Time’s up for travellers

NEW age travellers camped since 1992 in a county council lay-by near Penryn have until tomorrow to get out.

Whether they go quietly or put up a defiant resistance to stay is not clear. Eviction is the possible outcome although they are not without their supporters.

A last-minute attempt by county councillor Paul Holmes for a three-month reprieve has been followed this week by the submission of retrospective planning permission for the travellers.

But Kerrier officials are expected to visit the site at the weekend. If their order to quit, backed by John Gummer, Secretary of State, has not been complied with bailiffs are likely to move in.

On Monday, members of St Gluvias parish council, on whose doorstep the travellers have been camped, said a firm ‘no’ to any suggestion of planning permission. They also alleged it had been totally wrong of Mr Holmes to be involved with the planning application and not declare an interest during a recent council debate in which he proposed and won the three-month reprieve.

Carnivals go ahead after all

THE carnivals of Falmouth and Penryn have been saved. While hundreds of similar events throughout the country, including Truro, have been cancelled because of insurance problems, the Lions club members locally have decided to go ahead.

They will allow vehicles to take part although only under certain conditions.

The problems had come about as a result of a number of accidents in carnivals involving floats and the death of one participant in North Cornwall last year.

As a result insurance companies have not been giving cover and carnivals have been cancelled or contained to walking participants only.

Falmouth carnival is due to take place on August 5 and Penryn one week later on August 12.