Falmouth - spirit of the sea

Falmouth Spring Clean Day

2012-02-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

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!

2012-02-02T07:04:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-01T03:15:00.000-08:00

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!

Falmouth Events 2012

2012-01-31T03:51:00.000-08:00

Falmouth has the most comprehensive and vibrant events and festivals scene in Cornwall! Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week, Falmouth Oyster Festival, Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival, Falmouth Spring Festival the list goes on PLUS this year you'll find fantastic one off events such as the J-Class regatta, Round Britain 2012, the Finn Festival and Olympic Torch relay.

We've put together a downloadable events listing to help you decide when to visit!

Pendennis Castle events

2012-01-30T02:06:00.000-08:00

New for 2012, Pendennis Castle in Falmouth has everything parents need to keep the kids entertained this Half-Term. English Heritage will be opening the castle doors from the evening of Friday 10 February and then daily from Saturday 11 until Sunday 19 February with an array of family-friendly activities on offer, including the launch of its first ever castle sleepover for families.

On the evening of Friday 10 February pre-booked visitors can enjoy a special family ghost tour of Pendennis Castle at night, led by some of the Keep’s resident historical characters. Explore every part of this atmospheric site, including the Half Moon Battery, underground magazine and spooky Tudor Kitchen. Families will be treated to tales of times gone by and should beware any unexpected visitors who may be lurking round the corner! A cup of hot soup rounds off the night.

Then from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February English Heritage is calling on young investigators to help crack the clues and earn their special prize in a mystery trail around the castle.

The highlight of the week comes on Wednesday 15 February when, for the first time ever, Pendennis Castle plays host to an exclusive sleepover for families. Hot on the heels of the popular adult’s only event, families can enjoy a fun-filled overnight stay in Pendennis Castle’s Keep, complete with twilight tour, ghost stories round the fire and supper in the Keep. The event promises a truly unique experience in a spectacular historical setting and will be completed by a cooked breakfast the following morning.

Charlie Fear, English Heritage Events Manager for the West, said: “We’re thrilled to be offering such a fun and varied programme of events this February Half-Term. Our season usually kicks off around Easter, so it’s great to be able to offer even more activities for families this year. Our evening ghost tours are often reserved just for adults, so we’re sure children will be very excited about the prospect of exploring the castle by night, not to mention the chance to spend the entire night in the castle with our sleepover event! Meanwhile our Half-Term Trail offers the perfect daytime activity for children to run around and burn off some energy while learning about some of the most important times in England’s history.”

Visitor numbers are limited for the Ghost Tours and Castle Sleepover events and restricted to a minimum age of eight years for children. Advanced booking is essential, call 0870 333 1183 to reserve a place. No booking is required for the daytime Half-Term Trail.

For more information about the events and accessibility visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/pendennis.

FAMILY GHOST TOURS - Fri 10 Feb, tours at 6pm and 8:30pm

Prices: Adults £15.00 / Children £10.50 - English Heritage Members: Adults £12.00 / Children £8.40

Minimum age is 8 years for children. Booking essential: 0870 333 1183

HALF-TERM TRAIL - Sat 11 – Sun 19 Feb, 10am – 4pm

Normal Admission Prices: Adults £6.30 / Concessions £5.70 / Children £3.80 / Family £16.40 English Heritage Members: Free

CASTLE SLEEPOVERS: FAMILY - Wed 15 Feb, 8pm – 10am

Prices: Adults £65.00 / Children £50.00 / Family £195.00 English Heritage Members: Adults £55.00 / Children £45.00 / Family £170.00

Minimum age is 8 years for children. Booking essential: 0870 333 1183

Falmouth Food & Drink Week

2012-01-11T04:04:00.000-08:00

GREAT OFFERS, ALL £10 OR UNDER!!

We've teamed up with a host of great Falmouth cafes, pubs, restaurants and delis to bring you a series of deals and offers, all part of celebrating Falmouth's exciting food and drink scene.

Sample quality local produce in superb surroundings all at fantastic value! So make a beeline for Falmouth during this week to take advantage of the offers listed on the website:

FALMOUTH FOOD & DRINK WEEK OFFERS

Falmouth BID Updates

2012-01-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

Richard Wilcox Falmouth BID Manager

Usual weekly updates from the BID:

FREE Parking scheme for February

We have continued to garner some good local coverage as a number of local/regional outlets are keen to run the story which is great. I have done radio interviews with Atlantic FM, Source FM and Radio Cornwall and numerous articles have been published which is all good. Such schemes are viewed as innovative and haven’t been done many times in the south west and it will be a first for Falmouth. Both local newspapers have been very supportive and have agreed to highlight the story over the next couple of weeks. I will be backing this up with further PR and offline promotions –

· you will shortly see advertising on some of the town’s bus shelters,

· I am producing fliers for wider distribution

To recap, every Weds in February it will be FREE to park the car in either The Quarry or The Dell car parks in Falmouth, as BID continues to spearhead schemes to help support the town businesses, particularly at quieter times of year. The BID is undertaking the scheme as a direct response to business feedback/suggestions and so it is important that businesses help promote the initiative as much as they can so that the benefits of such a scheme are felt as widely as possible. To read the details click here.

Falmouth Food & Drink Week 4-11 Feb 2012

Likewise, local promotional work is being undertaken to maximise this new initiative. You can view the variety of pubs, cafes, restaurants etc signed up here http://www.falmouth.co.uk/see-and-do/falmouth-food-drink-week

Falmouth Spring Festival

By way of an update, we are launching one of the new bigger events for this year’s Festival on Thursday. Run Falmouth the town’s first half marathon is in partnership with Cornwall Hospice Care, and is an event in which we hope to raise thousands of pounds for that excellent charity. If you haven’t seen the schedule its shaping up nicely - http://www.falmouth.co.uk/see-and-do/falmouth-spring-festival

LEP Roadshow

A session introducing the Local Enterprise Partnership or LEP took place last week. There is an opportunity to help shape the future strategy and direction of the Cornwall LEP. What should they focus on? Send them your views here

Planning Future Cornwall – see below from Cornwall Council:
Cornwall Council is asking residents to help shape the future of Cornwall for the next 20 years. Consultation on the core strategy runs from 9 January to 2 March 2012. The core strategy – Planning Future Cornwall – is the plan that will set out the Council’s aims and planning policies for new housing, employment, retail, the environment, leisure, community facilities, essential public services and infrastructure up to 2030.

Residents can give their views in several ways:

• By visiting our website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/ldf (from Monday 9 January) a

nd leaving comments online

• Visiting one of our exhibition Roadshows starting on 9 January. The Falmouth day is on THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 12-7pm in the Falmouth Town Council Building on The Moor

Falmouth BID Updates

2012-01-04T04:02:00.000-08:00

Richard Wilcox Falmouth BID Manager

We’re hitting the ground running for 2012 with numerous new BID schemes and initiatives building on the projects delivered in 2011. First update of the year!:

FREE Car ParkingThank you to the positive feedback for this BID funded scheme. To confirm this is very much going ahead on five dates in February in a bid to help support and assist businesses in the town. Car parking will be FREE in The Dell and Quarry car parks every Wednesday throughout February on the 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd and 29^th. I will be supporting the scheme with a promotional effort and good early coverage of the scheme can be seen here:

http://www.businesscornwall.co.uk/news-categories/cornish-economy-news-categories/falmouths-free-parking-february-123

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Free-parking-deal-Falmouth-shoppers-boost-economy/story-14209899-detail/story.html

The Radio Cornwall interview I did is here http://soundcloud.com/falmouthspiritofthesea/richard-wilcox-car-parking

I am liaising with the Packet and West Briton to ensure they can support and promote this scheme that has the potential to help the whole town, as much as possible over the next few weeks.

Falmouth Food & Drink Week 4-11 February

Our other new initiative is gathering momentum. I have over 20 cafes, pubs, restaurants on board see here http://www.falmouth.co.uk/see-and-do/falmouth-food-drink-week and again am working up a local PR push over the next few weeks.

Falmouth Spring Festival

Have a look at the Festival schedule we have put together here. As you can see, a substantive offering which is being backed up by a promotional push over the next 8 weeks all in an effort to once again raise the town’s profile and encourage extra visits and spend.

Public seating - ‘Morgawr’

Thanks to the creativity of pupils at Falmouth School we have installed the latest public seating for the town. For those who haven’t seen it, I have attached an image. This of course is part of the continuing BID Town Improvements Programme that includes installation of streets flags, banners and bunting and vacant units revamps. Thank you also to the support shown by Falmouth Town Council.

Visitor signage
Plans are being worked up for what will be the largest BID project of the year, namely the installation of interpretation boards, landscape viewing panels, map boards, way markers and trails. The majority of the work will be undertaken in the first half of this year and will really tell the story of Falmouth to all our visitors, encourage them to see more and spend longer in the town. More details will follow over the next few weeks...

There’s also a lot of effort and planning going into PR and events promotion for 2012 which as you know will be huge, which I’ll update on next week.

Not that anyone needs reminding how lovely south Cornwall is but an aerial video you may wish to see.... http://youtu.be/ntN9FAQK17Y

For those who are new to these updates do click on this link to find out more about the work of Falmouth BID, download previous BID newsletters and project updates www.falmouth.co.uk/media. Also do follow town news via Twitter and Facebook with the links given via the logos below.

Falmouth BID launches FREE car parking

2011-12-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Richard Wilcox Falmouth BID Manager

In what will be a first for Falmouth, the Falmouth BID is launching the FEBRUARY IS FREE! car parking scheme, enabling shoppers to enjoy all the town has to offer – its high quality independent shops and national retail businesses, food and drink outlets and visitor attractions – by ensuring that two of Falmouth’s largest car parks The Dell and The Quarry, will be FREE to all who visit on Wednesdays during the month of February 2012.

The FEBRUARY IS FREE! car parking scheme, one of over 20 projects and schemes kick-started by the Falmouth BID since it was voted in by Falmouth businesses only two years ago, responds directly to feedback from businesses and local people who identify the cost of car parking as a key component in the shoppers’ decision making process. The Falmouth BID has responded to this by liaising with Cornwall Council to spearhead an innovative scheme that will make it even more attractive for people from across Cornwall to‘re-discover’ Falmouth.

Thanks to the Falmouth BID –

ALL shoppers who visit Falmouth on ANY of the Wednesdays of the 1^st, 8^th 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th February and choose to park their car at either The Dell or The Quarry car park can do so for FREE for that 24hr period
YOU WILL NOT NEED to press any buttons on the ticket machine to get a ticket NOR will you need to display any tickets within your vehicle
Simply park your car in the highlighted car parks, any time night or day on the dates shown in February and enjoy all that Falmouth has to offer!

Richard Wilcox, the Falmouth BID Manager said:

“We have to be as competitive and innovative as we possibly can be in order to make our town centre as attractive a proposition as possible for would be shoppers, whether they are coming from Camborne or Cardiff. The cost of car parking is one of the more emotive issues and one that the Falmouth BID highlighted in our High Street Five Point Plan – a campaign that has attracted national attention and indeed recognition in the recently unveiled Mary Portas review of the high street. We as BID have been liaising with Cornwall Council, lobbying on behalf of our BID levy paying businesses to encourage a private sector viewpoint on pricing and policy for 2012 and alongside these meetings, I have been looking at various practical solutions to help support town businesses. By making FREE, car parking in the Dell and Quarry car parks on Wednesdays throughout February, we are doing just that. In such challenging economic times the more the BID works with the businesses in the town to make Falmouth even more appealing for a day visit or longer the better. ”

Guy Thomas, Cornwall Council Town Centre Management Specialist said:

”It is a very positive and encouraging step forward to see a partnership like this between Cornwall Council and Falmouth Business Improvement District. As a Town Centre Manager, I am acutely aware of the intrinsic link between car park provision and the impact it has upon a town centre. At a time when the collective high street needs as much support as it can get, this scheme is a real example of how Cornwall Council is keen to work with its partners to deliver solutions on the ground, and I hope this is a project which can be developed further in the future.”

Portas High St Review is out

2011-12-16T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mary Portas's report on how to tackle to huge issue of declining UK high streets is out and has been welcomed across the industry. Falmouth BID has been raising the issue for quite a while, part of its High St Campaign that led to Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID Manager being invited to Parliament to take part in a Town Centres discussion with MPs and Ms Portas herself.

"It is a comprehensive report, and it addresses the majority of concerns we have raised here in Falmouth." Mr Wilcox said.

“I am particularly delighted to see that three of the first five recommendations are for greater empowerment for BIDs and town management, and for extra funding to be fixed for these as well. It is gratifying to see she has recognised how we have such a strong role to play in getting ourselves out of the situation we find ourselves in.”

He continued: “She has addressed the need to review car parking charges and called for a thorough review of business rates, which are points we raised in our 5 Point High Street Plan.We need to ensure that town centres and high streets can compete more effectively with out-of-town complexes and become a destination for shoppers once more. I hope now that this is not just a document that sits on the shelf, but that we see the government take notice. The vast majority of traders across the UK will be hoping to see real action, which we hope will then feed down to Cornwall and Falmouth itself, so we can continue to drive forward the town centre, but with more backing."

To read the Mary Portas report CLICK HERE

To read the British BIDs view CLICK HERE.

Falmouth Spring Festival 17-25 March

2011-12-06T08:59:00.001-08:00

We have a terrific schedule taking shape for the second BID funded and organised Spring Festival next year. We had over 4,000 visitors to the various events for this year’s Festival and are now looking to build on that to further help the town’s businesses. There are a couple of new events that I would in particular wish to highlight:

Run Falmouth – a half-marathon Falmouth’s first, in partnership and raising funds for Cornwall Hospice Care. A scenic route taking in beaches and coastline with proceeds going to Hospice Care. We will be starting and finishing this on The Moor on Sun 18^th March. To register for this great event click on this link

Run Falmouth Fun Run – you can still be part of the day by running the shorter 1.5 mile route. To register for this great event click on this link

Zumba Zestifal – also taking place on The Moor this event in partnership with Helen from The Core we hope will be Cornwall’s largest open air Zumba event! £10 to take part which includes a yellow Spring Festival T-shirt, this should be great fun! Time 1pm Sat 24^th March.

Falmouth Art Gallery Let’s get Arty – a series of FREE creative workshops also taking place on The Moor on the 17^th and 24^th March.

I will be in touch in the New Year to get retailer support for the very successful Paint the Town Yellow Day we did this year, whereby schoolchildren will window dress shop fronts.

Click on the link given here to visit the Falmouth Spring Festival page on Falmouth.co.uk and see the full range of activities planned

Localism on the agenda

2011-11-21T06:47:00.000-08:00

As you may be aware, the Localism Bill was given Royal Assent last week and is now an Act of Parliament. The impact on this is particularly relevant to devolution and community rights to challenge, plus community inputs re planning decisions.

Please find it at the link below: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismplainenglishupdate

Falmouth part of Olympic Torch route

2011-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Details of the route the Olympic Torch Relay will take through Cornwall on Saturday, 19 May 2012 , the First Day of its historic journey through the UK, have been released by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

News that Land’s End had been chosen as the starting point for the 2012 Olympic celebrations was announced earlier this year. Since then LOCOG has been working on drawing up the list of more than 1,000 villages, towns and cities, through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
The route announced by LOCOG will see the Olympic Torch carried through 20 towns and villages in Cornwall on 19 May. Starting in Land’s End, it will then travel though Sennen, Newlyn, Penzance, Marazion, Rosudgeon, Ashton, Breage, Helston, Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, St Stephen, St Austell, Stenalees, Bugle, Lanivet, Bodmin, Liskeard and Saltash before crossing into Devon on the Tamar Bridge at the end of the day. Along the route iconic landmarks, such as St Michael’s Mount and The Eden Project, have been chosen by LOCOG as a focus for photo opportunities for the world’s media.
On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Torch comes to a place near them.
Details of the route announced means that the Olympic Flame will be taken to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year. People can view the interactive map at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.

Falmouth Spring Festival's Guerrilla gardening scoops award!

2011-11-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

Derelict site revamp at Bell’s Court recognised at Cornwall in Bloom Awards

An innovative community focussed project, kick-started as part of the first Falmouth Spring Festival, has scooped a coveted award at the annual Cornwall in Bloom awards gala. The Guerrilla Gardening Day at Bell’s Court in the centre of town, was organised in an effort to spruce up an historic but neglected corner of Falmouth. Over five tonnes of rubbish and foliage including six 30ft Buddleia trees and a number of heavy white goods were cleared off the site by volunteers one sunny Saturday back in March this year. Donated shrubs and flowers were then planted turning the 40ftx25ft site into an amenable space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. An agreement was then reached between the Falmouth BID and Falmouth Town Council to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the area.

The Falmouth Spring Festival is another project funded and organised by the Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID), who worked with local traders, organisations such as Falmouth Town Council, NMMC, University College Falmouth and Event Cornwall to put together a host of exciting events, activities and community themed initiatives that sought to celebrate Falmouth’s parks, gardens and open spaces. The BID responded to town BID levy businesses’ suggestions and ideas for an early season event that would not only promote Falmouth beautiful places but help to raise the town’s profile further in an effort to attract extra visits and spend. The first Spring Festival in March 2011 did just that, with figures gathered post event suggesting over 4,000 attended the numerous guided walks, talks, Gardeners’ Question Time, Rockpooling on Castle Beach, Spring Fashion Show and Discovery Quay Spring Fair events, with several traders reporting an increase in footfall during the week.

Now firmly on the annual Falmouth events calendar, the second Falmouth Spring Festival will take place between 17^th-25^th March 2012 and a number of new events are planned including a big pavement art event in conjunction with Falmouth Art Gallery and a Zumba Zestifal both taking place on The Moor, the latter aiming to be the largest open air Zumba event seen in Cornwall. More community based schemes will be organised in collaboration with Falmouth schools and UCF students and a number of sites will be tackled by the Guerrilla Gardening crew.

The Lenkiewicz Archive exhibition

2011-11-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

Driftwood Gallery, Falmouth will be hosting The Lenkiewicz Archive exhibition. Robert Lenkiewicz is without question the most famous artist the West country has seen for many years and the Driftwood gallery are proud to exhibited one of the most extensive collections of original art as well as fine art Limited Editions since the copyright passed to The Lenkiewicz Foundation in 2010. It also includes a fascinating range of collectable published works from his substantial archive of previously unseen notebooks and illustrated journals bequeathed to the Foundation.

Driftwood Gallery, Falmouth 4-11 Nov

Local Business Accelerators

2011-10-28T08:40:00.001-07:00

NEWSQUEST South West, publishers of The Packet, has joined other regional and local newspapers across the country to deliver a huge boost to UK business by pledging an unprecedented £15m of free advertising to the most dynamic fledgling enterprises.

The bold initiative, backed by Dragons’ Den judge, Deborah Meaden, is called Local Business Accelerators (LBA) and is being spearheaded by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society.

Nearly 500 local press publications, including Newsquest South West’s Packet Newspapers in Cornwall and the Somerset County Gazette in Taunton are joining forces to promote the strength and value of local newspapers for local businesses and communities.

Together, the local press industry will search for the nation’s most promising young businesses and help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication.

What’s more, one lucky business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Deborah Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

Deborah Meaden said: "I’ve seen the unique contribution that local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with my own ventures. In this age of enterprise it has never been more important to drive awareness about the value of local marketing for a fledgling business, which is why I’m so proud to support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities."

This week Newsquest South West launches its Local Business Accelerators search.

It’s open to all businesses that are active in the local community, between one and three years old and full of potential. They may have a great idea or product, or even found a new market.
They’re the kind of businesses that will create new jobs and individually they will create pride in the community.

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, and want the chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in the Packet or County Gazette, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter. Entries close November 14, 2011.

Leaders within the local business community alongside Packet publisher Jonathan Perkins in Cornwall and Newsquest South West managing director Simon Dixon-Phillip will form the judging panel.

They will review and shortlist entries before awarding three lucky local businesses from the region with the prize of free advertising and business advice.

They’ll also be looking out for that one overall star business from the South West region to put forward to be in with a chance to gain Deborah Meaden as a mentor during 2012.

HIGH St Campaign takes to Westminster

2011-10-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

BID Manager invited to attend All Party Town Centres group meeting at Houses of Parliament following letter from the BID to the Prime Minister and launch of Save the High Street Campaign

The Falmouth BID’s Save the High Street Campaign reached the corridors of power in earnest this week following an invite to Richard Wilcox, the Falmouth BID Manager from Sarah Newton, MP for Falmouth & Truro to attend an All Party Parliamentary Town Centres Group meeting at the Houses of Parliament on October 18^th, to discuss key issues in which Government appointed High Street Advisor Mary Portas will be present. Truro BID Manager Neil Scott will also be joining Richard Wilcox and Sarah Newton at the meeting.

The Save the High Street Campaign launched by the Falmouth BID, aims to raise awareness of the main areas that currently affect or inhibit economic growth in Falmouth and is a direct response to the appointment by the Government of Mary Portas, to undertake a review on what is needed to save the British High Street as well as raising awareness of initiatives running in Falmouth that have been instigated by the BID and other organisations.

The Falmouth BID is lobbying the Portas team, the Government and regional authorities, to recognise and initiate change on a number of key restrictions that are affecting growth and these are contained in a letter sent to her and the Prime Minister and centre around five key points:

1) The need for free or low cost, innovative and flexible car parking schemes that are attractive for people to visit, dwell longer and spend money in town centres rather than acting as a barrier

2) Co-ordinated, imaginative and well-integrated local public transport which meets the needs of customers and POTENTIAL customers

3) Well-funded and professional town management which can form proper retail strategies and plans for the development of the high street and the improvement of the shopping experience

4) Business rates that need to have a greater effect locally with businesses having a real say on how the business rates are spent. Successful businesses should not be penalised with massive rate increases and the success of schemes like BIDs should be recognised and expanded by being funded from existing rates not as an additional levy

5) Cut VAT in half to 10% on retail/restaurants/hotels/tourism businesses

To view the range of media coverage click here

To listen to Source FM interview click here

FAL350 day

2011-10-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

FAL350 day was a wonderful occasion, a real coming together for the Falmouth communites around the world. Not only was there the re-enactment that went really well throughout the town but last night at the 350 dinner, live links connected all the Falmouths around the world, with goodwill messages being sent...

See images of the re-enactment via this link..

The FAL350 dinner in the evening was particularly as a live link beteween all the Falmouths around the world (14) resulted in goodwill messages being passed around thh globe. In attendance at the Falmouth Hotel was the mayor of falmouth, Kentucky and the High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda who in the highlight fo the evening spoke to the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda via live link up, much to the appreciation of those in the room.

Earlier in the week, the premiere of the Falmouth play 'Remember' was played out at The Poly. If you'd like to see the full range of events on see here

2011-09-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

Just in case you didn’t catch this programme on ITV last night...

http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=277232

Jonathan Maitland goes off in search of answers to the Is the high street in terminal decline? question. Of course many of the reasons he finds are universal – car parking, lack of investment in the public realm, internet, lack of strategic town management and are ones highlighted in the BID 5 point plan letter to the PM and Mary Portas and it was interesting that the more successful towns are not only ones addressing such issues but ones that have a strong independent/nationals ratio. Rotherham Council’s Grant scheme to entice new businesses is one to look at in more depth...

Mary Portas’s points at the end of the interview were pertinent – the notion of ‘community’ high streets (very similar to the discussion we had Jonathan, RG with Andy Godfrey from Boots/British BIDS), the need for much more integrated holistic town management frameworks, the need for towns to be much cleverer in identifying what is unique/special/their USP, the need for legislative review to force the issue with landlords who don’t play ball with physical improvements/empty units ...

Mary Portas will be attending the All Party Parliament Town Centre select committee meeting at Houses of Parliament that I have been invited to attend so I will look to put forward Falmouth’s points to her and the committee then....

Richard Wilcox

Falmouth BID Manager

Ben Ainslie to compete in the J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival 2012

2011-09-29T03:19:00.000-07:00

Ben Ainslie, the triple Olympic gold and silver medallist and Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor, has been selected by the British Olympic Association to represent GB in the Finn class, the class in which he won his two last gold Olympic medals in Athens and Beijing, at Weymouth and Portland for next year’s Olympics.

On the day he was selected Ben announced that his Olympic preparations would include competing in the J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup . In 2012 the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club will be hosting a two-week regatta in Falmouth, which will include the Finn British Open Championships (4 - 8 May) and the Finn Gold Cup (13 - 18 May). The Gold Cup will be a qualifying race for Olympic selection for a number of sailors and nations for the 2012 London Olympics. Close to 30 nations will be competing in the event in Falmouth.

Ben comments “The key events ahead of the Olympics will be the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup (2012 World Championships) next May in my home town of Falmouth. It’s the place I grew up in and learnt to sail so it’s going to be very special. Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta is at the start of June at the Olympic venue just eight weeks out from the Games itself.”

“The Finn Gold Cup has not been contested in this country for many years and will arguably be the most prominent and competitive regatta ever to be sailed in Falmouth Bay. We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome Ben and a host of sailors from all over the world to our wonderful sailing waters in Falmouth” adds Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall, at Cornwall Development Company.

Ben is an Honorary Life member of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and as a youngster learnt his sailing skills in the Fal estuary. His father Roddy was the catalyst for Ben’s love of sailing and his sailing career and is an active member of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

Robin Taylor, event director for the RCYC Finn event, said, “I am absolutely delighted that Ben has been selected to represent

Great Britain

in the 2012 Olympics. Ben will be sailing in the J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival in May next year and will be using the " Gold Cup" event as one of his warm ups for the Olympics. It is very exciting to be able to welcome Ben back to his home waters and to be able to watch him race against many of his fellow Olympic competitors”.

Cornwall’s greatest fortress, Pendennis Castle celebrates Falmouth 350!

2011-09-20T03:27:00.000-07:00

To honour the occasion, on ‘Charter Day’ there will be free entry for all TR10 and TR11 residents on proof of residence* to Pendennis Castle, Wednesday 5^th October. King Charles II awarded Falmouth its town charter in 1661 in recognition of the loyalty shown to his father, King Charles, by in 1646, refusing to surrender Pendennis Castle to the Parliamentarian army.

Pendennis Castle was the last Royalist stronghold in England. Between March and August 1646 around 800 soldiers and 200 women and children refused to hand over Pendennis Castle to Parliamentarian forces despite having scarce resources. They held out for five months until, finally, disease and desperation set in. When they finally surrendered, the Royalists marched out of the Castle with all the honours of war, flags flying and drums beating, a rare event in such a brutal conflict as the English Civil War. Come and see where it all happened.

Nikki White, Visitor Operations Manager at Pendennis Castle, said: “ This is a wonderful opportunity to come and discover the castle that was so important in Falmouth’s fascinating history. Taking time to explore the buildings, grounds and tunnels, you can imagine how the occupants of 1646 must have felt!”

For the month of October (from the 3rd) Pendennis will also host a small display of copies of original documents from Cornwall Record Office relating to the civil war and the siege, designed to give a deeper insight into the events. Spend some time discovering not only the castle of the days of the Civil War but also its later developments, pausing for a stop in our tea room.

Listen to ‘The Source’ 96.1FM, broadcasting short programmes about the castle, Thursday 10.30am repeated Wednesday 3pm during September.

What: Pendennis Castle Charter Day

When: Wednesday 5^th October 2011, 10am - 4 pm

Where: Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4LP

Prices: Adult: £6.30/ Concession: £5.70/ Child: £3.80/ Family: £16.40

English Heritage Members: Free

Free entry to TR10 and TR11 residents on proof of residence* (driving licence, council tax or utility bill required, not mobile phone bill).

Fund101

2011-09-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

Fund101 is a new initiative for UK-based entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a new business and for existing small companies wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level.

Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. The initial funding pool is £50,000 and this will be topped up each month with an additional £5,000 provided by Intuit and PayPal. Individual grants ranging from £50 to £500 can be requested. The grants can be used to fund miscellaneous capital costs associated with starting up a new venture and for existing small businesses to purchase equipment, promotional flyers, hardware etc, in order to boost their operations. UK-based start-ups looking to commence trading and those who are already in business and need funding to further their enterprise may be eligible for assistance through Fund101.

To apply, entrants must complete an online application, explaining how much money they require and for what purpose. They must then raise an equivalent number of votes to the grant they are seeking – if they need £100, they must engage 100 people to vote for them online. When the target is met, the funds will be deposited into the successful candidates' PayPal accounts. Grant recipients must agree to be profiled on the Fund101 webpage to explain how the grant has benefited their business. The application process is now open and bids may be submitted at any time. http://enterprisenation.com

Source FM Celebrates Falmouth's 350th Anniversary

2011-09-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

Every Thursday and Wednesday, in the run up to the 350th anniversary of the Royal Charter, Source FM is presenting a series of half hour documentaries. Chloe Philips presents 'Civil War to Charter', which explains the history behind this momentous event.

Although the granting of the charter took place in 1661, the roots of this charter lie in events that happened 15 years earlier, when Cornwall was wracked with civil war and Pendennis Castle was under siege from the parliamentary army. In this series, Chloe, with help from other historians, explores the history of the civil war in Cornwall, focusing in on the siege of Pendennis Castle, examining how these events led to the grant of the charter, which will be commemorated all the 14 Falmouths across the world on October 5th this year.

The programmes air every Thursday throughout September at 10.30am and they are repeated on a Wednesday at 3.00pm.

So that's the hit list of new shows at Source FM. All these hidden gems, and of course the regular AllStars of the Source FM schedule, supporting you through your day.

All you have to do is listen...!

Launch your attack on litter!

2011-08-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

Join in with Clean Cornwall Week – 17^th to 25^th September 2011

Do you get annoyed by the endless stream of litter hidden in your hedgerows?

Why not encourage some of the residents within your community to ‘do their bit’ and clean up your countryside!

It is so easy……. Simply choose your event date, and contact Stef Tiplady on info@cleancornwall.org or 07530 262428 who will be able to help provide equipment, training, posters, etc and answer any queries you may have about organising a group litter pick.

They are great fun, and a great excuse to get together and learn more about your local area.

Thank you for your continued support.

Stef

Stephanie Tiplady

On behalf of Clean Cornwall

PA/Project Officer

Waste & Environment Service

Cornwall Council, Windwhistle House

Cooksland Road, Bodmin

Tel:07530 262428

stephanie.tiplady@cornwall.gov.uk or info@cleancornwall.org

FALMOUTH FRAMEWORKS

2011-08-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

FALMOUTH FRAMEWORKS

17 September – 19 November 2011

THIS autumn Falmouth Art Gallery invites you to view masterpieces, favourites and hidden gems from the town’s collection from a completely new perspective. The major new Falmouth Frameworks exhibition celebrates the importance of the frame to the work of art it surrounds. It is the culmination of the gallery’s groundbreaking three-year Falmouth Frameworks project.

There are few museum objects that are more neglected than historical and artist-designed frames. Despite being an integral part of the work, frames are rarely conserved, catalogued or illustrated. As a result of the Falmouth Frameworks project Falmouth Art Gallery is the first public gallery in the country to research, restore, catalogue, publish and exhibit both picture and frame as an aesthetic union.

“The exhibition will use an exciting selection of historical and contemporary works from the town’s collection to examine the artist’s relationship with the frame, from the early eighteenth century through to the present day” says Director, Louise Connell. Featured are works by major British and international artists including Sven Berlin, Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Thomas Gainsborough, Kurt Jackson, Dame Laura Knight, Arthur Melville, Ben Nicholson, John Singer Sargent and John William Waterhouse.

A new book entitled Falmouth Frameworks by Brian Stewart, Paul Mitchell and Lynn Roberts has been published by Sansom & Company. It is on sale at the gallery shop priced £25.

Falmouth Art Gallery has also planned an exciting programme of FREE workshops and events to accompany the exhibition. Activities include frottage, decoupage, collage and monoprinting to name a few. For this exhibition we’re also ‘getting in the frame’ so you get two workshops in on as we’ll be working on creating masterpieces and then framing them too! Family workshops take place every Saturday, just drop in from 2 – 3 pm.

Falmouth Frameworks is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Heritage Lottery Fund. It can be seen at Falmouth Art Gallery from the 17 September – 19 November 2011. Falmouth Art Gallery is open Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is FREE. For more information about the exhibition or the accompanying workshops please contact Donna Williams on 01326 313 863 or email info@falmouthartgallery.com

ANTARCTIC ADVENTURES AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM

2011-08-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

ONE of the most remarkable locations on the planet will be brought to life at the Maritime Museum on Monday September 5.

In 2007 Cornish based skipper and tall ship sailor Debbie Purser spent 52 days on board the tall ship Europa exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and re-tracing Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 800 mile voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia.

Join Debbie as she brings her incredible story to life in a Lunchtime Lecture at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth. This engaging lecture will see Debbie recount her first-hand experiences of sailing the Southern Ocean, a journey which she captured in a series of stunning photographs, taken with experienced wildlife filmmaker Roland Gockel.

Debbie says: “This was a bit of a busman's holiday for me as I run charter voyages in Cornwall. Sailing a square rigger amongst the icebergs downwind in the Southern Ocean was definitely more hard core than the day job. Photos of Falmouth Quay Punt Curlew cruising under the mountains of South Georgia were the temptation to go. Discovering I could sail there by tall ship was the snowy icing on the cake.”

The talk, entitled Square Rig Sailing in the Southern Ocean, is part of a programme combining a lecture and lunch, which explores different historical and nautical themes. The lecture and set lunch is from 12.30pm at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, on Monday September 5 and costs £14.50. To book your place please call 01326 214546.

Next tall ship to visit Falmouth

2011-08-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Dutch brig Mercedes will be setting sail on day trips in the bay around Falmouth on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

The ship, one of the youngest in the international tall ship fleet, was launched in 2005 making her the youngest tall ship afloat.

Unlike most ships in her class, Mercedes was built specifically with the needs of the corporate entertainment market in mind and has a very comfortable interior.

The Dutch ship, rigged as a brig, has two masts, each carrying five square sails and sailors are offered the chance to set the sails themselves, if they choose to.

Members of the public do not need any experience of sailing or any special equipment or clothing to take part in the sails. Sailings are at 11am to 3pm or 5pm to 9pm and include a meal aboard.

For more information, or to book online, please visit http://www.tallshipsfalmouth.co.uk/.

New seating for Falmouth

2011-08-02T04:41:00.000-07:00

In its quest to highlight Falmouth’s unique qualities, the Falmouth BID has appointed local design firm Mor to collaborate with Falmouth School and develop what will be the third Falmouth BID initiated and funded public seat for Falmouth.

The project responds directly to feedback from holiday visitors and local people who identify that the main thoroughfare areas of Falmouth would benefit from having more places to sit on. The Falmouth BID acted upon this by commissioning locally designed and crafted benches, that also celebrate Falmouth’s fascinating artistic history.

To read all about the project click here

World War Z

2011-07-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER TO BE FILMED IN FALMOUTH NEXT MONTH

Open casting for zombie thriller ‘World War Z’ being held at Truro School this weekend.

One of the biggest film studios in the world is set to use Falmouth, Cornwall, as a key location for a multi-million pound zombie thriller being filmed this summer. The Paramount Pictures production World War Z will be partially shot onboard a ship from August 2nd to August 12th. In advance of the filming Paramount has issued an urgent call for extras, with casting taking place this Saturday (July 16th) and Sunday (July 17th) from 10am until 5pm in the gymnasium at Truro School.

For the Falmouth-based scenes around five hundred extras are needed. The casting sessions are free to attend and are open to those aged 16 and over. A casting for children is set to be held at a later date. The roles will be paid for and those involved may be asked to have their hair cut short. The casting unit is particularly interested in those from the forces, fire brigade and RNLI and a number of film crew support staff may also be required. Anyone wishing to take part can also upload their details to www.maddogcasting.com.

Falmouth’s Town Manager Richard Gates has been in ongoing discussions with Paramount Pictures’ Location and Casting crews and is co-ordinating the necessary logistical and support requirements within the town. Some of the filming will take place during Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week (6th- 14th August) so extra preparatory measures for the event are being made with signage and road diversion information rolling out shortly.

Richard says, “This is a major coup for Falmouth and we’re pulling out all the stops to prepare for the influx of over 600 crew and cast. We’ve been working closely behind the scenes with Paramount Pictures and are working hard with regards to the necessary planning and permissions. With Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week taking place at the same time, there is going to be an almighty buzz around the town.”

Jeff Taylor, Casting Agent for Paramount Pictures, says “We are very excited to be coming to Falmouth as it’s a fantastic place with some unique assets that we can make the most of for the film. I’m incredibly grateful to Falmouth for helping us make it all happen and would encourage as many people as possible to come along to the casting session in Truro this weekend.”

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) Manager adds: “This is such huge news for Falmouth and is set to boost the town’s profile and economy. It’s not every day that a big Hollywood movie rolls into town, with so many exciting temporary jobs, so we’re delighted to have been selected as a location and this situation illustrates the potential for similar future endeavours. I’m sure plenty of local people will be keen to get involved.”

Regular online exclusive updates will be given via:
Facebook - ‘Falmouth – spirit of the sea’ – official Falmouth Facebook pageTwitter - @FalmouthBID – official Falmouth BID Twitter page

Port of Falmouth Masterplan final documents on view

2011-07-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

Further to the Port of Falmouth Consultation exercise, the Port of Falmouth Masterplan study has now been completed and the final Masterplan, Economic Impact Assessment and Statement of Community Involvement documents are available to be viewed.

All reports can be found by following this link

Copies of the reports can also be viewed at Falmouth Library from the 7th July...

An evening with Rick Stein

2011-07-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

Join Rick for an evening of food and wine at the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (also known as The Poly), where Rick will be hosting a one- off demonstration evening, from which all proceeds will be donated to The Poly.

“When I was shown around the Polytechnic I was amazed at how beautiful it is -so full of history, such high ceilings and elegant windows, but a bit frayed around the edges. I'm very happy to help raise funds to restore it.” Rick Stein.

Tuesday 9th August 2011

The evening will begin at 6pm (Poly doors open at 5.30pm) where you will be greeted with a glass of wine, then sit back, relax and enjoy an evening devoted to recipes from his upcoming TV series and book, Rick Stein's Spain, with video clips and anecdotes from the series. Rick will also be signing books for guests after the event. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Poly.

Tickets are £30 for RCPS members and £35 for non-members.

To purchase your ticket please call the Poly on 01326 319461, buy online at www.thepoly.org or call into the Poly Building between 10.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday at 24 Church Street, Falmouth

Falmouth BID Save the High St 5 Point Plan

2011-06-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE HIGH STREET 5 POINT PLAN

1. Easy, free or low cost, flexible parking
We need:

Local control/ ownership of our car parks so that easy, low cost, accessible parking can be provided
A supportive and imaginative Planning and Transport function to help make access to car parks easy and integrated into a progressive town plan.

Currently, our car parking is in the wrong place with poor access, badly signposted with punitive and inflexible charges. The car parks are generally owned by the unitary authority (Cornwall Council) who primarily regard them as an income stream. They are managed with no imagination and little consideration of supply and demand. The charges/parking arrangements do not seem to take account of the wider economic impact that car parking plays in town regeneration.

Compare the easy, available, free parking with convenient access provided by supermarkets and out of town retailers VERSUS the challenge of visitors finding their way through prohibitive and unfriendly signage, congested and constrained roads through to very expensive car parks where the fright of Clamp Notices for going over time send shoppers scurrying back to their vehicles whether they have finished their shopping or not!

2. Co-ordinated, imaginative and well-integrated local public transport which meet customer needs
Public transport provision needs to be convenient, reliable and integrated to tempt customers away from their cars. I can’t remember ever being asked to participate in or comment on any local public transport service provision. We need to encourage the provision of alternative, customer oriented, green transport developed by the private sector and supported by imaginative councils. Private sector ferries have grown very successfully in Falmouth using the waterways but there is plenty of room for other imaginative schemes such as pedal power, electric shuttle buses and the like.

The problem is that much of the innovation will not stem from tired, moribund councils battling with cuts and reductions. Instead of subsidies for large empty buses running the same routes at inconvenient times through rural areas to tick "inclusion" boxes, why not pave the way for smaller private sector operators running more micro level and customer focused schemes?

3. Well-funded and professional town management which can form proper retail strategies and plans

Big retail centres, malls or retail parks are developed and managed by professional, private sector retail managers and developers who focus firmly upon gaining the right retail mix of tenants to meet the needs of the customers they are targeting. They also focus on the total retail experience from arrival, parking, lighting, ambience, cleanliness, toilets, entertainment and information etc.

How can the High Street compete? It starts off with a great theoretical advantage – location, location and location – but then potentially throws it all away with a complete laissez faire, ad hoc approach with no tenancy strategy and the management of the shopper experience delegated to an assortment of non-integrated public sector departments and agencies.
High Streets need managing like the total business of a shopping centre with real business plans focused upon building footfall, improving the public realm and enhancing shopper experience.

4. More business rates need to be kept local with businesses involved in how the business rates are spent.

Our business rates (or taxes) grow incessantly and disappear off to central government where the customers (the businesses paying those rates) have no involvement or say. If we work hard and grow our businesses, we are dramatically penalised by huge increases in rates. There needs to be a proper connection to business rates and the services we receive with proper local accountability.

5. Cut VAT in half to 10% on retail/restaurants/hotels/tourism businesses

Tourism and its economic multiplier effect is Falmouth’s biggest industry. If the Government is serious about driving economic growth through tourism – which is critical in the West Country, the UK’s leading visitor destination – then action to cut VAT on tourism is vital. The tourism industry acts as a major economic driver and this is crucial in Falmouth, providing income for shopkeepers and farmers alike.

Britain needs to be competitive. Consider that the French have cut VAT down to 5%, the Germans have recently cut it down from 19% to 7%, Spain was already at 8%. The beauty of cutting VAT here is that you will see a return on your investment through more jobs and more economic activity being created which will reduce work related benefits and deliver more tax income to the treasury from the expanding businesses – from farmers to shop fitters – as a result.

How to get involved!

1. Back the campaign!
2. Contact your local newspaper who will continue to tell the story
3. Write to your local MP, let them know your thoughts and ideas for revitalising the High St
4. Write to your local or Cornwall Councillor, again with your ideas and opinions as to what policy changes are needed
5. Get onto the Facebook page Falmouth – Spirit of the Sea and leave a comment on the Discussions page

Maritime Museum hosts musical sea celebration

2011-06-23T03:11:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday evening saw the Main Hall at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth filled with the sound of strings being plucked and cords be played with a concert by Music Cornwall’s Guitar Team.

The evening of guitar music was entitled Tales of Seafarers, Stowaways and Smugglers and included pieces composed especially for the evening.

The audience enjoyed performances by both the senior and junior ensembles plus a special rendition of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and ‘Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum’ by Goonhavern Primary School. The Woodfield Ensemble gave the first performance of Chris Fitkin’s My Harbour this was followed by two French songs beautifully sung by Katie Maundrell. The evening was finished off in rousing fashion with a surprise appearance by Falmouth Shout Shanty Singers.

Music Cornwall provides instrumental tuition at all levels, in all styles and in all disciplines to schools, colleges and music centres throughout Cornwall. The Service also provides classroom support at primary and secondary level and directs a variety of orchestras and ensembles for all abilities.

Peter Bone, County Music Advisor says: It was a fantastic evening and reflects the high quality of teaching that Music Cornwall provides.

Maritime Museum Education Manager Stuart Slade said: “We are delighted to support such a wonderful event. The Maritime Museum seemed to be the perfect venue for this musical celebration of seafarers and the sea and the junior players certainly got into the spirit of things with their fantastic pirate costumes.”

HIgh Street campaign kicks off

2011-06-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

Falmouth BID is spearheading a campaign to develop, improve and revitalise the Great British High St. This follows of course the appointment of Mary Portas as ‘celebrity consultant’ to the Government in this regard.

Very importantly, we are looking to do all we can for our 400+ BID stakeholders and raise their concerns as best we can. We aim through our campaign, to provoke debate, discussion, focus attention and to galvanise support for some of the action points that we are making, that will enable growth and prosperity for the high street. These points have been made in a detailed letter to Mr David Cameron and are being backed up by a coordinated effort of engagement, local and regional PR and lobbying.

The PR element of the campaign has begun in earnest as the campaign hit the front page of the Western Morning News as well as the lead opinion piece

A discussions board set up on Falmouth’s facebook page is available here.

Moment to Shine!

2011-06-13T04:41:00.000-07:00

Fancy a stint with the torch? Then read on....

The build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games has truly begun! This week the design of the Olympic Torch was unveiled and, with the confirmation that the Olympic Torch Relay will begin its journey from Land’s End on 19th May 2012, the hunt is now on for people to carry the Olympic Flame across Cornwall and the rest of the UK.

The route has been planned so that the Flame will come within an hour of 95 percent of people in the UK and enable communities to focus on the very best in their area. The Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End on Saturday 19^th May 2012 and the Flame will then visit locations across the UK before reaching London on Saturday 21 July.

The London 2012 Olympic Torch, which stands 800mm high, features 8,000 small cut-out circles, representing the 8,000 inspirational people who will carry it on its journey around the

. With 8,000 Torchbearers required for the 70 day relay, nominations are now being sought for inspirational people in Cornwall to carry the torch through the County.

Do you know someone truly inspirational? This is your chance to give them their moment to shine. Nominate someone you know to be a Torchbearer and they could have the honour of carrying the Flame through Cornwall on day one of the Olympic Torch Relay.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) are looking for ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This will be a Relay for everyone, from any walk of life, anywhere in the

with the aim that 50% of the Torchbearers will be young people aged between 12 and 24.

Do you know someone who has inspired you to do something you never thought possible, or someone who always tries to be the best they can be? Perhaps someone who makes a real difference in their school or community or someone who has shown what it means to be a real friend? If you do - then this is your chance to give someone you know their moment to shine in this once in a lifetime opportunity. It might be a friend who gave up a lot to help you through a really hard time, a local football coach who is out on the touchline every week, a youth worker who runs a music project to give confidence to children or someone who gives time to help elderly or disabled people get around. LOCOG do not have a particular person or type of story in mind, they are excited to see who’s out there, so get nominating!

You have until 29 June 2011 to nominate them to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer.

Nominations can be made through the London 2012 website http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay or visit the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay official Facebook page www.facebook.com/london2012torchrelay

After nominations close at 11.59pm on 29 June, a shortlist will be created of potential Torchbearers through a ballot process. The stories of the shortlisted nominees will be put forward to the South West judging panel. Announcements of who will carry the Olympic Torch through Cornwall will be made in December 2011. The three Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB, will launch their own Torchbearer campaigns later in June 2011, with the principle of nominating someone with an inspiring story of personal achievement and/or contribution to their local community at their heart.

American Beer Festival in Falmouth – July 2011

2011-06-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

American Beer Festival in Falmouth – July 2011Find out why American craft beers are the envy of the world
HAND will host its first annual American Beer Festival from 1 July to 10 July, where it will showcase some of America’s finest craft beers.

“This is a huge coup for us, not just to have these beers in Falmouth but in the UK” says bar owner, Peter Walker. “American beer has never had the best reputation amongst British beer drinkers. All that was available to us in the past was the insipid alcofizz pushed on us by the world’s beer megabrands. What we hope to show is just how good modern US craft beers really are and why they have made UK brewers re-evaluate many of their own beers.”

Prior to the 1980s, American beer had become homogenised and commercial, with bland flavours and large advertising budgets. This was due to many factors including prohibition killing off small breweries, conflicting state laws regarding alcohol sales and government regulation favouring large brewers. American beer was brought back to life when President Jimmy Carter deregulated the business in 1979.

Since then, small, independent craft brewers have come of age producing some of the world’s most exciting and distinctive beers.

A major highlight of the event at HAND is the Real Ale that will be available. Festival goers will be able to sample Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch and Snake Dog on gravity even before they appear at the American Bar at CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival.

Alongside Flying Dog Brewery there will be beers from Left Hand, Anchor, Great Divide, Brooklyn and Goose Island breweries, plus 20 different bottled beers from the same breweries as well as Anderson Valley and Sierra Nevada.

The bar will also be exhibiting illustrations by the legendary Ralph Steadman, showcasing his label artwork for Flying Dog Brewery.

American Beer Festival at HAND beer bar, noon 1 July to 10 July 2011.
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HAND is a specialist beer bar situated in the courtyard off the High Street in Falmouth. It currently holds more than 60 beers from around the world. HAND also serves wines, spirits, teas, coffees and bar snacks. It is open from noon until 1am Friday to Sunday, and 5pm to 1am Monday to Thursday.

www.facebook.com/handbeerbarUK

www.twitter.com/handbeerbarUK

Minnows’ Tales Goes Swimmingly at the Maritime Museum!

2011-06-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

A fantastic time was had by all at the launch of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s new Minnows’ Tales sessions today.

Parents, carers and pre-school children took the chance to enjoy half-an-hour of stories, songs and rhymes in the Museum’s Main Hall, with storytellers from the Museum and the Cornwall Library Service.

The launch coincided with the start of National Bookstart Week, which is an annual celebration of the joy of sharing stories, songs and rhymes. The Museum teamed up with Cornwall Bookstart to offer lots of free goodies for anyone attending. They also brought along the Bookstart Bear to meet the children.

Debbie Rogers, Education Officer at the Maritime Museum said: “Everyone had a great time joining in with the songs and rhymes and, of course, the children were very excited to meet the Bookstart Bear! Next week we’ll be in a different part of the Museum for more fun and stories.”

The Minnows’ Tales storytelling sessions at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth take place at 10.30am and 11.30am every Monday during term-time. All sessions are free with a Museum entrance ticket. To find out more please call 01326 214535 or visit www.nmmc.co.uk. To find out more about Bookstart visit www.bookstart.org.uk.

Mutiny imminent!

2011-06-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

If rumours are to be believed, Capt Bligh and his merry mob are on their way to Falmouth for a two day visit! The HMS Bounty, the actual ship built for the film Mutiny on the Bounty that starred Marlon Brando is visiting Falmouth on the 11th & 12th June.

The ship, an 18th Century replica square rigged sailing vessel, will be alongside the Docks and open to the public over the two days...

www.tallshipbounty.org

New studios and gallery open on Falmouth Wharves

2011-05-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

Falmouth's new artists' studio space and gallery, The Fish Factory, opens to the public at 6pm on Saturday 28 May with a launch party for its first exhibition of local contemporary art. Artists have spent the last three months renovating the former scallop packing plant, which now offers studios and gallery space to hire in a unique location overlooking the Fal River.

The launch party runs from 6pm to 10pm, and is open to anyone who wants to sample work by three Cornish artists and enjoy a complimentary drink. The exhibition features work by Sophie Capron, Diggy Smerdon and Martiens Bekker, along with a selection of other emerging local artists.

Sculptor, Martiens Bekker, who creates unique 'beings' from scrap metal and wood, will show visitors how he gives them life and a second chance.

With a dirty graphic blend and expressive raw lines, artist Diggy Smerdon, brings to life the themed characters and creations of dream and sub-conscious. With this distinct style, she explores unconventional subject matters with weird but wonderful forms. Her quirky creators, unique faces and obsession with hands adds a mystery to her work. She conveys the idea of identity and the elements what form Identity through her work, including our sub-conscious, instinct and our soul.

Sophie Capron brings an inquisitive look into nature as an ever-changing yet constant influence on the everyday and its encroachment on everything that is man-made. She explores both urban and natural places that hold secrets and stories and marks of interaction, marks of what has passed, believing “It is the weathered brick that has something to say…” It is this subtle subject that is shown in Sophie's work; the landscape of textures, of decay on surfaces, everything leaves its mark and everything has a story to tell.

Artist Rose Hatcher is leading the project. She said, “a lot of hard work has gone into getting The Fish Factory ready for this launch night. We've scrubbed the floors, removed the rust, painted the walls and got rid of the fishy smell. The Fish Factory really is a great space. Now we're opening, I hope it can become a serious creative hub for Cornish artists and I encourage anyone with an interest in art to come and see what we have planned.”

Following the launch night, this exhibition will run at The Fish Factory for a further two months. The space will be open from 9am - 6pm daily and visitors will be most welcome! The Fish Factory is at Falmouth Wharves, North Parade, Falmouth, TR11 2TF, midway between the Greenbank Hotel and Premier Marinas Falmouth. There is parking available on the wharf (ticketed) and nearby on North Parade.

You can follow The Fish Factory on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fishfactoryarts. See the latest progress of the renovation at www.fishfactoryarts.blogspot.com.

Latest Source FM news

2011-05-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Carrick Roads Needs You!

Source FM's radio drama 'Carrick Roads' is starting rehearsals for Season 2 and we need new actors. Carrick Roads is a community radio drama written, acted and recorded by volunteers of Source FM. It is a lot of fun and all you need is enthusiasm.

Come along to the casting workshop on Tuesday 24^th of May at Adult Education on Tregenver Road in Falmouth, all you need is the willingness to get up and have a go. The workshop will be hosted by Station Manager Matthew Rogers, and will give you an introduction to Carrick Roads and the opportunity to meet some of the existing cast.

We will be doing some vocal exercises, warm ups and practicing some vocal techniques for developing and improving your voice control. In short it should be a lot of fun and useful for anyone. You don't need to sign up for anything you don't feel ready to commit to but you might enjoy just coming along and finding out what it is all about.

Desk Training Day Announced

Love Radio? Ever felt you’ve got a lot to say about your life? Or do you just have an enormous record collection that you’d like to share?

Well, this could be just the chance you’ve been waiting for. The Source is a community station that is staffed by 100% volunteer DJs and producers. We offer training for people with all levels of experience from the absolute novice up.

These introductory sessions are designed to introduce you to Source FM, and give you the opportunity to try out the studio equipment. The introductory sessions are free, and attendance is strictly by booking only as space will be limited.

Sunday 22nd May 2011- 10am till 1pm at the Source FM Studios on Tregenver Road

To find out about forthcoming training sessions or to book yourself a place contact Station Manager - Matthew Rogers on matthew@thesourcefm.co.uk

Radio Tours

'Radio Tours' is a one off series of late night programmes on Source fm hosted by Andy Webster. Each show takes a musical tour that follows the route of a real or fictional journey.

The 1st tour (Monday 16th) follows the route taken in Dervla Murphy’s book ‘The Ukimwi Road'. The 2nd tour (Tuesday 17th) recreates the journey taken by Che Guevara in the book ‘The Motorcycle Diaries. The 3rd tour (Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th), which plays over two nights, follows the route of the Pan American Highway, which starts in Alaska and finishes in Argentina. The 4th tour (Friday 20th) follows the route taken by Jack Kerouac in ‘On the Road.’

All of the music for radio tours was uploaded on to the Internet by people who had made their own personal trips between the villages, towns and cities found on the route of the tour, Andy decided to use these and bring them together to create the radio tours.

Listen to the Radio Tours every weekday between Monday 16th and Friday 20th May, on Source FM, after scheduled programmes finish at 11pm.

Marketing Courses

2011-05-03T09:11:00.001-07:00

Falmouth BID is once again working in partnership with Cornwall Marine Network to help promote excellent FREE marketing courses for Falmouth BID businesses. These courses (normal price £500 per attendee) are as mentioned FREE and are available on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS and were booked up very quickly when they were offered several months ago. If you are interested please contact Cornwall Marine Network DIRECT, contact details are below:

The workshops available are as follows:

Date	Title of Course	Course Director	Location & Time
Monday 16^th May	How to write for the web	Phil Woodford	CMN Office, Falmouth Business Park - 8.30am – 5.30pm
Tuesday 17^th May	How to write for the web	Phil Woodford	CMN Office, Falmouth Business Park - 8.30am – 5.30pm
Wednesday 18^th May	How to write the perfect brochure and leaflet	Phil Woodford	CMN Office, Falmouth Business Park - 8.30am – 5.30pm
Thursday 19^th May	How to write the perfect brochure and leaflet	Phil Woodford	CMN Office, Falmouth Business Park - 8.30am – 5.30pm

Please note:

- These workshops are only available to employees who haven’t previously done a workshop through Cornwall Marine Network

- You may only attend one workshop and bookings are taken on a first come first served basis

- In order for this workshop to be funded (otherwise costing £500) you will be required to complete a literacy test during the workshop to be eligible

The course ‘How to write for the web’ teaches you how to write creative, influential and professional web copy that makes a real connection with your online customers.

‘How to write the perfect brochure and leaflet’ encourages you to plan and write clear and concise business brochures or leaflets that engage your target audience and deliver results.

These courses will be delivered by a highly experienced Chartered Institute of Marketing trainer, hosted by CMN and you will be awarded a Chartered Institute of Marketing certificate upon completion of the day.

Coffee, pastries, lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day and Cornwall Marine Network is located at the following address:

Cornwall Marine Network Ltd, Maritime Business Centre, Unit 7a & 7b, Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth TR11 4SZ. Please see the attached document for directions to the Cornwall Marine Network Offices.

To find out more please contact Freya or Lizzie on 01326 211 382, freya.money@cornwallmarine.net or elizabeth.clark@cornwallmarine.net. Please contact them by Thursday 5^th May if you would like to confirm a place on the workshop as there are limited spaces available.

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival gathers momentum

2011-05-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

PREPARE TO HAUL AWAY!
17-19 June 2011
The largest free festival of maritime music on the planet will burst into bountiful chorus on Friday 17th June as the three-day Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival takes centre stage on the quays and in the bars of the South Cornish port town. th Century merchant sailing ship ‘The Matthew’ (www.matthew.co.uk), a performance at the nearby National Trust-owned Trelissick Gardens and a special service at King Charles The Martyr Church on Sunday 19th June led by the Sheringham Shantymen. A keynote concert involving two of the larger groups will also be held at Falmouth’s arts centre, The Poly, on the Saturday night.

The Festival – which came about as a result of a conversation between three Falmouth-based ‘shantymen’ in a harbour-side pub six years ago – is now one of the most eagerly anticipated annual events in the region. The rousing event enjoys an international reputation for its welcoming, characterful atmosphere, raising essential funding for the RNLI, and supported, both in spirit and in song, by established talents such as the chart-topping Fishermen’s Friends – the winners of the ‘Good Tradition’ title and runners-up for Best Group at the recent Radio 2 Folk Awards 2011.

This year’s event will see 27 acts (including Fishermen’s Friends) singing their maritime hearts out throughout the days and late into the nights on three main stages across the town (Discovery Quay, The Moor and Custom House Quay), in addition to a spread of nearby venues. Several special performances are also planned including singing aboard the replica of 15

While the majority of the acts are South West-based there is also strong representation from across the rest of the UK, in addition to outfits from as far away as Norway, Holland and France, which have a strong tradition of maritime music. The ‘shanties’ themselves are all working songs and ballads dating back to the pre-steamship days in which sailors would lift their spirits and ease the burden of hoisting a sail or raising an anchor by thinking up evocative, rhythmic and humorous songs. For visitors to the festival, the experience is always uplifting, with the song lyrics and impassioned performances raising many a glass and plenty of cheer.

To get you in the mood, listen to snippets of shanty singing here.

WE HAVE LIFT OFF..........BUT A GIANT TRIPPED!!!!

2011-04-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

Falmouth 350 takes off on May 16th at lunchtime when, thanks to great generousity of Falmouth Rotary Club, people putting on events in the adventure have been invited to join Rotarians as their guests at their normal business luncheon, when I will present the entire programme as it stands at the moment so that we can all move together on what has become a major success for the people of the town. Rotary President Bob Bridges will welcome all guests, the Mayor will open the Falmouth 350 presentation then it will be over to me to reveal all.

Remember it all started six months ago when the Rotary Club offered to run an anniversary dinner. This is still Rotary's part on the whole programme, but now they have been joined by over 30 clubs, organisations, and businesses in the town and almost 30 separate functions are being organised-this figure could rise to around 60 by the time October is on us!!!!

But one of my giants tripped.......We were turned down by the National Heritage Lottery for our grant. The main reason is that Charter 350, the organisation we formed to enable us to get grants, is a temporary body which will close down at the end of the anniversary. This was a major weakness when it came to consideration along with others for the grant, as it indicated that there would be no permanent result from our efforts.

However,we were invited to apply again if we could meet this weakness, along with some other points they raised, we have since met their representative, restructured both our application and the way Charter 350 works and our new application goes in at the end of April-we will hear the result at the end of June.

Even if we do not get a grant, over 80% of the current programme will be delivered-it is the play, the enactment, the restoration of the Charter and items like that which could be affected.

Meantime there are more and more suggestions being put to me. A really exciting one is a two day medieval market and we are looking closely at this-another is The Big Falmouth 350 quiz, with 35 teams of ten battling it out for the Charter trophy. Another dramatic and different one, which recaptures nautical heritage, is to have a group of Press Gangs, who pick up people, offer them a cup of coffee in return for a donation to charity!

Some really exciting news has come from America. Thanks to work by Elie De Rosa, we are now in touch with Falmouth Rotary Club in Mass, (not I am not going to try to spell it) USA, They have asked for an entire list of our activity and plan to pick those they can do and run them as a reflection of our anniversary as a gesture of good will. So now we are going international!!!

That's it for the moment, remember my phone number is 07770 831 728-and also remember that I am only the facilitator, this is your adventure, your programme, and will remain so.

Bye for now, Robin Dunseath
07770 831 728 Robindunseath@hotmail.com

Sleepover at National Maritime Museum

2011-04-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

As part of Sky Arts Sleepovers at Museums at Night, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is holding their first pirate themed family slumber party.

From 7pm swashbuckling shenanigans are guaranteed as you join Washed-up Will the wayward and warm hearted pirate and get swept into an exciting adventure scouring the Museum for Will’s lost treasure. Then build your own pirate galleon to race on the Museum’s boat pool and be thrilled by true stories of wrecks and rescues.

Comforting hot chocolate and treats will be on hand as you set up camp, snuggle down and spend the night sleeping under the Museum’s flotilla of flying boats, listening to the sounds of sea just outside the window.

Places are limited, expecially at £3pp so please book now on 01326 214546.

Cider and Perry Festival

2011-04-15T02:28:00.000-07:00

Cider and Perry Festival

Specialist beer bar HAND located on the Old High Street, home to over 60 beers and ciders from around the world, is hosting their first Cider and Perry Festival which will be running from Thursday 21 April to Monday 25 April.

Patrons will be able to enjoy some of the very best Cider and Perry from Herefordshire, Devon, Pontypridd, Somerset and Cornwall.

Ciders and Perry available include Broome Farm (Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company), Skreach, Gwynt y Ddraig, Sandford Orchards, Gwatkin & many more.

CAMRA members can enjoy a 10% discount on all the Ciders and Perry throughout the festival on presentation of a valid membership card.

Cider and Perry Festival Opening Hours: Thurs 21 to Monday 25 April - noon to 1am

Specialist beer bar HAND, home to over 60 beers and ciders from around the world, will be showcasing the outstanding Welsh brewer, Otley Brewing Company from Friday 29 April for one month.

Kicking off the event will be a talk from award-winning British beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones.
A highlight of the showcase is the limited edition Otley Obscura on gravity, a Wallonian Dark Saison style beer brewed in collaboration with Adrian Tierney-Jones, plus seven more of Otley’s finest brews.

On Friday 29 April, Adrian will launch the showcase by giving a talk about Otley and his experience in developing the limited edition Obscura.

The afternoon will also include a tasting session of four of Otley’s beers (Obscura, Croes-O, O-Garden and O8), sandwiches, bar snacks, and an opportunity to enjoy an informal chat with Adrian after his talk. Tickets are limited and cost £10. They are available in advance from the bar or by phoning 07942 389920. Friday 29 April, 2.30 - 5pm.

WELSH BEER SHOWCASE & TALK Otley Brewing Company Showcase & Talk by Adrian Tierney-Jones

Sea Shanty Festival Gathers Steam

2011-04-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Things are gathering pace for this year's Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival 17-19 June 2011. The event, organised by Falmouth Shout, chaired by Town Manager Richard Gates and with promotional support from Falmouth BID, will be larger than previous years with five overseas groups.

In terms of new venues, there are a few exciting ones added this year, including the historic Matthew ship that will be in the harbour, a shanty evening in The Poly and up at Trelissick Gardens. The programme has been printed and will be available at various outlets (TBC) before Easter.

The opening bash will be on Custom House Quay with performance on The Moor and a finale on Events Square. Further info will be fed as soon as its available via the offical Facebook events page 'Falmouth-spirit of the sea'.

Sowyn! (cheers)

Inaugural Falmouth Spring Festival, a real success!

2011-04-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

26th March - 3rd April

The first Falmouth Spring Festival instigated through the Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) project has just taken place and been really well received by businesses, residents and visitors alike. The event was conceived with the specific aim of adding a new, early season festival to Falmouth’s events calendar, one that would be extensively supported by the local business community and help to boost trade, footfall and spend at a traditionally quiet time of the year.

A host of initiatives were organised some with a strong community bias such as the Guerrilla Gardening exercise (top right) that saw a derelict corner of Falmouth, Bell’s Court cleared of 7 tonnes of rubbish and then replanted and the Paint the Town Yellow Day

(above right) with schoolchildren and students

involved.

In addition to this, numerous guided walks & talks, a Spring Fashion show (right), Gardeners' Question Time, daily rockpooling sessions on Castle Beach and a Spring Fair were laid on, all aimed at celebrating Falmouth's beautiful open and green spaces through art, music, education and fashion.

All the videos, images and feedback on the event can be viewed here.

Source FM - Grand Opening and Awards Ceremony

2011-03-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

It’s been a busy month at Source fm as we prepare to invite listeners to join us on the 2^nd of April, for the grand opening of our new studios at Tregenver Road in Falmouth.

Since its first broadcast two years ago, Source fm has grown steadily in listenership to approximately 3000 regular listeners, but we hope that being in the heart of the community will enable us to deliver much more.

As part of the grand opening Source fm will be holding an awards ceremony to celebrate programmes past and present. Over 150 volunteer presenters from all over the community have presented shows on Source fm, including programmes from Falmouth Primary School, Cornwall’s only radio drama, and a special request show for people living in care homes, are just some of the programmes that you could vote for as part of an online survey available at: http://www.thesourcefm.co.uk/news/vote-your-favourite-source-fm-show

In the afternoon there will also be tours of the studio and Source fm will be running jingle making workshops where all participants will have the opportunity to try out some of the recording equipment and hear their voices turned into jingles for Source fm.

Matthew Rogers – Station Manager

Garden Makeover Day - what a success!

2011-03-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

As part of the Falmouth BID instigated Falmouth Spring Festival, a series of community based initiatives have been organised. One such scheme is the Guerilla Gardening idea, whereby derelict and forgotten corners of Falmouth are being given a Spring makeover and the first site chosen was the historic Bells Court. Historic because in the days when Falmouth was at the hub of Britain's communication machine (when we had an Empire) the Packet Ships Office was based there.

Sadly been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair, the area has been crying out for years for a bit of TLC. Amd so we tackled it! On Saturday 19th March a committed bunch of volunteers (the response from the community was superb - 25 volunteers) turned out and:

removed 7 tonnes of rubbish from the site! 5 tonnes of white goods and masonry and 2 tonnes of garden refuse including the removal of six 25ft buddleia trees!!
raked, dug out, turned over, weeded, chopped and then finally planted shrubs and bedding flowers kindly donated by Falmouth Garden Centre, Trebah and Trelissick Gardens
formed the Falmouth Garden Makeover Crew!

The full set of images from 'before' to 'after' can be viewed here.

Thanks to Courtyard Deli as well! WHAT A DAY!

Friends of the Pier launched

2011-03-14T03:59:00.000-07:00

Sat 12th March saw a gathering of locals and visitors on Falmouth's Princes of Wales Pier to celebrate the pier, all part of VisitBritain's Party on the Pier initiative. The group will aim to improve and renovate the Pier, identify sources of funding to make some of this happen and work with a variety of community partners in the process.

Some wonderful, historic images were displayed and they attracted much attention. To see the full gallery of images please visit the official Falmouth Facebook page here .

To find out more or indeed get involved in helping to preserve Falmouth's historic Prince of Wales Pier call 01326 313353.

Unspoken Words - the Falmouth Radio Series goes on air in London

2011-03-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

Falmouth Radio Series to go on air in London....

Mac Dunlop's Unspoken Words, which began as a fifteen minute community radio program on Falmouth and Penryn's The Source FM, wll be broadcast on London’s award winning Resonance FM, every Monday from March 7th to April 25th.

"The show has changed a lot since The Source gave me the opportunity to produce my own show. I think it's become much funnier over the three years, but it's also more of a challenge to write new material as well as perform and record it on such a regular basis."

The series is known for its trademark fifteen minute humourous monologues, and many episodes are recorded with a live audience. You can see how its done for yourself at the forthcoming Telltales where an ‘Unspoken Words’ recording session will be part of evening’s events at Falmouth's The Rum Bar on Tuesday March 29th, 7:30pm.

If you're interested in learning more about writing for yourself or for performing, Mac also leads some unique one day writing courses suitable for all ages. You can find out more about these courses by looking up Cornwall’s ‘The Poetry Point’ or ‘The Caravanserai Project’ based on The Roseland Peninsula.

In the meantime, Unspoken Words still goes out every Wednesday on The Source - 96.1 FM at five o'clock, or you can listen online to the London broadcasts every Monday at 4:45pm for the next eight weeks on www.resonancefm.com.

FISH BLOG: Annie's Hake Recipe

2011-03-02T03:41:00.000-08:00

Our regular fish connoisseur, Annie Sibert, takes us through some great recipes for Hake, a fish we're seeing a lot of in the harbour at Falmouth.

The price of Hake should make this wonderful fish even
more attractive to you this week. A very delicate but meaty fish, with a sweet juicy flesh. We are seeing more of this fabulous fish because the Spanish are importing it from elsewhere. Ask your Fishmonger for it!

Quality check:

Hake has a naturally soft flesh and should be offered in steaks or fillets. Red blood around the bone area is a good sign (steaks) if the blood is brown in any way, this is a sign of ageing. If it is in fillet form, ask to see the skin, a good silver shine and a consistent grey skin (no damage) is good. The flesh should be quite white, but if the flesh is gapping, this is not a bad sign - Hake is very fragile and this is part of it.

Cooking - Fillet:

Less handling the better! Place the fillet skin side down. Place under the pre-heated grill for one minute and take out. If your grill was pre- heated you will see that the Hake is already cooking. With a small amount of butter on your knife, spread the butter evenly over the fillet, the butter should melt nicely on to your fish. A quick squeeze of Lemon and back under the grill. Keep checking the fish, if it starts to brown, this is natural, hake has a nice oil content. You can lower the fish away from the heat source to cook it a bit slower and to stop it from drying out.

Cooking - Steak:

As above, but the steak will need to be turned, just the once, do this very carefully.

Is it cooked? :

With a knife and fork separate the thickest part of the flesh. If the flesh comes away from the skin and is an even white all the way through, it is cooked!

With the steak, if it comes away from the bone with ease, this fish is cooked.

When Hake is cooking you will notice all the juice that starts to come out, do not panic! This is what happens, just try and capture the juice and pour it back over the fish when you are serving. Remember, the more juice the fresher the fish!

Serve with?

New potatoes and steamed veg.

Hope you enjoyed this and always use your local Fishmonger! Many thanks.

My Fish Kitchen

Port Masterplan Consultation

2011-03-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

The Port of Falmouth Development Initiative Steering Group is hosting a consultation event to seek your views on the Port of Falmouth Masterplan.

This will take place on:

Friday 18^th March 10am – 7pm and

Saturday 19^th March, 10am – 7pm.

The venue is Falmouth Watersports Centre, The Boat Park, Grove Place, Falmouth, TR11 4AU (next to Trago Mills store).

In 2008, the Port of Falmouth Development Initiative was formed to prepare and progress proposals for the development of the Port, particularly focussed on proposals for the Docks area. The initiative includes representatives from Cornwall Council, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, A&P Falmouth, Pendennis Super Yachts, World Fuel Services, South West of England Regional Development Agency, Cornwall Development Company and the Government Office for the South West.

A priority for the Initiative was the development of a Masterplan for the Port. The Masterplan will consist of a strategic level action plan identifying a medium to long term programme of investment opportunities which will make a long-term difference to the economy of the Docks, Falmouth and Cornwall.

We would welcome your attendance and feedback on the proposed projects.

Party on the Pier!

2011-02-28T03:18:00.000-08:00

Calling everyone who loves piers and Prince of Wales Pier. Three Cornish piers will be taking part in a major celebration of piers in the British Isles, to launch British Tourism Week 2011. 34 piers across the UK will be taking part in the first ever Party on the Pier on Saturday 12th March. Looe, Newlyn and Falmouth will be hosting parties of their own, celebrating the heritage of the pier in unique and fitting ways. In Looe, banjo players will be strumming and entertaining locals and visitors alike on the celebrated Banjo Pier, Newlyn’s Old Harbour will be filled with boats, artists, heritage and activities and Falmouth is set to have a day to creatively capture what the Prince of Wales Pier means to residents.

So we need you! Make time in your diaries between 1-2pm on Saturday 12th March to come along to the Prince of Wales Pier for the biggest photoshoot ever in Falmouth and to launch the Friends of the Pier!

From Falmouth to North Devon and the North Pole…

2011-02-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

A blog post from Tamsin Loveless, Head of Communications, National Maritime Museum Cornwall

It all started with a phone call from the desks of the Maritime Museum, that turned into an email, which evolved into a ‘wish’ list which delivered a trip to North Devon to meet the first man to reach the North Pole unassisted.

And, this has now resulted in some amazing new objects telling the story of the first solo expedition, unassisted, to the North Pole, being added to National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s On Thin Ice exhibition which opens on 8 April.

Pen Hadow rose to international fame in 2003 when, after fifteen years of unrelenting effort, he finally achieved his goal to become the first person to trek solo, without resupply, from Canada to the North Geographic Pole – a feat thought comparable to making the first ascent of Everest, solo and without oxygen, and one which has not been repeated since. Within months, he went on to become the only Briton to have trekked, without resupply, to both the North and South Poles.

Hardened Arctic and Antarctic Explorer he certainly is but you can also add generous, trusting and inspiring to a long list of personality traits as Pen opened up his Polar world to the Museum.

Ben Lumby, the Museum’s Exhibition Manager, and Pen went through what I can only describe as time capsules of Polar heritage. Basically big blue bins labelled ‘North Pole’ containing every item that Pen has taken on his incredible pioneering adventure.

Everything from pants to Polar Bear warning systems, cooking gear to clothing and sub-zero equipment to sledges was laid before us and will soon be on display in the Museum’s new On Thin Ice: Pioneers of Polar Exploration exhibition opening on 8 April, showing you what it takes to reach the North Pole.

So, this was our Friday. Journeying to the North Pole with an iconic polar explorer – just without the polar weather systems, although North Devon was a bit parky that day.

Cruise ship calls 2011

2011-02-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

29 cruise ships entering Falmouth waters in 2011 which is great news. For those interested, please follow the link and download the schedule...

Cruise Ships schedule 2011

Red Arrows are back!

2011-02-16T05:50:00.000-08:00

Just a quick stop press post this, to confirm that the Red Arrows will be back in Falmouth as part of Henri Lloyd Fal Week (6-14Aug 2011). Their spectacular show will be on Wednesday 10th August at 6.15pm. Full details on Fal Week will be posted on the official Facebook page for Falmouth events.

FISH BLOG: Annie Sibert's Fish Pie Recipe

2011-02-14T06:02:00.000-08:00

We've asked people from the Falmouth community to contribute to the blog to keep you up to speed with what's happening in the town.

We caught up with Annie Sibbert, from My Fish Kitchen in Falmouth, to get a quick and easy recipe for fish pie, and to find out what the local fishermen are bringing into the harbour right now.

Next week Annie will be giving us a great recipe for Hake.

My Fish Kitchen

Greenbank Falmouth River Festival takes shape

2011-02-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

Preview some of the events as the calendar starts to take shape for the 2011 Green Fal River Festival. 27th May -5th June 2011:

May 27th 2011

Come and join in the launch ceremony for the Greenbank Fal River Festival!

5th Classic Sailing Pilot Cutter Review

May 23rd 2011 - May 29th 2011

Join the fun on the water at the 5th Classic Sailing Pilot Cutter Review. Price includes all food and accommodation on board.

Sunday 29th May - Day 3

2011 RNLI Castle to Castle Swim

The RNLI is delighted to host this one mile open water annual Swim as part of the Fal River Festival.
BF Adventure’s charity abseil from the Maritime Museum

After last year's success charity BF Adventure will be running another charity abseil from the top of the Maritime Museum in Falmouth.
Monday 30th: Day 4

Time Travellers Go... Seafaring

May 30th 2011 - Jun 4th 2011

Set sail on a nautical adventure as you learn the ropes of seafaring, 1800s style.
Tuesday 31st: Day 5

Cornish Wildlife Voyage

May 31st 2011 - Jun 3rd 2011

Sail and wildlife spot on Eve a beautiful wooden pilot cutter, it’s a good time of year for basking sharks and dolphins
Wednesday 1st June: Day 6

Cornish Wildlife Voyage

May 31st 2011 - Jun 3rd 2011

Sail and wildlife spot on Eve a beautiful wooden pilot cutter, it’s a good time of year for basking sharks and dolphins

New Exhibition at the Maritime Museum

2011-02-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

National Maritime Museum Cornwall is venturing further than it has ever done before, into the freezing extremes of the Arctic and Antarctic, with a brand new exhibition opening on 8 April called On Thin Ice: Pioneers of Polar Exploration.

A thirst for knowledge has driven individuals to endure the world’s extremes. This new exhibition, developed in association with the Polar Museum in Cambridge, honours some of the greatest icons in the history of polar exploration, including Scott and Shackleton.

The new six month exhibition focuses on the historic and modern-day achievements of polar pioneers, using photography, artefacts, equipment and personal ephemera.

Ben Lumby, Exhibitions Manager at National Maritime Museum Cornwall says: “We are working with the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and a number of famed polar explorers to deliver an exhibition that brings home these remarkable achievements.”

Shackleton C: SPRI, University of Cambridge.

So, when you step into National Maritime Museum Cornwall from the 8 April, you will be able to journey to the North and South Pole, explore Base Camp, the interactive play zone, and be absorbed by the epic achievements of our polar heritage.

On Thin Ice: Pioneers of Polar Exploration opens on 8 April and runs through to 9 October 2011. If you would like to share your Cornish polar connections with the Museum, please contact the research team on enquiries@nmmc.co.uk.

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival

2011-02-04T04:23:00.000-08:00

The Falmouth Sea Shanty Fesival 2011 is looking at becoming the best ever. A brilliant lineup is planned and you'll be the first to see it if you follow the Falmouth Spirit of the Sea Facebook page. It'll be up on there very soon.

The poster has just been published and you can view it here...

Falmouth Spring Festival Photoshoot

2011-02-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

The photocall took place yesterday February 3rd 2011 to celebrate the first Falmouth Spring Festival. The 10 day event which will celebrate Falmouth's green and open spaces through art, music, education and fashion, will kick off on 26th March and run until 3rd April.

So what's planned?

Well, the festival starts with the Falmouth Flower Show, a 2 dayer up at Princess Pavilion on the 26th and 27th March, there'll be Gardener's Question Time at the Maritime Museum on March 28th at 7pm, the Spring Fashion Show also at the Museum on the 1st April and a Spring Fair on events square on the final weekend of the 2nd and 3rd April for starters.

Also throw into the mix a variety of walks and tours with walkitcornwall, Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens and you'll realise there's quite a bit happening for this, the first year! The Falmouth Spring Festival Facebook page is the place to go for up to the minute news so follow the link given to that. You'll also find a selection of images from yesterday's shoot on there.

Michelin Star Chef joins Rick Stein's seafood bar in Falmouth

2011-01-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

Twenty years ago Paul Ripley left London to work in Cornwall for Rick and Jill Stein as head chef at their flagship Seafood Restaurant. After 11 years in Padstow, Paul left The Seafood Restaurant and opened his own restaurant, Ripley’s in St Merryn, where he achieved a Michelin star.

Paul then became chef and landlord of the St Kew Inn in 2008, a St Austell Brewery pub in Wadebridge, where he further built up his reputation for superb food using fresh, high quality, local ingredients, and has now returned to work for Rick and Jill Stein, as head chef at their Seafood Bar in Falmouth.

Paul says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Rick and Jill Stein again. The Seafood Bar in Falmouth is such an exciting opportunity. I want to try and encourage people to come and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and, of course, tasty food. There is no set 3-course menu but we’d like to do is tempt people to try a variety of small dishes and sharing plates. For the new menu I’ve selected some of my favourite fish and shellfish dishes spanning all of Rick’s books and also put a few of my own on there too.

Rick Stein comments: “I'm really happy to have Paul back. There's nothing he doesn’t know about cooking seafood. It'll be a joy to have him cooking and chatting to customers as he does.

Paul will be hosting a series of demonstration evenings at The Seafood Bar, starting on Tuesday 15th February 2011. Each informal evening begins at 6pm with a glass of wine on arrival, then sit back and relax as Paul demonstrates two dishes while sharing tips and techniques and talking you through what’s in season.