In this week’s Cornish Times, we lead with the news that a town centre post office in South East Cornwall is set to close – one elderly resident explains why the loss going to make life so difficult.

Inside, a locally-born academic and a St Germans community hero have been honoured in the Queen’s birthday list: read about their achievements and how one of them nearly didn’t get their award!

As coronavirus rates in Cornwall remain relatively low, we hear about a school in South East Cornwall has had to tell a small group of students to self-isolate after a positive case was identified.

We tell you which places in Cornwall are the parking ticket hotspots, you may or may not be surprised to learn which town tops the list....and there’s good news for heritage buildings and organisations in our area and elsewhere in the South West, who have been passed a lifeline via the Cultural Recovery Fund. We have a special piece from one of the relieved recipients – the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

Plans for a cycle and walking trail between Liskeard and Looe have been discussed for some years – the project is now moving a little closer to realisation, and Cormac have submitted a map to the planning authority showing how the route could open up a little-explored woodland to more visitors and connect with Looe across the West Looe River.

A river and sea connection of another kind is discussed in MP Sheryll Murray’s column this week – Mrs Murray tells about the innovative electric ferry, the first of its kind in the UK, which has been built in Millbrook and will run from Cremyll and Mount Edgcumbe.

As continuing social distancing restrictions mean that the usual crowdeed Christmas events won’t be able to go ahead, find out how town councils in Liskeard and Saltash are determined to keep the festive spirit going with lights displays and alternative activities.

Meanwhile in a local parish near Looe, there’s a success story from a community magazine which has made enough profit to be able to fund a bespoke new bus shelter.

Have you had a look yet at the Cornish Times’ fantastic new Sports pullout? There’s no fewer than 14 pages of brilliant local and regional coverage in this week’s paper: editor Nigel Walrond and our great correspondents bring you exclusive interviews, reports, results and photos. And on the back page, find out about the Saltash boxer heading up Team Britain at the Commonwealth Games. This week the supplement is packed with reports from the SW Peninsula League Premier West and St Piran Leagues, the East Cornwall League and Women’s Football, Argyle and Exeter Chiefs reports, and a special page on Caradon Hockey Club’s Cornwall Plate meeting ...against their fellow Caradon players! There’s much, much more including Rugby Union, Golf, local runners in the virtual London Marathon, and news from the worlds of sub-aqua and swimming.

As well as this we’ve got Farming pages, including information on a new grant available to the industry, news, information tips and advice on matters from getting on the property ladder to your usual favourites Nature Watch and the Puzzles page – look out for your latest edition of the Cornish Times, in the shops today!