Poachers nets

are seized

ENVIRONMENT Agency fisheries officers have seized two kilometres of illegal fishing net in a single day of actions against poachers in Cornwall.

In a record one-day haul for the county an Agency fishing boat seized five nets from two estuaries on Tuesday. As well as around l00 dead fish, mainly wrasse and dogfish, two seabirds had got tangled in one of the nets and drowned. The main target would have been salmon, sea trout or bass, for sale on the black market.

One of the areas of investigation was the south coast at St Austell Bay after reports of a dolphin trapped in a net off Crinnis beach. When the net was recovered a large hole was evident where the dolphin, or porpoise, had managed to escape. This, and a net found on the River Camel in North Cornwall, will be destroyed.

Calstock pupil wins

through to final

A YOUNG writer from Calstock Primary School has won his way through to the final of the the Department for Education and Skills national writing competition for schools - 'Write Here, Write Now 2001'.

Nine-year-old Ben Smith from Calstock primary school had to complete a piece of non-fiction started by a famous writer, in this case, Tony Robinson. All the regional winners will receive a trip to London for the awards ceremony, a trip to the Globe Theatre in London and a copy of the book of winning entries. 'Write Here, Write Now 2001' is to be published by Cambridge University Press. In addition, the school will receive £100 worth of book vouchers and £100 CD-Rom vouchers.

Yarg's flavour

wins top prize

CORNISH Yarg cheese, made by Lynher Dairy in Rilla Mill, beat hundreds of entrants to become Britain's 'Best Flavour Added Cheese' at the British Cheese Awards 2001, a contest to find the best cheeses in the land.

Over 70 of the UK's most experienced cheese judges gathered at the awards in Stow-on-the-Wold. Cornish Yarg, which is uniquely wrapped in nettle leaves, competed alongside an Ayrshire milk cheese from The Prince of Wales' Highgrove Estate. This also won an award for Best New Cheese.

Ferry back

to service

FOLLOWING its triennial refit the Torpoint ferry, Plym, is planned to return to service on October 16, allowing the crossing to resume its normal daytime ten minute frequency.

The bridge and ferry manager, David List, said the return to service is around five days later than anticipated, mostly due to unforeseen additional work, and exceptionally stormy weather which had affected 'key activities'.

On the move

SCHOOLCHILDREN in Cornwall tend to move from school to school more times than youngsters in most parts of the country. A report studied by Cornwall councillors highlighted that some Cornish schools have a very high turnover of students.