FANCY a top chef coming round to cook a five-course meal for four at your place and supplying the wine?

That's the stunning star lot at a charity auction, hog roast and disco on Tuesday at St Ives Rugby Club in aid of Penhaligon's Friends and local, Lia Veal, who is receiving treatment for a brain tumour.

The event starts at 6.30pm.

The hog roast tickets are £5 and sandwich tickets are £2. Other raffle prizes include meals at the Alba, Seagrass and Ocean Grill, spa tickets, beauty treatments and more.

But the lot expected to draw most bids is for Neil O'Brien, head chef at the Garrack Hotel, to visit the winner's home.

Tickets are available from Rachel Hollow on 01736 797302.

AN INSPIRATIONAL young St Ives' sportsman was invited to the House of Commons this week to meet Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Mark Stevens, 20, travelled to London with dad Brian to meet the wheelchair racing legend on Monday.

Mark, a double leg amputee, was invited to the gathering of Sports Leaders after meeting and impressing sports officials at a Truro College event.

The keen surfer is now at college in Worcester doing a degree in sports coaching and disability sports, which includes coaching children in the brutally physical sport of wheelchair basketball – or murderball.

Sports Leaders UK train over 150,000 people each year in sports leadership in training centres around the UK, including Truro College, where staff were fundamental in Mark's development as a sportsman and coach.

Speaking from Westminster, Mark said: "This came out of an event at Truro College in April.

"It's been great. Meeting Tanni Grey-Thompson has made my year.

"We had a good chat – it was just really nice. They were all lovely people."

Baroness Grey-Thompson, the president of Sports Leaders was at the House of Commons highlighting Energy Club, an out of school physical activity scheme for children.

Mark added: "It was just a meet and greet, really, but they were great people to meet and you never know where these meetings will lead at some future date.

"In the meantime I've got to concentrate on what I am doing at Gloucester, which is going great. It's just a pity it's so far from the sea."

Dad Brian said: "I'm so proud of Mark. It's just brilliant that he was invited up here.

"Meeting Tanni Grey-Thompson was the icing on the cake."

THE St Ives Town Council meeting due to recommend a plan for allowing – or banning – dogs on beaches had to be postponed last week after a late flurry of activity from people concerned about the issue.

The meeting of the council's environment committee was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, October 17.

But a council spokesperson said: "The consultation generated a significant volume of consultation responses and evidence presented, much of it at the end of the consultation period, and so in the interests of ensuring full and fair consideration to this matter, the meeting was rescheduled."

The rescheduled meeting was due to be held last night after The Cornishman had gone to print.

Advocates for both sides of what has become a stormy debate were due to put their case.

The environment committee were then due to recommend a plan – potentially including a seasonal dog ban from almost all beaches in St Ives and Carbis Bay – to the full council, which meets tonight.

The latest updates on this story will be posted on our website www.thiscornwall.co.uk

NEWS that Cornwall is officially the second home capital of the UK has led St Ives MP Andrew George to call for a change in the law.

Data from the 2011 Census shows 23,000 people nationwide registered a second address in Cornwall.

The MP says as a result, young people in west Cornwall find it very hard to buy a home where they live.

He wants planning law changes to protect "local people".

He said: "This is about dealing with the consequences of unequal housing opportunities. People have the right to buy a second home.

"It's not surprising that many come to Cornwall, one of the most beautiful parts of the country but it's also undeniable that such a high prevalence of second homes does have an impact on the opportunities for locals, especially young people trying to get onto the housing ladder."

The data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of people with second addresses they use when working away from home, holidaying or during university holidays.

It doesn't include buy-to-let properties never occupied by their owners.

Mr George, who successfully campaigned for the end of the 50 per cent discount on council tax previously enjoyed by Cornwall's second home owners, said a recent survey of estate agents in the area showed that for each home sold to a first time buyer, four houses were sold as second homes "which won't be lived in for most of the year".

He said: "When it has an impact on the housing chances of local families, local authorities need the power to curb the sheer volume of property being transferred from family homes to holiday homes."

Mr George wants a new class of 'non-permanent occupancy' for homes.

He said: "Just as someone wanting to turn a residential property into a shop or café would need to apply for permission for change of use, people wanting to buy a home for part-time residency should have to apply for permission to do so."

West Cornwall estate agent Chris Wood of PDQ Property said: "As someone who has children who are of house-buying age living in Cornwall it is something that I worry about. But the majority of our homes are sold to local people and the majority of the property that is sold as second homes are, in fact, sold to local people.

"It is those local people that are spending the money that they earn from letting them out in the local economy. So the issue is not as clear cut as people think.

"I am in favour of more housing being available to local people but how do you regulate it?

"I think what we need is more social housing for all who genuinely need it.

"What we need are more homes to rent for perfectly decent people who have found themselves on benefits."

A SCHOOL in west Cornwall has retained its title for offering the best school food in the South West by winning a prestigious Taste of the West award.

Cape Cornwall School in St Just was named best in The Local Food in Schools category, having won for the first time in 2011.

Judges commented that the school's philosophy of encouraging greater uptake of school meals and teaching of sustainability and sourcing really shone through.

Head teacher Julie Nash said: "To be recognised for a second year in a row is just amazing.

"The fact that much larger schools and organisations have been pipped to the post by our tiny little school, with real ideas for protecting the environment and keeping Cornish produce at the top of the agenda, makes me exceedingly proud to be the head here."

Other winners included the Halsetown Inn, which received the rare Gold Award while The Turk's Head in Penzance, The Queen's Arms in Breage, and The Coldstreamer Inn in Gulval all gained Silver Awards.

A BREAK-IN at a Cory Environmental depot in St Erth, in which 17 vehicles were vandalised, caused a disruption to its recycling service.

Damage valued at an estimated £10,000 was caused to the centre on St Erth Industrial Estate and 17 recycling vehicles.

Truck windows were broken, roof linings slashed and goods, such as radios, were stolen. The culprits are believed to have cut a hole in the depot's perimeter fencing.

The incident was discovered by staff at 5.45am last Thursday morning and is believed to have occurred between then and 6pm on Wednesday.

The centre's scheduled recycling collection on Thursday was delayed as a result and this spilled over to the morning.

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference AY/12/861.

IN JUST a few days' time one of the most familiar sites and sounds over our skies will be grounded.

Helicopters have shuttled locals and residents from the mainland to the Isles of Scilly for 49 years, but that is all set to stop next week after a legal challenge delayed the sale of the Eastern Green heliport, sounding the death knell for the cash-strapped service.

High-level discussions and rumours of saviours have been rife since the announcement was made at the beginning of August but despite this, the last helicopter will take off on Wednesday, October 31.

"It is the end of a very significant era and one which has made a very significant contribution to the economy of the area, not only the Isles of Scilly but also Penzance," said St Ives MP Andrew George.

"And of course it has employed a huge number of people in skilled jobs."

The saga over the fate of the British International Helicopters' (BIH) flights has been rumbling on for the past few years. In 2008 it was announced that the heliport would close and services would transfer to Land's End airport. A drop in passenger numbers and rise in costs was blamed for the service shift – but just a month later the company revealed the plans had been shelved.

In November 2009 the move was put on hold indefinitely and four months later BIH signed a deal to sell the heliport land to Sainsbury's.

The summer of 2010 brought revamped plans to move the helicopter operation to Land's End airport but this all changed when a possible site in St Erth began to be discussed.

However, after a public outcry and mounting pressure against the proposals, BIH were forced to withdraw the plan.

Then came the news that the flights would be moving to Newquay at the end of this summer season.

But after two legal challenges to the decision to grant planning permission to Sainsbury's to build on the land at Eastern Green were submitted, BIH accepted defeat and announced the closure plans.

Managing director Tony Jones said he wanted to thank all those involved for all they had done to keep the service going in times of uncertainty.

"I have been with British International Helicopters since we took over the service in 2000 and so naturally October 31 will be a day of many emotions," he said.

"I have been immensely proud to lead a great team of people providing the only helicopter link between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly for the last 49 years, the longest-serving helicopter passenger service in the world.

"The last flight does indeed mark the end of an era, not least for those in the company for whom it will also be their last day of employment with BIH.

"Over the past three months since we announced the closure of the service, we have been consulting with staff and fortunately we have managed to redeploy a handful of people to other parts of the business.

"However, for the majority, this is not just an ending but the start of the search for new employment.

"Many have been here far longer than me. In all the discussions and debates around the future of the helicopter service, little has been said about the people who have done their best for it to remain 'business as usual' in the final months of the service, despite the uncertainty ahead .

"I would like to thank everyone publicly for their dedication to the service and the dignified way in which they have gone about their work and to wish everyone the very best for the future."

A GROUP of businessman could be brought together to relaunch a helicopter service next to land earmarked for a new Sainsbury's, MP Andrew George has told The Cornishman.

The west Cornwall and Isles of Scilly politician has joined local residents, stakeholders and business to find a long term plan to reinstate flights.

Although the demise of the longest running passenger service in the world is still set to happen next week, he is hopeful a solution can be found before next spring.

"The service is closing but there is still some hope," he said.

"A few of us have come together to give it our best shot and I am not saying we are confident this is going to work but we do not know until we try."

The MP said there has yet to be firm discussions with the Government about the possibility of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidy or support, adding that a hard-nosed commercial decision was needed to bring back flights.

"Nothing has been turned down and no one has said no, they have just told us about the challenges that would need to be overcome if a PSO was offered."

With so much about the future of helicopter flights up in the air, Mr George has told The Cornishman what his preferred solution would be.

"The most realistic option and one I would favour is one which has local stakeholders prepared to put some money in to see commercial viability."

On the tricky subject of where the helicopters could operate from, he said discussions were continuing with Sainsbury's.

"I am confident that the supermarket going ahead would not necessarily mean that a heliport in the Penzance area is a major obstacle," he said.

"There are two acres of the current heliport land that aren't part of the supermarket build and there are some helicopters that can operate from just two acres – but not the Sikorsky helicopters (currently used by BIH)."

Ideally it is hoped that the discussions pay off and a solution can be brought together in time for a service to be up and running before the 2013 summer season.

Ben Littman, Sainsbury's development executive said: "We are pleased that planning officers have recommended approval for the design of our proposed new store.

"Sainsbury's remain committed to Penzance and if the plans are approved we will have a better idea of when construction can start on site."

A MAJOR multimillion-pound investment programme is planned for Scilly transport at a time when it is about to lose a 49-year-old travel artery with the scheduled end of month withdrawal of the helicopters.

There will be more scheduled flights of the islands' Steamship air arm Skybus – as from November 1 the lone air operator on the island to mainland – and also an addition to the Twin Otter fleet.

The expansion comes at a critical and welcome time for island communications and accompanies a major improvement programme at Land's End airport. Refurbishment is also due to start this winter on the ship Scillonian III.

Being created at the cliff-top west Cornwall airfield are a new, purpose-built terminal building, a new baggage-handling facility, a dedicated arrivals' area, a new air traffic control and upgraded car parks.

They will be completed for the March start of next season coinciding with the return of Scillonian III.

A £4.5 million improvement plan for St Mary's airport is being progressed and the government has given the green light for a formal bid of £8 million of Government and European funding for St Mary's quay development.

Chairman of the Island Tourism Business Partnership Chris Gregory says the significant investments are part of a focused programme to improve the visitor experience.

Significant

"As a key tourism destination we are delighted that there are millions of pounds' worth of significant investments being made in travel infrastructure," he said.

"The investment is being made both in readiness for the start of the 2013 season and also across the medium and long term.

"Getting to the islands is such a fundamental part of the visitor experience. People love the fact that there are no long check-in lines, massive baggage halls and that there is a seamless and quick transition once they have arrived on the Islands."

TEN staff suspended over allegations of abuse at Penzance's John Daniel Centre for vulnerable adults have been cleared by an internal investigation.

The carers have been suspended since November with centre operators Cornwall Council refusing to reveal the nature of the allegations.

Heamoor's John Daniel Centre cares for around 85 vulnerable adults with learning difficulties.

Cornwall Council drafted in staff from outside immediately the allegations came to light to continue that care.

Now the ten people cleared by the authority's own investigation will return to work.

Parents and carers of adults who use the centre were informed of the development earlier this month.

Five other staff have been the subject of a police investigation and remain on bail while that continues, say the authority.

A spokeswoman said: "The ten members of staff who were suspended by Cornwall Council last November following concerns raised over practices at the John Daniel Centre are returning to work following the conclusion of the management investigation carried out by the council.

"In all ten cases the investigator found insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations, and has recommended that no further disciplinary action be taken.

"The council's management team fully support and accept these recommendations. Five members of staff remain suspended at this stage. The police investigation is continuing, which we continue to support through the multi-agency safeguarding process."

For months following the suspensions Cornwall Council refused to confirm how many staff had been suspended and have never released any details about the allegations.

Initially Devon and Cornwall Police said no complaints had been made to them but in February they announced they had begun a criminal investigation. In April five people were arrested on suspicion of wilful neglect.

The five people on bail, a 21-year-old man from St Ives, a 58-year-old man from Penzance, a 22-year-old woman from Helston and a man and woman, both aged 57, from Hayle, answered bail in September.

They were all rebailed until December while detectives make further inquiries and a decision on possible charges.

A MULTIMILLION-pound plan to regenerate a Penzance "eyesore" could be the catalyst to revitalise the town.

Discussions over the future of 7 Coinagehall Street, currently home to the PZ Gallery, will take place tomorrow, from 9.15am to 4.15pm.

The grand overhaul, incorporating a hotel, office, retail and residential space, comes with a £15 million price tag.

If everything is approved the development, on the site of the former Vospers' building, could be up and running by 2014.

"The site stood there for years and has been an eyesore with nothing happening," said Derek Sheldon, owner of Palm Court Properties Ltd, named as preferred the company to develop the venue with Anglo-Holt Construction Ltd. The businesses are establishing Anglo Palm (Penzance) LLP to carry out the works.

A recent meeting of local stakeholders heard many ideas and views discussed for the iconic waterfront venue.

"There needs to be a catalyst and focal point, not just for the people who live in Penzance but also visitors," said Mr Sheldon. "This was one of the things discussed."

As part of the overhaul, a hotel company, described as a household name, is already being lined up to take over part of the development.

"We are in discussion with a major operator for the hotel," said the businessman, adding that talks were at an advanced stage for the operator to launch a 70-room hotel.

"We are down to the detail; how we cope with deliveries and things like that," he said.

Four proposals were put forward to revamp the site after it was put on the market by freeholders Cornwall Council in March this year.

"We are very conscious of trying to link the swimming pool, through St Anthony Gardens so it becomes a through way," said Mr Sheldon. "There will also be a piazza."

The prospect of potential development has been welcomed by some in the town, although they are waiting to find out how the final plan will take shape. "We are still concerned that an opportunity to create something very special may have been lost to the process of selling to the highest bidder," said Tim Dwelly, of campaign group A Future For Penzance.

"We wait to see with interest what transformational proposals they have."

Tomorrow's workshop will be a chance for anyone interested in the site to share their views on prospective plans.

The final layout of the development has yet to be decided and the planning application is due to be submitted in the early part of 2013. There are hopes that the hotel will be open by next Christmas with the rest of the venue operating from 2014.

SATANISM is being kept alive and well in Truro – by a father of three who works at Poundland.

While children will be out trick or treating this Hallowe'en the day will be marked very differently in Phil Mawson's flat in the city.

He will be in his "crypt" with selected friends discussing the work of Satan.

He said: "We'll have an occult celebration with music and philosophical discussion. We might have a bit of ritual and then we'll probably go out in town."

Hallowe'en is the most important day on the occult calendar.

Mr Mawson said he had "dabbled" in satanic rituals but described himself as a "secular Satanist" who did not believe in any higher power.

He said: "We use all the language of Satanism and his name in invocation – the rituals are an enacted drama for personal power."

Mr Mawson, who wears a pentagram as a symbol of Satanism, was previously married for 25 years but divorced in 2003. He has three grown-up daughters.

On the evening Mr Mawson spoke with the West Briton he had to fit in tea with his sister and an appointment with his mother before meeting the photographer.

His Poundland employers have also made the most of his esoteric interests, previously putting him in charge of the Hallowe'en section in the Boscawen Street store.

Mr Mawson has created a "crypt" in his flat which is filled with Satanist paraphernalia including animal skulls.

Rituals

"People are amazed by my room and what's in there," he said.

"I do not carry out satanic rituals but I'm quite willing for others to come round and do so if they wish to."

But his Satanism does not prevent him from leading a good life.

"We do not need God to be good," he said.

"Satanists pride themselves in personal sovereignty; therefore they choose what morals they have for themselves rather than have them dictated by a higher body."

A CITY came to a standstill for a funeral with full military honours for a young soldier from Redruth who showed "inspirational courage".

Sergeant Aaron Curtis, a 32-year-old father of two, was airlifted from Afghanistan suffering from severe head pains in June 2011.

And on Thursday fellow soldiers travelled from Germany to honour their colleague who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in February and died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital on October 7.

His commanding officer, Major Jamie Thompson, told the congregation at Truro Cathedral that Sergeant Curtis was "bold, tenacious and charismatic – where he led, his men followed".

Coachloads

The centre of Truro fell quiet for the funeral attended by hundreds of friends and family alongside two coachloads of soldiers from Hohne in Germany where Sergeant Curtis was previously based with the Royal Engineers.

"He was a great mentor to his junior soldiers, pushing them hard to develop their abilities and believe in themselves," said Major Thompson.

"Personable and compassionate, he had a knack of finding humour in the most testing situations, often at the expense, but never to the detriment of his fellow soldiers."

Having signed up as an apprentice in 1995 Sergeant Curtis served in Bosnia, Kosovo and two missions to Afghanistan.

"His truly inspirational courage has become legendary throughout the Corps – proving the very best of role models for a new generation of sappers," said Major Thompson.

Mourners were told the soldier was a devoted husband and father who represented his regiment in football, rugby and cricket. Last Post sounded from a bugler at the back of the cathedral and the coffin, wrapped in the Union flag, was carried out by colleagues to a gun salute that rang out through the city.

Sergeant Curtis leaves behind his wife, Joe nine-year-old son, Cirry and daughter, Megan, 11.

Mrs Curtis told the West Briton: "I could not fault him – he was a loving husband and dad and always there.

"We never went without anything. He was always doing things with the kids – just an amazing man and we were a very close family."

Mrs Curtis said her husband was devoted to the Army, adding: "He loved his lads and did everything for them. Everybody he met he touched their hearts in one way or another."

Mrs Curtis also said when her husband was ill their children "would even fight over who would do personal care for him. I'm really proud of them and I know Aaron would be too."

A PENSIONER has praised the professionalism and compassion of the emergency services and others who helped when she fell and broke her hip walking on the Lizard.

Marlene Combellack, 72, fell while walking between Porthallow and Nare Head with her husband Clarence, and was flown by a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Truro for treatment.

She said she must have slipped on some grass or a loose stone: "It was a silly thing, really."

Just before her fall Mrs Combellack had asked her husband if they had their mobile phone with them. He replied: "Yes – in the car."

With no way of raising the alarm and no one else near, 86-year-old Mr Combellack had no choice but to set off to walk to Porthallow, 20 to 30 minutes away, leaving his injured wife alone.

Fortunately he met another walker en route who had a mobile and summoned help.

Experienced

The couple are experienced cliff-walkers and have tackled that particular stretch of the path several times.

Mr Combellack described how upsetting it was to have to leave his wife to get help, and both described the incident as traumatic.

Coastguards decided that because of the remote location Mrs Combellack would need to be airlifted, and so called in the Royal Navy.

The helicopter's arrival coincided with her husband's return.

"I was quite surprised, but relieved," said Mrs Combellack. "The paramedic was excellent – absolutely marvellous and very kind.

"I was taken to Treliske where I received wonderful treatment from the surgeons, doctors and nurses, who I consider to be second to none.

"Although the accident was quite traumatic for me it was made easier because of the care and attention given to me by all those involved."

She said this included some "fantastic neighbours" at the couple's home at Farms Common in Wendron, and Mr Combellack also thanked the man whose mobile phone he used, who comes from Portreath but whom he knows only as Norman. Mrs Combellack spent ten days in hospital and said she was expecting it to take her about ten weeks to recover fully.

"We had professionalism, compassion, the lot," she said.

QUESTIONS are being asked over whether a stretch of road near Falmouth is the "most deadly in Cornwall" following the sixth death in eight years.

Officials have admitted the 2km section between Treluswell on the A39 and the A394 at Longdowns has been the site of an "unusually high" number of fatal accidents.

The latest death was a fortnight ago.

Mabe parish councillor Peter Tisdale said: "This section of road has a proven, disastrous track record. I would like to know if this is the most deadly road in Cornwall.

"How many more people are going to die before something is done?"

Cornwall Council said the road had a low number of accidents, but an "unusually high proportion" of fatalities.

In 10 years there had been 12 injury accidents and 5 fatal accidents, one of which killed a couple.

In 2004 motorcyclist Jonathan DeHoedt, from Camborne, was killed in a collision involving two other vehicles.

David and Lynn Green died in a crash in 2007, with Graham Thacker being jailed for three years for causing their deaths by dangerous driving.

Hannah Handy, 35, of Helston, died in a two-vehicle collision in 2008 and 37-year-old Merryn Butler, from Penzance, was killed in 2010 in a collision with a minibus. Both incidents occurred in icy conditions.

Two weeks ago a 26-year-old, whom police have still not named, died instantly in a collision with a lorry.

Mr Tisdale said: "The very least they could do is put up signs saying how many people have died, like they have at Treluswell with motorcyclists.

"I'm told each fatal accident costs the police and county council around £1 million, never mind the human cost to families.

"It would seem far better to spend a few thousand pounds, even if it just saves one person's life," he said.

"I use this road regularly and can't believe how stupid some people are with their overtaking manoeuvres."

Adrian Roberts, a Cornwall Council road safety engineer, said: "If we had a lower speed limit you might get more overtaking.

"I understand local concern when things like this happen, but we have to think about the anticipated effects of any measures."

He said the opening of a waste transfer station had helped by stopping overtaking in that particular area.

"While there have been a number of high-profile accidents, they are related to specific behaviours," he added.

Mr Roberts said the road did not feature among the county's top 300 accident cluster sites.

Mr Tisdale responded: "It may well be driver behaviour, but measures would hopefully reduce impact speeds, which may at least make some of this type of accident survivable."

"THE MOST contentious issue ever to have come before St Ives Town Council" resulted in councillors calling for a ban on dogs on some of the town's most popular beaches last night.
A 24-hour seasonal ban on dogs on Porthminster, Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and Carbis Bay was recommended by the council's environment committee after a lengthy debate in the council chamber.
A daytime ban would be imposed on Harbour Beach in the summer months, while a recommendation that dogs should be kept on leads on the path leading to Porthkidney Sands was made. Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk would remain dog friendly beaches.
Cllr Terry Tonkin told councillors during the meeting last night that the issue of whether to ban dogs on beaches in the town was the most contentious he had come across since joining the council in 1974.

Cllr Andrew Mitchell said he was upset at the way in which the issue had divided the town and generated open hostility.

The council received almost 1,000 letters in response to its consultation on the issue, as well as a petition of nearly 4,000 signatures against a proposed banning order.

St Ives town clerk Louise Dowe said: "I have been quite surprised at the tone in some of the open forum meetings. The town council is trying to find a way to bring about something that is fair for everybody.

"It was never a referendum. It was quite indicative to see how many people said 'yes' or 'no' but a great amount of weight was put on the comments that came in."

Barbara Nolan, of St Ives Dog Owners' Group (DOG), said some members had walked out of the meeting in tears but the group would not be giving up.

"I think it is not what the consultation wanted but they seem to think that the consultation doesn't matter which is a bit perplexing because the consultation was completely against the proposals," she said.

"There was no block of complaints in the first place. The beaches have continued to get the best beach awards over the last five years. Clearly there is not a problem but that evidence was not put forward.

"Public opinion doesn't seem to count with a couple of the councillors. One thing is for certain – that we are not going to accept it. But we are going to wait to see what happens at the main council meeting."

The recommendations put forward by the environment committee last night were as follows:

• Porthminster, Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and Carbis Bay – 24-hour ban on dogs from the Sunday before Easter to the end of September.
• Harbour Beach – ban on dogs between 7am and 8pm from May to the end of September, with a possibility the ban may be extended to the Sunday before Easter
• Porthkidney Sands – dogs must be kept on leads on the path down to the beach, but dogs allowed on the beach
• Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk – dog friendly beaches at all times

The recommendations will now go before a full meeting of St Ives Town Council on November 7.

A CAR parked outside the NatWest bank in Bodmin was pelted with eggs on Monday night.

Police say the blue Peugeot 306 was damaged in the attack between 11.10pm and 11.20pm and are appealing for information from the public.

A small white vehicle was seen in the area at the time of the offence, and was then seen to be driven at speed along Fore St.

Anyone with any information regarding this offence is asked to contact PCSO 30165 Ellie Leslie at Bodmin Police Station on 101, or contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime number BB/12/1595.

THE family of a "hardworking" woman who died from an industrial disease said she had a "larger-than-life character" with a "real zest for life".

Rose Matilda Clarke of Trerice Drive, Newquay, died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on April 28, aged 90.

An inquest in Truro on Wednesday found the cause of death was pneumonia due to asbestosis.

Described as a "dancing queen", Rose was born in Bromley-by-Bow, east London, on January 6, 1922, and lived independently until her death.

Her early years were challenging, with little money. The youngest child, she had three brothers, John, Bill and George, and two sisters, Phoebe and May.

All helped put food on the table – and even as a little girl, her family said, Rose was a hard grafter and a "tough cookie" who missed periods of schooling to go fruit-picking to earn money for her mother.

She married George Clarke in November 1941 and they were together for 59 years before he died in 2000.

Daughter Rose Bailey said her husband was "the love of her life" and Rose "never went a day without missing him".

Rose shared George's love of Cornwall and they made the move in 1963, eventually settling in Newquay. George wanted to move nearer to their daughter and family due to his failing health.

In a eulogy, Mrs Bailey wrote: "Mum had a good and a varied life.

"In the short time we have here today, we can barely scratch the surface of this very special and unique lady whom we have had the privilege to know."

Rose leaves two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed TV programme Benidorm; she and her husband regularly visited the Spanish resort after their retirement.

In a letter Rose herself wrote following her 90th birthday, she recalled the fun they had there, and of course the dancing.

She wrote: "Nowadays I would be too tired to do it – but I'd have a go; I just couldn't sit there. I'd have to get up and have a dance … even if I couldn't breathe."

RESIDENTS and businesses in Looe have pulled together to help clean up the town after last week's floods.

High tides, low pressure and gale-force winds caused water to sweep along the quayside and into the town, flooding several pubs and restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

Fay Hancock, restaurant manager at Trawlers on the Quay, said: "There was a really good community spirit and everyone helped each other to clean up the mess."

The floods damaged around 20 businesses and forced some to close temporarily. Mrs Hancock said: "Water came into the middle of the restaurant and we had to close for two nights. I'm just glad that no one got hurt."

On Wednesday morning visitors flocked to the town to witness the aftermath.

Nicola Heathcote, who manages a local estate agents in the town, said: "Lots of people came down to see the floods. They were having a lovely time splashing around in the water."

However, one local resident said this made things worse and as people walked and drove through the floods, the water spread further and caused more damage.

Floods frequently occur in the town but locals said last week's were the worst since October 2004.

Jewel Thalukder, manager of the Moonlight Tandoori Restaurant, said: "We have been here for 21 years and we have kind of got used to it but this one was a bit worse than the previous years."

Businesses were warned about the high risk of flooding by an automated telephone message.

Paul Gainey, from the Environment Agency, said: "... these warnings may have saved business owners from being dealt a far more financially damaging hand."

Miss Heathcote praised the system saying: "These messages are brilliant."

Martin Powell, restaurant manager of Lascardes, said: "They did give us a warning and luckily we got most of the stuff off the floor.

"The water flowed straight through the restaurant and into the kitchen.

"We've had this before and no matter what you do if the water's going to come through it's going to come through."

A CHURCH in North Cornwall has celebrated this year's harvest thanksgiving with a new twist – cowboy-style.

Arriving at Souls Harbour Church in Camelford to thank God for the harvest people were instantly transported into a scene right out of a Wild West film including old fencing, fresh hay, huge wagon wheels and even a full-size model horse.

Everyone dressed up in their best cowboy and cowgirl finery and there were even genuine Texan musicians and singers on hand to lead the favourite choruses with that special country and western twang.

The service included a special story time for the children and a brief message of hope and encouragement for all.

Afterward everyone herded into the café to enjoy a cuppa with some home-baked biscuits.

"A great time was had by all and we hope that y'all can join us next time," said Connie Smith, a band member from Texas.

Souls Harbour Church has been running in the town for nearly 25 years and is located at the bottom of the Clease car park in Camelford (PL32 9QX).

For more information visit www.SoulsHarbour.com, e-mail office@soulsharbour.com, call 01840 211258 or find the church on Facebook at www.facebook.com/soulsharbour