ACHE has
a deficit
CHAIRMAN Murray Collings presided over the 11th annual meeting of the Looe and District Area Community Health Equipment Trust (ACHE), when treasurer Mr Frank Horsnell reported that some £14,000 had been spent on equipment in the financial year.
The major item was the installation of an electronic filing system for patient's records, other purchases including a high tech Distance Foetal Monitor for the use of the midwife, much new equipment for the physiotherapy department, and a wide variety of additional equipment for all aspects of the health centres in Looe, Pelynt and Polperro.
The treasurer acknowledged with gratitude the support received from West Looe Town Trust, the Lions Club, the Looe Fishermen's Protection Association and many others for their donations without which ACHE could not have achieved so much.
However, the organisation has to report that even with this support the charity suffered its first deficit since inception, the sum being in excess of £1,500. Expenses were held to a minimum being less than 9 per cent of total expenditure.
Midmain light
swept away
THE Midmain Light, which is situated on the outcrop of rocks between Hannafore and Looe Island, was swept away during the heavy storms over the Christmas period. Harbour master Ted Webb reports that it was only possible to get out to the site this week owing to the winds and tides.
It will be several weeks before a new light has been made and erected, at a cost to the Harbour Commissioners estimated to be over £1,000, but every effort is being made to get this important safety marker back in place as soon as possible.
Work has also begun repairing the piles, which are the large wooden stakes to which the boats tie up to in the harbour. Many were also damaged during the recent bad weather.
Don Webb wins
Trust's vote
AT the annual general meeting of East Looe Town Trust on Tuesday, Mr Don Webb was re-elected as chairman after a vote by show of hands, the other nomination being Mr Wally Scarah.
Mrs Glynis Gibson was returned unopposed as vice chairman, and Mr Phil Gibson abstained on both counts. Mr Mike Soady, who was nominated by the town council, signed the declaration to be installed as a new trustee.
The resignation has been received from Sid Gardner, who joined the Trust in 1990, and it was decided to send him a letter thanking him for his ten years of stalwart service. Mr Gardner leaves a vacancy also to be filled on council recommendation.
Nelson and Kevin
not forgotten
NELSON the seal was not forgotten throughout the festive season when the port virtually shut down. Market attendant Lewis Bettinson was to be seen down on the quayside each morning, throwing him his usual portion of fish to bring him some Christmas cheer. Kevin, the cormorant, Looe's other character, also received his daily ration.
Harbour master Ted Webb says Kevin has become so tame he was easily able to pick him up recently to check a suspected injury to one of his feet, but found him to be alright. He has also been contacted by the Gweek Seal Sanctuary after they had received a report that Nelson seemed to be unwell. However, he was able to report back that he is in fact as healthy as ever.
Mr Webb says the idea is being mooted about a special sign to be erected somewhere in the harbour area, explaining Nelson's history. Visitors to the port often report seeing a seal at Looe who is injured with only one eye, not realising he is perfectly well. Nelson, who is thought to be about 18 , first started coming to Looe about 14 years ago, which he seems to have adopted as his permanent home now he is older. In recent years he used to travel the coastline down as far as Falmouth, and has also been sighted as far away as the Scilly Isles.
Bus scheme
withdrawn
THE County Wide Bus Scheme subscription paid by the town council to Devon County Council, which enabled Looe's senior citizens and those in special need to obtain help with travel, has now been withdrawn.
The council has been one of the few parishes in the county which took up this offer and has subscribed to it for the last four years. However, under a new Government system for bus passes, soon to be enforced, Caradon Council will take over the organisation and funding.
Local transport
forum invitation
THE people of Looe and Polperro are invited to a Transport Forum on Saturday, January 13 at St Cleer Memorial Hall at 10.30am to discuss the current status of the Liskeard and District Omnibus Company.
Talk to Colin Breed MP, representatives from the Liskeard and District Omnibus Company and County and District Transport Departments.
Big market
on Monday
A big market on Monday due to a good weekend for the fleet helped a bleak situation within the industry. It was also pleasing to see mackerel being landed again after some scarcity. However, a return to rough sea conditions has again kept the boats tied up at the latter end of this week.
Fish figures for week beginning Friday January 5 - Thursday January 11. Fri - (small market with only 5 trawlers out for a short period) whiting 350, conger 200, pouting 120, lemons 25, squid 20; Mon - whiting 6000, conger 2000, pollack 3500, ling 350, cod 700, lemons 350, pouting 1000, bass 230, mackerel 6000; Tues - squid 120, whiting 4000, conger 130, lemons 350, cod 250, john dory 100, haddock 100, plaice 60, pollack 760, mackerel 6000; Weds - whiting 1300, codling 100, conger 80, bass 50, squid 50; Thurs - no market as no boats out.
Figures courtesy of Looe Fish Selling.
Superstore up
before planners
A special meeting of Caradon's planning committee (West) has been arranged to discuss the supermarket application by Nuthurst Developments Ltd on land at the Millpool Car Park, West Looe.
The meeting has been arranged to take place at the Council Chamber , Luxstowe House, Liskeard, on Friday, February 2 at 4pm, and is one of the first such meetings to be arranged by the council for applications which are expected to involve longer debate than normal.
It is envisaged a decision will be made at this meeting, which follows on from a sub committee site meeting held last year.