CHAT welcomed
Ashley Gray
ASHLEY Gray, the prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for South East Cornwall, attended the November meeting of CHAT (Community Health Around Torpoint).
The organisation was pleased to welcome Mr Gray to the meeting and also pleased to hear that a credit union will begin in Torpoint in the New Year.
The credit union, which will give people the chance to save on a regular basis and to borrow money at a low rate of interest, will run from the CHATlink building in Macey Street.
Members of CHAT expressed their gratitude for the time and effort given by further volunteers who are being trained to work for the CHATlink one-stop information centre and the Volunteer Bureau.
The meeting heard that the CHAT shop in the town centre continues to thrive and it is thanks to all the volunteers that it is so successful.
There was again considerable discussion at the meeting about the proposed changes to the levels of radioactive emissions from Devonport Dockyard into the River Tamar. More information on health issues relating to the discharges may be available at the next meeting.
There was also discussion about the proposed leisure centre for Torpoint. Early this year a bid for Lottery funding for the centre which would be situated at Torpoint School was turned down. A new bid is being planned. It was emphasised at the meeting that there would not be a swimming pool at the centre. Many members seemed surprised and disappointed to discover this.
The meeting then went on to plan the CHAT Christmas celebration which is to be at Tamara on Wednesday, December 6.
*As well as monthly meetings on the first Wednesday evening of each month at Torpoint Health Clinic in Hooper Street, CHAT holds monthly lunchtime meetings at 12.30 at the clinic on the last Friday of the month. These meetings aim to bring together representatives of the voluntary and statutory agencies working in the area to discuss what they can offer. Lunch is available for £2.50 if you notify Lynn by the Wednesday before on 01752 812850.
Christmas lights
are switched on
HUNDREDS of people crowded into Fore Street for the annual switch-on of the Torpoint Christmas lights.
A feature of the celebrations was the large number of people in fancy dress.
The town's chamber of commerce, which is again sponsoring the lights, invited local traders to wear seasonal fancy dress for the event. Many did so and they were joined by several members of the public.
The lights, which were switched on by schoolboy Phillip Brokenshire, the son of the new commodore of HMS Raleigh, are a further improvement on last year's acclaimed illuminations.
The display, which is costing between £2,500 and £3,000 this year, features decorated strands across Fore Street, Christmas trees along the length of the street, and two large trees at Sparrow Street and in Elliot Square.
The two large trees, which can be seen by all traffic passing through the town, are decorated by a mass of flashing bulbs.
Donations towards the cost of the Christmas lights have come from local businesses, charities and organisations including the town council.
Fore Street was closed to traffic in the hours leading up to the switch-on and stalls were set up along its length. And new for this year was a variety show presented in an arena at Sparrow Park
Plymouth Hospital Radio was present with its outside broadcast unit and hosted the proceedings.
Commodore Laurie Brokenshire and his wife Ethel and the Town Mayor and Mayoress, Stan and Christine Martin, were on hand to help with the big switch-on.
After the event, Mr Martin praised the efforts of chamber members Ray Skelly of Kernow Aerials and Phil Evans of the Electrical Shop who played key roles in getting the display ready.
"All the week before they had been out in all weathers putting the lights up and making preparations. One night they were out to 4 o'clock in the morning sorting out a problem," said Mr Martin.
"They are worthy of a special mention. I am delighted to see them putting the effort in. It is much appreciated by the town."
Mayor's charity
FATHER Christmas will be in Torpoint tomorrow (Saturday, December 2) to help raise funds for the Mayor's charity.
He will be meeting children at the Torpoint Band Hut in the Somerfield car park between 10am and 4pm during an event arranged by the Mayor and Mayoress, Stan and Christine Martin.
Youngsters who want to make doubly sure that Santa knows what they would like for Christmas, can place letters into a special postbox at the event which is raising money for the Friends of Derriford Hospital Kidney Unit.
A cake stall, and coffee, tea and biscuits will be available all day and the friends will also be running a stall.
Meanwhile, Mr Martin would like to thank the traders and individuals who donated prizes for the fundraising raffle held at the annual Mayor's Charity Dinner and Dance.
Civic dignitaries from South East Cornwall and Plymouth as well as local MP Colin Breed and HMS Raleigh's Commodore Laurie Brokenshire attended the event held at Torpoint School.
Music was provided by the popular organist Len Jackman, the hall was decorated by Mrs Martin, Brenda Bolton and Jenny Gamm, and Sylvia Sturtridge provided the meal and decorated the tables.
Raffle for RNLI
FUNDS for the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) are being raised by the fish shop in Torpoint town centre. Copes Seafood Company's shop which opened at 18 Fore Street early this year has been running a raffle for the charity. The draw will be made today (Friday, December 1) by the Mayor of Torpoint, Stan Martin, at 5pm.
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 today (Friday, December 1) between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Santa set to tour
Torpoint and Rame
HAVING attended the switching on of Torpoint's town lights on November 25 Santa is getting ready for his mammoth tour of Torpoint and the Rame peninsula.
His illuminated sleigh has been fully furbished, and his store of sweets for children has been filled up. A full itinerary of Santa's visits is as follows (evening visits between 7-9pm): December 9, Crafthole and Sheviock; December 10, Antony, St John and Wilcove; December 11, Penlee and Costains estate; December 12, Borough Park, Lamorna, Goad to Clegg Avenue; December 13, Trelawny Rise, Davey Close, Cedar Drive and Trevol estate; December 14, Sycamore Drive, Woodland Way, Carbeile Road and Kingsley Avenue; December 15, Arthur Terrace, Carew Terrace, Hamoaze and Cremyll Roads, Marine Drive, Chapeldown and Maker Roads.
December 16, Somerfields store, Torpoint (9am-2pm), Kingsand and Cawsand (7-9pm); December 18, North Road, St James Road, Wellington and Victoria Streets, Peacock and Roseslare Avenues; December 19, Buller, Clarence and Sconner Roads, Moor View Terrace, Sydney Road, Guinness Trust estate; December 20, Millbrook, Southdown, Pottery and New Street; December 21, Anderton, Molesworth Terrace, West Street, Hounster to St Andrews Street; December 23, Fore Street, Torpoint (9am-3pm), Millbrook morning Santa only.
The Lions say the programme is subject to change, and routes could be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions.
Cups for knitting
THE president of Plymouth Lions club has presented the winners cup in the club's sponsored knitting competition run by the Plymouth Lions.
The cup went to the Torpoint lady knitters' number two team, with the runners-up cup to their number one team. The cup for champion knitter was awarded to Mrs Bradbury. Lion president of Torpoint and Rame, Jenny Gamm, gave the shield for the highest sponsored group on a Father's Day walk to representatives of Second Torpoint Brownies.