“Do you mind if I sing my question” is perhaps one of the odder requests the councillors of Penryn have fielded in recent weeks, if not months, or years.

But that was the request of singer songwriter Martha Tilston (See Weekender) as she brandished her guitar at last week’s meeting to discuss the future of College Valley. 

Her question, it seems, was: “Is the deal already done? How will you tell this story to your grandchildren?” 

The council displayed a wide variety of facial expressions as Ms Tilston walked the aisle at the Temperance Hall, asking if they would be happy to take their grandchildren through the valley after it had been developed, and say they had followed their hearts and done all they could.

The musical interlude provided a much welcome respite from the marathon three hour meeting - with tempers appearing to run high at times – although a few members of the public may have seen it more as a chance for a quick “comfort break”.