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Rural family doctors' surgeries facing closure

Small rural doctors' surgeries across the Westcountry could be forced to close because of contract changes being forced through by the Government.

The warning from the Family Doctor Association comes amid growing disquiet among GPs over a move to switch £164 million of funding away from administrative duties to incentives for them to target certain medical conditions.

Dr Peter Swinyard, chairman of the association which represents more than 1,000 practices, said the changes would see smaller practices squeezed "until the pips squeak".

He warned GPs had no time to take on the new changes which would affect smaller surgeries the hardest.

He said: "The pips are squeaking in general practice and there is no room left for adding yet more work without adequate resources.

"Smaller practices will find dealing with these things much more difficult than most, because they haven't got the strength and depth of larger practices to spread the workload."

Doctors in the region have already expressed their own concerns, with a survey revealing fears that two-thirds of surgeries in the Westcountry may struggle to remain viable after the changes.

Peter Merrin, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly Local Medical Committee, said they shared the concerns of the Family Doctors' Association.

"The proposed contract imposition comes at a time when morale among GPs is falling as a result of the increasing demands of an ageing population with increasingly complex medical and social problems," Dr Merrin, a GP at Perranporth, said.

"In addition there is a steady transfer of work from the hospital sector into the community increasing the workload for all health workers in the community sector.

"We see the new contract as a threat to small practices and are urging family doctors to look at ways in which they may share some of their workload with other practices.

"This doesn't necessarily mean merging practices but it might mean better and smarter use of our resources. As yet we are unclear how this will impact on patients."

He added: "In Cornwall, we remain committed to providing high quality general practice to all of our patients but the ways in which we deliver that care may and probably will have to change as a result of increasing workload and the new contract."

Negotiations between the Department of Health and the British Medical Association on changes to GP working practices broke down late last year. Consultation on the Government's proposals has now closed and an imposed contract is likely to come into force from April 1.

The Department of Health has insisted that no money has been taken away from GPs and it had offered extra funding.

Ministers have argued that the changes will lead to fewer deaths from the main diseases and more cases of diabetes, dementia and other conditions being diagnosed earlier.

But Dr Swinyard said surgeries in rural areas which were small "by necessity" and those in towns and cities which were small "by history" would be affected.

A change to the way practices were paid to provide locums, he said, would also see smaller practices losing out.

The depth of doctors' concerns was revealed earlier this year.

Almost half of the 6,000 GPs in Cornwall, Devon, Avon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wessex responded to questions put by their Local Medical Committees (LMC).

Two out of three (67%) said their practice would "struggle to remain viable" if the changes went ahead while almost half (48%) said their current workload was "dangerously unsustainable".

Dr Mark Sanford-Wood, chairman of the Devon LMC, described the "personal GP system" enjoyed by patients as being "under serious threat from the Government's plans for the future".

Health Minister Lord Howe said it was considering the responses to the 12-week consultation and would "announce the outcome shortly".

"Our proposed changes to the GP contract are designed to improve the care offered to patients," he said. "The consultation – and hearing the views of GPs and other stakeholders – will help us decide how this can be achieved."

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Rural family doctors' surgeries facing closure


Reflections on places where life relaxes to the beat of a different drum

Monica Dart believes in the healing powers of the countryside. The former musician and singer, who has reached a grand old age, had noticed that whenever she travelled on a bus or train, conversation would turn to the solace to be found where there are no houses, roads or traffic.

"I'd get into conversation with people, and it always seemed to be that we ended up talking about the countryside, about how much they appreciated it," says Monica, who lives in Holt in Wiltshire, down a country lane "which children used to walk on their own" to paddle in the local brook.

These days, of course, with fears of "stranger danger" and traffic, there is less freedom for children to wander. Less freedom for adults, too, bound as they are by the daily grind. So many of us are so busy tapping away on our computers that we forget to pause and look out of the window, still less to pull on our wellies and go on a walk.

Perhaps, after turning the pages of this engaging volume of essays and poems, called The Wild Tune, more people will be inspired to do just that.

Monica asked family and friends in different rural parts of the country to contribute their musings on what makes the countryside special to them. Among those who have contributed are people who love and live in our own very special corner of the world, the Westcountry.

They include orthopaedic surgeon Michael Benson, who describes returning to his weekend home in South Devon after a busy working week in Oxford.

"Even the beer tastes better here and on the way back, noting as we always do that Devon miles seem further than miles elsewhere, the hedgerows are full of blackberries, and swallows wheel around and above us," he writes.

"The light fades and stars appear – later this will be the best night of the year for shooting stars... the world of surgery with its exhilarations, stresses and anxieties is in abeyance: balance and harmony return."

Someone else who knows all about the magic of the Devon countryside is retired farmer Michael Dart, Monica's brother, who lives in Kingsbridge, close to the South Hams countryside where he has spent much of his life.

He writes: "Apart from four years at university, I have lived almost 80 years in the countryside. I have loved every moment: the changing seasons, from glorious May mornings to dripping wet November days: from the oppressive heat and dust of the harvest field, to the dark, frost-bound early mornings, walking to the milking parlour."

His words belie the idea that an environment which is also your workplace would lose its charm over time.

"The closeness to the wonders of our natural world is the real bonus," he adds. "The dawn chorus, the boxing hares in the spring corn, the trees breaking into leaf with all their different shades of green: how could one's heart not be filled with thankfulness?"

Reg Hector, who spent his working life growing willows on the Somerset Levels, is another contributor. Born beside the River Parrett into a family of willow growers, who also fished for eels in the river, Reg has many memories to share, and while ill health has prevented him from writing himself, his daughter has transcribed his thoughts for him.

"I spent my whole life cutting willows for basket-making, during the cold winter months outside in the beds, spending the spring and summer sorting and tying them, and picking up cider apples when they fell," he says.

Another Somerset contributor is Ann Hechle, a professional calligrapher, who credits the natural world for helping her savour the moment. "Every time I look from the window or step outside my door, I perceive things are different; and that sharpens my eye to look for and appreciate the special qualities of the moment."

Meanwhile, estate agent Sandy Davenport sings the virtues of the Taw Valley – also known as Tarka Country – where, after a busy day at work, she likes to unwind by watching wildlife on the river.

"The dog otter swims past the house about 9pm most evenings, just about the time the bats come out to play. The grass snake takes advantage of the river to cool down on a hot afternoon, the kingfishers scream up and down all day long," she writes.

And in Colyton in East Devon, wheelwright and carriage maker Mike Rowland writes about the landscape around him being transformed by snow and ice.

"This year we were blessed with the most wonderful winter scenes, with early snow, and the trees and all other vegetation looking like fairyland with their covering of hoar frost," he writes.

Monica collected essays and poems from some 72 contributors, and has gathered them together in this volume. All proceeds will go, appropriately, to Combat Stress, a charity which helps servicemen and women who suffer mental health problems after active service in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones.

The balm of the countryside is something that Monica is keen to share through her book, which, she says, was not planned in any way, but "just evolved".

And, while Monica herself has not contributed any words, she has put forward a creative work which expresses her love of the countryside, in her painting of the landscape near where she lives, which features on the cover.

"I thought 'I like that scene, so I'll paint it'," she says. "It was only on a bit of sugar paper, but now it is in a frame and people seem to like it."

The Wild Tune, compiled by Monica Dart, is available direct from Monica's non-profitmaking publishing company High Sky Productions, with all proceeds going to the charity Combat Stress. Send a cheque for £6.50 payable to High Sky Productions to: High Sky Productions, 216 The Common, Holt, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 6QN.

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Reflections on  places where life relaxes to the beat of a different drum

WMN opinion: Threat to surgeries is a threat to rural community

If one was to imagine a place where David Cameron's Big Society might just work, or even already exist, it would almost certainly be a rural community.

If one were to imagine a place where localism really might begin to make a difference – that same rural community might be at the forefront of one's mind.

The trouble is that rural communities are find themselves under increasing and constant pressure.

Local shops, village churches, pubs, sports teams and local societies are closing or amalgamating in droves. Young people leave in search of work, or are forced to leave through lack of affordable housing.

And increasingly towns and villages are losing the sort of community feel and spirit that made them such special places, so dearly cherished by those that grew up in them.

Living in rural Devon and Cornwall is not easy. Rocketing fuel prices, inadequate public transport and a lack of jobs, particularly for young people, have seen to that.

Today we report that small rural doctors' surgeries across the Westcountry could be forced to close because of contract changes being forced through by the Government.

The warning comes from the Family Doctor Association amid growing disquiet among GPs over a move to switch £164 million of funding away from administrative duties to incentives for them to target certain medical conditions.

Dr Peter Swinyard, chairman of the association which represents more than 1,000 practices, said the changes would see smaller practices squeezed "until the pips squeak".

Doctors in the region have already expressed their own concerns, with a survey revealing fears that two thirds of surgeries in the may struggle to remain viable after the changes.

There is also increased pressure on surgeries and community medical staff as a result of the transfer of some work out of the hospital sector.

If these fears are realised, there is little doubt that it will be the smallest, a remotest, rural surgeries that are affected.

If any had to close, another vital "hub" would be lost to the community it serves, and patients would have to face the complications of travel, simply to see their GP.

Peter Merrin, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly Local Medical Committee, has urged family doctors to look at better ways of working together, and smarter use of resources.

We must all hope that our surgeries can find ways to operate under the new contract, and that more damage is not done to the hearts of our rural communities.

❉ ❉ ❉

The extraordinary rescue of a Dartmoor pony from cliffs on Rame Peninsula was a triumph of creative thinking and effective teamwork. The coastguard, the RSPCA, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, 539 Squadron and all the others involved have every right to feel proud. Well done.

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WMN opinion: Threat to surgeries is a threat to rural community

Wild insects 'can enhance crop yields'

Domesticated honey bees are not as good at pollinating crops as their wild cousins, research has shown.

Scientists have warned that the continuing loss of wild insects may have a harmful effect on crop harvests.

The team analysed data from 41 major crops around the world, including fruits, nuts, seeds and coffee.

They found that production was considerably lower at sites with fewer wild insects visiting crop flowers.

Compared with managed honeybees, wild bees and other insects doubled the number of flowers with the potential to develop into mature fruit or seeds.

A linked study focusing on Illinois in the US found that both the quality and quantity of pollination fell between the 1800s and 2010.

One reason for the decline was the loss of half the original bee species in the area.

Lead scientist Professor Lawrence Harder, from the University of Calgary in Canada, said: "Our study demonstrates that production of many fruit and seed crops that make diets interesting, such as tomatoes, coffee and watermelon, is limited because their flowers are not adequately pollinated.

"We also show that adding more honey bees often does not fix this problem, but that increased service by wild insects would help."

The research was published in the journal Science.

Wild pollinators include bees, flies, butterflies and beetles, that usually live in natural or semi-natural habitats, such as the edges of forests, hedgerows or grasslands.

As these habitats are lost, mainly due to conversion to farmland, their numbers and diversity are reduced.

"Paradoxically, most common approaches to increase agricultural efficiency, such as cultivation of all available land and the use of pesticides, reduce the abundance and variety of wild insects that could increase production of these crops," said Prof Harder.

"Our study highlights the benefits of considering this paradox in designing and implementing agricultural systems."

The researchers suggested strategies for encouraging wild insects that could enhance global crop yields.

These included the conservation or restoration of natural or semi-natural areas within croplands, promotion of a variety of land use, the addition of diverse floral and nesting resources, and more responsible use of insecticides.

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Wild insects 'can enhance crop yields'

Sean Downing strike is not enough for Robins

Bideford marksman Sean Downing took his season's Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division goal tally to 14 but could not prevent the Robins from losing 3-1 at third-placed Stourbridge.

Downing struck in the 78th minute with a header from Connor Clifford's corner to cancel out Sean Geddes's 68th-minute penalty opener.

Luke Benbow was the home hero, scoring twice in the last six minutes for the promotion-chasing Glassboys. Benbow latched on to a loose ball, after a save by Bideford goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe, to fire the hosts ahead on 84 minutes.

With Bideford pressing for another equaliser, Benbow finished off a counter-attack to make it 3-1 in the 88th minute.

Sean Joyce's Robins will look to bounce back tomorrow night at Arlesey. Bideford remain 15th, two points behind Arlesey but ten points clear of second-bottom Bedworth United with 11 games left.

Tiverton Town remain eighth in Division One South and West after a goalless draw at third--from-bottom Bridgwater Town. Tomorrow night Tivvy visit play-off rivals Yate Town,who are fifth place following a 2-2 draw at Cinderord Town.

The match will bring together the division's top scorers, Tiverton's 18-goal Joe Bushin and Yate's 25-goal Scott Wilson. Bushin's spot-kick at Bridgwater was saved by home goalkeeper Luke Parnell. Bushin also struck the angle with a thumping shot at the start of the second half.

Taunton Town edged further away from the basement with a 2-1 win at relegation rivals Mangotsfield United.

Taunton striker Rod Marsh atoned for his third-minute penalty miss by firing the Peacocks ahead on 31 minutes. Craig Herrod doubled Taunton's lead in the 50th minute before United replied from a 76th-minute Shaun Lamb penalty.

The win lifts Taunton 11 points clear of basement side Bishop's Cleeve – only one team is automatically relegated – ahead of tomorrow's trip to second-placed Poole Town.

Fourth-from-bottom Willand Rovers held Toolstation Western League leaders Bishop Sutton to a 1-1 draw after Danny Jee headed Rovers in front on 16 minutes.

Buckland Athletic beat Gillingham Town 1-0 thanks to top scorer Gavin Hammon's 67th-minute winner while basement side Barnstaple Town were beaten 1-0 by visitors Winterbourne United.

Ilfracombe Town were knocked out of the Les Phillips League Cup witha 2-1 loss at Larkhall Athletic despite taking the lead through Billy Tucker's first-half penalty.

Half of city people don't know their neighbours, reveals Big Lunch survey

Thousands of people in Plymouth don't know their neighbours and are too busy to introduce themselves, a study has revealed.

Research carried out among 3,000 adults by The Big Lunch – the Lottery-funded initiative backed by the Eden Project – found that half of those surveyed in Plymouth don't know their neighbours, with almost one in four having no idea what their names are.

Key reasons holding people back from knocking next door include a lack of time and worries about getting on with their neighbours.

However, the study also found that almost two-thirds of Plymothians would like there to be a greater display of community spirit in their area, with 46 per cent of those saying it would make their neighbourhood feel safer while 65 per cent simply want to create a friendlier atmos-phere on their street.

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of The Big Lunch, said: "There was a time when everyone was very friendly with the people living next door.

"But as time has gone on, this seems to be becoming rarer, and it's a shame to see that there are many people in Plymouth who haven't got the time to get to know their neighbours.

"We're keen to change this and were delighted when 8.5 million people across the UK took part in successful Big Lunches in their communities last June.

"If you get to know your neighbours, not only does it create a happier, safer environment to live in, but you will probably find they are happy to help you out with your pets or water your plants when you go on holiday.

"You never know, you might even end up with a new best friend, simply from knocking on your neighbour's door to say hello."

The Big Lunch, an idea from the Eden Project funded by The Big Lottery Fund, encourages neighbours across the UK to come together on one day to share a few hours of food, friendship and fun. Events are taking place across the region on Sunday, June 2.

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Coun Michael Wright, said: "The Big Lunch is a fantastic idea – getting to know your neighbours is a great way to build a strong community, and what easier way to get the ball rolling?

"To encourage neighbours to lunch together will promote friendships and encourage communities to work together, which can only make our great city even better."

Local Big Lunch organiser Christine Franklin added: "Last year's Big Lunch was really good fun. It was a pleasure to see so many people of all ages come together and spend a couple of hours getting to know one another.

"I'm really glad I took that first step, it's definitely made the whole street much friendlier."

For further information or to request a free pack containing invitations, a planner, posters and other materials to help organise a Big Lunch visit www.thebiglunch.com.

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Half of city people don't know their neighbours, reveals Big Lunch survey

Moorland farms need more support on wildlife

Moorland farmers in the Westcountry need greater support from Government if wildlife and habitats are to be preserved, conservationists have warned.

A new report commissioned by the RSPB revealed that changes in livestock grazing in the UK's most vulnerable farming areas could have an impact on threatened species.

It looked at how livestock numbers have changed in so-called "less favoured areas" stretching from Dartmoor to the Western Isles of Scotland.

Farming and conservation experts found reductions in grazing on unenclosed land have been broadly positive for the environment, with upland habitats such as heath and blanket bog recovering well because of fewer sheep.

However, undergrazing is now occurring in some areas, with adverse impacts for some species such as golden plover which is thought to have become extinct as a breeding species on Dartmoor. Dr Abi Burns, the RSPB's senior agricultural policy officer, said: "It's vital that wildlife friendly livestock farmers in these areas – and across the uplands more widely – are able to continue to sustain the natural diversity and heritage of some of our most iconic landscapes.

"These environmentally important, but economically fragile, systems need better support which recognises the valuable services they can provide for society as a whole.

"Too much or too little grazing, or grazing by the wrong type of livestock, or at the wrong time of year, and these areas can begin to lose their special character."

The RSPB said the work was timely given current discussions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. It wants the Government to provide greater support to what it described as "vulnerable" farmers through the Rural Development Programme. Paul Silcock, of Cumulus Consultants which produced the report, said: "This research illustrates the complexity of the linkages between livestock grazing and biodiversity, and the variability across the UK not only in changes in livestock numbers and grazing regimes, but also in the resulting impacts on different habitats and species.

"Combine this with the fact that the continuation of upland grazing is to a large extent dependent on scheme payments, and it underlines the need for a flexible approach in terms of the delivery of this support at local level."

"More should also be done to support positive cattle and sheep grazing by research into more profitable and sustainable upland farming systems, retaining and extending the grazing and land management skills required, and promoting beef, lamb and other products from the uplands," said Mr Silcock.

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Moorland farms need more support on wildlife

Call to return HMS Albion to sea – and save £14m

The Royal Navy has disputed claims that tying up one of the Westcountry's amphibious assault ships alongside to save money is costing £14 million a year.

The figure for mothballing HMS Albion, as part of the drive to slash military spending, was raised with ministers by a Conservative MP in the Commons, who called on the Government "to put this wonderful ship to sea". But the Ministry of Defence insists the actual cost of keeping the vessel in "extended readiness", aimed at saving on fuel and crew, is closer to £300,000 annually.

Urgent clarification is being sought from the Government by Shadow Defence Minister and Plymouth MP Alison Seabeck.

The 18,500 tonne warship was put on standby in late 2011 according to ministers, just eight years after entering service at a cost of £359 million. It followed the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review, which has also seen all four of Plymouth's Type 22 frigates scrapped, and moves to cut the Navy by around 5,000 personnel.

According to current plans, HMS Albion will remain at Devonport on "extended readiness" until she replaces HMS Bulwark in 2016. The issue of keeping HMS Albion alongside was raised by Tory MP Richard Drax at defence questions, although he mistakenly said it was Portsmouth-based. It came as David Cameron suggested that ring-fenced aid money could be diverted to fund military operations aimed at stabilising war-torn states.

Mr Drax said: "I understand that it costs about £14 million a year for HMS Bulwark's sister ship, HMS Albion, to sit in [dock] doing not very much. Given the Prime Minister's new-found enthusiasm for spending on our armed services, may I suggest that some of the money be used to put this wonderful ship to sea - if for no other reason than to help the Department for International Development?"

Responding Defence Minister Philip Dunne said: " "HMS Albion entered a period of extended readiness in late 2011, and according to current plans will remain at Her Majesty's naval base Devonport until her upkeep is completed in 2016.

"At that point, HMS Bulwark will go into extended readiness and HMS Albion will be placed at high readiness for operations."

An MoD spokesman insisted the cost of keeping HMS Albion in "extended readiness" was about £300,000 a year.

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Call to return HMS Albion to sea – and save £14m


Minister pulls plug on hopes for Severn barrage go-ahead before 2015

The energy minister has ruled out introducing legislation to build a ten-mile barrage across the Severn estuary before the 2015 election.

In a major blow to plans to generate power from the huge Bristol Channel tides, Greg Barker told MPs he did not have enough information to judge whether a proposed project was viable.

Appearing before the Commons Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, he was asked if he thought it was "realistic" for legislation to enable the project to go ahead to be passed during this parliament.

"Not at all," the minister responded.

The coalition Government backed away from getting involved with all the Severn energy projects, citing the huge costs to the public purse, in 2010. But a consortium led by Hafren Power is now proposing a barrage between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare.

The Government would still need to give the scheme – which could generate 5% of the UK's electricity and sustain 10,000 construction jobs – its consent.

Mr Barker continued: "To talk of there being a Bill before 2015 really would require some transformational level of information in order for us to give up Government legislative time which will be very squeezed, as well as the political time that would need to go into pursuing what is a very, very substantial project."

Opponents of development fear the impact on wildlife, habitats, the shipping industry and leisure, and Mr Barker stressed that major questions remained unanswered.

He said: "[One] thing's absolutely clear, before you go down that road much further, considering these other environmental and social impacts, any decision on a Severn power scheme or schemes would need to be based on credible and compelling evidence of the full set of costs and benefits.

"In terms of the specific proposal we wish to discuss today we have received an outline proposal from Hafren Power and there have been some discussions between my department and the company.

"However, the information the department has seen so far certainly doesn't allow us to assess if the proposal is credible nor if it could actually stand a chance of achieving the benefits Hafren Power claimed the scheme would achieve."

He added: "[To] date the Hafren Power proposal doesn't go far enough at this stage to justify a Government endorsement of the project."

Labour MP and former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who is championing the project, blamed "confusion and division" in Government for delaying the scheme.

He said: "If we're now unlikely to see the hybrid bill required for the Severn barrage in this parliament that will mean two more years' delay for a gigantic £25 billion investment creating 50,000 desperately needed jobs.

"Sadly confusion and division in government now means we're working to a longer timescale."

A Hafren Power spokesman said: "We are pleased to see the Department of Energy is keeping an open mind on the project, but disappointed at the criticism of lack of detail."

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Minister pulls plug on hopes for Severn barrage go-ahead before 2015

Is the pace of change calling time on traditional village life?

More than 100 pubs have closed since the beginning of the year – Martin Hesp lives near two well-known establishments that have shut up shop and is worried for village life in the future.

Every now and again we get to feel how it must be when we become very old – by which I mean, we look around and are shocked by the way things have changed, even in our own backyard.

Here's an example – for most of my life the Westcountry villages where I live have had pubs. Some of the more remote ones have closed but, for the most part, the inns at the heart of communities have carried on – a few have thrived and a couple have even become celebrated way beyond parish or even county boundary.

These village pubs survive as age-old fixtures. Some have been serving their communities for centuries – and during my lifetime the generally accepted notion has been that they will continue to do so.

But then one day you blink, and everything has changed.

The community in which I live is bordered by two villages – one to the east and one to the south – and both, until recently, boasted exceptionally well-known and well-loved public houses.

Now both are gone. For how long, I do not know. The closures might be temporary – new buyers might be found and one day could be up and running again. I hope so.

Many readers will have heard of Luxborough's Royal Oak, situated deep in the Brendon Hills. The "Blazing Stump", as it was often known, was one of those classic stone-slab floor affairs with a huge inglenook fireplace and all the thatched roof trappings. When I first drank there 40 years ago it was just a single room served by a small hatchway – but a succession of owners developed the place until it became a rather swish cottage hotel and restaurant.

But, for all that, the bar areas never lost their authentic pub charm – and I won't bang on about the crowds I've had to squeeze past in order to get a drink.

I will, however, quote directly from the Royal Oak's present website: "Due to family illness and the economic situation the business is closed for the foreseeable future."

Two miles east of my village there's another charming community. For countless years Monksilver has enjoyed the services of an equally charming pub.

To be honest, The Notley Arms hasn't always been the most crowded inn – when I first used to call as a young cub reporter it was run by a retired colonial hangman who was one of the most insidious and unfriendly men it has been my displeasure to meet.

Anyway, the hangman duly went off to join felons he had sent heavenwards and soon the place was transformed. Within a few years you couldn't get through the door.

Among the crowds I remember seeing the cricketer Ian Botham in the Notley with a great crowd of his Somerset county cricket mates.

Under more recent landlords this popularity did appear to ebb somewhat. But, to see the establishment sitting empty goes very much against the grain with me – and with the Monksilver community too.

The local parish council and a group called the Monksilver Action Group nominated the pub as a "community asset" (which means such a property cannot be sold for six months on the open market as long as a bona-fide community group has registered an interest in buying it). This was upheld by West Somerset Council, much to the chagrin of the owner who – according to the local newspaper – says he's now decided not to sell at all.

Herein lies a tale… How many other inns around the region, I wonder, are closing and then put up for sale by owners who would like to see the official public-house planning status on their properties lifted?

Monksilver Parish Council's decision to go for community asset status was made in the hopes that the Notley Arms would remain a pub: "The community is desperate to have the pub trading again, but its future is threatened by the stated owner's wish to sell it as a residential property," claims the parish council.

So much for the tale of two public houses in West Somerset villages – my bet is that readers could point to the same thing happening across the peninsula.

The Campaign for Real Ale claims that around 18 locals close each week and that so far this year more than 100 have bitten the dust. The pressure group – which is urging George Osborne to scrap the beer duty escalator – fears over 1,000 pubs will call a final "last orders" by the year's end.

I declare an interest because I am a great lover of country pubs. And, at the same time, I can understand that, in my mid-fifties, I will begin to see things change when I look back and make comparisons with my own past.

I accept the world changes and that certain businesses and types of commerce will disappear…

But when establishments which enjoyed long-term popularity suddenly disappear without trace, I can't help but question why things are changing so fast. I also wonder what the future holds for rural communities that have no heart, no spirit and no centre.

Cost and threats cast shadow over badger culls

Further doubt has been cast over summer badger culls – one of which is planned for Exmoor – just days after they were given the final go-ahead by th Government.

There are concerns that landowners may waver in the face of heavy costs and threats from animal rights activists.

Critics argue that by earmarking a third, reserve area in Dorset the Government is preparing for failure.

The pilot culls in west Somerset and Gloucestershire were delayed last year in the face of bad weather and a discovery that there were more badgers in the areas than previously estimated.

But last week Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said that the shooting of around 5,000 badgers – equal to killing 70% of the population in the two areas, a requirement for the project's validity – would begin this June.

But with two district councils – Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury – voting last year to ban the shooting on their land and animal rights activists threatening to shame farmers who sign up, many seriously question whether enough landowners would co-operate.

Mary Creagh, Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary, said that the cull could easily fall through if landowners in the pilot areas began to pull out.

"Reaching the 70 per cent coverage of the cull area has been a problem for the last year," she said. "This is why there's a reserve area and the very fact that there's a reserve area shows that the Government is planning for failure."

Westcountry farmers were among the audience at the National Farmers' Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham last Wednesday when the Environment Secretary repeated his commitment to making sure the pilots went ahead.

He said tackling bovine TB cost the taxpayer £500 million in the past 10 years, and costs could reach £1 billion over the next decade if the disease was left unchecked.

But under Defra's plans, landowners taking part will have to bear all the costs of the shooting as well as the hiring of trained marksmen to kill the badgers, often during the night.

Harry Cotterell, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), said that last year there had been just about enough landowners ready to pay for the shooting on their land, describing it as "pretty close".

Jay Tiernan, a spokesman for the Coalition of Badger Action Groups, said that he was confident of being able to derail the back-up plans in Dorset if this one failed, thereby aborting the entire project.

A second problem threatening to discredit the cull is uncertainty over the numbers of badgers.

Lord Krebs, who ran a ten-year review into whether culling could control bovine tuberculosis, said that the Government's estimates had varied so wildly that under the previous target farmers would have been asked to shoot 144 per cent of the badgers in Gloucestershire.

"To me what it says is that the practicality of killing 70 per cent is one question but the real question is how do they know what their starting number is?" he added.

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Cost and threats cast shadow over badger culls

South West homes were sold at a loss

More than four out of ten South West homes changing hands during the economic downturn were sold at a loss, a new report has found.

Analysis of the struggling regional market showed that 17,925 properties – 43.6% of the total – lost the seller an average £23,056, or 10.6%, on the deal.

The shortfall, between January 2007 and 2013 equates to a colossal £413 million, housing investment and shared equity provider, Castle Trust has calculated.

But despite the gloom over a sluggish and stalled market, the majority – 21,671 or 52.9% of the total – actually yielded a profit.

And with a 16.8% return – those who sold for above the price they bought pocketed an average £36,487 – the total in the black amounted to £790 million.

However, this must be seen in terms of transactions since 1995 – which include the property bubble fuelled by available credit which led to the crash – when a massive 91.5% of all homes returned a profit, with just 7.5% sold at a loss.

Sean Oldfield, Castle Trust chief executive officer, said house prices remained "volatile" and home ownership was "much more risky than most people appreciate".

The most common reason for selling cited among those who lost out was to buy a good home at a new price – 18%, followed by divorce or separation at 14% and the need to upsize at 13%.

The risk of selling at a loss in the South West was said to be the fourth lowest of the 10 regions in England and Wales.

Greater London offered the best chance to make money and Yorkshire and Humber the worst.

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South West homes were sold at a loss

Horse's road crash death prompts security warning

Police are urging horse owners to check their field boundaries are secure after a spate of horses have been found loose on the region's roads.

In the past month Devon and Cornwall Police have received 26 reports of livestock that have escaped, the majority horses, with the worst case culminating in a collision last Monday where a driver was injured and a horse killed.

"We're getting reports daily about horses, occasionally sheep, breaking loose and being found on country lanes as well as main roads," PC Ryan Canning, a wildlife crime officer, told the WMN.

"It can have terrible consequences and so we are asking that land and horse owners please check their hedges for breaches and weak points.

"This time of year the foliage is less dense and the hedges are more exposed, which the animals will exploit."

PC Canning also highlighted the importance of land owners and walkers keeping gates shut and ideally padlocked where possible.

On the latest incident on the A380 in South Devon, he said: "It was very sad but could have been far, far worse. Hitting an animal of that size in a vehicle is highly likely to kill a motorist."

The tragedy began after motorists reported five horses walking on the A380 around Ideford at 8:50pm last Monday.

At 8:54pm one of the horses collided with a grey Peugeot 307 being driven by a woman from Paignton.

The horse was killed in the crash on the Torquay-bound carriageway. The car driver suffered only minor injuries.

Motorists and a local farmer came to the rescue and helped round up the other four horses, which were secured and taken away.

The crash is one of many examples of horses escaping and running onto public roads, say police.

Last month they were called to a report of four horses running in the road towards the Tesco supermarket in Roborough, Plymouth – the third sighting of escaped horses in the city that week including two separate sightings in Haye Road, Plymstock.

Although 26 traffic related incidents involving animals have been reported since the beginning of February, police believe the true figure could be closer to 40, with many incidents not being reported.

The figures are for privately owned animals and do not include moorland ponies.

A horse owner from Plymouth, Henry Nicholson, was not surprised and commented: "It's always the same at this time of year. People call it hungry March – next to no grass and what there is isn't sweet, so all the livestock is looking in the hedges. Add to that the fact that many of the hedges have been trimmed recently which takes out what boundary there is. It means before you know it the animals are out on the road."

He added: "The big issue is that animal owners have insurance that covers them for straying livestock as strict liability applies and claims involving personal injury can run to millions."

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Horse's road crash death prompts security warning

Incredible rescue after Dartmoor pony became stranded on cliff face

The complex rescue of a pony which was stranded on a Cornish cliff ledge after tumbling more than 230ft has been revealed in dramatic series of pictures.

Coastguards, firefighters specialising in mineshaft rescues, an RSPCA rescue team, and Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 539 Assault Squadron were all involved in the operation at Rame Head in South East Cornwall.

The Dartmoor pony had been stuck on a ledge for four days, after somehow slithering most of the way down cliffs some 300ft high.

A firefighter first roped down the steep cliff, near the iconic Rame Head chapel, to coax the stranded animal onto a small, but inaccessible, beach.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which didn't have a suitable boat of its own available, then called on the help of 539 Assault Squadron, based at Turnchapel in Plymouth.

The Royal Marines' off-shore raiding craft first picked up the RSPCA, coastguard and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service team before dropping them off on the beach.

Vet Sam Pawson, from Clifton Villa Veterinary Surgery at Truro, successfully fired a tranquilliser dart at the animal.

Once anaesthetised, the pony was manoeuvred on to a raft, floated out to the landing craft and dragged aboard.

The landing craft then motored to nearby Cawsand where the animal was taken ashore on Wednesday and stabled nearby.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service group manager Martin Wingrove, who led the operation, said: "The pony was none the worse afterwards although she quickly downed a bucket of water.

"The real mystery is how on earth she managed to get down so far and survive. It was as if she had been plucked off the cliff top and placed there."

A Royal Marines spokesman, praised the "deftness and flexibility" of the rescue, and said they got the call during a routine training exercise. He added: "The crews had to react to the situation as they saw it."

RSPCA inspector Peter Ferris said the female pony had been named Marina in honour of the marines.

"Now all I've got do is find her owner," Mr Ferris said. "If no one comes forward, I might adopt her myself."

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Incredible rescue after Dartmoor pony became stranded on cliff face

Vandalism causes delays to trains from Truro to Falmouth and Par and Penzance

Passengers using trains between Truro and Falmouth and Par and Penzance face delays of up to 20 minutes today following some vandalism.

Network Rail said the vandalism occured at the Truro station and the delays are expected to continue until this afternoon.


Delays to Truro to Penzance train after thieves steal signalling cable

Thieves who stole 60m of signalling cable have caused disruptions to trains between Truro and Penzance.
 
The theft occurred sometime overnight which led to a signalling failure between Penweathers and Redruth.

A team is on site this morning to install new cables and the trains should be back to normal by about 1pm.

Network Rail said the vandalism should not cause any delays to the Truro to Falmouth train, despite earlier reports of a 20 minute wait for passengers.

British Transport Police have been notified and are investigating the theft.
 
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "These incidents always cause major disruption to passengers and journeys and for that we apologise. "Cable and metal theft costs us millions of pounds each year and we are cracking down on them."

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Delays to Truro to Penzance train after thieves steal signalling cable

Fowey students bag packing fundraiser for Leavers' Ball

Year 11 students from Fowey Community College gave up their Sunday morning lie-in to pack bags for shoppers in St Austell.

The pupils arrived at the Tesco store on March 3, keen to both assist shoppers, and raise vital funds for their Leavers' Ball due to take place in June.

The event was arranged by community relations manager, Natasha Spencer, following a letter sent by students to the store manager with the request to participate in a fundraising 'bag pack'.

Student, Abi Newton, 16, said: "This is a great way to raise money and Tesco customers have been very generous, which we really appreciate."

Although the Leavers' Ball is funded by the school, students decide to take on their own fundraising efforts to make the day a real big success.

This latest event is one of a number of similar fundraisers undertaken by students to ensure the cost of tickets to the June ball remains as low as possible and enables the whole year to attend the final farewell to school life, scheduled for Carlyon Bay Hotel.

Amber Key, Fowey Community College communications manager, said: "The bag pack has gone really well and the Tesco team has made us all really welcome. It has also been great to see so many teachers coming along to support us."

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Fowey students bag packing fundraiser for Leavers' Ball

Ambitious Tate St Ives Phase Two extension plans get Cornwall Council thumbs up

AMBITIOUS plans for a £12m extension at Tate St Ives have been given the unanimous thumbs up by Cornwall Councilors.
The impressive project includes new galleries and art handling facilities, plus education and community spaces at the site off Porthmeor Beach.
The new wing to the rear of Tate St Ives is now expected to begin construction this autumn and be completed by 2015.
It will, however, depend on the final go ahead from funders like the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
Figures given for the scheme - designed by prestigious architect Jamie Fobert – range from £10.5m to 12m.
It extends the already 500 square metres of floor space across five galleries at the existing site.
Tate St Ives is estimated to bring in more than 200,000 visitors a year to the town and generate more than £12m, according to a Cornwall Council report.
On Monday, Cornwall Council's West Sub-Area Planning Committee rubber stamped the plans after submissions in support, including one from St Ives Town Councillor Tim Andrewes.
The extension will create the capacity for three separate zones for exhibitions and displays, enabling a year-round programme and permanent display of the St Ives Modernists.
Tate St Ives' executive director Mark Osterfield said: "This is an extremely positive moment for us.
"We have listened and responded to our community stakeholders."
"We have a fantastic project with well-designed proposals, reflecting the gallery's rootedness in St Ives and allowing us to continue to build new ways of working for the future."
The Phase Two plan will create a new learning centre and additional gallery space, offices and toilets.
It has also involved the demolition and complete replacement of the previously decrepit Meadows' Flats housing complex for the elderly, owned by Penwith Housing Association, with 26 flats.
The Tate St Ives site is owned by Cornwall Council and leased at a peppercorn rent.
Mr Osterfield added: "The next milestone will be the decisions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England on their financial support of the project.
"If they both agree to invest we will concentrate on completing the funding package through private donations with a view to starting work on the new gallery in autumn 2013 for completion at the end of 2015."

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Ambitious Tate St Ives Phase Two extension plans get Cornwall Council thumbs up

Paignton velodrome plan moves a step closer

The Westcountry is set to become a "Mecca" for cyclists after plans for the first combined outdoor velodrome and road track outside London and Manchester were given the go-ahead.

The move comes after stages of the Tour of Britain were successfully staged in Devon and as business leaders put together ambitious plans to one day host the start of the greatest cycle race of all – the Tour de France.

The outdoor velodrome would be similar to the country's best-known example at Herne Hill in South London.

Torbay council agreed to fund half the £1.5 million cost of building the facility and hopes that providing "iconic" resources of such regional significance will open the door to new streams of funding.

Councillors agreed to the project, despite facing £10 million cuts to its spending budget, to take advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to cement the area as a regional centre for the sport.

British Cycling, which is led by Sir Dave Brailsford, the driving force behind the massive haul of track medals and the nation's first Tour de France victory last year, has identified the area as its number one target for the centre.

Robert Excell, Torbay council lead member for sport, said he was 99% certain of realising the centre although he admitted the funding was "not yet sorted".

"The Torbay Development Agency will now ask what developers and investors think – there is a lot of interest being shown," he added. "British Cycling have looked at the areas, seen the need for a cycling destination in the South West and recognised Torbay as the ideal location.

"We want Torbay to become the cycling Mecca in the South West."

The twin facilities – a 400m outdoor banked oval track and a 1.5km closed road cycling circuit – are planned for land at Clennon Valley, near Paignton.

The council would own and manage them for both community use and competitive cycling. The nearest velodrome is in Bournemouth and those wanting to use a closed road cycle circuit currently need to travel as far as Birmingham or London.

Manchester, home to the National Cycling Centre and London, with its newly-built Olympic velodrome, are the only areas which have both a closed road circuit and a velodrome

British Cycling (BC) has described the provision of new facilities in the South West as one of its highest national priorities and intends to jointly fund the project, matching the £780,000 approved last week.

The road circuit would also be used for cycle proficiency training as well as providing a safe environment for roller blading and disabled sports.

The council says it is hoping to provide "another sports resource of regional significance" which would pave the way for application to the "iconic facilities grant and other high value funding opportunities".

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Paignton velodrome plan moves a step closer

Skip fire at Poltair School, St Austell

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze in a skip at Poltair School.

At about 1.30pm on Friday (MARCH 1), crew members strapped on breathing equipment to tackle the flames, using a jet hose.

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Skip fire at Poltair School, St Austell

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