Meeting will discuss youth club options

THE possibility of opening a new youth activity centre in Torpoint will be discussed at a meeting in the town next week.

The meeting on February 5 is being held against the backdrop of fears for the future of the town's present youth club at the Trevol Business Park.

The well-attended club, which is operated by Torpoint Town Council through an agency agreement with the county youth service, is faced with a large increase in its rent payment to the owners of its premises, Antony Estates.

Town councillor Diane Curran, who is on the youth club committee, said: "The club has had a rent of £7,000 per year but, following a review, Antony Estates want an increase to £16,000.

"The town council has opposed the increase and the youth service has no more money to increase its payment.

"If Antony Estates keep the rent at £16,000, we could possibly lose the youth club at Trevol."

At present the town council, with the agreement of Antony Estates, is arranging for an independent rent assessment at the premises. The council hopes that this will have an influence on the level of rent charged.

Next week's meeting, which is being held in the Council Chambers, will see representatives of youth groups in the town discussing options for the future with Mrs Curran and fellow town councillor Steve Martin and members of the county youth service.

"We will be looking at the options available for youth activities in the town and will then go back to the young people to discuss them further," said Mrs Curran.

"One option would be a new building in the walled garden at Thanckes Park. This would be a youth activity centre rather than just a youth club."

Poppy appeal

MORE than £6,500 has been raised in Torpoint and the surrounding district for the Poppy Appeal 2000.

The Torpoint branch of the Royal British Legion would like to pass on its special thanks to HMS Raleigh and HMS Cornwall for their most generous contributions towards the appeal.

Thanks also go to those who braved the elements for street and house collections in Torpoint, Millbrook, Sheviock and Crafthole, to name a few, and to the dedication of the cadets of 33 Torpoint Platoon ACF who braved extreme weather conditions with poppy trays at the ferry lanes, thus continuing their support of the Torpoint branch.

Donations and collections received to date amount to a total of £6,518.96p, this figure exceeding the previous collections not due to the efforts of a few but to the generosity of the people of the local communities.

For any further contributions yet to be submitted, please contact poppy appeal co-ordinator Keith Sollick on 01752 813920.

The Torpoint branch meets at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Torpoint and District Comrades Club and would warmly welcome new members.

Cash for schools

THE three schools in Torpoint are each to receive cash from the Government to spend on building maintenance.

Cornwall County Council has been allocated almost £20-million over the next three years to help upgrade and modernise school buildings in a programme which is aimed at tackling the backlog of repairs and maintenance work.

Around half the money will be given direct to schools to enable them to carry out minor building projects, while the remainder has been allocated to the council for its modernisation programme.

Torpoint School, Carbeile Junior School and Torpoint Infants will each receive a direct lump sum of £4,000 and a set amount per pupil - £10 per primary/nursery pupil, £15 per secondary pupil and £30 per special educational needs pupil - to spend on building maintenance projects.