A WEST Cornwall man associated with licensing trade, together with the proprietor of an award-winning Isles of Scilly hotel, are taking over Scilly's popular waterfront public house, The Mermaid.

Nick George, whose family have run Treen's Logan Rock pub since 1982, as well as the St Buryan Inn and the Yacht Inn in Penzance, has teamed up with James Francis, an islands' councillor, of Star Castle Hotel.

The terms of a ten-year tenancy have been agreed with pub company Punch Taverns, said Mr Francis, but they were opening the bar tomorrow "as a gesture to customers" while paperwork was finalised.

The pub has been closed for two months following the departure of previous tenants Irene Connolly Brown and her husband Ray in January.

Mr Francis said the bar-only opening was a temporary arrangement as they were in the process of making "extensive and significant improvements.

"We want to get the bar open for the locals but would not want them to get the impression by this opening that nothing is being done to the pub."

A full opening in mid-April is planned.

Mr George said Punch had underwritten improvement work "with a sizeable sum" covering alterations to staff accommodation, kitchen, toilets, windows and Slip Inn bar.

A Punch spokesman said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Nick George and James Francis. They are well-known and proven operators who we believe can take the Mermaid from strength to strength."

Apart from a mutual interest James and Nick – both members of the MCC – are accomplished cricketers. Nick has played at county level for Cornwall while James is, perhaps, Scilly's leading batsman.

AN INDEPENDENT filmmaker from St Austell and his three friends will be going the extra mile when they cycle 800 miles and then climb the highest mountain in the UK.

Ant Barrett, of Woodland Road, will be joined by friends Tom Pearson, Andy Cunningham and Matt Jago, for the End to End challenge in memory of his dad, Frank, next month.

The group will cycle between Land's End and John o'Groats, and are hoping to arrive at their end destination on either May 2 or May 3.

All the money raised from the challenge will go to the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charitable Funds, which will then be donated to the Phoenix Acute Stroke Unit at the hospital in Treliske, which provides initial care for 1,150 stroke victims each year. Mr Barrett, 30, said: "We're going to cycle from Land's End to John o'Groats and when we get to Fort William we're going to climb Ben Nevis.

The work of the hospital is very close to 30-year-old Mr Barrett's heart after his father Frank, 67, suffered a stroke in November 1998.

Mr Barrett senior suffered complications while in hospital, eventually developing pneumonia and becoming too weak to keep fighting and lost his battle on December 19 that year.

His son said: "The support we give them will help to optimise this care even further, providing advanced care right from the point of entry. Hosting this event is my way of paying tribute to my father whilst also raising money for stroke care in Cornwall."

The film-maker said he has known his fellow cyclists for many years and he and Mr Pearson, who went to school together, have talked about riding to John O'Groats since they were teenagers. "It never happened and at my 30th birthday we said we have got to do it," Mr Barrett added.

Mr Barrett's girlfriend, who is Mr Jago's sister, Kerry, will be the support driver during the challenge.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/Ant-Barrett-LETJOG-2014.

THE National Trust has launched its new £3 million off-road cycle trails at its Lanhydrock estate, with predictions that they will attract thousands of new visitors to the area.

Ten kilometres of trails have been created through the estate, along with a base for a cycle hire business, a new café, extensive parking, a cycle skills area, a special track for young children learning to cycle and a play area.

It has not been without controversy; a vociferous Save Lanhydrock' campaign condemned the scheme as a blight on the environment, destroying trees and drawing unsustainable volumes of visitors and road traffic.

However, in January 2013 Cornwall councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Bodmin Town Council also supported the cycle trails, saying it hoped they could one day be extended through the town to link up with the Camel Trail.

On Monday Bodmin's mayor Ken Stubbs cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the cycle hub.

Last year 15km of cycle trails were opened at nearby Cardinham Woods by the Forestry Commission. Like the Lanhydrock development, they form part of the 1 South West Cycling Project.

Rebecca Brookes-Sullivan, Lanhydrock's general manager, said: "This will be an exciting year and we're delighted to be able to offer locals and tourists these great new facilities and a chance to enjoy some of the previously unexplored parts of this wonderful estate.

"The reinstatement of the 18th-century carriage drive as the principal entrance to Lanhydrock is also a significant conservation gain.

"The creation of the cycle hub, costing £3 million, has involved a huge number of people and we've had funding support from many organisations. I must add special mentions to the SITA Cornwall Trust and Sport England who have supported the children's play area and cycle skills area respectively."

Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club, Callestick Farm Cornish Dairy Ice Cream and Clive Mitchell Cycles are sponsoring maintenance of the cycle trails for the next five years.

Mark Harold, the National Trust's regional director, said: "Our outdoor spaces are among our greatest natural treasures, and we want to play our part in reconnecting people with them.

"Well-managed off-road cycling facilities encourage people to enjoy the unique delights of spending time outdoors in remarkable landscapes."

YOUNGSTERS in St Ives were given tips by arts professionals at a series of workshops hosted by Kidz R Us.

The St Ives-based theatre company hosted four days of workshops over half-term, which covered acting, singing, dance and puppetry.

Six industry professionals came to Cornwall to lead the workshops, with free accommodation provided by lettings agency Aspects Holidays.

Head of voice at Bristol's Old Vic Theatre School Pam Rudge, Catriona Cumming and Lynn Bustard from the Dance School of Scotland, West End performer Ben Stock, puppeteer Corina Bona and choreographer Rhona Cleland all shared their top tips and advice.

Attendees of the workshops will put what they learnt into practice when they perform in Grease, Disney's The Little Mermaid and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Phil Barnett, chairman of Kidz R Us, said: "It is rare to get so many high-calibre professionals together and the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the importance of discipline and teamwork, as well as developing fantastic theatre skills.

"Kidz R Us receives no external funding and relies entirely on donations. Having free accommodation for the tutors allowed us to subsidise the cost of the workshops, making them more accessible for more people, so I am very grateful to them for their support."

The charity is currently trying to raise £100,000 to buy the adjoining half of the building where it is based.

Anthony Skitt, managing director of Aspects Holidays, said: "Kidz R Us is a well-respected local group which helps children develop not only skills in the performing arts, but personal development, self confidence and work ethics."

THE organisers of the Porthleven Food and Music Festival said they have been overwhelmed with raffle donations to help fund this year's event.

The star prize is an original painting by renowned Cornish artist David Hosking, which is worth £650.

Celebrity chef Antony Worral Thompson is 'headlining' the festival, which is run as a free community event by a volunteer committee on April 26.

Event co-ordinator Hannabeth Johnson said: "There were some initial concerns that this year it would be hard to fund the popular free festival due to the lack of outside grants available for community events.

"However, the generosity of local people and businesses in terms of time, sponsorship and donations have put the event back on the calendar.

"In the aftermath of the recent storms it is hoped the spring food and music festival will attract a large number of tourists to the town and give the message that Porthleven is open and ready for business."

Louise Winterton, the festival treasurer and owner of Customs House Gallery in Porthleven, said: "The festival raffle is a vital resource to help pay for the festivities and keep the event free for the community to enjoy.

"We have been overwhelmed with amazing raffle donations. It is wonderful that people are being so generous as this year there is very little money available for community events.

"Speaking as a local business owner whose trade has been affected by the recent storms, the festival will be a welcome boost to tourism in the area."

The 30 raffle prizes which are all donated by local businesses and artists cost more than £2,000 in total and include the painting by Mr Hosking, a canvas by Waves Surf Art Gallery worth £395, family surf lessons at Dan Joel Surf School, a year's coffee subscription by Helston-based Origin Coffee, voucher for No1 The Salon in Helston, fine dining at Porthleven restaurants Kota and The Square and a two-night stay in luxury B&B The Artists Loft in Porthleven.

Raffle tickets can be bought from the following Porthleven outlets: Stargazy, Waves Gallery, Customs House Gallery and The Atlantic Inn.

For further raffle information go to the website www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com

THE manager of a village pub has moved into Penzance to take up the reins of a busy town-centre café bar.

Harry Penhaul, who was at the Coldstreamer in Gulval for four and a half years and also managed the Dolphin Tavern and the Gurnard's Head, is now overseeing the running of The Vault in Market Place.

He says he is looking forward to the challenge of building on what is already a successful business; indeed, one of his first jobs after starting at The Vault was to pick up a Best Bar None award.

"At the Coldstreamer we were taking on a pub which was dying, but The Vault is already doing well so it's more a question of tweaking a few things," he said.

"It's very well used throughout the day, from breakfasts and coffees in the morning all the way through our lunchtime meals, afternoon teas and the early and later evening trade.

"On the drinks side, we've made some small changes to the cocktail menu, bringing in some classic recipes, and we're hoping to introduce some craft beers.

"We're also making some minor changes to the menu, launching a dessert menu and some lighter bar snacks and tapas in the evening."

However, perhaps the biggest change will see Harry and his team improving the garden area before the start of the summer season.

"When I had time off from the Coldstreamer I used to use the beer garden, which is one of the best in Penzance as it gets the sun all afternoon," he said. "We're going to increase the size of the decking area, freshen the whole area up with new umbrellas and introduce some more greenery." Other regular features – live bands on Fridays and Saturdays, a chilli and beer night on Thursdays, Wednesday quizzes and a deal offering a shared platter with a bottle of wine on Tuesdays – will remain.

Owner Robert Matthews said he was delighted to be welcoming Harry on board.

"He's a great acquisition for us," he said. "He's shown how to successfully run a food and drink business and we're sure he'll do a great job here."

TWENTY disadvantaged or disabled children are to get weekly dance lessons at Penzance's Big Dance Company, thanks to a grant from the West Cornwall Youth Trust.

It is the second year the trust has offered the grant, this year amounting to £3,600, and Big Dance Company director Fiona Richardson said she had seen some fantastic results.

"It's great to see how many of the young people who got involved then have really integrated with the school already," she said.

"We really hope to achieve the same level of success – if not more – this year."

She said the Big Dance Company would support any students who excelled in further training if their families weren't able to afford more classes. The company, a registered charity, has enjoyed great success in not only offering support to local children, but also in terms of producing talent.

One of its teams, Flava, made it to the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent and many of the dancers had also competed in the UDO World Championships with great success.

Malcolm Woolcock, administrator for the West Cornwall Youth Trust, said: "The best part of my job is when I can see that the projects we help to fund have been a success.

"Fiona, Ben and the rest of the team at the Big Dance Company work hard to give as many children as possible the chance to get involved, and we're thrilled we can be a part of that process."

For more information on the trust and what the Big Dance Company is up to you can visit the websites at www.thebigdancecompany.com and www.westcornwallyouthtrust.org.uk

ST IVES School – which has recently emerged from special measures – has appointed a new head teacher to lead the school from the start of the next academic year.

The school has undergone a tumultuous 12 months.

A failed Ofsted inspection in May led to it being put into special measures and temporary head Richard Schofield being appointed by Cornwall Council.

The school was then told it had no option but to become an academy by the Department of Education. Since then the chairman of the governors has changed twice.

St Ives has turned its fortunes around, however.

After posting record GCSE results it recently announced Ofsted had removed it from special measures far earlier than expected.

Now Mr Schofield's permanent replacement has been announced and will take over on September 1.

Jan Woodhouse is currently vice-principal at St Austell's Penrice Academy, which calls itself "the highest Ofsted-rated 11 to 16 college in the South West".

Mrs Woodhouse was born and schooled in Camborne. She has also taught at Penair and on The Roseland.

Carolyn Webster, chairman of governors at St Ives School, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Jan to St Ives School. This is an important and exciting part of the school's journey of continuous improvement."

Mrs Woodhouse said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as head teacher of St Ives School. I have been very impressed by the strong sense of pride the students and the wider St Ives community have for the school.

"When I visited the school I was immediately struck by the fantastic behaviour of students and how keen they were to learn and contribute to their school. I feel very privileged to be joining and look forward to meeting with parents over the next few months.

"Everyone at the school is focused on the future and building on the strong foundation of improvements made over the past year."

St Ives is set to make the transition to an academy next month.

Some parents feared the imposition of academy status when schools are taken out of council control and are paired with an academy "sponsor".

St Ives School's announcement that its partner would be Truro and Penwith College in the summer calmed fears.

Now the school has confirmed it will become part of Truro and Penwith Academy Trust.

Richard Schofield, interim head at the school, said: "Jan is joining the school at an exciting time and I will give her all the help she needs to ensure a successful transition."

Parents have been invited to a meeting of the parent forum at the school on March 11 for further updates about the school and the transition to becoming an academy from April 2014.

A COMMUNITY left without a village shop has raised almost £20,000 towards the cost of setting up a new one.

People in Grampound set about raising money when the Hollies store shut last year.

A community share offer has raised almost £20,000 to date and a new shop is now on the cards.

The steering group will now try to secure grant funding to add to the share capital in order to provide a new shop, which would be next to the village hall.

Parish councillor Peter Wootton, a member of the village shop steering group, said: "Fundraising has greatly exceeded our expectations over the past three months and we've raised nearly £20,000 from more than 220 members of our small community. This shows strong support and it's really encouraging for the future success of the store."

Margie Lundie, another steering group member, said: "The Hollies store closed in Grampound last year and although the village has a recently refurbished specialist store, the Cornish Smokehouse, it's clear that the community wholeheartedly supports the facility of a general store and coffee shop."

Members of the steering group were joined by Stephen Gilbert MP who congratulated them on their efforts to date and wished them well with the project.

A FALMOUTH bus service will again be carrying passengers after being saved for a second time.

The 329 route that runs from the town centre to the seafront has previously been run by the First Group and Fal River Buses, with the latter discontinuing its service on Friday.

But now local bus operator OTS and Falmouth Town Council have stepped in to take over the route.

It will be incorporated into the shuttle bus timetable.

Ben Moore, OTS transport manager, said: "We are absolutely delighted to take over this route as a natural expansion to our existing, very popular, town shuttle service. However, in order for us to incorporate this longer route into our existing shuttle timetable – and hopefully only in the short term until we can take a longer-term view of how best to run these services to the maximum benefit of our customers – we will have no time to run the 10.20, 12.20, 14.20 and 16.20 shuttle services."

Falmouth Town Council member Candy Atherton said: "We needed a solution urgently because the axing of this service has taken away many people's access into town.

"I'm very pleased and grateful to OTS and the town council for sorting this so quickly."

MONEY to help relieve the plight of Cornwall's beleaguered fishermen is being handed out almost as fast as it is being handed in.

Three weeks ago the Fishermen's Mission issued an urgent appeal for funds to hand out in the form of grants to fishermen who have effectively been without an income for the past three months.

And Keith Dickson, mission superintendent at Newlyn, says he has been "overwhelmed" by the response – not just in terms of donations but also in terms of need.

"It has been amazing," he said. "I can't believe how generous people have been and how much they are concerned about the effects of the storms on the fishing community.

"We have handed out more than 60 grants already in the past three weeks which shows that the need really exists."

Mr Dickson was helping out at two fundraising events over the weekend.

His mission team of bucket collectors gathered £422 at the Cornish Pirates' rugby match on Sunday.

The day before, supporters of the mission and teams from Mounts Bay Fitness, Sainsbury's, the Buccaneers American football team and GEMS Bolitho school packed bags, collected money and took part in a triathlon fitness challenge at Sainsbury's.

The day raised £1,277 – "an amazing total," added Mr Dickson.

Next month, Derek Thomas, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the West Cornwall constituency, is planning to hold a fundraiser on April 23 at the mission in Newlyn.

Mr Thomas said: "I would also like to congratulate Keith Dickson and his team at the mission for the excellent work they are doing to support our local fishermen in these difficult times."

Further details will be posted on his website www.derekthomas.org

FOUR members of a family have admitted their parts in a violent confrontation with door staff outside St Austell nightclub The Station.

Magistrates were shown CCTV footage of the incident on November 10 last year involving Neil Charles, aged 46, of Robins Close, Biscovey, Par, and his sons Daniel Charles, 20, and Steven Charles, 22, of the same address, as well as their cousin, 21-year-old Lee Charles, of Pentrevah, Penwithick.

At the court in Bodmin on Friday Daniel, Steven and Lee all pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. Daniel and Steven also admitted assaulting Krzystof Gryczkowski and Neil and Lee admitted assaulting Stephen Reardon.

Graham Calderwood, for the prosecution, said that members of the family had been to a funeral and wake that day and Neil, Daniel and Steven had all drunk alcohol to the extent that their judgement was affected.

Later, as they walked towards the railway station to get a taxi home, Daniel decided to go into The Station nightclub with another cousin, Robert Charles.

Daniel had previously been banned from the club but believed the ban had been lifted and persisted in trying to get into the club.

When Neil and Steven arrived on the scene a confrontation developed involving Mr Gryczkowski and Mr Reardon, who were doormen.

As the doormen tried to push the men back Neil restrained Mr Reardon with his arm around his neck and Mr Reardon was attacked by others, including Lee.

Steven and Daniel then punched Mr Gryczkowski.

The court was told that none of the men had previous convictions but Daniel, Steven and Lee had all received past cautions or reprimands for offences including assault.

Richard Cogar, for the defence, said that no one had played a greater role in the incident than anyone else. It had arisen after Daniel was refused entry to the club and "there were pushes and punches were thrown".

Mr Cogar pointed out that Neil and Steven both worked in the family car business but Daniel was employed as a security officer for Stoneham Housing and his conviction might lead to the loss of his Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence and put his job at risk.

Lee, a self-employed builder who was not legally represented, told the court he regretted what had happened and was very sorry.

The magistrates sentenced all four men to community orders and told them each to pay £120 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Daniel was ordered to complete 100 hours' unpaid work in the next 12 months; Lee and Steven were curfewed for 12 weeks on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and Neil for 10 weeks. Steven told the court he was moving and his curfew address from Saturday would be Trethurffe, Ladock.

A 62-YEAR-OLD Newquay woman who received more than £8,000 in benefits to which she was not entitled has been spared an immediate jail term.

Susan Bailey of Penwartha Close, who was jailed for eight months in 2008 for similar offences, was handed a suspended sentence and curfew when she appeared before magistrates on Thursday.

The court was told her home had been put under surveillance during an investigation by Cornwall Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Bailey, who had pleaded not guilty to five offences, was found guilty of all the charges at a trial in January.

She was convicted of making a false statement to the DWP in a telephone call on August 31, 2012, while making a claim for Employment Support Allowance (ESA), by stating she was living alone when in fact she was living with her husband, and of failing to declare her husband or his income on council forms on or about September 6, 2012, September 13, 2012, and January 2, 2013, in respect of claims for housing and council tax benefit.

Kingsley Keate, for the prosecution, said that following her ESA claim Bailey completed housing and council tax benefit forms as a single person living in rented accommodation. She was paid £150 per week as a result.

However, after receiving information that Bailey's husband had not vacated the property, surveillance was undertaken in November and December 2012 and March and April 2013.

A vehicle owned by him was seen leaving in the mornings and was parked there in the evening, as well as at weekends, said Mr Keate.

In an interview on May 2, 2013, Bailey claimed she had had no contact with her husband until five weeks previously and said that he had no key to the property – although she admitted later that this was not true.

Mr Keate told the court that the couple had been living together from August 25, 2012, and Bailey's ESA claim on August 31 had been "false from the outset".

The total amount of benefits overpaid to her was £8,122.16. Some had now been repaid and a balance remained of £7,480.

Sarah Payne, for the defence, told the court that Bailey did not accept the finding of guilt on the latest offences.

Just before the claim was made, her husband had had an affair and moved out.

It was only after the investigation that they had been reconciled.

He had a key to the garage during their estrangement, as he kept tools there, but the door between the garage and the house was kept locked.

Probation officer Tony Ciocci, in a pre-sentence report, said Bailey had had alcohol and mental health problems, including suicide attempts, but these did not cause her offending behaviour, which he was unable to analyse given her continued "absolute denial" of guilt.

The magistrates imposed a 24-week prison sentence on Bailey, suspended for 12 months, with an 8pm-to-8am nightly curfew for the next three months.

They refused a request by Ms Payne that the start of the curfew be delayed to allow Bailey to go on a short break to Greece, as the trip had been booked at a time when she was aware that she might be sent to prison.

She was also ordered to pay £1,995 in costs. The court was told that negotiations were continuing about repaying the money she owed.

A BODMIN heroin addict broke into his sister's home and stole items while she was out with her two godchildren, a court was told.

Gail Hawksley, for the prosecution told Bodmin magistrates Matthew Curtis took a Playstation console – belonging to one of the children – and headphones during the break-in at Flamank Park on September 3.

Curtis, 28, of St Leonard's, East Sussex, appeared before the court in custody for sentence on Thursday after being convicted of the burglary at a trial held in his absence on February 4. He had also been convicted at a trial on January 17 of stealing two items from Boots the Chemist in August last year and had pleaded guilty to stealing from the same shop in July.

Mrs Hawksley said that Curtis's sister Teresa Bond had been at home on the morning of September 3 but had then gone out for a walk with her godchildren, leaving a small dining room window open.

When she returned half an hour later a large window was slightly open and her godson's Playstation console was missing.

She then saw fingerprints around the windowsill and "her heart sank", said Mrs Hawkley. The fingerprints were later found to belong to her brother, Curtis.

The first of the shoplifting offences occurred on July 26 when a Boots worker saw Curtis acting suspiciously in the store and watched him on CCTV removing items valued at £3.95.

On August 5 he was in the same store, under the influence of alcohol, and helped himself to some Protect and Perfect beauty serum before walking off.

Chris Nicholls, for the defence, said that the burglary had been committed on the spur of the moment and was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness.

Curtis had been a heroin addict for a number of years and offended to fund his habit, he said.

He had previously benefited from a drug rehabilitation requirement and was motivated to comply with such a regime again.

The case was adjourned for four weeks for Curtis to be assessed for such a requirement and he was released on conditional bail.

A "PIECE of Cornish history" has potentially been saved for posterity after magistrates agreed with a solicitor's request that it should not be destroyed.

The historic item, described by solicitor Steve Cox as having a "shrimp-shaped" blade, is believed to be a 600-year-old gutting tool used by fishermen around the coast of Cornwall.

It had been found in the pocket of a man arrested in Newquay in December, Bodmin court was told.

The man, Christopher Rouse, 33, of no fixed abode, was handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates when he appeared before them in custody on Monday after pleading guilty to possession of the bladed article on December 19, as well as failing to attend court on February 12.

He had pleaded guilty previously to being drunk and disorderly on December 19 and two offences of shoplifting committed on January 6 at different stores in Newquay.

Scott Horner, for the prosecution, said that on December 19 police spoke to Rouse in Station Approach, Newquay.

His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet but he refused to leave the area, swearing at the officers. After being arrested, the blade was found in his jeans pocket at the police station.

He later accepted being drunk, saying he had drunk ten pints of beer.

Of the blade, he said he had found it, renovated it and then forgotten it was in his pocket. He believed it was of historical interest and this had later been confirmed by a museum.

The shoplifting offences involved £41.23 of goods taken from Sainsbury's by Rouse and around £10 of lager stolen from Londis.

The court was told that Rouse had 21 previous convictions, including for theft. He had also received an 11-month prison sentence last year at Truro Crown Court for assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Cox, for the defence, explained the provenance of the blade to the court, saying there had been some dispute over whether it was a knife or a tool and that was why Rouse had originally pleaded not guilty. It was, said Mr Cox, completely blunt in any event.

Rouse was very sorry for being drunk and disorderly and had stolen the food and drink to consume during a four-week period without benefits following the loss of his job.

Mr Cox said that Rouse planned to move to Norway imminently to be with his wife.

Rouse, described by bench chairman Peter Hosegood as a "persistent offender" who had had the blade on him while drunk, was handed a 70-day prison sentence, suspended for a year and ordered to pay £41.23 compensation, £170 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

At the conclusion of the hearing Mr Cox asked the magistrates not to make an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife, as is usual in such cases, because of its history.

Mr Hosegood agreed, saying the knife should remain with the police with a request that it be offered to a museum.