IS PORTHLEVEN poised to make a raid on Helston's prized possessions?

The first tentative moves have been made to get a portrait of the Dambuster's hero, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, handed to Porthleven.

The painting has pride of place in the mayor's parlour in Helston's Guildhall – even though Gibson is an adopted son of Porthleven.

But at the Bickford Smith Institute cottage, the home of Porthleven Town Council, there is only a photograph of Gibson and a painting of the raid on the Ruhr dams in 1943.

Now Porthleven mayor Daniel Williams hopes he can succeed where others have been chastised – and is on a mission to have the portrait and memorabilia returned home.

Speaking at the last town council meeting, Mr Williams said: "I thought I'd ask Helston Town Council to have them brought back to Porthleven."

The picture and Air Force squadron shield have remained displayed in Helston's Guildhall since they were gifted to the former Kerrier District Council, which covered both Helston and Porthleven.

But when the council ceased to be and the two towns went their separate ways, the treasured picture stayed in Helston.

Councillor Andrew Wallis – whose namesake invented the dam-busting bouncing bomb – said: "Guy Gibson is a son of Porthleven but not all the assets were given back to Porthleven. The portrait and memorabilia would be better served in Porthleven."

Councillor Mark Berryman said an approach in the past had been rejected – after Helston only offered to hand over a second, damaged portrait which was slashed when Navy ratings raided the parlour in the 1990s. They had climbed up scaffolding and entered the building causing damage, and were disciplined afterwards.

Helston Town mayor Mike Thomas said no approach had been made as yet. "We haven't had a formal request so I could not comment. In any event, it would be a matter for the full council to consider," he said.

Gibson won the Victoria Cross for leading the raid by 617 Squadron on its dam-busting raid.

Originally from India, his mother and her family lived in Porthleven and he used to return there to spend his leave. He was killed 70 years ago, at the age of 26, after his plane was shot down. in 1944 .

LAST week's bad weather has caused hundreds of tonnes of beautiful golden sand to be dumped back on to the beach at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard

The normally sandy cove had been stripped back to pebbles and shingle last winter.

It was same story at other beaches such as Church Cove, Gunwalloe, and Praa Sands – only eastward-facing Coverack appeared to have escaped the storms' fury in February, although erosion did cause the road to collapse.

But the sand was only dumped a short distance off-shore and last Wednesday's storm brought it back at Poldhu.

Ross Hocking, who owns the Poldhu Beach Café, said: "I have been at Poldhu for years now and have never seen the beach change so much in one year.

"It is unbelievable how much sand has returned over such a short period of time."

He said the winter erosion had stripped the beach back further than he had ever remembered.

"There is a large stone wall around the entrance of the cove and café and it's normally covered by the sand and has not been seen for years," he said. "Last winter, the entire 7ft wall was uncovered.

"This was not the best landscape for holidaymakers and locals to enjoy over the warm summer that we have just experienced.

"Although it may take some time for the beach to recover fully, I am sure that in time it will be back to how everyone remembers it – a sandy, safe beautiful cove."

He said the return of the sand was perfectly timed for the October half-term holidays.

The beach is managed by the National Trust and lead Lizard ranger Justin Whitehouse said the arrival was good news for the beach.

"It's not completely back to normal – that could take years – but from our point of view it shows that it's all a natural process," he said.

"Poldhu is a closed system, which means the sand has been just off-shore.

"This isn't sand coming in from deep water.

"It's what we would expect, although I think it will take a few more storms to fully recover.

"It's so unpredictable.

"The pool at Poldhu that formed on the beach, which became a bit yucky with algae and the lack of rainfall over the warm summer, has now disappeared. The river has taken a new course."

Mr Whitehouse was at Poldhu this week to meet Jeremy Clitherow, from Natural England, to discuss work to repair the wall which was exposed.

He said there was little change at Church Cove at Gunwalloe. but down at Kynance Cove.

TWO teenage boys tried to save their friend's life after they found him hanging from a tree, an inquest heard.

An inquest in Truro on Friday into the death of 16-year-old Alexander Philbey, known as Alex, heard the pair saw him hanging in woods near their homes in Blackwater as they returned from school.

The boys went to the home of Alex's mum Dominique Strover's house to raise the alarm and get a knife to cut the rope before returning to cut Alex down and carry out CPR while waiting for the emergency services.

Alex had been due to start a work placement as a blacksmith the day after his death, on February 27 of last year.

Hours before, he had a disagreement with his mother after she confronted him for moving her purse.

Later that day he apologised and she told him to take their golden retriever for a walk.

There was no lead for the dog so Alex took a rope from his bedroom and tied it around the pet's collar.

After he had been gone for more than an hour his mum called his mobile phone, which was switched off.

Mathew Davis, an emergency healthcare practitioner at the South Western Ambulance Service, was met at the scene by one of the boys.

Mr Davis told the court: "I could see a schoolboy with a backpack on doing CPR.

"There was a woman stood immediately to the right of the child screaming on a mobile phone.

"It's fair to say the two schoolboys were fantastic," Mr Davis said. "It's unexpected that these young kids would perform such a quick task so effectively."

Ms Strover did not attend the inquest, but said in a statement that after failing to contact her son, "The next thing I knew was that the two boys who live next door that were friends with Alex were banging on the door and told me they had found Alex."

Two weeks earlier Alex had returned home "upset and shaky" and told her he had tried to hang himself but the rope had broken, she said: "I remember I just hugged him and tried to comfort him."

Following a referral by his GP, Alex had previously attended two sessions with the adolescent mental health service for help with anger management issues, in August and October 2012.

The court was also told he had injured himself in the past and threatened suicide on one occasion, but it had been a spur-of-the-moment outburst.

The sessions had appeared to go well and he was discharged from the service.

Pathologist Juliane Stolte said there was evidence of pervious cannabis use but none in Alex's system at the time of his death.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Panter told the court no suicide note was found and the friends who had tried to save him had said he seemed "quite buoyant" when they met up on the bus home the day before.

Assistant coroner Barrie Van Der Berg recorded an open verdict, saying that he could not be sure the teenager had intended to kill himself.

He said: "I think there are a number of things that just leave us grasping at straws in relation to young Alex."

A drop in commercial shipping activities and visitors to Falmouth port has led to a loss of more than quarter of a million pounds in revenue in two years.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners said some "difficult judgements" will have to be made as the trend seems to be continuing.

Chairman David Ellis said the commissioners financial situation was "serious" although it remains profitable.

"We experienced a considerable downturn in commercial shipping in 2013 and the downward trend is continuing," he said.

"We need to find ways of balancing our income and achieve growth, particularly in our leisure businesses, in order to achieve sustainability."

Last year 161 less vessels visited Falmouth for bunkering (getting fuel at sea) than the previous year and those calling for other reasons fell by 108.

And the number of vessels boarded or landed by pilots reduced by 461 from 2012.

In 2011 commercial activities brought in £2,407,742 but last year that had dropped to £2,081,096 - a reduction of £326,646.

Harbour master Mark Sansom said the number of visitors to Falmouth had also fallen by 20 per cent on the previous year.

He said: "We had a bunkering boom in 2008 and were gifted with a unique selling point of low sulphur regulations and were the last stop before the English Channel, but a proliferation since then means business has been affected and we are going back to pre-2008 levels.

"We don't really have an accurate forecast for commercial shipping as most businesses have cycles ."

He said the board remained "realistic" and were looking at innovative ways to address the situation.

"Our liabilities have increased and it is a difficult situation," he said. "We will have to make some difficult judgements."

He said the leisure side accounts for a third of income and that needed to increase.

"The leisure market is relatively stable and we are looking at how to grown that element of the business.

"Visitor numbers are down but that's a trend across other ports."

Although this has resulting in a drop in revenue from its yacht haven, boat park, visitor moorings and anchorage, he said the local use is still strong.

"There is no sense in which we are panicking. We see it as a change in business environment.

"We are seeing this as a really challenging environment and we have got to respond in a positive way.

"It's about being proactive and our commissioners have to be innovative about how we look at the future."

The board is reviewing its efficiency. It has already created two business arms, Falmouth Haven and Falmouth Pilot Services.

Just had this gun handed in by genuinely concerned resident clearing home who didn't want it falling into wrong hands pic.twitter.com/eUsfvY6eNx

— Colin Taylor (@ScillySergeant) October 16, 2014

For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, here's a dog that looks a lot like Nigel Farage. pic.twitter.com/z5gvFlhC4P

— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) October 14, 2014

Brilliant letter! pic.twitter.com/UTeNMGgu7g

— David Thomas (@Falmouth_Dai) October 16, 2014

If you've had a bad day then look at this picture of a dog with the best poker face ever. #YoureWelcomepic.twitter.com/FH0VaiGmrf

— Aidan Goatley (@MrAidanGoatley) October 14, 2014

Mankinds's earliest tool, yet amazingly capable of the same reception as my iPhone 5 in Somerset. #handaxepic.twitter.com/LdMsFATlwU

— tom mcrae (@tommcrae) October 10, 2014

No one forgets the first time they tried tripe... pic.twitter.com/jv4JHhMdFF

— TripeMarketingBoard (@TripeUK) October 16, 2014

Traffic was delayed this morning after an accident in Hayle on the A30.

A grey Mazda was involved in a collision at 8.35am near the St Erth roundabout.

Police said there were no injuries after the collision near the A3074 Nut Lane.

A CORNISH charity is calling for a smoking ban on all British beaches.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners announced plans to change the law on smoking on "key beaches" in their latest environmental report about marine litter.

The ban is one of a raft of "radical measures" aimed at stopping marine litter at source, said Hugo Tagholm, SAS chief executive, and follows a report calling on London to ban smoking in parks and public squares.

"Marine litter is one of the biggest threats to the health of our precious marine environment and it's vital that we ramp up our collective actions to combat the crisis," he said.

"Surfers Against Sewage's Marine Litter Report maps out radical, yet tried and tested, new measures that can deliver a cleaner, greener coastline by 2020.

"Cutting off the flow of marine litter at source is critical to our vision to stop plastic and other debris from polluting our beaches."

The report said that 4.5 trillion cigarette butts enter the environment every year, adding: "Cigarette butts are made from the cellulose acetate, and like plastics they will fragment but remain at large in the environment indefinitely.

"Inevitably a proportion will be discarded or end up on our beaches where they leach toxic chemicals into the environment and partially breakdown into tiny plastic fibres which are then ingested by marine animals causing, blockages, starvation and inflammation.

"Filters are comprised of cellulose acetate (not paper). Concentrated within discarded filters are deposits of tars and chemicals such as cadmium, lead and arsenic, which leach toxic chemicals out into the surrounding seawater; or directly into any organism who ingests them. One cigarette filter has enough toxins to kill water fleas in eight litres of water."

The new environmental report calling for a 50 per cent reduction in UK beach litter by 2020.

The report, launched this week at SAS's inaugural Protect Our Waves All Party Parliamentary Group, calls for new legislation banning smoking on key beaches, banning balloon releases, introducing prominent environmental health warnings on single-use packaging and enforcing fines for littering at beaches.

The report is funded by The Crown Estate and World Animal Protection. 

Let us know if you agree by voting in our poll here.

A TRURO duo is at the forefront of the pop-up revolution – turning old shipping containers into bars, classrooms and even a stage at the flick of a switch.

Former brokers Ben Treleaven and Gregg Curtis, both 33, launched ISO Spaces two years ago and are now the first in the UK to use hydraulic technology to transform the carriers.

They have converted shipping containers for the BBC, for the BoxPark shopping and entertainment complex in Shoreditch, London, Tesco and Wetherspoons' pubs.

Premiership football clubs and organisers of the V Festival and Donington Park's Download music festival are also looking to them for container conversions.

The pair used their savings and started turning the containers from China into bespoke buildings after discovering the process called cargotecture online.

Ben said: "We wanted to be able to work with materials that we could touch and feel – something that was tangible.

"We found the shipping containers, they looked pretty cool and there was nobody in the UK doing it like this, not to the same level. We decided there was a gap in the market for high-end shipping containers that could be converted; something we could put our own mark on.

"We bought one and started cutting it up and mucking it up, then cutting it up and mucking it up again.

"Eventually we thought, 'there's some mileage in this'."

With 30 million shipping containers in circulation they have a "sustainable source".

After mastering the recycling process they added hydraulics, making it possible to transform the containers at the press of a button.

He said: "We devised our hydraulics specific to container conversions."

They also kit out the containers with furniture bespoke for clients' wishes.

Gregg added: "It's been a wild ride and it's tough giving up your job on a bit of a madcap plan that you don't know will take off."

They have completed ten conversions including a bar for the BBC, a classroom for charity Sea Sanctuary in Penryn and recently a stage at BoxPark, which was opened to the public in 2011 by rapper Dizzee Rascal.

Jeep Cherokee, Tesco and Wetherspoon pubs have also called on the firm, which has a head office in Truro and manufacturing base in Newquay, to convert containers into exhibition spaces, cafes and pubs.

And they have the backing of private investor and local businessman Andy Orr. Last April the pair quit their jobs to concentrate on IOS Spaces full time, now employing 10 to 12 people, including a freelance designer and subcontractors.

A £50,000 development loan from the South West Investment Group has enabled them to expand their fleet. They are also one of eight companies in the final of the Oxford Innovation Ignite competition for fledgling Cornish firms, with a chance to win £125,000. The winner is due to be announced on November 13.

With their British & Irish Cup campaign up and running and thrilled with last weekend's 35-34 opening home win against Bedford Blues, the Cornish Pirates travel to Doncaster for their second game in Pool 4 on Saturday (2.30pm).

It is a swift return for the Pirates to Castle Park, following their 24-22 victory over the Knights in the Greene King IPA Championship only a fortnight earlier.

This cup encounter is expected to be tough and close once more, noting too that the home side are clearly taking the British & Irish Cup competition seriously, as confirmed by their excellent 37-32 win away to Cross Keys last weekend

Cornish Pirates Director of Rugby Ian Davies has selected a youthful side for the long trip to South Yorkshire. Indeed, excluding returning hooker Rob Elloway and prop Alan Paver then the average age is only 21.

Richard Lane, who signed for the club during the week on dual registration with Bath, is set to make his debut for the Pirates on the wing, and another dual registered player, Stuart Townsend from Exeter Chiefs, who appeared in two pre-season friendlies, is selected at scrum-half.

Club captain Chris Morgan is listed among the replacements for this encounter, so flanker Alex Cheesman will have the honour of skippering the side.

Speaking before travelling up north, Davies said:"Castle Park is always a tough place to go but we are keen to repeat the hard fought win a couple of weeks ago."

Meanwhile Knights Director of Rugby Clive Griffiths makes five changes from the side that recorded a 32-37 win away at Cross Keys last time out. The starting XV also sees six changes from the side that succumbed to the Pirates a fortnight ago.

Tyson Lewis returns to a Knights' backline that sees Andy Bulumakau switch inside to the centres in place of Mat Clark but is otherwise unchanged.

Upfront Richard List and Ben Hunter return to the front row in place of Tom Davies and Jack Bergmanas, the pair accompany Ross Davies. For the first time this season Canadian second row duo Tyler Hotson and Jon Phelan will start a competitive match wearing the four and five jerseys. On field Skipper Michael Hills is the sole replacement in the back row he swaps with Will Foden who takes his place on the bench.

Young Leicester Tigers half back George Tresidder joins the Knights side and will hope to make an impact from the bench along with fly half Jamie Lennard. There is also a full compliment of front row replacements in the form of Tom Davies, Jack Bergmamas and Colin Quigley, with Matt Challinor completing the 22-man squad.

Doncaster Knights: 15 Paul Jarvis, 14 Dougie Flockhart, 13 Andy Bulumakau, 12 Bevon Armitage, 11 Tyson Lewis, 10 Paul Roberts, 9 Bruno Bravo, 1 Richard List, 2 Ben Hunter, 3 Ross Davies, 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Jon Phelan, 6 Latu Makaafi, 7 Michael Hills (capt), 8 Phil Eggleshaw. Replacements: 16 Tom Davies, 17 Jack Bergmanas, 18 Colin Quigley, 19 Matt Challinor, 20 Will Foden, 21 George Tresidder, 22 Jamie Lennard.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Max Bodilly, 14 Craig Holland, 13 Tom Hendrickson, 12 Alex Dancer, 11 Richard Lane, 10 Laurence May, 9 Stuart Townsend; 1 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2 Rob Elloway, 3 Alan Paver, 4 Will Graulich, 5 Will Carrick Smith, 6 Alex Cheesman (capt), 7 Joe Atkinson, 8 Jake Parker. Replacements: 16 Dean Brooker, 17 Jack Andrew, 18 Marcus Garratt, 19 Chris Morgan, 20 Gavin Cattle, 21 Bertie Hopkin, 22 Luke Jones.

* In other news, Pirates lock Charlie Davey, who is back to fitness having not yet featured since joining the club back in the summer, is going on loan to the Cornish All Blacks at Launceston.

Davey, 22, has trained at Polson Bridge during the week and is in their squad this weekend for a home match on Saturday in National Two South against Chinnor (3pm).

Pirates Director of Rugby Ian Davies said: "Injury has prevented Charlie from featuring for us to date, but having worked his way back to fitness the opportunity to acquire game time is now important. It helps the Cornish All Blacks at present and is also of benefit both for the player and the Pirates."

MEMBERS of Camborne Town Council have assured the public that they will be doing all they can to keep the town's library in the town centre.

The issue of the library's future was discussed at Camborne Town Council meeting last night and councillors were unanimous in the belief that the service must remain central in location.

The future of the library has been uncertain for many months and Cornwall Council has refused to rule out the possibility of the library building being sold.

Cornwall Council previously confirmed that they are looking at alternative solutions to save money on property costs and also examining the possibility of handing library services to town council control.

Town clerk Amanda Mugford said: "We are currently looking into the future of the library service in Camborne.

"Cornwall Council's future intentions for the library service remain unknown, but we believe that the library service could potentially be transferred to the town council as part of the devolution process."

The current Camborne library building is one of 25 created and donated to Cornish communities by 19-th century philanthropist John Passmore Edwards.

According to Camborne town councillors the building is in need of extensive repairs, particularly to the roof.

It is widely believed that the service could be amalgamated with the town's one stop shop on Dolcoath Avenue as is the case in Redruth, an idea that councillors including Stuart Odgers, have criticized.

He said: "We agree with the residents that have contacted us that a potential move to Dolcoath Avenue would take away an important service from the centre of the town.

"I imagine that if the library service was moved then a lot of old people would stop using the service."

It was also confirmed at the meeting that there was no covenant in place on the current library to ensure that the building had to be used for that purpose.

Adam Paynter, the Council's cabinet member for partnerships, said "We are keen to work with town and parish councils on devolving a range of services, including libraries.

"We will be contacting all town councils across Cornwall to discuss the possibility of them taking over responsibility for their local library, but this is being done gradually over the next two years because of capacity to do the work.

"We have already been contacted by a number of town councils who are interested in discussing the options which are available and so are working with them in the first instance.

"The council has to manage a 44% reduction in funding for libraries and one stop shops and is looking at a range of options in different areas.

"If an individual town council is not interested in working with us, we will look at other possibilities, including working with voluntary or community groups. There are, however, no plans to close any libraries in Cornwall."

AN ELDERLY woman has been left for three months without a shower because of delays by workmen and red tape.

On several occasions, contractors for Devon and Cornwall Housing Association have called at the bungalow 83-year-old Loveday Charles' bungalow – but brought the wrong parts.

Now the work has been held up while a survey is completed into dangerous asbestos insulation – even though the building was built in the 1990s.

The housing association has this week apologised to Mrs Charles and promised to hurry the work.

Monday was the beginning of the 12th week that Mrs Charles, of Penrose Parc, Porthleven, has been waiting to have her shower fixed.

She said: "They came three or four times with a pump because it was broken but it was wrong. They said it was no good.

"Now they've decided they're going to fit a new shower, which doesn't bother me, as long as I can get a shower."

She said work was halted while the housing association carried out a survey to check for asbestos.

But Mrs Charles has lived in the bungalow since it was built in 1992, and asbestos would not have been used in the 1990s.

She added: "They are a good housing association normally. If anything breaks you ring up and report it and they come out quickly to fix it – but this is unbelievable."

Her friend and neighbour Geoff Squibbcorrect, who has also lived at Penrose Parc since it was built, said the delay was not acceptable.

"I find it absolutely disgusting in this day and age," he said. "I, along with Mrs Charles, have now lost count on the number of visits she has had attempting to resolve this matter.

"Is this the way we should treat the elderly? I think Mrs Charles has been treated appallingly throughout this entire affair and nobody seems to be accountable."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Housing Association said: "We are extremely sorry for the delays in repair work experienced by Mrs Charles.

"Work has been carried out at the property recently in order to resolve a fault with the shower pump and efforts have been made to both repair and fit an alternative pump to try to resolve the issue, which unfortunately haven't worked.

"We have arranged to fit a completely new shower for Mrs Charles which will be fitted on Monday as a matter of urgency."

She added: "Our residents are our top priority and we take any concerns about our homes very seriously."

She said staff had kept in contact with Mrs Charles about her concerns and would continue to update her about the repair.

CORNWALL'S first blind darts team is preparing for its inaugural game at a Grampound pub – for charity.

The four wholly visually impaired teammates will make their first appearance at the village's Dolphin Inn on Thursday.

Richard Pryor, who lost his sight 40 years ago, said the idea was mooted after a few pints at the pub, where the group of friends, called the Optimists, meet monthly.

Mr Pryor, 68, said: "While we were down the pub the other day, Joe, the landlord, mentioned that Rotary had organised for pubs to take part in the a Fast Darts competition.

"He asked if we wanted to put in a blind darts team. After three pints I am up for anything and we said yes."

The team will be aided by a piece of string attached to the bull's eye which they will use with one hand as a tactile means to establish their aim.

After "quite a lot of practice" and help from Joe's son, the Darting Optimists are preparing to make a throw.

Mr Pryor, a  retired social worker, added: "No one has been injured yet, although there has been quite a bit of damage to the door and around the board.

"I think it's a great idea and it's quite exciting. We're always up for something that's a bit different.

"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's the end of the world. I have been blind for 40 years and I have had a superb time, I wouldn't swap it for anything.

"However, on the night people might want to stand back a little bit as I don't think we get any points for hitting the spectators."

Terri Rosnau-Ward, chief executive of the Cornwall Blind Association, said the county has blind shooting and bowls, but she has never come across a visually impaired darts team.

"With the right bit of support there's nothing you cannot do," she added.

"It might take you slightly longer but we can usually achieve the same things as sighted people."

Fast Darts starts at 8pm and has been organised by the St Austell Bay Rotary Club to raise money for the Merlin MS Centre and the other good causes it supports.

A Rotary member will keep the scores.

Landlord Joe Fryer said it will be about having fun and raising money, although the door to the room where the competition takes place will be closed "just in case" a dart strays off course.

"THOUSANDS of pounds" worth of equipment and hair product has been stolen from a salon in Falmouth following a break-in.

Burglars smashed the glass door of Ultimate Beauty salon on Tregoniggie Industrial Estate last night with a crow bar and caused damage to the premises, which is shared with a hairdresser.

The thieves emptied a dustbin over the floor before filling the empty black bag with hair treatment products from the hairdressers' salon.

They also grabbed two GHD hair straighteners, worth up to £200 each, then removed the cash register from the beauty salon, including £100, and pocketing an Ipod before leaving the scene.

Christina Grant, who has run the business on the industrial estate for five years, said: "I feel sick. It's horrible.

"It's devastating. I'm in a bit of a state of shock. I've spent a long time building up my business. I just cannot believe it. I feel gutted.

"My members of staff are so upset. One of them was in floods of tears."

She added that, luckily the thieves did not take the computer.

"That would have completely devastated my business because it has all my appointments, client information, everything."

Hairdresser Jade Coombs, who rents the room inside the salon from Ms Grant, turned up for work at 8.15am today to find police officers already on the scene.

The latest break-in follows two burglaries on Monday night when thieves stole 12 computers from Falmouth School and the cash register from Tava Salon on Boslowick Road.

Ms Grant said the door to the salon will be repaired tomorrow, an alarm system would be installed on Sunday and she was investing in a back-up for her computer.

"Luckily, we have not lost anything of value, I never leave the day's takings in the shop," she added.

"But I'd like this to be a warning to others that there are people out there doing this.

"There was the school, the other salon, and now me. They have got the run of the patch.

"I just want everyone to be aware and not leave anything to chance, to not leave any money in the premises, and to have an alarm, which we didn't."

Falmouth Town are searching for a new manager after John Dent announced his decision to quit the Bickland Park hotseat.

The Carlsberg South West Peninsula League side, languishing fifth from bottom in the Premier Division table with only one league win from 14 attempts so far this season, suffered their eighth defeat of the campaign when they were beaten 3-0 at home by St Blazey on Tuesday night.

Former Town goalkeeper Dent is understood to have come in for some criticism from some supporters during recent matches, but a statement issued by the club suggested his departure was due to "personal reasons".

Dent, who has also had spells in charge at Hayle, Launceston, Penryn Athletic, Porthleven, St Austell and Wadebridge Town returned to Bickland Park last September, having relinquished the manager's job at Division One West side Penzance to replace Town's former joint managers Robbie Stephens and Gary Pascoe.

And following his appointment he admitted that Falmouth was the only club he would have left Penzance for. He said: "It was probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make in football.

"I think a lot of Penzance, there are a lot of nice people there and I wish them all the best.

"But at the end of the day this is the only club I would have left them for.

"I've always considered Falmouth as my club, it's just great to be back."

He added: "It's not a short term fix and it's taken me since I left here as a player some 21 years ago to get back here, so I'm certainly not going to give it up that easily."

But having steered Falmouth clear of the Premier Division relegation zone and achieved a 16th place finish in his first term in charge, Town have found points hard to come by so far this time round, hastening his departure and another change at the helm.

The club are now inviting applications for the vacant post, and anybody interested is asked to apply in writing to club secretary Wayne Pascoe, c/o Falmouth Town AFC, Bickland Hill, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4PB, or telephone 07899 957 548.

Town are without a fixture this weekend and will hope to have a new boss in place when they return to action on Saturday week, away to mid-table Callington Town.

FOOTBALL:

Friday:

CARLSBERG SW PENINSULA LEAGUE

Walter C Parson Cup (second round): Crediton Utd v Budleigh Salterton; Elburton Villa v Ivybridge Town.

Saturday:

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN , Premier Division: Biggleswade Town v Truro City.

CARLSBERG SW PENINSULA LEAGUE, Walter C Parson Cup (second round): Axminster Town v Witheridge; Bodmin Town v St Dennis; Cullompton Rangers v Uni of Exeter; Exmouth Town v Appledore; Galmpton Utd v Torpoint Ath; Godolphin Atlantic v Porthleven; Helston Ath v Illogan RBL; Liskeard Athletic v Holsworthy; Plymstock Utd v Launceston; Saltash Utd v Tavistock; St Austell v Penryn Ath; St Blazey v Plymouth Parkway; Sticker v Okehampton Argyle; Teignmouth v Callington Town.

Division One West: Mousehole v Dobwalls; Perranporth v Millbrook; Vospers Oak Villa v Wadebridge Town.

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

CORNISH GUARDIAN EAST CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier Division: Callington Tn v Elburton Villa; Launceston v Saltash Utd; Polperro v Bere Alston Utd; St Teath v St Dominick; Torpoint Ath v Morwenstow.

cornishguardian.co.uk Division One: Bude Tn v St Austell; Holsworthy v St Stephens Boro; Lanreath v Bodmin Tn; Mevagissey v Wadebridge Tn; Probus v St Blazey; Roche v Camelford.

Rowett Insurance League Cup, first round: Tavistock v Fowey Utd.

Roy Radford Division One Cup, first round: Millbrook v Pensilva.

CORNWALL JUNIOR CUP (sponsored by West End Motors Vauxhall) first round): West: Camborne Town v St Just.

JJ JONES BUILDERS DUCHY LEAGUE:

Premier Division: Lamerton v Looe Tn; Pelynt v Lostwithiel; St Columb Maj v Padstow Utd; St Dominick v North Petherwin; St Newlyn East v Saltash Utd; St Stephen v Torpoint Ath.

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

Division Two: Callington Tn v Lifton; Gerrans & St Mawes v Holywell & Cubert; North Hill v Sticker; Packhorse Ath v Gunnislake; St Dennis v Calstock; St Neot v Stoke Climsland.

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

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

Division Five: Kilkhampton v Real Saltash; Padstow Utd v St Dennis; Pensilva v Roche; Saltash Utd v Week St Mary; St Mawgan v St Newlyn East.

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE:

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

Division One: Rosudgeon v Perranporth; St Ives Town v Camborne SoM.

Division Two: Chacewater v Redruth Utd; Frogpool/Cusgaren v Penryn; Goonhavern v Storm; Mullion v Sennen; Pendeen v Illogan RBL; St Buryan v Marazion.

Division Three: Camborne Park v Helston; Four Lanes v Newquay; Lanner v Cury.

Division Four: Carharrack v Penwith Exiles; Falmouth Town v Gwinear Churchtown; Gulval v Newlyn Non Athletico; Madron v Mabe; Mousehole v Troon.

Division Five: Newbridge v Madron; Newlyn Lions v Falmouth DC.

Percy Stephens Cup (first round, extra time and penalties if required): Halsetown v Hayle; Praze v Stithians; Wendron v St Agnes.

Arthur Pearce Cup (first round, extra time and penalties if required): Lizard v Marazion; Mabe v Frogpool/Cusgarne; St Agnes v Mawnan; St Day v Stithians; Storm v Newquay; Trevenson v Praze; Wendron v Holmans.

RUGBY

Saturday:

British & Irish Cup, Pool Four: Doncaster Knights v Cornish Pirates.

National League Two South: Cornish All Blacks v Chinnor; Taunton Titans v Redruth.

Tribute South West One (West): Camborne v Matson; St Austell v Ivybridge.

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

Tribute Cornwall & Devon League: Bodmin v Honiton; Bude v Hayle; Crediton v Falmouth; Pirates Amateurs v Paignton; Saltash v OPM; South Molton v Liskeard-Looe.

Tribute Cornwall One: Camborne SoM v Illogan Park; Roseland v Perranporth; Newquay Hornets v Stithians; Veor v Helston.

Tribute Cornwall Two: Camelford v Lanner; St Just v Redruth Albany.

* Tweet your scores: Every Saturday we are running a latest scores service on our website and on twitter and you can join in by tweeting your team's latest scores and put #cornwallscores at the end of your tweets.

* Follow us on Twitter: @SportCornwall

* Read more: For match reports, pictures and reaction from the top weekend action, pick up a copy of next week's Cornishman, Cornish Guardian and West Briton.

Hundreds of military personnel waved goodbye to Falmouth today as they headed to West Africa as part of Britain's mission to prevent the spread of the Ebola epidemic.

The crew numbers more then 300, of which 80 are medical staff who will deal with non-Ebola patients, which will take the pressure off the army field hospital in operation.

Her cargo is full of supplies as well as 55 vehicles, including landing crafts and force patrol vessels., plus 300 military personnel.

Escorting her out of the bay were RNAS Culdrose's three Merlin helicopters and crews from 820 Naval Air Squadron.

TRURO has triumphed with a fantastic floral flourish at this year's national Britain in Bloom finals.

After hundreds of hours spent digging, weeding, watering and pruning, the Truro In Bloom team, swapped their wellies for sharp suits and sophisticated gowns to join in the celebrations at the finals in Bristol last night.

And there was jubilation when Truro scooped the Gold and category winner in the Large Town section of the 50^th Britain In Bloom, run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

As the evening went on, there was more joy for the city, with an award in the Community Award category, and a nomination for the team's efforts at the tranquil retreat of Victoria Gardens.

There was also a big surprise for Truro City Council's parks manager, Richard Budge who was awarded the title of Community Champion along with ten other champions.

But Mr Budge, who has worked for the city council's parks department for nine years, nearly missed his moment, because he was busy on social media sharing the good news of their other wins.

He said: "I only realised when somebody said 'your name is on the screen'".

The humble parks manager explained the only reason he had won the award was because of the dedication of the Truro contingency involved in the competition.

"It gave me great delight and honour but what I do I do on behalf of the community and on behalf of the parks team and the council. I would like to dedicate this award to the Truro In Bloom committee and the parks department team because without their support I would not have achieved this personal award", said Mr Budge.

Truro only returned to the national finals in 2012, picking up a Gold award, following an absence in the competition of over 20 years.

Last night's win means they will now go on to compete in the finals of the Champions of Champions next year.

Bath is the only other competitor from the South West vying for the title out of six areas.

"We're really in the big boys league now", added Mr Budge.

Richard Argall, Truro In Bloom chairman, said: "The Truro In Bloom committee has so many keen, committed, proactive members and the thanks really goes to them for sparking off the community involvement, which is one of the main reasons for our success."

The chairman added that the secret to their success was "having both sides of the coin".

"Not only do we have the community involvement but we have also got the commitment of Richard Budge, whose horticultural displays are second to none, and his parks team", he said.

Praise was also heaped on Cory Environmental, for keep the streets clean and removing graffiti, all the school children, businesses and community groups as well as Cornwall Council.

RHS judges Jon Wheatley and Darren Share said Truro was a worthy winner.

'We were shown beautiful vibrant floral features, well-maintained parks and a community spirit that was infectious.

"Truro should be proud of their entry that is clearly benefiting all those who live, work and visit this Cornish town."

There are more than 3,900 Bloom groups throughout Britain and of these just 71 went through to the final.

A DECORATED war veteran and the man behind the transformation of Trebah Gardens in Mawnan Smith has died.

Major James Anthony 'Tony' Hibbert died at his family home on Sunday, aged 96.

"He was an energetic and charismatic man, who made a lasting impression on all who met him," said his daughter Gill Pipkin.

"He in many ways epitomised your war hero. He didn't necessarily follow orders, he was a bit of a maverick.

"He had a certain charisma and a way of getting people to do things and get things done."

During the Second World War he launched an astonishing escape from the Nazis, hidden by brave Dutch civilians.

And it was his actions later in the war, leading an 800-strong team of Commandos in capturing the key German port of Kiel that prevented it from falling into Russian hands.

He persuaded a large German garrison to surrender, along with military personnel in Denmark and Schleswig Holstein.

It led to him becoming the first Englishman to receive freedom of the German city – The Great Seal of Kiel, granted in 2010 for his bravery and diplomacy.

That, said his daughter, was his proudest moment and the time the family first heard about his time in the war.

"We knew virtually nothing of it growing up," she said. "I think in his twilight years it became important to him to remember and make amends for mistakes he made."

Major Hibbert also received a commendation from the British Chief of General Staff for his service at Kiel.

It was during training in the family wine and spirits merchant business that Major Hibbert first went to Germany in the Thirties.

"He became alarmed by the militarisation he saw around him," said Mrs Pipkin.

He returned to England and joined the Royal Military Academy and later joined the Royal Artillery.

After a stint defending the perimeter of Dunkirk, he joined Number 2 Parachute Commando, the foundation of the Parachute Regiment.

He served in North Africa and Italy, and was then sent to hold the bridge at Arnhem.

It was here after 48 hours of holding it, that the men got captured and were being transported to German prisoner of war camps.

During a stop, Major Hibbert and another officer jumped off. Although he escaped, his comrade was recaptured and six other prisoners shot in retaliation.

"This was a memory that haunted him throughout his life," said Mrs Pipkin.

He received the Military Cross in 1945 and was invalided out of the Army two years later.

After the war, Major Hibbert resumed his career with the by now flailing family business CG Hibberts and turned its fortunes around, earning him the Queen's Award for industry.

He set up a children's sailing club in Hampshire, where he lived at the time.

In 1981, after a move to Devon, Major Hibbert and his wife Eira decided to retire to the Helford River.

He discovered he had bought one of the original gardens created by the Fox family and so set about restoring Trebah.

After six years he decided to share it with the public and within three years visitor numbers reached 50,000.

The property was then donated to the Trebah Garden Trust to safeguard its future.

In 2006 Major Hibbert was appointed MBE for his contribution to tourism and sailing.

His wife of nearly 60 years died in 2009. The couple had four children and brought up their niece and nephew, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Major Hibbert also has one daughter from his first marriage.

A FORMER Redruth School pupil will lead the first all-female crew in a marathon voyage across the world's largest ocean in memory of a close friend who died of breast cancer.

Laura Penhaul, from Cambrose, near Redruth, visited her former school on Tuesday ahead of her 8,446-nautical mile trip across the Pacific Ocean next spring.

Lead physiotherapist for the Paralympics athletics team, Miss Penhaul, will be joined by Emma Mitchell, Natalia Cohen and Isabel Burnham in their 29ft pink rowing boat nicknamed 'Doris' on a journey which will last six months.

The women, calling themselves the Coxless Crew, hope to raise £250,000 to be split between Breast Cancer Care and Walking With The Wounded, a charity which helps women who have been injured in war.

Miss Penhaul said: "Through my job I have worked with a lot of people who have faced and overcome adverse situations and it has always made me think and inspired me to push myself to my

physical limits."

A keen marathon runner and triathlete, the 31-year-old will be rowing for her good friend, Rashid, who lost his wife, Patricia to an aggressive form of breast cancer last year.

She was diagnosed when she was three months' pregnant and the couple were told she would need radical surgery along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy which would not be suitable for their unborn child.

Surgeons were able to deliver their son, Yasin, eight weeks prematurely but despite treatment doctors found secondary cancer in her spine and brain and she died a few months later.

Miss Penhaul said: "If there was something we could do to bring Patricia back for Rashid, Yasin and their family, I would do it in a flash but, instead, the only way we can help is by keeping her memory and story alive.

"This row is not about us, it is about those women and families that have had to face and fight adversity but don't get a chance for their voice to be heard."

Depending on weather and sea conditions, the crew hopes to set off from Long Beach California in April.

They will work a 'two on, two off' system, rowing in pairs in two-hour shifts, getting no more than 45 minutes' continuous sleep at a time.

Miss Penhaul said: "The biggest challenge will be the mental aspect of the row. Physically you can prepare your body but the biggest training we are doing is psychological.

"We are all undergoing sessions with a sports psychologist to learn methods of coping with boredom and then how to snap yourself back into action when, say, a big wave comes along.

"That is one thing I like about being a crew of four – when one, two or even three of you are feeling down, you have the support of your other crew member to pick you up."