THIS week’s new edition of the Cornish Times leads in Looe, where suggestions put forward for pedestrianising the town centre have caused dismay. The Town Council says it’s consulting with residents and traders as it plans for keeping the narrow shopping streets safe this summer – but business owners say they want to stop filling in surveys and have a meeting where they can share their views.
Meanwhile in Liskeard, plans to use part of the former Cattle Market as an open space for events and markets are taking shape, and we speak to people in the hospitality trade about their feelings on re-opening to visitors this weekend.
A warning has come on the dire finances of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry and the impact this could have on the service for regular users of the crossings in South East Cornwall. There may be a glimmer of progress towards the permanent Government subsidy for the bridge that has been called for for years – but in the meantime toll rises are a likely prospect.
Do Cornwall Councillors work together enough to solve the county’s problems and take it forward? Or are the groups too involved in trying to get a political agenda across? Elections for Cornwall Council’s reduced number of seats are approaching (they’re happening next May). A long-standing Council member who believes members should represent their communities, rather than any political party, tells of the increased levels of political in-fighting he’s observed.
In our Sports section this week, find out how a talented first Argyle team goalkeeper has made a move across the Tamar to Saltash. There’s news from Looe Town FC who are feeling optimistic after their bumpy start to last season took a definite turn for the better – and editor Nigel Walrond puts the spotlight on the last season for Dobwalls FC. Moving to Angling, we take a look at what’s on offer at Siblyback and some of the other lakes managed by the South West Lakes Trust in the area.
We’ve got a bumper Farming supplement inside this week’s Cornish Times. As the milestone new Agricultural Bill progresses through Parliament, we have news on how farmers are being asked to contribute their feedback on the change from the Basic Payment System to a new Environmental Land Management scheme. And livestock vets in Cornwall give their views on the issue of food production and animal welfare standards. Following concerted lobbying by the NFU and other bodies in the farming sector, a new Trade and Agriculture Commission has been launched to keep an eye on the Bill and make sure it has the best interests of British farming throughout – but whether the Commission will have teeth is a question being asked.
We also hear how agricultural estate agents are seeing things pick up in a big way as some kind of normalcy returns post-lockdown, and there’s useful information on a range of topics to read within the supplement.
As pubs, restaurants and hotels open up this weekend, This week’s edition also beings you the informative Open for Business section with positive news from traders as they begin to welcome back customers.
We’ve got all this and much more with pages of news from some of the local communities, letters to the editor, and the wonderful Nature Watch with Ray Roberts.
Look out for your latest edition of The Cornish Times – out in the shops from this afternoon!