Improved dental service

THE dental service that was situated in Carbeile Junior Schools, and was previously vandalised, has been reopened, fitted out with the latest dental equipment.

The clinic, that serves the residents of Torpoint, has been redecorated and had state-of-the-art dental equipment fitted by local business Medical and Dental Services, who are based in Torpoint.

The service will now run for five days a week from its previous two days, and will provide access to NHS dental care for local residents who are not registered with a general dental practitioner and for visitors to Cornwall.

Dr Peter Knibbs, Clinical Director of the Personal Dental Service, said ' "We are delighted with this smart, modern facility which will provide access for hundreds of Torpoint patients.'

' Patients are not registered with us, and many people may wish to register with dentists in plymouth who are still accepting patients.'

'However, we are here to help those people who cannot find an NHS dentist'.

He added:'Highest priority is given to patients in pain or with a dental problem.'

People with a dental problem who are interested in seeking care at the Torpoint clinic should phone (01752) 812457 or the call centre on (01872) 354375.

Council tax increases

COUNCIL Tax payers in Torpoint face higher bills next year after the town council voted to increase the amount it levies from local households by nearly £28,000.

The council will be receiving more than £114,000 in taxes from the town between April 2001 and April 2002, a rise of over 30 percent on this year.

A majority of councillors voted in favour of the increase which is being brought in as the council prepares for a major modernisation of the Council Chambers in York Road.

This year the council budgeted £20,000 for the building programme. Next year that figure will leap to £50,000.

"The new level will stay in place for several years to come," said Town Mayor Stan Martin.

"For a Band D house in Torpoint that will add £22 per year to the Council Tax or, if you break it down further, 40 pence a week.

"We have had numerous complaints from people that the council premises are not up to the modern standards required for functions.

"The improved premises will offer a great benefit to the town. We are hoping to have a full-time NHS dentist on the premises - this is needed in the town.

"The premises will be expanded and we will provide disabled access. And the improved premises will generate more income once complete.

"The scheme will cost £500,000. It is not eligible for any grant funding whatsoever, so we are hoping to borrow £480,000 at a special lower rate of interest from a Government fund."

Exhibiting works

JOHN Bond, who is registered blind and has a guide dog, will be exhibiting works of art he has produced in Torpoint next week.

John, who lives in the town and is the regional liaison speaker for the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, will be showing the items he has made while wood turning.

His work will be exhibited at the town's library on Tuesday, November 28.

On the same day members of the Hearing and Sight Centre in Plymouth will also be exhibiting their work at the library.

"A group of ladies who have been meeting for the last three years to do craftwork will be holding an exhibition featuring papier-mache bowls, bookmarks, cross-stitch, cards, wood turning and basket weaving," said library stock officer Lynne Kershaw.

In what will be a busy day at the library, BBC Radio Cornwall is also due to be broadcasting from the building on Tuesday.

Infants school

A FOOTBALL signed by players from Chelsea Football Club is one of the star prizes in a draw being held at Torpoint Infants School's Christmas Fayre.

Other prizes in the draw include a portable television, a CD player, a foot spa and a sandwich toaster.

The fayre is being staged at the school in Albion Road on Friday, December 1, between 2pm and 3.30pm.

Father Christmas will be present and there will be festive refreshments, stalls and games.

Parents will be able to collect their children from the classrooms so they can shop with them and enjoy the festive fun.

Wanted - a goose costume

IN the run-up to Christmas, the Torpoint Players are looking for a goose - and a rather large one at that!

The Players need a Mother Goose costume for their forthcoming pantomime and are hoping that a local amateur dramatic group in South East Cornwall may have one lying in an attic or cupboard somewhere.

Players chairman Mike Briggs said: "We are rehearsing at present and hope to find a costume soon so the person taking the part can get more of a feel for the role.

"If anyone has a costume, I would be pleased to hear from them on 01752 814202."

Mother Goose will be staged in Torpoint on January 10-13.

Remembering the Kursk Submariners

SERVING submariners who had lost their lives, particularly those from the Russian submarine, Kursk, where remembered during a special ceremony at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint.

A Remembrance Service, held at the new Royal Naval Submarine School within the naval base, gave ex-submariners of the Submariners Association the opportunity to remember past friends and colleagues who lost their lives in the two world wars.

The ex-submariners were joined by serving submariners from the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Federal German Navy.

Commander Ian Stallion, commanding officer of the submarine school, also paid his respects to those submariners who had tragically lost their lives in peace time.

To remember the men who lost their lives on the Kursk this summer, a Russian naval cap was placed beside wreaths in front of the Submariners Statue at the school.