RETWEET FOR TOWNS DAY

I would like to invite you to participate in Retweet for Towns Day, March 8 2012.

The purpose of the event is to start a live debate about high streets, villages, towns and city centres in order to share best practice and also to encourage residents to become involved in their communities.  Using Twitter in this way enables everyone to have a say about where they live with the minimum of personal inconvenience

The campaign has already gathered support from Association of Town Centre Management and TV weather forecaster Sian Lloyd.  Deeply saddened by the situation facing most of our town centres Sian has already been tweeting for the cause and is urging other to join in too.  Sian offered “Residents can make a real difference by supporting those who are working to preserve our high streets and this campaign offers everyone a simple way to comment and debate about their town centres”

ATCM Chief Executive, Martin Blackwell was very enthusiastic to be involved and said “This is a brilliant idea and allows the ordinary person the opportunity to show their support for their town centre. They are not dead yet!"www.barnessquiresassociates.co.uk and below.  

 The ‘tweeting’ starts right now with the debate culminating with a mass day of tweeting on March 8.  I encourage you all start sharing good news stories that other areas can introduce into their towns. I am also looking for debate about the true picture in the high streets and to tell the true story around town centre vibrancy.  I believe that the real power of using social media in this way comes from talking to residents and visitors not only to get their views but also to encourage them to become active in their community and hopefully form Partnerships and Town Teams

Local promotion of the event through traditional media will not only enable residents and businesses to discuss their town openly but will also enable the Town Partnerships and BIDs to collect resident data for future communication


Sharing good ideas and issues with the rest of the UK via the #rt4towns hash tag will create a spotlight on the projects and successes in your area and promote your village, town and city

To help support and promote Retweet For Towns Day, Harrisons External Display Systems are encouraging you to be imaginative and describe your perfect town or high street in 140 characters including hash tag #rt4towns. To reward the best Tweet, Harrisons are offering a £250 voucher or flag and pole to help promote your high street projects.  See more about the competition at

For more information see www.barnessquiresassociates.co.uk and to join in follow @loyalhelp.

1 HELICOPTER, A 2 YEAR EXHIBITION AND THE 100’S THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s new Search & Rescue exhibition is just weeks away from opening. However, it’s taken years of planning and the generous support of the RNLI, MCA, Royal Navy, RAF and many other organisations and individuals to make it happen.

Behind every exhibition, large or small, is an even bigger team and this cannot be underestimated for the Museum’s new Search & Rescue exhibition and its recent helicopter installation.

The Ministry of Defence has loaned a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter. Retired from service with the introduction of the Merlin Mk1, it has been stored at a depot awaiting disposal. However, thanks to the MOD, the Royal Navy, RAF, AgustaWestland and Vector Aerospace the Sea King now has a new lease of life.

It not only has a new home and a new role but also a new coat of paint thanks to the generous assistance of AgustaWestland. The skilled technicians at Vector Aerospace have painted the aircraft in the combined livery of both the Royal Navy and RAF Search and Rescue colours – something which has never been done or seen before.

Ray Edwards, Managing Director at AgustaWestland says: “The Sea King remains the mainstay of the UK Search and Rescue helicopter service and AgustaWestland is proud to be responsible for keeping them flying 365 days a year. We are also pleased to support this major exhibition which will highlight the lifesaving work carried out on a daily basis by search and rescue helicopters and the aircrew that fly them.”

Michael Tyrrell, Managing Director, Vector Aerospace UK, says, “Vector Aerospace has helped maintain the Sea King fleet for over 40 years and when the opportunity to assist with this project arose we were delighted to help. The iconic liveries on this aircraft highlight the UK armed forces support to search and rescue services over the years. The refinish team here at Vector rose to the challenge that was set and are extremely proud of the end result. We wish the museum and exhibition the best of luck for the future.”

Prior to her forthcoming new role as a hands-on interactive within the Museum, this Sea King had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy. Her first flight was on 15 April 1970 and she served in the Falklands War, operating with other Sea Kings on the afternoon of 8 June 1982 when three bombs hit the RFA Sir Galahad. The ship was heavily laden with Welsh Guardsman and with significant casualties the Sea Kings worked together to winch the injured.

Following her time in the Falklands, she served at RNAS Culdrose, with many personnel who are still based there today. So, you could say this Sea King is returning back home.

Commanding Officer 771 Naval Air Squadron Lt Cdr Chris ‘Damage’ Canning says: “Here at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose we are absolutely delighted to have been able to assist the Maritime Museum in assembling this magnificent exhibition in recognition of the work, both past and present, of the UK’s Maritime Rescue Services.  The team at the museum really have done a fantastic job capturing the different organisations that stand ready at a moment’s notice to respond to an unfolding emergency on or around our coastline.”

Ben Lumby, Exhibitions Manager at the Maritime Museum says: “There are a handful of staff and volunteers at the Museum who have developed the installation but behind us are teams of researchers, donors, designers, suppliers, funders…the list is endless. Without them we wouldn’t be able to deliver this exhibition and we wouldn’t be able to commemorate and celebrate the work of the maritime rescue services.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their time and investment and look forward to opening the doors to the exhibition on Friday 16 March to see how our visitors react to this new, powerful and important exhibition.”

The new Search & Rescue exhibition at National Maritime Museum Cornwall opens on Friday 16 March.

Falmouth Spring Clean Day

Come and join the Guerrilla Gardening Crew as we undertake a Falmouth Spring Clean Day on March 10 as part of the Spring Festival! Last year we tackled Bells Court, cleared 5 tonnes of rubbish and won a Community Award. This year four sites tackled by various volunteers across town.

Interested?

Register interest with becky@eventcornwall.co.uk and we'll give you some more details..

Olympic Flame to arrive in Culdrose!

Cornwall welcomes announcement that Olympic Flame will be arriving at RNAS Culdrose

2 February 2012

News that the Olympic Flame will arrive at RNAS Culdrose on 18 May to begin its historic 70 day journey through towns and villages across the UK has been welcomed by Cornwall Council Chairman Mrs Pat Harvey and Council Leader Alec Robertson.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced this week that the Olympic Flame will arrive at RNAS Culdrose in the early evening of Friday, 18 May.

 “I am delighted that RNAS Culdrose has been chosen as the arrival point of the Olympic Flame into the UK” said Alec Robertson. Leader of Cornwall Council.  “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to showcase the very best that Cornwall has to offer and we are looking forward to working with LOCOG and staff at the naval base to create a memorable event that will put Culdrose, Helston and Cornwall firmly on the world stage”.

“This is a huge honour for Cornwall “ said Mrs Harvey, the Chairman of Cornwall Council.  “It is our opportunity to show the world what a wonderful place Cornwall is with its underlying historic role as the gateway to the UK”.

The Flame will be flown to Cornwall from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on 17 May on board British Airways flight ‘BA2012’ following an official Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony when the Flame will be handed over to a London 2012 representative.  It will travel on a gold liveried aircraft in a ceremonial lantern secured in a specially designed cradle which is, in turn, firmly fixed to its seat on the plane using a secure holding device.  The lantern is designed so the Olympic Flame can burn safely for up to 30 hours.

After spending the night at RNAS CUldrose, the Olympic Flame will travel to Lands End on the morning of 19 May ready for the start of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Suzanne Bond, Chief Executive of Cornwall Development Company, said “The Olympic and Paralympic Games is the biggest event in the world and now Cornwall will be in the spotlight for both the arrival of the Olympic Flame and the first day of the Torch Relay.  The exposure offered through these two days is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Cornwall to the world; I am working with partners to ensure that we focus attention on our 21^st century and world leading businesses as well as our stunning scenery and impressive cultural heritage.”

The choice of RNAS Culdrose for the Flame’s arrival in the UK acknowledges the vital contribution of maritime and coastal search and rescue services.  RNAS Culdrose, home to most of the Navy’s Merlin and Sea King helicopter squadrons that are supporting operations around the world,  also offers a beautiful Cornish setting in which an estimated 1000 guests, media and members of the local community are expected to welcome the Olympic Flame.

Captain Willie Entwisle, Commanding Officer of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, said: ‘We are honoured that the Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK by landing at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Our personnel, many of whom are currently supporting the Royal Navy on operations across the globe, are very excited that the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games will start here. We are delighted to be playing such an important part in this once-in-a-lifetime event.’

From Lands End the Olympic Flame will then travel 8,000 miles around the UK on the Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.  8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame for approximately 300 metres each, passing the Olympic Flame from torch to torch until it reaches the Olympic Stadium on the eve of 27 July.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to confirm 10 May as the Flame lighting date and RNAS Culdrose as the Olympic Flame’s arrival point into the UK. My team is looking forward to working with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Defence  and our commercial partners to create exciting events to mark the Flame’s Greek provenance and its arrival to our shores.’

Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond said: ‘I am delighted that Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose will be the first to welcome the Olympic Flame into the UK. It is a fantastic opportunity for the Armed Forces to be involved in such a unique event, and one they can take pride in for years to come.’

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt said: ‘When BA2012 touches down in Cornwall carrying the Olympic torch it will be a hugely exciting moment. This kicks off our incredible Torch Relay right around the country and I’m sure the torch will spread ‘Olympic fever’ everywhere it goes.’

FREE car parking in February kicks off

Falmouth BID is making car parking free on Wednesdays in February!
Now there is an even greater reason to visit Falmouth! If you're visiting by car for an early season break or just for the day then make sure you take advantage of the fact that car parking in Falmouth's two main car parks, The Dell and The Quarry will be absolutely FREE! (from 8am on each Weds to 8am Thursday morning)


And don't forget, if you visit between 4-11 Feb then you can coincide your visit with Falmouth Food & Drink Week, where you will find over 20 fantastic cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars offering some great deals all £10 or under!