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Calor Gas, the UK’s leading supplier of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), welcomed Greg Barker, Minister of State for Climate Change to its flagship Energy Centre today (Monday 30th April).

Opened in Exeter, on Alphinbrook Road, Marsh Barton in November 2011, the Energy Centre is the first of a new type of energy retail outlet; a pilot for Calor Gas and a first for any rural energy supplier. The opening marked Calor’s expansion from the country’s leading supplier of LPG (the lowest carbon-emitting fossil fuel available in rural areas) to a company supplying a range of energy-efficient products and services to rural householders and businesses.

The Energy Centre demonstrates Calor’s commitment to providing their customers, especially in rural areas, with a whole-house approach to energy efficiency. Clients are able to receive tailored and impartial advice from Calor’s in-house team of energy experts endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. As well as continuing to deliver traditional LPG products, this flagship store showcases a large range of renewable and low-carbon technologies, appliances and services – such as condensing boilers, micro-Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) units, solar PV and solar thermal panels, plus cavity wall and loft insulation products.

Greg Barker’s visit to the Energy Centre today marks the Government’s recognition of Calor’s continued preparation in the lead up to the Green Deal. He was able to see at first-hand how, by providing a new range of renewable energy products, Calor customers are now able to take advantage of Government incentive schemes, such as Feed in Tariffs (FIT), the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) culminating in, from Autumn 2012, the Government’s flagship Green Deal programme.

Whilst at the Energy Centre, the Minister participated in a roundtable discussion alongside experts from National Energy Action, the Cornwall Rural Community Council and the Mark Group. The roundtable discussion aimed to highlight the housing and energy challenges that rural residents face and how the Green Deal must be ‘rural-proofed’ in order that it can be successfully delivered into rural areas.

Recognising the complex energy challenges facing rural householders and Calor’s unique role in meeting rural energy requirements, Greg Barker MP – Minister of State for Climate Change said:

“I am delighted to see evidence of Calor’s forward-thinking approach in tackling the difficult issues of providing and saving energy head on. It is, of course, great to see an energy company adapting to and whole-heartedly supporting the low carbon agenda. I particularly welcome the emphasis on helping those living in rural areas to make informed choices about their own domestic energy efficiency and carbon reduction and, in the new Calor Energy Centre, giving them the opportunity to experience new low carbon and renewable technologies for themselves.”

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Store is the Core, a programme supporting village retailers across Cornwall and the South West, is launching a series of Retail Seminars with three soon to be held in Cornwall and a further nine in the South West.

The seminars are FREE to attend and are being held on 28 March at the Godolphin Club, Helston, 29 March at the Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin and 9 May at Ginsters in Callington.

There are two themed events on offer, Marketing and Market Research (reaching and understanding your customers) and Effective Selling Space (range layout and merchandising).  Each Seminar takes four hours and gives village retailers plenty of opportunity to network and discuss current issues.

Rob Poole, Rural Economy Officer for Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC) said

“We’re delighted this opportunity for support is available in Cornwall.  We have started advising many village shops, which has already resulted in one store securing a significant grant for improvements.  Village shops are vital to the vibrancy of Cornwall and we would like to encourage everyone to use them.”

The hope is that these seminars, coupled with one-to-one advice through the programme, will enable retailers to take a fresh look at their businesses and learn new skills.   By supporting village shops, this ensures access to vital services and helps maintain a vibrant and sustainable future for rural communities.

Store is the Core is managed by Community First (Wiltshire) with funding from the Rural Development Fund for England (RDPE) an EU and DEFRA European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Europe investing in rural areas. The programme supports independent and community shopkeepers across the whole region through Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, B&NES and Gloucestershire.

Tim Coomer, Programme Manager, based at Community First Wiltshire said

“With around 400 village shops and post offices closing each year it’s imperative we have this kind of support in place to help stem that decline.”

For more information please contact Rob Poole or Nikki Mills at CRCC on 01872 273952.

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Over £1.13 million of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) money has been secured to support the sustainable development of fishing communities in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. The funding has been made available from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and DEFRA through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and is managed locally by Cornwall Development Company (CDC). It will be used by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) to maximise available private investment to build a sustainable future for local fisheries communities.

The FLAG area extends along the entire Cornish and Isles of Scilly coast, plus approximately 1 mile inland.

The fund will be available for projects to bid into for investment up to a maximum of 100% of total project costs, depending on the project activity and proposed outcomes. The decision making board will comprise of representation from the local community including fishing, private, public and voluntary sector organisations. The FLAG would like to hear from projects that will contribute to one or more of the following key themes:

1. Developing sustainable supply chains and market development
2. Providing infrastructure and communal facilities for fishing communities and cooperatives
3. Capacity building, cooperative development and networking
4. Training, retention and recruitment including diversification
5. Coastal communities, tourism and economic development
6. Advocacy and engagement for fishermen
7. Regional sustainable management engagement

Projects will have an on-the-ground support mechanism available to them from Cornwall Rural Community Council to aid development and help through the application process. The FLAG recognises that whilst the industry landed over £27m worth of catch last year, the changes it continues to face mean these communities, their residents and workers need a boost to support their well-being.

Suzanne Bond, Chief Executive of Cornwall Development Company, says “This fund recognises the importance of fisheries communities in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Driving forward the local economy is at the heart of CDC’s mission and the FLAG offers the means to invest in sustainable development at the community level.”

Alison Thompson, Director for the Marine Management Organisation said “I’m pleased that, through this scheme the MMO is providing support to local fishing communities, such as in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, to develop and implement their own sustainable solutions to the challenges they face. “The FLAG involves a wide range of representatives and we believe their combined knowledge, experience and ideas could make a real difference to the future of the local fisheries sector. This is reflected in the significant amount of funding awarded to them.”

Paul Trebilcock, Chief Executive, Cornish Fish Producers Organisation said “The involvement of the Cornish & Scillies fishing community in shaping the FLAG means that the benefits of the fund will have a real impact locally, regardless of the size of the project”.

Peter Jefferson Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Council commented “This funding is a real opportunity for Cornish coastal communities to develop projects that will enable them to become vibrant, sustainable and inclusive, which is our aim as a charity”.

For more information and Expression Of Interest forms please contact FLAG Animateur Office by email rob.poole@cornwallrcc.org.uk  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01872 243559.

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A scheme to help rural Cornish pubs to branch out into new services was launched on 17 January at The Cornish Arms in St Merryn, near Padstow.

Pub is The Hub launched its Local Community Services Champions initiative to a packed meeting of over 60 people, showcasing advice, support and, if appropriate, funding for pub operators and owners who are considering a diversification scheme. Examples include providing post offices, shops, libraries, internet cafes, allotment schemes, school dinners, lunch clubs for the elderly, cash point machines, IT training and meeting rooms.

Pub is The Hub, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2001 by HRH the Prince of Wales, encourages local authorities, communities, licensees, pub owners and breweries to work together to support, retain and locate services within rural pubs. Pub is The Hub assists with guidance on availability of project funding, and having a thorough understanding of the pub business, is able to advise on the best way to progress with each individual project.

The scheme in Cornwall is being backed by Cornwall Rural Community Council, Volunteer Cornwall, Age UK and the Big Lottery Fund, with help from St Austell Brewery. Other guests at the meeting represented DEFRA, Cornwall Community Foundation and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

One of the speakers included Bob Semple, the licensee from The Tree Inn at Stratton near Bude, who opened a post office at his pub in March 2009 following the closure of the village post office six months earlier. With backing from his bank he was able to provide this vital service from the pub every morning, six days a week. He said: “The goodwill that we generated from the scheme was terrific. Although hard to measure in monetary terms – the post office breaks even – the rewards have been unexpected with people who had used the post office and have since been back for a pub meal. We really feel as though we’re right in the heart of the community.” Paul Joyce from the St Germans Community Shop at the Eliot Arms echoed Bob’s sentiments and explained that their shop was now making a decent profit which was being ploughed back into other community schemes in the village.

Nigel Clark, who spoke for Age UK in Cornwall, explained that pubs can play a vital role for vulnerable people over 50 who can often become isolated in rural communities when their partner dies. Peter Jefferson, Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Council presented a series of ‘quick win’ examples that pubs could employ to support their communities such as ‘lunch in a bag’ schemes for disabled or elderly residents and their carers, a prescriptions collection service, internet shopping point and providing a space for local suppliers of crafts to sell their wares. He said that his organisation would guide anyone interested through the maze of applications forms to complete for funding.

John Longden, Chief Executive from Pub is The Hub added: “We’d love to speak to any good licensees in Cornwall who are considering the option of diversification – and even those who have never thought of it before. We are ideally placed to advise on ideas, funding and carrying what we aim to be around 30 projects through to completion.

“We are very grateful to Jill Stein and the team at The Cornish Arms for kindly hosting our event and to Adam Luck and his team at St Austell Brewery for their continuing support.”

Jill Stein, who attended the event, commented: “Since we took over The Cornish Arms in 2009, it’s been so important to us to get involved with our local community by supporting local live music, community events and fundraising for people in the surrounding area. Local pubs are at the heart of our local communities and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Anyone who would like to know more about the scheme in Cornwall can go to www.communitychampions.org.uk or telephone 01423 546165 for more information.

Continue reading »]]> Jill Stein will help Pub is The Hub host the launch of a new Local Community Services Champions initiative for Cornwall in January. The scheme, which launched in 2011 aims to help pubs become local service champions.

The launch event will be held at Jill and Rick Stein’s own pub, The Cornish Arms in St Merryn near Padstow, on 17^th January. The meeting will showcase advice, support and, if appropriate, funding for pub operators and owners who are considering a diversification scheme. This follows on from previous launch events, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, in Suffolk, Essex and North Yorkshire last year which have resulted in dozens of new projects currently underway.

Pub is The Hub encourages local authorities, communities, licensees, pub owners and breweries to work together to support, retain and locate services within rural pubs. Pub is the Hub assists with guidance on availability of project funding, and having a thorough understanding of the pub business, is able to advise on the best way to progress with each individual project.

Speakers at the event include Peter Jefferson from Cornwall Rural Community Council who will outline which services are priorities in rural areas; Nigel Clark from Age UK in Cornwall who will talk about the opportunities for pubs in supporting elderly community residents and Louise Bowers from Big Lottery Fund who will discuss potential funding. Bringing some licensed trade experience to the table will be Bob Semple from The Tree Inn at Stratton near Bude who will describe how he and his wife opened a post office and shop at their pub recently and the benefits this has brought to their business.

John Longden, Chief Executive from Pub is The Hub said: “We’d love to see any licensees in Cornwall who are considering the option of diversification – and even those who have never thought of it before. At the meeting we will offer ideas and access to support and advice. We are very grateful to Jill and Rick and their team at The Cornish Arms for kindly hosting our event and to Adam Luck and his team at St Austell Brewery for their continuing support.”

Jill Stein comments: “Since we took over The Cornish Arms in 2009, it’s been so important to us to get involved with our local community by supporting local live music, community events and fundraising for people in the surrounding area. Local pubs are at the heart of our local communities and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Anyone wishing to attend the meeting can call 01423 546165 or email s.burns@pubisthehub.org.uk

Continue reading »]]> A moving Carol Service was held at Truro Cathedral on Monday 5 December, to recognise the dedication and commitment carers give to their loved ones. The service was attended by more than 200 carers, carers support workers, staff from the care sector along with the Deputy Lieutenant Professor Alan Livingston CBE.

The service was led by The Reverend Canon Rob Dickenson, carers and young carers took part giving poignant readings along with beautifully sung carols from St Hilary’s Primary School Choir and a solo by Dawn Maddern, Young Carers Coordinator.

Kelvin Yates, Manager of Cornwall Carers Service (CCS) said,

“This was the first time the Carol Service has been held by the new Cornwall Carers Service and the first time I had attended.  I was overwhelmed by the spirit of these selfless people and I am delighted we were able to hold a Carol Service to thank a proportion of our carers in Cornwall.  I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the Carol Service in helping to make it such a success”

After the service, everyone enjoyed tea and mince pies, kindly donated by Sainsbury’s, Truro and were able to have a chat with other carers and the staff from CCS.

Monica Thomas, Carers Support Manager of CCS said,

“The service gives carers the recognition and respect for the important contribution they make in caring for people who otherwise could not remain their own homes”

If you would like to find out more about Cornwall Carers Service and the support that is available to anyone whose life is affected by taking responsibility for a partner, relative or friend due to frailty, severe illness or disability, please phone the helpline on 01872 266383 or go to the newly launched website www.cornwallcarers.org.uk

Continue reading »]]> A survey to identify people’s views on rail transport in the Duchy is being undertaken.  Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC) is undertaking the survey on behalf of Cornwall Council.  The information will be used to shape how the Council negotiates the forthcoming re-franchising of rail services in Cornwall.  CRCC’s Head of Community Planning and Development, Peter Burton said,

“This is a chance for people to have their say on the future of rail services in Cornwall. For instance are you fed up with the cost of rail fares, should there be later trains running in the evening or would you like to see an old rail halt re-opened? Whatever your views, we want to hear them. If you don’t currently use the trains, what changes might persuade you to do so?”

To take part in this short survey, you will need to access the following: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSJHHVN

The deadline for taking part in this survey is Friday 13 January.

Continue reading »]]> ‘Ageing Artfully’, an event held at Kingsley Village on 28 November, successfully provided people living with dementia and their family carers, with an afternoon of creative adventure, personal expression and the discovery of hidden talents.

Sue McDermott, of Cornwall Rural Community Council (who arranged the event in conjunction with REPoD, Rotarians Easing Problems of Dementia) said,

“It has been wonderful to see what can be achieved for and by people living with dementia.  Dementia is only a part of a person’s life – the ability to appreciate nature, art and music often continues even when names and words may be forgotten.”

Guests took part in a whole array of sessions, such as sculpture workshops, ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions with the Alzheimer’s Society, dance sessions and poetry workshops from Arts for Health Cornwall and an opportunity to make decorative bird feeders and seasonal decorations with the Sensory Trust.   The Greenpark Images Archive provided reminiscence and fun with their new DVD and guests also enjoyed some well-earned relaxation in the form of hand massage and shoulder rubs with Cornwall Care’s ‘My Progress Plus Therapists.’

Valerie, a carer from Penzance said ‘the best part of the afternoon was being surrounded by so many caring people, and knowing they were interested. I could tell my husband was happy, he was wandering around and that meant I felt free too.’

Sue McDermott, CRCC went on to say,

“This whole event is just the beginning; our aim is also to challenge the public perception by showcasing the talents and enduring skills of people living with dementia”.

For information please contact; Sue McDermott, Memory Café Coordinator, CRCC on 01872 243559 or the Alzheimer’s Society Helpline on 01872 266388.

Continue reading »]]> There’s a great opportunity coming up for carers to meet staff running Cornwall Carers Service (CCS) and to get a wide range of information and advice. The event is being held on Carers Rights Day, Friday 2 December at the Hall for Cornwall.

Carers and those supporting carers are invited to come along any time between 11am and 3pm to have a cup of tea and to find out what support is available.

CCS is a new service, offering a wide range of information and support to informal Carers, concerned family and friends, as well as those who are working to improve the quality of Carer’s lives.  CCS is being run in partnership, with Cornwall Rural Community Council, Disability Cornwall, Age UK Cornwall and Carers Rights.

The organiser Sarah Cochran, of Carers Rights Cornwall said:

“This event has been organised to coincide with Carers Rights Day to help raise awareness of what the Cornwall Carers Service can offer Carers in Cornwall. We are very excited at how well this new service is developing and by working in partnership we can offer a comprehensive service .”

Friday 2 December is also the launch day of the CCS website: www.cornwallcarers.org.uk which will complement the established dedicated helpline: 01872 266383 – please get in touch if you would like to find out more.

Continue reading »]]> This year, the Carers’ Carol Service will be held in Truro Cathedral on Monday 5 December at 2pm.  It is always a beautiful service with a message of support and thanks to all carers.

The sermon and prayers will be led by the Reverend Cannon Rob Dickinson. Carers and young carers will be taking part in the service along with children from St Hilary Primary School Choir.  After the service, tea and mince pies will be available to everyone and there will be Carers Support Workers available to offer advice and information from Cornwall Carers Service (CCS).

Monica Thomas, from CCS said

“The carol service is the highlight of the year for many carers, since it recognises and celebrates their valuable and selfless contribution to enable so many people to remain within their own homes despite their frailty or disability.  We hope many carers from all over Cornwall will be able to join us”.

The latest figures which services in Cornwall are working on, suggest there are approximately 53,500 carers in Cornwall, whose lives are often restricted by taking responsibility for a partner, family member, neighbour or friend who, due to frailty, severe illness or disability are unable to remain in their own home without their support.

This event was organised by CCS  which is a collaborative partnership between four organisations; Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC), Carers Rights, Age UK Cornwall and Disability Cornwall.

Everyone is welcome to attend the service, including people working in the health and social care sectors.  Please call the CCS helpline for more details 01872 266383.