this project has been a catalyst to do church differently. I come away really encouraged by the strength and health of the churches. Lots of good ideas will come out of this and the spirit will be flowing in lots of different directions."

RESIDENTS in Long Rock were left without any pedestrian access to the beach for a week.

Due to storm damage, the vehicle crossing gate was down permanently blocking the way through the only beach access point in the village.

The former pedestrian crossing at Mexico Inn has been closed for more than a year while a public inquiry is set to get underway into the safety of the public thoroughfare.

Resident Robert Nance said people in the community felt like they were trapped.

"It really felt like we were being hemmed in. We have got the byway to the north of us but nobody wants to cross a 70mph road. From the south we are hemmed in by two closed crossings. "

A spokesman for Network Rail said the operator had no option but to keep the crossing gate closed while essential repairs were conducted following damage from the storms.

He confirmed that the crossing had now reopened.

Mr Nance, who is also chairman of campaign group Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing, said it had been particularly frustrating for villagers as no trains had been passing the site since the Valentine's Day storm flooded Penzance station.

With the issue of beach access rearing its head again, Mr Nance said the campaign was very much continuing to see the Mexico foot crossing reopened.

"The council is hoping to send the case papers to the Secretary of State this Friday. When the Secretary of State receives them then they will be available for the public to see," said Mr Nance.

The campaigners are hoping a date will be set for a public inquiry by the middle of next week.

VISITOR numbers in Newquay were up over the half-term break, despite tourism bosses reporting a 10 to 20 per cent drop countywide.

The electronic footfall counter in the town centre recorded 81,500 people passing between Monday and Sunday last week, an increase of more than 3 per cent year on year.

Emilie Calhaem, of the Newquay Business Improvement District (BID), which installed the counter, said she was pleased with the apparent rise in visitors.

"Tuesday was the busiest day and also the sunniest," she said.

"The machine measures footfall rather than unique visitors, but seeing the awful weather we've been having these figures are pleasing."

There had been fears that holidaymakers would be put off by the storms and national media reports that Cornwall had been "cut off" from the rest of the country by the severing of the main rail line into the county.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg appealed to people not to cancel their plans, insisting: "Cornwall and Newquay are open for business."

Newquay's tourist information centre manager Susan Deakin said footfall there was average for the time of year, and shops had been "quite busy".

However, trade was reportedly down across the county last week, at a cost to its economy of between £3 million and £6 million. Malcolm Bell, head of tourism body VisitCornwall, said: "Some businesses performed well and those were mainly accommodation with wet- weather facilities, pools, spas and play areas, like Watergate Bay and beach retreats.

"These had longer booking periods so most if not all bookings were in before the storms and media attention hit home. Businesses with short booking windows were hit hardest as the message from national media was Cornwall was cut off.

"Overall I would feel that we are between 10 and 20 per cent down, which in money terms means a loss of between £3 million and £6 million. Some businesses have lost all their business by being shut, but some others gained as people went to look at the storm-hit areas, so some cafés and pubs were slightly up."

A DRIVING instructor from Looe has swapped his Highway Code for the icebergs and penguins of Antarctica while on deployment as a Royal Naval Reservist.

Leading Seaman Nick Hickman, 42, is part of the ship's company on board HMS Protector, the Royal Navy's icepatrol ship, which is in the Antarctic region until 2015.

Mr Hickman, a father of four, was delighted for the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Antarctic and said the latest mission was his favourite to date.

"I have never been to this part of the world before and to visit Antarctica and see the icebergs for the first time was a real highlight," he said.

"I have also really enjoyed our time in the Falkland Islands, it is steeped in history and I have really enjoyed learning about it.

"This draft on HMS Protector has been by far my favourite."

HMS Protector is conducting surveys and patrols on behalf of the UK Hydrographic Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is providing logistical support to the British Antarctic Survey organisation. She also provides a sovereign presence in the British Antarctic Territory and delivers the UK's commitments under the Antarctic Treaty, supports science programmes and ensures expeditions and vessels are meeting their international environmental obligations.

As a seaman specialist, Nick's job consists mainly of seamanship skills such as handling ropes, driving the ship's sea boats and working on the upper deck.

HMS Protector has most recently visited South Georgia where she held hydrographic and dive operations while also sending personnel ashore to clean up a beach in Cumberland Bay to preserve the habitat of local wildlife.

Dodging curious seals and penguins, a team of ten cleared a 1.5km stretch of beach of washed-up debris in just under two hours.

The sea boats, maintained by Nick's team, use a state-of-the-art MultiBeam sonar system – a single beam and towed side scan sonar.

They have the ability to get very close to the shore and are capable of ten knots but they usually survey at around three or four knots.

Once the data is gathered it is then processed on board HMS Protector and sent back to the UK.

THE work of a Cornish woman was seen by more than four million TV viewers after her false nails were worn by pop sensation Ella Eyre at the Brit Awards.

Tara Stuthridge, from Zebra Nails in Falmouth, designed the set worn by the pop and R&B singer, most famous for featuring on the Rudimental track Waiting All Night.

The British performer, who is signed to Virgin EMI Records, closed the ceremony last Wednesday night in a performance with Bastille and Rudimental.

The 19-year-old, whose real name is Ella McMahon, also won the runner's-up spot for the Critics' Choice Award on the night.

Ms Stuthridge said: "Ella Eyre did wear my nail set for the whole of her Brits appearance.

"I didn't know anything about this until I was watching the programme along with everyone else though.

It was an amazing shock.

"I made the nails for Ella just as a fan of her and I noticed she loves and appreciates nail art.

"She commented on a picture of the set I did for her on Instagram and said that they're amazing.

"Her management later gave me the address to post the nails to. I had heard nothing since posting them off to London, until I spotted her wearing them during the Brits programme.

"I was searching through pictures that were appearing of Ella online while the Brits was still airing, just to confirm she really was wearing my nail set."

The nail technician posted on her Twitter profile after the star-studded event: "It's been an amazing and unexpected 24 hours since finding out the gorgeous Ella Eyre wore my nail set to the one and only Brit Awards last night.

"Just want to say thanks for all the love and support you guys have shown me.

"Ella is such a babe. She's totally made my year wearing my nails to the Brits. Have fun in LA lovely lady."

A TEENAGE student from Bude will be among thousands of runners who will be taking to the streets of London for the 2014 London Marathon in April.

Sam Fanson, a final-year student at Budehaven School, will be one of them, running on Sunday, April 13, to raise money for Bliss, a special care baby charity, to help babies born premature and sick.

Sam chose to run for Bliss because he's seen first-hand how premature birth has affected people in his life.

In September 2006 Sam's friend's brother Joe was born 11 weeks premature.

Joe was very ill, and had meningitis, E. coli, septicaemia and chronic lung disease, among other things.

Happily Joe recovered, and is now a healthy seven-year-old boy. Bliss also helped one of Sam's schoolteachers when he and his partner had their son Brody in September 2011, 12 weeks premature.

A keen fundraiser, Sam has previously raised £2,650 for Cancer Research UK by cycling from John o' Groats to Land's End, raised more than £2,000 by cycling from Bude to Land's End with his school, and has done the Plymouth Half-Marathon.

Sam said: "Bliss is an amazing charity.

"When Joe was born, the help they gave his family was invaluable, and Joe's mum and dad were able to use Bliss leaflets and their website to understand what was happening with Joe's treatment.

"I love raising money, and love what Bliss does, so I can't think of a better charity I could run for."

Amy Rodwell, Bliss running events officer, said: "The London Marathon is always a special event, and we're delighted to have Sam taking part with us this year.

"We want to say a huge thank you to him; he will be helping us continue to support families who are going through what is one of the most difficult times imaginable, having a baby who is seriously ill."

For more information about Sam's story, or to donate to his fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.co.uk/samsmarathonforbliss

For information about Bliss and the support the charity provides, visit the website www.bliss.org.uk

A PRAA Sands market which was set up just four months ago could be forced to close if more people don't use the service.

Dawn Hardy started the weekly market in Praa Sands and District Community Centre back in October with the aim of bringing fresh, local produce to the village.

Dawn, who owns cake business Edible Elegance and has a stall at the market, said her intention was to do something for the community and also help local businesses.

"In Praa Sands they have got a little Post Office shop and a beach shop – that's it. A lot of older people have to get a bus as there's nowhere selling fresh produce in the area."

The market offers a selection of bread, cheeses, pies, pasties and cakes as well as art and crafts. There is also a seating area where visitors can have a hot drink.

Dawn did not have any funding to set up the market and has covered much of the costs herself.

Despite an influx of shoppers in the first few weeks of opening, the market has been quiet and Dawn is worried that the lack of footfall will force stallholders to move on.

She said: "Trying to keep stall owners in quiet times is really difficult. They do understand that it's quiet at this time of year, but I can't expect people to always do it – not if they're making a loss."

Dawn and her partner have dropped leaflets to houses in the area and have put posters around the village to try and attract more people to the market but have yet to see visitor numbers increase.

"The future of the market could be in doubt. I need to get people in through the doors one way or another," she said.

"A lot of people said they don't know we are here.

"The people that have been coming are very positive about it and they come back. We just need more of them."

Dawn said it would be sad if the market had to close: "I love the community. I just think it's something that's really good for here.

"There's nothing else like it there every single week."

The market is open every Thursday from 10am until 2pm at the community centre.

An open day is being held on March 6, where free drinks, tasters and discounts on products will be on offer.

PUPILS from St Ives School have shown they're top of the class when it comes to getting their five a day.

The school has been encouraging students to grow their own produce on site and eat it through a vegetable box scheme called Healthy Boxes.

Healthy Boxes is a veg box scheme with a difference, it supplies tasty local vegetables to customers but instead of going to their doors, it drops them at collection points across West Cornwall called 'Healthy Hubs'.

Each Hub has a 'Healthy Helper' who coordinates the orders. St Ives School has been a 'Healthy Hub' for some time and has a core group of members including school staff who order their boxes every week.

Boxes are delivered weekly to reception and taken to the school staff room for collection.

The school has a strong focus on healthy eating and horticulture within the curriculum, with two on-site greenhouses, allotment space on the school fields, a nearby tree nursery and indoor lessons in gardening and nature.

Now Healthy Boxes has pledged to provide plants and seeds to the department to encourage the youngsters.

Stephanie Hirtenstein, horticultural learning mentor at the school, said: "The students love being outdoors growing stuff – the physical activity and fresh air is really good for them and allows them to focus their enthusiasm on something they can cultivate and nurture.

"We are educating them to take a real interest in where their food comes from, learn about seasonality and taste different varieties of fruit and vegetables. If we can give them the skills to grow their own vegetables from scratch then we are setting them up to be confident and self-sufficient adults in their later lives, not to mention healthier."

Healthy Helper Julia Birchall said: "Healthy Boxes is a great scheme and perfectly complements the work we are doing at the school to introduce the students to horticulture.

"Since we've been a 'Healthy Hub', several staff members have come on board and we are keen to get more parents involved too. The fact that Healthy Boxes can accept Healthy Start vouchers as payment too makes it an affordable and easy way for local families and their children to eat more vegetables."

Louise Reynolds, who runs Healthy Boxes, which is based at Trewidden Farm, near Penzance, said: "We are passionate about bringing super fresh good value vegetables to West Cornwall communities.

"Our season-less supermarkets mean we have lost touch with when fruit and vegetables taste their best.

"Setting up a Healthy Hub is easy and can work for people in so many different types of settings. We think it helps foster a sense of community and can add real value to a business or organisation while spreading the message about eating healthily."

Check out the website www.healthyboxes.co.uk or give Louise a call on 07966 897561 for more information.

WANTED: 20,000 Cornishmen to make the pirate world record 'Aaarghs' again.

Three years ago 8,734 pirates crowded onto a sun-kissed Penzance promenade to grab the Guinness World Record for the most pirates in one place, a record which stood until July 2012 when 14,231 scurvy pirates gathered on Hastings seafront.

Now a packed series of events are being staged over the Whitsun Bank Holiday in a bid to attract even more visitors and enable Penzance to reclaim the world record and help celebrate the 400th anniversary of Penzance Town Charter.

It will also raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI as proceeds are going to Penlee lifeboat station. So, as Mike Sagar-Fenton, the station's press officer says, "patch up and get there".

Extra carriages are being laid on by First Great Western for the record attempt which will take place at 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, on the prom in a specially cordoned off count site.

There will be entertainment to suit all ages throughout the day including fairground children's rides, a beer tent, theatre and circus performances and a host of musical bands and performers.

Kernow King will act as compère for the afternoon while players from the Cornish Pirates will be mingling with the crowds and collectors from every Cornish RNLI station and even some 60 Johnny Depp lookalikes.

In the evening, revellers can carry on with the pirate party by enjoying a mini-festival of music at the Pirates' rugby ground headlined by Three Daft Monkeys.

Organiser Andy Hazlehurst said: "We're really looking to smash the record this year by getting 20,000 pirates on to the prom and raising loads of money for the Penlee lifeboat station.

"Everyone wanting to join the record attempt will be asked to pay £1 and proceeds from that will go straight to Penlee."

Mr Hazlehurst added that there was no likelihood that the record attempt would be scuppered by the recent storm damage inflicted upon the prom.

"We've been assured by Cornwall Council that the prom will be safe to use and, even if that is not the case, we have a contingency plan," he said.

The news of the record attempt was welcomed by Rosalie Whitlock, honorary secretary of the Penlee Lifeboat Fundraising branch which will provide 50 volunteers to help on the day. She told The Cornishman: "We're absolutely thrilled that the pirates' world record attempt is returning to Penzance and even more delighted that the proceeds will be coming to the RNLI.

"We gather that plenty of Cornishmen and women will be coming home for the weekend and I really hope Penzance can get the record back."

Mr Hazlehurst added that he would welcome offers of support from sponsors to help cover the cost of the event.

If you want to help, e-mail info@piratesontheprom.co.uk or for more information about what is going on throughout the weekend, log on to the website www.piratesontheprom.co.uk

TRURO Carnival is back this year after a break, with plans for it to be bigger than ever.

The colourful event has been moved from its September slot to July 12 in the hope that every school in the city will take part before the end of term.

A skate jam, football match, dance contest, music, games and a competition in the West Briton for the best bits of the carnival all form part of the ambitious plans.

This year's theme is Rio Carnival, to tie in with the World Cup in Brazil.

Schools, organisations and businesses are already signed up, but organisers are keen to see as many people in Truro as possible embracing the occasion.

Committee chairman Clare Arymar said: "In recent years the carnival has been a little bit lacklustre and we've found it very difficult to get people involved.

"I'd like every school in Truro to get involved; we've changed the time of year to make it easier for schools. I'd also like to get a competition going between the pubs and bars; that would be fantastic.

"We're desperate to make it something really worth watching that makes people smile."

The procession will start and finish at Hendra, where Mount Hawke Skatepark is organising a jam with local bands playing, games and competitions for "everyone on wheels".

Ciaran Ryder, from Mount Hawke, said: "The skatepark is taking over Hendra. It's going to be an open jam, open to skateboarders, BMXers, scooters and rollerblades. Come and skate with your mates.

"The other side of it is to make Hendra a nice place to be and hang out on the day. There'll be games, a 5-a-side competition, a tug-of-war, a bar and street food and a carnival atmosphere."

Hayley Care, of H Dance Fitness, is also on the organising committee and will be doing workshops in schools to help teach kids a dance for the day.

There will also be a 'dance-off' between some of Cornwall's best-known dance groups.

After the carnival, photographs of the event will appear in the West Briton and readers will have a chance to vote on the best thing from the day.

The winner will be awarded the Clarice Mortensen-Fowler Trophy, in memory of the city stalwart who used to lead the carnival and died on New Year's Eve aged 97.

If you want to take part in the carnival, fill out the form on this page and send it off to the organising committee as soon as possible.

Those looking for more information or willing to give up their time to volunteer as stewards should visit the website at trurocarnival.org or the Facebook page Truro City Carnival.

A 53-YEAR-OLD woman who stole alcohol from a shop in Looe twice in two days has been given a suspended prison sentence with an alcohol treatment requirement.

Amanda Daly, of Bosun's Locker, Millendreath, appeared before Bodmin magistrates for sentencing on Monday when she was handed an eight-week prison term, suspended for 12 months.

Daly had admitted that the offences on January 20 and 21 were committed in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed in November, also for theft.

After considering a pre- sentence report, the magistrates fined her £50 for the breach and told her they were not activating that sentence as they felt the alcohol programme was a more suitable way of dealing with her.

Terry Eastwood, for the prosecution, said Daly left the Co-op in East Looe on January 20 without having paid for two bottles of wine and the next day went back to the same shop where she stole another bottle of wine and some biscuits.

She had been seen to enter some flats on the seafront and police found some of the stolen items there.

Daly told police she couldn't remember stealing as she had drunk three litres of cider and a bottle of wine and was alcohol-dependent.

The court heard that Daly had complied well with previous probation supervision and was motivated to address her difficulties.

Barry Hilliard, for the defence, said that Daly had experienced "a number of false dawns" since moving to Cornwall and had faced health problems. She hadn't committed any further offences since the thefts.

Daly was ordered to pay £20.62 in compensation to the Co-op, £85 in prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

NEWQUAY Town Council is to take over the resort's CCTV operations after Cornwall Council announced it would no longer fund the service.

From April 1 the town council will be entirely responsible for the CCTV system, which has been jointly monitored with St Austell Town Council for the past year.

The move comes after Cornwall Council announced its latest round of budget cuts, and said it intended to end all CCTV provisions from April this year.

Andy Hannan, chairman of the committee which manages CCTV monitoring, said: "Obviously we are disappointed that Cornwall Council has decided to cease provision of the CCTV system, especially as we have worked so hard to secure and protect the monitoring of the cameras when this was withdrawn two years ago.

"Fortunately, because we were proactive and forward-thinking when faced with losing our monitoring, we are now in a very strong position to be able to take over the infrastructure and remove any reliance on Cornwall Council for maintaining CCTV cover of our town in the future."

Cornwall Council has pledged to fully refurbish the CCTV system to reduce running costs prior to handing over ownership to the town council.

The town council has already installed additional cameras in Trebarwith Crescent, the Trenance Valley, and around the Heron Tennis Centre and said it remains fully committed to making the town a safer place.

Town clerk Andy Curtis said: "From the town council's perspective, while it will end up costing more money, we're better off being in control of our own destiny. All we're doing is taking over the hardware, so we'll be providing exactly the same service we've been giving for the last 12 months."

At the Cornwall Association of Local Council's annual meeting at County Hall on Thursday, February 20, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Tony Hogg confirmed that while CCTV is considered an extremely important resource to the police, no funding would be made available as he views CCTV as a local authority service.

The town council currently uses the CCTV Control Room at Newquay Police Station on a rent-free basis. Council members said they hope this will continue.

The town council is now looking to recruit a full-time CCTV manager.

A VIOLENT boyfriend downed up to 12 double whiskies and pushed over and punched his partner in the mouth.

Nia Collier told Truro magistrates of frequent outbursts and attacks by Scott Norman Wallace.

Wallace, 25, of Higher Terrace, Ponsanooth, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Collier at Falmouth on December 8.

Gail Hawkley, for the prosecution, said the couple were together for two years, but six months into the relationship Wallace had started being violent and on five or six occasions had pushed her to the floor. The incidents were always alcohol-related, with Wallace drinking to excess.

On December 7, the couple had been out together and were walking home when he started swearing and shouting at Ms Collier over other men looking at her.

She said he had suddenly seen red and swept his legs under her feet, causing her to fall and smack her head on the pavement, then punched her in the mouth. She had a very large swelling on her forehead and cuts and bruises to her lip as a result.

Wallace, a kitchen porter, who was not represented by a solicitor, told the magistrates he had drunk10 to 12 double whiskies, adding: "I cannot really remember much of that evening, but I accept all that the prosecution has said. I have stopped drinking since this. I just did not know when to stop." He added that the relationship was over.

Wallace, who had a previous caution for battery towards his mother, was given a community order for two years with supervision and a requirement for his "building better relationships" involvement. He had to pay Ms Collier £200 compensation and £145 costs and surcharge.