Filipino crew hurt in accident at docks

AN attempt to launch a life-boat from the high decks of a ship in Falmouth docks nearly ended in the death of two of its Filipino crew last Friday morning.

The men, both in their 20's, plummeted 45ft into freezing waters but managed to break free of guy ropes attached to the life boat which plunged before them.

One suffered a head injury and the other a damaged back but, both casualties were victims of the cold effects of their involuntary plunge.

They were rescued from the water by crewmates and later rushed to Treliske Hospital in Truro for treatment where one man was discharged immediately and the other was kept in for observation.

Ferry in row over 'stranded boys'

TWO St Mawes teenagers were left stranded in Falmouth after a ferryman allegedly refused to take just two people across on a scheduled run.

The boys claim they were told to 'f... off' and one of their parents had to drive from St Mawes – a round trip of nearly 30 miles – to collect them.

Frazer Cochrane, aged 15, and Andrew Buckthorp, 14, were on holiday from school last week, and decided to take a work experience visit to the Newly Fish Market.

Frazer's dad James, known to all as 'Roach', is a St Mawes-based fisherman and took the boys down to the market last Monday.

But he could not bring them home, so he arranged for a friend to drop them off at the St Mawes Ferry on Prince of Wales Pier in time to get the last scheduled ferry home at 5.15pm

Frazer said that they got to the terminal in good time for the advertised 5.15pm crossing, but when they approached the ferryman, he said he was not prepared to take just two people across.

"We thought he was just joking, so we started to walk down to the ferry, but then he asked us what we thought we were doing and told us to 'f... off'," said Frazer.

Gwen, 101, reflects on 'a decent life'

MAWNAN Smith's oldest resident Miss Gwen Morris planned to celebrate her 101st birthday yesterday in a quiet way and without any fuss.

Miss Morris, who lives in Sampys Hill, opened her house to friends and relatives last year when she reached the magical century, but she admitted this week she intended to have a 'quiet' birthday this year.

The independent pensioner said she would go across to the Memorial Hall as usual and join her friends at the Mawnan Smith Friendship Club.

Three years ago Miss Morris had a loft extension built in case she needed someone to move in with her and look after her, but it has not proved necessary yet.

Miss Morris was born in Wrexham, North Wales, but has spent much of her life travelling around the world. She settled in Mawnan Smith about 11 years ago.

"I've travelled a lot and had a very interesting life," said Miss Morris at her home where she still feeds the birds and enjoys reading numerous books.

Asked what has led to her obvious good health at such a grand age Miss Morris replies: "I have no secret. I have lived a decent life, that's about all."

Town needs a new site for burials

By Helen Thomas

THE cemeteries in Falmouth can only cope for another three or four years and then the town will run out of space to bury its dead unless another site is allocated. Members of Carrick's planning policy committee are to meet tonight to discuss the possibility of investigating a new site for burials off Bickland Water Road in Falmouth.

Falmouth town clerk Eric Dawkins has told councillors the town's existing cemeteries can only cater for burials until 1996/7.

The average rate for burials in Falmouth is 100 per year so to provide for a further 12 or 15 years the land must be large enough to cope with 1,200 to 1,500 burials. With an estimated 250 burial spaces to an acre the land needed would have to measure about five or six acres.

Mr Geoff Harrison, head of local plans at Carrick, has told councillors in his report: "Having investigated various options within Falmouth, none appear to be suitable unless a number of small sites were developed.

"I feel this would not be desirable due to excessive costs for security, increased maintenance and the additional trips likely to be incurred by visitors to several sites."