Spinnaker under

one Saltash roof

MANUFACTURING company Spinnaker International is to move its corporate offices to Saltash.

Colin MacKenzie, managing director of the company which was founded in l984 and now employs 140 people, said: 'Lack of office space in Saltash has meant that our corporate offices and support operations have had to be based in Plymouth for the past several years.

Our product lines have, however, been changing, and so has our approach to manufacturing, and this has enabled us to re-organise our factory on Saltash Parkway to make room for more offices. As from this month we will all be under one roof, and we're all looking forward to that.'

He added: 'The move won't change the numbers we employ, or create any new jobs, but it will enable us to work more efficiently. In the longer term, once the new products are firmly established, we do have plans to expand at our Saltash Parkway facility. This would include additional office space as well as more manufacturing space.'

Shops plan

appeal

AN appeal has followed a Caradon council decision to refuse planning permission for a site at 85/85a St Stephens Road, Saltash.

The application in question is for the change of use of ground floor shops to a cafe and hot food take-way, including home delivery service.

The appeal, by Mr J Richards, is to be dealt with by the written application method.

Storytime at the Library

SALTASH library held three storytime afternoons last week as part of the national bedtime reading week. The events, which were part of an initiative to encourage parents to read to their children at bedtime were all well attended. The week was backed by the BBC, the Art Council of England, Tesco's, Book trust and the national reading campaign.

Pancake day at St Stephens

ST Stephen by Saltash parish church held a pancake afternoon on Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes were cooked in the back of the church, in an area reserved for social activities.

The pancakes were then sold to members of the public to raise money for the church restoration funds, with three pancake races also being held outside the church. Head chef was Fred Sommer, with the ladies of the church serving pancakes. The afternoon raised £75 in total.

On Saturday, the choir organised a coffee morning to raise money for the restoration of the organ funds and £120 was raised.

Ashtorre Centre

celebrates ten years

THE Ashtorre centre, Waterside, Saltash, had a party for its tenth birthday on March 5, St Piran's day, and the centre was packed with both members and guests. This was the end of a weekend of celebration, with the Calstock singers entertaining on Saturday evening and Sunday saw the centre have its own 'Songs of Praise' with John Cornish.

Mrs Sheila Butler, the chairman for the past five years, welcomed the president, Chris Nicholls, MP Colin Breed, the mayor of Saltash, Bryan Preston and about 100 guests. Colin Breed, who was accompanied by by his wife, Janet, said that the centre had many problems in the early stages but they had persevered.

He congratulated the committee and paid tribute to the late Gerald Truscott, who had done a lot to get the centre built. The centre is now looking at an extension, and Colin said , 'You can see why they want an extension as it has become so popular.' He then cut the special birthday cake with Mrs Butler.

Chris Nicholls said they had always kept faith with their members and he thanked the committee and also Mrs Butler, who is still chairman and treasurer. Lyn Marsh, the secretary, presented her with a bouquet of flowers. The Ashtorre centre was originally opened by the late Brenda Wootton, and greetings were received from her daughter. Refreshments were then served by the committee with many of those who were on the original committee are still there.

Then a special gift was presented to the centre, on behalf of the Tamar bridge project team by Shirley Smale PRO, of a curb unit specially designed by the strengthening and widening team of the bridge for the Ashtorre centre to be used for the foundation stone of the new extension. The gift was received by Mrs Butler, who thanked the bridge project team and hoped they would visit the extension when it had been built.

The evening saw a country and western singer-'Hi Jack'- entertain the crowd, who enjoyed a pasty supper.

Riviera project

A public consultation on the proposed Brunel heritage centre, with cafe and exhibition area, and the improvements to Saltash railway station is being held, tomorrow (Saturday March 10), from 10 am to 3pm at Saltash Guildhall.