A CAT protection charity is holding its spring fair near Truro on Saturday.

Truro and District Cats Protection is hosting the fundraising event from 10am to 1.30pm at Kea Community Centre in Old Coach Road.

Stalls, plants, crafts and refreshments will all be on offer with free parking.

HELSTON'S town warden is the latest local to be recognised with Lizard Peninsula Friends of the Earth's (FoE) John Mackay Award.

The award created in 2003 to celebrate the achievement of local individuals or groups towards improving the environment has this year been given to Craig Bowcutt.

Employed by the town council, which has also praised Mr Bowcutt for his services above and beyond his normal duties, he is often seen clearing litter, unblocking the kennels and maintaining the play equipment.

Mr Bowcutt, who also runs Helston Air Cadets, said: "I really didn't expect it. It is a great honour."

Presenting the Cornish oak trophy, Diana Wilson, of Lizard Peninsula FoE, said: "Helston is one of the very few towns in Cornwall to have a full-time warden and his work has a strong environmental impact both physically and socially."

She said the town remained a clean and attractive place thanks to Mr Bowcutt's regular litter picking, and he helped deter antisocial behaviour and supported enforcement officers, working with the police to reduce crime and the fear of crime while keeping graffiti and fly-posting to a minimum.

Ms Wilson added: "The amount of rubbish lying around after the February storms made it clear how clean Helston normally is, thanks to Craig's conscientious work."

The award is the result of a bequest to the FoE group from Porkellis resident John Mackay.

Last year, the trophy went to the recently closed Meneage Street greengrocers Fruit and Veg 4U for supporting local growers.

Previous winners include the Sustainable Trust, Helston Farmers' Market co-ordinator Joanne Schofield, Helston Museum and Helston Community College's Windy Webbers wind turbine project.

THE first phase of work to rebuild an ancient monument that had lain as rubble for nearly 50 years has been completed.

Carwynnen – or Giant's – Quoit collapsed in 1966 and was originally used as a funerary and ceremonial monument between 3500BC and 2600BC.

It features on Camborne Rugby Club and Troon Cricket Club's emblems and is on the Pendarves Estate near Camborne. Pip Richards, from the Sustainable Trust, which is behind the project, said: "We've been trying for the last four years to get the funding to re-erect the stones.

"Previously they had just been lying there in a pile and a lot of people that we approached for funding dismissed us thinking that heritage isn't really that important.

"The site was very busy on Friday with 60 people working hard including lots of archaeologists, volunteers and film crews."

The trust bought the site in 2009 and believes there are about 12 similar monuments in Cornwall. The rebuild has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other bodies.

The final part of the restoration will take place on June 21 when the cap stone will be replaced on top of the structure.

HELP will be on hand for fibromyalgia sufferers at Tesco Extra in Pool next week. An information table will be set up on Monday between 9am and noon.

A YOUNG mother died after collapsing at work in Redruth.

Amy Shaw was taken to hospital after being taken ill at Coastline Housing's head office.

The former Redruth School pupil later passed away in hospital on April 30.

David Wingham, director of corporate services at the company, said: "All of us at Coastline are saddened to hear that a valued colleague passed away in hospital last week after being taken ill at our head office in Redruth.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family at this extremely sad and difficult time."

Friends and family of Amy Shaw have shared their support via the Facebook social networking site.

A coroner's office spokesman stated that a natural cause of death had been recorded and, as a result, no post-mortem examination or inquest would be carried out.

A MINE that has remained derelict for generations is set to spring back into life thanks to a million-pound investment.

Wheal Harmony mine lies to the west of Treleigh Industrial Estate at Redruth and work has now begun to develop the 10.8 acres of brownfield land for mixed future development.

The move has been part financed with £1.2 million by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence programme.

Wheal Harmony Ltd director Simon Williams said: "This land has been a challenge, which I think has only been made possible by ERDF investment filling the funding gap between our private investment and the eventual cost of reclaiming the land.

"The land is heavily contaminated and has major historic mining works which need to be capped and made safe, but once the work has been completed Redruth will have another asset for business and community to be proud of."

The main hurdles that developers have to overcome are several mining issues, invasive Japanese knotweed and other contamination that currently affects the site.

Developers hoped that applying for a 'very good' rating from the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme (CEEQUAL) will ensure the site will be as sustainable as possible and create new employment opportunities.

To achieve the rating, the development will be joined by an area of open space, new roads and the provision of land for the future development of affordable and open market housing.

Russell Dodge, director of Business Location Services, said: "Wheal Harmony builds on the success of the Treleigh Industrial Estate to provide new high quality workspace in the Camborne, Pool, and Redruth area. The site has excellent access to the A30 and other industrial estates in the area such as Cornwall Business Park.

"However, Wheal Harmony will also have links to North Redruth and Treleigh by improving the pedestrian and cycle ways to the development which I think highlights the developers' commitment to the CEEQUAL accreditation."

A MAN is helping police with their inquiries after 14 lambs were killed by two dogs in Porthleven last week.

The dog owner contacted Helston police, which had appealed for information.

The dogs were discovered in a field of Methleigh Farm at 6am on Monday last week.

Farmer Hugh Dawson said the dogs had killed the lambs and injured 22 others.

STACEY FALCO, 30, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court to stealing a bottle of whisky from Aldi at Camborne while on licence from prison.

The court heard she was due for recall having been sentenced to three years in August 2012 for drug and dishonesty offences. Falco, who told District Judge Paul Clark she had stolen the drink for her alcoholic boyfriend, was allowed to have time served taken in lieu of her £200 fine.

CORNWALL Council has confirmed that it has received the resignation of former councillor Terry Wilkins.

A Cornwall Council spokesman said: "We received notification of Mr Wilkins' resignation last week."

Mr Wilkins' resignation comes following recent controversy over an MBE and Open University degree that he falsely claimed to have been awarded.

As yet it is unclear what will happen next regarding the vacant role of councillor for Illogan.

CORNWALL Council bosses were due to meet yesterday to discuss the future of a rundown 1950s' teaching block at Helston Community College.

In a report to the council's Cabinet, Councillor Andrew Wallis, who is responsible for education, admitted there was no money to replace C-block.

The Cabinet meeting was due to take place as the West Briton went to press.

Mr Wallis said: "Following an extensive review process, none of the original options previously put forward for funding the rebuild of C Block are affordable." Other fund options have been exhausted.

A TEENAGER from Mullion was killed after his motorbike was involved in a collision between a car and two tractors.

The rider has been named as Joshua Key. His mother, June Key, works for Mullion Golf Club and moved to the area last year.

Police are appealing for any information relating to the incident. It happened near the entrance to Penrose estate on the B3304 road between Helston and Porthleven, at about 7pm on Friday.

Emergency services were called to the scene, the collision involving an Aprilia motorcycle, two tractors and a Vauxhall Corsa car.

Mr Key suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. The drivers of the other vehicles were not injured.

The road was closed for eight hours while police carried out an investigation. Officers from the serious collisions investigation unit at Camborne are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone 101, ref log number 737 of 02/05/14.

A FAMILY-RUN Redruth business has celebrated a century of operation with a night at the Penventon Park Hotel.

Full story, page 3.

THE division one west title race was blown wide open on Saturday thanks to Wadebridge Town's excellent 4-1 win over leaders Mousehole at Bodieve Park.

And Callington Town were the biggest benefactors as their 3-0 victory at home to Bude Town moved them to within two points of the Seagulls, with a game in hand.

Sasha Wheatman's Wadebridge raced into a 3-0 first half lead with two goals (including a penalty) from Luke Hodge and a fine individual strike from Dan Metherall.

Mousehole pulled a goal back in the second half through Dan Magee, before the Bridgers added a fourth when Hodge completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike.

Helston Athletic ensured themselves a top three finish as three second half goals earned them a rather flattering 4-1 victory at Penzance.

The home side competed well, particularly in an even first half, despite falling behind after only eight minutes when Tom Russell headed home at the near post from Jamie Thomson's right-wing corner.

Both goalkeepers were in fine form with Helston's county youth keeper James Wignall producing a top drawer save to deny Lewis Caspell's curling effort while the Magpies stand-in custodian Scott Halliday pulled off a couple of superb stops to keep out strikes from former Magpies winger Jamie Thirkle, Mark Goldsworthy and Charlie Young before half-time.

The visitors doubled their lead five minutes after the interval though when Mark Goldsworthy; shot gave Halliday no chance, and three minutes later it was 3-0 with Chris Strike sent the Magpies keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Magpies deservedly pulled a goal back with 25 minutes remaining when a free kick to the back post was turned in by Jamie Payne.

But it was Helston who restored their three-goal advantage 10 minutes later when Thomson's 35-yard effort eluded everyone in a crowded penalty area to nestle in the bottom left corner.

After the match referee Andre Howes received a guard of honour from both teams after officiating in his final match, on the same ground he had started out 17 years earlier.

The Mousehole-based official was a ball-boy at Penlee Park in the club's successful days in the former South Western League in the early 1970s before refereeing his first match in Senior football in August 1999, which saw Penzance reserves beaten 3-0 by Illogan RBL in a Jolly's Cornwall Combination League fixture.

The Magpies opponents this weekend, Callington Town, made light work of Bude Town on Saturday, taking a 25th minute lead through James Yates.

They added a second ten minutes later through Ryan Lucassi, before Kirk Smith completed the scoring.

Foxhole Stars remain bottom of the table, but they couldn't have come closer to getting something out of Saturday's encounter with Penryn Athletic at Goverseth Park.

Victory for the Foxes would have lifted them two places above Penzance and Holsworthy.

But as they searched for a winner late in the game, after Brett Cole had cancelled out a Ben Oliver header, Will Scoley dented their hopes in the 76th minute when his thunderous drive.

Foxhole were extremely unfortunate not to equalise, with Liam Paddock and Cole hitting the woodwork.

Sticker ended an otherwise excellent season with a 6-1 defeat at Vospers Oak Villa.

They had taken the lead through Andy Norris, before Villa hit back with two penalties from Pete Fosters and goals from Steve Blackburn, Dan Worth, Andy Harris and Mark Stevenson.

Fixtures and tables, see Page 62.

TUESDAY was a night of shock results in the Jolly's Cornwall Combination League, with the biggest upset coming at Underlane where Wendron United's hopes of pipping leaders Illogan RBL to the title suffered a massive setback following a 3-2 home defeat to sixth-placed Mullion.

The visitors, full of confidence following their weekend victory over the league leaders, added Paul Murray's Wendron side to their list of prize scalps as two goals from Alan Thomas and another from Phil Cattran gave Kevin Richards' men all three points.

Illogan now require only six points from their final three games against St Day, Hayle and RNAS Culdrose, to clinch the title and promotion to the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League.

Third placed Ludgvan were unable to close the gap on Wendron, however, as the Hurlers went down 5-1 at St Agnes, for whom Alec Penrose and Nick Perry helped themselves to a brace apiece, with Sam Connolly also on the scoresheet.

Porthleven earned a creditable 1-1 draw at home to seventh placed St Ives Town, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Fishermen from finishing in bottom spot as they cannot now catch the sides above them at the foot of the table.

Elsewhere, RNAS Culdrose won 6-1 at Falmouth Athletic, thanks to goals from Jamie Thompson (2), James Green, Ricky Shivelock, Adam McMillan and Tim Murray.

SATURDAY

The race for the Combination League title had already taken a twist on Saturday afternoon after two fantastic goals from Joe Lugg inspired Mullion to a win over leaders Illogan RBL at Oxland Park.

The defeat meant Wendron could move to within just a point of Mikey Pascoe's side if they won their two games in hand.

Wendron took full advantage of Illogan's slip up, seeing off St Agnes by three goals to one.

Ryan Tresidder, Chris Mulroy and Kirk Davis were all on target for Paul Murray's side who keep the pressure on the league leaders. Alec Penrose replied for St Agnes.

At the other end, Porthleven look set to finish bottom of the league after they were narrowly beaten at home by Newquay. Despite goals from Aaron Orchard and Dave Rogers, they were beaten 3-2 after Steve Lysons scored twice and Ollie Downing notched for the Peppermints.

Troon only need a point to ensure they finish above Goonhavern, but they will have to wait another week after Nathan Angove's strike ensured Falmouth Athletic came away with all three points at Grouter Park.

Goonhavern remain third from bottom after they were beaten at home to St Just. Goals from Darren Steadman and Ashley Ellis cancelled out Tony Chapman's effort for the home side.

St Ives Town's poor end to the season continued after they were beaten 3-2 at home to St Day. Jamie Mitchell, Dan Ellis and Dominic Pullen scored for St Day while St Ives replied through Danny Paynter and Sean Roberts.

St Day are set to appoint former Hayle pair Steve Roscoe and Antony Reynolds to run the club's Jolly's Combination League team next season.

Falmouth Town have announced that Wayne Hughes has been appointed as their new combination manager for next season, with Ian Grant as his assistant. Kevin McHale will remain in position as coach.

CORNWALL'S hopes of a third successive one-day quarter-final are hanging by a thread after Sunday's seven wicket defeat by Devon at Truro, writes Michael Weeks.

They could still make it, depending on other results, but that will depend on winning their final two group games. The first is at the familiar venue of Corsham this Sunday when they take on Wiltshire, who have won their only game to date.

Dorset at Werrington, a fortnight later, completes the group. The Duchy can have few complaints over Devon's success, who ran out winners by seven wickets with over 13 overs to spare.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and both captain and the team manager, Matt Robins and Godfrey Furse, openly admitted that the decision to bat first didn't really work as hoped on the day.

Modest

Furse said: "We were hoping to get 180 to 200 on the board to put them under pressure in a game they had to win, and hopefully the pitch may have deteriorated."

The decision was made under overcast morning skies but by mid afternoon Boscawen Park was bathed in spring sunshine.

Needing a modest 156 Devon's openers had 44 on the board in ten overs and the writing was already von the wall.

They took their stand to exactly 100 when Rob Woodman fell to Christian Purchase for 28. Liam Lewis was trapped by Shakil Ahmed for 67 and Matt Thompson was out shortly before the end to Kelvin Snell. Cornwall's top order never really got going with Ben Smeeth, Tom Hughes and Callum Whittaker, on debut, all failing to get into double figures. Matt Robins was fifth out for 21 with the score at 56.

A plus point was the innings of Mike Bone, who was making his one-day debut at the age of 29.

The St Austell all rounder made an unbeaten 34, in over an hour at the crease, to cement his place for this weekend.

Afterwards he admitted he was as happy as ever with his game at the moment. Rob Harrison, who got an early morning call when Antony Angove pulled out due to illness, hit a six in a breezy 19.

Evergreen, Trevor Anning took three for 16 from ten overs.

THE last few months have been difficult time for Paul Cricket Club, as well documented following their withdrawal from the ECB Premier League, due to player shortage.

It was therefore some irony that Saturday saw one of their more memorable days on the field.

Playing their first Division 2 West first team game since 1998, Paul visited Falmouth seconds. The home side were shot out for 55 with Ross Williams returning the remarkable figures of nine overs, two maidens, 14 runs and nine wickets. He was only denied the tenth thanks to Jamie Burr getting rid of Jacob Stephens.

Overseas player Robbie Polson saw Paul to a six wicket victory, with 22 not out.

St Just seconds won at Gulval by five runs. The visitors made 237 with Caleb Marsden making 42 and Treve Williams 40. Chris Butler took three for 48. Gary Boyle hit 50 in the valiant Gulval reply of 232.

St Gluvias won at Rosudgeon by 32 runs. Mark Waters took four for 45 to restrict the visitors to 198 for nine. Rosudgeon were 166 all out, with Liam Harvey top scoring with 40.

Dave Marsh batted throughout the St Ives innings at home to Truro seconds. He made 83 of the 158 for six with George Day making 39. Dillon Hart then took five for 10 from seven overs to dismiss Truro for 63.

Botallack & St Levan won a narrow game at Beacon by three wickets with 11 balls to spare. Dan Tregear took two for 31 then top scored with 30.

Andrew Gouldthorpe made 65 and Jamie Harvey 58 in Hayle seconds win at Constantine. Jamie Cameron had figures of 7-0-14-5.

St Buryan lost at Perranporth by five wickets after being 120 all out. Goldsithney skipper Giles Lawrence produced a memorable innings at St Gluvias.

He hit 215 not out off 143 balls with 17 sixes and 19 fours. Matthew Lawrence took four for 37 in the 172 run win.

St Just will host Truro on Sunday (1pm) in the Royal London Club Championship second round. St Just had a comfortable win at Falmouth on Sunday by 68 runs.

Scores: St Just 149 (G Edwards 24, J Stephens 24, G Thomas 22, N Curnow 21; G Furnival 3-37, D Ayres 2-23, R Leathley 2-29) Falmouth 81 (G May 4-9, M George 3-15, P Nicholas 2-12).

Ludgvan lost their rearranged Davidstow Village Cup tie at home to Abbotskerswell by 15 runs.

Helston 197-8, Wadebridge 195-9

THERE was a tremendous game at Helston where the home side won by two runs in a tense, last ball finish.

Former Camborne player Ben Rule starred with the bat in his first league game for his new club.

He made an unbeaten 80 sharing an eighth wicket partnership of 91 with Aussie Jordan Fulton (34).

They rescued the innings from 96 for seven. Dan Jenkin opened with 32. Overseas player Phil Lill took three for 26.

Wadebridge were 38 for four before Neil Richards hit 61 and James Maycock 50 in a 111 run stand for the sixth wicket. Fulton completed a good start to the season with three for 37.

Gorran 196-8, Hayle 199-3

HAYLE got off to a great start with a seven wicket home win at the Towans. Graham Wiseman hit the first County One century of the season with his 102.

It came off 64 balls with seven sixes and nine fours. Steve Richards was undefeated on 44 after sharing a 103 run second wicket stand with Wiseman. And 21-year-old New Zealander Tom Cross took two for 23 on his Gorran debut, having made 20 with the bat.

The visitors were also well served by skipper Robin Kendall (39) and opener Rhys Daniel (33) before Andy Grant hit an unbeaten 43. Richards had a good all round game taking four for 37.

Roche 107, Beacon 110-3

BEACON got off to an encouraging start with a seven wicket away win. Visiting bowlers Richard White, Kris Martin and Darren Proctor took two wickets apiece to reduce the home side to 56 for seven.

However, Aussie Will Skene, on debut, made 28 to see the hundred up. After Rob Trembath made 29 Larry Martin made 34 not out on his return and Jordan Thomas 22 not out after his transfer from neighbours Troon. Dan Best took two for 12.

Menheniot Looe 222-4, Stithians 200-9

HAVING lost some leading players Stithians put up an encouraging show at Menheniot in a high scoring game.

The home side's top order all produced led by Peter Nance (48), Hugh Rogers (43) and skipper Phil Shepley's 53 not out. Callum Martin took two wickets.

Opener Roger Strick made 44 before Stithians threatened victory reaching 173 for five, thanks to Martin (39) and Nathan Strick (35). Rogers ended their hopes taking four for 45.

Launceston 84, Troon 86-3

TROON are up and running with a seven wicket win at Launceston.

Sam Pengelly top scored for the home side with 37 and Phil Spry made 23. Former skipper Steve Eddy did the damage for Troon with four for 17 and newcomer Phil Bostock took three for eight.

Mark Jenkin, on his return to the club from Redruth, hit 29 in the Troon reply.

Penzance 233, Ludgvan 138

PENZANCE got off to the best of starts winning the Penwith derby by 95 runs at St Clare. In his first game, opener Matt O'Leary made 56 which included nine boundaries.

The home side had 100 on the board before the loss of their second wicket, Jonny Ludlam for 23. Rhys Brownfield hit 49 not out.

After slipping to 12 for three it was always going to be a tall order for the visitors. Nathan Pobega made 24 and Nicholls 37.

Frederick Kenneth Pascoe, Carnhell Green

THE FUNERAL has taken place at Wall Methodist Church of Frederick Kenneth Pascoe, aged 94, who has died peacefully at his home in Carnhell Green. Pastor John Bailey officiated.

Interment followed at Gwinear Parish Church.

Frederick Kenneth Pascoe (known as Ken or KP) was born on July 15, 1919, at Carnhell Green, a place which became his home for most of his life.

He was the only son of Fred and Doris Pascoe.

He went to school at Wall before the school merged with Gwinear and moved to the new site, where Gwinear School now stands.

Ken attended Wall Sunday School and chapel as a boy along with his mother, who was a member of Wall choir.

At the age of 15, Ken went to work for Tonkin's in Cross Street, Camborne, working on bikes and radios, and was called up in 1939 to serve in the air force as a wireless and Morse code operator.

He spent a lot of the war in Cairo in Egypt and had the experience of sailing around South Africa and the Suez Canal.

Ken did talk about seasickness and bathing in the Dead Sea; although he was not able to swim he was impressed by how easy it was to float there.

At the end of the war he came back to Predannack, thinking that was the end, but was cross when he had to travel up- country to Uxbridge to be demobbed.

Back in civvy life, he returned to work at Tonkin's and later moved to Rent-a-Set, which became Radio Rentals, where he was the man who went to fix radios and televisions, always carrying a spare television in his van so that people would not be without if home repair was not possible.

While Ken was away during the war he wrote home to Enid in Carnhell Green, who at that time did not know Ken well, as he was one of the "big boys", four years her senior, but she did reply.

This in turn led to regular correspondence, friendship when Ken got home, "walking out together" and eventually in 1948 their marriage at Wall Methodist Church.

Ken and Enid enjoyed holidays all over the UK, including boats trips on the Thames and the canals of Scotland where much fun was had working the locks.

Their marriage produced just one son, Colin; in turn Colin and his wife Sandra gave Ken and Enid two grandchildren, Darren and Helen.

Ken was keen on sport of any kind; he loved watching rugby, boxing, wrestling, cricket and horse-racing on the telly.

He also played tennis and had the honour of being secretary of Carnhell Football Club from the late 1950s to late 1960s.

It is not known whether he played football seriously (although there is a rumour of a goal he scored while in the RAF) but he and grandson Darren spent a lot of time playing football in the back yard.

Helen gave grandad a chance to talk horses, with horse- racing being another of Ken's passions – with regular trips to the betting office followed by a pint of Guinness in McNamara's.

For a long time Ken was a faithful supporter of Plymouth Argyle, travelling at least fortnightly from Gwinear Road station to Plymouth.

Until he was in his eighties he regularly rode his bike from and around Carnhell Green.

He was rarely ever seen without his cap; in fact he wore this all the time at home and was even seen sitting in bed in hospital with it perched on his head. Enid used to refer to him as "Andy Capp".

People who knew Ken describe him as "a nice man, gentle, funny, never cross (except when he had to travel out of Cornwall to get demobbed)". Colin describes him as "a good dad, who always gave sound advice" and Sandra, his daughter-in-law, talked about how polite he was and always retained his sense of humour.

Family mourners: Colin and Sandra, son and daughter-in-law, rep Enid, widow, who was unable to attend; Darren, grandson; Helen and Ian, granddaughter and partner.

Also in attendance were Mrs Elizabeth Sowden, rep Mr and Mrs B Rowe and Mrs J Curtis; Anne Rowe, rep the Heather family; Joyce Ireland, rep Ken Eustice and Mavis Cook, Elsie Eustice; Jill Dingle, rep Peter Dingle, Michael and Kay Cook, cousins.

Donations for Wall Methodist Church totalled £150.30.

Funeral director: L Blewett and Son, Praze.

THERE is a truism in sport that form is temporary but class is permanent.

Exactly a year ago a visit to St Ives' Seagrass bowled me over. Chef Tom Pryce was proving a phenomenon at this compact first floor eatery in a town that has no shortage of very good food.

But chefs move on and perhaps the ultimate test of a restaurant is if the owners' drive and vision can sustain and improve a good reputation as times – and chefs – change.

So it's a pleasure to pronounce that Seagrass still ticks all the boxes – and in some respects has even kicked on.

This is a warm, friendly, professional restaurant with intelligent staff and a lively, energised feel.

The walls are adorned with some bold, bright impressionist art by St Ives' artist Maria Keeling – £700 a pop, anyone? – that my dining partner and I loved but may divide opinion.

Little else here will.

New chef Stephen Block – formerly two years the head chef at nearby St Andrew's Street Bistro – is maintaining a tradition at Seagrass of wowing with presentation and with flavours.

A starter of seared Cornish scallops with black pudding and a spiced apple purée was a delight, served on a slate and looking stunning, it cost £9.95 but was worth it for the surprise of those delicate spring roll-style black pudding parcels.

Another starter, the seared squid and chorizo salad (£5.95), may have suffered just slightly in comparison to last year's seared squid with apple, watercress and pea purée, but it was still a real treat.

Our mains were a seafood risotto of Cornish crab, squid, mussels and king prawns with peas, parsley, chorizo and saffron rice and a piece of venison, fondant potatoes and a deep-fried ball of what appeared to be venison sausage.

Cost-wise, the risotto was priced at £16.95 with the most expensive main on the menu a Cornish fillet steak in a Bordelaise sauce at £24.95 (something for next time), so this is not cheap dining, but why should it be for something so special?

The risotto rice was as starchy and comforting as it should be, the range of seafood tender and tasty, and the peas – perhaps the under-sung king of veg' – sweet and fresh.

The venison was full of flavour without being overbearing, the fondant potatoes perfectly executed, and the red wine sauce sweet and tangy (and still being sneakily scooped up with a knife as the plates were taken away).

But the biggest standouts were the desserts – a shock for a reviewer who rarely has one. Both that we tried were stunners in their own ways.

You might think there was nothing new to be done with a brownie but Seagrass' warm generous chocolate brownie (£6.95) is a slab of heaven deliciously set off by a tangy orange ice cream, but it was what came with it that was a revelation – or two revelations - a peanut butter mascarpone and a chocolate fudge soil. Clever, surprising and hugely moreish.

And then the 'Strawberries and cream' – a strawberry consommé, vanilla panna cotta and roast strawberry sorbet (£6.50) that was a perfect contrast to the brownie.

Subtle, delicate, fresh and sweet. If there is any room for gripes – or at least constructive criticism – it's that some of the stronger flavours in the cooking threaten to overwhelm the more subtle – does squid lose out when paired with chorizo?

Was there too much of said chorizo in the seafood risotto? – but that's a matter of taste, not technique.

And what's got better at Seagrass 12 months on? The overall feel front of house is slightly more confident than it was 12 months ago, and more comfortable for it. But otherwise it's reassuringly consistent. The permanence of class.

For all menus and further details: www.seagrass-stives.com