Freedom of the town parade

THE people of Torpoint are being urged to support a freedom of the town march on Saturday - despite the fact that it is on the same afternoon as the FA Cup Final!

Personnel from HMS Raleigh will be exercising their right to march through the town with bayonets fixed at 2pm tomorrow (May 11).

The Band of the Royal Marines Plymouth, which rehearses at HMS Raleigh, will be leading a contingent from the naval base in a colourful procession.

The parade will set off from Torpoint School and go along Antony Road, Harvey Street and St James Road before reaching Cambridge Field. There will then be a short ceremony when the Mayor of Torpoint, Stan Martin, and the naval base commander, Commodore Laurie Brokenshire, will give speeches and the town clerk, Chris Harris, will read the freedom of the town citation.

The parade will then set off again to the Torpoint & District Comrades & United Services Club where a salute will be taken by Mr Martin and Commodore Brokenshire accompanied by VIPs including Colin Breed MP, Caradon Council leader Steve Tate and former HMS Raleigh Executive Officer Commander Peter Lancaster.

It is will be the fourth time that personnel from the naval base have taken part in a freedom of the town parade.

Mr Martin said: "I would urge people to support their town and HMS Raleigh by watching the march - and then they can see the FA Cup Final afterwards!"

Mayor

making

TORPOINT'S annual mayor making ceremony will take place next week.

The current mayor, Stan Martin, is to serve for a second year. His deputy will be Diane Curran.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at the Council Chambers in York Road at 7pm on Thursday, May 17.

Ferryboaters

summer show

A LARGE cast will be taking part in the Torpoint Ferryboat Entertainers' summer show.

Up to 40 people are rehearsing for the show, entitled Melting Pot, which will run on July 19-21.

"Rehearsals are going well at Torpoint Athletic Football Club," said Pat Vanderwolf for the Ferryboaters.

"Judith Jones is our producer for the first time and she has some brilliant ideas.

"Ann Balfour from Polbathic is our choreographer and pupils from the Ann Balfour Dancing School will be taking part in the show. Meanwhile, Betty Begbie is providing music at the piano.

"The ingredients of the Melting Pot show are song and dance, with a flavouring of comedy."

The show will be staged for three evenings at the Council Chambers in York Road.

Boat trip for

the disabled

A FREE boat trip for disabled people on the River Tamar is being arranged by the Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club.

The Plymouth Venturer will leave from the Torpoint Ferry slipway at 2pm on Saturday, May 19, for a four-hour cruise visiting Calstock.

St John Ambulance Brigade volunteers will be available to provide assistance to people making the trip.

More details are available from Lion Peter Blakey on 01752 823992 or Lion Alan Read on 01752 812530.

Community chest grants

SMALL grants to help community-based organisations are available in Torpoint.

The town's community development trust has so far given out £200 in "community chest" grants.

Alan Brimacombe, who is company secretary for the trust which is involved in the regeneration of the town, said: "Grants of £50 are available to non-profit-making organisations.

The grants can be used for any purpose in the community, for example, funding postage or providing toys for a playgroup.

"Application forms are available at the library or from me on 01752 812136."

Two of the organisations to have benefited so far are the CHATlink information and advice centre in Macey Street and the St John Ambulance Cadets.