Town Hall scheme moves a step forward

THE scheme to improve Torpoint's town hall has moved a step forward with the news that the town council has been given the go-ahead to borrow up to £500,000 from the Government.

The council wants to upgrade and extend the Council Chambers in York Road to provide better facilities for the community. It is also hoped more couples will use the premises for weddings.

The complex, which includes two houses in Buller Road, is used by local groups for community events and meetings, and houses the mayor's parlour, the town clerk's office, the Torpoint Archives and a doctor's surgery.

Following an application to borrow a loan at a special lower rate of interest from a Government fund to cover most of the cost of the work, councillors have heard that the bid has been successful.

Part of the scheme will be to improve access throughout the complex for disabled people.

Towards the end of last year, the council voted to increase the level of council tax it levies to help to fund the scheme. As a result, in the present financial year it is raising £50,000 through council taxes towards the project.

Building companies interested in carrying out the project have been interviewed and tenders from a number of these firms are expected.

Complementary Therapy Day

A COMPLEMENTARY therapy day in Torpoint attracted a lot of interest.

The free event was staged by the town's library and featured therapies such as Indian head massage, iridology and shiatsu.

"We had a very busy day, it was brilliant," said library assistant Lynne Kershaw.

"People were really impressed with the treatments."

Herbalist and iridologist Michael Brookman, who lives in South East Cornwall and was recently featured in a national newspaper, was particularly in demand.

All the therapists present were kept busy throughout the event which ran for around six hours.

Ann Barnett, who is involved in the Wellbeing Centre in Liskeard, practised a remedial therapy using thumbs and fingers called the Bowen Technique, Sue Saxby from Saltash demonstrated reflexology, Carole Linden from Wilcove provided aromatherapy massage for people lying on a couch, Marilyn Jones from Plymouth undertook Indian head massage and Jill Brown from Torpoint offered shiatsu massage.

Advice on homeopathy was available from Maria Wilton, also from the Wellbeing Centre in Liskeard.

The library promoted books and videos on complementary therapies during the day.

Litter problems

MORE action is being taken to tackle litter problems in Torpoint.

The town council has agreed to buy a mechanical sweeper, costing £346 plus VAT, to combat litter at the skateboard park in Thanckes Park.

The council heard that in line with good practice the skateboard area should be inspected for needles and other hazards any mechanical operation began.

The sweeper may also be used elsewhere in the town.

Meanwhile, the council has been looking into providing more litter and dog fouling bins at Cambridge Field. It voted to negotiate with Caradon District Council over sharing the cost of new bins.

Request for steps to beach

A REQUEST for steps to be built at the Sango roundabout in Torpoint to make it easier to reach the beach has been made to Caradon District Council by the town council.

Ward boundaries

FIGURES show that Torpoint people are under-represented compared to most others in the Caradon district.

Torpoint town councillors heard that the town is the second worst represented parish in Caradon with a ratio of approximately one district councillor to 2,200 electors when the average is one councillor to 1,565 electors. The town has three district councillors.

Under a periodic electoral review of district ward boundaries it is being proposed that the boundaries are redrawn to make the representation fairer.

Maryfield fete

TEAS in the Old Stable at Antony House will be one of the attractions at the Maryfield Church Fete being held tomorrow (Saturday, July 7). The event at the National Trust property on the outskirts of Torpoint begins at 2pm.

Wine tasting evening

A WINE tasting evening is being held by the Friends of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park this month.

The event will take place at Millbrook Village Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 14.

Tickets cost £7.50 for members of the Friends and £8.50 for non-members. For more information, contact 01752 822236.

Estate office plan

PLANS to convert a former wash house into an estate office have been submitted to Caradon District Council for approval by the Mount Edgcumbe Estate. The former wash house is at Empacombe Cottage, Cremyll, near Torpoint.

Grant to church

A REQUEST for financial assistance from St James Church has resulted in a £1,000 grant being given by Torpoint Town Council. The Anglican church in Elliot Square is currently undergoing restoration and repairs.

School summer fair

STALLS, games and food will all be part of the Antony School Association Summer Fair which takes place today (Friday, July 6) at the school from 6.30pm.

Gemma's A for her tent

GEMMA Adams, a year ll pupil at Torpoint school, is the first person in the school to make a fully-functioning tent.

Gemma, who is starting A levels at Torpoint in September, made the tent as part of a GCSE design technology textiles project.

Her brief was to design a product that could be used on a summer holiday, and then manufacture it from scratch. It was made from hi-tech material, Gore-Tex, so that it should be waterproof.

The project was quite challenging, as the tent had to be high standard, and able to be used by children.

'I was very pleased with the result and with the advice given to me by Miss Elizabeth Bell and Mrs Sandy Turner, my teachers. I got an A,' said Gemma.