Sudden death of

Barry the barber

THERE has been much sadness at the news of the sudden death of Looe barber Mr Barry Cass, aged 59, who collapsed and died in his shop on Wednesday.

The emergency services were called to the barbers in Fore Street, situated in the alleyway between Alldays and Boots, by a customer, who found Mr Cass when he walked into the shop. The Air Ambulance was scrambled but turned back when it was realised that Mr Cass had already died.

Mr Cass has been a barber in the town for a number of years, and was well known for his popular 'Dad and the lad' a special deal for a father and son when they had hair cuts at the same time.

Boats start

summer 'tripping'

FISH landings on the market have been reasonable over the last two weeks with lemons, whiting and scallops providing the mainstay, but strong winds leading to rough sea conditions have kept the fleet in on several occasions.

However, with the onset of the summer season several of the boats have now started their annual diversification into 'tripping'. Over the past few years this has meant the most popular routine has been going out for two days and one night - Mon and Tues for Wed market and Wed/Thurs for Fri market - but this is only possible if the weather is good.

FISH figures for week Friday May 4 - Thursday May 10 (weights in kilos): Fri - cuttle 130; lemons 1800, pouting 250, plaice 150, whiting 1200, turbot 220, cod 30, monk 60, scallops 670 doz; Tues - cuttle 80, lemons 2800, pouting 700, plaice 300, monk 200, cod 50, pollack 100, whiting 2000, scallops 600 doz, turbot 250; Weds - lemons 1600, plaice 200, whiting 1300, haddock 100, scallops 600 doz; Thurs - (slacker fishing due to strong easterly winds), lemons oles 1000, plaice 150, whiting 750, scallops 600 doz.

Figures for week Friday May 11 - Thursday May 17: Fri - lemon soles 1500, whiting 1500, plaice 200, cod 120, haddock 120, turbot 40, scallops 400 doz; Tues - plaice 150, whiting 500, lemons 1100, turbot 50, scallops 650 doz; Weds - cuttle 50, lemons 2200, plaice 250, whiting 1500, monk 120, cod 100, haddock 130, turbot 110, scallops 680 doz; Thurs - lemons 1500, turbot 70, plaice 200, cod 80, monk 60, whiting 1000, pollack 100, dover soles 50, scallops 300 doz.

Grand auction for

village lights

CHRISTMAS may seem a long way off but the active Polperro festive lights committee, chaired by Robert Chisman, are planning a lot of fundraising throughout the summer months to improve still further on last year's delightful display.

Tomorrow (Saturday) May 19, it is hoped a large crowd will turn out to give the fund a good boost at an auction at The Ship Inn in the village, which begins at 8pm prompt. MC and auctioneer is John Marshall, who will be bringing down the gavel in his own humorous style. An entertaining evening is assured and there are some good lots, including an exercise bike, a Flymo mower, restaurant meals, and bottles of wine to name but a few. There will also be a raffle.

'Quality items are still being accepted and should either be dropped off at The Ship by 3pm on the day or to Robert at The Pharmacy.

Last year an incredible £5,000 was raised, from which many new features were purchased, and this year it is the aim to have enough funds to light the harbour area and the entrance to the village.

The committee extends its thanks to all those who patronised the stall at the May Fair on Big Green which raised an excellent £300.

'Mr Supermarket'

Les Young retires

COUNCILLOR Les Young, the town's stalwart of the pro campaign for a supermarket in Looe, retired from the town council, after serving for just two terms, at the mayor choosing ceremony on Monday.

Mr Young, who has retired for health reasons, was thanked by outgoing mayor Ron Overd for his service to the community.

Before joining the council Mr Young was campaigning strongly in favour of a supermarket for the town. As a WRVS driver , carrying 1,200 people over the past three years, he said he was constantly hearing complaints, especially from the elderly, about the lack of a competively priced shop in the town.

For a long time he was the lone voice on the council actively speaking out in favour of a superstore, and he organised a petition which was signed by over 1,000 residents. Although the council has now voted in favour of a supermarket, Mr Young was still the only councillor known to be in favour of the Millpool site, which now has outline planning permission.

'I feel I have done my bit in helping to get nearer to what the people of Looe want' said Mr Young. 'Although no longer on the council I will still keep an eye on the progress of the supermarket'.

Vandals wreck

playground

THE West Looe Playgroup committee have met this week to discuss an official opening of the new outdoor play area, funded by lottery money and by the fundraising of parents.

However, they still have a lot of repairs to carry out since the playground became the target of vandals, believed to be children, which was discovered on return from the Easter break.

The committee say they were angry and upset to find the playgroup's sign had been ripped off the wall and thrown over a hedge, the gate pulled off its pillars, the new fence bent double and the flowers the children had planted and cared for had been destroyed.

Some residents in Downs Road reported seeing 4 children hanging around the grounds late at night, and even playing on the roof. Playgroup secretary Mrs Julie Gregory said parents were saddened by this as the youngsters responsible for the vandalism may have used the facilities themselves in their younger years, and were now ruining the chances of other local children from enjoying their new playground.

'If we discover who the vandals are we shall be asking their parents to help with the repair bill' she said. Anyone with information should contact Looe police are inform the playgroup on 01503 265623.