Western Morning News, The

Gig Racers Are Champs - by Just Six Seconds ; Nailbiting Finish to Annual Event After Almost 100 Crews Compete for Title

It was the 39th year the Newquay Rowing Club had hosted the championships, with camera crews from the BBC television programme Countryfile among those present. Conditions in Newquay over the weekend reflected those across much of the Westcountry, with crews competing under clear skies.

Rustlers Fear As Half of River's Swans Disappear

BIRDWATCHERS along the River Exe fear that swan rustlers have returned after an absence of two years. Swan-lovers claim the birds are being stolen for food and their population is dwindling.

Who's in Line for Funding? ; Search for Local Projects in Need Support

A FUNDING project which helps schemes that benefit their local community is searching for new cases to support. Making it Local (MiL) has already provided vital grants to six varied initiatives across the Blackdown Hills, and in East Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation area.

Propaganda Cards Weren't All Hot Air

WHEN the crew swapped watch on board the R101 at 2am on the morning of October 5, 1930, the airship was passing to the east of the town of Beavais in northern France. No-one aboard reported anything wrong, but those civilians observing the giant balloon from the ground thought it was already experiencing difficulties because of the worsening weather. It had unexpectedly dived and, at about 530ft, was perilously close to the ground. Unable to gain control of the ship, the captain ordered all e...

Wmn Tipping Service

Heroine Kate Invited to Women of Year Awards

ABLE Seaman Kate Nesbitt, 21, from Plymouth, is among four Westcountry people attending national awards events in October. She has been invited to the Women of the Year lunch and awards after saving the life of a wounded soldier in Afghanistan, for which she won the Military Cross.

Eden Key to Pm's Green Jobs Plan ; Conference Speech Unveils Bid for 10,000 Apprentices Gordon Puts Eden at Core of His Plans Labour Leader Wows His Final Conference Before the Next General Election with a Vision for Change Labour Leader Wows His Final Conference Before

GORDON Brown has recruited the Eden Project to lead a green jobs revolution as part of an audacious bid to stave off electoral defeat. In his last party conference speech before the general election expected in spring, the Prime Minister yesterday laid out a policy- rich plan for a fourth Labour term.

Tourist Attraction Goes Into Administration

AN HISTORIC tourist attraction has been put into administration. The fate of Morwellham Quay, near Tavistock, West Devon, has been hanging in the balance since Devon County Council's decision to stop funding the attraction and education centre.

Pensioner Dies After His Car Hits House

A PENSIONER has died after reversing his car through a garden fence and hitting a house. Police said it appeared the 84-year-old man was doing a three- point turn in Harp Chase, Taunton, when the car suddenly accelerated backwards.

Children in Region to Be Given Swine Flu Vaccine

CHILDREN in the Westcountry are to be among the first in Britain to receive a swine flu vaccine as part of a trial which got under way yesterday. Researchers are hoping to use around 1,000 youngsters over the next fortnight to see which of two different drugs perform the best.

Awards Recognise Selfless Sacrifices ; Nominations in Pride of Britain and Women of Year Awards

THEY are among the bravest and the best - Westcountry men and women who have saved lives and put their own safety last. Now, two national organisations have recognised astonishing achievements with awards naming them as the Pride of Britain and Women of the Year.

Diesel Thefts From Vehicles

POLICE are appealing for information after a spate of diesel thefts in Devon. In the first incident, a lorry cab in Southley Road, South Molton, had its fuel cap removed and fuel worth Pounds 130 stolen overnight on September 2. In the Old Market Field area of Witheridge, near Tiverton, several lorries were targeted around September 10, with caps forced and fuel siphoned out.

Labour Conference Quotes of the Day

"My husband, my hero" - Sarah Brown introducing Gordon Brown before his keynote speech. "We have changed the world before and we are going to do it again" - Mr Brown. "I say to the British people the election to come will not be about my future - it's about your future" - Mr Brown. "Most mums and dads do a great job, but there are those who let their kids run riot and I'm not prepared to accept it as simply part of life" - Mr Brown.

Pop Music Added a Sense of Groundhog Day ; Conference Sketch a Change Is Good, but Give It a Rest, Writes Matt Chorley

EVERYONE wants a change, even Gordon Brown knows that. Inevitably, he seems to think that simply by repeating it, change will come with it being brought by the Tories.

Acknowledgements

Pilgrims' Losing Run Is Halted ; Peterborough Utd 1 Plymouth Argyle 2

PLYMOUTH Argyle's run of seven consecutive defeats in the Coca- Cola Championship came to an end in Cambridgeshire last night, when two second-half goals gave the Pilgrims a 2-1 win at Peterborough United. Jamie Mackie and Rory Fallon were the scorers as the Devon men gained their first win in any competition this season. Their goals were separated by six minutes midway through the second period and, at the other end of the field, Argyle's young defence managed to restrict the home side to a ...

Sword Cuts Through the Pack for National Championship Win at Landrake ; Motorcycling

BRITISH 250CC Moto X Champion Stephen Sword was overall winner of the Open Class races in the final round of the National Championships staged by ACU events Ltd at the Landrake Moto-Park. Riding a 450 KTM, he finished third in the first 16-lap race after passing Tom Church four laps from the end, and he won the second to finish level on points with Billy Mackenzie, winner of the first race by six seconds from Shaun Simpson, who took third place in the second race.

City Get Share of the Spoils

RICHARD Logan's 87th-minute header rescued a point for Exeter City as they fought back to claim a 1-1 draw with Swindon Town at St James' Park. The striker was only on the field for the last 15 minutes, but he made a telling contribution by powering in Danny Seaborne's excellent cross after Kevin Amankwaah had given the Robins the lead early in the second half.

Hughes Is Spot On ; Newsround

Pompey Miss Out ; Newsround