I have returned to Truro after spending seven weeks in St Newlyn East following a serious illness, and what a lovely village this is. As I recovered, I took little walks and I rested on a seat almost opposite Londis, the village shop. Many people stopped and spoke to me, people in cars waved and the people in the shop and post office were so kind and helpful. All this warmth and friendliness, I'm sure played a part in my recovery, so I thank the heavenly Father for the people of St Newlyn East. May God bless you all.

Phyllis Gibb

ONE of the local teenagers getting his sea legs ready to take part in the Tall Ships race from Falmouth on Sunday is 18-year-old Jack Trevail, from Truro.

Jack, who has previous experience of the Tall Ships, but never from his home port, will join 11 other trainees to crew Tall Ships race regular John Laing from Falmouth to Royal Greenwich.

"I first sailed with the John Laing when I was 14 on a short voyage from Southampton to Brighton via Cowes," he said. 

"One of my sisters had already done multiple voyages on Laing so I knew how much fun it was. I also loved and had been dinghy sailing from a young age, but had just started yacht sailing and wanted to do even more on bigger boats. I then went on to do two Tall Ships race legs and one cruising company leg and I cannot wait to do it again this summer."

When asked what the best bit about Sail Training voyages is, Jack answered: "It would have to be a combination of the people you meet and the sailing itself. You make really good friends with people you have never met before who can have such completely different lives. 

"The sailing itself is the best bit though, sailing out of La Coruna in 2012 in eight-metre swell with full sunshine and good wind was so much fun. Chucking it down with rain at 3 o'clock in the morning in complete darkness doesn't sound quite as appealing but it still is worth being out there for."

More than 280 young people from a wide range of backgrounds will be taking part in the regatta sailing under the banner of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), the UK's Sail Training umbrella organisation.

These include a mixture of vessels from traditional square rigged tall ships like Stavros S Niarchos based in Portsmouth to historic vessels like Jolie Brise, the world famous gaff-rigged pilot cutter who was the last boat to carry the royal mail under sail, to more modern vessels like Thermopylae Clipper based in Hamble, a Clipper 60. At least half of the crew on board each vessel will be under 25.

Lucy Gross, general manager of ASTO, said: "We know that Sail Training can make an important difference to young people's lives when they return ashore. The message that comes back week in and week out from our ASTO members is that the Sail Training experience increases their confidence, communication skills and ability to work as a team, which can have a huge impact on all areas of their lives.

"The experiences that they have on board will help them develop the sort of transferable skills that employers and universities love."

When asked what difference Sail Training has made to him, Jack said, "It has improved my confidence in meeting and getting to know new people as well as overall confidence in unfamiliar situations. My friends and family think that it's great I'm able to take part in the regatta, I think most of them wish they were doing it themselves!"

The Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta race starts on Sunday 31 August and will finish the race off the Isle of Wight before cruising in company to London, where the 43 diverse sailing craft are expected to arrive on September 5.

The UK's largest grant giving animal charity, Support Adoption For Pets, is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for local animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres in Cornwall with the launch of its Summer Fundraising Drive.

Between 6 August and 2 September, Support Adoption For Pets' Summer Fundraising Drive in partnership with Pets at Home store across Cornwall, will be raising money to support local animal welfare organisations including K9 Crusaders, Falmouth & Helston Cats Protection, Screech Owl Sanctuary, Sally's Cat Rescue, Labrador Rescue Trust and Margaret Green Animal Rescue, by asking customers to purchase a £1 raffle ticket for the chance to win a new car, amongst other high value prizes. 

Customers can also choose to take part in a 'Round up to a £1' initiative, whereby they opt to round up the cost of their purchases to the nearest pound, with the difference being donated to the appeal. 

In addition, following the success of a cover version of the Wannadies' "You & Me Song" which features in Pets at Home's "My Pet Moments" ad campaign, the single is now available to download or purchase in store, with all profits going to Support Adoption For Pets. "You & Me" was released on 4th August and is available to download for 79p on iTunes and all good digital retailers, as well as CD versions available from all Pets at Home stores nationally, priced at £1.

Over the last eight years Support Adoption For Pets has fundraised over £10million and helped over 1,000 rehoming centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK by awarding grants and running fundraising campaigns with Pets at Home. In addition to its fundraising work it also runs dedicated adoption centres in more than 375 Pets at Home stores nationwide and has found happy homes for 375,000 abandoned small animals. 

Amy Wilson, charity manager at Support Adoption For Pets, explains: "We have set ourselves our biggest target ever with this fundraising campaign as we're aiming to raise half a million pounds.

"2014 is proving to be a spectacular year, not only has the charity celebrated reaching the £10 million milestone but we're also on track to help even more local animal sanctuaries, charities and welfare organisations through our fundraising and grant giving activity. We're very grateful to customers of Pets at Home in Cornwall, who are always very generous and help to make our fundraising campaigns successful."

The second day of the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta got off to a busy start this morning with queues of 2,000 people at the gates of Falmouth Docks.

The sun was shining at the start, although dark clouds loomed above later, but the rain held off to give all the visitors an ideal opportunity to visit the ships in Falmouth for the event.

A total of 42 vessels are in Falmouth for the regatta, 18 of them in the docks, 21 in the Port Pendennis marina and three just outside.

Event manager Sam Groom, from VisitCornwall estimated they would end of with 20 per cent more visitors above the 35,000 who came yesterday.

"Yesterday there were 2,000 people inside the docks in the first 20 minutes, averaging about 3,500 on site, which was a manageable number," she said.

"Today I think we will have close on 5,000 in the docks most of the time. Everything has run pretty smoothly so far but people need to be aware that they cannot bring dogs into the docks or smoke.

All the ships are very happy with the way things have gone so far. The feedback from our visitors has been very positive."

The Cornish Pirates have signed lock Charlie Davey, who was last season a member of the Senior Academy at London Irish.

Delighted to add the 6' 7" forward to his squad, Pirates Director of Rugby Ian Davies said:  "Charlie is young player who came on trial two seasons back. Since then we have monitored him and are pleased he has agreed to join us. Charlie has the physical attributes to make an impact at Championship level."

First playing rugby for Reading Abbey RFC, aged six, Charlie stayed at the same club until at the age of 17, when he joined Bracknell.

He was educated at Pangbourne College, and then Hartpury College for sixth form, from where he next had a brief stint in Brisbane, Australia, playing for the University of Queensland RFC.

After returning to Bracknell, a next move for Charlie saw him join London Irish Wild Geese, who in at the end of the 2012/13 season were promoted into National Two South. As for last season, besides continuing to play for the Wild Geese, he also, as a Senior Academy member at London Irish, played in a pre-season friendly against Nottingham, besides featuring in the Premiership club's 'A' League campaign.

Honours for Charlie include playing for the Berkshire county side from under 14s to under 20s. Besides his direct rugby involvement he is also a personal trainer.

Charlie Davey - profile

DoB: July 18 1992

Birthplace: Reading

Height: 6' 7" (2.01m)

Weight: 18st 7lbs (117.5kg)

Position: Lock

Honours: Berkshire U20s

Local football and rugby results

FOOTBALL:

FRIDAY:

CARLSBERG SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE

Premier Division: Launceston 4 Ivybridge Town 6.

SATURDAY

SOUTHERN LEAGUE, Premier Division (3pm): Corby Town v Truro City.

FA CUP, preliminary round (3pm): Bodmin v Witheridge; Shepton Mallet v Saltash Utd; Tiverton Town v Plymouth Parkway; Wimborne Town v St Austell.

CARLSBERG SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE

Premier Division (3pm): Bovey Tracey v St Blazey; Callington Town v Elmore; Cullompton Rgrs v Newquay, Elburton Villa v Falmouth Town; Exmouth Town v Camelford; Godolphin Atlantic v Stoke Gabriel.

Division One West (3pm): Bude Town v Liskeard Ath; Dobwalls v Sticker; Helston Ath v Illogan RBL; Holsworthy v Porthleven; Mousehole v Millbrook; Penryn Ath v Wadebridge Town; Vospers Oak Villa v St Dennis.

JOLLY'S CORNWALL COMBINATION LEAGUE (3pm): Falmouth Town v Ludgvan; Newquay v St Just; Perranwell v Hayle; Porthleven v Illogan; Redruth v Helston; St Agnes v St Day; St Ives v Mullion; Troon v Penryn Ath; Wendron v Goonhavern.

CORNISH GUARDIAN EAST CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE

thisiscornwall.co.uk Division One (2.30pm): Nanpean Rovers v Probus.

JJ JONES BUILDERS DUCHY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

Premier Division: Looe Tn v North Petherton; Padstow Utd v St Newlyn East; Pelynt v St Dominic; Saltash Utd v Lostwithiel.

Division One: Altarnun v St Minver; Edgcumbe v LC Phoenix; Grampound v Godolphin Atlantic; St Cleer v Foxhole Stars.

Division Two: St Dennis v Lifton; Sticker v Calstock; Stoke Climsland v Packhorse Ath.

Division Three: North Petherwin v St Cleer; St Breward v Queens Rgs; Tregony v Grampound.

Division Four: Godolphin Atlantic v Delabole Utd; High Street v St Minver; Wadebridge Tn v Tregrehan Mills.

Division Five: Boscastle v Saltash Utd; Pensilva v Real Saltash; St Teath v Kilkhampton; Week St Mary v St Dennis.

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

Premier Division: Carharrack v Mawnan; Constantine v Gulval; Gwinear Churchtown v St Day; St Keverne v St Buryan; West Cornwall v Mousehole.

Division One: Hayle v Halsetown; Newlyn Non Athletico v Praze; Perranporth v Rosudgeon; Stithians v Lizard; Trevenson v Wendron.

Division Two: Frogpool/Cusgarne v Goonhavern; Illogan RBL v St Buryan; Marazion v Trispen; Penryn v Redruth Utd; Storm v St Just.

Division Three: Cury v Camborne Park; Helston v St Day; Lanner v Mawnan; Newquay v Marazion; Wendron v Hayle; West Cornwall v St Agnes.

Division Four: Lizard v Ludgvan; Mabe v Troon; Mousehole v Gwinear Churchtown; Penwith Exiles v Carharrack; Praze v Gulval; St Ives Mariners v Madron.

Division Five: Camborne Tn v Newquay; Railway Locomotive v Mabe; St Erme v Stithians.

RUGBY:

FRIDAY:

Tribute Cornwall Cup first round (7pm): Pirates Amateurs v St Ives.

SATURDAY:

Friendlies: Cornish Pirates v Redruth (3pm); Penryn v St Austell.

Tribute Cornwall Cup, first round: Bodmin v Liskeard-Looe; Bude v Hayle; Truro v Falmouth (walkover to Truro); Saltash v Wadebridge Camels. 

The West Briton is hosting its biannual Jobs Fair next week, with Truro and Penwith College as the main sponsor.

The college is at the forefront of training and education for young people in Cornwall and has developed numerous ways to help prepare them for the workplace.

Working with thousands of businesses in Cornwall, the college helps its students find apprenticeships, with a dedicated apprenticeship recruitment team, who will be on hand at next Wednesday's Jobs Fair to offer advice to potential students and employers.

The college is holding a series of seminars throughout the event at the Hall for Cornwall on September 3, including Apprenticeships at 11am and 12.30pm; Top Ten Interview Tips at 11.30am and 1pm; and Traineeships at 12noon.

They will also be on hand during the day to talk about their courses, including short university level study opportunities in business skills, health and social care and IT. More details here

Other exhibitors at the West Briton Jobs Fair, which runs from 10am to 3pm, include Talent Match Cornwall; Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant; Careers South West; the Royal Air Force; United Response; the Army; Cornwall Apprenticeships; the European Social Fund and Cornwall College.

As crowds continued to pour into Falmouth this afternoon for the second day of the Tall Ships Regatta, event manager Sam Groom estimated that there were 45,000 people in the town.

However, transport arrangements seemed to be working well and people said they had been able to arrive by train and car without any significant delays.

"We arrived at Truro station just after 10am and we were able to get on the first train to Falmouth," said a family from Truro who were accompanied by relatives from further up country.

As television crews and national newspapers stepped up their coverage before the Parade of Sail on Sunday and the departure of the 42 ships for Greenwich, Malcolm Bell, head of VisitCornwall, said the images would have significant benefits for Cornwall's tourism.

"It is showing Cornwall nationwide at the start of the autumn holiday season, which is just when we want exposure," said Mr Bell.

"People are now thinking ahead about where they will spend their holidays, and are still planning right up to Christmas.

"This event will be on nationwide television and families at home will be having conversations of where they will go next year. It will also bring people down in the short term for their autumn breaks, but when they look ahead to next year, they will have two or more destinations in mind and this will put Cornwall in their mind just at the right time.

"It is good for the autumn business and good for next year."

Meanwhile, just 50 yards away from where the Tall Ships are berthed, work is going on as normal at the A&P Falmouth ship repair yard.

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

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

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

"Fifty yards from here we have five ships under refit and our employees are still working on them 24 hours a day seven days a week. When the tall ships leave on Sunday morning, a European ferry, Victorine, will be arriving and Seacore's rig Excalibur will leave.

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

Shops, cafes and other businesses in Falmouth have been busy catering for the thousands arriving in the town for the Tall Ships Regatta.

Peter Fraser, who owns the Harbour Lights fish and chip shop, said in the 14 years he had run the business, this was the busiest period he had ever experienced.

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

"We have been busier today and it is building up to a record for tomorrow. I anticipate that tomorrow we will go through two tonnes of potatoes, which is ridiculous. We will be frying chips from 11am to 11pm and both our cooking range and the staff will be at maximum capacity all day.

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

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

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

New pay proposals have been dismissed by Devon and Cornwall Police staff.

The force revealed the outcome of its highly sensitive job evaluation scheme earlier this month.

Overall, 363 members of staff, 16% of the civilian workforce, were due to see their basic pay cut following the assessment of skills and salaries. And in a handful of cases staff stood to lose more than £10,000 a year.

Conversely, 28% of about 2,300 workers would have seen their pay increase, while for the rest it was due to stay the same.

But a union ballot on the proposals saw 51% vote against and 47% in favour, with 2% of papers spoiled, on a turnout of almost 70%.

Stuart Roden, from Unison, said: "Clearly those people losing money were unhappy and even some of those whose pay was rising didn't like the system and thought it was unfair.

"We were convinced that we had done every check we could and our reps had crawled all over it. But I think there is still some history from 2005 and we started from a position of mistrust."

Mr Roden said they would be "reflecting over the next few days" before starting talks with the force on a new way forward.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said he was "disappointed" with the result of the vote and would need "some time to consult with the trade unions" to understand the reasons behind the rejection.

"I have always made clear retaining our current grading and pay system is simply not an option," he said. "I will therefore need to consider how we will move forwards from here and ensure that we have a fair and equitable grading and pay system that is fit for purpose for the force and the public we serve."

It has taken the force nine years to remedy the failed scheme in 2005 which resulted in hundreds of civilian staff walking out in disgust. Then some 800 staff were told their salaries were being cut.

EVENT organisers are appealing to businesses to support a 45-year-old music festival.

The annual Camborne Music Festival is run by volunteers and attracts amateur competitors of all ages from all over the South West.

Secretary Wendy Curnow said: "This year's festival is a landmark year. Our 45th anniversary coincides with the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and we're expecting up to 300 performers to compete.

"The competition will be adjudicated by the internationally renowned and respected musician John Forster and we are very excited about his involvement."

To commemorate the First World War, this year's event sees a new vocal class for adults who can sing any song from any year of the war.

The festival takes place at Camborne Centenary Church from November 10 to 15, with the official opening on Tuesday, November 11, at 6.30pm.

The chairman of Business Improvement District Camborne, George Le Hunte, said: "Camborne Music Festival is really important to the grounding and encouragement of musicians, both young and not so young.

"Staging the festival week costs more each year which means sponsors, patrons, and advertisers are vitally important to making this festival the success that it is.

"Any businesses out there that would like to help will find that there are various sponsorship and advertising opportunities available so please do get in touch."

Contact the secretary Wendy Curnow on 01209 711626 or wendy.curnow@virgin.net

NEW hope for the threatened red squirrel has come with the births of two tiny balls of red fluff at an estate near Probus.

Two squirrel babies, known as kits, were born at Trewithen Gardens on Friday, which is hosting a project to reinstate the species, extinct in Cornwall since 1984.

In 2012 the estate introduced three adults – two females and a male – as part of the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project (CRSP).

Estate owner Michael Galsworthy said: "I'm thrilled with our new arrivals and know that everyone involved will be too.

"We hadn't seen one of the females for a while and hoped that meant she was nesting but, since we didn't want to disturb her, couldn't be sure.

"I have fond memories of seeing red squirrels playing in front of Trewithen House in the 1950s and these births are a very important step in the right direction."

Head gardener Gary Long said: "The babies are so cute.

"Seeing the kits when I went to feed the adults was like a dream come true."

Red squirrels are among the UK's most threatened mammals, out-competed for food and habitat by their grey cousins, which originated in North America, and at risk of the fatal squirrel pox, which grey squirrels carry. Trewithen's squirrels came from Paradise Park at Hayle and curator David Woolcock said: "It's always been our aim to establish satellite breeding groups throughout the county to support the re-establishment efforts of the CRSP. This takes us one step closer to securing the future of these wonderful native animals in the wild in Cornwall."

The CRSP, set up in 2009, is focusing on re-introducing red squirrels on the Lizard and in west Penwith.

Co-ordinator Natasha Collings said: "Trewithen's news is really exciting; we've been waiting in anticipation to hear if there were babies. They are very important additions to our breeding programme."

People visiting the third day of the Tall Ships Regatta are being urged to leave their cars at home on what is expected to be one of the busiest days of the event.

Yesterday more than 45,000 people filled the town with 21,000 visiting the docks to see the ships.

Thousands more are expected to flock to see the vessels ahead of the Parade of Sails tomorrow and the departure of the 42 ships for Greenwich.

Today will also see the changeover of the ships' crews, bringing an additional 1,000 people to the port, which is likely to affect access to the ships. 

Sam Groom, event manager, said: "The key message for today is that the ships are open to the public but it is down to the discretion of the captain."

So far travel arrangements seemed to be working well and visitors have been arriving at the event without significant delay.

Trains, with extra carriages, will be leaving Truro every half an hour throughout the day and later trains will be operating.

Visitors are also advised that because of the extra length of the trains, Falmouth Town station will be closed but the remaining stations will be open including Falmouth Docks, which is just a few minutes' walk from the ships.

There is also a Park and Ride service in operation.

The Met Office has forecast a cloudy start to the day but sunnier spells developing throughout the day, which will be breezy at times. 

A Royal Navy veteran from Truro turned budding entrepreneur following an accident that ended his marine career, is encouraging other former servicemen to do the same.

Allen Martin, 42, from Truro, said members of the British Armed Forces, have the perfect qualities to launch their own businesses.

The dad-of-three and director of Eclipse Property Cornwall, which manages properties on behalf of landlords, found himself on civvy street, when his life took a dramatic turn.

After more than two decades in the Navy, rising to Petty Officer, and serving in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, he was medically discharged after being injured in an accident whilst re-fuelling an aircraft.

The accident, which was sustained in 1992, left the dad-of-two with a long-term chronic skin condition, which got progressively worse.

Allen was told in 2010 he could no longer work in the role he had been dedicated to for so many years. 

He said: "I was told I could not go back and do the job that I had trained for 23 years.

"I didn't know what I was going to do, within a week I woke up and thought I know what I am going to do, I am going to work for myself and I will go into property management.

Inspired by his wife Gayle, and her stories of meeting nice people and the great buzz that she had experienced whilst working as an estate agent, he wrote numerous letters seeking advice to formulate a business plan but was ignored and the banks were also unhelpful, he said.

"I was ex-military and didn't really have anyone to turn to."

Frustrated but determined he used the internet to type in the phrase 'X-Forces trying to start up their own business'.

His search brought him to X-Forces, a website dedicated to helping ex-forces personnel and their families to start-up businesses by providing them with loans, mentoring and support.

They gave him much-needed support and have continued to do so.

Their help led to him becoming the 10,000^th person -and among the first ex-forces personnel - to receive a government loan for him to launch his business to the tune of £10,000 via the Start-Up Loans initiative.

Start Up Loans are designed to provide alternative funding to bank loans and business grants.

What ensued was a whirlwind, including a trip to London to meet Business Secretary Vince Cable and Dragons' Den's James Caan, chairman of the Start Up Loans company.

Allen has worked tirelessly since then and is now qualified by the National Federation of Property Professionals and licensed by the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

"We launched the business about February time and we have got 12 properties on the books so far"

"I do receive phone calls and emails from other ex-servicemen asking 'how do I go about starting up my own business' and I am always happy to speak to them.

"Those who have been in the military have a huge amount of transferable skills, which suit starting up in business. From discipline to communication skills to understanding formality. All you have got to do is say 'hang on a minute Popeye I can do this."

Sarah Newton, MP for Falmouth and Truro, was impressed when she visited the business.

She said: "Hard working local business people like Allen and Gayle Martin bring so much value to our economy and it is good to see new funding support making a positive difference."

THE GOLDSITHNEY-based captain of the Pelican of London tall ship, currently docked in Falmouth as part of the Falmouth Tall Ships regatta, is getting ready to race to Greenwich supported by his crew of ex-armed forces personnel who have been affected by military operations.

Chris Blake, 69, originally from Australia, has a crew of 39 under his control. Of those, 28 of the crew is made up of ex-armed forces personnel who have been working with the charity Turn To Starboard.

The charity aims to "re-adjust" those affected by hostile conditions by grouping them together with people who have had the same experience. Turn to Starboard uses sailing techniques and life aboard a tall ship to help ex-military personnel because it provides a similar ethos to the armed forces.

Mr Blake, who has been sail training for more than 40-years, said: "It's something I am really proud to be a part of. Turn To Starboard is a charity that can help those affected by their surroundings to readjust."

Mr Blake, who moved to Goldsithney in 2012, has travelled all over the world for his work. He was tasked to bring the Pelican of London tall ship from Bermuda to Weymouth two-years-ago.

It is now used in partnership with charity Adventure Under Sail to offer sailing opportunities to disadvantaged people, which is how the link to Turn To Starboard was formed.

The ship was built France in 1948 and served as an artic trawler and coastal trading vessel until 1995.

"The ship's hull isn't built to be fast, but it's a good vessel to learn sail training on", he added. "We may not be first in the regatta."

Sail Training International ranks The Pelican of London as a class A tall ship.

The Pelican will leave Falmouth on Sunday to race as part of the regatta to Greenwich, expected to last until September 2. 

Helen Glover of Penzance and Heather Stanning won gold in the women's pairs at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam today. And the London 2012 Olympic champions broke a 12-year-old world record to win their first world title as a pair. A strong cross-tailwind at the Bosbaan rowing lake provided superb conditions and Glover and Stanning took the early advantage. The British pair increased their lead at every checkpoint of the 2,000m course to cross the line a full three seconds clear of the field. Their winning time of six minutes 50.61 seconds was three seconds quicker than the time set by Romania in 2002. It was a superb performance by the pre-race favourites, who had won gold medals at the Aiguebelette and Lucerne World Cups. Glover won world gold with Polly Swann last year, but reunited with Stanning in April when the 29-year-old returned to the squad after a stint in the Army.

DOZENS of young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds have helped to make up some of the crews on board vessels at the Falmouth Tall Ships regatta.

The Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) is the UK's national sail training organisation and has helped disadvantaged youngsters take part in the event.

ASTO's mission is to promote Sail Training and to support the UK Sail Training industry. Appealing to the younger generations is just one way that the organisation achieves this aim.

UK representative of the organisation James Stevens told West Briton: "It's about taking young people to sea and offering them the chance to have a profound moment that could help in turning their lives around.

"They may get out there on the first day and be white knuckling it up the mast, but by the time they reach Greenwich, they've worked as a team and are proud of what they've achieved. It's the attitude of; you have to do it or you won't get there.

"It is also about taking them away from an environment and realising they can be somewhere else, or do something else."

Of the 43 ships taking part in the regatta, 19 are ASTO members, which means they provide year round sail training for young people aged 15-25.

Mr Stevens said: "For some of these youngsters, they've never seen the stars in the sky. So you get the feedback that they just look up and are taken aback. It's by creating those profound moments that we hope can make a difference."

A woman whose car overturned on the A30 has escaped unharmed.

Firefighters from Truro and Perranporth, an ambulance and police were called following the accident near Zelah, shortly before 7am this morning.

The Vauxhall Corsa had veered off the road and landed on its side in some bushes.

Firefighters helped the woman out of the car using a ladder.

Medics at the scene checked the woman as a precaution.

No other vehicles were involved. 

The road was blocked for some time during the incident.