A 43-YEAR-OLD who last year underwent hip replacement surgery has completed a 120-mile walk for charity.

Sarah Hodges has raised more than raised £400 for Cancer Research UK after walking 15 miles a day along the Cornish coast carrying a 25kg backpack.

Ms Hodges, of Perranporth, said: "I wanted to show just how active a person can be following a hip replacement.

"I chose to walk the coast path because, despite being Cornish, I had never done it before."

She started at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, on August 2, and completed the trek ten days later at Land's End.

She decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK after several friends and family were affected by the disease.

She added: "The scenery and views were spectacular but 12-hour days, waking up at 2am in torrential rain and wind, and the sheer number of steps on the coast path weren't quite so much fun.

"Above all I am extremely proud of what I have achieved."

She will soon start training for her next challenge – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next year.

To donate to her fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Hodges1/

*The advent of the internet has provided the opportunity for people across the globe to communicate with an ease that could only be imagined by previous generations. 

Here, in a new blog, the West Briton's digital editor, David Thomas, wonders why so many people have decided to use it just to abuse others: 

If there's one thing my job has taught me in the past year, it's that Cornwall appears to have more than its fair share of very angry people.

I have to admit, it certainly came as a surprise to me, for my experience previously had suggested that the county was in fact one of the more relaxed parts of the world.

However, a look at the comments section of any of our websites or Facebook pages appears to provide irrefutable proof of the seething pit of rage that bubbles beneath the Duchy's surface.

On any given day, between 20 and 30 new stories will appear on our pages - on a wide variety of topics.

Some of these items will only appeal to a small demographic - while others will be of interest to a far wider audience.

The one thing they all have in common though is that they are guaranteed to provoke outrage.

Sometimes you have to wait mere seconds for the first hints of abuse to arrive - usually in the form of a dismissive (if not very original) comment of "Is this news?".

Then come the more detailed responses, for example slamming the article as 'journalistic drivel', dismissing the writer as 'sensationalist', or accusing the paper of bias against one party or another.

Obviously I understand some stories may upset some people - if we report on a court case for example - but all too often the anger seems to be self-generating - where an innocuous story provokes an almost volcanic response.

Now, I'm all for freedom of speech, and I accept the fact that a certain amount of criticism is inevitable if you work in the media (thank you tabloids!), I'm just amazed that it seems to arrive on every story.

We've even had Facebook campaigns launched against us with the sole aim of telling us how bad we are at our jobs - as if we needed telling with all the abusive comments we recieve every day!

Happily, there is some solace to be easily found simply by looking at all other interactive websites. Any site which allows comments is filled with the same thing - angry people commenting.

Look at YouTube - whole comedy shows have been produced based simply on the bile that appears under every single video.

Check out any of the national newspaper websites and it is the same - ranting comments, with the occasional voice of sanity all too often being drowned out by the irate - and often irrational - majority.

It makes me question whether or not we are becoming angrier as a society, or does it just appear that way because the internet has made it so much easier to get your voice heard?

Are the majority of people still normally calm and happy, and that it is just a minority shouting the loudest online who tend to be heard?

Or is there a keyboard warrior in all of us, inspired by the anonymity offered by the internet, who only comes to the surface when we begin typing?

I'd love to know what everybody else thinks - but I bet I know what replies I'm going to get instead ...

*Please feel free to respond using the comment form below, or directly to David via his email at david.thomas@dc-media.co.uk, or through his Twitter account @falmouth_dai

A 19-year-old woman was knocked unconscious during an assault by three men in Truro in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday) morning.

A 32-year-old man suffered head injuries after being punched and kicked by the trio during the same incident.

The assault began after the man and woman approached the three men to check on their welfare after seeing them laying in the middle of the road on Calenick Street at around 3am.

The two victims were both from the local area.

Police have asked for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call DC Harrison on 101 quoting crime reference CR/102808/14.

A MOTHER is doing her best to dispel the stereotypes associated with single mums by expanding her very own business.

Charlene Chivers, from Camborne, started TC Party People when she moved back to Cornwall following the breakdown of her marriage and has now has plans to expand the business after a successful start.

She says that running the company is her dream job and that she wakes up and looks forward to going to work each day.

She said: "The business specialises in birthday parties where I dress up in character and I also do events such as Christmas balls and have already sold out two in Camborne and St Austell for this year.

"I lived and grew up in Cornwall and then moved to Northampton when I got married where I was asked by a parent to help with some entertainment at a children's party.

"In Northampton the business took three years to take off and when I got divorced and moved home I was terrified that it wouldn't work down here but fortunately it took off in just five months."

The 26-year-old believes that it is too easy for single mums to live off benefits, something that prevents many from going back to work.

"A lot of people think that single mums just sit at home and claim benefits.

"It's not true for everyone, but it is far too easy to do so, I worked long and hard into the early hours to get my business up and running."

Ms Chivers is currently hosting around three parties a week, mainly at the weekends and will be looking at expanding the business once her two-year-old daughter Evelyn starts school.

"The Christmas balls have already proved popular and I've had people from all over Cornwall showing an interest.

"I have a few friends who want to help out so when Evelyn starts school I'll be looking at expanding."

The young entrepreneur has issued a number of tips for single mums who are looking to start up their own business.

"The main thing is not to give up because you'll get so many knockbacks.

"You have to work hard and have a passion for what you do. You will get so many knockbacks along the way, it doesn't come easy but if you keep working at it you'll eventually reap the benefits."

CORNWALL Council has said it will consider any offers to take over services as it aims to cut £196million from its budget over the next four years.

The council published a 160-page dossier today detailing how it will make the savings which include plans to devolve around £34m of services to town and parish councils.

However the council admitted that its plans still come up £6m short of their target and said more work needed to be done.

Council leaders said that no service had been spared in the cuts and said that in order to meet the target it would need to cut 30% from every service budget.

However they said that some priority services had been spared the worst of the cuts – services for the most vulnerable; public transport and road repairs and maintenance.

Among the cuts being proposed by the council are the end of £5.7m for leisure services, a 15% reduction in staff across four departments and the sale of £3.6m of council assets.

The council is also planning to axe school crossing patrols on pelican crossings, ending funding for tourism body Visit Cornwall, cutting one fire engine and six firefighters, introducing parking charges for staff, introducing on street parking charges and removing the rate relief scheme for charities.

In its document the council also gives details of cuts which were put forward by officers but then rejected by Cabinet members.

These included axing the grant paid to the RNLI to provide lifeguard services on Cornwall's beaches to save £1.2m a year. They also included a tourism tax which would have raised £19m but which was rejected as the council can not legally enforce such a charge.

The council also considered reducing the number of councillors but again dismissed the idea as it is not able to implement such a change.

Council leader John Pollard (Ind) said: "We are not in a position that we want to be in. We are being forced to make these changes due to the changes in the funding for local government from central government.

"We wish we weren't here but we are."

The council says it will have to reduce its pay bill by £31m and also indicates that it will consider alternative ways of providing services including privatisation.

Alex Folkes, Cabinet member for finance and resources, said: "We are willing to consider working with private partners, or privatisation of services if you will, but we are not saying we are a privatising council.

"However we are also not saying we will keep everything in Cornwall Council – we will consider whatever is right for each individual service.

"There are some services that can be better provided by the private sector, there are some that can be better provided by the voluntary and charitable sector or parish and town councils.

"What we are saying is that we are willing to have that conversation and will consider anything that is suggested."

When asked whether that would include the possible sell-off of Newquay Airport he said: "We have not had anybody falling over to buy the airport but if someone did want to buy it and keep it open then it is something we would consider.

"It is not a facility that Cornwall Council is desperate to keep hold of."

The council is now planning to open the budget proposals to the public to consider and comment on.

A series of public meetings will also be held with the first on October 1 in Launceston and finishing on October 29 in St Ives.

Young musicians have thanked the Camborne public for their donations that allowed them to travel to Belgium and perform a concert in front of nearly 3,000 people.

Camborne Youth Band had the honour of representing Great Britain last week at Menin Gate in Ypres, to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The Menin Gate monument is a memorial to 54,338 men of the British Commonwealth who died at the Ypres salient in the Great War and have no known grave.

Michelle Smith, who helped organise the trip, said: "Camborne Youth Band and supporters left Camborne at 5am on Thursday to travel straight to Ypres to take part in the ceremony.

"A visibly moved crowd of nearly 3,000 gathered to listen as the band, conducted by musical director Alan Pope and featuring solos by Abigail Roberts and Cecilia Carlisle, played A Special Place by Cornish composer Goff Richards and In flanders fields by Gavin Somerset.

"The Menin Gate ceremony was the high point of the band's four-day tour, made possible by months of fundraising and donations from the public, sponsorship from Burncoose Nurseries and the sales of the band's 2014 commemorative CD."

Whist in Flanders the group also played concerts in Ypres and Diksmuide, playing First World War themed music and Cornish folk tunes and visited a number of First World War sites.

A number of Camborne Youth Band's players are now busy preparing for their next big venture on Saturday September 20 when they will be competing (as Camborne Junior Contesting Band) in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at Cheltenham.

Any further donations to clear the final balance of the trip and for CD enquiries call 07867 544479.

Falmouth Aquarium has closed its doors to the public just two years after first opening.

The attraction, based on Church Street, closed this week without warning.

A statement posted on the aquarium's Facebook page this morning said: "The Falmouth Aquarium is now closed the public. 

"Since opening in 2012, the Falmouth Aquarium has reached over 30,000 people, led educational sessions for over 550 local Cornish school children, provided free 'Live Encounters' to over 500 children and families, provided jobs to 10 people in the field of marine biology and trained 110 students, unemployed and adults in practical experience to support their employability in the field. 

"We would like to thank the community, local businesses and our dedicated team of volunteers for your support in helping us promote marine life."

The aquarium had received support from celebrities including Rick Stein and David Dimbleby during the past two years.

More information will follow when available. 

CONTACTING his former partner in contravention of a restraining order was the result of a man keying in the wrong telephone number on his phone, Truro magistrates have been told.

Kevin David Martin, aged 34, of Comfort Road, Mylor Bridge, pleaded guilty to harassing Perdita Barnicoat on July 9 at Flushing by sending a text message and by leaving two voice messages on her phone. Gail Hawkley, for the prosecution, said the restraining order had been made in February after Martin was convicted of an offence of battery against Ms Barnicoat, from whom he had been separated after the breakdown of their eight-year relationship.

The text message was asking her to meet; the two voicemails left no messages.

Martin Pearce, for the defence, said Martin had been intending to contact a friend whose telephone number was stored next to Ms Barnicoat's on his phone and, being drunk at the time, he accidentally pressed the wrong key.

Martin, a share fisherman, was fined £450 and told to pay £130 costs and surcharge.

The restraining order remains in place.

A DISTRAUGHT cat-owner is warning others after her pet was shot.

Friendly feline Teddy is said to be in a stable condition after being injured at Point, near Devoran, on Thursday night.

Emily Shipwright said she thought the wounds to Teddy's stomach had been caused by a cat fight and was horrified when she learnt the four-year-old Asian/Burmese pedigree had been hurt with a shotgun.

Teddy is currently in the care of City Road Vets, who have removed 6 of the 20 to 30 bits of shot and were amazed the pellets had not punctured his chest cavity and that he survived.

Miss Shipwright, 20, said: "The vets have said because of the amount of pellets and the distance from which they came, it was probably done purposefully.

Shock

"The vets were in a bit of shock as well as they don't often deal with shot animals.

"It's really horrible. It hasn't really sunk in yet. If anyone knows anything I'd urge them to get in touch as someone has shot our cat."

David Leedham, senior veterinary surgeon, believed Teddy was shot from about 15 metres away.

"I don't think from that distance there would be any confusing Teddy with a rabbit or anything else," he added.

"We're concerned that there is somebody out there who thinks it's sport to shoot cats, but it could be a mistake.

"This cat was in a lot of pain and was very poorly. There have been complications but he is doing very well. He has been very lucky.

"I have been senior veterinary surgeon here for 30 years and I cannot remember seeing one quite like this.

"They don't happen very often, thank goodness."

Miss Shipwright has reported the incident to the police, who have spoken with her and neighbours, but had no other reports of cats being shot in the area.

"If this has been done purposefully, it is completely unacceptable," said Acting Sergeant Sophie Curtis, of Truro police.

"A report has been taken and it is being looked into."

Miss Shipwright added: "I also want to put out a warning around the area that someone has the audacity to shoot a cat for the sheer hell of it.

"I really want him home but I don't want to take him away from getting the right treatment."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting the crime reference number CR/100/389.

Seasoned partygoers are set to get down at a spectacular new venue for this year's Halloween Masked Ball.

Event organiser Kelvin Batt has confirmed that the event will take place at Flambards Theme Park in Helston and the party arenas have been specially designed so that revellers will be able to enjoy the rides as well as the usual selection of top DJs doing their thing.

The Halloween Masked Ball had been looking for a new home after the last event held at The Camel Farm, Rosuick was marred by high winds, muddy conditions and escaping camels.

A statement posted by event organiser Kelvin Batt on their website reads: "Right you lovely, lovely lot. We are pleased to announce after eight months of scouring the county (and farther afield) for a new venue, we have been granted the license for our new home Flambards or El Flambardos as we now call it.

"So many sites were explored since our last event (24 in total), taking into consideration the risk of inclement weather when running a show in early winter and the necessity to run all-night many greenfield rural sites were eliminated.

"Flambards was chosen for many reasons, one of which is the ability the site gives us to run the event in all weathers as an immersive experience from the moment you step through the gates.

"The ball will utilise the entire park including many of the rides and take you on a journey through 11 twisted venues through the night until 6am. There will be themed areas, theatre, comedy walk through venues and fringe entertainment on top of all your usual Masked Ball shenanigans to really make sure this tops anything we've ever done before."

Due to limited camping space, Mr Batt has increased public transport options to the site from all corners of the county, with routes to be revealed and bus tickets made available in mid-September.

Tickets are currently on sale at www.maskedball.net.

WITH St Just finally clinching the ECB Cornwall Premier League title on Saturday with a six wicket win at Redruth, the focus now switches for the fight for survival at the bottom of the table.

Four teams are in danger – bottom club Redruth, Camborne, Callington and Newquay.

Redruth look in the greatest danger and face a daunting trip to runners-up Werrington, while Camborne finish the season at relegation rivals Newquay and Callington, who are only two points better off, have a tough final game at champions St Just.

Redruth 106, St Just 107-4

ST JUST have enjoyed some remarkable successes over the last decade or so but the landing of the 'quadruple' must surely go down as one of the highlights.

Having claimed the Vinter, WT Edwards and Premier 50/50 Cups in July, they clinched their first Premier League title since 2009, with a game to spare. They have led the table from day one.

Redruth, meanwhile, only took three points to move back to the foot. They lost a toss they must have desperately hoped to have won and, after being put in, reached 31 for one before collapsing to 106 all out.

Steve Kevern made 19 and Harry Bolland 17. Mark George took five for 21 and Justin Stephens four for 29. Harry Medhurst then made 34 after Neil Curnow and Mark George had gone for 26.

Fittingly, stalwart Gary Thomas hit the winning boundary to end on 29 with Stephens undefeated on 20. Shakil Ahmed took three for 37.

Werrington 253, Camborne 133

WERRINGTON gained a revenge win at Roskear, by the large margin of 120 runs. The home defeat earlier in the season was one of the reasons they ended up chasing St Just throughout the campaign.

Five Werrington batsmen passed 25 in their 253 all out. Sam Pooley struck three times as they slipped to 73 for four with Nick Ward making 26.

In a recovery Paul Smith made 37, Adam Hodgson 39 and Nick Lawson 51 with Tony Goodin last man out for 27. Nick King took four for 42 and Sam Pooley three for 52.

Camborne did pick up a valuable five bowling points, however.

They then collapsed for 80 for three to 133 all out, with just under six overs remaining; Simon Hosking hit 29 and Matt Rowe 20. Alex Smeeth (3-27) and Sam Hockin (3-21) took the top order wickets.

St Austell 168, Grampound Road 152

A YEAR ago St Austell just survived relegation in the final overs of the season, but it's a different story this time around at Wheal Eliza.

They've won three and tied one of their last five games and will finish a very creditable fifth in the table.

On Saturday eight home batsmen got double figures led by Andrew Libby with 30, Matt Ellison (28) and Taylor Williams with 20.

Their 168 all out came in the 51st over. Christian Purchase took four for 32 and Jeffery Vandersay four for 38 from 16 overs.

After David Hoskings (33) and Curtis Dalby (21) got the Road to a promising 76 for one, the innings fell away disappointingly.

Libby did the damage taking six for 43 from 17 overs. Josh Sharpe made 20 as the end came in the 43rd over.

Newquay 90, Truro 91-5

TRURO strengthened their chances of a top three finish with this five wicket home win.

Meanwhile Newquay have a 16 point cushion going into the final weekend and, barring a remarkable set of results, that should be enough for their survival.

After being put in Newquay's Adam Cocking made 22 and Martin Pearce 16 to get them to 44 for two. They struggled from that point however with Tom Sharp taking four for 16 and Neil Ivamy two for 17.

Marc Lewis removed openers Joe Crane and Michael Harding plus Martin Pearce at a cost of 39 runs. Pearce (4-46) had the home side struggling somewhat at 45 for four, with Liam Lombard and Tom Sharp both going early.

However, opener Scott Harvey remained undefeated on 38 and Kelvin Snell made 18 to secure victory with 50 overs to spare.

Falmouth 188-8, Callington 153

FALMOUTH ensured their survival with this 32 run win at Moores Park to leave Callington with a nervy last day trip to the champions, St Just, to ensure Premier League cricket next year.

After being put in the visitors got to 119 for two with Mark Johnson making 39, Arup Revandkar 38 and Antony Angove 23.

Callington skipper Matt Robins bowled his side back into the game taking six for 52 from 15 overs. Stefan Churcher's 36 no got the total to 88 for eight.

Callington got off to a bad start with Glyn Furnival removing James Long, Adrian Robins and Peter Tancock for ducks. Matt Robins held the innings together to make 77 off 102 balls, before being ninth out at 133. Number 9 Andrew Jones with 14 was next best. Furnival ended with six for 50 and Revandkar three for 22.

Stithians 80, Hayle 83-1

HAYLE secured runners-up spot, for the second time in three years, with a one-sided victory at the Towans over already relegated Stithians.

It might well have been even worse for the visitors who at one stage were 35 for eight. Simon Hamilton then made 25 and Colin Weeks 14. James Franklin (3-8), Richard Hall (3-15) and Matthew Lello (3-20) were amongst the wickets.

In the reply Graham Wiseman made 22 and Greg Mungles 44 not out to see Hayle home with ease in the 13th over.

Menheniot Looe 211-8, Helston 212-4

MENHENIOT Looe made a respectable total in their final County One game at Fourgates for the time being. Robin Trethowan ended on 57 not out after Philip Blanchard made 29, Jake Trethowan 25. Ed Facey made 22 not out in a ninth wicket stand.

Jordan Fulton took four for 29 and Tommy Sturgess three for 25. Sturgess then made 64 in the Helston response before Ross Leathley secured the win with an unbeaten 57.

Troon 117, Roche 118-7

ROCHE were made to work for their 11th win of the campaign before winning by three wickets with 20 overs to spare. Only Troon skipper Gavin Tregenza (24) made much of an impression at the top of the Troon order. He was seventh out at 67 but Phil Bostock's 20 put three figures on the board. Dan Best returned exceptional figures of four for 11 from ten overs. Ryan Clark and Courtney Rowe took two each.

Roche struggled to 72 for six before Clark's 33 made the difference. Lee Tarbuck made 25. Bostock took three for 33 and Dan Walker two for eight from six overs.

Beacon 202, Penzance 199

PENZANCE clinched the County Division One title when they picked up the three bonus points required.

They didn't win the game, however, as Beacon emulated neighbours Troon in succeeding at St Clare this year.

Rob Trembath's recent good run continued with 78 while Dan Mellor and Jordan Thomas both got twenties. Matt O'Leary took three for 42. Ben Brooks made 71 and Jonny Ludlam 30.

With the last pair needing 36, Jonathan Whitaker's 32 almost brought victory.

Thomas (6-38) and Kris Martin (4-53) did the damage.

Penzance will receive the trophy ahead of Saturday's final game at Helston, remarkably only 161 days after contemplating life in division two west in 2014!

Gorran 130, Ludgvan 101

GORRAN secured a top five finish with victory at the Playing Field. They lost wickets regularly, however, with Andy Grant the last man out for 33.

Opener Rhys Daniel made 30 with Dan Semple (20) and James Tomlinson (18) also getting starts.

Nathan Pobega wrapped up the tail, taking four for 57 after Michael Fitchett took three for 35.

Josh Stevens made 22 but the home team slipped to 67 for seven before tailender Andrew Lavender made 30. Kevin Harris took three for 16 from ten overs and Semple and Daniel two each.

Launceston 122, Wadebridge 102

LAUNCESTON got their sixth win of the season in a low scoring game at Lawhitton.

Their top six all got into double figures with Sam Pengelly making 25 and Kevin Worth 22. They were bowled out in the 37th over however with Phil Lill taking five for 25. Andrew Barrett and Dave Dunnett took two wickets each.

Charlie McLachlan (20) and James Maycock (21) were the only top order batsman to get double figures.

Matt Davey (4-19), Ian Searle (3-22) and Peter West (2-30) all did well.

SATURDAY sees the final full day of the Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League season with a number of issues still to settle, writes Michael Weeks.

If teams end level on points the higher position is determined by the team which has gained most points in the head to head games.

West Section:

Division 2 – Paul need 19 points to pip St Gluvias for the title.

Division 3 – Troon II need 3 points to guarantee the title. Praze need to beat opponents Botallack & St Levan by at least 6 points to finish as runners up

Division 4 – Goldsithney need 9 points to guarantee the title. Mt Ambrose need 12 points to pip Perranporth as runners up.

Division 5 – Gulval II need to beat champions Helston II to pip Gerrans as runners up.

Division 6 – Mt Ambrose II are champions. St Gluvias III need to beat opponents Rosudgeon II by at least 9 points to finish as runners up.

Division 7 – Beacon III are champions. Perranarworthal III need 16 points to pip Paul II as runners-up.

THE final matches of the Cornwall Women's League programme took place on Sunday.

Wadebridge travelled to Falmouth and were put in to bat.

The visitors were all out for 105 in 21.2 overs, of which the talented young Emily Edgcombe top scored with 65.

In response, Falmouth were all out for 78 in 26 overs. Charlotte Gilbert took five for 12 and Emily Edgcombe two for six as Wadebridge won by 27 runs.

Grampound Road lost by 85 runs at champions Truro, who batting first scored 155 for five, with 59 not out from Lorraine Fletcher and Rebecca Rowe making 42. Grampound Road totalled 70 for eight in reply.

Elsewhere, Camborne made the short trip to Redruth and batting first made 180 all out.

In reply Redruth made 123 all out as Camborne won by 57 runs.

NOMINATIONS are invited for boys and girls in the under nine age group or lower in 2014, for a hard ball trial day towards selection for the Cornwall U10s training squad for 2015.

The trial games day will be held on a club ground on Sunday September 14.  

A form is available at www.cornwallcricket.co.uk to be returned to CYCL Secretary Mark Mitchell by Sunday, September 7.

TRURO and Penwith College along with Tempus Leisure continue to sponsor the Cornwall Sports Awards and are joined by A Game Sports a local sports clothing and equipment company.

This prestigious event has been designed to recognise and reward the contributions made by dedicated sports Coaches, Officials, Clubs, Volunteers and Young Leaders from across the county and without this investment from local organisation it would not be possible to recognise over 100 volunteers each year.

The Awards are separated into four categories and incorporate 15 separate Awards, including Club of the Year, Children's Coach of the Year and Lifetime Services to Sport. Along with the three main sponsors above each award is supported by St Austell Conference Centre, Miller Countrywide, Sport England, Health Promotion, St Austell Print Company and Tony Pryce Sports.

Adrian Noott from A Game Sports said: "It is great to be involved in such a high profile sporting event in Cornwall that recognises the best of community sport and the work that the Cornwall Sports Partnership does.

"A Game Sports are a local Cornish company that work with clubs and schools throughout Cornwall and it is important to us that we work with Cornish sport to help these clubs and schools get the best they can do out of their sports equipment and clothing."

James Clarke from Tempus Leisure said: "Tempus Leisure are delighted to be sponsoring the Cornwall Sports Awards once again.

"Tempus Leisure is a charity that is committed to providing opportunities for active communities, and fully recognises the dedication and commitment of the volunteers and clubs that enable this to happen.

"The Cornwall Sports Awards are a great way of recognising the people behind community sport."

It is not too late to nominate as the deadline has been extended to September 8 so if you know an invaluable volunteer, coach, official or club member who goes above and beyond for their club, show your appreciation by nominating them in the 2014 Cornwall Sports Awards.

Natasha Howard from the Cornwall Sports Partnership said: "Anyone can make a nomination, although clubs or individuals must be based in Cornwall.

"Without the support of these organisations the event simply couldn't go ahead."

Natasha added: "We have made it really easy for people to vote and all they need to do is go to our website and nominate online.

"It's as simple as that to recognise someone that has made a difference to you or your local community."

Nominations can be made online: cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk, a printable version is also available. Alternatively please contact Natasha Howard on nhoward@cornwall.gov.uk or 01872 323347.

Closing date for nominations is next Monday, September 8, so get voting.

THE FUNERAL has taken place at Feock Parish Church of a Second World war veteran who was posted to RAF Perranporth and later organised commemorative parades and services to remember those who served there.

Frank Tyrer, who had lived at Carnkie and Falmouth after moving to Cornwall, also included those who died in the bombing of Penhale Camp at Newquay in July, 1940, in his memorial events.

Just a few days away from celebrating his 90th birthday when he died, Francis Edward Tyrer was born in Islington, London.

His sister Doris remembered him taking her to church at Cripplegate Street, in the City of London, where he was a chorister.

In 1942, at the age of 18, he joined the RAF and became a mechanic with the Free French Mobile Airfield working on Spitfires and other aircraft, serving both in Europe and at Perranporth, which was a base for many foreign pilots including Poles, Czechs and French who had joined the Allied war effort.

There was an emotional occasion at the end of one commemorative event in the 1990s when the French military flew over some of their veterans who had served at Perranporth and Frank was reunited with a pilot on whose aircraft he had worked.

The French also organised a fly-past over Perranporth of a group of their jet fighters.

Frank had the ability to persuade people to do things that they may not have normally dreamt of doing, such as the occasion when distinguished guests Lady Falmouth and Lady Mary Holborow were driven through Perranporth in a parade on the back of an American Jeep with the sign "Berlin or Bust."

It was one of about ten commemorations he had organised, with the first taking place at the RAF Perranporth Airfield itself, and where he had a memorial erected to those who served there, until the final event in 2010.

Frank and his wife Margaret eventually settled at Carnkie, near Helston, and after her death he became friendly with Margaret Willey and lived in Falmouth until they both moved to care homes.

Members of his family together with friends attended the funeral as well as a Royal British Legion standard bearer together with members of the RAF Association.

JUST 50 yards away from where the tall ships were berthed, work was going on as normal at the A&P Falmouth ship repair yard.

The company provided two of its biggest wharves for a week, plus tugs and services for the tall ships.

"We allocated the space a year ago and some potential customers have had to be accommodated elsewhere," said managing director Peter Child.

"We have given the berths free and the tugs and services at cost. We are delighted to do it because it is brilliant for Falmouth and so important for Cornwall.

"Fifty yards from here we have five ships under refit and our employees have been working on them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"When the tall ships left on Sunday morning, a European ferry, Victorine, was arriving and Seacore's rig Excalibur was about to leave.

"Another ship, the Yeoman Bank, had to dock before 2.30pm and then the docks were back to normality."

SHOPS, cafés and other businesses in Falmouth reported record takings as they catered for the thousands in town for the Tall Ships Regatta.

Peter Fraser, who owns the Harbour Lights fish and chip shop, said in the 14 years he had run the business, this was the busiest period he had ever experienced – and on Saturday his staff fried nearly two tonnes of chips.

"Trade has doubled this week," he said. "The day of the Red Arrows in Falmouth Week is normally our busiest day of the year, yet Thursday, the first day of Tall Ships, was even busier than that.

"I had anticipate that on Saturday we would go through two tonnes of potatoes. As it turned out we fried just under that, about one and three quarter tonnes. We were frying chips from 11am to 11pm and both our cooking range and the staff were at maximum capacity all day. The customers were there, but we were at our maximum and we just couldn't get the chips out any quicker.

"It was a very good end to the season."

Shirley Nicholas, who owns the Bar Stores near the entrance to the docks, also said that trade had doubled.

"We have mostly been selling cold drinks, sandwiches and hot food, while the West Briton, which was being sold outside on the pavement, sold out."

There was also plenty of business inside the dock gates, where stalls were selling everything from food to funny hats.

John Warren, who had a shop in Falmouth selling scenic local cards after leaving the Fire Service, said he had come out of retirement to run a stall selling nautical headwear such as pirate hats.

"It has been very successful," he said.

POLICE investigating the death of Alan Jeal, whose naked body was found on the beach at Perranporth in February, have announced they are winding down their inquiries.

The body of Mr Jeal, 64, was found with a sock and headphones stuffed into his mouth. He also had multiple injuries which could not be explained.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Thorne, leading the investigation, said a file would now be prepared for the coroner.

"We have always treated this as a suspicious death, in which there was the possibility of a crime," he said.

"We still have a few lines of inquiry, relating to technical and electronic issues, but some of them could take many months to come to fruition and we will be talking to the coroner to decide what should happen next.

"We can't rule out a crime, but neither have we found anything to explain what happened to Alan."

One possibility is that Mr Jeal, from Wadebridge, might have been robbed. His wallet and credit cards were missing. Police are not aware of any attempt so far to use those credit cards.

Mr Jeal's bizarre death featured in a BBC Crimewatch programme in July. Detective Chief Inspector Thorne said there were still many unanswered questions in this case.

"We were hoping that this latest appeal would bring us new leads to help us solve the mystery and bring closure to the family."

The programme also featured interviews with Alan's brother, Derek Jeal, and some previously unseen family photographs of Alan as a younger man.

Officers released new CCTV footage of Mr Jeal outside Bridge Tools in Wadebridge at about 4.45pm on February 24. He was wearing a light-blue jacket, which has not been recovered.

Officers are also still keen to trace a potential witness who was seen on CCTV at the bus stop in Truro's Lemon Quay at 6.19pm on the same day.

Officers believe the man, with grey hair, wearing a long dark coat and fisherman's style hat, saw Mr Jeal while waiting for a bus.

The coroner has now released Mr Jeal's body to his family, but funeral arrangements are not known.

TWO teenagers from Cornwall are on the trip of a lifetime as they sail on a merchant ship racing from the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta to the Isle of Wight.

Joseph Nickless, 19, from Truro, and Stephanie Lenney, 16, from Baldhu, a few miles out of the city towards Redruth, were allocated places on the Polish ship Kapitan Borchardt.

The vessel, built in the Netherlands in 1918, sailed mainly around the Baltic before being rebuilt in 1989. In 2011 she was passed to a Polish sailors' yachting school to help young people cultivate good maritime traditions.

After finishing the race when the ship reaches the Isle of Wight, probably yesterday or the day before, the Kapitan Borchardt will cruise around the island before heading to Royal Greenwich where they should arrive tomorrow (Friday).

Joseph and Stephanie – who both said they were excited by the prospects – have taken up places allocated by the Sail Training Association. Joseph, an administrative assistant at the County Hall in Truro, has been in Cornwall for three years after moving down from Manchester. That post is about to end and he is thinking of going into the construction industry.

"My dad has a yacht moored at Falmouth, but I would say I was a novice at sailing," he said.

Stephanie, who has been a pupil at Redruth and is now going on to Truro College to do her A-levels course, has been on a week's course with Cornish Cruising,

A corporal with the Falmouth Air Cadets, she hopes to get to university and then go on to join the RAF and train to be a pilot.

"We will probably be asked to do a bit of everything concerned with running the ship, even climbing the mast," said Stephanie.

"I have even heard we might be asked to jump into the sea, as well."

Rail bosses have been left feeling sheepish after a number of the animals strayed onto the track between Falmouth and Truro, resulting in all services between the towns being disrupted.

Many rush hour commuters have been left stranded, but rail bosses have reassured travellers that they are attempting to get the service up and running again as soon as possible.

Network Rail has confirmed that it is currently attempting to find out who the sheep belong to before they can move them on.