Annual Town Meeting and Liskeard’s Community Champions

On Thursday 16^th March in the Public Hall, Liskeard had its Annual Town Meeting and Community Champion Awards.  As well as the Chair’s report and presentations from Safer Liskeard, the Run Together Group who talked about how they had used the grant they received from the Town Council, information about the Grants available from the Town Council was given and Rose Ramwell from Liskeard Scouts talked about the exciting trip she is fund raising for to the World Jamboree in South Korea.

Community Champions 2023

John Bond

– John welcomes everyone to his shop to play war games on a Wednesday night.  It’s a great, safe place for all ages to meet up and have fun.  He’s put his own time and money into providing this for young and old and it’s greatly appreciated.

Stephen Sullivan

– Steve has overcome personal issues and has devoted his time and resources to running a boxing club.   He supports young people and is a true community champion.

Christopher Sutton

– Christopher has volunteered for many years for the Foodbank, even when ill.  He is now an active member of the SEPSIS charity and uses his photography skills to raise money for them by selling cards.  Christopher also helps at the Salvation Army and St Martin’s Church.  He is happy and a “glass is always definitely full” person.

Maureen Smith

– Maureen is a pioneer and co-founder of Liskeard Town Traders.  She works hard to boost and promote the town.  She has been involved in many of the activities in the town and has worked hard in difficult times.

Linda Moore

– Linda’s work with the Welcome Back Fund has brought fun activities and decorative flower planters to the town and she’s working on another project to access funding which has already in progress with other traders.

Sandra Dawes

– Sandra has been manager at M & Co for many years and she has always worked hard to support the town.  She often organised charity fashion shows and has also allowed us to display projects during Liskeard Unlocked highlighting Women Workers in businesses 100 years ago.

Ploughman’s Festival

The Ploughman’s Festival team put on a Market and free music festival each summer (baring rain and COVID).  They work really hard and showcase local talent as well as promote local businesses and organisations.  The amount of work involved in putting on such an event shouldn’t be underestimated and we recognise all volunteers from the past and now.

Lights Up

There is an amazing team that have been working to bring festive lights to the town for many years.  There have been a few changes over the time, but, all of their volunteering is recognised with thanks for a great job, well done.  You are all “Top People”

Posted 22.3.23

PLANTING OF ROWAN TREE TO COMMEMORATE THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN PASSMORE EDWARDS

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor were joined by Brian Oldham, President of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society at Thorn Park on 14^th March to plant a Rowan tree to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the birth of John Passmore Edwards (Chrissie Butler from BBC Radio Cornwall was also there to capture the moment).

Passmore Edwards was born in Blackwater near Truro on 24 March 1823.  He was a journalist, newspaper owner and philanthropist.  A lifelong champion of the working classes he is remembered for the 70 major buildings that were established as a direct result of his bequests.  These included hospitals, drinking fountains, libraries, schools, convalescence homes and art galleries.  Liskeard Library is an original Passmore Edwards building, designed as a purpose built library for the town in 1896 and currently undergoing extensive refurbishment.

There will be an exhibition ‘The Life and Good Works of John Passmore Edwards’ and an illustrated talk at the Public Hall this Friday (17^th March) starting at 6.30pm.

Entry is free and refreshments will be provided.

Read all about it and see the photos here.

Posted 15.3.23

LISKEARD’S COMMUNITY FAIR RETURNS

Come along to the Public Hall, West Street, Liskerd, PL14 6BW on Saturday 1st April between 10am and 1pm and find out about groups to join or organisations that offer support in our area.  There’ll also be fun activities to take part in too, along with refreshments served by Liskeard Scouts which will help them raise funds for the group.  It’s free entry, so come along and find out about groups or organisations that you may never have known existed.

Download the poster here.

Posted 15.3.23

HIGHWAYS CONSULTATION – ST CLEER ROAD, LISKEARD

Cornwall Council is proposing traffic calming on St Cleer Road, Liskeard and prohibition of motor vehicles on a section of road between St Cleer Road and Tregay Lane. Also, a change of junction priority with a new connection to Clover Drive and prohibition of motor vehicles except for access along the U6174. The traffic calming along St Cleer Road includes speed cushions, rumble strips, localised road narrowing, a raised table junction and asymmetrical build outs with a priority give way layout. Finally to ratify the existing double yellow line restriction on St Cleer Road, from its junction with Culverland Road to the burial ground, by removing the current timeplates to make the restriction No waiting at any time.

The main purpose of the proposed changes will be to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian and cycling safety along the lengths of road affected, as part of the current overall town plan for Liskeard. It is therefore intended to revise the main route (between the northern and eastern approaches to Liskeard) so that through traffic will travel along Granite Way/Carlton Way, instead of St Cleer Road.

This Letter gives further details and a feedback form which can be sent to Cornwall Council and this map shows the proposals.

Here’s the link to the consultation:  https://www.engagespace.co.uk/cornwall/consultation_Dtl.aspx?consult_Id=2174&status=2&criteria=I

It is also possible to look at the plans and give feedback by Email: traffic@cormacltd.co.uk or phone: 01872327281 by 30 March 2023.

Posted 14.3.23

Accessible Allotments in Liskeard

Liskeard Town Council is pushing forward with its work to improve accessibility around Liskeard, including the allotments and Thorn Park.

We are exploring adapting an existing plot at Pengover Road and having discussions with Trevethan Meadows phase four development around provision for an accessible allotment on the new development.

Following a meeting of Liskeard Town Council on 29^th November 2022, it was agreed to take forward the proposal first suggested back in 2021 for an accessible allotment.  Liskeard Town Council allocated funding for a disability consultant to support the council in generating sensible requirements for the allotment or gardening space, which will be fed into a well-balanced design.   

Maximising on this funding and time, Liskeard Town Council is also examining how to make Thorn park more accessible by improving the provision of gates, pathways, benches, signage and play equipment.  Funds for this work will be taken from the King George V Playing Fields Trust, with the aim of improving the space for everyone in the town.

Cllr Annette Lee-Julian said: ‘We would like to make the allotment plots inclusive to all. So we are exploring what options there are, and researching suitable designs for people with mobility issues, and a wide range of disabilities. It is well known the benefits of having an allotment on Mental Health, so therefore we need to ensure that the allotments are accessible to everyone.’

Cllr Ambler added that: ‘It was great to see the broad support at Liskeard Town Council to improve accessibility around Liskeard, and in particular thanked Cllr Julian Smith, and the staff at the Town Council, for their help in bringing forward these discussions.’

As part of the discussion at full council, general accessibility issues around the town were discussed, and Councillor Annette Lee-Julian, and Councillor David Ambler are interested in hearing residents views on issues they find in relation to the accessibility of the town centre, and ideas on how it can be improved.

It is important Liskeard is accessible to all those who live, work and use the town.  We would like to hear about issues affecting those with accessibility about the area, be they visual, audio or mobility.  These experiences can then be fed back into further discussion at Liskeard Town Council.’   

 Cllr Annette Lee-Julian can be contacted on annetteljliskeard@gmail.com

Cllr Ambler can be contacted on d.ambler@liskeard.gov.uk

Consultation on the Proposed Cornwall Devolution Deal

Cornwall Council are asking for your views on the proposed Cornwall Devolution Deal. They are holding a public consultation event in Liskeard on Thursday 9th February.

This is an ideal opportunity for all to go along and ask the questions you need answering.

Residents, groups and clubs are encouraged to go along and also to fill out the consultation questionnaire.

Thursday 9^th February 2023

 6.30pm

Public Hall, 3/5 West Street, Liskeard, PL14 6BW

Here’s the website with the information:

https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/bigdeal

If you haven’t already done so, submit your views on the consultation questionnaire by midnight on Friday 17^th February at the latest.

Here’s the link:

https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/bigdeal/survey_tools/consultation-questionnaire

Community Champion Awards

We are looking for the 2023 Community Champions and you can nominate someone who has made a real, positive difference to life in Liskeard up to 9am on Monday 20th February. The categories are:

• Outstanding individual
• Outstanding group or business
• Outstanding young person who is under 18

You can download the Nomination form here  or collect one from our office (9am-1pm weekdays) or the Tourist Information Centre on Pike Street (10am-4pm weekdays, 10am-1pm Saturdays).  Just make sure you return it to the office or email it to office1@liskeard.gov.uk  by the deadline.

The only people who can’t be nominated are Councillors, Town Council staff, honoured burgesses and anybody who has received a Community Champion Award in the last 3 years.

A38 Roadworks

Information received from National Highways

A38 Lean Quarry to Dobwalls Bypass overnight closures for road marking renewal works

Friday 27 January to Thursday 2 February 2023

 National Highways operates, maintains and improves England’s motorways and major A-roads. This email is to let you know we will shortly be carrying out essential road marking renewal works on the A38 past Liskeard.

The work will start on the evening of Friday 27 January and finish on the morning of Thursday 2 February and will take place overnight between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

 To minimise disruption, we’ll work on weeknights only when there are fewer vehicles on the road. During the day and weekend we will keep the road open as usual.

The work is currently programmed as follows:

• Friday 27 and Monday 30 January – full overnight closure of the A38 eastbound entry slip at Liskeard for 2 nights from 8pm until 6am the following morning. The diversion route will involve joining the A38 westbound at A390 roundabout, turning off towards Moorswater Industrial Estate and left at the junction. Continue, and turn left to rejoin the A38 eastbound.
• Tuesday 31 January – full overnight closure of the A38 eastbound, from at Dobwalls bypass (New Road junction) to Liskeard (A390 junction) for 1 night from 8pm until 6am the following morning. The diversion route will exit the A38 towards Liskeard B3254 and continue. At the roundabout take the third exit onto the A390 towards Liskeard Business Park, and continue. At the roundabouts, follow signs to re-join the A38 eastbound.
• Wednesday 1 February – full overnight closure of the A38 eastbound entry slip at Dobwalls bypass for 1 night from 8pm until 6am the following morning. Traffic will join the A38 westbound towards Dobwalls & Bodmin, continuing till the roundabout. At the roundabout, take the fourth exit onto the A38 eastbound where the diversion ends.

There will be a fully signed diversion route in place during the full overnight closures, but please allow extra time for your journey.

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. Please monitor www.trafficengland.com to keep updated.

If you would like further information about this work, please contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk

For information on all our works in the South West please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST

High Wood update

Local people braved the weather earlier this month to help the Protect Earth team plant 900 trees in previously cleared areas at High Wood.  The trees are a mixture of native species, including some like Cornish Elm and Plymouth Pear which were not already found in the wood.  The area where they were planted already has some naturally regenerating saplings and together they will form a woodland canopy in time.

The Protect Earth team continues on site this week removing Christmas tree sized pine trees to allow native trees to thrive.  Later in the year specialist loggers will take out some of the mature pine trees to let in light to promote new growth and to enable more natural growth for existing native trees.

Protect Earth have also been awarded a National Lottery grant to put up bird and bat boxes, install a picnic bench and add information boards.

If you’re interested in the project, get in touch with Protect Earth by emailing: help@protect.earth, You can sign up for more events on www.protect.earth/events or ring 03003020065

Whole Town Meeting to Discuss King Charles’ Coronation 

The Community Fair Returns To Liskeard

Life Saving Training and Defibrillator Locations

Devolution Deal For Cornwall

Check to see if you’re entitled to Pension Credit

Consultation on Cornwall Council’s Draft Budget

MAKING SPACE FOR NATURE IN LISKEARD

Winter Support In Liskeard

Honoured Burgess Awards

posted 22.12.22

Christmas Rubbish and Recycling Collections

There will be some changes to rubbish, recycling and garden waste collections over the #Christmas period and also a change to real Christmas Tree collections.

Collections

• No collections will take place on Boxing Day, Monday 26 December 2022.
• Recycling or garden waste due to be collected on Boxing Day will be collected on Saturday 31 December 2022.
• Rubbish due to be collected on Boxing Day will be collected on Monday 2 January 2023.
• All other collections will remain as normal, including collections on the bank holidays of Tuesday 27 December 2022 and Monday 2 January 2023.

Real Christmas Trees

This year, in line with most other local authorities, we will only collect real Christmas trees from households that are subscribed to our Garden Waste Collection Service, and the trees will only be collected from the boundary of those homes. It is important that trees are not placed out in public areas for collection, as these will not be collected.

This information has been provided to every household in Cornwall via our annual service leaflet, which is currently being delivered across the county.

Further information, if needed, can be found on their website, or by calling 0300 1234 141.

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling-and-waste/christmas-waste-and-recycling-collections/

posted 16.12.22

Liskeard’s welcome to Ukrainian refugees 

Liskeard welcomed a number of Ukrainian families and individuals to a coffee morning on Sunday (4th). It was the first time some of the refugees had met other Ukrainians since arriving in the local area and many were making plans for the future. The Mayor Cllr Simon Cassidy, Liskeard Town Councillors, Cornwall Councillors for Liskeard Nick Craker and Jane Pascoe, local MP Sheryll Murray and the Homes for Ukraine team at Cornwall Council were on hand to talk about what’s going on in the local area, listen to their stories and share information.

Cllr Nick Craker who is also Chairman of the Council’s Communications and Engagement committee said “It was lovely to meet our new Ukrainian friends who are living in our local area. Some of their personal stories were incredibly eye-opening and made me realise just how damaging and destructive the war still is. We are a welcoming community in Liskeard and I am pleased we were able to extend the hand of friendship to our new residents.” 

Cllr Simon Cassidy, Mayor of Liskeard said “It was a real honour to meet up with members our the Ukrainian community in South East Cornwall. It was pleasing (but not surprising) to hear how welcome they have been made to feel in here.”

The organisers of the coffee morning at Liskeard Town Council would like to thank the Ukrainians for coming along, as well as their host families for all they have done during the past year.

Six posted 13.12.22

THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is planning to open more police station front desks – and wants the public to help decide their locations

Six police enquiry desks are opening this financial year after Commissioner Alison Hernandez committed to invest in some of those which closed almost a decade ago.

Front desks are ideal places for residents to report crime, get advice on crime prevention or victim services and connect policing to local communities.

When not dealing with people face to face Police Enquiry Officers are able to deal with non-emergency email contacts, reducing pressure on the force’s 101 service.

The first round of openings has seen Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Penzance, and Truro front desks reopen this week, with Bude and Falmouth stations due to reopen in early 2023.

Now the Commissioner has detailed a set of criteria for deciding which ones open next, with public support one of the determining factors. She is asking the public to give feedback in a survey which runs until the new year.

“Early feedback from communities where police enquiry offices have reopened have been extremely positive,” the Commissioner said.

“Crimes have been reported, a vulnerable missing person given shelter and assistance and crime prevention information handed out.

“The project has so far created 26 part time police enquiry jobs and helped ease the pressure on police contact centres by enabling more people to meet an officer or police member of staff in their community.

“I know more communities would like to see their police stations reopened to the public and I am absolutely committed to delivering more openings. Public support was a vital component in deciding the first locations for this investment, so now I’m asking people to let me know which stations they would be most likely to use if their front desks were reopened.”

Anyone wanting to have their say is being asked to choose three preferred locations from a list of 44 police stations in the Devon and Cornwall Police area. All stations on the survey, which can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DYPSW66 and will remain open until midnight on January 2, 2023, are currently operational and have the potential to have their front desks reopened.

The other criteria which will determine which police enquiry offices reopen are:

·  Feasibility– whether the level of investment needed to bring the space back into use is reasonable, whether planning permission is required etc.

·  Impact on the station – such as having to relocate a policing team to enable the works.

·  Location and distance – geographic location and distance to next nearest open front desk

·  Population size – in terms of resident population and anticipated seasonal increases

So far this year Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Penzance and Truro police station enquiry offices have been reopened. Bude and Falmouth offices are due to reopen in the new year.

For details of address and opening hours of the 15 police front desks already open in Devon and Cornwall visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/police-enquiry-offices/.