A sneak peek of this week's Falmouth/Penryn and Helston Packets

In this week's Falmouth/Penryn Packet - out now!

A new hope is on the horizon for the fire-hit Falmouth Beach Hotel site. After months of uncertainty, indecision and wrangling, the Cliff Road site that was ravaged by fire last April is set to be bought by the owners of neighbouring St Michael's Hotel and Spa.

Falmouth Packet: Falmouth Beach Hotel went up in smoke in April last year. Credit: Greg Fountain

Though it is unlikely to be restored to its former glory - pictured above engulfed in flames - the remaining undamaged rooms will be reopened by next month.

Two teams of firefighters were called out to a barge ablaze at the bottom end of Penryn this weekend.

The live-in vessel moored in Jubilee Wharf went up in smoke just after 11pm. It took nearly two hours to dampen down the hot spots. 

Pay-to-pee plans for Falmouth's public loos are nearing completion this week, with the installation of turnstyle-type charging mechanisms in the Grove Place and Prince of Wales Pier toilets.

One town councillor has hit out at the charges, calling for money to be siphoned off from the award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery so that visitors don't have to pay to use the facilities.

Residents and traders are being asked to set aside a little time over the coming weekend to help clean up Falmouth in the hope the town can be transformed into a rubbish and weed-free zone.

The campaign to give the town a make-over by encouraging people to take ownership of the area immediately outside their home or business was the idea of town councillors Grenville Chappel and Diana Merrett.

Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for the public’s help to name their newest canine recruits in an online competition.

The first puppy out of the litter of seven is called "Ash" but the other six, born to force brood bitch Ruby last month, are still awaiting names.

Talented youngsters from Mylor Primary School took to the stage to put on their best performances recently.

In total 23 acts took part, from infants to the juniors (like this trio clowning around below), and the school hall was full to its capacity for the event.

Falmouth Packet:

AND DON'T FORGET: All this week is Penryn Week with a flurry of activities going on in and around the town. Click here for a full schedule of events.

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MEANWHILE

In this week's Helston Packetout now!

School staff have been left “deeply distressed” and governors “totally let down” at Helston Community College after an 11th hour discovery that their massive redevelopment has no funding.

Plans for the £10 million rebuild have been left in tatters following the news from Cornwall Council.

Helston is to once again have three sets of public toilets in the very near future, thanks to an agreement made at the town council.

The existing disabled toilet at the currently closed Trengrouse Way facilities is to be refitted to become a unisex toilet serving that end of town after people were reported as using the wall outside the building to relieve themselves.

St Martin-in-Meneage Primary School have been celebrating a successful few weeks on the sports field with trophies and achievements across the board.

Last month the key stage two pupils were awarded the Sports Winner Percentage Shield at the Area Primary Schools Sports Day and recently everyone took part in school's first cross country fun run. See this week's Helston Packet for pictures.

All the fun of the fair and a real village atmosphere were on show at Godolphin Summer Fete recently.

With blue skies and brilliant sunshine overhead, it created balmy conditions for the event that was raising money for a host of charities including Godolphin’s Christmas lights display:

Falmouth Packet:

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ALSO

Check out Pendennis/Peninsular Point of View (PPV) for a lighter look at local life in both the Falmouth/Penryn and Helston Packets.

AND Falmouth Packet:  look out for Rocky the Rooster's cocky comment

(Quick, he might not be around for much longer!)

(Falmouth/Penryn Packet only)

For all this news - and much, much more - don't forget to pick up your copy of the Falmouth/Penryn and Helston Packets... Out now!