PRAA Sands is the latest place to be visited by a continuing maritime mystery.

A century-old rubber block, similar to ones found all over the beaches of northern Europe over the past couple of years, has washed up there.

It was found by resident Dave Newberry, who picked up the 15in x 12in tablet at the Sydney Cove end of the beach last week.

Identical tablets have washed up in numerous locations since 2012 including Northumberland, the Channel Islands, Brittany, Holland, Denmark, Germany and, most frequently, Cornwall. They are stamped with the word 'Tjipetir' – part of West Java in Indonesia and the name of a plantation where the gutta percha blocks were produced in the first decades of the 20th century.

Mr Newberry said: "At first I thought it was the name of a ship but have since looked it up on Google and found out that there seems to be quite a mystery about it.

"The name looks like something you read on the bottom of an eyesight chart but I've put it in my garden as a keepsake."

The mystery lies in where the blocks come from; it is likely that they have emerged from a long-sunk ship – and one fanciful suggestion is that they were being carried by Titanic.

THIEVES have been targeting a number of vehicles – including an ambulance – in Penzance over the past couple of weeks.

Inspector Jean Phillips, from Penzance police, said: "People should take care to lock up their vehicles, remove all items of value and report any suspicious activity."

The recent incidents are:

During the evening of Saturday, March 1, into the early hours of Sunday, March 2, a number of vehicles were entered around the Kings Road and Alverton area.

If you believe you have had a car stereo fascia stolen from this time, call PC Andria Phillips on 101 or come into the station quoting reference number AP/14/499.

Overnight last Tuesday, March 4, a silver Peugeot was broken into at Heamoor and a stopwatch, walkie talkies and sports whistle stolen.

The following night, Wednesday, March 5, thieves broke into an ambulance parked by the side of St John's Hall.

A green Response bag was stolen – some of the items in it were later recovered in Penlee Park.

Between last Saturday evening and Monday, a minibus parked behind the council offices at St Clare was entered and a stereo fascia and fire extinguisher taken.

If you have any information about any of these incidents, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

PLANS to create a skatepark in Lostwithiel have suffered a setback after the company employed by the town council to design and construct the facility ceased trading.

Cornwall Council had granted planning consent for the design by Wiltshire-based 1Skatepark to be installed in the King George V playing field.

The firm posted a Facebook message two weeks ago saying it had cashflow problems and had closed down.

Grants and local fundraising for the skatepark have totalled more than £95,000. The town council said this week that none of the money earmarked for the project had been handed over to the company.

The town council, which owns the recreation area, put in the successful planning bid on behalf of the Lostwithiel Skatepark Project, made up of local residents including those involved in the town forum.

Now there is real concern that the skatepark will be delayed for some time.

The town council will have to find another company to design and construct the skatepark, forcing another planning application to Cornwall Council, although the council is attempting to contact 1Skatepark to see if it can still use its original designs.

Money for the facility has included £50,000 from Sports England, £30,000 from the SITA Charitable Trust and £10,000 from the Lostwithiel Educational Trust, plus other local donations and money collected through fundraising events.

Town forum member Helen Taylor, who did much to raise the money locally, said the setback was depressing news for young skateboard and BMX enthusiasts.

"It's been three years now since we received the initial funding for the skatepark.

"I just hope it still goes ahead. The kids have been waiting a long time, and they have almost stopped believing it is going to happen.

"It's very disappointing news, and I just hope the large grants, which are always time sensitive, will not run out," said Mrs Taylor.

In a statement, the council said: "Lostwithiel Town Council continues to be committed to delivering a skatepark for the town of Lostwithiel and will provide further updates on the progress of the project as soon as available."

PLANS for a £30 million wind farm in North Cornwall have been submitted that could see 11 turbines built, standing more than 400ft tall.

Renewable energy developer Good Energy put forward the application to Cornwall Council last week for the 125-metre turbines, which it estimates would provide energy for 13,500 homes.

If approved, The Big Field Wind Farm would sit on farmland between Week St Mary, Jacobstow, Warbstow, North Petherwin and Whitstone, around nine miles south of Bude.

But objectors to the scheme are already putting their case together.

Richard Sowerby, chairman of the group CARE – Communities Against Rural Exploitation – said that the turbines would be as high as St Paul's cathedral.

"They will change the area and devastate the environment. We will be holding a private meeting soon to discuss our plans to oppose this application," he said.

The proposals, which were first mooted in January 2013, could eventually form part of the largest renewable energy park in Cornwall – if the developer submits plans for a 75-acre solar farm, that it may consider at a later date.

In announcing the plans, Good Energy listed a range of community benefits which it has put together following two fiery consultation sessions with locals.

The benefits include a local community fund worth £63,250 a year and local dual fuel and electricity tariffs to all households within 5km of the development.

But villagers opposed to the plans have voiced numerous concerns including house prices, noise and visual impact.

Juliet Davenport, founder of Good Energy, said: "We believe The Big Field Wind Farm can provide a lasting positive legacy for the environment and the local community, and we are proud to put our name to it.

"Having consulted locally for over a year, we believe this project meets all planning requirements and supports both local and national renewables targets."

The Wiltshire-based firm has more than 40,000 renewable energy customers and some 5,000 domestic and business customers in the South West.

It recently spent £11.8 million upgrading Britain's first commercial wind farm at Delabole and estimates the Week St Mary scheme would have an installed capacity of 25.3MW and generate enough renewable energy to power around 13,500 homes.

Among its list of benefits would be an outdoor learning centre that would provide camp-style accommodation for groups of up to 30 children from across Cornwall. It has also committed to working with landowners and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West.

POLICE have said they are becoming "increasingly concerned" following a party attended by more than 100 children on a school sports field in St Austell.

Alcohol was seized and destroyed by officers and rubbish left strewn across the field, which belongs to Poltair School, after the mass gathering on Saturday evening.

PC Jon Hamley, neighbourhood beat officer for St Austell, said when officers arrived some of the children bolted in a bid to evade the law.

Mr Hamley has urged parents to be vigilant and keep their children away from the field while being aware of the risks of underage drinking.

"A lot of the older children had alcohol and that was seized and poured away," he said

"Antisocial behaviour and underage drinking will not be tolerated in St Austell."

The field, which is beyond the school's parameter and is used occasionally by students for team building exercises and athletics in the summer, is accessed from the school and Tremena Road.

Ross Mack, assistant head teacher, said "We are disappointed that a school asset and therefore a community asset is being misused."

He said the school is backing the call from police for youngsters to stay away from the field and asks instead that they "respect" what is a provision for its students.

"There has been no indication that any of the children were from Poltair School at this time.

"However, if it was found that they were involved , they will be dealt with appropriately", Mr Mack added.

Anyone with information should call PC Hamley on 101.

A MAN who in 2001 became the first rower to complete a solo, unassisted non-stop crossing of the Pacific Ocean was acquitted of assault when he appeared before Bodmin magistrates on Thursday.

Jim Shekhdar, 67, had become embroiled in a confrontation over access to his beach home at Eddystone Café, Tregonhawke, Millbrook, Torpoint, the court was told.

It was alleged that Mr Shekhdar assaulted toolmaker Philip Barwell by beating on August 30 last year after the pair got into an altercation on a gated track at Tregonhawke Cliff above Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall.

Mr Shekhdar, who has no previous convictions, had pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Carrie-Ann Rawlings, for the prosecution, told the court that Mr Barwell had been punched in the face and grabbed around the neck by Mr Shekhdar, after Mr Shekhdar became angry because his access to the track leading to his beach home was blocked by a parked vehicle being used by Mr Barwell, who was then transporting flooring on foot to his chalet.

But Mr Shekhdar claimed it was he who was hit first – from behind – as he tried to lock the gate after asking repeatedly asking Mr Barwell to move the truck.

He accepted that he had then swung his arm to defend himself and in doing so may have caught Mr Barwell on the face. Mr Barwell also accepted that he had hit Mr Shekhdar, but said that he had been struck first.

During the trial the court heard from Mr Barwell's son, Tom, who had intervened to try to stop the confrontation between the two men, and also from café worker Summer Henderson, who said that she had called through the window to tell them to stop their behaviour, some of which was taking place in front of Mr Shekhdar's five-year-old daughter.

The magistrates, finding Mr Shekhdar not guilty, said that the accounts of witnesses were at such variance that they could not be sure beyond reasonable doubt that he had assaulted Mr Barwell.

They commented that it was "of note" that it was two young people – Tom Barwell and Summer Henderson – who had intervened to stop the incident from escalating and said that they were to be commended for their actions.

THE MOTHER of two little boys from Newquay, who suffer from an incurable lung disease, is urging people to support their bid to raise money for charity.

Nine-year-old Louis Green and seven-year-old Jago both have cystic fibrosis, a life-limiting genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus.

Mum Jenny Green has arranged a number of events to raise awareness about the illness and to collect donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to mark its 50-year anniversary.

Louis and Jago are preparing to compete in a mini-triathlon on Saturday, April 5. During the event, the pair – and some friends from school – will swim 26 lengths at Wadebridge swimming pool, cycle 2.6 miles along the Camel Trail, then run 2.6 miles, finishing in Padstow.

Ms Green will also run the London Marathon on April 13, and has organised a family yoga session at Treviglas Sports Hub on March 16 to raise cash.

"It's nice to create awareness of cystic fibrosis," said Ms Green. "People have heard of it, but don't really know much about the illness, and it can be quite a lonely, isolated world for people with it.

"The boys have to nebulise three to five times a day, they have 30-40 tablets a day, and three lots of physiotherapy a day, but with both of them having it it's the norm in our house. As soon as they get up, it's part of our routine.

"I have to be there to administer their medicine so it's challenging. I try to keep the cystic fibrosis in a box, and try not to let it affect their lives."

One in 20 people are reported to carry the cystic fibrosis gene, and if both parents are carriers there is a one in four chance their children will have the condition.

Ms Green, a former lecturer at Truro College, made the difficult decision to become a full-time carer for her sons.

"I was a course leader, and worked with people with learning disabilities, so I had quite a responsible job, but cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting illness and I thought, 'the more I can do now, the longer they'll survive'," she said.

Louis and Jago study in years three and four at St Columb Minor Academy. Jago was first to be diagnosed when he was just three years old. Louis was also found to have liver disease.

"Jago manages quite well, but Louis can sometimes struggle because his liver's quite poorly. It affects all of his vital organs," she said.

"I'm very proud of them – they do as much as they can, and have lots of very supportive friends, close friends who help them along the way," she added.

To find out more about the family's fundraising events, or to make a donation, visit: virginmoneygiving.com and search for Jenny Green's 'Greens do 26.2' page.

A HAYLE man who is trying to open a nightclub in the town said he could face bankruptcy if planning permission is not granted soon.

Proposals for Boxx Club Lounge Studio at Foundry Lane went before a Cornwall Council planning committee on Monday but failed to be approved.

Owner Jonathan Oates, who was expecting permission to be granted after it was recommended for approval by planning officers, said the delay was putting him under financial strain.

"They are not reading the facts – experts have said everything is OK. It is disappointing and frustrating. At the moment we are thinking of contravening town planning. I am not irresponsible, but I either go bankrupt or I open."

Mr Oates had hoped to open Boxx earlier in the year but after making a few changes to the site he had to delay the opening until planning permission for change of use was in place.

Several objections were made against the application, which included concerns about noise levels, increased traffic movements and a lack of adequate facilities.

These prompted local ward councillor, John Coombe, to request for the application to be brought before the committee.

A meeting of the West Sub-Area Planning Committee on Monday voted for a site visit to check that the premises was structurally sound and address highway safety concerns which were raised. This comes despite a report from council planning officers that recommended the plans for approval and highways, environmental health and the police had raised no objections.

Mr Oates added: "The committee think it would be good for Hayle and good for the regeneration. The bureaucracy is just absurd."

The application will be looked at again by the committee at its next meeting on April 7.

AN INSURANCE broker has saved the last post from sounding in Lanivet.

Peter Old, who runs Mid-Cornwall Brokers, has stepped in to offer his Clarence House premises as the new village post office – and it should be transferred there sometime in April.

The present sub-postmaster has been hoping to retire for some time.

There was a proposal in 2012 to move the post office to the nearby Spar shop, but that fell through.

There was doubt whether the services could be retained in Lanivet, until Mr Old offered his premises to Post Office Ltd.

The post office is expected to move to Clarence House next month, once planning consents have been agreed.

Post Office Ltd undertook local consultations on the move, with the deadline for feedback February 18.

Mr Old said: "I'm delighted to be able to offer my premises as a post office.

"The village deserves to have its own post office; there are a sufficient number of people to make it viable.

"But I do hope people in the village will take advantage of the facility because, like all small post offices, it will be a case of use it or lose it."

Mr Old has signed a lease with Post Office Ltd and already has trained staff lined up to run it.

The Post Office is proposing to create a modern open-plan local-style branch, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to noon.

The proposed move is part of a major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open-plan environments.

Post Office's regional network manager for England South Will Russell said: "We understand how important Post Office services are to residents in Lanivet and we are confident this new, modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future."

He added: "The proposed changes to the branch are part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new-style branches and this investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, marks a commitment to no more branch-closure programmes."

Post Office Local is a new concept for delivering Post Office services from an open-plan counter with Post Office products and services available alongside retail transactions during shop opening hours, allowing Post Office services to be available for longer offering greater convenience to customers.

A SOCIAL worker from St Ives has been appointed MBE for her award-winning service for families.

Nikki Bradley, who runs a family intervention service in London's Tower Hamlets said she was "thrilled" to hear her name on the New Year's Honours List.

The news has only just come to light because the Government only sends regionalised lists of awards to local media.

The Cornishman found out about Nikki's award when her colleagues got in touch.

"I couldn't believe it," said Nikki.

"I'm honoured to receive this award and hope it will bring recognition to the hard work and dedication of all the staff in my service and our partners."

Born Nikki Davis, she started at St Ives Infants' School in 1968 and then moved to St Ives Junior School in 1970.

A school report from St Ives Infants' School dated 1970 said Nikki "shows much initiative and has the personality and initiative to lead".

After passing her 11-plus in 1974 she attended Penzance Girls' Grammar School until 1979 and went on to complete her A levels at Cornwall Technical College.

Nikki started her degree and social work training course at Middlesex University in 1981 and practised as a social worker before founding the Family Intervention Service in 2007.

In 2009, the service, then known as the Family Intervention Project, won a Guardian Public Service Award for its innovative partnership with Poplar Housing and Community Regeneration Association.

THE DRIVER of a Renault Clio found on its roof in Launceston at the weekend has admitted drink-driving.

Joanne Adams, 23, of Hurdon Way, Launceston, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence, was handed a three and a half-year ban when she appeared before Bodmin court in custody on Monday morning.

Adams, who was verbally abusive to police, initially told officers she had drunk some vodka after crashing into a garden wall on Woburn Road but later accepted she had been lying.

She spent two nights in police cells following her arrest in the early hours of Saturday.

Adams pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in her breath, apologising to the magistrates for her "stupidity".

Nigel Hall, for the prosecution, said that police attended the accident just after midnight on Saturday and found the Clio half in the road and half in a garden. No one was inside but shortly afterwards they spoke to Adams who had spots of blood on her clothing and glass in her boots.

She failed a roadside breath test and a police station sample showed she had 99 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35mcg. Mr Hall said that Adams had been verbally abusive to the police and "flailed her arms around".

The court was told that on August 7, 2009, Adams had been banned from driving for 12 months after driving with excess alcohol in her breath and failing to stop after an accident.

Barry Hilliard, for the defence, said that Adams had met her partner in the pub on Friday evening and had two or three glasses of wine. She had not planned to drive that night but they argued and she decided to drive home.

Taking account of the time she had spent in custody, the magistrates fined Adams £420 with £85 costs and a £42 victim surcharge.

She was offered the opportunity to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which will reduce her ban by 42 weeks, but was warned that as a high-risk offender she would have to satisfy the DVLA of her medical fitness to drive before her licence would be returned to her.

A FORMER actor and director from St Columb Minor has written a play about his experiences after battling cancer – not once, but twice.

David Faulkner, 61, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2009 and, after undergoing a serious operation to remove the affected organ, doctors gave him a one-in-four chance of survival.

Against the odds Mr Faulkner pulled through, only to receive the devastating news two years later that he was suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia and had only months to live.

But after responding well to treatment he has defied the odds again, and his cancer is now in remission.

While in an isolation ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Mr Faulkner's consultant, Dr Bryson Pottinger, persuaded him to put pen to paper and write a story about his experience: the result, a play called Cheat The Reaper.

"My consultant told me I had to write my story down so people would remember, so I wrote it in play form and got a few actor-y buddies round to read the play, and they turned round and said, 'so when are we going to play it? – and that's how it all started," said Mr Faulkner.

He has lived in St Columb Minor for the past 27 years, having spent much of his working life touring Europe and the UK while starring in critically acclaimed productions such as Whose Life Is It Anyway and Pinocchio.

But since being diagnosed, Mr Faulkner said he was determined to raise awareness of the illness.

"There are lots of people who want to do something like running a marathon after what I've been through, but, physically, I'm not able to do anything except write down my experiences and put on this play," he said. The play is based on a true story of how extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people.

"Cheat The Reaper is a powerful, funny, courageous and honest story. It will make you laugh, cry and above all think," he said.

The play follows the inspirational journey of Kate and Tom Bradley, who have everything to live for.

But when Tom receives an unexpected phone call from hospital their lives are turned upside down.

"I've invented a family and, although it's my story, the whole play is told through the eyes of the wife and son – not the cancer sufferer, but from the perspective of the family who have to live with it," said Mr Faulkner.

The performance has a cast of just three actors – including himself. It aims to strike a chord with those directly affected by cancer, currently thought to be one in three of us. All proceeds will go to the Cornwall Leukaemia Trust.

"What's lovely is that they have zero administrative costs, so every penny gets spent on helping people like me," he said.

"Above all else I really, really hope we can get bums on seats and make a lot of money for a charity which is really dear to my heart."

Mr Faulkner said writing the play had been cathartic, and had helped to keep him going throughout his illnesses.

"I was in the clinic one day last year, and one of the consultants from haematology came up – he was the one who gave me my first diagnosis – and he said, 'hello, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be dead', and I just thought that was brilliant," he said.

Cheat The Reaper is being staged from March 15 to May 10 at venues across Cornwall, including at Newquay's Lane theatre on March 21 to 22.

For details call 01726 879500.

THE secretary-general of a worldwide organisation caring for seafarers has visited Fowey.

The Reverend Andrew Wright met staff, volunteers, members of the community, and seafarers at the Mission to Seafarers, Fowey on Wednesday.

Elaine Elliott, branch secretary, said: "He was impressed by the support given by the number of helpers and was pleased that our fundraisers were there to meet him.

"He felt that the mission was an integral part of the community, was supported by the community and successful in its work to help visiting seamen in Fowey."

The secretary-general was also given a tour by the port manager, Lloyd Pinckston.

The organisation, which provides care and support for visiting and stranded mariners, was founded in 1856 and had its beginnings some 20 years earlier when Anglican clergyman John Ashley began visiting seafarers whose vessels were anchored in the Bristol Channel.

He was so struck by their isolation and need that he turned down a parish position, and instead became a self-appointed chaplain to those at sea.

Although a Christian organisation, the missions support anyone at sea regardless of their rank, gender, nationality or faith.

Mrs Elliott said: "They (the missions) provide a home-from-home for seamen visiting the port. Refreshments, reading and games room, and on some occasions cheap accommodation, and in every mission there is always a chapel."

Since beginning on the site of the Fowey River Gallery, the mission, now behind the docks, continues to be busy and provides traditional services alongside more modern technology, such as wi-fi internet.

Mrs Elliot said: "We know at the mission the most important part of a seaman's life when they are on a ship is to be in reguar contact with home and know their family are safe and well and getting their money that is sent to them by the (ship's) owners.

"I think everyone was delighted by his visit. Fowey is a unique place."

PLANS to transform a historic estate could be scuppered after council officers recommended refusal of two major schemes.

The Killiow Estate near Playing Place has submitted plans to build a 150-metre dry ski slope with a nursery slope, a clubhouse and parking for 72 cars, and separate plans for a 55-space caravan touring park.

Both proposals will be considered at a planning committee meeting on Monday at 2pm at the council offices at Penwinnick Road, St Austell.

Planning officers have recommended refusal of both schemes due to "insufficient information to demonstrate whether or not the development would have an adverse impact on heritage assets of acknowledged importance, including their setting".

More than 50 people have commented on both sides on Cornwall Council's planning website.

Graham Stokes wrote: "This is an application that has so many merits and benefits for Cornwall, for Truro, for the staff that work at Killiow, the new people to be employed at Killiow and for all the people in Cornwall that could benefit from the facility."

However, Peter Boggia wrote: "The Killiow Estate is a beautiful heritage area, and one which would be damaged by the inclusion of a modern dry ski slope. I have nothing against Killiow Estate wanting to establish a ski slope, but believe there will be alternate brownfield sites elsewhere which would be more appropriate for such a development."

POLICE are warning shop staff in the Bodmin area to be aware of a fraud known as "ringing the changes" after stores in the town were hit twice last week.

Police have released CCTV images of two men who conned staff in Bodmin.

The pair also defrauded businesses in Liskeard and Par on Monday and Tuesday of last week.

Last month, a staff member at a convenience store in Wadebridge was confronted by two men who attempted to pull the same scam.

The "ringing the changes" fraud involves the suspects visiting shops and making a small purchase and, while the till is open, requesting the cashier to change various notes for other denominations, and in so doing receiving more money in change than they are due.

During the transaction staff become confused, and later discover the discrepancy.

The first suspect is described as being Mediterranean in appearance, aged in his thirties, with dark hair .He sometimes wears a tweed flat cap.

The second suspect is described as being a white man in his sixties.

Both men are well-spoken with London accents.

A spokeswoman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We are advising shop-owners to warn their staff of the scam and that if someone asks for change in this manner, to ask another member of staff to assist and double-check the exchange."

The incident in Wadebridge occurred when two men entered the shop with a number of £20 notes and asked the staff member to change them into £10 notes.

As the cashier started to do this one of the men asked for them to be in different notes, but the transaction was aborted and the men were asked to leave the shop.

The male became very insistent that the cashier complete the money exchange and initially refused to leave the shop.

Sergeant Robin Moorcroft is warning shopkeepers to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious as quickly as possible.

"Should you see any suspicious individuals in your premises, particularly individuals attempting to 'ring the changes', please call 999 for police attendance," Mr Moorcroft said.

"It would be helpful to have a description of the individuals and if you see them getting into a vehicle, then note the registration number."

Anyone with any information as to the identities of either of the men captured on CCTV is being asked to contact police on 101 quoting police reference BD/14/280 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org

A SCILLONIAN flower company based on St Mary's has transformed itself into a luxury branded supplier with support from an Unlocking Potential (UP) graduate.

Selina Crookes has introduced new branding, new products, new ways of customer engagement via social media and a new website.

Scented Narcissi, The Blue Box Flower Company, sources flowers from family-run farms on St Mary's and St Agnes and supplies them to customers between October and April.

UP, which is managed by Cornwall College, receives ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence investment to help graduates boost their career prospects with small and medium-sized businesses and Selina was employed as a marketing and social media co-ordinator.

She was set several tasks including reviewing the whole PR and marketing strategy with a bottom line of increasing sales.

Selina said: "The project I set out to achieve evolved massively to the project I have now become a part of. With the help of the marketing manager and UP mentors we have revisited the product and built it into a strongly branded, luxury consumer product.

"This season sales have continued to rise, both through florists and direct to customers, as has our social media standing, which grows on a daily basis.

"We launched a new website in October which went mobile responsive last month and we have already seen a huge rise in visits to our website."

As part of the rebrand the company is now working in partnership with a variety of businesses based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly so that other products including candles, chocolates, vases and toiletries are offered with the luxury bouquets.

Selina also introduced social media marketing and has significantly increased Facebook 'likes' and Twitter followers.

Andrew May, chairman and joint managing director of Mainland Marketing (including Scented Narcissi – The Blue Box Company) said: "Selina has established a significant presence for our brand across the whole of our relatively complicated supply chain.

"We recognise the value of the skills and support that Selina brought to our company and so we have been delighted to extend her initial six-month contract to a full-time position."

For Scilly news see page 28.

AFTER several years of fundraising, community support and hard work, Penwith and Isles of Scilly District Scout Council has re-opened its campsite at Trencrom.

This small area of land, quite close to where the Trencrom Revellers had their hut, has been a Scout campsite for more than six decades but was badly in need of a facelift.

Now at Trencrom there is a new Scout hut with all modern facilities and the camping area has been filled, levelled and reseeded.

District chairman Des Hosken said: "The Scout Council is most grateful to all those involved, with special thanks to the Rotary Clubs of Mount's Bay and St Ives Bay for funding. Grateful thanks are also expressed to Cornwall councillors who made grants out of community funds and to the Probation Service for the supply of labour.

"Dave Blewett a local contractor, who has done so much for Scouting in this area, carried out most of the site works free of charge.

"A number of Scout leaders across the district have worked extremely hard to achieve this very useful camping area and the official opening ceremony was carried out by district vice-chairman Alan Cooper.

"It is impossible to thank everyone by name. The opening ceremony was the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people and we appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.

"Let's hope that all of our young people enjoy camping at Trencrom and that the facility will be well used."