Ben returns
from Brunei
BEN Rowswell from Liskeard has just returned from a three month Raleigh International expedition in Brunei Darussalam.
Ben was one of 60 young volunteers and 30 volunteer staff from l8 different countries on the expedition, organised by the Inchcape Initiative, whose patron is footballer Gary Lineker. Together they worked on six environment, community and adventure projects based in remotest parts of Brunei.
Environmental projects in the country included building an 81 metre suspension footbridge across the Temburong river, linking its outward bound centre with the national park.
This will now enable people to cross the river safely and gain direct access to dense rainforest.
During the scheme the volunteers met the Earl and Countess of Wessex who visited the project to see it under construction.
Cats' Protection
THE Callington Cats Protection branch is holding a fundraising sale at the Long Room, Liskeard, tomorrow (Saturday) February 3, from 9am-1pm. Admission is free but donations of cat food will be welcome.
There will be a variety of stalls including new goods, bric a brac, books and crafts and there will be refreshments. The next sale will be on Saturday, March 3. Helpers are required.
For more information contact Val Taylor on 01579 363192.
Rising membership
for the Chamber
THERE are now 140 members of Liskeard's Chamber of Commerce, with more businesses hopefully to be recruited this year.
That was one of many positive items relayed to members at their annual meeting on January 22. Chairman Roger Terry highlighted achievements for the year 2000, including the opening of two websites designed and managed by member Rob Elford; publication of a Liskeard Shoppers Guide; maintaining objections to a planning application by Lidl UK Ltd for an out-of-town supermarket which was refused; buying further Christmas lights for the town centre; and submitting evidence to and attending the Safeway planning appeal.
Mr Terry congratulated the Forum on their winning bid to host the Market Town convention on September 21-22 this year, and pledged the Chamber's support.
It was recognised that after seven years of service, which included being chairman of the Forum for three years, Bernard Wooster stood down as Forum representative for the Chamber.
It was agreed that, with increased membership, a trial period be brought in during which agendas, minutes and urgent messages will be sent by e-mail to members able to receive them.
Secretary, Jane Pascoe, also highlighted the need for members to address wider issues important to the sustainability of Liskeard, and therefore the survival of local businesses.
Mr Terry was re-elected chairman and Mrs Pascoe as secretary and press representative. Other officers are: Vice chairman and events David Hambly; Assistant secretary Sue Glencross; Minutes secretary and Forum representative Robert Muchmore; Treasurer Margaret Lock; Forum representative Ian Ritchie; Economic regeneration Graham Parker; Objective l Roger Mullins; Recruitment/PR Rob Elford, Graham Parker. The two websites are http://www.Liskeard.com">www.Liskeard.com and http://www.liskeard-chamber-of-commerce.co.uk">www.liskeard-chamber-of-commerce.co.uk
Reunion
dinner
A REUNION dinner is to be held on May 12 this year for former pupils of Liskeard Grammar School who started at the school in September l955.
Among the organisers are Liz Harding (nee Tamblin) of 16 Weycroft Close, Exeter (tel 01392 437228) and Peter Jay of 6 The Lennards, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucester (tel 01285 860641).
Signed
worship
FAMILY worship at Liskeard's St Martin's church will be signed for the deaf and hearing communities in the town on March 11.
The Rev Debbie Harvey will be attending the 9.30am service.
A Beetle drive is to be held in the church hall today (Friday), the charge being £2 per person and £5 per family if cheaper. All proceeds will be for the Missions Fund.
Dental
passes
NIKKI Alford and Sharon Aram of the Smile Centre in Liskeard have passed their National Examination Board dental nursing examinations.
Linda Coles and Claire Hoskin, also of the Centre, have successfully completed a course at Bristol Dental Hospital and passed their dental nurses' radiography course.
Call for drivers to
leave the ranks free
TAXI drivers in Liskeard are calling for restrictions to be enforced on the town's rejuvenated Parade, which would ensure taxi ranks are solely for the use of taxis, and the bus stops for buses.
They maintained that at all times during the day the taxi ranks and bus stops are used by private drivers for parking - denying access to those who rely on them to be free for the pick-up of customers or passengers.
As a result the taxi drivers say they are frequently forced to drive around the town seeking somewhere to pull in.
One explained: 'People sit in their cars and eat fish and chips in the taxi rank and bus stops. That's not what they are there for. We pay a lot of money to keep a taxi on the road, and the bus companies do to for their vehicles, so we urge people to leave the taxi ranks, the bus stops, and the pick-up point at Safeway free.'
He added: 'Perhaps the police could help us by moving these people on, or if not by writing out a few parking tickets.'