St John fears as numbers fall

An appeal for new members has gone out from St John Ambulance in Cornwall, amid fears that a dearth of volunteers may lead to the collapse of the organisation.

In l997 there were 389 adult St John members, but now there are only 250. There is concern that if numbers continue dropping rapidly within two years the group may not be able to function with those members remaining. For more information on St John call 01872 277867.

Lib Dem leader presents award

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was in Liskeard yesterday (Thursday) to present the directors of Liskeard waste management firm, Peake GB, with environmental standards award ISO 14001.

The presentation, to Martin and Russell Peake, took place at their Stoneybridge Park headquarters. Mr Kennedy was also asked to launch a new Objective One initiative for the county - at St Mellion. Finance South West has been founded by a number of organisations to use matched Euro and private sector money to offer loans and venture capital to Cornwall's small businesses.

Moorland inn is tops for real ale

The Campaign for Real Ale has selected the Blisland Inn, on Bodmin Moor, as their Cornish pub of the year.

The pub's licensees, Gary and Margaret Marshall, have kept over l,000 different real ales during their five years at the pub. Their l,000th ale stocked was celebrated with a beer created by the Ventonwyn Brewery, Grampound Road.

Hitch in work at the Hall

A hiccup in awaiting the go-ahead from English Nature - for renovation work to Liskeard's Forester's Hall - means workmen may not move on to the site until April.

Contractors were due to start work on the grade two listed building early this week. The hall, dating from the l830s and next to Webb's Hotel, is due to house the town's museum, and will also be an information centre. The restoration will begin when plans are agreed at a site visit. The project is due to cost around £497,500.

Enough to save 72 trees

A review has been carried out into the type and quantity of general office waste discarded at Caradon council's Luxstowe House - and has highlighted the fact that if 31 per cent of it was recycled it would save 72 trees per year.

It was felt magazines, leaflets and newspapers could be recycled, and nine per cent of the waste was organic and compostible - but non-recyclable waste included paper ream wrappers, OHP transparencies, ring binders and plastic packaging.

Blue beetle unearthed

A new site has been uncovered of the rare blue ground beetle - on the edges of Bodmin Moor.