Leaders sought for

Barbican Scouts

THE very active 1st Barbican East Looe Scout Group is desperately seeking some volunteers who are willing to become new leaders/helpers, since it recently lost the services of three valuable leaders, mainly due to ill health.

The Group say they are prepared to pay for any training needed and would ask anyone over the age of 18 and interested in the welfare of children from 6-10 years old, who is energetic and enjoys a good time, to make contact with Maggie Chalk as soon as possible, on 01503 240638.

The Group, previously known as 1st St Martin's Scout Group for considerable time, has been 1st Barbican Scouts for the past six years, and pays tribute to all those who have worked together over the years to keep the organisation going.

Together they have fund raised to give the members various activities and have purchased equipment for their use. A Lottery Grant of £2,3886 was used towards the purchase of brand new tents and camping equipment which has been used on several occasions, including a memorable trip to Brittany, France, and the Millennium Camp at Maker With Rame. Donations have also been received from West and East Looe Town Trusts.

Talland's appeal

for bellringers

TALLAND Church is appealing for people to come forward to join the bellringing team, which has become depleted in numbers. The tower has six bells but only about three ringers, and captain Dennis is anxious to recruit a full set.

Church warden Terry Kebble says anyone interested, who can be aged from 14 years upwards, will receive full training from the captain, at the regular bellringing practice nights which are held on Tuesdays, from 7.30pm-9pm. 'All you need is enthusiasm' says Terry. 'Just turn up on a Tuesday and have a go, you will be made most welcome'. For more information ring 01503 272598.

Cinema converted to

solicitors' offices

THE upper floor of the Market House, owned by East Looe Trust, and home to the town's small cinema until its closure last year, has undergone a large refurbishment, and this week opened as new solicitors' offices.

Earl and Crocker of Liskeard have been busy converting and decorating the cinema room into four separate offices, over the last few months, and say they are delighted with their Looe branch. During the alterations the Trust also put a new roof on to the building.

The office, open five days a week from 10am-4pm, is to be run by solicitor Anthony Earl, and will be to assist clients with conveyancing, wills and probate. Also on staff will be conveyancer Jean White, and receptionist/secretary Tracey Haddock.

Market House, situated in front of Market Square, is a very old building on the site of a former market in the town, were local people sold their wares in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among its many uses it has also been a library and a hairdressers. Along with the solicitors the building is also home to the restaurant known as Capers.

A spokesperson from the Trust said they were delighted with the refurbishment and wished Earle and Crocker every success.

Fishermen on

safety course

THE Harbour Lights Trust, set up in memory of Polperro fisherman Daniel Kebble, is paying £640 for eight local fishermen from the village and Looe, to undertake a sea safety course in Plymouth during July.

Among the many donations the Trust has made since it was set up about 15 months ago, is the supplying of 25 lifejackets.

The Trust, which hopes to gain charity status, is always pleased to receive donations, no matter how small, to continue its work of promoting safety for local fishermen at sea. It was delighted recently to receive a cheque for £250 from a search/rescue helicopter pilot on holiday in Polperro. He saw Daniel's memorial, asked about him, and made the donation before he left.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or requiring more information should contact 01503 272598.

Help for the

hard of hearing

EAST Looe Town Trust has asked the Town Council if it would be prepared to split the cost of the installation of a loop system in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, to help the hard of hearing. They have received quotations, the lowest being for £1,200.

Councillor Dave Bryan said it was an excellent idea, especially for council meetings when people of sound hearing often found it difficult as well, especially when straining to hear against the loud noise from squawking seagulls.

Councillor Ron Overd's proposal that the matter be referred to the finance committee was accepted.

Pub Watch

IT was reported at Looe Town Council that an excellent meeting had been held with Inspector Ray Day of Torpoint over policing matters in the town.

On the agenda was the 'Pub Watch Scheme' which Inspector Day said had slowed down but which he was keen to rekindle and get going again. Under the scheme, any individual banned from a hostelry in the town for making a nuisance, would be automatically banned from all the pubs.

Harbour's concern as

complaints continue

THE Harbour Commissioners have been expressing concern over the past few weeks at the number of dangerous incidents deliberately occurring on the river and have asked Caradon's Water Safety Officer to investigate and advise over action. They have been particularly worried over a complaint received from a West Looe resident.

He had been out in his canoe over the Bank Holiday weekend and had to swim for it when the wake from a speeding boat upturned his craft. He had read a report in the Cornish Times about the speed problem in the river and when he witnessed a small craft which was speeding, and breaking the five knots rule, he took a photograph of the craft and the wake it was leaving behind.

However, the occupants came alongside and asked the canoeist what he was doing. When he explained they threw water over him and later sped back towards him, the wake causing the canoe to capsize. Fortunately the canoeist was wearing a lifejacket which enabled him to swim to the river bank. His camera was damaged beyond repair.

The resident was able to identify boththe boat and its occupants.

Added to speeding boat problems and the reckless behaviour of children jumping off the Banjo Pier and swimming across the river, the Harbour received another formal complaint on Tuesday. This time it was reported that a group of youngsters have been throwing stones at the fishing fleet.

Loveny at

Lanreath

ST Marnarch's Parish Church at Lanreath is looking forward to welcoming the Loveny Choir to perform a concert there for the first time.

The event is to take place on Saturday next, June 16, at 7.30pm, and tickets are £3.50 at the door. The concert has been arranged to raise funds for the Lanreath Youth Project.