CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Government to send a hospital ship moored at Falmouth Docks to the Gaza conflict.

RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), part of the Royal Navy, currently undergoing work at the docks.

Penzance resident Veronica Vickery, who started the petition on Sunday, warned of a health crisis which is looming for "trapped civilians with dire conditions" in the main Gaza City Shifa hospital.

"Doctors operate on the floor and in corridors. People die untreated. Only one x-ray machine is working with a lack of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and the most basic equipment," she said.

"The hospital ship RFA Argus is moored in Falmouth. She is uniquely designed for this type of necessity.

"Since Israel has abrogated its responsibility to the citizens of Gaza, we request that the British Government unilaterally and rapidly deploys RFA Argus to Gaza.

"We should be at the forefront of the humanitarian response, a pioneering lead from the UK in the face of traumatic world events.

Ann Haycock, who is supporting the campaign added: "I know that the political situation is complicated, but a humanitarian intervention is now necessary."

The campaign is backed by West Cornwall MP Andrew George, who said: "I urge the Government to send the Royal Navy hospital ship RFA Argus to spearhead the humanitarian relief effort to Gaza. The ship is moored in Falmouth and is designed and equipped for this type of relief effort.

"The brutalising and cavalier way Israel is killing and maiming thousands of Palestinians and destruction of the infrastructure, hospitals, UN shelters, schools and homes in Gaza is horrific.

"Israel continues to bombard Gaza and restrict the flow of essential medical supplies and humanitarian relief into Gaza.

"A humanitarian crisis in Gaza must be intolerable, with people unable to get out, and effective relief barely able to get in.

"The UK should not just sit back and do nothing. Britain should be at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the tragic events in Gaza.

"By deploying RFA Argus, we would offer a symbol of action and support from the UK via Cornwall towards the citizens of Gaza severely affected by Israel's military response."

Mr George has written to the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, to call for the immediate deployment of RFA Argus.

To join the petition, visit the Facebook page: 'Send British hospital ship to Gaza' or engage with the campaign on Twitter with #HospitalShip2Gaza.

The petition was signed by over 200 people in the first 24 hours. 

The petition will go to key members of the UK Government Cabinet.

A LONG-TERM 'resident' of the River Fal will be moving on after almost 14 years in the river.

The vessel, a former lighthouse tender, was brought to Cornwall from Scotland on August 17, 2000, and swiftly renamed Windsor Castle.

Other than the King Harry Ferry, the Windsor Castle has spent the longest time in the river.

Expert and West Briton columnist Tony Atkinson said the ship would now face an examination to determine its fate.

He said: "The vessel was originally used to maintain lighthouses and buoys on the Scottish coast before being bought by a wealthy owner who used it for leisure activities.

"He has now decided to pass her on and if she is determined to be in a good state will move to join the Royal Yacht Britannia at the Port of Edinburgh.

"However, if she doesn't pass the examination she will have to be scrapped."

Mr Atkinson believes the vessel would be an appropriate occupant for the Port of Edinburgh.

A SPECIAL fundraiser was held at Flambards on Sunday for nine-year-old Josh Mills.

He was born prematurely, at 32 weeks, and diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was a year old.

He needs a high level of care and has regular physiotherapy to help him stand.

His family, who live in Meneage Street, Helston, thanked everyone for their generous support after the fundraising concert.

On hand were St Stythians Male Voice Choir, who sang for his benefit to visitors at the theme park.

Improvement

His dad Paul Mills thanked all the members of the choir and praised Fred Angove, who had organised the fundraising.

He said: "This latest fundraising has been to allow Josh to continue his physio. "It's making an enormous improvement in his life. It's not an overnight fix but he's getting stronger all the time.

"He's standing unassisted but he still has to lean against something."

He said Josh has physiotherapy at his home, school and at Helston Hospital, through the NHS and privately.

In 2012, there was further fundraising for the St Michael's School pupil when he underwent an operation to help him with his walking.

Mr Mills added: "I can't say how grateful we are or all the support we have from the choir and the community. We realise this is just for one thing but it's long-term. The more we can do now will improve Josh's chances of one day having an independent life; that's what we're working towards."

St Stythians Male Voice Choir is based in Stithians and was formed in 1947.

It now has about 45 members and regularly performs in competitions stages concerts for charity.

GIRLS will be able to become choristers at Truro Cathedral for the first time under a new partnership between the Cathedral and Truro School.

The cathedral has had a traditional choir made up of boys and men since it opened in 1887 but from September 2015 it will have an additional 20 girls who will sing in parallel with the current team of boy choristers who will continue to be educated at Polwhele House School.

Under the agreement girls aged 13 to 18 will be able to apply and be eligible for 25% scholarships at Truro School as well as other means-tested bursaries. As with boy choristers the aim is that selection will be based on musical and academic potential and not financial background.

The Very Reverend Roger Bush, Dean of Truro, said: "The cathedral's governing Chapter has had a desire for many years now to have girl choristers as well as our highly successful boy choristers, joined by our dedicated team of professional gentlemen who sing the lower parts.

"We are convinced that Truro School will be the right place to nurture the kind of world class excellence Polwhele House has nurtured so successfully in our boy choristers."

Commenting on the partnership, Truro School's head master Andrew Gordon-Brown said: "With our shared commitment to musical excellence, this partnership between Truro School and Truro Cathedral is wonderful news indeed.

"We already have one of the biggest and busiest music departments in the south-west, and we are delighted with the introduction of a new chorister programme for girls that gives us new opportunities to build on this further."

Recruitment for the new choir will begin in the Autumn. Full details are available on the school website www.truroschool.com

A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy who launched a campaign to keep Cornish libraries open for longer said he feels "exhilarated" after gaining more than 4,000 supporters.

Since Falmouth lad Leon Remphry started the petition against the reduced opening hours of his local library just three weeks ago, he has gathered support from more than 4,000 people, including the backing of local MPs.

The petition set up by the King Charles Primary School pupil has also gained support from well-known children's authors including Philip Reeve and Steve Cole, plus local writers Mandy James and Emily Barr.

"I feel brilliant, I'm doing really well, it's exhilarating to have everyone supporting me.

"When we reach five thousand Cornwall Council will have to enter into a debate, they will have to discuss it."

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Truro and Falmouth, Simon Rix, who joined Leon's latest protest at Falmouth library on Monday, said he has called on the Conservative MP to stand up to the Tory leadership in London over the "disproportionate" local government cuts.

"These service reductions are a direct result of the unfairly large cuts to Cornwall Council's funding from central Government," said Mr Rix.

"No matter who is in charge in Westminster, our local MP should be fighting for fairness and putting Cornwall first."

Leon said he feels so passionate about reading that he decided to take a stand against the reduced opening hours of Falmouth Library, which came into effect in June.

He started a petition asking Cornwall Council to stop cutting back on opening times, which he intends to deliver to Adam Paynter, the Cabinet member for partnerships when he reaches 5,000 signatures.

Joining the 38degrees online petition, 'Ben W' wrote: "Libraries are central to local communities, providing a key learning resource, local information (including historical), activities for kids, access to the internet for those who cannot afford their own connection, and it's a place to go for the old and many others in the community."

Falmouth Library is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

At the last count, there are 4,366 signatures on the online petition at 38degrees.

Top dog and Britain's Got Talent winner Pudsey has been spotted filming a new show with his owner Ashleigh Butler in Cornwall.

The eight year-old Boarder Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested Powderpuff cross was seen in Trevarth near Lanner by power-walker Claire Connor-Callaghan shortly before 11am.

Mrs Connor-Callaghan, who works at Cornwall Council, said: "I was just walking past the phone box in Trevarth, coming to the end of my power-walk, and I saw a group of people crowding round.

"At first I thought it was work men, but when I got closer I saw it was Pudsey and Ashleigh.

"I couldn't quite believe it. I am a huge fan of Britain's Got Talent, or BGT as we call it on our house, and I was amazed to see them.

"People say that nothing happened in Trevarth but this has proved them wrong."

Pudsey and Ashleigh shot to fame after they won the sixth series of the ITV talent contest two year ago.

Since then the pair, who come from Northamptonshire, have appeared on numerous TV shows and starred in the 2014 faux biopic Pudsey The Movie, voiced by Britain's Got Talent judge and comedian David Walliams.

The 42 year-old mum of three added: "They all seemed really lovely. I think they said they were filming for a new show out next year called Top Dog." 

A PLANNING applicant has spoken of his "year of hell" after officials dragged their heels over the decision to grant planning permission for his game bird farm.

Alister Polhill and his partner Lory Brambini first submitted their application for planning permission in September last year and have only just been given the green light for the development.

Planning permission for the site at Copper Hill Farm, Carwynnen, Troon was granted last week on several conditions.

Mr Polhill and Ms Brambini were told that they must be the sole occupants of the site and that work must begin within the next three years.

Mr Polhill said: "We've been through hell this winter but thankfully we got planning permission in the end so we are hoping to start work very soon and be open for business next spring in time for the next game bird season.

"Initially we had some opposition from some local people and a town council but these were people who didn't really understand exactly what a game farm is and what we will be doing.

"We will be creating jobs for local people and we have already had youngsters from down the road in Troon who have come up and asked about work."

The game farm will be divided into three main areas, the rearing of game birds for shoots, rearing birds for sale to local restaurants and a vineyard.

The birds that live on the farm are several varieties of pheasant, red leg partridge and in the future, mallard ducks.

"The site here is around 13 acres and we felt that a vineyard would be a good idea to compliment the game meat that we are producing."

Mr Polhill has already gone about forging relationships with local businesses including Brian Etherington Meat Co who have already indicated that they are likely to be working closely with Mr Polhill and Ms Brambini.

Mark Etherington from the company, said: "As local butchers we aim to source all our produce locally, to reduce food miles and support our local farmers and keep the pound in Cornwall.

"With this in mind we were very excited to hear of the venture of Alister Polhill and his partner Lory and we would like to give our utmost support.

"There are only a very small number of game producers in Cornwall and demand is unquestionably outstripping supply."

The new farm will also have close relationships with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

This will include rearing the English grey partridge, a bird low in numbers in the UK, before they are reintroduced to the wild.

"We have also managed to secure a grant from the woodland trust and will be growing 2,000 trees around the farm, so the little noise produced by the birds will be kept within the site."

A BUILDER hung himself because he was worried about being charged with making more than 500 indecent photographs of children, an inquest into his death heard today.

Anthony Gordon Cook, aged 54, was found at his house at Herniss, near Long Downs, on May 14.

He had been summonsed to appear at Truro Magistrates' Court on May 28 accused of eight counts of making indecent photographs of children between January 2010 and August 2013.

Giving evidence at the inquest, his partner Elizabeth Johns said Mr Cook was worried about the charges after he was questioned by police in February.

She told the court that Mr Cook had admitted looking at adult sites and downloading movies from the internet but that some other sites might have "popped up".

"He told me: 'I cannot believe the number of photographs they are talking about,'" she said.

"He was extremely worried by the charges. I don't think he thought they were going to find what they found.

"He just seemed totally shocked with the eight counts. He was in disbelief.

"He said it was the most stressful time of his life.

"He told me: 'My life as I know it is over. It will be in the papers. There will be a big issue about it. It doesn't matter if I get off because mud will stick.'"

Ms Johns said that the night before he took his own life, Mr Cook told her about a previous attempt to hang himself but that, despite sitting for two hours with the rope around his neck, he had told her: 'I didn't have the balls to do it.'

Ms Johns said: "I didn't believe him – he had never mentioned suicide before."

On the morning of May 14, Ms Johns said when she left her partner he had a "haunted look on his face."

She added that she kept in constant contact with him all day because she was worried about him.

"I didn't think he was likely to do anything in our home," she said. "It didn't enter my mind."

Detective Sergeant Chris Panther said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with Mr Cook's death and that the house was locked and secure, adding that officers later found a note in Mr Cook's vehicle.

Recording a verdict of suicide, assistant coroner Barrie van den Berg said: "I am sure that Tony Cook was so devastated about the charges that he thought there was only one way out.

"The note that he left indicated that he intended to so something to himself.

"I believe this was not a cry for help but a deliberate attempt to end his life."

Ms Johns said: "I cannot believe it now. Anyone who knows him cannot believe he did it."

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an accident near Truro which left a woman seriously injured.

The serious collision happened at around 7pm on Friday at the junction of the B3284 and A30 at Chybucca.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the collision which involved a silver Ford Focus C-Max, which was towing a white caravan, and a blue BMW 3 Series car.

The female passenger from the Ford was taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro with a serious chest injury.

The road was blocked by the collision and reopened at 10.45pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision to contact MPC Roome at the Camborne Safer Roads Support Unit by telephoning 101, quoting log number 795 of 01/08/14.

A PENSIONER currently driving 60,000 miles around the coast of Africa has had his vehicle impounded by officials in Cairo.

Tony Clarke, 68, set off three months ago from his home in Penryn in a specially equipped Land Rover as part of a trilogy of round-the-world adventures. After waiting 31 days in a Turkish port for a ferry to Egypt, Mr Clarke was woken during the crossing by officials to be told his documentation contained errors and his vehicle was being seized.

Mr Clarke said: "I arrived in Turkey expecting to take a ferry two days later. It was cancelled and no one knew when it would run again.

"It was the only ferry from Turkey to Egypt and my only option, as all overland borders in northern Africa remain closed, mostly due to civil conflict, religious tensions and power struggles. When the ferry finally arrived I was able to embark on what was meant to be a 20-hour crossing. However, further delays meant it took three days.

"One night I was summoned from my bed at 2am by Israeli immigration officials to have my documents checked.

"A one-digit error was found on my documentation so the Land Rover was locked in a shed when we arrived at the port of Damietta in Egypt.

"The charge was almost $100 (£58) a day."

Mr Clarke had to wait a further eight days for new documents to be released so his vehicle could be returned.

He said: "It cost me $625 (£368) to get the Land Rover out of the port. The cost to bring the vehicle across from Turkey to Egypt was just over $1,800 (£1,059) in ferries, police and customs fees, inducements and expenses – hardly good value for money if you consider half of that amount would have paid for a five-star hotel with food, flights and tours."

The former builder has s two round-the-world trips already under his belt.

Aptly named Bumpy Road to Africa, the journey will complete a trilogy of adventures spanning 30 years for the intrepid explorer, clocking up more than one million miles on the way.

Mr Clarke's next step is to try and obtain a visa to enter Sudan – reputedly one of the most difficult and expensive visas to obtain – and two or three others so that he can continue his journey towards Cape Town.

He said: "It's almost three months since I left Penryn to travel around as many African countries as I can. At the moment the Land Rover is parked outside the hostel and I pay a young man £2 a day to keep an eye on it. He sleeps on cardboard and a bit of blanket by the car door. I was reprimanded by the hostel owner for overpaying."

AN INTREPID charity swimmer who braved the waters between Lizard Point and Porthleven was joined by some seals along the way.

The inquisitive animals followed photographer Mike Lacey, 28, during his punishing ten-mile swim on Saturday.

He is raising money for the campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.

The swim took him five hours, as he made his way along the dramatic coast off Kynance Cove, Mullion Island and the dangerous Loe Bar.

Mr Lacey lives in Breage and runs Waves Surf Art Gallery photographic studio in Porthleven.

He said: "I had a safety boat with me along the way and my brother in a kayak. I'd told the coastguard I was doing it, so I did everything properly.

"It was a bit cold and choppy to start with; it wasn't too bad. It was better towards the end when at least I could see Porthleven ahead of me. I had a pause every 45 minutes to have a drink. Other than that, I just swam on.

"I've swam up Lake Windermere before but nothing like this.

"When I was swimming, I couldn't really see anything until I was near Porthleven. As I was swimming I was looking away from the coast. I thought it was going to take longer than it did.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has sponsored me; all of the support has been amazing."

He said he wanted to raise awareness about sea pollution and back the latest campaign by Surfers Against Sewage, regarding sewage that leaked into the sea at Godrevy last month.

To make a donation see www.justgiving.com/Mike-Lacey-Photography

ANDREW WALLIS, Cornwall Council's Cabinet member for children and young people, said he was extremely surprised at the suggestion from Bill Trotter that there had been no consultation over the plans to expand Mouth Hawke Academy.

"The local authority has had a number of meetings with the head teacher and governors over the pressures on school places in the local area," he said. "Following these discussions it was agreed by all parties that the proposal to expand Mount Hawke was the best option.

"The school has been involved at every step of the process, including the development of the design of the scheme and consultation with the local community, with the head teacher formally signing off all stages.

"Details of the public consultation meeting on Monday were sent to parents and carers via 'satchel post'. There was a good turnout at the meeting, with the vast majority of people in favour of the proposal. A number of local residents did express concerns over the potential impact of increased traffic at the start and end of the school day and we will be looking at this in conjunction with our highways department and the school."

A WARM breezy day greeted the usual huge field of 570 runners for Sunday's 32nd Indian Queens Half Marathon, round nine of the Grand Prix Series sponsored by Cornwall Glass and Glazing.

Ben Price, from Truro, who now teaches in Cheltenham and does his club running for Cheltenham and County Harriers, cruised into an early lead on the wind assisted, slightly downhill opening mile, followed by Cornwall Athletic Club's Emma Stepto, seeking a seventh successive victory on this course.

By the four mile point the talented Price, who earlier this year represented Great Britain in the World Age Group Duathlon (Run-Bike-Run) Championships in Pontevildra Spain, finishing 18th overall and sixth in his 30-34 age group, had moved 100 metres clear of Stepto, who in turn was 50 metres ahead of Ken Walker (Newquay Road Runners) and Jordan Morant (Hayle Runners).

Over the mid-race section of Goss Moor trails, Price was in no mood to be denied a well deserved victory, building a commanding lead, winning by one minute 27 seconds despite slowing a little running into a stiff breeze over the final couple of miles.

Walker, starting cautiously, had caught Stepto by halfway with the pair running together until the 12 mile mark, which proved to be a turning point in the race. The Cornwall AC Ladies' team captain increased her pace marginally and in the final half mile, Walker finally began to fade, as Stepto accelerated home, 20 seconds ahead of the Newquay man.

Morant, who has not missed a Grand Prix race all year, deservedly achieved his first podium place of 2014, running strongly from start to finish, never quite able to get to Walker but well clear of his nearest pursuers.

The second and third podium places in the Ladies' race produced yet another Emma Schuck (Hayle Runners) and Eleanor Davis (Newquay Road Runners) dual. Emma moved ahead in the early stages but Eleanor closed the gap by the mid race point and moved ahead of her rival. The wily Hayle Runner was content to tuck in behind Eleanor for the next few miles before making her move in the final stages of the race and easing ahead to clinch the runners-up prize by 26 seconds.

The quality of these two up and coming runners should not be underestimated, with their respective overall 18th and 20th finishing places, leaving all but a handful of men ahead of them.

With five Grand Prix races remaining in 2014, the Cornwall AC Ladies and Men's teams both clinched their respective Grand Prix team title. An eighth victory at Indian Queens gave the club's Ladies' team an unbeatable total of 800 points and a seventh successive Grand Prix title. Hayle Runners and Newquay Road Runners battled it out for the runner's up spot, with Hayle missing out by just two points.

A depleted Cornwall AC Men's team could only finish third. well behind the winners Hayle Runners and second placed Newquay Road Runners. However the Grand Prix team title wings its way to Cornwall AC for the 13th successive year, as mathematically their closest challengers, Hayle Runners, Newquay Road Runners and Mile cannot beat Cornwall AC's total of 799 points.

St Austell 214, Redruth 214

REDRUTH were denied a precious victory in one of the finishes of the season at St Austell when the home side salvaged a tie when it had looked odds on for a victory for the league's bottom side.

With the scores level, Mike Bone (2-29) had Caleb Rowe caught then next ball Etienne Joubert was caught behind to give a share of the points.

It was tough on the Reds who had fought back well from 129 for six. Steve Kevern (36) and Ben Stevens (35no) took their side to the brink of victory. Harry Bolland (21), Martin Strick (33) and Neil Hambly (23) all made good contributions. Steve Raven took three for 55.

Mike Bone got the home side off to a good start with the bat making 65 of the first 94. Taylor Williams made 57 as St Austell reached 144 for two at one stage.

James Turpin hit 23 and Gary Bone 22 not out. Martin Jenkin took five for 38.

Camborne 130, Truro 131-7

TOM Sharp is the leading run scorer (573 at 71.62) in the Cornwall Premier League and his impressive season continued on Saturday to steer Truro to a three wicket home win over Camborne.

It keeps Truro in third spot. After electing to bat, Camborne's Matt Rowe (15) and Choike Payne (14) got them to 34 before the second wicket fell. Nick King made 28 but at 78 for six the visitors were in trouble.

Jordan Harvey hit six fours in his 32 not out as Camborne made 130 all out in the 45th over.

Neil Ivamy took five for 31 and Sharp three for 43. Scott Harvey made 19 in the Truro reply but they were also struggling at 87 for seven until Sharp (49no) and Ivamy (11no) added an unbroken 44 for the eighth wicket.

Victory came with 19 overs to spare. Rowe took four for 53 and Craig Johnson three for 35.

Falmouth 165, Newquay 169-6

NEWQUAY moved 34 points clear of the foot of the table with this four wicket win at Trescobeas to leave Falmouth looking over their shoulders.

Adrian Noott made 30 and Antony Angove 46 as Falmouth got to a promising 84 before losing their third wicket. A collapse saw five wickets fall for nine runs before George Popperwell got a useful 29.

Neill Furlonger and Martin Pearce took four wickets each. Pearce only conceded 25 runs in his 16 overs.

After Joe Crane made 25 Usman Arshad and Adam Cocking took the visitors to 98 for one. Arshad was caught and bowled by Guy Leathley for 50 as four wickets fell for 12 runs.

Cocking saw his side to victory however, He ended on 65 not out hitting seven boundaries in an innings of 150 minutes. Angove, Leathley and Liam Hoban all took two wickets.

St Just 254-9, Grampound Road 204-7

ST JUST were unable to finish off Grampound Road at Cape Road but took 14 points for the draw to maintain their 38 point advantage at the top with six games to play.

Opener Mark George dominated the home innings hitting 121 off 150 balls with four sixes and 16 fours.

It was his first league century for St Just, having joined in 2004 from St Buryan. Harry Medhurst (16), Gareth May (18) and Daniel Mitchell (19no) all supported but May went on to complete his century before being seventh out with the score at 214.

Jeffery Vandersay took five for 53 and Alex Ridd three for 72. David Hoskings made 25 and Christian Purchase 30 but at 102 for six in the 28th over a St Just win looked on the cards.

Josh Sharpe (42) and Vandersay (64no) had other ideas putting on 99 for the seventh wicket. Mark George capped a great day with three for 40.

Werrington 191-9, Callington 175-8

ANY outside hopes Werrington have of overtaking St Just suffered another blow when they had to settle for a draw at Moores Park.

The home side ended up 17 runs short of victory with two wickets remaining. After being put in Ben Smeeth made 59 after Werrington had lost Nick Lawson (20), Mark Gribble (18) and Alex Smeeth (9) for 63. Adam Hodgson made 22 in a fourth wicket stand of 55.

Matt Robins and Aaron Jewiss took three wickets each. Aidan Libby was the most economical taking two for 24 from 16 overs.

Callington lost Andrew Jones and James Long with only 20 on the board but Matt Robins made 57. Joe White (28) and Aidan Libby (21) got middle order runs but the overs ran out. Ian Worsnip, Alex and Ben Smeeth took two wickets each.

Cornwall's cricketers suffered their second heaviest ever defeat, at least in terms of runs, when they were thrashed by 266 runs Herefordshire at Truro on Tuesday.

Only a last wicket stand of  20 by Neil Ivamy and Lewis Sanders   either side of lunch,  prevented them from an unwanted record which would have eclipsed their 282-run defeat back in  1906, at Newport's Rodney Parade, when  Monmouthshire beat Cornwall by 282 runs. That is the defeat by the highest number of runs in the county's Minor Counties Championship history.  

 That was scant consolation, however, after  Unicorns Championship  game that Herefordshire had controlled from the start. 

Cornwall started the day needing 344 to win with six wickets remaining – or at least to try to survive the day. 

Things did not get off to a great start, however, with Paul Smith being held by Alex Phillips at slip off Jamie McIlroy for 17. Taylor Williams dug in and, with Matt Robins, the pair survived 13 overs to give some hope.

One short of what would have been his first 50  of the campaign   Robins was lbw to Aqsad Ali. His innings of 180 balls, and more than three hours at the crease, will surely be a confidence booster in what has been a difficult season for the skipper. Herefordshire sensed the kill, and within seven overs three more wickets fell.

Williams was lbw to the slow left-arm of Brad Wadlan for ten. Shakil Ahmed (three) was held in close by Nitesh Patel off Ali and Kelvin Snell was caught in the deep off Wadlan for five. Ivamy and Sanders prolonged the game into the afternoon session before the end cane at 133. Wadlan had match figures of ten for 101 for the visitors. Ironically, rain started falling in Truro later in the afternoon, but came too late to save the day for the Duchy. 

Cornwall are still in eighth spot but now only a handful of points ahead of Oxfordshire and Berkshire, who drew at Great Tew when rain caused an abandonment at tea-time. With a bit of luck Cornwall, away to Dorset in their final game, will avoid the wooden spoon, last "won" in 1997. 

Herefordshire, however, are right in the title mix following the defeats of Wiltshire and Devon.

SCHOOLS in Truro are being encouraged to get involved in a new farm to fork initiative to teach children about food production.

The scheme is being run by the partnership behind Higher Newham Farm which is planning to create a community farm and sustainable village on the outskirts of Truro.

Higher Newham partner Cornwall Food Foundation already works with schools in and around Truro, last year it ran healthy eating taster sessions with more than 1,000 pupils and 100 teachers.

Now, following public consultation regarding the Higher Newham proposals there are moves to increase the amount of "farm to fork" work done in local schools.

Penair School in Truro has been at the forefront of the work done by the Cornwall Food Foundation running programmes such as Let's Get Cooking Club and Food For Life which teach the importance of understanding where food comes from and how to prepare it.

The development team at Higher Newham is now looking at how it can create flexible learning facilities for schools on its site to help develop this work further.

Representatives from the project are meeting local schools and community groups to discuss their interests and needs around growing and cooking food.

Penair School's eco co-ordinator Louise Allen attended the the public consultation events for Higher Newham Farm & Village. Penair is hoping to become the first school in the county to receive a Gold Award for its Food for Life programme.

Louise said: "Higher Newham is a really good project that builds links between food and farming, and where food comes from, which is something we are constantly working towards at Penair.

"We serve hundreds of dinners each day, each nutritionally very good. For some of our students, it might be their main meal of the day so we have a moral obligation to ensure the quality of our school meals is high.

"With this improved nutrition, we've noticed behavioural improvements and better concentration, which of course leads to better learning.

"It's crucial that our young people learn life skills at this stage about how to prepare simple, seasonal food and I believe Higher Newham will be a fantastic resource to schools in the community to help teach this."

Vicky Garner, project co-ordinator for Higher Newham Farm & Village, said: "Whether through a more formal schools programme, through casual learning opportunities or by creating a space for school use, we are exploring ways to make Higher Newham an exciting and productive place for school age children."