A "DEVOTED" family man and "inspirational" estate agent has died.

Ben Salter, a regional director for Miller and Sons, died in the early hours of Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Truro.

He was 42 and married with two children.

Mr Salter managed the Falmouth office until a year ago and has been an estate agent for almost 20 years.

The company's senior partner Jeremy Miller said: "It is a tragic loss to us.

"He was a very inspirational character, absolutely devoted to his family and, luckily, the business as well.

"He loved his daughters, that came out every day at work. He loved his wife and the girls.

"The family are all in shock."

According to South Western Ambulance Service, paramedics were called Stratton Terrace in Truro on Monday at 10.39pm.

A spokesman said: "The male, in his forties, suffered a cardiac arrest. CPR was carried out at the scene and he was a taken to (Royal Cornwall Hospital at) Treliske A&E."

He died just after midnight at the hospital.

Mr Miller was told about his colleague's death over the phone on Tuesday morning.

"It was horrible taking that call," said Mr Miller.

"I just felt completely numb. Actually, I couldn't believe it first of all.

"I sat there for half an hour before sending the e-mail to staff just in case it was wrong. It's taking a long time to sink in."

Before joining Miller and Sons, Mr Salter directed his own estate agency in Truro and Perranporth.

He joined Miller and Sons three years ago as a manager, and became regional director with operational responsibility for Truro, Falmouth, Redruth and Camborne 12 months ago as part of a company restructure.

He was also responsible for the firm's strategic thinking and policy.

Mr Miller said: "Ben was a dynamo; he supported so many staff.

"While he was racing ahead he made sure he took everyone with him.

"He galvanised and harmonised everybody.

"The whole company is mourning his loss. We are all bereft with what to say and what to do at the moment."

Mr Salter leaves a wife, Victoria, and daughters Hermione Clementinecorr, aged 3, and India Bluebellcorr, 6.

Miller and Son has 80 staff and 11 offices throughout Cornwall and Devon, which deals with buying, selling, letting and home rentals.

According to the company, it is the only independent estate agent to have offices in Falmouth and Truro.

FALMOUTH Town Council is seeking compensation from Cornwall Council for costly repairs to seaside toilets because it claimed they were handed over with a "major structural flaw".

Falmouth council has already spent £7,000 repairing the rotting roof on the public toilet block at Gyllyngvase beach since it took on the lease earlier this year.

At a meeting of the finance and general purposes committee on Monday, councillors were told it will cost an extra £47,000 to complete the repairs.

Committee chairman Candy Atherton said: "The issue is that they were handed to us by Cornwall Council with this major structural flaw.

"They should have handed us a refurbished toilet block. They didn't do that.

"We didn't get what we signed up for."

She said the town council took on the lease agreement from the county authority on the understanding that it provided a working, refurbished toilet block.

Committee member Oliver Cramp likened the deal to "being sold a car that didn't go".

The committee was told that it had three choices: to continue with the repairs; pay for a new roof, at a cost of £56,000; or give the toilets back to Cornwall Council, which could lead to their closure.

Rowenna Brock said: "It is frightening thinking back to Tall Ships if we didn't own our own toilets.

"My overwhelming feeling is that we just do the job properly; do it once, job done."

But Councillor Atherton warned fellow members: "We are all spending five per cent of our budget here. We may all have to move money from other areas of the budget."

Finance officer Ruth Thomas told the committee that the council could use a reserve fund of £40,000 with a view to seeking reimbursement from Cornwall Council.

Councillor Atherton referred to seeking a compensation package from the larger authority, adding: "We need to have intense discussions with Cornwall Council at a very senior level."

The Cornwall councillor said she would commission a report from the portfolio holder spelling out exactly what was wrong with the building, "so that everyone understands what we were sold".

She added: "If Cornwall Council wants to do business with town and parish councils then it has got to do it fairly and honestly."

Mrs Thomas said the roof had started bowing due to rotting beams and that, during initial repairs which involved encasing two of the beams in concrete, more problems emerged.

She said there was also a problem with drainage that needed resolving.

The repairs are expected to be carried out during the winter months in December and January.

A TRAINEE electrician who kicked a man in the head and left another unconscious in the street after a Ms Dynamite gig at a Penryn bar has been ordered to carry out unpaid work. Benjamin Taylor, 21, of Highfield Road, Falmouth, had been to a concert at the Stannary Bar on Falmouth University's Penryn campus, when, at about 3am on October 1, he was involved in an incident with Mitchell Syrett in the street. At Truro Crown Court on Monday, Sarah Vince, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Syrett started the physical side of the confrontation by pushing Taylor hard four times. "The defendant does then go on to deliver the first punch," she said, explaining that a second man, Jackson Wise, was caught in the crossfire and knocked to the ground unconscious as a result of a punch by Taylor. Ms Vince said Taylor then kicked Mr Syrett in the head as he was leaning over his friend Mr Wise to see if he was all right. Taylor, who had been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of affray by using or threatening unlawful violence. This was accepted by the prosecution. A second defendant – Daniel Chambers, aged 21, of Clifton Crescent, Falmouth – was found not guilty after he accepted a formal caution for affray in relation to the matter. Ramsay Quaife, defending Taylor, said he worked as an apprentice electrician and as a barman at a hotel owned by his father. "He works very hard," he said. Probation officer Mary Lewis added that Taylor did not seem like someone who had an aggressive attitude and this offence was out of character. Taylor was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work. He was subjected to a three-month curfew on Saturday nights between 9pm to 6am and ordered to pay £750 compensation to Mr Wise, £610 towards the costs of the prosecution and a £60 victim surcharge.

HUNDREDS of people will be dusting off their rolling pins and practising their crimping skills ahead of Redruth's largest ever Mining and Pasty Festival.

Now in its third year the free event will take place between Friday and Sunday with a range of activities for the young and old. Festival events at various locations across the town will include street entertainment, live music, a fancy dress competition and food and drink stalls selling cakes, cheeses, fudge, shellfish, beer and more.

Great-grandmother and ITV sensation Eunice Woolcock and TV chef James Strawbridge will be giving cooking demonstrations and visitors will be able to join in with a free pasty-making activity session.

Lara Hill, community project manager for Redruth Town Council, said: "We've put in so much work and got a lot of partners together to organise a much bigger and better Mining and Pasty Festival this year. The main Pasty Day on the Saturday will be a huge affair and we're all looking forward to it."

Redruth Mayor Will Tremayne said: "It looks like we are going to have great weather so we are preparing for another successful year. There will be loads going on especially in St Rumon's Gardens where the Youth Council will be hosting a talent competition, snail races and people will get the chance to throw sponges at me."

The event will host visitors from twin-town Real Del Monte in Mexico, which holds its own "Paste" Festival in October and has close links with the first Mining and Pasty Festival in Redruth.

Father Christmas will also make an appearance to collect donations for the Redruth Christmas lights fund. The event is sponsored by SJ Andrew & Son of South Turnpike and Redruth Town Council thanked everyone who has volunteered and helped with the festival. For more information visit www.visitredruth.co.uk, or phone Redruth Town Council on 01209 210038.

A GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER born shortly before the outbreak of the First World War has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Surrounded by family and friends, Ethel Richards (née Rail), of Vivian Court, Truro, sipped a glass of champagne to mark her milestone.

Born in Phillack, near Hayle, Ethel had five siblings: Viola, Alice, Sylvia, Ernest and Dennis.

She moved with her family to Pydar Street when she was still a child and she fell in love with young Arthur Rowe, who lived next door.

The pair became teenage sweethearts and when Ethel turned 21 they married at Truro Cathedral, and had the ingredients for the perfect marriage; they were both cooks. Ethel worked as a cook at Truro School and her husband had been an Army cook during the Second World War, said her daughter-in-law, Carol Rowe.

"They were devoted to each other," she said. "She gave up work to raise her children. She was a real homemaker."

The couple had two children, Freddy and Terry, and Arthur went on to work as a railwayman.

He died in 1978, and later in life Ethel married again, to Bert Richards.

Mrs Rowe said: "She was very active until recently.

"She used to enjoy going to the day centre in Truro and the disabled club at St John's Hall in Lemon Street were very kind to her.

"She enjoyed playing bingo and was very good at crotchet, and would crochet raffle items.

"She's still very active mentally and the only medication she takes is paracetamol; we think that's the secret to her longevity."

FIREFIGHTERS believe a large gorse fire on the Lizard yesterday evening had been started deliberately.

Around two and half acres of gorse went up in flames. 

A fire service spokeswoman said : "Fire Control received a call at 7.22pm to a gorse on fire just before the junction to Mullion on the A3083 towards The Lizard.

"Crews from Mullion attended this incident and found approximately one hectare of gorse alight.

"Firefighters used beaters to extinguish the fire which is believed to have been started deliberately."

Bosses at Pendennis have seen the funny side after their logo design became an internet sensation - thanks to the unfortunate positioning of a sliding door.

The van originally had the word 'Pendennis' emblazoned on its side, but the sliding door, by an unfortunate coincidence, neatly blocks out the letters 'denn' when it is opened - rather changing the message.

It proved an internet sensation - being viewed thousands of times, and even making the news headlines in New York.

Now the directors and the marketing department at the company have decided to use the viral photo for a good cause - and have combined the van with an ice-bucket challenge to raise cash for local charity Pants.

Posting a video of the challenge on Facebook, a company spokesman wrote: "Thanks for all the comments about our unfortunate van design.

"The Directors and Marketing Team at Pendennis would like to use the publicity we've received to raise awareness of a local charity that promotes awareness of testicular cancer.

"If you have laughed at our van graphics feel free to donate!"

You can donate to Pants through their website at http://www.pantscancers.org.uk

SHAKESPEARE has always been seen as a trailblazer, but not even he could have imagined how audiences would be watching his work around 400 years later.

Using the latest technology, a performance of one of his plays has bought him into the 21st Century with a world first.

Actors from the Miracle Theatre Company performed a version of The Tempest at two different locations in Falmouth – while the play was broadcast online using an advanced video system powered by superfast broadband.

The theatrical experiment was the perfect way to mark an anniversary for the Redruth-based company, according to the company's founder and artistic director, Bill Scott.

"This year, Miracle celebrates 35 years of touring into the heart of communities who often have little or no access to quality theatre – it's at the core of what we do.

"This project offered us a fantastic opportunity to stretch our creative brains and do something completely different with our production of The Tempest.

"Using the latest digital technology, we were able to re-create our island world in two different places.

"I am particularly proud of the cast, this project challenged so many aspects of how they traditionally perform, having to interact with each other both on the stage and on screen."

The performance took place at the Discovery Quay in Falmouth with six actors carrying out their roles at the Maritime Museum and another two performing at the nearby Doghouse, the headquarters of creative production studio, Dogbite.

Unmanned cameras at each location captured the performance and streamed it live over the superfast connection to screens at the other location, then to audiences around the world.

It is believed to be the first time in the world that a production performed at two locations in this way has been transmitted over the internet to people at home.

One of the live audience members, Sarah Ferrie, of St Agnes, said: " What an evening. Watching the worlds of lovies and tech heads combine to create something really special and super clever was pretty amazing. I can't stop thinking about future possibilities."

Simon Willis, of Falmouth, said: "Very, very clever and truly unique. I'm really quite thrilled to have been part of it."

The production was a collaboration between Superfast Cornwall, the theatre company and a European research project, Vconect.

It aims to use the latest technology and video to enable mass communication within communities.

Marian Ursu, professor of interactive media and scientific director of the Vconect project, said: "Fast broadband connections are enabling new forms of theatrical experience. "It's a world first and it is great to be doing it in the context of one of Shakespeare's finest plays."

A DEAL was struck last night to get a new £40,000 lighthouse-themed playground for Porthleven.

It will replace the rundown play equipment in the field next to the small car park off Shrubberies Hill, know as Horseshoe.

The arrangement also includes all of the two green fields and the car park being leased from Cornwall Council to Porthleven Town Council for 99 years.

However, the deal does include a clause by Cornwall Council that it can take back the field in front of the car park in 10 years time – as this land has previously been considered for housing and could be valuable.

Speaking at a meeting of the town council yesterday, Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis said: "This whole area has a lot of residential houses around with children and there's no play area for them."

The fields, car park and play ground are currently owned by Cornwall Council.

But in a bid to save running costs, the council wants to lease the site to the town council to look after.

To sweeten the deal, Mr Wallis said Cornwall Council has agreed to give a one-off payment of £25,000 for new play equipment.

Mr Wallis said there was also £10,000 of money from the adjacent Shrubberies Hill housing development. Known as 'section 106' money, this cash was put forward by the developer to meet a condition of the planning permission.

He asked the town council to spend £5,000 to meet the design he had in mind for the new playground.

It includes a fenced toddlers area, equipment for older children, picnic table and benches.

Councillor Mark Berryman thanked Councillor Wallis and said: "I think its an extremely good idea. It is also a misconception that section 106 money goes to where it was raised. That is not always the case."

Deputy mayor Barbara Powell added: "Its important for us to keep ownership of that green space. It's also nice to have a second play area up where people live."

The council voted and agreed to accept the contract from Cornwall Council and spend £5,000 towards the project. 

THE Cornish Pirates will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's 29-18 opening day defeat by Leeds Carnegie when they host London Scottish in round two of their Greene King IPA Championship fixtures at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (3pm).

Scottish certainly laid down a marker in their opening fixture, winning 32-23 against Rotherham Titans. A try-count of 5-1 confirmed their dominance in a game where skipper Mark Bright scored his first hat-trick in the Championship.

The Pirates meanwhile are fully aware that another tough task awaits them on Sunday, but will be keen to rise to the challenge and record their first win of the season in what promises to be hard-fought and entertaining encounter.

Director or Rugby Ian Davies has made only only change to the Pirates line-up from the one that beaten by Yorkshire Carnegie, with fit again skipper Chris Morgan returning to the side in place of Jake Parker.

On the bench back-rower Matt Bolwell and wing Luke Jones will be keen to make their first Championship appearances of the season, as will utility back Bertie Hopkin, who would be making a Championship debut.

Sunday's opponents welcome back Lee Millar and Mike Doneghan to their line-up this Sunday and are the only changes to the XV which defeated Rotherham Titans at the Athletic Ground last Saturday, as the Scots aim to preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign.

New signing Gregor Gillanders comes straight into the 22 man squad and the Dundee-born flanker is joined on the replacements bench by full-back Errie Claassens.

Last November the Exiles slipped to a disappointing 16-8 defeat at Mennaye Field and head coach James Buckland is determined not to come off second best this time around.

He said: "We learned a lot from that game last season and managed to put a few things right and go on a decent unbeaten run.

"It's always a huge challenge going down to Cornwall and after a good win last week the challenge is to back that up.

"The boys need to be on their metal but we have prepared well and are determined to get the win.

"Pirates will pick up a number of scalps this season on home turf and we need to make sure we're not one.

"You would rather be playing them in early September as opposed to mid-winter and we are looking forward to Sunday."

He continued: "Dan Newton picked up a groin injury and Oli Grove was ill this week, so it was an easy decision to bring Lee and Mike in.

"The forward pack deserves another chance after impressing against Titans but they know there is quality on the bench pushing them hard."

Cornish Pirates: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Kieran Goss, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Rheon James, 11 Kyle Moyle, 10 Kieran Hallett, 9 Tom Kessell; 1 Paul Andrew, 2 Tom Channon, 3 Adam Jamieson, 4 Marcus Garratt, 5 Darren Barry, 6 Chris Morgan (capt), 7 Alex Cheesman, 8 Laurie McGlone. Replacements: 16 Aaron Carpenter, 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18 Tyler Gendall, 19 Will Graulich, 20 Matt Bolwell, 21 Bertie Hopkin, 22 Luke Jones.

London Scottish: 15 Peter Lydon; 14 Matt Williams; 13 Mike Doneghan; 12 PJ Gidlow; 11 Miles Mantella; 10 Lee Millar; 9 Jamie Stevenson; 1 Mark Lilley; 2 Adam Kwasnicki; 3 Ben Prescott; 4 James Phillips; 5 Adam Preocanin; 6 Neil Best; 7 Chevvy Pennycook; 8 Mark Bright (c). Replacements:  16 James Hallam; 17 David Cherry; 18 Max Maidment; 19 Tai Tuisamoa; 20 Gregor Gillanders; 21 Sam Stuart; 22, Errie Claassens.

Referee: Tom Foley (RFU) Assistants: Shane Lewis & Philip Watters.

4^th Official: Richard Parker-Sedgemore Assessor: Tony Spreadbury.

Tickets: Tickets will be on sale at the gates on Sunday, which open at 1pm ahead of the 3pm kick-off.

* The Tartan Challenge: The Cornish Pirates have thrown down the gauntlet and challenged London Scottish supporters to 'out-tartan' Pirates followers on Sunday. London Scottish have accepted the challenge to wear their appropriate tartan in the contest to find a winner from each side. Judging will take place at half-time and both winners will receive a bottle of bubbly.

The Cadgwith Singers will also be singing on the field pre-match.

FOOTBALL:

Saturday:

FA CUP, first qualifying round (3pm): Bodmin Town v Bridgwater Town; Truro City v Larkhall Athletic; Willand Rovers v Saltash Utd.

CARLSBERG SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE

Premier Division (3pm): Bovey Tracey v Torpoint Athletic; Callington Town v Exmouth Town; Camelford v Witheridge; Elmore v Elburton Villa; Falmouth Town v Stoke Gabriel; Launceston v Newquay; Plymouth Parkway v Godolphin Atlantic; St Blazey v Cullompton Rangers.

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

WEST END MOTORS VAUXHALL CORNWALL SENIOR CUP

Preliminary round (2pm): Redruth Utd v St Stephens Borough.

CORNISH GUARDIAN EAST CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier Division (2.30pm): Edgcumbe v Callington Town; Elburton Villa v Launceston; Polperro v Plymstock Utd; Saltash Utd v Torpoint Athletic.

thisiscornwall.co.uk Division One (2.30pm): Bude Town v Roche; Lanreath v Pensilva; Millbrook v Wadebridge Town; Nanpean Rovers v Camelford.

Rowett Insurance League Cup, first round (2pm): Tavistock v Fowey Utd.

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

JJ JONES BUILDERS DUCHY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

Premier Division: Lostwithiel v St Dominick; North Petherwin v St Newlyn East; Pelynt v Looe Town; Saltash Utd v St Columb Major; Torpoint Athletic v Padstow Utd.

Division One: AFC Bodmin v Godolphin Atlantic; Altarnun v Foxhole; Grampound v Edgcumbe; LC Phoenix v Premier Sixes; St Mawgan v St Minver.

Division Two: Gerrans & St Mawes Utd v Callington Town; Gunnislake v Holywell/Cubert Athletic; Packhorse Athletic v North Hill; St Dennis v Stoke Climsland.

Division Three: Boscastle v Grampound; Gorran v North Petherwin; St Breward v Tintagel; St Cleer v St Stephen; Tregony v Lanivet Inn; Veryan v Queens Rangers.

Division Four: Delabole v Rame Peninsula; Godolphin Atlantic v Wadebridge Town; High Street v Lanreath; St Minver v Mevagissey; Tregrehan Mills v Pelynt.

Division Five: Kilkhampton v St Newlyn East; Pensilva v St Teath; Roche v Boscastle; Week St Mary v Real Saltash.

KMD Developments Knockout Cup, first round (2pm): Sticker v St Cleer.

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

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

Division One: Hayle v Camborne SoM; Lizard v Halsetown; Newlyn Non Athletico v Perranporth; Praze v St Ives Tn; Rosudgeon v Stithians; St Agnes v RNAS Culdrose.

Division Two: Chacewater v Mullion; Frogpool/Cusgarne v Pendeen; St Just v Penryn; Storm v Redruth Utd; Trispen v St Buryan.

Division Three: Holmans v Marazion; Lanner v Helston; Mawnan v Four Lanes; Newquay v Hayle; West Cornwall v Cury.

Division Four: Carharrack v Lizard; Falmouth Town v Gulval; Mabe v Frogpool/Cusgarne; Mousehole v St Ives Mariners; Penwith Exiles v Newlyn Non Athletico; Praze v Gwinear Churchtown; Troon v Ludgvan.

Division Five: Camborne Town v Madron; Falmouth DC v St Erme; Railway Locomotives v Newquay; Stithians v Newlyn Lions; Wendron v Trevenson.

Percy Stephens Cup (first round, 2pm, extra time and penalties if required): Probus v Goonhavern; Wendron v Sennen.

RUGBY:

Saturday:

National League Two South (3pm): Redruth v Cornish All Blacks.

Tribute South West One (West): Cleve v Camborne; North Petherton v St Austell.

Tribute Western Counties (West): Kingsbridge v Wadebridge Camels; Okehampton v Truro; Penryn v St Ives.

Tribute Cornwall & Devon League: Bude v Bodmin; Exeter Saracens v Saltash; Falmouth v Pirates Amateurs; Hayle v Paignton; Withycombe v Liskeard-Looe.

Sunday:

Greene King IPA Championship (3pm): Cornish Pirates v London Scottish.

CRICKET:

Saturday:

JOLLY'S DRINKS ECB CORNWALL CRICKET LEAGUE (East v West County Finals, 1pm):

DIVISION TWO: St Minver v St Gluvias, at Perranporth.

DIVISION THREE: Pencarrow v Troon II, at South Petherwin.

DIVISION FOUR: Lanhydrock v Goldsithney, at Paul.

DIVISION FIVE: Launceston II v Helston II, at Boconnoc.

DIVISION SIX: St Minver II v Mt Ambrose II, at Constantine.

DIVISION SEVEN: Veryan II v Beacon III, at Grampound Road (second ground).

EVER fancied roast limpet? This unusual morsel was on the menu after rangers from the National Trust ran a seaside forage day down at Poltesco on the Lizard recently.

It was focusing on what can be found and eaten along the seashore and surrounding paths.

People taking part picked and tasted during the guided walk before cooking up a feast over a fire.

Wild Lizard ranger Claire Scott led the group down into the rock pools, sharing secrets of the best seaweeds for eating, stewing and those which can add a little something extra to a milk pudding.

Participants hunted for prawns, found limpets and identified crabs they discovered lurking in the pools.

Above the tide line, Wild Lizard intern Megan Adams pointed out tasty leaves and plants among the hedgerows, including nettles to stew for tea, sorrel, sea beats and samphire for a salad.

Ms Adams said: "It's always lovely to head down to the beach for a barbecue, but it's even better to have foraged everything you're cooking from the surrounding area.

"It's always important not to take too much from any one plant or rock pool but it's been brilliant sharing a bit of knowledge on the variety of edible plants and crustaceans we have on our coast line."

The next event is a fungus forage at Tremayne Woods, near St Martin, on October 10 at 10am. Booking is essential on 01326 340961 or coordinator@helfordvmca.co.uk.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - Happy Mondays, pictured, are one of the headliners alongside UB40 and The Boomtown Rats at Live at Heartlands at the mining heritage centre at Pool. More big names play alongside a slew of top local acts.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - MasterChef winner James Nathan is among those demonstrating, cooking and displaying at Newquay Fish Festival.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - The Little Orchard Music and Cider Festival takes place at Healey's Cider Farm, Penhallow, near Truro, with a line-up that includes Stringer Bessant (half of Reef), Mad Dog Mcrea, Sam and the Womp, Cosmo Jarvis, Winter Mountain, Harry Collier of Rootjoose fame, The Loose Salute, Black Friday and Slowdive's Neil Halstead.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - Guests from as far away as Mexico will be taking part in Redruth's Mining and Pasty Festival.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - The Cornish Bluegrass Festival takes over Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, this weekend. Expect an army of banjos and ukuleles.

TODAY TO SUNDAY - Happy Mondays, pictured, are one of the headliners alongside UB40 and The Boomtown Rats at Live at Heartlands at the mining heritage centre at Pool. More big names play alongside a slew of top local acts.

TODAY / SATURDAY - There are just three more chances (including a Saturday matinee) at Hall For Cornwall, Truro, to see glitzy song and dance show Puttin' On The Ritz, featuring Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft belting out the hits.

TODAY / SATURDAY - TAODS presents a right old knees-up with an Old Time Music Hall production at Redannick Theatre, Truro.

TODAY / SATURDAY - Stand-up comedian, columnist and radio presenter Mark Steel is Back In Town talking up Liskeard at Sterts tonight and Falmouth at the Princess Pavilion tomorrow.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY - St Ives September Festival kicks off with The Dylan Project and Miracle's The Tempest among a host of events across the town.

Could you be the next Guido Fawkes, Face Hunter or Martin Lewis? Do you have a passion for fashion, an ear for scandal or a quirky take on human life? The West Briton is looking for a columnist for the future and we're launching the first ever Big Blogger competition in a bid to find you.

You may already have a blog up and running, or you may just have a germ of an idea that you could develop into a regular piece. We're looking for the blog that gets the most readers, so anything you can do to encourage people to read your blog will help in your quest to become Cornwall's first Big Blogger. And we'll help you – giving you tips on social media, writing and style at every step, if you want it.

To enter the competition, all you have to do is send a link to your blog, or your first piece of copy to us, along with your name and contact details. The quirkier and more unusual, the better. A panel of West Briton reporters and editors will then select our favourite 10 blogs or blog ideas.

Each of the top ten will get a slot on the West Briton website, which reaches more than 100,000 unique visitors every week. We'll ask you to write a blog entry once a week and teach you how to upload it to our site and help you drive readers to your blog.

Every week, we'll count up the number of visitors to your blog and week by week, we'll eliminate the blog that has the lowest readership from the competition. After 10 weeks, the blog that's left with the highest number of readers will win the competition and get the chance to get a regular paid column slot in the West Briton as well as advertising for your blog into the future.

To enter, e-mail your first blog entry, along with your name, location and contact details to david.thomas@dc-media.co.uk by Friday, October 3.

Competition rules are as follows:

• 1.Anyone who is living in or has a connection to Cornwall is eligible to enter the competition, excluding employees of Devon and Cornwall Media.
• 2.Please keep your entries clean – we have a family readership and we will have to remove any profanities.
• 3.All entries will be checked for libel, but please steer clear of anything that might offend or upset any individuals.
• 4.By sending us your blog, you agree to us using it and your name on our website at www.westbriton.co.uk and any copy in the West Briton newspaper.
• 5.Devon and Cornwall Media reserves the right to remove any blogs from our website that we do not deem appropriate at any time.

THE first Truro Day takes place this weekend, with a packed programme of entertainment to celebrate the history and heritage of the city.

Organised by a group of volunteers, the event was inspired by a Facebook group set up to share nostalgic photos and memories of Truro.

With its membership growing daily, at the start of this year some contributors asked why Truro did not have a celebratory event like other towns in Cornwall. A committee was formed and the idea emerged of a whole day run for and by Truro, with entertainment from Truro talent.

Sunday's event in Boscawen Park will start at 12.45pm with an address from mayor Loic Rich and the presentation of the People's Trophy.

A programme of entertainment is planned for the afternoon featuring performances from musicians and dance groups, and from 5.30pm there will be music from local bands Veller Lia, Midlife Crysis, The Beutons and Boomerang Highway, continuing into the evening.

The event has been supported by Cornwall Council, Truro City Council, Awards For All, the Conservative Club, the People's Palace and many individuals who have donated and given their time for the event.

Chairman Paul Caruana said: "We would like to thank everyone who has put in so much time and effort to help us put on the event and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible on Truro Day."

Malpas Road will be closed to traffic during the event, although access will be available for residents and businesses.

As well as the events of Truro Day, there will also be an exhibition by the Friends of Boscawen Park to gain feedback from the public on plans for a makeover made possible by £200,000 of grant funding.

A selection of designs will be on display in the park on Sunday and the Friends say they hope to get comments and thoughts to help them decide what will be done in the park.

Chairman Heidi Morgan said: "We've been very impressed by what we've received. Each design is different and has its own merits, but they are all tailored to what we requested – and what local people asked for.

"What we need now is for everyone to come along on Sunday to tell us what they think."

The designs will be displayed in a marquee from 1pm until 5.30pm.

AN ARTIST is aiming to take art to the masses – by giving it away.

Free Art Friday was set up almost a year ago by artist Darren Chaplin after seeing an edition of BBC Two's The Culture Show, which featured successful similar schemes elsewhere in the country.

Every other Friday Darren – who paints under the name Chaplin73 – leaves pieces of art around Truro for people to take away and keep.

He now also gets sent pieces by other artists to give away to anyone who finds them.

He said: "I started by setting up a Facebook group which got some interest, so I started to put out art around Truro.

"I've now had artists from farther afield getting involved, with some from London and Bristol sending me pieces.

"I just think it's a good way of showing people that art isn't just in galleries, and hope people not normally interested in art might spot a piece and take it home.

"It might end up on their desk or on their wall or just in the bin, but I hope people might appreciate it.

Feedback

"The hope is that people will pick up the art and give some feedback. Every piece has a piece of paper giving the Facebook page and asking people to leave a comment."

However, despite placing more than 100 pieces of art since starting the project, he had received feedback about fewer than half of them.

"I put quite a large piece outside Truro train station and I was passing a few hours later, so thought I'd check if it was there.

"As I approached I couldn't see it, so I got excited that it had been taken; however, I realised it was on the floor and someone had kicked their foot through it.

"I was disappointed, but when I told the artist who'd donated the piece he said he was pleased, as at least he'd got some feedback!"

Darren also puts out themed art to tie in with holidays and dates, including Hallowe'en-themed pieces and some to tie in with the Cornwall Pride festival.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FreeArtFridayTruro