St Austell Together May June 2024

ST AUSTELL 

Together 

NEWS AND VIEWS 

View ONLINE at: StAustellTogether.co.uk 

Mount 

Edgcumbe 

Hospice 

Do something amazing 

Donate now 

01637 889 926 

End of life 

care & 

support 

Offers free personal advice 

Text ADVICE DEBT 78866 

Call: 0808 812 7156 Call: 01726 65711 

EARLY SUMMER EDITION 

May/June 2024 Issue 2

ST AUSTELL 

Together 

Useful Numbers 

Age UK helpline (Cornwall): 01872 266 383 

Services include iTea & biscuits, exercise 

classes & social clubs. 

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650 

Citizens Advice Cornwall: 0808 812 7156 

Query about debt, text ADVICE DEBT to 78866 

They’ll call within 5 working days. 

Samaritans - if you need someone to talk to, 

they listen. They won’t judge or tell you what to 

do. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org 

(24 hr response) 

St Austell Foodbank 

Help for those who need food 

t: 01726 65313 

St Austell Healthcare Park 

t: 01726 75555 

Open: M-F 8.30am - 5.30pm 

The Community Gateway - support & help for 

yourself or family members. 

Open 7 days week 8am - 8pm 

t: 01872 266 383 

e: gateway@ageukcornwall.org.uk 

Volunteer Cornwall 

WANTED! Volunteer Drivers, call 01872 265 300 

Meet the Team 

Publisher, Editor & Sales 

Therese Cooklin - 07786 735711 

Magazine Designer 

Mathew Peet, Digital Bear Design - 01949 839206 

Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge, however St Austell 

Together part of Together Magazines Limited cannot be held liable for 

loss or damage, caused by errors or omissions. Inclusion of advertisers 

does not indicate our endorsement of their products or services. 

The Japanese Garden at Pinetum Gardens 

Hello & welcome! 

Communities are very important, when Covid struck in 

2020 we were forced to engage with our community. 

We were made aware of our neighbours, we had to 

appreciate our family and when loved ones passed away 

it made us feel gratitude for mortality and to appreciate 

mother Earth and what it gives us. 

St Austell is a very special place to me. In 2020 when 

we were let out - so to speak we came to Cornwall for a 

holiday and stopped off at Pinetum Gardens in St Austell 

on the way home. It put me in touch with my spiritual 

side, and I found pranic healing. It made me realise who I 

was and that we are all connected. 

We are all from the same seed and we all live on the 

same planet. What we do to others, we do to ourselves, 

so find it in your hearts to love, to have compassion and 

kindness and if you can enjoy what Cornwall offers, then 

go out into nature, smile and say hello to whoever you 

meet, breathe in fresh air and connect with your true Self. 

Even if you feel low, the simple act of spreading love and 

joy to others will fill your heart with warmth and love so 

you feel it too. 

Take care with love, 

Therese 

NEXT COPY DEADLINES! 

July/August 2024 

Editorials: 20th June 

Advertisers: 21st June 

t: 07786 735 711 

e: therese@staustelltogether.co.uk 

w: www.staustelltogether.co.uk 

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Champion Sponsor? 

We are offering select advertising spots 

on St Austell Together website. Join us 

in making this community come together 

spreading positive news to all.

COMMUNITY NEWS 

St Austell 

Festival of 

Children’s 

Literature 

The inaugural St Austell Festival of 

Children’s Literature took place in 2023. 

Following its success, the festival is 

returning for 29th - 30th June 2024. The aim 

of the festival is to promote the importance 

of choosing to read but also support St 

Austell town by bringing people together. 

Research from many organisations 

shows that children choosing to read for 

pleasure has a significant impact on their 

life outcomes, which is even greater than 

if their parents’ attended university. 

The festival team want to give families 

from St Austell and the surrounding areas 

opportunities to meet and engage with 

authors from across the UK. 

During the two days there will be a range 

of author events (around for children 

and young people aged 2 - 16 (and 

their families). Events last from 45 minutes 

to an hour and include draw-a-longs, 

fantasy map making, quizzes, author talks 

and many fun activities. 

There are 24 events spread across 

venues in the town. Events will be hosted 

in White River Cinema, Unit 4 / 4fS Dance 

Studio, Holy Trinity Church and St John’s 

Methodist Church. 

Authors for Saturday 29th June will include 

Hannah Gold, Rob Biddulph, Ed Vere, 

Jasbinder Bilan, Ross Montgomery and 

Naomi Jones. 

On Sunday 30th June there will be 

opportunities to meet Onjali Q Rauf, Neill 

Cameron, Tola Okogwu and Clare Helen 

Welsh. As well as Adventure mice creators 

Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve. 

In addition to the ticketed events the 

festival has a number of drop-in activities 

in its bookshop hub (which can be found in 

4 St. Austell Together is part of Community Together


the former Peacocks shop) including meet 

the Authors of Unicorn Academy, writing 

workshops with the Writer’s Block and a 

book signing with festival patron and 

bestseller A.F. Steadman. 

In order for all families to have the 

opportunity to access the festival there is 

only a nominal ticket price of £1. This is 

made possible through grants from Feast, 

Cornwall Council and St Austell Town 

Council plus sponsorship from companies 

including St Austell Brewery, Coodes and 

Hawkins Motors. 

The festival isn’t confined to the “main 

event” in June with monthly mini events 

throughout the year. Since the 2023 festival 

there have been “Dads and Lads” reading 

mornings, book giveaways, booknics and 

even an authors versus children quiz. 

Tickets will be on sale through 

Cornish Riviera Box Office – 

www.crbo.co.uk 

More information can be found 

on the festival website – 

www.staustellfestivalofchildrensliterature.com 

The festival can be found on social media: 

X; @StLiterature 

Instagram:@st.alitfest 

Facebook: 

StAustellFestivalofChildrensLiterature 

The committee can be contacted by email: 

staustelllitfest@gmail.com 

To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@staustelltogether.co.uk 

5


Summer Cricket programme 

for children hits over 1000 

registrations in the first month. 

The excitement of cricket is spreading like 

wildfire among youngsters as Cornwall 

Cricket Board announces an overwhelming 

response to its Summer Cricket Programme 

for children, with over 1000 registrations 

pouring in within the first month alone. 

Catering to children aged 5 to 11, 

regardless of skill level, the All Stars 

and Dynamos Cricket programmes 

offer a golden opportunity for budding 

cricketers to take part in the sport. 

39 Cricket Clubs across the county have 

joined Cornwall Cricket Board to provide 

the programme which runs nationally and 

is designed and supported by England and 

Wales Cricket Board. 

Registration for this summer’s programme 

commenced in April with spaces filling 

up rapidly, interested participants are urged 

to secure their spots at the earliest to avoid 

missing out on this fantastic opportunity. 

Recognising the importance of inclusivity, a 

special support programme is available for 

low-income families across the county. This 

initiative ensures that every child, regardless 

of financial constraints, has equal access to 

the joys of cricket. 

All Stars Cricket gives 5 to 8 year olds their 

first experience of Cricket, learning new 

skills whilst having fun and making friends. 

The eight week programme costs just £30 

per child. 

Dynamos Cricket provides the next step 

to those moving on from All Stars and is 

aimed at children aged 8 to 11 years old. 

The programme, which costs £40 per child, 

focuses on developing their skills and each 

child will receive a Dynamos Cricket New 

Balance t-shirt, personalised with their name 

and number. 

Places will be available to book from 

Wednesday 10th April by visiting ecb.co.uk/ 

play/all-stars for All Stars and via ecb.co.uk/ 

play/dynamoscricket for Dynamos. 

Cornwall Cricket Board provides 

subsidised places to children whose 

families can not afford the cost, 

to find out more please contact 

admin@cornwallcricket.co.uk or visit 

www.cornwallcricket.co.uk 


What’s On 

MAY EVENTS 

Cornwall Air Ambulance - Brew for the Crew 

Tuesday 14th May 11am - 2pm 

Location Former Seven Stars Inn, St Austell 

St Austell Pride 

Saturday 18th May 10am - 5pm 

Organised by St Austell BID. A day of fun and 

music for all the family. 

Family Bingo - St Austell Library 

Thurs 30th May - 6pm 

Six fun games & a flyer for only £5 adult. £2.50 

for children. See p13 for booking details. 

JUNE EVENTS 

Summer Craft Fayre - St Austell Library 

Tues 4th June - 10am - 1pm 

Enjoy a spot of shopping and chat to local 

crafters. Free entry. See p13 for booking details. 

Fundraising event with Jonny and Jailhouse 

Thursday 13th June 8.30pm - 11pm 

St Austell Band Club, 43 East Hill, St Austell. 

Let’s get Cornwall Signing 

Friday 14th and Sat 15th June 

The Keay Theatre St Austell 

Click: https://www.keaytheatre.co.uk/events/ 

lets-get-cornwall-signing-friday-14th-june/ 

St Austell Garden Festival 

Saturday 22nd June 10am - 3pm 

A day of flora and fauna come and celebrate in 

the town. 

St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature 

Sat 29th & Sun 30th June 

24 events spread across venues in the town. 

Events will be hosted in White River Cinema, 

Unit 4 / 4fS Dance Studio, Holy Trinity Church 

and St John’s Methodist Church. 

Tickets will be on sale through 

Cornish Riviera Box Office – 

www.crbo.co.uk 

More information can be found 

on the festival website – 

www.staustellfestivalofchildrensliterature.com 

JULY EVENTS 

Children’s Day in Truro City Centre 

Sat 6th July - 10am - 4pm 

Spectacular bike stunt shows, circus activity, 

bike & scooter course and much more. 

See page 29 

Contact: visittruro.org.uk 


7


Community 

Life Champion 

Emma Riley 

In the last twelve months Asda St Austell 

have donated close to £40,000 back 

into the local community through its 

Community Programme and on behalf of 

the Asda Foundation. 

This ranges from donations of tea and 

coffee to local community groups, to 

raffle prizes for fundraisers. Grants from 

£200 -£800 to local sports clubs, nurseries 

and support groups and £25,000 to the 

Roseland Centre to replace their windows 

to help the outdoor education centre 

re-open. 

On top of this the Community 

Champion Emma, works with local 

community groups through the stores’ 

outreach programme , volunteering at a 

range of charities including the foodbank, 

dementia cafes and forest schools. Last 

year the store also raised almost £4,000 

for Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel 

through its Tickled Pink Awareness and 

Fundraising Campaigns an £1200 for 

Children in Need. 

Groups can also get in touch with Emma 

to arrange to use the cafe space for 

meetings or to book a fundraising or 

awareness slot in the foyer. 

Asda Foundation is a charity which 

works independently from the Asda 

Business, but shares the same 

commitment to support communities. 

Funded by an annual donation from 

Asda, Asda Foundation provides a range 

of financial grants to community projects 

every year. In 2024, the Asda Foundation 

aims to support over 7,000 community 


groups with grants ranging from £400 to 

£25,000. Asda’s Community Champions 

work with Asda Foundation to identify 

groups to support. 

For more information on both Asda’s 

Community Programme and the Asda 

Foundation Grants – please contact 

Emma: Community_staustell@asda.co.uk 

https://www.facebook.com/ 

asdastaustell/?locale=en_GB 


9


Understanding 

your payslip 

Your payslip contains lots of information which 

can be tricky to get your head around but it is 

important to understand. 

our payslip shows your pay, deductions and tax 

information. All employers are required to give 

their employees a payslip and it’s a good idea 

to keep them for as long as possible. The top 

left corner of your payslip is where you’ll usually 

find your employer’s details. Opposite this, in the 

middle or top right corner, should be your details. 

This is also where you might find your payroll or 

employee number, this is what your employer 

uses to identify you for payroll purposes. 

Next, you’ll see lots of different numbers and 

codes. The payment date is when your pay will 

normally arrive in your bank account - it can be 

monthly or weekly and fall on any day of the 

month. Your National Insurance (NI) number 

refers to your unique number. You must have a 

NI number to work in the UK. It’s used to make 

sure all your NI contributions are recorded and so 

you can get any state benefits you’re entitled to, 

including state pension later in life. 

Your payslip might show a tax period, the tax year 

starts in April and ends in March. The number 

here corresponds to the period in which you’re 

being taxed, eg. if you’re paid monthly, 01 will 

represent the tax period in April, while 12 would 

mean March. 

Next is your tax code. This is decided by HM 

Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and is used by 

your employer or pension provider to work out 

how much Income Tax to take from your pay. Your 

tax code is made up of several numbers and a 

letter. The numbers refer to how much tax-free 

income you get while the letters can mean 

different things depending on your circumstances. 

You can find out what they mean on the 

government website. Make sure you’re not on 

an emergency tax code otherwise you’ll be taxed 

more than needed. 

tax, national insurance, pension or student loan 

payments. 

Income tax is the tax you pay on your earnings to 

fund public services, this is something you have to 

pay but the amount will vary depending on your 

earnings. You pay National Insurance so you 

can be entitled to certain benefits, and it also 

contributes towards the NHS. Most payslips will 

add up all the deductions from your pay into a 

single amount to make it easier for you to see 

how much is taken from your pay each month. 

Your net pay is the amount of money you will 

receive after all the deductions have worked 

out. Lastly, taxable pay is the amount of your 

salary, to date in the current tax year, that has 

been subjected to tax. This will usually appear 

next to your net pay figure. 

Citizens Advice Cornwall 

For Citizens Advice Cornwall 

information and office opening hours visit: 

www.citizensadvicecornwall.org.uk 

Now to your pay and deductions. Gross pay 

means how much you’ve earned before anything 

is deducted. Deductions are amounts taken from 

your gross pay. Common ones include: income 


StAustellTogether.co.uk/PranicHealing 


11


Library 

weekly and 

monthly events 

Enjoy books, clubs, activities 

and more in a very welcoming 

mid-century library in the heart 

of Cornwall! 

St Austell Library is easy to find on 

Carlyon Road between the railway 

station and Polkyth Leisure Centre, 

and opposite Poltair Park. They have a 

dedicated children’s library, adult fiction 

and non-fiction areas, plus large print, 

audiobook, and graphic novel collections. 

There are ten public computers available 

for working and browsing, plus a 

photocopying and printing service for 

all those return labels and boarding 

passes! Feel free to use the mezzanine 

study area, take full advantage of the 

free WiFi, and round off your visit with 

a breath of fresh air in their secluded 

garden. 

Opening hours: 

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm 

Saturday 10am - 1pm 

Your free library membership entitles you 

to borrow and return from any library across 

the county, as well as access to our online 

resources including magazines, ebooks, 

newspaper archives, and much, much more. 

Join in person or online, and find out more 

at www.cornwall.gov.uk/library 



May & June Events: 

Family Bingo Night! 

Thursday 30th May, 18:00 

Six fun games & a flyer for only £5 per adult, 

£2.50 per child! 

Tea & coffee provided. Feel free to BYOB & 

nibbles. 

Raffle on the night with all proceeds to 

Cornwall Air Ambulance. 

Please book your place in person at the 

Library Help Desk, call 0300 1234 111, or 

email staustell.library@liscornwall.org.uk 

Summer Craft Fayre 

Tuesday 4th June, 10:00-13:00 

Enjoy a spot of seasonal shopping and chat 

with our local crafty creators 

Free entry! All welcome! 

Regular Groups: 

For under 5s (term time only): 

Sing & Shake: Mondays at 2pm and 

Wednesdays at 9:30am 

Story Time: Fridays at 10am 

Pre-book for these events at: 

www.ticketsource.co.uk/staustelllibrary 

For ages 4-11: 

Lego Club: Wednesdays (term time only) 

at 3.45pm. 

Pre-book at the Library Help Desk. 

For adults: 

Knit & Stitch Drop in: 1st and 3rd 

Wednesday of each month, 10am-12pm 

Writing Group: 4th Tuesday and Thursday 

of the month. If you are interested in joining, 

please contact the library. 

Book Groups: there are several Librarybased 

reading groups. If you are interested in 

joining, please contact us. 

St Austell Library 

2 Carlyon Road 


PL25 4LD 

Tel: 0300 1234 111 

Fax: 01726 71214 

Email: staustell.library@liscornwall.org.uk 

www.cornwall.gov.uk/library 

Keep up to date with our news and events by 

following us on social media. 

StAustellLibrary 

staustell.library 


13


Cornwall Butterfly 

Conservation 

Events 

May and June 

Cornwall Butterfly Conservation is your 

local branch of Butterfly Conservation, 

a national charity dedicated to working 

towards a world where butterflies and 

moths thrive and can be enjoyed by 

everyone. In the spring and summer 

they run field trips and also organise 

searches for their rarer butterflies or 

caterpillars! 

Monday 20th May: THE BUTTERFLIES OF 

PENHALE 

Near Cubert 9:45 for 10am 

A joint walk with Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) 

led by Jon Cripps, CWT ranger. Also joined by 

Ian Bennallick of Botanical Cornwall who will 

introduce us to a variety of spring wild flowers. 

Hoping to find Brown Argus, Dingy Skipper and 

the Grizzled Skipper which is now only located 

on this site in Cornwall. Meet by the M.O.D. 

South Gate near Treworthen Farm, Cubert 

(SW783567). Postcode for Treworthen Farm, 

TR8 5PZ. W3W busy.nest.degrading. Bring a 

packed lunch. Places are limited so booking is 

essential for this one. Please note there is no 

phone signal at the South Gate. 

Leaders Jon Cripps and Steve Batt. Booking 

essential contact: Sue Allen 

events@cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk 

(01872 240 246 or 07884 974 528) 

Saturday 1st June: CHAPEL PORTH 

Near St Agnes 11am 

Look for the Green Hairstreak butterflies along 

this beautiful cliff walk. The terrain can be steep 

and rough in places, so its advised to bring a 

walking pole and sturdy footwear, but the views 

are spectacular. Meet at Wheal Coates National 

Trust (NT) cliff top car park (not the beach car 

park) (SW702500) TR5 0NT. W3W flute.baguette. 

crucially Please note that there is a parking 

charge for non-NT members. Bring a packed 

lunch. 

Leaders and contact: Kathy Wood (01872 

864344) and Sue Allen 

Saturday 8th June: GOONHILLY DOWNS 

Near Helston 11am 

An exciting new field trip in partnership with 

the Natural England (NE) team on The Lizard. 

Goonhilly Downs house a significant number 

of our rarer butterflies including Marsh Fritillary, 

Grayling, Silver-studded Blue, Small Heath and 

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. The NE team will 

lead us to a location in Central Goonhilly where 

Marsh Fritillary were recorded last year.Meet at 

Dry Tree car park in the National Nature Reserve 

(near the Earth Station) on the B3293 St Keverne 

road (SW730212) W3W magpie.marathons. 

ticked Bring a packed lunch and wellies in case 

it’s wet underfoot! 

Leaders Duncan Lyne and Ed O’Connor (NE) 

Contact Sue Allen (0788 4974528) 

Tuesday 18th June: CUBERT COMMON 

Near Crantock 11am 

Cubert Common is one of the few enclosed 

commons in England. It is a gently undulating 

area of sandy grassland owned by the National 

Trust (NT) and designated as a Site of Special 

Scientific Interest. Looking out for a wide variety 

of butterflies (including Brown Argus, Dark 

For more information visit website www.cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk or contact Sue Allen a 


Green Fritillary, Silver-studded Blue and Small 

Heath); moths; other invertebrates and rare 

plants. Meeting point is NT Car Park near Polly 

Joke beach, (SW776599) TR8 5QS. W3W dusty. 

advances.duplicity 

This is a small car park so car sharing is advised. 

Directions: Drive through Crantock village and 

shortly after turn left onto the road to Treago farm. 

Drive through the farm and follow the track and 

park in the NT car park (note that at Treago Farm 

there is a gate crossing the track which you will 

need to open and close). Bring a packed lunch. 

Leader and contact: Tristram Besterman (077966 

60057) and Steve Batt 

Saturday 22 or Sunday 23 June: MOTH EVENT 

Near Helston 9am 

Two CBC volunteers have kindly invited us to visit 

their lovely garden and adjacent meadow and wood. 

Weather permitting, they will put the traps out on the 

night of 21st June. The traps will be closed early in 

the morning and kept in the shade until we are ready 

to unpack them and identify the moths. Because of 

limited parking space and possible date change due 

to weather, booking is essential and we will send out 

the details near the time. 

Leaders: Kathy Wood and Sue Allen. 

Booking essential contact: Sue Allen 

events@cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk 

(01872 240 246 or 07884 974 528) 

Come along and 

have some fun! 

 

 

 

 

 

t events@cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk 


15


Children & parent 

wellbeing sessions 

Do you have children between 6 and 

11 years old who have behavioral or 

emotional difficulties? 

Maybe they are not acting in the way you would 

like them to? They could be over worrying, or 

finding it hard to sleep, sit still or they have so 

much energy they are disruptive and cannot 

focus at school. 

Whatever it is, please bring them to one of our 

wellbeing sessions. Especially designed for 

parent and child to support each other and the 

family unit. Each session has a common topic we 

address such as worry, anger, sleep issues etc. 

The sessions can help the child deal with 

situations that come up at school and home and 

offer ways of combatting unhelpful emotions and 

create calmer, happier and peaceful children. In 

the class we do gentle exercises and a stillness 

meditation. After each session, parents and 

children are calmer, more focussed and ready for 

a good night’s rest. 

Cost of each session is £6 or £6.50 if paid online. 

Sessions are running on Wednesdays: 6th May, 

5th, 19th June, 3rd and 17th July. Time: 5.30pm 

Cost is £6 per session per child. 

Classes take place at Shortlanesend Village Hall 

TR4 9DU 

To book go to: https://trurotogether.co.uk/ 

children-wellbeing-classes/ 

Tesco donation helps 

provide free Cricket 

places for children in 

and around St Austell. 

Cornwall Cricket Board has received 

a generous donation from the Tesco 

Blue Token Scheme, facilitating free 

enrollment for children in the All Stars 

and Dynamos Programs in and around 

St Austell. 

The All Stars Cricket Programme, catering to 

children aged 5-8, offers 8 weeks of engaging 

activities aimed at skill development and 

enjoyment, fostering friendships and introducing 

them to the sport. Following this, the Dynamos 

Cricket Programme serves as a natural 

progression for 8-11 year-olds, emphasising 

social interaction and fundamental cricket skills. 

Tesco St Austell’s £500 donation will fund 17 

places, enabling children from low-income 

families to participate. Those interested in these 

national programs can apply for free spaces on 

the boards website: https://cornwallcricket.co.uk/ 

boys-girls/ecb-national-programmes-all-stars/ 

cornwall-cricket-support-fund-nationalprogrammes.html 

Programme leader Chris Anderson Said: 

‘A huge thank you to St Austell Tesco’s for 

helping Cornwall Cricket Board and shoppers 

supporting via the Tesco Blue Token Scheme. 

The £500 raised will help the local area - with 

opportunities to take part in summer cricket 

programmes at cricket clubs! The 8 week ECB 

All Stars (5-8 year olds) and Dynamos (8-11 

year olds) Programmes will be fully subsidised 

places - for those in need - to support cricket as a 

game for anyone and everyone’. To contact Chris 

please email scdo@cornwallcricket.co.uk 




Foodbank 

In 2023 St Austell Foodbank gave out 

2,296 three day emergency food parcels 

to families and people in need. This was an 

increase of 29% on 2022 and allowed over 

5000 people to be fed. The food donated 

was a staggering 45.011kg just over 45 

tonnes. 

The foodbank would like to thank everyone 

who supported them in 2023 and without this 

support they would not exist. 

If you are in need of food here are the 

opening times and locations for the foodbank 

centres. Everyone who comes to the foodbank 

for emergency food needs to have a valid 

foodbank E voucher from one of the partner 

referral agencies. 

Addresses and Opening Hours: 

The Light & Life Centre, 

Units 4-5 Brunel Business Park, 

The Sidings, 

St Austell, 

PL25 4TJ 

Mon 4pm - 6pm 

Tues 1pm - 3pm 

Thurs 1pm - 3pm 

Fri 1pm - 3pm 

Roche C P School, 

Fore Street, 

Roche 

PL26 8EP 

Fri 12pm - 2pm 

St Stephen - Satellite 

Fore Street 

PL26 7NN 

Wed 11am - 1pm 

Volunteers Wanted! 

Volunteers are the driving force behind 

foodbanks. There are thousands of volunteers 

across the UK, helping The Trussell Trust 

Foodbank Network get emergency food 

to people in crisis. They want you to enjoy 

volunteering and there are lots of ways to get 

involved. Whatever role you choose, you will 

make a real difference to the life of someone 

in crisis. You must be able to commit to a 

weekly session as a minimum. 

For more information visit: 

https://staustell.foodbank.org.uk/ 


17

GARDENING 

The delights of 

growing organic 

vegetables from 

seeds 

words by Doc Greenfingers 

There’s a very special satisfaction in 

nurturing vegetables from tiny seeds into 

a thriving garden. Going organic takes it 

a step further, ensuring healthy produce 

and a balanced ecosystem in your own 

garden, allotment or even windowsill. 

Here’s a simple way forward to get you 

started: 

or online retailers specializing in organic seeds 

are good resources. 

Initial Planting: 

• Sowing Time: Timing is everything! Seed 

packets usually provide specific sowing 

recommendations. Some vegetables like 

beans and peas prefer cooler weather for 

germination, while tomatoes and peppers 

benefit from warmer soil temperatures. 

• Direct Sowing vs. Seed Trays: Larger 

seeds like beans and peas can be directly 

sown outdoors once the risk of frost has 

passed. Smaller seeds or those requiring 

warm germination temperatures benefit from 

starting indoors in seed trays a few weeks 

before transplanting. Seed trays with a 

clear dome help retain moisture and are not 

expensive. 

• Planting Depth: A general rule is to plant 

seeds at a depth two to three times their own 

thickness. Seed packets usually have specific 

instructions. 

Preparation is Key: 

• Plan Your Patch: Sunlight is crucial for most 

vegetables. Choose a well-lit area, ideally at 

least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Research 

your chosen vegetables’ needs for spacing and 

growing season. 

• Soil Matters: Organic vegetables thrive in 

fertile, well-draining soil. Improve your existing 

soil with organic compost is a great way to 

boost nutrients and drainage. And raised 

beds offer even more control over soil quality. 

• Seed Selection: Always aim to go for organic 

seeds! These are untreated and come from 

non-genetically-modified plants. Local nurseries 


Nurturing Your Seedlings: 

• Watering: Consistent moisture is vital, 

especially during germination. Use a gentle 

spray to avoid dislodging seeds. Seedlings 

need moist but not soggy soil. 

• Light Matters: Seedlings need plenty of 

light, even when started indoors. Rotate trays 

regularly for even growth. Consider using grow 

lights if natural light is limited. 

• Thinning: Once seedlings have established 

a few sets of true leaves, it’s time to thin. This 

allows stronger plants room to grow. Gently 

remove weaker seedlings or pinch them at the 

soil line. 

Planting Outdoors: 

• Transplanting: Harden off seedlings before 

transplanting outdoors. Gradually expose 

them to outdoor conditions for a week or so. 

Dig planting holes according to seed packet 

instructions and space plants appropriately. 

• Organic Fertilizers: Throughout the growing 

season, support your plants with organic 

fertilizers. 

• Weed Control: Mulch around your plants 

with organic materials like straw or shredded 

leaves. This suppresses weeds, retains 

moisture, keeps pests at bay and regulates 

soil temperature. 

Organic Pest Management: 

• Companion Planting: Certain plants deter 

pests naturally. Interplanting with herbs like 

marigolds or nasturtiums can help keep 

unwanted insects at bay. 

• Encourage Beneficials: Attract ladybirds 

and other beneficial insects by planting 

flowering herbs or allowing some native 

wildflowers to grow around your veggie patch. 

• Organic Pest Control: For persistent pests, 

use organic methods like insecticidal soap, 

citrus or mineral oil and neem spray.. 

With careful planning, dedication, and these 

organic practices, you’ll be well on your way 

to cultivating a thriving vegetable garden 

bursting with fresh, healthy produce! 


19

THE YOUNG JOURNALIST 

Think globally, 

Act locally 

There are 8 billion people on this planet. 

With so many people and what seems like 

an endless bombardment of bad news and 

problems around the world, we may not 

feel that it is possible for us to inspire and 

enact meaningful, positive change. 

However, with a vision of global equity, justice and 

peace, the actions of individuals and communities 

can create significant impacts. As the Dalai Lama 

said, ‘Just as ripples spread out when a single 

pebble is dropped into water, the actions of 

individuals can have far-reaching effects.’ Seemingly 

small decisions such as how to travel or what to 

eat can impact the lives of people, other beings 

and environmental health in the long-term. This 

can be amplified by raising awareness and 

involving community members in causes such as 

environmental protection and charities. Examples 

of people thinking globally and acting locally 

can be seen around the world and serve as an 

inspiration to everyone wanting to create a better 

world for the present and future generations. 

To begin with, caring for your own individual health 

and wellbeing can be seen as one of the first steps 

to cultivating passion and energy for altruistic 

pursuits. A healthy, balanced diet of seasonal, local 

foods would not only improve individual health but 

would also reduce food miles. This would, in turn, 

reduce global greenhouse gas emissions which 

exacerbate global warming and climate change. 

Shifting to a more healthy, plant-based diet may 

also has positive impacts on many scales as it 

reduces global greenhouse gas emissions by 

livestock farming and prevents individual risk 

of non-communicable diseases such as heart 

disease, cancer and stroke. Exercising regularly 

and spending time in nature can benefit both your 

mental and physical health as well as improving 

the quality of social interactions if done with other 

people, deepening a sense of community and 

care for each other. 

Examples of community action with a global vision 

for good include Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland. 

This spiritual community has been awarded with 

the UN-Habitat Best Practices for their focus 

on sustainable, zero carbon architecture and 

infrastructure. The three core practices of ‘Inner 

listening’, ‘Co-creation with nature’ and ‘Work as 

love in action’ have led them to creating a place 

for people to connect to themselves, each other 

and nature in an ecovillage of zero carbon homes 

built from natural materials. Growing their own 

food is also a communal practice that is healthy 

and sustainable. 

At a smaller, more local scale, my school have 

an Eco-Society which has rejuvenated the 

school pond to allow biodiversity to thrive and 

fundraised money for improving the environment 

of the school. We have exciting projects such 

as the planting of a fruit orchard and vegetable 

garden coming up this Spring along with a stall at 

the Climate Action Day in Amersham. 

1. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/5- 

benefits-of-a-plant-based-diet.h20-1592991.html#:~:text=A%20 

plant%2Dbased%20diet%20reduces,and%20some%20mental%20 

health%20illnesses. 

It’s the small things that add up to make an impact, 

so let’s begin with positivity and kindness towards 

ourselves, others and our community by keeping 

a hopeful global vision in mind when making small 

actions towards a better world. 

Sanchi is a 6th form student. The 

three things she loves most are 

nature, people and writing. 

Uniting these, she aims to create 

a brighter, greener world! 

Sanchi 

Disclaimer 

Please note: the opinions and findings expressed in this article are 

solely those of the author and should not be assumed to be those of 

Amersham and Chalfont Together or its affiliates. 

20 St. Austell Giving Together our is future part of the Community freedom of Together speech

THE YOUNG JOURNALIST 

Solar Energy 

in Cornwall: 

A Practical Guide 

for Homeowners 

Cornwall’s landscape, which is known 

for its natural beauty, is also becoming 

a symbol of sustainability with the 

increasing presence of solar panels on 

residential rooftops. This practical guide 

aims to shed light on the benefits and 

considerations of adopting solar energy 

for your home. 

The Economics of Solar Panels The upfront 

cost of investing in solar panels is certainly 

high, typically around £6,500 for a standard 

three-bedroom home. However, the long-term 

financial benefits are clear. Homeowners 

can expect to save up to £1,190 annually 

on their energy bills, which can add up to 

significant savings over the lifespan of the 

solar panels. Additionally, the Smart Export 

Guarantee (SEG) offers a financial return for 

excess energy fed back into the grid, further 

enhancing the economic appeal of solar 

energy. 

The Affect on Home Value with Solar 

Energy Solar panels are not just about saving 

on bills as they also contribute to increasing 

the value of your home. On average, a solar 

installation can add around £15,000 to your 

property’s market value. This is a compelling 

reason for homeowners to consider solar 

panels as a long-term investment in their 

property. 

Environmental Benefits Another aspect to 

consider is the environmental benefits for 

solar panels which can be fairly significant. By 

generating clean energy, solar panels help 

to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to 

the UK’s climate change targets (Net zero by 

2050). A typical residential solar panel system 

can save approximately one tonne of carbon 

dioxide per year, making it a responsible 

choice for eco-conscious homeowners. 

Choosing the Right Solar Panels Efficiency is 

a key factor when selecting solar panels. In the 

UK, the average solar panel efficiency ranges 

from 10-20%, with some premium (more 

expensive) models reaching higher. The choice 

between monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or 

thin-film panels will depend on your budget, 

roof space, and energy needs, speaking to 

a solar panel professional will provide you 

with all the information you need about this. 

It’s important to consider factors such as roof 

orientation and shading to maximise the 

efficiency of your solar energy system. 

Conclusion For Cornwall residents, solar 

panels offer a viable way to reduce long 

term energy costs, increase home value, 

and contribute to environmental sustainability. 

With the UK’s support for renewable energy 

initiatives, now is an ideal time to consider 

making the switch to solar energy. As 

technology advances and costs continue to 

fall, solar energy is set to play an increasingly 

important role in the UK’s energy mix. 

By Jackson Brocklebank 

Jackson is a year 2 undergraduate Renewable Energy 

Engineering student at Exeter’s Penryn campus. 

Disclaimer 

Please note: the opinions and findings expressed in this article are 

solely those of the author and should not be assumed to be those of 

Amersham and Chalfont Together or its affiliates. 

To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk marketing@staustelltogether.co.uk 

21


Truro Civic Awards 

In 2019, the then Mayor of Truro, Cllr 

Bob Smith, realised that there were 

literally thousands of Truronians who 

volunteered their time, energy and 

skills but never received any formal 

recognition for the work they did. He 

decided to initiate an awards scheme 

called the “Truro Civic Awards” to 

recognise and reward those who were 

busily engaged in voluntary work and to 

encourage others to become volunteers 

in the future. Unfortunately, Covid came 

along and disrupted the scheme so badly 

that it almost stopped it entirely. 

In September 2023, the Truro Civic Society, in 

conjunction with the City Council, decided to 

reinstate the awards scheme and set the ball 

rolling, with the Civic Society taking the lead. 

They needed somebody to coordinate the 

scheme and approached Paul Caruana, a well 

known community champion, to do it. The Civic 

Society Chairman, Cllr Bert Biscoe, approached 

him and he said yes ! Since then, it has been 

non-stop in getting the scheme up and running 

again. 

Lionel and Carol Knight - Truro Town Crier and Consort 

treat each on its own merits. A committee of 

five people - Bert Biscoe, Malcolm Bell, Kelly 

Gleeson(YPC), Caroline Jones and Paul Caruana 

met and assessed every nomination thoroughly. 

The outcome was that seventeen of them were 

deemed as worthy recipients. 

The nominees varied hugely in age, the voluntary 

work they did and the length of time they 

had carried out their voluntary work for. The 

youngest recipient was aged 8 and the oldest 

aged 93! There were two youths, two couples, 

three teams of volunteers, six ladies and four 

males. A real mix of local people, all who give 

their time and energy freely to help the 

communities they work hard for. 

Through the local press, social media sites and 

local organisations like Young People Cornwall, a 

press release was made in the hope that it would 

generate both interest and responses. It worked! 

Two categories were set up; aged 18 and under 

and those aged 19 and over. Within no time, 

over twenty nominations were submitted. There 

were concerns about too many nominations 

being received. However, after a four year hiatus, 

where nobody received one, it was decided to 

Police Special Constables 

One of the youth recipients, Harry Stoddern, 

who, despite having cerebral palsy, works 

hard to help his local community in Hendra by 

litter picking it regularly. He is also a committee 

member of his local group and helps with Truro 

Rugby Club. 

Helen Tiplady flanked by the Chair of Truro Civic Society, 

Malcolm Bell and the Mayor of Truro, Cllr Carol Swain. 



The oldest recipient was Arthur Fitzgerald, 

aged 93. Every week, for the past 8 years, he 

has attended Sunny Corner to look after and 

maintain the flower beds there. He also cleans 

the benches and empties the bins. He has been 

inspirational in the work he does and was part of 

the team who were awarded the Queens Award 

for Voluntary Service in 2021. Age is clearly no 

barrier when it comes to volunteering! 

The full list of recipients was: 

Youths: Harry Stoddern and Roman Paul 

Caruana-Williams 

Couples: Lionel and Carol Knight - the Town 

Crier and his wife and Godfrey and Peggy 

Mortimore. 

Organisations: Truro Old Boys, The Police 

Special Constables, Truro Homeless Action 

Group 

Ladies: Helen Tiplady, Pauline Westaway, 

Anne Kemp, Rosemary Ballard, Lesle 

Goodman and Kelly Palmer. 

Gentlemen: Arthur Fitzgerald, 

Alan Beattie, John Rowe, Andrew Hall 

Roman Paul Caruana Williams - 

youngest winner aged 8 

John Rowe 

The two couples to receive awards are both well 

known and highly respected in our City. Our 

Town Crier, Lionel Knight and his wife Carol and 

Godfrey Mortimer and his wife Peggy, both who 

help run the Truro in Bloom organisation. Their 

work around the City is well recognised, highly 

visible and well appreciated. 

One of the Group award recipients was the Truro 

Old Boys who, under the leadership of Graham 

Humphrey, have raised in excess of £25,000 for 

local and National charities. They meet twice a year 

to raise funds for the groups they choose to support. 

The Awards presentation evening was held in the 

Truro Methodist Church on Friday 22nd March 

at 6pm. There was a turn out of over 120 people 

there to see their family members and friends 

receive their Civic Awards. The Mayor of Truro, 

Cllr Carol Swain, in conjunction with the Chair of 

Truro Civic Society, Malcolm Bell, handed them 

out. Bert Biscoe acted as compère with Paul 

Caruana coordinating things behind the scenes. 

It was a very well organised, enjoyable and 

sometimes emotional event. Many of the 

recipients were clearly moved by their awards. 

Paul Caruana said “each and everyone of the 

recipients here this evening merited the award 

they received. They have all, in various ways, 

helped to make the lives of others more 

enjoyable and pleasant. Out motto is “Together 

we can make a difference”. Those here 

this evening have certainly done that and I 

congratulate each of them on their efforts to 

make Truro a better place for us all to live”. 

Pam Reeves receiving the 

award on behalf of all the 

volunteers at Truro Homeless 

Action Group 

Arthur Fitzgerald - 

Oldest winner age 93 


The awards scheme is set to be an annual event. 

If anybody has a nomination they can send it to: 

trurocivicawards@gmail.com 

They must be prepared to write a nomination 

based purely on what they do voluntarily (not 

work related) and be at least 150 words long, 

detailing what voluntary work they do and why 

they warrant recognition for their efforts. Competition 

will be fierce, so the better they are, the 

more chance they have of being selected as one 

of the twelve we plan to select to receive a Truro 

Civic Award next year. They will be assessed in 

January of 2025, ready for next year’s awards 

evening. 

23

BUSINESS NEWS 

Seven common 

retirement 

questions 

Your financial adviser can help you answer. 

When can I afford to retire? 

Your adviser can help you understand your 

current pensions and investments and how they 

can be used efficiently to generate an income 

for you. You can get an online state pension 

forecast: gov.uk/check-state-pension 

How much income will I need? 

This is based, not only on your essential 

expenditure, but also the kind of retirement 

you are hoping for. Whether you want to 

travel, make home improvements or spending 

more time doing the things you love, your 

adviser can put a plan together to help you 

arrive at a sustainable figure. 

What assets should I draw down first? 

If you have assets such as ISAs, Collectives or 

shares, your adviser can help determine the most 

tax efficient way to draw your income. If your 

only asset is your pension, you may be able to 

benefit from phasing withdrawals to save tax. 

How should I invest? 

Financial planning starts not with ‘which fund?’ 

but with ‘what’s my objective?’ Your adviser will 

help you be clear about what you want from 

your money and when. They’ll discuss how 

much investment risk you will consider and what 

that might mean in different market conditions. 

Finally, they talk about investments. For most 

people the right answer is a professionally 

managed diversified portfolio using many 

different holdings. Your adviser has access to a 

curated range of these to suit different types of 

people. 

What additional risks will I face? 

Even if you are an experienced investor, once 

you enter the decumulation phase (the process 

of converting pension savings to retirement 

income) you will be faced with additional risks. 

The main risks: 

• Longevity - how long you are likely to live and 

ensuring you don’t run out of money 

• Inflation - ensuring your income retains its 

buying power 

• Market fluctuations – minimising the impact on 

your pension savings. 

Your adviser can help you to both understand 

and mitigate these risks. 

How often should I review my plans? 

The constantly changing environment we live in 

means it is important to review any plans annually 

to ensure they stay on track. 

What about other financial planning needs? 

Your adviser will also identify and discuss any 

other financial planning needs you may have, 

such as long-term care or inheritance tax 

planning. 

The value of pensions and investments can fall as 

well as rise and you can get back less than you 

invested. 

Approver Quilter Wealth Limited, Quilter 

Financial Limited, Quilter Financial Services 

Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited 

10.01.2024 Ref: 2144770 Tel: 0191 241 0700, 

www.quilter.com 221-0416/ 

Harris Begley Lifetime Partners Ltd 

18a Old Bridge Street 

Truro 

Cornwall 

Tel: 01872 888400 

Email: enquiries@harrisbegley.co.uk 

http://www.harrisbegley.co.uk 

FS.BES.SRW.02/March 2023 


TRURO BID PRESENTS 

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25

ST. AUSTELL Together 

BRAIN MATTER 

DIGGING FOR DIAMONDS 

Each four-letter word can be found in a diamond 

shape in the grid (one has already been entered, 

as an example), and every word will start at the top 

of the diamond and flow in either a clockwise or 

anticlockwise direction. 

BEDS 

BULB 

FORK 

LAWN 

LILY 

LIME 

LOAM 

MOLE 

MOSS 

PEAR 

PINK 

PLUM 

ROSE 

SLUG 

SOIL 

Digging for Diamonds 

Each four-letter word can be found in a diamond shape in the grid (one has alread 

entered, as an example), and every word will start at the top of the diamond and fl 

clockwise or anticlockwise direction. 

M 

O P S 

F M S L P 

P S K U R A E 

I G K L S Q A T L 

M X N U O Y L B E N I 

E V O L G F I S F E M A N 

Spot the Difference 

L Y B I Q K K D O N I 

U L B O S L R P I 

L D S M E O O 

S V L A S 

A P N 

W 

There are eight differences between these two pictures. Can you spot them? 

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 

the Difference 

BEDS LIME 


e eight differences between these two pictures. Can you spot them? BULB LOAM 

Answers on p28 

PINK 

PLUM 

FORK 

LAWN 

LILY 

MOLE 

MOSS 

PEAR 

ROSE 

SLUG 

SOIL 

Answer: 

O 

F M 

P S K 

26 St. Austell Together is part of Community Together I G K L 

M X N U O

Truro’s Visitor 

Centre, Shop and 

Community Website 

Visit our Boscawen Street Visitor Centre or find 

us online for all you need in our Great Little 

City. Buy tickets for attractions and events, get 

tips on where to eat, drink, stay, and shop. 

You can now book local 

events online and in store 

visittruro.org.uk 

01872 274555 

@visittruro 

Boscawen Street 

Visitor Centre: 

Open Monday - Saturday 

9.30am - 4.30pm 

STEP INTO 

YOUR SPOTLIGHT 

AT THE PAULINE QUIRKE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS 

TRY A FULL 

ACADEMY 

SESSION 

FOR FREE 

PQA TRURO 

TRURO HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, TR1 2HU 


27

Spot the Difference 



Truro City Rangers 

As we move from spring into summer, 

life is picking up all around us and 

ndsrelishing in the warmer weather. There 

is plenty of wildlife to see from the 

d in a diamond pollinators shape to in the grid deer (one to has the already flowers been 

blooming. One such plant to come into 

on. 

bloom in May is the bramble (Rubus 

fruticosus), a fruiting shrub from the 

rose family. 

M 

Often O viewed P S as a nuisance, brambles are 

actually quite useful for the local wildlife. As we 

F M S L P 

all know, brambles grow well in many places 

P S(including K U Rwhere A we E do not want them) and 

I G Kprovide L Sa Qgreat A and T safe L habitat for nesting birds 

and small mammals hiding from predators. When 

N Uyou Ocut Yinto L brambles B E N(which I should only ever 

L Gbe done F I out S of F bird E nesting M A Nseason) you can find 

B 

nests 

I Q 

perched 

K K D 

among 

O N 

the 

I 

twists and turns of the 

stalks and small animal pathways going along the 

L Bground. O SAs Lwell R as Pproviding I shelter, brambles 

L Dare Sa food M Esource. O OFrom May to September 

S V L A S 

A P N 

W 

ry word will start at the top of the diamond and flow in either a 

pink and white flowers will bloom, attracting 

pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and the 

leaves are eaten by deer and caterpillars. Then 

throughout the Autumn, brambles produce 

blackberries, a dark berry that is enjoyed by 

humans and wildlife alike. The local wildlife will 

spread the bramble seed by consuming the 

berries and then pooing them out elsewhere. 

In fact, you can often see the remnants of 

berries in badger poo! 

While brambles can leave you with nasty 

scratches and splinters, as you can see they 

are a valuable asset to our countryside. 

P.S. Another flower to look out for is the Southern 

Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) which 

blooms in May and June and can be seen at 

Daubuz Moors. 

LIME 

LOAM 

MOLE 

MOSS 

PEAR 

PINK 

PLUM 

ROSE 

SLUG 

SOIL 

PUZZLE 

SOLUTIONS 

Answer: 

DIGGING FOR 

DIAMONDS 

M 

O P S 

F M S L P 

P S K U R A E 

I G K L S Q A T L 

M X N U O Y L B E N I 

E V O L G F I S F E M A N 

L Y B I Q K K D O N I 

U L B O S L R P I 

L D S M E O O 

S V L A S 

A P N 

W 

Answer: 

SPOT THE 

DIFFERENCE 


SAT24 


29

FREE 

ENTRY 

for under 11’s 

www.pinetumgarden.com 01726 73500

St Austell Together May June 2024

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