Final decision awaited

on nuclear discharges

DETAILS of the Environment Agency's decision on proposed changes to radioactive discharges from Devonport Dockyard are available to the public at Torpoint Library.

The agency has published its proposed decision on the application from DML over radioactive waste released into the River Tamar.

The agency has reached its decision after taking advice from health and radiological protection experts and an extended period of public consultation - when opposition to the discharges was voiced in Torpoint and the surrounding district.

The agency has agreed to allow the dockyard to increase the amount of tritium it releases into the river but wants to see a reduction in other emissions.

This proposed decision now goes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Health for their consideration.

The agency said that the radiation doses from the discharges would be extremely low and well within national and international limits, and much lower than the doses from natural background radiation.

The new authorisation would improve regulatory and management control, it said.

The agency's proposed authorisation - which relates to nuclear submarine refit work - includes two discharge limits that are reduced, 16 limits that are kept the same and two limits that are increased. There are also 13 new limits. The decreases outweigh the increases, according to the agency.

All the limits and other associated conditions will continue to be carefully monitored and reviewed by the Environment Agency as part of its drive to reduce the impact of nuclear activities.

Anil Koshti for the agency said: "We are satisfied that the health risks from DML's discharges at our proposed limits are not significant in radiological terms. The new authorisation will see an overall improvement for the environment and in addition the agency will be actively seeking further reductions in radioactive discharges."

The proposed decision document is available to view at Torpoint Library. Copies of the document are also being sent to all those who responded during the consultation or requested a copy and gave their address.

Youngsters do

the town proud

A LARGE parade and open-air service were held in the centre of Torpoint to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Parade organiser Jack Honey from the town's Royal British Legion said: "I estimate there were between 700 and 800 people at the service in Elliot Square.

"I was extremely proud of the young people taking part, the Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts and Cadets - army, navy and air force. Their behaviour and demeanour was very very good.

"A special prayer to be read by a young person was read at the service by Samantha Ellison, aged 17, from Torpoint Army Cadets. She read it really really well.

"The marching in the parade to drums was good. We had two drummers who led the parade with a contingent from HMS Raleigh."

Among the guests at the event were a party of Americans including Commander Joe Hankins, the executive officer of the joint maritime facility at RAF St Mawgan.

Mention was made of the terrorist attacks in the USA and the war in Afghanistan during the service.

The Royal British Legion padre, the Rev Ken Piper, said during the service that there had only been one year since 1945 when a British serviceman had not been killed on active service.

A collection at the service for the Poppy Appeal raised around £457. The day before army cadets had collected more than £400 for the appeal on the Torpoint Ferries.

Sale boost for

cancer appeal

AN appeal by a team of policemen to raise money to fight cancer has been given a boost by a sale in Torpoint.

Eight constables from the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police, including Steve Barker from Torpoint, have set up the Forces Against Cancer 10 Peak Challenge. This will see them raising money for CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood Trust) and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund through climbing 10 mountains in the United Kingdom and Ireland and undertaking other charitable activities.

One of the first fundraising events for the appeal was a table top sale in Torpoint organised by Val and Mike Pearn, the parents of one of the police team, Chris Pearn. The sale at the Council Chambers in York Road raised £750, with all-day breakfasts proving particularly popular.

Val said: "We sold around 100 breakfasts which included eggs, bacon, sausage and beans. We were very pleased with the result of the sale."

The couple will be organising another fundraiser for the Forces Against Cancer Appeal Fund next month. This will be a sale on Saturday, December 1, between 10am and 3pm at Millbrook Scout Hall. Customers at the sale will have another chance to enjoy an all-day breakfast. The appeal has already raised a considerable amount, with an auction in Plymouth making £11,000. More information on the appeal can be obtained from Chris Pearn via e-mail at [email protected]">[email protected]

Christmas

charity day

A CHRISTMAS charity day is to be held in Torpoint on December 1.

The festive event is being organised in aid of the Mayor of Torpoint's charity, the Chestnut Appeal which aims to raise money to set up a state-of-the-art unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for prostrate cancer patients.

Mayoress Christine Martin is organising the day which will run from 10am to 4pm in the Torpoint Silver Band Hut.

Father Christmas, bearing a striking resemblance to Mayor Stan Martin, will be visiting the event and there will also be a letterbox for children to post letters to Santa.

"We are hoping lots of children will come along," said Mrs Martin.

"There will be stalls, cakes, tea and coffee, mince pies and cream, a Christmas raffle and a guess the name of the doll competition."

Visit to skateboard park

A GROUP of around 40 children and adults from the Camelford area will be visiting Torpoint on a fact-finding mission this weekend. The visit, which has been organised by North Cornwall District Council, will see the group finding out about Torpoint's skateboard park. They will discuss how money was raised to pay for the facilities in Thanckes Park and learn about the ongoing maintenance costs involved. The visit is due to take place on Sunday.

Fundraising recipes

CELTIC recipes will be sold at Torpoint Library today (Friday, November 16) to raise money for the Children in Need appeal.

No set price has been placed on the recipes for soda bread, Welsh cakes, Cornish pasties or Breton cakes but library staff will be asking for donations.