Radio active

waste discharges

TORPOINT residents are to have two opportunities to personally get answers about radioactive waste discharged by Devonport Dockyard.

Two "surgeries" are to be held in the town by the Environment Agency as part of a three-month consultation process.

The agency is carrying out consultations before it makes a decision on DML's application to change the amounts of radioactive waste it discharges into the River Tamar and into the air. These discharges are linked to work on nuclear submarines.

The agency had originally announced it would hold a surgery in Torpoint Town Council Offices in York Road to explain more about the proposed changes on the morning of Tuesday, April 3.

However this drew criticism from the Mayor of Torpoint, Stan Martin, who was angry over the timing.

In a letter to the Cornish Times this week, he said that Torpoint and its residents had once again been given short shrift.

Mr Martin said that most people would be at work when the surgery was held between 9.30am and 1pm and he called for an evening event to be staged.

An evening surgery is due to be held in Saltash Guildhall on the same day.

The Cornish Times raised Mr Martin's concerns with the Environment Agency which has now decided that a second surgery will be held in Torpoint on the same day in the evening.

Martin Weiler of the Environment Agency said: "We are keen to reach as many people as possible with the consultations.

"The reason we offered a morning surgery on the Cornish side of the Tamar was because there are some people for whom evenings are not convenient, like people who work nights and those with family responsibilities.

"The whole aim is to give people access to the consultations and so we were trying to give a range of times using a combination of Torpoint and Saltash.

"We are happy to hold an evening session in Torpoint and this will take place in the town council offices from 4pm to 8pm on April 3."

In response, Mr Martin said: "I am delighted that the Environment Agency has listened to reason."

The agency has produced a document which explains what is happening over DML's application and includes a draft certificate of authorisation with proposed discharge limits. This document is available to read at Torpoint Library.

A public meeting at Plymouth Pavilions on Thursday, March 29, at 6.30pm will discuss the document and draft certificate. At this meeting, members of the public will have the chance to give their views to the agency.

Surgeries in Torpoint and Saltash on April 3 and in Plymouth Guildhall on April 4 will allow individuals and groups to discuss the issue in more depth with agency staff. People wishing to attend these surgeries should telephone 01392 444000 and ask for DML Consultation.

Art at Library

THE artist of the month for March at Torpoint Library is Alan Farley who lives in the town.

His paints mostly local scenes in acrylics. The artist for April will be Sue Symes, also from Torpoint, who is known for silk painting.

Meanwhile, a display by Clare Richards from Millbrook who paints with watercolour pencils is proving popular at the library.

Clare is showing cards and bookmarks with floral, wildlife, Easter and other themes.

Lent talks

A SERIES of Lent talks are being held by Churches Together in Torpoint at the Cornerstone Church in Fore Street this month.

The talks at 8pm on Wednesdays are exploring the meaning of Easter.

Elizabeth Bailey, who is involved with the Office of Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of Plymouth, will give the final talk in the series on March 28.

Line dance

charity night

A LINE dance charity night is being held at the 200 Club in Torpoint tomorrow (Saturday, March 24)

The Jade Strutters will be leading a mix of beginner and intermediate dances from 7.30pm.

Admission to the event costs £2 and the money raised will go to the Torpoint and Rame Community Nurses Friends.

Spring mini-fayre

A SPRING mini-fayre will be held at Cornerstone Church in Torpoint town centre on Friday, March 30.

The event begins at 2pm and admission, to include a cup of tea and a biscuit, costs 50 pence. There will be various stalls at the mini-fayre which is being run by the Monday Working Party.

Book sale

A BOOK sale is being staged in Torpoint tomorrow (Saturday, March 24) to raise money for the St James Church roof restoration fund. The sale will take place at St James Church Hall between 10am and 1pm.

Coffee Morning

THE Cats Protection League in Torpoint and the Rame Peninsula is holding a coffee morning and jumble sale between 9.30am and 12 noon at Millbrook Scout Hall tomorrow (Saturday, March 24).

Car Boot Sale

THE Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club is staging a car boot sale at Torpoint School on Sunday (March 25) between 10am and 3pm. Lion Norman Nethercott is dealing with enquiries on 01752 812567.

Opening times at police station

REVISED opening times for enquiries are in place at Torpoint Police Station. From Monday to Friday the station is open 10am-2pm and 3pm-6pm. It is closed at the weekend.

Civil Servants

annual meeting

THE Annual General Meeting of the Torpoint Retired Civil Servants Social Group will be held at St James Church Hall, Torpoint on April 3 at 2pm and refreshments will be freely provided.

Singers in

concert

TORPOINT Lady Singers were in concert on March 10 at St Philips church, Plymouth.

Due to illness the Looe Valley Singers were unble to take part, but very professional soloist Tricia Moore, from Looe, sang and played the guitar.

The audience was small, but they enjoyed a varied programme. Sylvia Fraser and Brian Oates were MDs for the evening, with Sue Westwell accompanist. Sylvia and Sue also played piano duets, and Brian Oates entertained with the flute.

The Lady Singers have bookings for the year 2002, and anyone wishing to join them, for book them for weddings etc, should contact secretary, Elaine Searle, on 01752 812062.

Their next concert will be at the Methodist church, The Ridgeway, Plympton on March 27 at 7.30pm.

Vicar of

Shottery

THE vicar of Torpoint, Rev James Warren, is to become the vicar of Shottery in the diocese of Coventry. He will be instituted on July 22.