In this week’s Cornish Times we lead with news that Devon and Cornwall’s Special Police Constables are to be among the first in the country to be paid an allowance for completing a set number of shifts. In East Cornwall several new Specials have started work recently and these volunteer officers have consistently been praised by police leaders locally for their professionalism and contribution. The Police Crime Commissioner says the scheme is a way to strengthen the Covid response, and ensure police resources can meet the swell in population in the region in the summer months – but trade union UNISON has described it as “policing on the cheap”.

There’s also a great interview with a Special who’s been doing the job for 16 years.

Inside the pages of the paper this week there’s news on Liskeard Library and new coronavirus testing sites being set up in Cornwall.

Our planning news covers rejected plans for new homes in a village, a huge new planning application for a town extension in Bodmin, and a holiday park that has been told it can’t extend.

We’ve got some in-depth features with photos for you to read this week – one from local Menheniot historian and author John Marriott who tells the story of a young sailor from the village who lost his life 100 years ago. And as Coronation Street marked its 60th anniversary, we speak to a cameraman from South East Cornwall who filmed the very first episodes!

Look out for the local “Country Heros” given recognition in the pages of our Farming section, and find out how a social enterprise on the Rame Peninsula is bringing free, healthy wild foods to local families on a low income.

There’s also reports from the cases heard recently at Bodmin and Truro Magistrates Courts.

Looking back over the festive period, this week’s Cornish Times is packed with photos from community Christmas events and from schools who managed to hold nativities, Christmas Jumper days and lots of end of term fun despite the social distancing requirements.

And looking into the New Year, we hear how a band of singers is determined not to let a 400 year Wassailing tradition be broken – they’ve adapted the custom to the rules of the pandemic.

Our fantastic Sport section this week has plenty to read. We lead with full match reports, reaction and photos from Saltash United’s decisive victory over old rivals Liskeard at Kimberley Park. There’s also a report from the tense Boxing Day derby between Bude and Morwenstow, and other match reports and fixtures from the St Piran and East Cornwall Premier Leagues, as well as news from the mens and womens Argyle players. You can read updates on the Exeter Chiefs, local golfing and bowls news too this week.

As well as this we’ve got a bumper full-page crossword for you this week, the wonderful Nature Watch page with Ray Roberts, and information and advice on how to protect your home during the colder months while saving money and going ‘green’ on your energy bills.

Look out for your latest edition of The Cornish Times, out in the shops today!