Archive
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Professor's prediction could become a reality
A report, recently written by Professor Colman from Manchester University, makes sober reading for anyone who cares about the future of the dairy industry. Prof Colman produced an initial report last year after interviewing 350 dairy farmers. In this
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Help to prevent husk
This month NADIS vet Richard Laven writes for South West Farmer on the prevention of husk in cattle. NADIS (National Animal Disease Information Service) is a network of 40 veterinary practices and six veterinary colleges monitoring diseases in cattle,
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DERELICT HOMES ANGER
Two traditionally built granite properties in Porthleven that have been left empty for more than 20 years are arousing the wrath of local residents. Neighbours say it is a "scandal" that the dilapidated cottages in Peverell Terrace are being left unoccupied
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Seventeen extra maizes
For 2006, a total of 17 new varieties appear on the NIAB Descriptive List, of which 13 feature as first choice on both Favourable and Less Favourable sites lists. In addition to these 13, three varieties appear only on the Less Favourable list (making
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High Court turns down bid for radio licence
A Helston man's dream to run a new commercial radio station in Cornwall has come to an end following a High Court decision and a refusal for a judicial review. John Grierson, who lives at The Lizard, failed in his campaign to re-open the discussion as
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Box crab landed at Cadgwith
A rare crab that usually lives at great depths was landed by Cadgwith fisherman Danny Phillips last week. The 3lb box crab, which would normally be found off the continental shelf in around 3,000 metres of water, was hauled up from a depth of around 90
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Ace earns Lee a chance of a car
BURNHAM golf professional Lee Corfield is just three shots away from winning a brand new Peugeot car. The 22-year-old former England amatuer international, who turned professional at the end of June, had a hole-in-one during the PGA Europro Tour event
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Joy for the Rebels
SOMERSET Rebels speedway team scooped their first major Premier League trophy since they were formed six when they took the Fours title in superb style at Workington on Saturday. See the Weekly News for the full story.
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Family furious over delays in prescription drugs info
THE family of an Ilminster man who committed suicide are angry that information on the danger of prescription drugs has taken so long to emerge. Back in May, the News reported that an inquest into the death of deputy headteacher Stephen Leggett, 53, concluded
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Tributes to crash victim
A GRIEVING Ilminster woman has paid tribute to her husband who was tragically killed in a road accident last week. Sue Neave was due to celebrate her 57th birthday last Tuesday with husband Tom and daughter Rose at an Italian restaurant in Manchester.
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Great win for the Glovers
GOALS by Darren Way and Kevin Gall gave Yeovil Town an excellent 2-0 success at Championship side Ipswich Town last night (Tuesday) in the First Round of the Carling Cup. For full match report see today's Yeovil Express.
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Shop to close after 90 years
ONE of the longest running businesses in Chard is being forced to close as patterns in shopping continue to change. Speciality shop Long and Bartlett, regarded by many as an institution in the town, is having to say goodbye to a number of loyal customers
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Proposal for 12 homes deferred
THE fate of controversial plans for a Chard housing development is still undecided. At last Wednesday's meeting of South Somerset District Council's Area West Committee, an application for 12 houses, garages and an access road on land off Cedar Close
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Patient care in jeopardy
MENTAL health provision in Chard could soon be cut off, the News has been told. Somerset Partnership NHS Trust, which operates the county's mental health services, this week denied it plans to end in-patient provision at Bracken House Residential after
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Hard work rewarded
Staff and pupils at Falmouth School were patting themselves on the back this week after the latest A-level results put the school well up the ladder for achievement. Fifty students achieved a 94 per cent pass rate amid suggestions nationwide that the
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Quality top of the menu
A fresh focus on fine food is top of the menu for the new owner of one of Falmouth's most popular hotels. Keith Richardson has just taken over the Falmouth Hotel with his wife Ann, after paying £5.79 million. Mr Richardson, who also owns another five
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Soil must be kept in the field this autumn
Over 40% of arable land in England and Wales is at risk from water erosion and over 2.3 million tonnes of soil is lost annually. No wonder soil management and specifically erosion control has climbed up the political agenda. So what should you be doing
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SMART day at Cullumpton
What's the best way to establish oilseed rape? How do the economics of your wheat fungicide regime stack up? These and a myriad other questions were tackled at a recent Masstock SMARTfarm open day at Cullompton in Devon hosted by Agrownomics/Dalgety.
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DERELICT HOMES ANGER
TWO traditionally built granite properties in Porthleven that have been left empty for more than 20 years are arousing the wrath of local residents. Neighbours say it is a "scandal" that the dilapidated cottages in Peverell Terrace are being left unoccupied
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Crowds cram village fete
MORE than 1,000 people crowded into Allerford on Sunday for a fete held to raise funds for the village hall. Numbers were swelled with the arrival of scores of vintage and classic cars and motorcycles from Minehead and North Devon. For pictures and story
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Top lamb producer
The David Maunder Perpetual Cup has been awarded to Michael Ware of Burn Farm, Silverton, for his production this year of almost 600 lambs. The cup, together with a bottle of champagne, was presented at the Mid Devon Show by Mr Peter Maunder, a director
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Badger TB rate is 1:7
New research by environment ministry Defra suggests only one in seven badgers found dead at roadsides in the South West had tuberculosis. Defra's badger road traffic accident survey was based on TB tests carried out on road-kill badgers. It has been carried
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Top lamb producer
The David Maunder Perpetual Cup has been awarded to Michael Ware of Burn Farm, Silverton, for his production this year of almost 600 lambs. The cup, together with a bottle of champagne, was presented at the Mid Devon Show by Mr Peter Maunder, a director
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Fighting benefit fraud
INVESTIGATIONS take place every day in Bridgwater to crackdown on benefit fraud - but how are the people cheating the system brought to justice? Pick up the Mercury for this week's special investigation.
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Success story
More than 40 farmers and vets visited West Chaldon Farm, near Dorchester, to see how one of the South West's biggest and most successful dairy herds is managed. The Cobb family has run the 2,250 acre farm for four generations and has won a number of dairy
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Green is the colour for Somerset
SOMERSET is getting greener than ever with news out this week that the county's recycling rate for 2004-05 reached its highest ever total of just under 32 per cent. Over 87,000 tonnes of waste was sent off for recycling rather than landfill,resulting
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Hunt for Raymond Poole
POLICE are appealing for help in finding Taunton man Raymond Poole after he went missing from his Milton Road home. There is increasing concern for Mr Poole, 36 who has not taken his prescribed medication. His moped was found this morning (Wednesday)
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Hard work rewarded
Redruth School were celebrating this week when they heard their A-level students had amassed a 98 per cent pass rate. Craig Martin, head of sixth form, said: "We are delighted. It is all down to the hard work of the students and staff." Of the students
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Best ever for school at A level
The assistant head teacher of Camborne School and director of sixth form was jubilant at his pupils' successes - although a full list has not been provided." Brett Miners told the Packet: "Camborne Science and Community College sixth form celebrated some
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MK slates government over fire control plans
Mebyon Kernow has reacted with anger to a government announcement that a single fire control centre will be created in Taunton to cover the whole of the South West. The party has slated what it sees as the Labour Party's continuing obsession with SW regionalisation
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Trail routes includes places of interest
The Carn Brea Parish Trail, which covers the areas of Pool and Illogan Highway, has been officially launched at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, with a sign to mark the start of the route. Leaflets have also been sent to every household in the district
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Smoking attraction
Black smoke billowed into an otherwise cloudless sky near St Agnes at the weekend as hundreds of steam and traction engines gathered for the 50th anniversary of the West of England Steam Engine Society. Thousands of people packed into the showground over
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Police hunt Taunton man
POLICE are appealing for help in finding Taunton man Raymond Poole after he went missing yesterday (Tuesday August 23) from his Milton Road home. There is increasing concern for Mr Poole, 36 who has not taken his prescribed medication. His moped was found
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Shotgun death shocks residents
A SHOTGUN death in a quiet Burnham road on Monday morning has stunned residents. The body of 66-year-old Peter Whitcombe, of Old Burnham Road, was discovered by police in the back garden of a house in Jaycroft Road after a neighbour reported hearing a
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Dealing with debt worries
Nearly three years of effort has finally resulted in a free specialist legal service becoming available in Truro. Carrick Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has developed a debt and welfare unit on the first floor of Truro library, next door to their main office
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Fine lot of students at Truro School
To achieve a place in the top ten of students in the country for an exam is fantastic - but for six of the places to be filled by students from one school is almost unheard of. That's the situation that Truro School is celebrating, after being told six
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Spitfire lands at Lemon Quay
A full-size replica of a Spitfire will be arriving in Truro on Sunday to grace the Lemon Quay piazza. It will stay there until September 11 for the county's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II which will be attended by the
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Hall form Cornwall out of debt
Truro's Hall for Cornwall has finally broken free of its debt-ridden past and is no longer a struggling entertainment venue. Five years ago HfC had a crippling deficit running into nearly seven figures and was forced to turn to the Arts Council to survive
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Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Main trophy won on borrowed motorcycle
West Cornwall Motor Club Ltd held its annual Greybeards Trial at Splattenridden Farm, Lelant, when 45 competitors were graced with a gloriously sunny day on which to ride the three laps of eight sections. The main Greybeard Trophy went to St Austell visitor
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Cornwall have big job ahead of them
Cornwall ended the second day of their Minor Counties Championship game with Shropshire at St Austell on Monday evening with plenty to do to salvage anything from the final game of the season. In reply to the visitors' 296 Cornwall were bowled out for
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Reds benefit from friendly
REDRUTH 7pts EXETER 24 pts - Old rivals for many years, Exeter came to the Recreation Ground for a pre-season fixture, designed to help both clubs for coming League fixtures. As most would have expected Exeter won, by a 4-1 try count, being in control
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Main trophy won on borrowed motorcycle
West Cornwall Motor Club Ltd held its annual Greybeards Trial at Splattenridden Farm, Lelant, when 45 competitors were graced with a gloriously sunny day on which to ride the three laps of eight sections. The main Greybeard Trophy went to St Austell visitor
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Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Venues for JoVenues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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Main trophy won on borrowed motorcycle
West Cornwall Motor Club Ltd held its annual Greybeards Trial at Splattenridden Farm, Lelant, when 45 competitors were graced with a gloriously sunny day on which to ride the three laps of eight sections. The main Greybeard Trophy went to St Austell visitor
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Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Five-a-side to start
The Carn Brea 5-a-side league, which is sponsored by Nantuckett News of Tuckingmill, is nearing the beginning of its 32nd season at the leisure centre. Having last season enjoyed one of its most successful, new teams have joined with players returning
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Main trophy won on borrowed motorcycle
West Cornwall Motor Club Ltd held its annual Greybeards Trial at Splattenridden Farm, Lelant, when 45 competitors were graced with a gloriously sunny day on which to ride the three laps of eight sections. The main Greybeard Trophy went to St Austell visitor
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Cornwall have big job ahead of them
Cornwall ended the second day of their Minor Counties Championship game with Shropshire at St Austell on Monday evening with plenty to do to salvage anything from the final game of the season. In reply to the visitors' 296 Cornwall were bowled out for
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Volatility poses dangers for dairy industry
A Defra-funded study has highlighted the very real dangers posed to the dairy industry by volatile and uncertain market conditions, say Westcountry NFU officials. The report, commissioned by Defra from the University of Manchester, draws two critical
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Partnership reaps reward
On the NFU front, there is some good news to report this month. The partnerships that I, as Livestock Chairman, have been working on with other European farmers unions, especially southern Ireland are beginning to work. The southern Irish have led the
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Threat to carnival
THE continued closure of the fairground car park in Helston is causing a headache for the organiser of the town's carnival on September 3. The carnival parade usually ends at the car park but with the site fenced off, and the nearby cattle market car
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What to do with glut of tomatoes?
Can a cook have too many tomatoes, I ask myself, as I can see soon I will have this problem? It all started because Johnnie was going to have a huge party, so I thought I'd grow some for the occasion. I got a couple of packets of seed, duly planted them
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A-level results worth waiting for
Nervous weeks of waiting were finally over last Thursday when students from Helston Community College received their A-level results. An outstanding year for the college saw the overall pass rate reach 98.5 per cent - well above the national average of
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Growing concern over the state of port's harbour
A Porthleven man has challenged harbour owner Trevor Osborne to allay residents' concerns over the deteriorating state of the port. Mick Patterson, of Ocean Crescent, was speaking out in the wake of a visual protest mounted last weekend by local artist
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£1,000 trophy up for grabs
Cornish gigs from across the South West will be fighting for a spectacular trophy worth more than £1,000 in an RNLI fundraising race at the Newlyn Fish Festival on Monday August 29. The Trafalgar Trophy is a model of a rowing lifeboat made at The Copper
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Lucky goal pips United
A DISMAL first-half performance led to Burnham losing their first away game of the season, against promoted Oldland at Warmley on Saturday. They badly missed the creative work in midfield of Neil Seymour, who was serving a week's suspension from last
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One-way plan hopes dashed
HOPES have been dashed for Ilminster's Chamber of Commerce after a controversial supermarket application was sent back to South Somerset District Council by the Government Office of the South-West. The chamber had hoped that intervention by itself and
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Lucky escape from collision on the water
The fisherman whose boat sunk after a collision with the Falmouth Ocean Aqua Cab believes he is lucky to be alive. Simon Opie, from Penryn, told the Packet that he could not understand why neither him, nor his passenger Darren, were not seriously hurt
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Churches under seige
The congregation of a Falmouth church was lucky to escape injury after a pane of glass was broken during the middle of a service on Sunday. The glass pane formed part of one of the side windows, facing out onto the road of All Saints Church in Killigrew
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Additive makes grass 'greener'
Farmers growing cereals are accustomed to expect their seed to be dressed with at least one chemical treatment to protect the seedling from emergent pests and diseases and improve establishment. Yet grass and clover seed which is sown into an equally
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Hall for Cornwall out of debt
TRURO'S Hall for Cornwall has finally broken free of its debt-ridden past and is no longer a struggling entertainment venue. Five years ago HfC had a crippling deficit running into nearly seven figures and was forced to turn to the Arts Council to survive
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Churches under seige
THE congregation of a Falmouth church was lucky to escape injury after a pane of glass was broken during the middle of a service on Sunday. The glass pane formed part of one of the side windows, facing out onto the road of All Saints Church in Killigrew
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THIEVES TAKE SKIP LORRY!
ANGRY and "violated" was the response from the owner of a Redruth skip-hire company after a £13,000 lorry was stolen from his locked premises. John Budd, owner and managing director of Bu-Mar Skip Hire in New Portreath Road, Gilbert's Coombe, said the
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Use the right fertilisers
Farmers in the South West collectively waste vast amounts of money every year simply because the fertilisers they apply are poorly matched to the requirements of their farms, according to leading farmer-owned co-operative Mole Valley Farmers. "Maximising
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Scientists prove what connoiseurs knew
Visitors to the Westcountry who stumble across well-hung, grass fed Red Ruby Devon beef for the first time in their lives are amazed at the difference between this and what they buy from their local supermarket. According to celebrity chef and food writer
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Group studies ways of improving profits
Looking for ideas to improve dairy farm profitability and also improve farm life, is what the members of the Mid Cornwall Dairy Focus Group were looking for when they travelled to Dorset on a study tour. "The group which is part of the Grassland Challenge
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THIEVES TAKE SKIP LORRY!
Angry and "violated" was the response from the owner of a Redruth skip-hire company after a £13,000 lorry was stolen from his locked premises. John Budd, owner and managing director of Bu-Mar Skip Hire in New Portreath Road, Gilbert's Coombe, said the
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Head says modern system better than 'big bang' exam
This year's A-level results were the best ever at Cornwall College Camborne's Sixth Form Centre. The overall pass rate was 98% with 23 subjects achieving 100% success. The college's students are well above the national average of 96.2% this year, which
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A-level results at King Alfred below national average
KING Alfred School's A-level results fell considerably short of the national average - but the head teacher insists he is "really pleased" with the grades. The results announced last Thursday revealed the Highbridge school's pass rate stood at 91%, compared
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Spirits snatched from Burnham supermarket
THIEVES have targeted a Burnham supermarket and made off with bottles of spirits snatched from the store. Booze-mad crooks raided Somerfield early on Saturday night and escaped in a green Cavalier parked nearby - speeding off through a red light. For
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Truro make most of draw
The 2005 Jolly's Drinks ECB Cornwall Premier League title may well be on its way back to St Just-in-Penwith but at least Truro had the satisfaction of getting the best of a drawn game at Boscawen Park on Saturday. Truro posted 233 for 7 and St Just fell
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Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Venues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Five-a-side to start
The Carn Brea 5-a-side league, which is sponsored by Nantuckett News of Tuckingmill, is nearing the beginning of its 32nd season at the leisure centre. Having last season enjoyed one of its most successful, new teams have joined with players returning
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Date
Venues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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Cornwall have big job ahead of them
Cornwall ended the second day of their Minor Counties Championship game with Shropshire at St Austell on Monday evening with plenty to do to salvage anything from the final game of the season. In reply to the visitors' 296 Cornwall were bowled out for
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No answer to spinmasters
Falmouth eventually came out on top of a very low scoring ECB Premier League match at home to Newquay on Saturday. Having won the toss, Falmouth elected to bat first, a decision they were soon regretting having been reduced to 50 for 7. Skipper Rob Harrison
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Five-a-side to start
The Carn Brea 5-a-side league, which is sponsored by Nantuckett News of Tuckingmill, is nearing the beginning of its 32nd season at the leisure centre. Having last season enjoyed one of its most successful, new teams have joined with players returning
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Date
Venues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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Date
Main trophy won on borrowed motorcycle
West Cornwall Motor Club Ltd held its annual Greybeards Trial at Splattenridden Farm, Lelant, when 45 competitors were graced with a gloriously sunny day on which to ride the three laps of eight sections. The main Greybeard Trophy went to St Austell visitor
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Date
Cornwall have big job ahead of them
Cornwall ended the second day of their Minor Counties Championship game with Shropshire at St Austell on Monday evening with plenty to do to salvage anything from the final game of the season. In reply to the visitors' 296 Cornwall were bowled out for
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Date
Former British Lions star to help Cornish rugby
Legendary former British Lions rugby star Gareth "Cooch" Chilcott will be in Cornwall on Friday, September 16, to help raise funds for the development of Cornish rugby. The occasion will be the first sports dinner-dance to be staged by Truro-based Skinners
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Date
Five-a-side to start
The Carn Brea 5-a-side league, which is sponsored by Nantuckett News of Tuckingmill, is nearing the beginning of its 32nd season at the leisure centre. Having last season enjoyed one of its most successful, new teams have joined with players returning
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Date
Venues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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Port fall at first hurdle
HALLEN 3 PORTHLEVEN 0 - AWAY to Toolstation Western League outfit Hallen in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, Porthleven gave a determined performance despite their early exit. The Fishermen included new signing from Penryn Athletic, Damon Mulready
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Venues for Jolly's League finals announced
The venues for this year's Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Finals on Saturday, September 10, (1pm) have been announced as follows: Div. 2 at St Austell, Div. 3 at Perran-ar-worthal, Div. 4 at St Neot, Div. 5 at Troon, andDiv 6 at Wadebridge. The
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TOP BEAST
Charolais Little Bovey USA was declared Interbreed Champion/Supreme Beef Champion at the Okehampton Show. Owner Mr H Vooght is pictured receiving the cup from Mrs Wendy Barrett, wife of president Bob Barrett. Show results are on page 28 of September's
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MARKET UPTURN IN LAND
The amount of South West farmland on the market is up for the first time in three years. Many farmers are opting to sell now the period of uncertainty over CAP reform has come to an end, says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Since the deadline
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Milk Marque members to vote on fate
All 10,149 members of Milk Marque are being asked to approve a change of legal status that will convert the organisation into a private limited company and rule changes to facilitate the issue of £15m nominal value of capitalisation shares to members
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Profits are up
Milk Link, a leading South West's farmer owned dairy businesses, shows profit up 73 per cent to £18.5 million in its annual report. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation was up 93 per cent to £27 million, turnover up 66 per
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Show puts spotlight on forestry industry
Visitors to this year's South West Woodland Show are in for a treat with a number of exciting attractions planned for the big day. More and more businesses are keen to exhibit and organisers are hoping for a bumper day. To be held on Friday, September
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Horror of foot and mouth recorded in words and pictures
More than four years after the last case of foot and mouth was confirmed in Devon, a remarkable book has been published to document what really happened in the dark months of 2001. Silence at Ramscliffe: Foot and Mouth in Devon combines Chris Chapman's