Major chemical spillage at Sharp’s Brewery, Rock

By Graham Smith Up to 1,000 litres of potentially lethal hydrochloric acid has spilled from Sharp’s Brewery at Rock, near Wadebridge. There are no casualties but fire crews, police ...

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The Perch garage murders which shocked Wadebridge in 2003 to be re-examined in the Court of Appeal

By Graham Smith The murders of Wadebridge garage owners Graham and Carol Fisher in 2003 are to be re-examined in the Court of Appeal, following a dramatic reversal of...

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Snob yob holidaymakers leave Polzeath looking “like a war zone”

By Peter Tremayne Polzeath’s reputation for attracting “snob yobs” has been re-enforced by photographs of litter and other dangerous waste left on the beach by a party from an...

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St Mawes might not be as bracing as Skegness, but it is now Britain’s top seaside resort for the discerning tourist

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The village of St Mawes, on Cornwall’s Roseland peninsula, might have a resident population of fewer than 1,000 - but has come top in a poll...

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Leisure centres at Falmouth, Launceston, St Ives, Saltash and Wadebridge will all remain closed until further notice after another “outsourcing” contract goes bad

By Graham Smith Leisure centres at Falmouth, Launceston, St Ives, Saltash and Wadebridge will not reopen on 25th July, after Cornwall Council surrendered to its private operators GLL over...

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Harbour Commissioners issue formal warning over Wadebridge jet-ski incident

By Peter Tremayne Padstow Harbour Commissioners have issued a formal warning to youths who launched a jet-ski in the River Camel at Eglshayle last week. PC Alex Allen, local...

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North Cornwall police investigate allegations of anti-social behaviour

By Peter Tremayne Police are investigating two allegations of anti social behaviour which local residents associate with holidaymakers in North Cornwall.  The incidents have fuelled underlying tensions stemming from...

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It’s a drive-in Friday as Cornwall’s cinema-goers get the chance of their first movie in three months

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall will host one of Britain’s first drive-in cinemas in the Covid-19 era this week, as The Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to a big screen...

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Wadebridge Post Office saved, as Town Council steps in to provide a temporary Covid-19 home

By Graham Smith Wadebridge Post Office is to move into the local town hall this week, as a temporary measure due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Post Office had...

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RNLI lifeguards to patrol six more Cornish beaches from tomorrow

By Richard Whitehouse More beaches in Cornwall will have RNLI lifeguards patrolling from this weekend. Cornwall Council has announced that from Saturday another six beaches in Cornwall will have...

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Covid-19 disrupts plans to relocate Wadebridge Post Office

By Graham Smith Wadebridge Post Office is to close next week – because Covid-19 social distancing rules prevent the planned move into the town’s Spar shop. The Post Office...

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“We’re in the money!” Penzance in line for a multi-million pound windfall, while North and East Cornwall can only wait for crumbs

By Peter Tremayne Towns in Cornwall have been given details of the financial help they can expect for “regeneration.”  Penzance is the big winner – with almost everywhere north...

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EXCLUSIVE: County Hall steps in to rescue Corserv from insolvency

By Anne North Cornwall Council has stepped in with an emergency bail-out loan to rescue its own company Corserv, which was on the brink of financial collapse. The council’s...

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Outsourcing company which runs Cornwall’s leisure centres asks taxpayers to top-up staff’s wages

By Anne North The company which runs Cornwall’s leisure centres is asking local taxpayers to top up its staff wages, as central government pays only 80% of normal salary...

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Royal Cornwall Show cancelled – and now planning for next year

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The Royal Cornwall Show for 2020 has been cancelled.  The event, which regularly attracts crowds of more than 100,000, had already been postponed from June to...

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No school on Monday? Keep Calm, Carry On – Malory Towers is coming to the rescue

By Anne North We might not yet have reached the stage of child-evacuees put on trains at Paddington by anxious parents hoping their offspring can escape Covid-19.  But the...

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Royal Cornwall Show and Flora Day both fall victim to Covid-19 coronavirus

By Anne North The Royal Cornwall Show will not be held in June because of the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis. Organisers have postponed the event until September. With potential exhibitors...

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Budget cash for Camelford by-pass

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Today’s budget has included funding for a Camelford by-pass. The government has accepted the business case for a single-carriageway to the west of town. The £42.5...

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This is why Cornwall Council won’t say where the local Covid-19 patients come from

By Richard Whitehouse Cornwall Council has explained why it has not provided the exact location of the five people who have tested positive for coronavirus. It comes after an...

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Are you local? Nervous residents tell second home owners to stay away from Cornwall to prevent the risk of spreading Covid-19

By Graham Smith As the government’s emergency Cobra committee today (Tuesday) ducked the difficult decision about exactly when to impose Covid-19 travel restrictions, residents in one North Cornwall community...

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Western Power promises more “flight diverters” after death of a swan at Wadebridge

By Graham Smith Western Power has promised North Cornwall MP Scott Mann that it will install more “flight diverters” to prevent the sort of incident which killed a swan...

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Post Office pledges to stay in Wadebridge

By Graham Smith The Post Office has said it plans to keep a presence in Wadebridge when it leaves its current premises on The Platt. The Post Office will...

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Western Power pressed to replace “swan balls” after bird dies at Wadebridge

By Anne North Residents in Wadebridge are pressing Western Power to replace the “swan balls” on power cables which run overhead at part of the town, following the death...

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Post Office shock as Wadebridge staff told of redundancy

By Graham Smith The Post Office has promised to clarify the situation at Wadebridge, where its staff were today (Tuesday) given notice of redundancy. Residents have been worried for...

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Planners vote 9-6 to allow demolition of North Cornwall hotel, to be replaced with apartments

By Richard Whitehouse Planning permission has been granted – by nine votes to six - for the demolition and replacement of a hotel with apartments and houses but only...

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EXCLUSIVE: Property developers finally throw in the towel at Wadebridge, offering to sell the land for agricultural use

By Graham Smith Residents of a North Cornwall town appear to have won a final victory over property developers who had wanted to build 190 homes in Wadebridge. Nearly...

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Planning officials signal thumbs-up for proposal to demolish North Cornwall hotel and build apartments instead

By Anne North Controversial plans to demolish a North Cornwall hotel and build a block of apartments have been recommended for approval, despite more than 170 objections. The 42-bedroom...

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How Airbnb is changing the face of Cornwall’s holiday lettings industry

By Anne North Nearly 12,500 properties in Cornwall are registered with Airbnb, the online holiday lettings organisation which traditional tourism organisations and traders fear is posing a threat to...

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New council homes at Launceston, Padstow and Probus for social rent and shared ownership

By Richard Whitehouse Cornwall Council’s cabinet has agreed to acquire 177 homes which will be made available for local people. The cabinet agreed yesterday (Wednesday)  to take on the...

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Labour Parties in North Cornwall and St Ives nominate Emily Thornberry as their leader

By Graham Smith Labour Party members in the North Cornwall and St Ives constituencies have nominated Emily Thornberry to be their leader. Last night’s (Tuesday) decisions means that across...

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Gorse fire damages Cornish nature reserve

By Peter Tremayne A fierce gorse fire has damaged the Rosenannon Downs nature reserve, near Wadebridge. Firefighters from Wadebridge, St Columb, Padstow, St Dennis and Lostwithiel attended.  Flames were...

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Cornwall’s Anti-Brexit campaign pins its election hopes on tactical voting

By Anne North Cornwall’s anti-Brexit campaigners are being urged to vote tactically on Thursday, with organisers of the Cornwall For Europe organisation believing that three local constituencies are in...

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Liberal Democrat Disability Association files formal complaint about its own North Cornwall candidate

By Julia Penhaligon The Liberal Democrat general election candidate in North Cornwall has come under fire from members of his own party for a series of social media posts...

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Wadebridge skatepark opens – 30 years after the campaign started

By Graham Smith Wadebridge town councillors braved a chilly afternoon to mark the official opening of their new skatepark. The campaign for a Wadebridge skatepark started more than three...

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Councillor’s advice surgery, and County Hall webcasts, fall prey to general election purdah

By Peter Tremayne The general election has put paid to a number of the “democratic” aspects of public life in Cornwall.  Officials appear to be taking full advantage of...

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Independents gain Wadebridge West in Cornwall Council by-election

By Graham Smith Independent candidate and former local police sergeant Robin Moorcroft won the Wadebridge by-election to take a vacant seat on Cornwall Council. Mr Moorcroft, also a prominent...

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Labour selects Bodmin’s Joy Bassett as its Parliamentary candidate in North Cornwall

By Anne North Labour took a step towards completing its compliment of Parliamentary candidates in Cornwall last night (Tuesday) when the party selected Bodmin’s Joy Bassett as its choice...

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Peace in our time? Most town and parish boundaries look set to remain unchanged

By Graham Smith Some of the more controversial suggestions for Cornish towns to take over their neighbouring rural parishes appear to be heading for the long-grass of “not this...

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Planning inspector says “no” to “60% affordable” housing scheme near Rock

By Rashleigh MacFarlane A government inspector has upheld Cornwall Council’s refusal of planning permission for a housing project near Rock at which more than half of the new houses...

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Five candidates line up for Wadebridge by-election

By Anne North Five candidates are to contest the vacant seat for a Cornwall councillor in Wadebridge. The Liberal Democrats are defending the Wadebridge West seat against what looks...

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Rock festival gets licence, despite protests from locals, after 7-hour meeting

By Richard Whitehouse A new music, food and wellbeing festival will be held - officially - for the first time next year after being granted a licence. Porthilly Spirit...

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Rock music festival gives councillors a headache as they sift through more than 130 written representations, ahead of Thursday’s decision

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The stage is set for a major licensing battle on Thursday when councillors decide whether or not to permit a rock festival at Rock, near Wadebridge....

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Polling in Cornwall Council by-election at Wadebridge will be on 7th November

By Anne North Polling in the Wadebridge West by-election, to elect a new member of Cornwall Council, will be on Thursday 7th November. Nomination papers must be submitted by...

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Plans for a rock festival at Rock again divide opinion

By Richard Whitehouse Organisers of a controversial festival near Rock, which was forced to pull the plug just two weeks before it was due to open its doors, could...

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Angry villagers prepare to resist takeover by Wadebridge

By Anne North Battle lines have been drawn for a furious row between Wadebridge Town Council and its neighbouring parishes, over who-does-what and how much residents should pay for...

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Cornwall councillor quits, triggering by-election at Wadebridge

By Graham Smith Cornwall councillor Karen McHugh has resigned, triggering a by-election. Ms McHugh, a Liberal Democrat, represented the Wadebridge West division.  The reasons for her resignation are not...

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“We will fight them on the beaches” – town and parish councils go to war over once-in-a-generation boundary disputes

By Graham Smith Local councils across Cornwall are preparing to do battle over which of them should survive the current Community Governance Review, with some vowing to “fight them...

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St Merryn Multi-Use Games Area will have to be torn down, after planners refuse permission

By Richard Whitehouse A holiday park is likely to have to dig up a multi-use games pitch and relocate it after planning permission was refused. The Multi-Use Games Area...

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Chiverton Cross “flyover” for bikes at the heart of new cycle routes West of Truro

By Graham Smith Residents of the St Agnes-Truro-Newquay area are being urged to have their say about new cycle routes.  The most eye-catching proposal is a new bridge over...

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Cormac finds a record £6.5 million profit in potholes

By Graham Smith Cormac has made a record profit of nearly £6.5 million.  The Wadebridge-based company, part of the Cornwall Council-owned Corserv group, has changed its focus over the...

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Farm hopes to be back to normal within two months after last week’s major fire

By Graham Smith The St Mabyn farm badly damaged by fire last week hopes to be back to normal within two months. James Mutton’s Burlerrow Farm, which produces its...

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Huge fire destroys barn at St Mabyn

By Graham Smith Fire crews have spent all night dealing with a huge barn fire at St Mabyn, near Wadebridge. No-one was hurt but the barn has been completely...

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Armed police commandeer boat in response to woman’s threat to jump from Wadebridge by-pass

By Peter Tremayne Armed police commandeered a boat in Wadebridge yesterday (Thursday) to provide “back up” in case a woman at risk of jumping from the by-pass ended up...

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EXCLUSIVE: Cornwall’s “surf tax” raising even less in revenue now than when it was introduced

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall’s controversial “surf tax” is raising even less revenue now than when it was introduced to several beaches in 2016, according to a Freedom of Information...

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Man’s body found at bottom of cliffs near Padstow

By Peter Tremayne The coastguard helicopter has found the body of a man at the bottom of cliffs between Trevone and Crugmeer, near Padstow. A 65-year-old man had been...

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No criminal charges after Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss death

By Peter Tremayne A coroner is to investigate the death of a woman who died at the Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss festival on 1st May. Laura Smallwood, 34, from Padstow,...

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RNLI launches new lifejacket hire at Rock in bid to cut sea angling deaths

By Peter Tremayne The RNLI has launched a new sea safety campaign offering to hire out lifejackets to anglers for only £5 per day. The initiative stems from the...

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Taiwan diplomats tour North Cornwall

By Anne North The Taiwanese Representative – an important diplomatic figure for trade and economic relations – visited North Cornwall yesterday (Friday) for a two-day tour of Newquay, Padstow...

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Planning inspector rules out development to the north and west of Wadebridge

By Graham Smith A planning inspector has ruled out the development of farmland to the north and west of Wadebridge. Developers had wanted to build 225 houses, a new...

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Firefighters warn again of parked car problems in Wadebridge

By Peter Tremayne Fire crews have again warned of the problems caused by parked cars at Glen Road, Wadebridge. Residents and visitors frequently park on both sides of the...

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Cornwall’s swimming clubs fear GLL price rises could force them to close

By Richard Whitehouse Swimming clubs say they could be forced to close after revealing they are facing an almost 80% increase in pool hire costs. A number of swimming...

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Council approves alcohol licence for Baby Bay charity surf event, New Polzeath

By Richard Whitehouse An application from a beach-based taco van to serve alcohol during a surfing event has been approved. Taco Boys, which operates from a converted horse box...

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URGENT CORRECTION – alcohol licence for Baby Bay surf event, New Polzeath, approved

By Graham Smith Cornwall Reports has been advised that a story filed earlier by the BBC Local Democracy service, saying the licence had been refused, was incorrect.  The licence...

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Cornwall Folk Festival warns performers to watch out for email scam

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The Cornwall Folk Festival has warned potential performers to beware of an international scam designed to trick them into parting with money. Bands and soloists from...

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Doom Bar wins drinks brand of the year award

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Doom Bar has won the Grocer Gold Award for drinks brand of the year.  The beer, brewed by Molson Coors at the Sharp’s brewery at Rock,...

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Police object to alcohol licence at Baby Bay, New Polzeath

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Police have again objected to a licensing application which seeks to sell alcohol at Baby Bay, Polzeath, during a charity surf event next month. Will Price,...

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North Cornwall MP Scott Mann stands up for Cornish Wrestling

By Graham Smith North Cornwall MP Scott Mann plans to use an adjournment debate in the House of Commons this evening (Wednesday) to win government support for Cornish Wrestling....

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Rain deterred visitors to last week’s Royal Cornwall Show

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The Royal Cornwall show reports that 110,704 people visited this year’s event – the numbers were slightly down on expectation, with wind and rain greeting show-goers...

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Success at last for five year campaign to save St Just library

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Work has started to re-roof the roof and entrance porch of St Just Library, which has been safeguarded following a successful five-year campaign by local people....

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Camel and Helford estuaries join the list of Marine Conservation Zones

By Anne North Two estuaries in Cornwall have today (Friday) joined Defra’s list of Marine Conservation Zones.  The Camel Estuary, near Wadebridge, and the Helford Estuary, between Mawnan Smith...

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Hustyns to become “instant village” as planners vote 8-6 to lift “holiday-only” restriction

By Graham Smith Planners have voted 8-6 to lift a “holiday-only” restriction on a timeshare complex at Hustyns, Burlawn, near Wadebridge. Voting against their officers’ recommendation, members of Cornwall...

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Decision day for Hustyns holiday lodges, as planners meet to consider lifting the restriction which prevents an “instant village” near Wadebridge

By Anne North Cornwall’s planners meet this morning (Monday) to consider lifting a “holiday-use only” restriction at a long-established resort near Wadebridge. The Hustyns complex was built during the...

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European Parliament election votes will be counted at Wadebridge

By Peter Tremayne The counting of Cornwall’s votes in the European Parliament elections will be at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. Although Britain votes on Thursday 23rd May, voting...

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North Cornwall beach van refused licence to sell alcohol

By Richard Whitehouse A converted horsebox serving tacos will not be allowed to sell alcohol after being refused a licence due to concerns about public safety. Taco Boys run...

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No rocking at Rock this year, as festival organisers admit defeat

By Rashleigh MacFarlane A controversial rock concert due to be held at Rock will not go ahead after all. The Porthilly Spirit festival was refused a licence last week. ...

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Planners asked to lift “holiday-only” restriction on Hustyns lodges, near Wadebridge

By Graham Smith One of Cornwall’s longest-established holiday resorts could soon be turned in to an “instant village” in an Area of Great Landscape Value near Wadebridge. Hustyns announced...

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Plans for Rock festival in doubt as council refuses licence

By Richard Whitehouse A new music, food and wellbeing festival has been refused a licence despite having sold hundreds of tickets. Porthilly Spirit festival was due to take place...

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Port Isaac Rowing Club returns home after Isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championships

Port Isaac Rowing Club has returned to the Cornish mainland after another World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly. The May Day weekend saw the Ladies Supervets...

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Organisers of Porthilly Spirit event say Rock festival will benefit local area

By Richard Whitehouse Cornwall councillors are due to meet tomorrow (Wednesday) to consider granting permission for a new music, food and wellbeing festival which has raised concerns about transport,...

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Padstow woman dies after ‘Obby ‘Oss incident

By Peter Tremayne A woman who was injured during Padstow’s ‘Obby ‘Oss celebrations on Wednesday (1st May) in Padstow has died. Laura Smallwood, 34, from Padstow, died yesterday (Saturday)...

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Rock rocked by music festival described as “a very good idea in the wrong place”

By Richard Whitehouse Fears have been raised that a new music, food and wellbeing festival could bring traffic chaos and drugs to a quiet area in north Cornwall. Porthilly...

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North Cornwall’s Lib Dems to have a choice over who will be their Parliamentary candidate

By Anne North North Cornwall’s Liberal Democrats are gearing up for a contested election to decide who will be their candidate at the next general election. Launceston vet Danny...

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Padstow library set to close

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The future of Padstow Library is in doubt, as the “devolution” process which seeks to transfer responsibility from Cornwall Council to town and parish councils is...

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Bodmin councillor Leigh Frost declares he wants to be North Cornwall’s next MP

By Anne North Bodmin Liberal Democrat councillor Leigh Frost has declared his ambition to stand for Parliament at the next general election. Mr Frost, a town and Cornwall councillor,...

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Land north of the Wadebridge by-pass to be declared “off limits” to developers

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The long-running saga of the Wadebridge Neighbourhood Plan has taken a new twist with a declaration by local councillors that all land north of the town’s...

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Planners say no to major expansion of Wadebridge

By Graham Smith Planners have refused permission for a major expansion of Wadebridge to the north and west of the town. An outline application for 225 houses, a primary...

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Planners vote 13-2 to approve housing estate on the site of Wadebridge Town football club

By Graham Smith Planners have finally given the go ahead for a housing estate on the site of Wadebridge Town football club. The 13-2 vote means the club will...

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Plans to turn Wadebridge Football Club into a housing estate finally due to be decided next week

By Graham Smith The long-debated attempt to turn the Wadebridge football club into a housing estate is finally due to come before a planning committee next week. The proposed...

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Port Isaac Rowing Club’s annual Gig Push raises £600

By Anne North The Port Isaac Rowing Club has raised £600 for the Invictus Trust, a Cornwall-based charity which helps provide support for children and young adults with mental...

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Large fire destroys Wadebridge factory

18th October 2018 By Peter Tremayne Firefighters have spent the night tackling a large fire on the Trenant Industrial Estate, Wadebridge. At least one factory, thought to manufacture coffins,...

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The 30-year campaign for a skatepark in Wadebridge finally goes out to tender

18th September 2018 By Julia Penhaligon After a campaign lasting nearly 30 years, youngsters in Wadebridge might soon have a bike-and-skate park constructed on land behind the Lidl supermarket,...

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Contractors got a parking ticket while cleaning town council toilets

7th August 2018 By Julia Penhaligon The dangers of leaving a vehicle unattended on the streets of Wadebridge have again been underlined by a Cornwall Council parking enforcement officer,...

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North Cornwall Liberal Democrats look to the future

23rd July 2018 By Rashleigh MacFarlane North Cornwall’s Liberal Democrats are about to start the process of selecting a Parliamentary candidate, in anticipation of a general election. Former Lib...

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North Cornwall MP Scott Mann quits ministerial role over Brexit

16th July 2018 By Graham Smith North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has resigned as a junior minister, in protest at Theresa May’s policy on Brexit. Mr Mann, who had...

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Decision on 225 new homes north of Wadebridge “by September”

2nd July 2018 By Anne North New plans have now been submitted formally for 225 houses to the north west of Wadebridge, between the A39 Ball roundabout and the...

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Nearly 120,000 attended Royal Cornwall Show

11th June 2018 By Rashleigh MacFarlane The organisers of the Royal Cornwall Show are already planning next year's event after 119,201 people flooded through the gates last week. The...

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Cornwall’s traffic wardens and the taxi rank parking poser

29th May 2019 By Richard Whitehouse Traffic wardens are unable to issue parking tickets to people parking in taxi ranks because they have not been legally adopted by the...

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Cornwall Farmers to survive at Wadebridge, Helston and Otterham following sale to Welsh company

4th May 2018 By Graham Smith A Welsh agricultural supplies group, Wynnstay, has bought the Cornwall Farmers groups of stores.  The new owners plan to keep only Wadebridge, Otterham...

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Tesco set to get petrol pumps for Wadebridge supermarket

27th April 2018 By Graham Smith Tesco is to succeed in its bid to sell petrol at its Wadebridge supermarket, after a deal was reached to address traffic concerns...

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Wadebridge town council votes against football club housing scheme

26th April 2018 By Graham Smith Plans to build a housing estate on the Wadebridge football club ground have suffered a setback after town councillors voted 9-2 not to...

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