• A HOME for the elderly in Falmouth was struck by a massive bolt of lightning on Monday morning, but escaped damage thanks to a lightning conductor on its roof.

The Abbeyfield Society home in Western Terrace was once the town’s observatory and as such had a lightning conductor fitted on its roof. It was this conductor that saved the home from severe damage and the residents from injury.

The home, which is called The Observatory, was struck during the 7:30am storm on Monday morning.

“It was a whack,” said housekeeper Mrs Emma Liddicoat. “It was a very very frightening experience, but no-one was hurt. We were very fortunate to have the lightening conductor.”

  • A HALF-NAKED youth is suspected to have been one of three young men who burgled a garage in Falmouth on Monday evening.

Several items were stolen from a garage and three youths were seen running away from the building towards the Ashfield estate in Falmouth.

One of them was naked from the waist up.

  • AT long last work has begun on a new police station for Falmouth.

Demolition experts moved in last week and took down the row of cottages to the rear of the old station in readiness for building work to proceed.

The town has been waiting many years for a new police station and after several planning rows and numerous debates permission was given for the old station to be partially restored.

People in Falmouth have long argued the necessity for a police presence 24 hours a day in the town.

Since the old station closed, police have been working out of Penryn and there have been many complaints from the town about the lack of speed with which police can reach the area if an incident occurred.

  • FALMOUTH planners have given their support to only one of five schemes to provide an out-of-town supermarket in the area.

The favoured site is at Dales Garage in Ponsharden and the proposals include a supermarket with associated car parking and petrol station.

Those recommended for refusal by Falmouth’s planning committee are Foinavon’s plans for the BP Oil Depot and Devon and Cornwall Estate’s proposals for Falmouth rugby and bowling clubs.

Also given the thumbs down were the county council and church commissioners’ scheme at Hillhead and Castle Court’s scheme at the BP depot, which is being actively supported by Tesco.