New community building at Indian Queens Pit: The opening

The new community building at Indian Queens Pit was officially opened today by Cllr Andrew Waters, the Chairman of St Enoder Parish Council.

The weather was truly appalling in the build-up to the event at 2.00 and I would like to thank all those people who turned up to show their support. I certainly enjoyed myself, the committee certainly enjoyed themselves and I think that everyone else did as well.

Andrew kindly dragged me out of the crowd to assist him with the opening, because I had secured the grant funding necessary for the building.

I was also pleased that we were able to launch my new booklet about the Pit and St Enoder Parish at the event. The costs of publishing the booklet has been covered by local sponsorship and every pound from sales of the book will go towards the improvements at Indian Queens Pit.

The cost of the booklet is £6.00 and anyone can contact me on dick.cole.mk@gmail.com to find out how to get a copy.

The full list of sponsors, both local businesses and individuals, who supported the book and who I would also like to thank are:

Ron Bullock Building Contractors (St Columb Road)

Michael and Margaret Cole (Indian Queens)

W F Collings Building Contractors (St Austell)

Cornwall Pools (Indian Queens)

Martin and Julie Eddy (St Neot)

Wendy Fitton (Fraddon)

Nigel Henwood Coal Merchant (Trevarren)

Mark Kessell Cars (Summercourt)

Cyril Landry (Blackcross)

John and Frances Osborne (Fraddon)

Pam and Garf Ould (Higher Fraddon)

Jeff and Nora Parsons (Indian Queens)

Eric Roberts Contractors (Higher Fraddon)

John Roberts Bodyworks (Indian Queens)

Arthur Trenerry (Fraddon)

Andrew and Sandra Waters (Summercourt)

Cyril and Rose Webb (St Columb Road)

Malcolm and Wendy Williams (Fraddon Post Office)

Congratulations to Davyth Hicks

Mebyon Kernow is a full member of the European Free Alliance – a grouping of progressive nationalist and regionalist parties, which include Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party.

The EFA is presently holding its General Assembly in the city of Meran, in Süd Tirol, and I am very pleased to be able to announce that MK’s Davyth Hicks has been elected to the governing Bureau of the EFA.

Well done Davyth.

New publication - Looking Back: Indian Queens Pit and St Enoder Parish

I am pleased to report that the new booklet I have written to raise funds for Indian Queens Pit has been printed in time for the opening of the new community building at the Pit. I will be picking them up at about 3.00 tomorrow and I am looking forward to the launch.

The booklet will feature a number of historic photographs of the monument, as well as over 60 old photographs of St Enoder Parish, with much information about the history of the area. It will be priced at £6.00 and will be on sale from 2.00 on Saturday.

Rod Toms for Newlyn (East) and Goonhavern

It is heartening to be receiving so many positive reports from MK candidates across Cornwall.

Tonight we found out that the Liberal Democrat candidate for Newlyn and Goonhavern has withdrawn from the contest and wished Rod Toms (above), the MK candidate, the best of luck against the Conservative.

Rod Toms is already working hard and the only other candidate standing in the election represents the Labour Party and lives in Redruth!

Fingers crossed for a great result. Come on Rod!

Updated list of MK town and parish councillors

It has today been confirmed that Conan Jenkin and Lance Dyer have both been elected to serve on Truro City Council, following the withdrawal of other candidates who had been nominated 

This means that MK has 19 councillors returned to town and parish councils as official party candidates. The list is as below:

Bodmin Town Council (St Marys) – Shaun Stephens; elected unopposed

Breage Parish Council – Simon Caddick; elected unopposed

Callington Town Council (Callington) – Andrew Long; elected unopposed

Callington Town Council (Kelly Bray) – Maria Coakley; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Pendarves) – John Gillingham; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Roskear) – John Rowe; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Treslothan) – Alan Sanders; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Treswithian) – Mike Champion; elected unopposed

Carn Brea Parish Council (Four Lanes) – Chris Lawrence; elected unopposed

Crowan Parish Council (Praze) – Loveday Jenkin; elected unopposed

Mevagissey Parish Council – Matt Facey; elected unopposed

Penryn Town Council (West) – Dave Garwood; elected unopposed

Pillaton Parish Council – Dave Floyd; elected unopposed

Roche Parish Council – Brian Higman; elected unopposed

St Enoder Parish Council – Dick Cole; elected unopposed

St Newlyn East Parish Council – Rod Toms; elected unopposed

Treverbyn Parish Council (Boscoppa) – Matt Luke; elected unopposed

Truro City Council (Boscawen) – Conan Jenkin; elected unopposed

Truro City Council (Redannick) – Lance Dyer; elected unopposed

MK candidates who still have town and parish council elections to fight include:

Bodmin Town Council (St Petrocs) – John Gibbs

Camborne Town Council (Trelowarren) – Zoe Fox

Falmouth Town Council (Penwerris) – Tony Leamon

Illogan Parish Council (Illogan) – Stephen Richardson

Penzance Town Council (Central) – Phil Rendle

Penzance Town Council (East) – Rob Simmons

St Austell Town Council (Poltair) – Derek Collins

Stuart and Helene Cullimore unable to stand for re-election

Mebyon Kernow has today publicised the news that Stuart and Helene Cullimore will not be standing for re-election on May 2nd because of health issues.

Stuart Cullimore was first elected to Camborne Town Council in a by-election in 2000. He served on Kerrier District Council from 2007 until it was abolished in 2009, when he was elected to serve on Cornwall Council. Helene Cullimore was also first elected to Camborne Town Council in a by-election. Her victory was in 2002 and she was elected to serve on Kerrier District Council from 2003 until 2009.

In a joint statement issued today, Stuart and Helene said:

“It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision not to put ourselves forward for re-election to Camborne Town Council and Cornwall Council. This is because we have significant health issues and will be unable to continue as councillors for now.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Parish and people of Camborne whom we love. We hope we have served you to the best of our abilities and we would like to thank the people of Camborne who gave us the honour of representing them"

“We hope that the people of Camborne show their support for Mebyon Kernow in this coming election and back our candidates, who are 100% committed to Cornwall .”

I have paid tribute to the work of Stuart and Helene with the following statement.

“Stuart and Helene Cullimore have been exceptional councillors and have represented Camborne with great tenacity for many years. I am disappointed that they are not standing in the May elections, but I am confident they will still be doing everything they can to support the MK team win a better deal for Camborne.”

Mebyon Kernow launches manifesto for Cornwall Council elections

Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall has today launched its manifesto for the Cornwall Council elections which will take place on 2nd May.

It is titled “Putting Cornwall First” and in support of the document, I have made the following statement:

“It is a difficult time for local government in Cornwall. Funding cuts from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition mean that, between 2011 and 2015, Cornwall Council will lose a massive £546 million in spending power. This is having a devastating impact on the ability of the unitary authority to deliver services, and this is already adversely affecting the elderly, the young, those in need, and the ordinary working people of Cornwall.

“Councillors from the Coalition parties are largely in denial about the harm being caused by the policies of their own Government, preferring to play party political games.

“We need councillors who will put Cornwall first and focus on defending the best interests of our local communities.”

“Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall is different to the mainstream London-based political parties. We are based here in Cornwall, we have no vested interests and are not funded by big business. We also have no political masters in London to please and we will always fight for what is best for the people of Cornwall.”

You can download the MK manifesto from the MK website – www.mebyonkernow.org.

New building at Indian Queens Pit to be opened on Saturday

The new community building at Indian Queens Pit will be officially opened on Saturday 13th April by Cllr Andrew Waters, the Chairman of St Enoder Parish Council.

The event will commence at 2.00 and all are welcome. There will be refreshments and the entertainment will include Indian Queens Band.

Funding for the new building has been met by grants from the Clay Country Local Action Group (£60,000), the Cornwall SITA Trust (£30,000), St Enoder Parish Council (£12,000), the former Restormel Borough Council (£4,600), as well as a large amount of local fundraising.

The Pit Association will also be launching a new publication at the event to raise more funds for ongoing improvements. I have written the 40-page A4 booklet, which will tell the story of the Pit and it features a number of historic photographs of the monument. The booklet will also include over 60 old photographs of St Enoder Parish, with much information about the history of the area. It will be priced at £6.00.

The Pit Association would be delighted to see you at the event.

MK candidates for town and parish councils

A number of MK members have also stood for town and parish councils as official party candidates. The list is as below and many have been returned without the need for an election.

Bodmin Town Council (St Petrocs) – John Gibbs

Bodmin Town Council (St Marys) – Shaun Stephens; elected unopposed

Breage Parish Council – Simon Caddick; elected unopposed

Callington Town Council (Callington) – Andrew Long; elected unopposed

Callington Town Council (Kelly Bray) – Maria Coakley; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Pendarves) – John Gillingham; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Roskear) – John Rowe; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Trelowarren) – Zoe Fox

Camborne Town Council (Treslothan) – Alan Sanders; elected unopposed

Camborne Town Council (Treswithian) – Mike Champion; elected unopposed

Carn Brea Parish Council (Four Lanes) – Chris Lawrence; elected unopposed

Crowan Parish Council (Praze) – Loveday Jenkin; elected unopposed

Falmouth Town Council (Penwerris) – Tony Leamon

Illogan Parish Council (Illogan) – Stephen Richardson

Mevagissey Parish Council – Matt Facey; elected unopposed

Penryn Town Council (West) – Dave Garwood; elected unopposed

Penzance Town Council (Central) – Phil Rendle

Penzance Town Council (East) – Rob Simmons

Pillaton Parish Council – Dave Floyd; elected unopposed

Roche Parish Council – Brian Higman; elected unopposed

St Austell Town Council (Poltair) – Derek Collins

St Enoder Parish Council – Dick Cole; elected unopposed

St Newlyn East Parish Council – Rod Toms; elected unopposed

Treverbyn Parish Council (Boscoppa) – Matt Luke; elected unopposed

Truro City Council (Boscawen or Tregolls) – Conan Jenkin

Truro City Council (Redannick) – Lance Dyer

As with all political parties, a number of party members will also be standing as individuals to their local parish councils. 

Lib Dems: "It's a two horse race" in Bodmin St Marys

It is election time and people are no doubt expecting all manner of outlandish claims from politicians seeking their votes.

I have just been forwarded a copy of a leaflet from the Bodmin St Marys Division. It has been put out by the Liberal Democrat candidate and claims that the election is a two horse race between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives.

The only thing is that there are four candidates in this contest and none are representing the Conservative Party. Roger Lashbrook is standing for MK and the other candidates represent Labour, the Lib Dems and UKIP.

MK candidates in St Austell and Newquay

In my local St Austell and Newquay constituency, there are a number of interesting contests for Mebyon Kernow candidates to Cornwall Council in which we could do very well.

As I noted previously, in my St Enoder Division I am opposed by a single independent. It is my hope that my record of hard work for my local community will be enough to ensure my re-election to the unitary authority.

In Bugle, first-time candidate Jerry Jefferies is up against Conservative, Independent, Labour and Liberal Democrat opponents.

Another first-time candidate Fiona Carlyon is standing in Fowey and Tywardreath, where she is up against the sitting Liberal Democrat councillor and a Conservative.

Former Restormel Councillor Matt Luke is standing in Penwithick and Boscoppa and is also up against a Liberal Democrat and a Conservative.

Hopefully, both Fiona and Matt will be able to encourage all people who are angry at the Coalition parties to coalesce around MK.

In Roche, former County Councillor Brian Higman is standing for MK against the leader of the Independent Group. There is also a token Conservative candidate in this contest – he lives in Newquay!

Chairman of St Austell Town Council’s Planning Committee Derek Collins is our candidate in St Austell Poltair, where local people fought the large Wainhomes application. Derek is opposed by Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates.

And in St Mawgan and Colan, Rob Poole has a straight fight with the sitting Conservative councillor and hopefully he can attract a wide array of non-Tory votes.

Fingers crossed for some good results. Let’s get working.

MK candidates for Cornwall Council

Nomination for the 2013 Cornwall Council elections have been published and, in my St Enoder Division, there is only one other candidate – an independent.

Mebyon Kernow has put forward a total of 26 candidates for the Council and I believe it is a strong list of people who would make outstanding councillors. The full list is as below:

Bodmin St Petrocs  -  John Gibbs

Bodmin St Marys  -  Roger Lashbrook

Bugle  -  Jerry Jefferies

Callington  -  Cllr Andrew Long

Camborne Pendarves  -  John Gillingham

Camborne Roskear  -  John Rowe

Camborne Trelowarren  -  Zoe Fox

Camborne Treslothan  -  Alan Sanders

Camborne Treswithian  -  Mike Champion

Crowan and Wendron  -  Cllr Loveday Jenkin

Four Lanes  -  Chris Lawrence

Fowey and Tywardreath  -  Fiona Carlyon

Illogan  -  Stephen Richardson

Newlyn and Goonhavern  -  Rod Toms

Penryn East and Mylor  -  Dave Garwood

Penwithick and Boscoppa  -  Matt Luke

Penzance East  -  Rob Simmons

Penzance Central  -  Phil Rendle

Perranporth  -  Paul Dunbar

Poundstock  -  Paul Sousek

Roche  -  Brian Higman

St Austell Poltair  -  Derek Collins

St Dominick, Harrowbarrow and Kelly Bray  -  Maria Coakley
St Enoder  -  Cllr Dick Cole

St Mawgan and Colan  -  Rob Poole

Truro Redannick  -  Lance Dyer

One sad omission from the list is Cllr Stuart Cullimore, who has served Camborne South with distinction over the last four years. He has significant health problems and is unable to defend his seat. He will be a great loss to the MK team at County Hall, and I will be having much more to say about his contribution to MK.

Tamsin Williams, who defected to MK from the Lib Dems last year, has also stood down to take a break from frontline politics.

Mawgan Porth

Once again, my blog has been a bit quiet of late. Much has been happening, but I have been caught up in a never-ending cycle of candidate nominations, leaflet designing, etc.

Tonight, I escaped for a few hours and enjoyed an evening at Mawgan Porth.

From here on in, as the election campaign progresses, I will be blogging on a much more regular basis.