Western Morning News, The

Three Fined for Illegal Gill Net Fishing

THREE men have been ordered to pay a total of Pounds 1,830 in fines and costs for using illegal gill nets on a Cornish estuary. In a case brought by the Environment Agency, the three men from North Cornwall were said to have strung nets across a river which would have endangered surfers and stopped salmon from migrating.

Saddlery Training Is for Students of All Ages ; It's Never Too Late to Train Says the Society of Master Saddlers. Pat Crawford Highlights How Late Entrants Have Gone On to Have Highly Successful Careers

IT might be imagined that most people electing to train as a saddlery and or a harness-maker do so at a young age. Certainly in Walsall (known as the 'leather town' - where almost all the larger saddle-making firms are located) the majority of new entrants are school leavers. Most undertake a four-year apprenticeship in order to become a qualified saddler and are then employed as what is traditionally referred to as a "town saddler".

Serious Pony Fun

Spot Future Stars at New Event

Germany's 4days From Christmas Markets

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Cycling Policeman Off to Paris to Raise Money for Charity

A POLICE officer is cycling from London to Paris to help raise money for some of the world's poorest countries. Detective Constable Stewart Bergman will pedal 300 miles over four days as part of the London to Paris Bike Ride 2009 to raise money for his chosen charity, Christian Aid.

Jane Austen, Shakespeare and Moliere Out of Doors

PIGS, magicians and rogues will take centre stage at Trelissick Garden next month in a series of theatrical performances. The National Trust garden is being transformed into an outdoor theatre featuring plays such as Merlin the Magician, Babe, Jane Austen's Emma and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The finale will be a performance of Moliere's Tartuffe.

County 'Pinching Pennies' From Staff

NURSERY nurses have accused Devon County Council of "pinching pennies" in proposed cuts which could see them lose a third of their pay. They have criticised the authority's "rushed" consultation, which they said had been "sneakily done".

Surfboard Firm Backs Water Campaigners

LOOSE Fit surfboards has joined forces with Surfers Against Sewage to campaign for the protection of coastal areas in North Devon. North Devon-based surf shop Loose Fit has pledged 1 per cent of all its sales to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

Asbestos Fear for Children Playing with Suits in Skips

CHILDREN are being warned not to play on building sites in a Cornish town because of the risk of asbestos contamination. Police issued the warning after reports of children playing at St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Penberthy Road, Helston, where work is being carried out.

Torrential Rain Fails to Stop Pounds 2,000 Charity Walk

BUILDERS Rok and property consultants NPS joined forces to battle against the elements in a humbling 18-mile walk along the Templer Way, raising Pounds 2,000 for charity. The scenic route links Dartmoor and Shaldon, with the well- equipped walkers starting at Haytor.

Richard Austin's Animal Magic

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Coastguards Warn Over Lanterns Risk

COASTGUARDS have urged revellers to inform them if they release Chinese lanterns into the sky, as the service receives around two calls a week from people mistaking them for flares. Their graceful ascent means the paper balloons, which are propelled by the heat from a bright flame, are increasingly popular at parties, weddings and special events. But it can cause coastguards a headache if it sparks a false alarm and a full-blown search.

Mining Bees Are No Threat ; Western Morning Views

IN reply to the letter from E B Pope of Launceston (July 28) the black and white bee found on the lawn is most certainly a mining bee. They are totally harmless - they have a feeble sting and are not easily annoyed - and are active for about six weeks.

Theirs Not to Reason Why

S O MUCH that is garbage, so little that is profound. That, in a miserable nutshell, could be a description of modern life - but just occasionally we can stumble across profundity as if it were a flower among weeds. And, let's be profound about this, sometimes weeds make the best flowers. Anyway, it's been a week of profundity for me. First there was the passing of dear old Harry Patch - after writing a piece about the old warrior for Monday's Western Morning News I was thinking about why mee...

Wrong Wind Figure ; Western Morning Views

THE WMN has been very generous in publishing my letters perfectly transcribed from the original but, as is the way with most things, accidents happen - as with my letter of July 28 dealing with wind farm statistics. The transcription error occurred in stating "above 5mph they must be shut down" which in my original copy stated "above 56mph they must be shut down". I trust that this letter rectifies the matter.

Cut-Out Cops ; Western Morning Views

REGARDING the "Scarecrow did good job" letter of July 17 - it's a great idea as an aid to slowing motorists down but, alas, it's not original. The Germans have been putting cut-outs of their policemen on their roadsides for years. It certainly makes you ease up on the gas.

Disgusting Dumping ; Western Morning Views

IMAGINE my shock and disgust when, while out walking the dog, I rounded the corner to the entrance of Woodroberts Wood, just below my farm, to be confronted with the sight of a heap of rotting kitchen waste, used nappies, clothes, shoes, toys, crockery and various bits of miscellaneous rubbish. It's all the sort of stuff that can go out with the dustbins, but instead someone has made the effort to stick it all in the back of their vehicle, drive out to the middle of nowhere and dump it, presu...

Devastating Losses ; Western Morning Views

I DON'T profess to know the tactics of war, but I do know the devastation and grief it causes when a loved one is lost in the conflict. Surely Gordon Brown is wrong to say that the war in Afghanistan must go on, as it diminishes the threat of terrorism, both here and in other vulnerable countries. Does not the fact we are in this awesome country, unfortunately killing innocent among the guilty, increase the danger of terrorism? The history of Afghanistan has taught us that they have never bee...