25 YEARS: Resounding no vote for a multi-storey car-park

The special voting lines arranged by the Packet to test public opinion on the plans to build a multi-storey car park at Well Lane Falmouth attracted 797 calls with a three to one majority against the scheme.

The phones started ringing as soon as the Packet went on sale and from day one the majority of the class were coming from opponents to the scheme.

The Packet's idea to set up telephone voting lines did not prove popular with everybody in the town. Many calls were received questioning the validity of the referendum. Some were concerned that residents with particularly strong feelings could abuse the system by making dozens of calls to skew the result.

25 years May 5

Police probe club blaze

Arson is suspected in the fire which caused extensive damage to Falmouth Youth Club at Dracaena Playing Fields.

The club, the hub of youth activity in the area, was redecorated by young volunteers only four weeks ago and police are asking for witnesses to come forward.

"I feel gutted. I'm seriously thinking of chucking it all in and to be honest I broke down in tears when I first saw the damage," said volunteer Paul Bowden, 19, He said he had no idea who had started the fire.

A corridor was destroyed and many of the rooms suffered heavy smoke damage and heat damage. The smoke was so dense, firefighters had to use a smoke extract to to clear it.

The alarm was raised at around 11.30pm by the landlord of the nearby Falmouth Tavern.. Alerted by staff and customers Gil West saw flames belching from the single storey building.

25 years May 5

Old police station sold

The old Falmouth Police Station on Berkeley Vale has at last been sold.

It is likely to be developed for residential use and a planning application is expected to be submitted soon.

No price tag was put on the sale which has taken nearly 12 months to negotiate.

25 years May 5