Appeal for a Twinning chairman

The Looe/Quiberon Twinning Association is to make a last ditch attempt to survive. At Monday's meeting of the Town Council it became apparent that none of the councillors wanted to take on the role of chairman of the Association, in place of councillor Roy Perriment who has stepped down after many years of hard work.

It was decided to appeal for a member of the public to come forward and take on the position, in the hope of revitalising the Association which in past years had been very active.

The deadline for volunteers to step forward is March 31, but if no interest is shown the council will be writing to Quiberon to explain that there is no longer any interest in the liaison between the two towns.

A holiday at home

The novel idea of a 'holiday at home' has been running all this week at Riverside United Church, West Looe, and has been a welcome break for about a dozen senior citizens who are normally housebound or who spend a lot of time on their own.

They have been collected each day from home and taken to the church hall where they have enjoyed good company, delicious lunches and cream teas, and various entertainments, including 'old tyme music hall', movement for the arthritic, egg painting, Terry Pengelly's old photographs of Looe, and today (Friday), there will be a Songs of Praise to end the holiday week.

The minister, Rev Margaret Oxenham, says this is a new idea and the week has been a trial run, with the guests having been invited, but it is hoped after such a success, that the holiday at home can be run again and thrown open to more people. She has expressed her thanks to the members of Riverside for providing the lifts and what she described as a daily spread of wonderful food. 'It has been a lovely week for all concerned' she said.

No post box at Bridgend

Tge Royal Mail has turned down requests for a new box at Bridgend, East Looe, saying there are guidelines to which they must adhere, which had prompted their decision.

In a letter to Miss A Milner of West Looe, the Collections Planning Manager, Andy Bennett, said that a survey showed there were already two posting boxes located within 200 yards of Bridgend, one at the Post Office in Fore Street and one in the Shell (now Texaco) garage in Station Road. Guidelines stated that new boxes must not be sited within a quarter of a mile of an existing box in town areas.

He also expressed concerns over the safety of members of the public using a post box, and of staff emptying it, in what is a very congested area, especially during the holiday period.

Time to open up the car boots

Looe and Polperro District Chamber of Trade and Commerce are repeating their highly successful Sunday car boot sales at the far end of the Millpool car park, West Looe on March 19, April 2, 16, 30 and May 7 and 21, 10am-12pm. Last year there was on average 25 cars at each sale, and business was brisk.

Edwina Arkell, Chamber chair says 'We have been encouraged by requests to repeat the event, and of course money raised will help support Chamber projects, including the Christmas lighting schemes in Looe and Polperro'.

For information tel Chamber secretary Rosemary Leach on 01503 250389.

Dredging started

Dredging work in Looe Harbour began on Tuesday, to remove sand from the edges of the middle sandbank which the fishing fleet have complained they are continually hitting when they are manoeuvring around.

The work will stretch from the Blue Sail building Unit 2 down to the end of the fish market. The sand is being taken to the West side of the river to compensate for the sand which has been taken away by the tide. The next spring tide in a fortnight's time will test if the operation has been successful.

British Legion

The Looe branch of the Royal British Legion held their annual dinner at the Portbyhan Hotel, West Looe, on Friday February 11. They were entertained by Mr Alan Dingle on his keyboard and by Mr Lesley Wallace, a tenor and enjoyed a wonderful evening.

Thanks are extended to the entertainers, and to Mr Louis Portman for the first class fare.

New chairman for Chamber

At the annual general meeting of the Looe and Polperro Chamber of Trade and Commerce, held at The Hannafore Point Hotel on Tuesday, Mrs Edwina Arkell was elected the new chairman.

Mr Dave Peat, who stood down after four years in the chair was thanked for his hardwork and service.

Full report next week.

Caradon to debate joint station plan

Yesterday evening (Thursday) Caradon councillors were due to discuss the county council plan for a new police and fire station at the current police station site in Station Road, East Looe.

The county has put forward an outline application, with no details, but Caradon officers understand the proposal may include the construction of an appliance bay, and tower, on part of the car park to the south of the police station. This would be provided in the form of an extension to the building.

Planning officers told councillors that the site is considered suitable for some form of development designed in a way 'which would respect this prominent riverside location'. They highlighted the fact that a tower could present problems because of the site, and consideration would have to be given to this.

The officers recommended giving the go-ahead to the plan, subject to consideration of outstanding consultation responses, and conditions which include approval of details of the siting, design, and external appearance of the building.