David at the

Theatre Royal

DAVID Greaves, a former pupil of Saltash comprehensive school, is to perform with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera Company in David McVicar's production of 'La Boheme' at Plymouth's Theatre Royal on November 21 and 23.

Last December David, a dancer, performed with the ENO at London's Coliseum. More recently he has been working at the Eden Project, and running dance workshops in schools in West Cornwall and London.

Bus service is

heavily criticised

CRITICISM was levelled at the First Western National bus service in Saltash when town councillors met for their monthly get-together.

The councillors said they felt the service has deteriorated of late, despite letters to the company, and they believed a public meeting was needed.

Town clerk, Marilyn Small, read a letter from the Traffic Commissioner who said decisions are being made on any future action. It was suggested that complaints should be forwarded to the Commissioner.

Marjorie Schikowsky said she had been told by members of the public that buses were not keeping to their correct routes, while a letter from Kevin Stephens explained how he had waited two hours for a bus from Plymouth to Saltash. Stephen Tait believed a public meeting should take place, with representatives from First Western National attending.

Bursary for

sailing duo

SPINNAKER International, the Saltash company, have given a £250 a year bursary, for four years, to the cadet section of Saltash sailing club.

The first to be awarded the gift of the Yandell Bursary were Matthew Blakeston and Rob Stains who competed in the national championships at Torbay this August. They entered a National Twelve and came 45 out of 52 boats, winning the Admiral's cup as the oldest boat in the race.

Matthew is studying boat building at Falmouth Marine college while Rob attends Callington community college. They both said that without the Bursary they could not have taken part at Torbay.

Vandalism and

litter debated

LITTER, and concerns about youngsters playing at the Latchbrook community centre site, were matters raised at Saltash town council's annual meeting.

Sue Hooper spoke of incidents at the community centre, such as vandalism, mis-use of the landscaped area and noise and abuse, and said many had been reported to the police. She added that proper fencing was required. The council agreed to support an open day in the area, but members said they could not agree to ownership, or run the community centre in the council's budget.

Debbie Partridge spoke of the amount of litter around the town, especially near the community school, and pointed out there were no litter bins in the area. Stephen Tait said various sponsors might be found to supply bins, but checks needed to be made to ensure Caradon district council would agree to empty them on a regular basis.

Tincombe incidents

spark concern

CRIME figures, given to Saltash councillors at their last monthly meeting, showed that house burglaries had risen by one compared with last August's statistics, while burglaries to non dwellings were down by a half.

Incidents of common assaults had risen by four on the same period in l999, but there had been no thefts of vehicles or shoplifting reports and general violence had fallen by 40 per cent and criminal damage by 14 per cent. Councillors were worried, however, about a reported disturbance at Tincombe which involved young people drinking. Peter Stephens said such disturbances had been going on all summer, and something needed to be done about the situation. Debbie Partridge highlighted the fact that the people did not respond on many occasions. Inspector Downham said it was difficult to do so on the budget the force has, but added that next April it is hoped there will be two more police officers in Saltash.

Stephen Tait said he had every sympathy with the police, but as a council members needed to contact someone about the police call system, as it does not seem to work. He added that Tincombe was a matter of urgency.

Presentation to Beryl

THE two Abbeyfield houses in Saltash - Cresta in Callington Road and Chichester House in St Stephen's Road - met at Cresta on Friday evening for a presentation to Beryl Parker who had been on the Cresta committee since l985, and was retiring.

Guests were welcomed by Mona Tomaszewska-Honywill, chairman of the house committee - and Eric Distin, chairman of Abbeyfield at Saltash, presented a cheque to Mrs Parker from the executive committee. Gifts were also presented from the house committee and residents.

Mr Distin thanked Mrs Parker, and her husband Cyril, for all the work they had done at the home over the years, and wished Mrs Parker a happy retirement. A reception followed, enjoyed by committee members and residents of the two houses

Roundabout

highlighted

THE county council has been congratulated for putting a mini-roundabout in Saltash.

At the recent monthly town council meeting Mona Tomaszewska said the mini-roundabout at the junction of Church Road with Long Park Road had improved the traffic flow..