DESPITE the challenging circumstances brought on by the current coronavirus crisis, the team at the Cornish Times have brought out a newspaper this week, despite the difficulties of some staff having to work at home and technical issues resulting from that.

We have also, understandably in the circumstances, received many notifications of local events and shows being cancelled – although we’ve still managed to put together a community news section.

We hope that readers will therefore forgive the reduced number of pages in the three editions this week and understand that the Cornish Times is now pledging to work together with readers to help everyone to get through the crisis.

As we report in this week’s lead story, many covid-19 support groups have sprung up across Cornwall as communities unite to help the elderly and vulnerable who are having to self-isolate to shield themselves from the risk of catching the virus.

In addition we’re carrying columns from South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray and Liberal Democrat member Colin Martin about the crisis, as well as a message from Looe mayor Martin Gregory, who says that the town council is involved in co-ordinating a support network for those requiring it.

We’re also urging readers to support local businesses as they face challenging times, and report that Cornwall Council has confirmed that local schools will be closing until further notice. We also explain why some GP practices are telling non-urgent patients not to go into their surgeries.

In other news, we report on how International Women’s Day was celebrated at Bodmin Keep, and on how expectations are high that the town’s planned skate park accessible for all wheeled sports may soon be given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council.

We have a picture feature of an orchard being created to help homeless youngsters, a photo of Saltash youngsters who have been sending out postcards of kindness to people who live alone or in care homes, and more superb Nature Watch words and pictures from photographer Ray Roberts.

There is also the intriguing story of the ‘secret army’ of villagers and agricultural workers who, in the Second World War, were trained as a last line of defence against a predicted German invasion yet had to keep their patrols and preparations secret and hidden even from their families. A permanent memorial is being planned in a South East Cornwall village.

In addition, we have regular features like Your Letters, TV Choice, WI Topics, Class of 2019/20, Recipe of the Week and latest Books, plus a Puzzle Page, 999 reports from the police and emergency services and Property, Motoring and Farming and Equestrian sections, as well as pages on Sports action from around the district.

So find the latest issues of the Cornish Times on sale in local shops from today (Friday).