Firefighters raced to an address on Western Terrace in Falmouth last night after reports that a smoke alarm was sounding, and a smell of burning was coming from inside.
The crew arrived just before 9pm and forced their way into the building.
They discovered that a pan had caught alight in the kitchen after being left on the hob.
Fortunately, the fire was out on the crews arrival.
PARTS of Redruth have been left without power this morning due to an underground cable fault and problems with overhead lines.
It has been reported that as many as 1,500 homes are experiencing low voltage and Western Power Distribution has urged homeowners to unplug sensitive equipment.
The power issues have also affected street lights at Bond Street Junction.
Western Power Distribution has said they expect the problem to be resolved by 11:30am.
UPDATE 10:08: Western Power has confirmed that power has been restored for all homes and they will be excavating the affected area to carry out repairs.
CRICKETERS in Mount Ambrose will soon be able to change in state-of-the-art facilities after the club secured further grants to fund a new community and sports pavilion.
Mount Ambrose Cricket Club has recently been awarded a grant of £53,700 from The England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT).
The club has already received grants from Sport England (£50,000), SITA Cornwall Trust (£30,000), Cory Environmental Trust (£6,975), Redruth Town Council (£2,000), Viridor Credits (£9,800), Rowe Estates (35,000) and the Cornwall Councillor Grant Fund (£1,500).
The total project cost for the pavilion is expected to be around £160,000 and will see the new building replace an old holiday chalet which has been used as a pavilion for over 30 years.
The chalet will be demolished on completion of the new pavilion to improve access and parking.
Club secretary Marcus Rogers, who has been responsible for the grant applications, is ecstatic with the news.
"We are delighted with the grants and they have enabled us to have the opportunity to transform and greatly upgrade our changing facilities.
"We have been able to reduce the capital cost of the project through our club members and supporters who have provided voluntary support with labour and material costs. Some items have been supplied discounted and some without cost – in fact the whole project has been a wonderful team effort and we are very grateful to everyone who has contributed in any way.
The second phase of our development saw the purchase of an adjoining field to accommodate junior teams and recreational activities and was funded by members and supporters. A further grant from Sport England has been provisionally offered to fund levelling and improve drainage.
The new pavilion is being built to England Cricket Board's specifications and will have two large changing rooms with showers and toilets, an umpires' room, changing room for women and girls, a large social area and bar, toilets for the spectators, store room, kitchen, and facilities for use by people with disabilities. There is an outside veranda around the pavilion.
EWCT trustee, Brian Havill, said: "Mount Ambrose Cricket Club deserves support because of their junior development programme. Investing in worthy projects such as this one allows cricket clubs to make their facilities as accessible as possible to members, players and spectators."
The club is hoping to complete the build in time for the new season in April.
A SINGLE tweet from Dragon's Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has help boost a Helston company.
Mr Paphitis sent on a 'pitch' from Online Baby Centre – composed in less than 140 characters of course – to his more than 460,000 followers on the social media site.
It meant a boost in interest for owners Rachel and Tristan Allerton, who have a showroom at Water-ma-Trout in Helston.
Mr Paphitis singled out the company on a session he runs on Sundays, where businesses are encouraged to tweet about their work using the hashtag #SBS.
Mrs Allerton said: "We're delighted that Theo chose us to be one of his winners – it's great recognition for the hard work we've put in to this business since starting it from our kitchen table with two small children and expanding the business to Water-Ma-Trout.
"We're continually introducing new brands and making our business stand out from the crowd. We're thrilled that Theo has helped us to spread the word to his followers."
She said as a result of his re-tweet, the business www.onlinebabycentre.co.uk received more than 200 new Twitter followers and an increase in visitors to the website overnight.
They are also profiled on the website www.theopaphitissbs.com.
The major redevelopment of a busy junction in Falmouth is set to start next week.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays when works to reconfigure the Union Corner junction, opposite Falmouth School, begin on Monday.
The £2.3m project, due to be completed in July 2015, aims to increase the capacity at the junction and improve safety.
Works, which will be carried out by CORMAC, will include the replacement of the double mini roundabouts which link Union Road, Trescobeas Road, Bickland Hill, and Kergilliack Road with a single roundabout and a new link road to Trecobeas Road.
The project will also involve upgrades to the existing pedestrian footpaths and cycle ways, improvements to drainage systems and the installation of new signs and energy efficient lighting.
Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport said: "This upgrade is a much needed improvement for Falmouth which will enhance the pedestrian experience as well as improving traffic flow. With the need to keep things moving as much as possible it's a complex scheme.
"CORMAC is an experienced contractor and will work well with the surrounding community to ensure safety, ease of access and as clean an environment as possible during the works."
CORMAC has said it will be working with partners to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure that local residents, businesses and schools are kept fully informed during the construction period.
Traffic management plans are being developed to minimise potential delays to deliveries, traffic and parking.
Cormac site manager Ian Newby said: "We recognise that the scale of these works will inevitably cause some disruption at peak periods and we will working hard to minimise the impact on local people and businesses.
"We would like to thank everyone for their patience during this time."
Funding for the works has come from a range of partners, including £1,559million from the Government's Local Pinch Point Fund and Cornwall Council's Local Transport Plan.
Aiming to bounce back from their defeat at Moseley last Saturday, the Cornish Pirates face Doncaster Knights at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (3pm) keen to perform in the manner which saw them beat high-flying Bristol in their last home match.
The visiting Knights, currently 11th in the Greene King IPA Championship, will pose a real threat, however. For them, a relegation dogfight looks likely, but their cause was certainly helped by last weekend's 29-16 home victory over Yorkshire Carnegie. It will also be remembered that even though the Pirates won 24-22 at Castle Park in October, they then lost home and away meetings against the Knights in the British & Irish Cup.
Maintaining discipline on Sunday will also be a must for the Pirates, as in Dougie Flockhart, the Knights have the Championship's top points scorer this season. Currently on 160, he is 19 points clear of second-placed Kieran Hallett of the Cornish Pirates.
Following his LV=Cup appearance for Exeter Chiefs against Saracens last Sunday, Max Bodilly returns to the starting line-up for the Pirates at full-back, with Matt Evans moving to the wing. Two forwards who were returning from injury and made appearances off the bench last week, Alan Paver and Alex Cheesman, are selected at tight-head prop and No. 8 respectively.
Meanwhile, inside centre Bevon Armitage replaces the injured Andy Bulumakau as the Knights' only change from the XV that beat Yorkshire Carnegie.
Armitage starts inside Mat Clark with Tongan international pairing Tomasi Palu and Ume Fosita linking up in the halfbacks. Outside, Paul Jarvis starts at full back with Dougie Flockhart and Tyson Lewis on the wings, the trio have touched down for a combined total of six tries versus the Pirates so far in League and Cup competition.
Up front, the pack remains unchanged for a third week in a row. Forward cover comes courtesy of Tom Davies, who made a successful return from injury last weekend, Vili Veikoso, WillGriff John, Latu Makaafi and Ollie Steadman. 23-year-old back-row Steadman joins the Knights on-loan from London Welsh where he has scored five tries in 22 league appearances.
Brad Field has recovered from an injury sustained versus Bedford last month to take his place on the bench alongside fly half Piers Francis.
Cornish Pirates' Director of Rugby Ian Davies said: "This is the fourth time we will be playing Doncaster this season, with Donny currently 2-1 ahead.
"Having learnt through bitter defeat that Doncaster will play and battle from the first whistle to the last, we need to match that mindset on Sunday, but it is something we have struggled to do all season. We are though determined to rectify this in our remaining matches, starting this weekend."
Player-coach Alan Paver added: "They (Doncaster) are a funny old side. You look at them and they seem like a very strong, cohesive side in defence and attack.
"They have got some good players and keep the same side week in and week out – it makes you ask the question: how have they lost as many games as they have?
"Maybe it is down to a little bit of bad luck at times and maybe it is because they are using the same players week in and week out. At some point, they are going to really catch a team, so we have to make sure it isn't us at the weekend."
The Pirates follow up their Sunday fixture against the Knights with a Friday night clash away to Nottingham. Then, they have a 16-day wait before their next game at home to Rotherham Titans.
"It isn't straight forward," admitted Paver. "We would love to go Saturday to Saturday but that isn't the case.
"We have got a long week and then a short week, and that can be a little disruptive, but we have developed ways around that over the last couple of years."
Cornish Pirates: 15 Max Bodilly,14 Matt Evans, 13 Tom Hendrickson, 12 Alex Dancer, 11 Craig Holland, 10 Kieran Hallett, 9 Tom Kessell; 1 Kieran Davies, 2 Tom Channon, 3 Alan Paver, 4 Will Graulich, 5 Darren Barry, 6. Chris Morgan (capt), 7. Joe Atkinson, 8 Alex Cheesman. Replacements: 16. Jack Innard, 17 Marlen Walker, 18 Will Carrick Smith, 19 Joel Conlon, 20 Mike Pope, 21 Rheon James, 22 Bertie Hopkin.
Doncaster Knights: 15 Paul Jarvis, 14 Dougie Flockhart, 13 Mat Clark, 12 Bevon Armitage, 11 Tyson Lewis, 10 Ume Fosita, 9 Tomasi Palu, 1 Richard List, 2 Ben Hunter, 3 Colin Quigley, 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Jon Phelan, 6 Matt Challinor, 7 Michael Hills (c), 8 Alex Shaw. Replacements: 16 Tom Davies, 17 Vili Veikoso, 18 Ollie Steadman, 19 Will Griff John, 20 Latu Makaafi, 21 Piers Francis, 22 Brad Field.
Referee: Dean Richards (RFU).
Assistants: Darryl W. Chapman & Brian Ravenhill.
Fourth Official: James Sullivan.
* Tickets for Sunday's game will be available at the gates (open at 1pm), but they can also be purchased in advance – for further information please visit www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets
DARIUS RUPSYS, 26, of Trewarveneth Street, Newlyn, Penzance, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 4 of driving without due care and attention on October 10 and was fined £250. He also admitted speeding.
KYLE RACE-BROOK, 18, of Alverton Street, Penzance, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare at Truro on July 19 and fined £400 and told to pay compensation of £10.20.
JOHN MALCOLM, 65, of Laburnum Close, Falmouth, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 4 of having illegal tyres on a Landrover Freelander at Falmouth on October 1 and having no insurance and was fined £140 and disqualified from driving for 56 days.
JASON PETER MITCHELL, 26, of Chancery Close, St Erme, Truro, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court on January 28 to drink driving at Truro on November 29 and was fined £200 and banned from driving for a year.
SCOTT DAVIS, 32, of Parc an Tansys, Camborne, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on January 28 of failing to give information to the police on July 22 in Devon and was fined £600 and banned from driving for six months.
SAMUEL BUTCHER, 24, of Agar Road, Illogan Highway, Redruth, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court on January 28 to drink driving at Portreath on December 11 and was put under curfew for 10 weeks and banned from driving for 24 months.
NATHAN KAI FLOWER, 21, of St Clements Close, Truro, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare at Truro on August 28 and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £8.60.
AIDAN CALLUM HOLE, 18, of North Pool Close, Illogan Highway, Redruth, pleaded not guilty but was convicted at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of attempting to travel on the railway without paying a fare and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £4.90.
DANE STOKES, 23, of Hayle Terrace, Hayle, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £16.20.
TERRY USHER, 28, of Gyllyng Flats, Falmouth, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £3.90
ANTHONY DOHERTY, 27, of East Street, Newquay, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 2 to four offences of assaulting Fiona Maxwell at Newquay on dates in January 30 and was sent to prison for three months.
RACHEL HODGES, 43, of Berkeley Vale, Falmouth, entered guilty pleas to offences of possessing drugs at Falmouth in July and was conditionally discharged for 18 months
RICHARD MCMILLAN, 31, of Henver Road, Newquay, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 2 to failing to provide a specimen of blood for testing at Truro on September 27 and was fined £350 and banned from driving for 18 months. He also admitted driving without due care and attention and was fined £200.
CHARLENE ELLIS, 25, of Highfield Avenue, St Austell, was convicted in her absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare at St Austell on August 5 and was fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £9.90.
RICHARD KNIGHT, 27, of Hendra Park, Liskeard, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying a fare at Par on August 8 and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £31.50.
REBELLA NEILL, 21, of Hendra Park, Liskeard, was convicted in her absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying a fare at Par on August 8 and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £31.50.
JOHN ALAN YARDLEY, 50, of Trenance Road, St Austell, was convicted in his absence at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 3 of travelling on the railway without paying the fare and fined £400 and has to pay compensation of £1.80.
ZAK HOWSE, 23, of Market Hill, St Austell, entered a guilty plea at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 2 to criminal damage and assaulting a police sergeant and was given a three month prison sentence suspended for a year.
GRANT WAYNE ROCKALL, 47, of Park Gwyn, St Stephen, St Austell, was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 2. The order was made for 28 days for the protection of Joanna Mcginty.
PAUL GARFIELD WELSH, 35, of St Stephens Road, Saltash, entered a plea of guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court on February 2 to possessing a class B drug at Truro on December 1 and was conditionally discharged for 18 months.
IT'S been a long time since David Bowie played in Cornwall – Christmas 1968 to be exact – and it's unlikely he'll pay us a return visit.
The next best thing is Bowie Night at Heartlands, Pool, on Friday, November 27.
WYM, the team behind the very successful Live at Heartlands festival last September, have established a new indoor music venue at Heartlands – Mrs Robinson's.
Housed inside the converted engine house, Mrs Robinson's will be offering live music and an exciting new place to enjoy established artists and local rising stars, with a well-stocked bar and a brilliant atmosphere to keep you dancing all night.
To kick things off, they will be hosting a night to celebrate David Bowie, with internationally acclaimed tribute act The David Bowie Experience headlining, guest DJ and other Bowie-influenced local artists.
The bar will be offering themed drinks and cocktails and there will be a bottle of champagne awarded to the best Bowie-inspired outfit of the night.
Tickets are £6 including a free drink, and are available from the following link – http://buytickets.at/warneryoungmanagement/22643
FOOTBALL
Friday:
CORNWALL SENIOR CUP, quarter-final: Liskeard Ath 1 St Austell 5.
Saturday:
EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN, Premier Division (3pm): Banbury Utd v Truro City.
CARLSBERG SW PENINSULA LEAGUE
Premier Division (3pm): Bovey Tracey v Saltash Utd; Elburton Villa v Newquay; Exmouth Tn v Bodmin Tn; Plymouth Parkway v Cullompton Rgs; Stoke Gabriel v Camelford; Torpoint Ath v Falmouth Town.
Division One West (3pm): Millbrook v Illogan RBL; Mousehole v Vospers Oak Villa; Penryn Ath v Bude Town; Penzance v Wadebridge Town; Porthleven v Sticker.
CORNWALL SENIOR CUP, quarter-finals (2pm): Dobwalls v St Blazey; Godolphin Atlantic v Launceston; Wendron Utd v Callington.
CORNISH GUARDIAN ECPL
Premier Division (2.30pm): Bere Alston Utd v Edgcumbe; Fowey Utd v Tavistock; Morwenstow v Torpoint Ath; Plymstock Utd v St Teath; St Dominick v Elburton Villa.
cornishguardian.co.uk Division One (2.30pm): Bodmin Tn v Camelford; Bude Tn v Nanpean Rov; Holsworthy v Mevagissey; Probus v Lanreath; Roche v St Stephens Borough; St Austell v St Blazey; Wadebridge Tn v Pensilva.
JOLLY'S CORNWALL COMBINATION LEAGUE (2.30pm): Falmouth Tn v Goonhavern Ath; Helston Ath v Penryn Ath; Illogan RBL v St Just; Redruth Utd v Newquay; St Agnes v Porthleven; St Day v Ludgvan; Troon v Hayle.
JJ JONES BUILDERS DUCHY LEAGUE (2.30pm):
Premier Division: North Petherwin v Lamerton; Pelynt v St Stephen; Saltash Utd v St Dominick; St Columb Major v Looe Tn; St Newlyn East v Torpoint Ath.
Division One: Foxhole Stars v Godolphin Atlantic; Premier Sixes v Grampound; St Mawgan v Altarnun; St Minver v LC Phoenix.
Division Two: Calstock v Gunnislake; Holywell/Cubert Ath v St Neot; North Hill v Callington Tn; St Dennis v Gerrans & St Mawes Utd.
Division Three: Queens Rangers v Grampound; St Cleer v Tintagel; St Stephen v North Petherwin; Tregony v Gorran.
Division Four: Mevagissey v Pelynt; Rame Peninsula v Godolphin Atlantic (2pm); Southgate v St Minver; Tregrehan Mills v St Merryn; Wadebridge Tn v Delabole Utd.
Division Five: Pensilva v St Newlyn East; Real Saltash v St Mawgan (4.30); St Teath v Saltash Utd; Week St Mary v Boscastle.
KMD Developments Cup (2pm): Padstow Utd v Biscovey; Sticker v Lostwithiel.
Bodmin Sports Trophies League Cup (2pm): Boscastle v Kilkhampton; Lifton v Veryan; Stoke Climsland v Lanreath.
WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE (2.30pm):
Premier Division: Chacewater v Gwinear Churchtown; Mawnan v St Day; St Keverne v Holman SC; Threemilestone v St Buryan.
Division One: Camborne SoM v Halsetown; Hayle v Praze-an-Beeble; Lizard Argyle v Stithians; Newlyn Non-Ath v Trevenson Utd; Rosudgeon v St Ives Tn; St Agnes v Wendron Utd.
Division Two: Goonhavern Ath v St Just; Mullion v Chacewater; Pendeen Rovers v v Trispen; Sennen v Frogpool & Cusgarne; St Buryan v Penryn Ath; Storm v Illogan RBL
Division Three: Four Lanes v West Cornwall; Marazion Blues v Cury; Newquay v Lanner; St Agnes v Holmans; St Day v Camborne Park; Wendron Utd v Mawnan.
Division Four: Carharrack v Praze-an-Beeble; Falmouth Tn v Newlyn Non-Ath; Frogpool & Cusgarne v Mabe; Gwinear Churchtown v Lizard Argyle; Ludgvan v Penwith Exiles; Troon v St Ives Mariners.
Division Five: Falmouth DC v Railway Locomotiv; Madron v Newbridge Ath; Probus v Storm; St Erme v Newquay; Stithians v Camborne Ath; Trevenson Utd v Mabe.
Percy Stephens Cup, second round (2pm with extra-time and pens): Carharrack v West Cornwall.
RUGBY
Saturday:
National League Two South (2.30pm): Redruth v Worthing; Southend Saxons v Cornish All Blacks.
Tribute Western Counties West: Penryn v Tiverton.
Tribute Cornwall & Devon League: Liskeard-Looe v South Molton; Pirates Amateurs v OPMs (2.30).
Tribute Cornwall One: Stithians v Newquay Hornets.
Sunday:
Greene King IPA Championship (3pm): Cornish Pirates v Doncaster Knights.
* 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.
CAT OWNERS in Beacon have been urged to keep a close eye on their pets after several animals met their deaths after drinking what appeared to be poisoned milk.
Betty and Ernie Rowe, who live on Tolcarne Road, lost five-year-old cat Perry and want to warn other cat owners in the area to prevent any further deaths.
"We are sure that Perry was poisoned and suspect that he drank milk laced with antifreeze that had been left out deliberately. Three cats have now died in similar circumstances and the situation is getting serious.
"Perry never went out much and on the day he died, we had gone to Newquay and when we arrived home we fed him and let him out.
"He was only out for half an hour and when he came back in he was bringing up milky sick and was clearly in a lot of discomfort.
"We rushed him to the vets but unfortunately it was too late and we want to tell anybody who owns a cat to be particularly careful to prevent any further deaths."
Another Tolcarne Road resident, Amy Vollbracht, was left devastated when her young cats died between February 6 and 8. Ms Vollbracht has now lost three cats in eight months after another of her pets was poisoned last year.
"On the same weekend Bladey and Guiness both came in and had trouble walking and it is absolutely devastating that this has happened.
"Bladey was 18 months old and Guiness 10 months and it is clear that someone around here has it in for cats and is doing this deliberately."
Vets told Ms Vollbracht that both her pets had died as a result of acute kidney failure and she is now left with just one cat who she is scared to let outside.
An RSPCA spokesman said: "The RSPCA received a call on February 9 to report an alleged antifreeze poisoning in Beacon. A local vet confirmed that a cat taken to them had been put to sleep on suspicion of antifreeze poisoning.
"The RSPCA is deeply concerned about and extremely saddened by any spate of suspected antifreeze poisonings of cats.
"If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned you must take it to a vet immediately. If possible, you should take a sample of what the cat has eaten or drunk, or the container.
"However, if anyone has any evidence to support allegations that someone is deliberately poisoning these well-loved pets then I would urge them to contact the RSPCA's national cruelty line on 0300 1234 999."
Devon and Cornwall Police is also looking into the deaths and anybody with information is asked to contact by 101 quoting police reference CR/009879/15
FRIDAY: If you fancy starting the weekend with an emotional and powerful piece of drama, then head to the Burrell Theatre in Truro for Cube Theatre's After The Accident - looking at restorative justice after a child is killed by a joyrider.
FRIDAY: For something a bit lighter, at the opposite end of the spectrum you can find Jethro at Falmouth's Princess Pavilion.
FRIDAY: The Poly in Falmouth hosts The Ugly Sisters - a family-friendly, humorous take on the Cinderalla story devised by Bec Applebee and Simon Harvey - before it heads off around the county.
SATURDAY: If you're a bit prudish, you could head to B&Q for a monochrome colour palette and a bit of weekend redecorating. Otherwise, see what all the fuss is all about with the film version of 50 Shades Of Grey at cinemas and take your beloved for a Valentine's treat.
SATURDAY: If you've been spending most your life living in a gangsta's paradise, head to the Watering Hole at Perranporth and relate to Coolio's music and lyrics.
SATURDAY: Roots warriors Wille and the Bandits play live at Princess Pavilion, covering a wide range of genres, from rock to world music, to blues and roots.
SATURDAY: Help support the Fishermen's Mission when you dine out at The Watch House in St Mawes on Valentine's Day, with a £5 donation going to the charity for every meal ordered.
SATURDAY: Newquay's new Pirate's Quest attraction opens, with Captain Calico Jack to guide you through the mystical caves and murky streets of 18th century Cornwall.
SUNDAY: Take a loved one for a flight over the biomes at the Eden Project. Hold hands as you take to the skies on the SkyWire - England's longest zip wire.
SUNDAY: St Mawgan in Meneage's daffodil festival will have around 6,000 flowers in the 12th century church, with music from local musicians and an exhibition of themed photographs, paintings and embroidery.
A SERIOUS accident has closed the A39 at Perranarworthal near Truro.
Emergency services were called at 11.35am after a car left the road at Barras Moor on the Truro-bound section of the A39 and hit a tree.
A male driver sustained serious injuries.
The road has been closed for more than an hour and a half in both directions and it is expected to be shut for some time.
The Highways Agency is also at the scene and traffic is being diverted.
A VIOLIN worth a million pounds will be played as part of a Valentine's Day concert by Cornish Sinfonia in Truro.
Sotherby's has loaned the Guadagnini instrument to soloist Jonathan Hill for the ensemble's return to Hall For Cornwall for an evening of romantic, classical and light music compered by Dean Nolan.
The evening will appeal to all romantics on Saturday, featuring poetry and prose to set the mood for music from Mozart & Puccini to Noel Coward and Ivor Novello. The night will include the world premiere of a new piece by Oliver Davis. Oliver has written a number of classical pieces but he is also a prolific composer of music for television and film.
Also appearing is Suzanne Manuell, who has recently appeared with Devon Opera and was understudy for the leading roles in the English National opera.
Paul Comeau will perform The Cornish Rhapsody from the wartime film of Love Story, together with the Andante from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 often known as Elvira Madigan.
Tickets available from the box office on 01872 262466 priced from £13 to £22 (concessions available).
TWO rogue builders who swindled elderly and vulnerable people out of tens of thousands of pounds have been jailed at Truro Crown Court today.
Johnny Jones, 48, and Nelson Richards, 51, both of Boscarn Park, Tregajorran, near Redruth pleaded guilty to a number of charges and were told by Judge Simon Carr that they charged people inflated sums for work that was either not done, or completed to a shoddy standard.
The court heard that Jones made a financial benefit of £45,550 from the work and Richards £58,020 and that Judge Carr "could not ignore the fact that 90% of the victims had been elderly".
When sentencing Jones, Judge Carr said that he accepted that he was a genuine builder.
"People like you and Mr Richards prey on the elderly, but I accept that you did not set up your business with the intention of committing fraud.
"However, there were a number of occasions where you came into contact with the elderly and saw them as easy targets and took the chance to defraud them."
Judge Carr added that the victims aged up to 89 and many of whom had modest incomes and paid for work which was not done or completed to an inadequate standard.
Some of the victims were also verbally threatened when they challenged the work. On one occasion Richards marched a victim to a cashpoint to withdraw money.
Both men had previous convictions from fraud and Richards was not in court having been recalled to prison in 2012 following being released on licence.
Sentencing Richards, Judge Carr said: "Deliberately targeting people is your occupation and you had no intention to be a genuine builder.
"You were released after a conviction, but within weeks had committed identical offences."
Rosemary Horne, whose mother Phyllis White, 86, was targeted by the men, said that her mother was left traumatised by the ordeal.
"She has always been an astute lady and she couldn't believe what had happened and was bewildered she was caught out.
"It was a frightening experience for her because she felt trapped and was the victim of the forceful approach of the men.
"My mother will be delighted with the sentence."
Jones was sentenced to a total of three and a half years, with Judge Carr activating six months of a suspended sentence and Richards for five years.
A WOMAN born during the First World War had her hair permed for the first time – to mark her 100th birthday.
Kathleen 'Phyllis' Rice is proof that you are never too old to try out new things. And she celebrated her milestone dressed to dazzle, with a new hairdo and surrounded by 20 family and friends – including her son and daughter, three grandsons and a cousin – at the Mount Pleasant Care Home in St Agnes.
Her great-grandchildren, two of whom live in Liverpool, sent their birthday wishes by video messaging their 'Nanny Ricicle' on a mobile phone.
Her two other great-grandchildren met up with her later in the week.
Her daughter, Leah Sherman, said: "Mum got really dressed up for the day and the day before she had her hair permed. She had never had a perm in her life.
"She was thrilled with her card from the Queen and turned round and cheekily said, 'she's not bad looking is she for her age'."
Phyllis was an only child born in Falmouth.
At the age of 15 she went into service at the house of a gentleman called Mr Greenwood and in 1936, when she was 21, married her first husband, William Norman Dunstan, and they moved to Lanner. They had two children, Norman, born in 1941, and Leah two years later.
She was widowed at the age of 40 but married Tom Rice in 1962, the year her daughter married her husband, Mike.
Phyllis and Tom moved to Devon and the accomplished seamstress swapped her needles for bowls, making it to the county triples quarter-finals at Royal Leamington Spa.
Leah said her mum continued to play the sport until she was 90.
After Tom's death, Phyllis acquired a new partner, Vic Radmore, and they travelled to The Bahamas, as well as holidaying in Yugoslavia with another friend and joining Leah and Mike for a trip to Spain.
"I remember mum phoning me to ask about filling in a form for a passport," said Leah. "She was 79 at the time and had never had a passport before."
Phyllis moved back to Cornwall 11 years ago and lived just a few doors down from her daughter until last August.
She said she did know what the secret was to her long life, adding: "I have done everything I have wanted to do, I have worked hard and enjoyed life in equal parts.
"Life is very different today than it was when I was younger. We didn't have electric lights, heating or technology; all things that make living more comfortable."
With Valentine's Day - the first celebratory weekend of 2015 - just around the corner, TV Licensing is appealing to hotels and guest houses across Cornwall to make sure they are correctly licensed.
Whether the establishment is a budget hotel, a boutique B&B, luxury spa resort or serviced apartments, a licence is needed if guests or staff are watching TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV.
For many smaller hotels and guesthouses, the cost of a TV Licence is the same as for a private house - £145.50 a year. This is the same for those using websites such as Airbnb to let out their property or spare room. Hotels with more than 15 rooms are covered by one licence for the first 15 rooms, but will need an additional licence for every five thereafter.
Richard Chapman, spokesperson for TV Licensing South West said: "Industry stats show there are around 85,000 rooms in the South West ready for guests looking to get away this Valentine's Day. As well as stocking up and getting front of house ready for the big getaway, hotel managers can take the opportunity to speak to our friendly team of advisors and get their licence organised for the year ahead."
Peter Ducker, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added: "Offering guests access to high-quality TV is a big draw for the UK's wide range of hotels and guesthouses. Allowing small hotels and guesthouses to pay the same amount for this service as a private household represents very good value for money. Any proprietors who are unsure of their licensing requirements should contact TV Licensing and ensure they are compliant with the law."
Buying a licence is easy, and hoteliers can pay using BACS or electronic transfer. For more information about TV Licensing requirements for hotels and accommodation providers, call the TV Licensing businesses team on 0300 790 6124 or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/info.
A MAN in his twenties from Falmouth has died after his car careered off the road and hit a tree.
Devon and Cornwall Police have not named the man killed in the accident this morning.
Emergency services were called at 11.35am to Perranarworthal.
The BMW had come off the road and hit a tree.
Police have now confirmed that the driver died at the scene.
His family has been informed.
The Truro-bound carriageway of the A39 remains closed while officers from the Force Serious Collisions Investigation Unit carry out a forensic examination of the scene.
Diversions are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police on 101 or email101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.ukquoting log number 273 of 13/02/15.
Drivers are experiencing long delays after a fatal car crash on the A39 Perranarworthal which killed a Falmouth man earlier today.
The unnamed man,in his twenties, was killed after the BMW he was driving came off the road and hit a tree at 11.35am.
His family has been informed.
The Truro-bound carriageway of the A39 remains closed while officers from the Force's Serious Collisions Investigation Unit carry out a forensic examination of the scene.
Diversions are in place but commuters are being warned they should expect massive delays to their journey or tryand findto avoid the area entirely.
One driver said: "There are huge tailbacks on School Hill, which seems to be the only way back to Falmouth.
"We've only moved a few yards in the last 45 minutes."
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police on 101 or email101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.ukquoting log number 273 of 13/02/15.
