Cornwall Trading Standards has issued a warning to homeowners following reports of cold callers using aggressive sales tactics, and overcharging customers.

A group of men claiming to be tree surgeons called at a property in Newquay and quoted £140 for work on a tree, which was then hastily reduced to £40 when the resident said she was unable to pay. 

The resident described the state of the tree as "hacked to pieces" when the men left.

The suspected scammers also failed to provide her with either the required paperwork, or her legally required 14 day cooling off period.

In another unrelated incident, a man was arrested in Hayle last week following a report of bogus landscaping work.

Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted to reports of two men believed to have carried out work throughout Cornwall, who quoted over £3000 to lay gravel and fix a door at the home of an elderly female.

Their high prices and aggressive sales tactics resulted in an arrest.

One of the men was later interviewed by Cornwall Trading Standards and bailed whilst investigations continue.

Trading Standards urge everyone to be on their guard when it comes to traders knocking on your door trying to gain work. 

Residents are advised to obtain several quotes, and never to part with cash on the doorstep.

Allan Hampshire, Cornwall Council's Head of Public Protection and Business Support, said: "Cornwall seems to be particularly targeted by every fraudster, con-man, scammer and doorstep criminal at the moment.

"As much as my officers are trying to catch these crooks and bring them to account we are keen to ensure that no-one else becomes a victim. Our advice is simple: never deal with anyone who turns up at your door without an appointment, and never pay money to anyone who calls you on the phone. If you do need work doing on your home, always obtain more than one quote and only deal with firms you know."

If anyone has any concerns they should contact Cornwall Council Trading Standards on 0300 1234 19, contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999 and speak to the Police.

Engineers are attending the scene of a suspected burst water main on Commercial Road in Penryn, leaving some homes in the area without a mains water supply.

Police were forced to temporarily close Penryn Bridge after the ruptured pipe left the road under several inches of water.

Traffic was diverted through the centre of Penryn.

South West Water took to Twitter to update those affected, saying: "We're investigating reports of a burst water main affecting TR10, 8 and TR11, 2. Inspectors on way."

The company says its engineers hope to have the pipe reconnected within the hour.

UPDATE 7.55pm: South West Water say the pipe beneath Commercial Road has now been isolated, and the water supply reconnected.

Soon after the company issued a statement saying: "We have now isolated the damaged pipework and all properties water should now be restored with the possibility of temporary low pressure and discoloured water.

"The pressure will return slowly and the discoloured water can be aided by running your cold kitchen tap until clear."

An investigation is being carried out at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske after the occurrence of a so-called 'never-event' in the same month that five unrelated serious incidents were also reported.

The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust said it was scrutinising procedures after the incident on June 27 in which a swab was left inside a patient undergoing a cardiac treatment.

A hospital spokesperson said patient safety was their top priority and lessons would be learned.

"Never events are always fully investigated to ensure RCHT and, where appropriate, the wider NHS learns from any unexpected incident and makes the changes necessary to minimise the risk of it ever happening again," he said.

"In this instance the error was picked up immediately after the procedure, was resolved and the patient suffered no long-term harm as a result."

According to the Department for Health, 'never events' are inexcusable actions which could potentially lead to the death of the patient or their suffering severe harm.

By definition the incidents should never occur in a healthcare environment and can include surgery on the wrong site, a patient being given improperly prepared high-risk drugs or the wrong gas being administered.

The incident at the RCHT involved a surgical swab being left in the patient following an operation to insert a pacemaker.

It is the fourth 'never-event' declared by the Truro-based trust this year: two in April, including wrong site surgery and an incorrect implant, and one in March when the incorrect tooth was removed.

The trust also declared that five 'serious incidents' (SI) which had occurred in June were under investigation.

These include a fall resulting in a broken hip, a delay in summoning the team which deals with a cardiac arrest and a patient developing a painful complication after abdominal surgery.

The trust said that it currently had a backlog with completing serious incident investigations.

This was reported on board papers as being the result of both "the increasing numbers of SIs declared and the strengthened quality assurance processes implemented to ensure root causes are identified and robust action plans are in place for improvements."

A spokesman for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which monitors and regulates healthcare, said the RCHT had informed them of the 'never event'.

He said that it was important lessons were learned.

"Never-events should not happen by definition," he said.

"However, the most important thing is that the trust examines what happened in this particular case to ensure that the chances of it happening again is minimal.

"It is also important that the trust report this properly to the CQC and learn lessons from it," he said.

A FAMILY say they are at a dead end after a bus company offered no explanation as to why a driver who had caused hundreds of pounds of damage to their fence just drove away.

A neighbour alerted the Bradwell family, who live on a junction on Trispen Hill, Trispen, after hearing a noise and spotting a red Western Greyhound double-decker bus struggling to extract itself from the intersection.

Mum of two Kirsty Bradwell came out to find part of the fence in the road, the other half hanging off and red paint from the bus smeared on a white fence post.

Later the family discovered a reinforced concrete post had also been cracked.

The Bradwells, who have two children – Phoebe, 4, and Freya, six months – say they have been left with an £800 repair bill, only a year after the fence was knocked down in a previous unrelated incident.

Mrs Bradwell, 33, said: "He would have known that he'd hit the fence and didn't even have the courtesy to stop."

The Bradwells said it was a continuing problem which had been getting worse and more dangerous.

They said buses were often seen squeezing past each other and other vehicles, causing a risk to people's property.

They e-mailed Western Greyhound on June 19, the day after the incident, and again on June 24 and July 10, as well as filling out an online complaint form.

Craig Bradwell, 39, said he and his wife had also rung Western Greyhound ten times; on one occasion Mrs Bradwell was left hanging on the phone for 20 minutes.

"The driver did not stop and had absolutely no care to the damage he caused," he said.

"Their customer service stinks; it's atrocious.

"I've considered driving over to the depot and having it out with them face to face but we have been told that it's private property and we're not allowed to go there."

The couple are demanding compensation but also want to know what action is being taken against the driver.

Western Greyhound managing director Mark Howarth said the family's claim had been passed to its insurers, who would manage it directly.

Mr Howarth said he would investigate the family's claim that they had not received an acknowledgement of their complaints, and conceded there were difficulties with buses negotiating the route.

"It's not an easy road," he said. "It's not one we would choose to use but the bus route is the only way we can serve the village. We either serve the village through the route we have or we don't."

The family have contacted their local Cornwall councillor, Mike Eathorne-Gibbons, about the continuing problems with traffic, particularly buses, using the route.

A JEWELLERY designer whose unusual pieces have been worn by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Jessie J is moving up in the world locally.

Lucy Wilson, of Bloody Mary Metal, has opened a new shop to showcase collections with names such as Sinners and Sailors, Arcane Love and Heavy Metal.

Her rings, necklaces, bracelets, charms and bespoke pieces include elements of bones, anchors, teeth, birds, hearts, letters, stars, crosses, daggers, tentacles, lightning bolts and arrows.

And her work has attracted some famous fans.

Lucy, who grew up on her parents' farm in Cornwall, said: "It's amazing seeing people I look up to wearing my jewellery. Some of these people literally have the choice of any jewellery brand they want so when they choose to wear mine, it's a huge honour and reassures me that I'm on the right track with BMM."

Lucy moved to London at the age of 18 to train at Rose Bruford Drama College, gaining a degree in theatre arts, followed by seven years living alternately in London and New Zealand. She returned to Cornwall in 2012 to embark on her apprenticeship.

Bloody Mary Metal originated when she decided to create jewellery she couldn't find in the shops.

She said: "It's about craftsmanship, telling stories and tales through fashion and design, and it's about standing up for what you believe in.

"I started Bloody Mary Metal while doing my apprenticeship almost three years ago. As it turned out, I ended up heading to New Zealand instead. When I was given the opportunity to return home to Cornwall for an apprenticeship with Phil Orton I jumped at the chance.

"I've always been most inspired and focused when at home, near the sea.

"I've always had a fascination with all things nautical and magical. I've often found people can be quite quick to judge, especially with topics and items of a macabre or taboo nature."

She celebrated the opening of her new premises at Ruan High Lanes on the Roseland with a charity launch night which raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Bloody Mary Metal ships orders worldwide and also sells via online fashion retailer www.asos.com

AN APPEAL has been made to trace some First World War medals which were sold at auction in Truro.

The medals had been awarded to Frederick Francis, who had passed them onto his nephew Charles Stephen, who later died while living in St Agnes.

Mr Stephen had bequeathed the medals to Michael Francis, a great nephew of Frederick.

Michael, who lives in Surrey, only discovered that he had been left the medals by chance when he was researching his family history. As part of the estate, Michael received an envelope, which included a death plaque, a letter from King George V awarding Francis a trio of medals, and a handwritten note requesting the medals and plaque be handed down through the family.

However when he tried to trace the medals themselves he discovered that they, along with the plaque, had been sold at auction before any family connection had been made.

He eventually tracked down the Truro auction house which carried out the sale and even managed to find the online sale of the medals but has so far been unable to track down the buyer. Since then he has scoured the web in search of the medals, which had been passed down through three or four generations before being sold, in the hope they might once again find their way to an auction and give him a chance of getting them back.

He said: "It has taken me almost two years of work to get to where I am now and all I want is to try and get these medals back.

"It has been very difficult to try and trace them but I am hoping that someone in Cornwall might know who bought them in the auction or can point me in the right direction.

"I am not expecting whoever bought them to give them to me and I am happy to pay as I realise that they were bought in good faith – but I just want them returned to where they should be." He added: "This is the final part of the family puzzle.

"It would be good to have them back in the family. It seems the medals were left in the house and whoever has cleared it after Charles died has put the medals up for sale not knowing I was going to get that letter three or four years later."

If you think you know the whereabouts of the medals, or can help, call 01737 783889.

THE band Illumination Brass will appear at St Keverne on Saturday.

The band will be playing in the garden of the Three Tuns Hotel from 7pm where there will be a barbecue from 6.30pm.

The group was formed by musical director Ian Edwards to play a one-off concert at Coverack Illumination night, and are celebrating their tenth year. Players come from bands and groups around the county.

A FIRST World War commemoration event at Budock Water featuring an exhibition, fun day and tea dance also marks 50 years since the playing field was given to the village.

Saturday's event, run by the playing field association and the carnival committee, starts at 11am with an exhibition in the village hall, stalls, a raffle and refreshments.

At 1pm there will be a barbecue, children's games and cream teas on the playing field, followed in the evening by a tea dance in the village hall. Tickets are £3, including tea and coffee, from the village shop or Trelowarren Arms.

OLIVER SINCLAIR JONES, 33, of Commercial Road, Hayle, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court to possessing cannabis at Hayle on April 7 and was conditionally discharged for 12 months.

THE archives of the West Briton, Cornish Guardian and Cornishman from 100 years ago show just how little Cornwall was prepared for the events that lay ahead.

The newspapers portrayed the clear sense of shock and disbelief at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They told of the great upheaval that swept the country that fateful summer.

The First World War is one of the most important events to have shaped our world today. Its significance cannot be understated.

And, as people across Cornwall mark its start in moving ceremonies, we have looked through the archives to pay our own tribute to the brave men and women who were involved.

As with so many of the centenary commemorations, individual stories best help to shine a light on a tragedy of such vast scale.

There are so many stories to tell of Cornwall's efforts in the war and each and every story will evoke an enormous sense of pride for what our brave men and women did.

Those who died in the conflict are remembered on war memorials in towns and villages across Cornwall.

This commemorative supplement remembers just a handful of those local people who were among the fallen, as well as those who played a part in the war and survived.

Many of them are remembered in letters written at the time to friends and relatives.

Other stories have been pieced together from the archives of our papers and historical documents.

There are many, many more stories from Cornwall that have not yet been told.

Every man and woman who played their part in this war deserves their place in history and deserves to be remembered.

BRAVE soldiers, including many from Cornwall, who fought in one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War, have been remembered and honoured in France.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, the few remaining veterans of the Battle of Hill 112 which was fought in Normandy 70 years ago, together with family and friends of those who died there or have passed on since gathered with a large number of French dignitaries and local schoolchildren to pay tribute.

The month-long battle of Hill 112, which saw Hitler reinforce his tanks and troops to keep Germany's grip on the city of Caen and its airfield, started on July 10, 1944, and ended with huge casualties on both sides before the British pushed them back.

The 43rd Wessex Division, drawn from many component battalions in the South West including the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, had landed on the Normandy beaches around three weeks after D-Day.

Those who made their way from Britain to the commemoration from the Brittany Ferries port of Ouistreham were greeted with large signs along the roads proclaiming "Welcome to our liberators".

About a dozen of those original liberators from westcountry regiments made it to the 70th anniversary but some of those who were at the 60th, including Frank Grigg, of St Austell, and Bill Jago, of Launceston, have since died, while Sir David Willcocks, originally from Newquay and who won the Military Cross in the battle, was not well enough to attend.

However, they were remembered by those who gathered at the hilltop alongside the memorial and the Churchill tank which had been taken there in 2000 by Brittany Ferries following efforts by Mr Grigg and another veteran, Albert Figg, who was at the latest ceremony.

Colin Grigg, elder son of Frank, was there with members of his family and carried a photograph of his father together with his war medals, including the French Légion d'honneur.

Mr Grigg died in May, 2012, and his ashes are scattered on Hill 112, which became known by many as Cornwall Hill because of Cornish soldiers' role in the battle.

"It was a place that shaped my father's life," said Colin. "After his experiences here during the war he was instrumental in getting the memorial and the tank put on the hill."

Among the veterans was one who did not take part in the land battle but was off the coast in a ship protecting the vessels bringing troops to the beaches.

Edwin Jeffery, 91, originally from Mousehole, was on convoy escort HMS Vanquisher from D-Day. After the war he ran the Victualling Office Tavern in Stonehouse, Plymouth, for many years, and earlier this year was presented with the Légion d'honneur. It was the third occasion that Prince Edward had been to the commemoration on Hill 112, and he said he was pleased people's attention was not just on D-Day as there were days in the aftermath when huge numbers of soldiers were lost.

"There were some bruising battles, and the Wessex were always there," said the Prince.

Some veterans had travelled huge distances to be at the event, including one from Australia and another from Ontario, Canada, John Davis, aged 90. The lieutenant had been loaned to the British Army in 1944 and this was the first time he had attended a ceremony on Hill 112.

"The fighting here was terrible, absolute hell," he said.

Padre Martyn Groves said the events in Normandy had changed the course of world history.

He told the veterans: "History has been built on your shoulders. Your self sacrifice, courage, honour and loyalty in this battle 70 years ago meant that freedom and hope came closer."

The Salamanca Band of the 6th Rifles, based at Exeter, played for the service which was also attended by soldiers from the Rifles and the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.

Truro 228-8, St Austell 111

TRURO are back up to third spot after a comprehensive home win over St Austell, by 117 runs.

Their innings was dominated by opener Scott Harvey, who almost batted through. He was eventually bowled by James Carter at 218 for seven, after making 93 off 160 balls with eight boundaries. He shared a second wicket stand of 115 with Tom Sharp (66). Andrew Libby took four for 83 and Carter three for 28.

St Austell lost regular wickets in reply to be all out for 111 in the 39th over. Jason Bragg (27) was the only player to pass 20.

Carter, Libby, Gary Bone and Callum Wilson all got into double figures. Neil Ivamy took four for 19 from ten overs and Rob Harrison three for 29.

Sharp took one wicket in a nine over spell that only conceded 17 runs.

Grampound Road 223, Werrington 227-5

WERRINGTON made light work of a run chase at home to Grampound Road, with victory coming by five wickets with more than ten overs to spare. They remain in second, 38 points behind St Just.

The Road opted to bat and made 223 all out in the 53rd over. Opener Matt Manuell played the anchor innings hitting 74 off 145 balls with a six and seven fours.

After Chris Roberts made 22 they were 86 for five before Alex May (36) helped add 72 for the seventh wicket. Charlie Hoskings made 34 off just 20 balls at the end.

Alex Smeeth took five for 76 and his brother Ben two for 47.

Werrington were 49 for two but Alex Smeeth joined Paul Gribble (37) to add 77 for the third wicket.

Smeeth went on to hit 16 fours in his 80 off 87 balls.

Adam Hodgson saw the North Cornwall club to a seventh win with 45 not out. Christian Purchase took two for 58.

Camborne 320-8, Callington 197

CAMBORNE'S third win takes them 43 points clear of the drop zone. They batted excellently after being put in at Roskear to make 320 for eight.

They went on to win by 123 runs with nine overs to spare.

Kevin Roberts made 31 in an opening stand of 65 with Matt Rowe. Sam Pooley (18) and Nick King (13) failed to build on starts. Newcomer, Barbadian Choike Payne, was bowled first ball on his debut.

However, Rowe (70) and Liam Weeks (76) added 122 for the fifth wicket. Simon Hosking hit 40 off 27 balls, including two sixes.

Jim Shorten picked up four for 96 from 15 overs. James Long made 26 but the visitors slipped to 53 for three.

Matt Robins scored 53, Joe White (18) and Aidan Libby (20) but the last four wickets fell for 22 runs. Rowe took four for 38, Jeff Carvelly took two for 53 and Payne took the last two wickets.

Redruth 69, Falmouth 70-0

REDRUTH'S survival hopes suffered another blow with a heavy defeat against one of their nearest rivals. They are now 28 points adrift at the bottom, with seven games to play.

A shower just before the start reduced the game by four overs but it was insignificant with the game all over at 3.37pm. Redruth lost their first seven wickets for 35 with Glyn Furnival (4-35) causing much of the damage. Craig Williams made 24 off ten balls with six boundaries.

They were all out for 69 in the 21st over. Antony Angove took two for eight in seven overs. George Popperwell and Arup Revandkar also took two each.

Falmouth knocked off the runs inside 12 overs with Mark Johnson, on his return from university, making 35 not out and Adrian Noott 31 not out to secure Falmouth only their second win of the campaign.

Newquay 209, St Just 212-3

ST JUST demonstrated their batting prowess at the Sports Centre to knock off the 210 target for the loss of just three wickets, with almost 15 overs unused.

Newquay had made a respectable 209 all out off the last ball of their 55 overs. The innings was dominated by skipper Adam Cocking, who hit eight fours and a six in his 77. Usman Arshad had opened with 22.

Cocking was sixth out at 150 but Richard Spall hit an unbeaten 29 to gain maximum batting points. Ryan Harvey took three for 43 and Gareth May only conceded 49 runs in a 16 over spell. Neil Curnow (41) and Mark George (31) put on 77 for the first wicket to set the visitors on their way.

Harry Medhurst (55) and Gary Thomas (54no) then put on 80 for the third wicket, both hitting two sixes and five boundaries. Tom Eggins took two for 42.

CHRIS Morgan has been appointed team captain at the Cornish Pirates for the 2014-15 season, with Canada international wing Matt Evans stepping up to act as vice captain.

Following the news at the end of last season that Gavin Cattle would be taking on a player-coach role a change of skipper was in the cards. Morgan, 32, will be a popular choice as he begins his seventh consecutive season at the club after re-signing in 2008.

The Bristolian had originally spent a period on loan at the Pirates during the 2005-06 season before joining Newbury but was brought back to Cornwall by former head coach Mark Hewitt.

He led the Pirates several times last season from the back row with his last appearance in the home defeat to Rotherham Titans in April. Morgan's last try for the club came in the away win at Esher in January 2012.

Matt Evans has been out of action since suffering a serious knee injury in the Championship at Moseley in February but recently penned a new one-year deal to keep him with the Cornish club until the Rugby World Cup next year.

Born in Wiltshire but brought up on the west coast of Canada, the 26-year-old signed for the Pirates in 2012 and was the top try scorer in the Championship during the 2012-13 season with 14 touchdowns.

Injuries have restricted his appearances in Pirates colours since but with 31 international caps already under his belt he has now been handed the perfect incentive to go out and reclaim his Canada shirt.

The Cornish Pirates squad last week enjoyed a two-day tour of the Isles of Scilly on a team building exercise which included liaison activities with the local community.

Based at St Mary's following a sailing aboard the Scillonian, the squad ventured across to Tresco on Wednesday and St Martin's on Thursday, before their scheduled return to the mainland on Friday.

On Tresco, the Pirates squad hosted a relaxed training session with island residents and visitors. After the coaching session the players enjoyed a post-workout sea swim followed by a visit to the New Inn. Before leaving the players were also given a tour of the world-famous Abbey Garden.

Alasdair Moore of Tresco Island said: "It was a great honour to welcome the Cornish Pirates on to the island and we were delighted to contribute to their travel in order to help make the trip possible.

"Everyone who took part in the fun coaching session really enjoyed having the opportunity to spend time with the players and to get to learn some hints and tips. Being based so close – just across the water in Penzance – we hope to welcome the team back again in the not too distant future."

Cornish Pirates Media Liaison Officer Phil Westren added: "The Cornish Pirates had a fantastic time on Tresco where they were made very welcome.

"Over the years a number of islanders have played for the Pirates, so let's hope that more youngsters will be inspired to take up the game and make their mark in the future."

The Pirates thanked all who have warmly welcomed the players and coaches on the islands, along with all those who supported the visit, including the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, the Adam Mallon Sports Fund, Tresco Estate, Nick George of the Mermaid Inn, the New Inn at Tresco, the Sevenstones Inn on St Martin's, plus the school at St Mary's were camping.

The Cornish Pirates have confirmed the dates and kick-off times for their away Greene King IPA Championship fixtures at Worcester Warriors and Nottingham.

The Pirates will play the Warriors on Saturday January 10 (3pm), and their game at Nottingham will be on Friday February 20, kick-off at 8pm.

For further information relating to fixtures and ticketing, visit the website at www.cornish-pirates.com

ON PLATFORM 1 of Paddington Station – the first touchdown in London for Cornish visitors arriving by rail – is a statue of an unknown soldier.

This bronze giant, dedicated to the memory of the Great Western Railway employees who lost their lives in the horrors of the First World War, is depicted reading a letter.

Now people across Cornwall are contributing to a thought-provoking and innovative tribute to all those who died in the conflict – by writing their own versions of that letter.

As part of the 14-18 NOW official programme to mark 100 years since the war began, these letters are being compiled on a website, with new ones released each day for everyone to read.

More than 8,500 people from Cornwall, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have already taken part in Letter To An Unknown Soldier including Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Andy McNab. Sennen author Patrick Gale is one of 50 distinguished writers who has penned a letter, imagining the soldier as a Canadian travelling far from home to fight, and Cornish author Tanya Landman wrote one inspired by the story of her great-grandfather, the first man from Truro to be sent to the front and the first one to die: but many of the most poignant are by pupils from schools such as Humphry Davy and Cape Cornwall.

Jessica Hutchings, a student at Cape Cornwall, wrote a letter inspired by "the bravery of the soldiers from World War I" and dedicated to "every single soldier that fought for our country".

Her letter vividly captures the terror and horror of life and death in the trenches and the danger of snipers, bombs and bullets.

Aidan Moonet, from Humphry Davy School, wrote a letter direct to the consciousness of the fallen soldier, reassuring him that he was remembered and that his deeds made a difference.

The 12-year-old wrote that he was inspired by learning about the tragedies of the war: "I thought that the people who had fought for their country deserved to be remembered and celebrated for the things they did."

Lottie Foster wrote a letter inspired by her great-grandad.

She wrote: "Those things you and thousands of others had to do weren't nice or pleasant but it was for a great purpose, and for you to go through the war and to protect millions, that makes you a good, pure, brave and courageous man.

"You have changed lives of millions so greatly that people can live, maybe even me. It makes me sick to think of all the bloodshed and terror you went through to protect us, you deserve to be known."

If you want to write a letter to the Unknown Soldier, go online and click on 1418NOW.org.uk/letter or follow the project on Twitter @letter1418 and Facebook /letter1418