CHAT meeting

THE number of people using the CHATlink Centre in Torpoint has been increasing, particularly since the town's Citizens Advice Bureau moved to the centre.

Project facilitator Lynda Broad told the September meeting of CHAT (Community Health Around Torpoint) that nine different agencies were now using CHATlink's Macey Street premises and five more were considering joining.

The centre offers information and advice on a wide range of issues. Anyone who feels they could help with reception duties at the centre would be very welcome. Training will be given.

Meanwhile, the meeting heard that CHAT hopes to keep up links with the Keyham group who are involved in the issue of the radioactive waste discharged into the Tamar from Devonport Dockyard.

The dockyard wants to vary the levels of nuclear discharges into the river in the future and consultation on the issue continues until February.

More consultations, this time on the future plans for the Torpoint Ferries, will carry on until February.

The meeting was also told that the East Cornwall Primary Care Group will not be becoming a trust for at least another 18 months. The move has been postponed in order to see the effect of trust status in West Cornwall.

The primary care group, run by local GPs, nurses and other health professionals, is a key part of the National Health Service in the area.

Health services

MIXED news on health services was reported at the September meeting of CHAT (Community Health Around Torpoint). There was good news in that people in the Torpoint area can now attend Derriford Hospital for mammography and that diabetic eye screening can be undertaken by Grant Mosford at the local opticians.

But the meeting heard there is a possibility that South East Cornwall patients may not be able to attend the dental clinic at the Cumberland Centre in Devonport and that the x-ray facility there may be withdrawn.

Other news from the meeting includes:

*The Liaison Lunches continue at the Torpoint Health Clinic in Hooper Street on the last Friday of each

month. The aim is to bring together representatives of statutory and voluntary agencies in the area to let one another know what they offer. Lunch is available for £2.50 from 12.15pm or you can bring your own. Ring Lynn on 01752 812850 by the Wednesday before to order lunch.

*The CHAT Volunteer Bureau organised a successful visit for the members of the local partially-sighted club to Mount Edgcumbe. The group was grateful to Torcare for the loan of their minibus.

*The CHAT Exercise Group which meets at Torpoint School at 7pm on Thursdays is going to be taken over

by Jan Debono. CHAT are pleased that she is able to continue with this successful group and grateful to her and to Pat Johnson who has run it for many years.

*The Torpoint Community Shop, a joint venture between CHAT and the Torpoint & Rame Community Nurses Friends, is still kept busy. The shop raises money for the two organisations involved plus local projects in the town. Nothing is ever wasted - anything unsaleable goes for dusters to a local company!

*The CHAT Christmas Celebration will again be held at the Tamara Residential Home and Day Centre in Torpoint on December 6.

Players experiment

THE Torpoint Players are experimenting with theatre in the round at their next production.

For the first time, the Players will arrange the auditorium at the Council Chambers so the audience can experience the cast close at hand.

The group is presenting a comedy revue for three nights next week (October 12-14) with the title of Trust Me, I'm a Doctor!

The revue consists of four main sketches, several short comedy offerings and recitals.

Three of the sketches are by Richard Harris. The first is Plaster which is about a commercial traveller who is covered in plaster after a serious car accident. When his wife visits him, it becomes clear that everything is not as innocent as first thought.

The second sketch, Show business, is about a television documentary team filming the build-up to a quadruple bypass operation. Complications set in before the operation begins.

Magic, the third sketch, is set in a hospital ward and features some unfeeling comfort for a workmate and a patient who discovers that her boyfriend is cheating on her.

The final offering is a sketch by the successful playwright Alan Ayckbourne. In Ernie's Incredible Illucinations, Ernie is taken to the doctor by his distraught parents seeking a cure for his unsettling complaint which causes him to conjure up strange happenings and events.

The Players are promising their audiences "a great variety night out".

Performances start at 7.30pm each night and tickets (£3.50 for adults, £3 for children/senior citizens) are available from Moss Chemist and Racquets.

Roll of honour

PROPOSALS for a new memorial to those from Torpoint and the surrounding area who were killed in conflicts during the 20th Century are still under consideration.

A steering committee has met to discuss the community project which would see the Roll of Honour created outside St James Church in Elliot Square.

Brian Williams of the town's Royal British Legion said the scheme was initially conceived as a project to tie in with the Millennium but it had been delayed. The Royal British Legion, the church, the town council and other members of the community are involved with the scheme.

"The project would see the creation of Cornish stone plaques with the names of servicemen and civilians killed in conflicts between 1900 and 2000," said Mr Williams.

"Investigations have been continuing into the proposals and the scheme is on the cards. The sum the community will need to raise is estimated at £40,000. It is possible the unveiling could take place in 2003."

Autumn lecture

POPULAR films and their locations will be discussed at the next event to be staged by the Friends of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Harvey Bailey, the chairman of the British Film Commission, will be presenting the Friends' Autumn Lecture 2000 at Mount Edgcumbe House on the Rame Peninsula on Saturday, October 21, at 2pm.

"Usually we have the lecture in the evening but at our annual general meeting it was agreed it should be in the afternoon," said Friends chairman Vivian Lockwood.

"It will be nice to walk around the gardens if the weather is good.

"Harvey will tell us about the work of the commission, the popular locations and the films.

"The South West is popular with its historic houses and coastal views. I know the lecture will be very interesting."

Tickets costing £3 for Friends members and £4 for non-members are available from Mount Edgcumbe House on 01752 822236 or from the Lodge at Cremyll.

Christmas Lights

THE Torpoint Chamber of Commerce will be responsible for the Christmas lights in Torpoint again this year. Major changes to the power supply are to be accomplished in consultation with SWEB.

New power points will be installed in the street for the cross-street illumination strings, which in the past have had to be supplied from individual traders meters. Improvements are also to be made to the lighting strings on the small Christmas trees. The Chamber is being asked for financial support from the Town Council, organisations and traders.

The Chamber believes that the displays in Torpoint rival or are better than those in most other small towns, and size for size are far better than Plymouth's efforts last year. Switch on will be on Saturday november 25 and traders are being asked to encourage their staff to dress up in costume for the occasion. Hopefully shops will stay open later than normal on the night and the Chamber want as many side shows, charities and childrens rides etc, as possible. Anyone interested should ring 814202 to book a site. The lights are to be switched on by a celebrity or local dignitary, this will be followed by the arrival of Father Christmas on his sleigh, complete with a free bag of lollies!

The Chamber of commerce will be floating the idea of a 'Late night' shopping night to local traders and asking for reactions to the idea.

Combined concert

THE Torpoint Lady Singers and the Saltash Male Voice Choir will be entertaining at a combined concert at the Cornerstone Church, Torpoint, on Saturday, October 7, at 7.30pm.

Tickets at £3 are at the door or from members of the Ladies' Choir.