A care home manager has been sent to prison for instructing her staff not to resuscitate an unconscious patient, administering incorrect medicines to another and fleecing a 91-year-old woman out of more than £7,000. Lisa Thomas, 42, of Landreath Place in St Blazey, appeared at Truro Crown Court today to be sentenced after pleading guilty to seven counts of fraud, one count of willful neglect, and one count of inappropriately administering a medicinal product. Prosecuting barrister...

About 200 residents packed into Heamoor British Legion for the first public meeting to discuss the proposed 700 new homes for the village which have been branded 'more Milton Keynes than Cornwall'. The Save Heamoor from Excess Development (Shed) group helped organise the meeting which was chaired by Roy Matthews, who remarked that it was lovely to see Heamoor together. The panel of speakers comprised Derek Thomas, MP, Councillor Mario Fonk, director of the Cornwall Community Land Trust and...

This drone video footage of giant waves off Cornwall will make you want to take a dip in the sea to cool off from the first heatwave of the year to hit the UK. The video produced by local drone film production company Light Colour Sound shows off the infamous Cribbar - known as the Widow Maker - off Newquay. The Cribbar is created by a reef off Towan Head and has gained a worldwide reputation as one of the few major waves in UK waters. Read more: Heat stroke: how to spot the symptoms and...

Release date:  Tue, 20/06/2017 (All day) Main image:  Summary:  With just one week to go before the deadline, competition for the Cornwall Tourism Awards is gaining momentum. Cornwall Wildlife Trust has once again been invited to judge the ‘Wildlife Friendly Business Award’ category and is calling on all businesses that are interested in entering to do so now.

Antonia Mullaly, Business Support Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trusts says,

“We would urge all tourism businesses that choose to make space for nature and promote wildlife to their customers and guests to enter the awards. Taking part is a great way for us to help you to improve your existing business and focus on best practice for the future. Whether you have entered before or decide to do so now on the spur of the moment, this is your opportunity to shine.”

Cornwall is highly regarded across the UK as a go-to holiday destination, largely due to its stunning scenery and impressive coastline. Managing the demands on this environment is a challenge that tourism businesses in the county face on a daily basis. Cornwall Wildlife Trust hopes to boost the emphasis on sustainability within the sector by being involved in the awards and encourage business to deliver a high-quality visitor experience whilst being mindful of their impact on the environment.

Cornwall Environmental Consultants (CEC), which provides ecology and landscape architect services, is sponsoring the category.

Phil Hills, Consultancy Manager for CEC says,

“We are delighted to sponsor the ‘Wildlife Friendly Business’ category for this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards, as it rewards businesses that are recognising the importance of the environment and the wildlife which surrounds them and the work they do. In our line of work, and supporting the Trust in the way we do, it’s fantastic to see such efforts from local businesses, big and small. We are happy to put our name to such a prestigious award and wish everyone the best of luck!”

Tourism businesses who would like to enter must do so by noon on Monday 26th June. Please see the Cornwall Tourism Awards website, with full details of how to enter, top tips and entry forms - www.cornwalltourismawards.org.uk.

For more information about how your business can work for wildlife with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/business.
 

The sun is shining and the temperature rising so it's only natural to want to slip into a pair of flip-flops. While this footwear is great for plodding around the beach and town, the question is can you actually drive in them without breaking the law? If not, how about slipping them off and just going barefoot behind the wheel? The motoring organisation the RAC has come to the rescue with the definitive answer, well, sort of. Read more: Heat health alert issued as a heatwave hits...

Bug experts have pleaded with members of the public not to kill insects that are being mistaken for Asian hornets. While it must be frightening to find one of these fellas in your garden, a representative for Buglife has advised that hornets native to England are docile when left alone. Read more: A pregnant woman has died hours after complaining of a headache It comes after a South Petherwin resident discovered a giant wasp-looking bug in his garden and appealed for information on...

The Met Office forecast headline for today is one of the shortest we've ever seen. Getting straight to the point and almost acknowledging that everyone already knows the obvious, it just says "Hot and sunny again". After a scorching weekend and a blimmin' beautiful Monday, Cornwall will welcome even more sunshine coming today - though if you're already looking like a Drumstick lolly you might choose to hide away inside. Temperatures look set to top 30 degrees - at least in one...

Welcome to our live coverage of all the day's biggest stories, traffic and travel from across Cornwall on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. We'll be looking at all the traffic from 7am until this evening, so keep checking back to make sure you get wherever you're going as quickly and safely as possible. We will of course also be breaking news as it happens and keeping an eye on the weather. It's Gareth here until 2.30pm when I hand over to the late team led today by Mike. If you've seen something...

An exciting opportunity to become part of Penzance's future success has come up on the job market. Penzance Business Improvement District (BID) is recruiting for the vacancy of manager, due to the current manager, Jess Golding, leaving her post soon to take up a university course. "The BID is a key player in the town's Regeneration Partnership which brings together all organisations working to foster economic regeneration," said a spokesman for Penzance BID. Read more: Pop Up...

Cornish Buildings Group presented its annual design awards last night as properties across Cornwall claimed architectural 'Oscars'. Every year the Cornish Buildings Group presents its awards for what it sees as the county's finest examples of good design including the cream of recently completed or renovated buildings. Paul Holden, chairman of the group, said: "Our Awards are considered the 'Oscars' of building awards in Cornwall. "They are respected and desirable recognitions of...

Release date:  Mon, 19/06/2017 (All day) Main image:  Summary:  After being hunted to extinction in the UK 400 years ago beavers are now back in Cornwall thanks to a partnership between Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Woodland Valley Farm in Ladock near Truro creating one of the most exciting wildlife stories in Cornish history.

The ground-breaking Cornwall Beaver Project backed by a hugely successful Crowdfunder appeal hopes to show that beavers can help create new wildlife habitat, make our water cleaner and crucially reduce flooding.

A pair of European beavers, one male and one female were reintroduced to a five acre fenced area on Woodland Valley Farm on Friday 16th June, upstream of Ladock village that has been subject to severe flooding. The Trust’s partners at the University of Exeter will be closely monitoring and studying the impacts of these new residents to Cornwall and building upon research from other reintroductions in the UK and across Europe.

The results will help the Trust determine whether this native species could once again become part of the Cornish landscape and help us combat flooding – naturally.

Chris Jones, owner of Woodland Valley Farm said,

Friday was one of the best days of my life with the release of a pair of adult European beavers at our site near Ladock. The whole day progressed with excitement building up until we actually let the beavers out of their crates at 4pm, in bright warm sunshine. The beavers seemed to be enjoying exploring their new home, and the assembled witnesses were fascinated at having such a tremendous view of these normally shy and hard to spot animals. It has taken three and a half years to get this point and followed from my thinking about natural ways to reduce flood risk following the flooding incidents in Ladock in 2012. Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been brilliant partners in getting this project off the ground, and the Crowdfunding campaign, without which we could never have got here.

Cheryl Marriott, Head of Conservation at Cornwall Wildlife Trust says,

“What a privilege to see a species returning to Cornwall so many generations after it was lost. It is now over to them to exhibit their natural dam-building behaviour and create more ponds and pools for wildlife and begin coppicing willows. We will be monitoring the effects of the beavers and will share the findings so we can all learn more about what these incredible animals can do.”

Cornwall Beaver Project has been made possible thanks to fantastic support from Trust members and the people of Cornwall generously donating to the project’s Crowdfunder page. The £15,000 target was reached which has paid for the installation of the 650m beaver-proof fence and for the two beavers.

The Trust and Woodland Valley Farm are now excitedly planning for the future and are really pushing the boundaries with a £5,000 stretch target, hoping to reach £20,000 by the 30th June.

This extra money will help to pay the expenses of project volunteers, purchase equipment to enable catching the beavers for regular health checks and buy at least six trail cameras which will enable the Trust to be able to share amazing footage of these charismatic and industrious creatures on their website and social media channels.

One last thing that is also still needed for Cornwall’s new beavers are names! What would you call them?! There is a chance to enter a prize draw to name them by donating £25 or more to the Crowdfunder page. Please see www.crowdfunder.co.uk/cornwallbeaver for details.

Photgraphy by Jack Hicks. 

The older brother of murdered teen Scarlett Keeling took a fatal overdose after a decade blaming himself for her death, their mother said today. Halloran Richard Keeling, 28, was found dead in temporary accommodation in Newquay after taking an overdose of morphine, an inquest heard. A coroner said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that he had intended to take his own life. Read more: Dean Lowe accused of murder of Kirsty Noden of Marazion sent to mental health facility But...

After they were hunted to extinction, Beavers have returned to Cornwall for the first time in more than 400 years.The mammals used to be a common sight in the wilds of Great Britain, but were hunted for their fur until they had completely disappeared.Read more: Video captures shark swimming close to Smeaton's Pier in St IvesA partnership between the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Valley Farm has now reintroduced them, hoping not only to bring back the much loved creature back to its...

The Muslim community in Cornwall has spoken out after the latest terror attack in London in which a van was driven into worshippers leaving one man dead and eight injured.The attack at about 12.20am (June 19), targeted a group of Muslim worshippers in Finsbury Park, London, as they left a mosque after prayers.Read more: Cornwall woman alleged to have tried to poison victim with saltFollowing the attack the Cornwall Asian Islamic Community Centre at Carnon Down near Truro released a statement...

As the temperature continues to soar across Cornwall, health experts are warning the public of the dangers of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Both are potentially lethal conditions caused when the body becomes too hot, but they can both be easily prevented, and, if they area caught early enough, can sometimes be treated with just some simple first aid at home. Heat stroke has some common signs and symptoms, some of which you can spot visually or can work out with the aid of a simple...

Things are looking up for Falmouth's food and night time economy as one of its most prominent empty pubs is set to re-open this summer and talks are taking place to transform another. As work continues apace on the King's Head in Market Street, pre-application discussions are taking place with Cornwall Council over the currently closed Waterman's, which fronts onto the town centre car park. It comes as a couple hope to open a café'/restaurant in the High Street, a hairdressers in Bank...

A woman has appeared in court accused of trying to poison somebody with salt. Danielle Marie Cogan, 29, of Bodmin Road in St Austell, appeared at Bodmin Magistrates' Court charged with one count of unlawfully and maliciously administering a poison or other destructive or noxious thing (salt) to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm. Read more: Andrew Robson shoved over wife and then attacked serviceman who tried to help her with knife The alleged offence took place on April 26 of last...

"There's a shark! There's a shark!" were the cries of children jumping into the clear blue waters off the main pier in St Ives. And the six-foot creature was filmed as it made it way casually past the seaward side of Smeaton's Pier. This footage was filmed by Tristan Campion, over the pier wall, and shows the large shark swimming effortlessly through the crystal clear water. The tide was in and the concrete walkway down from the pier is clearly visible under the water. Read next:...

Crowds have been swarming a new takeaway in Launceston which is offering healthy smoothies, indulgent shakes and tasty food. Subs 'n' Shakes on Broad Street was even forced to close for one day shortly after opening to replenish stock, after having customers regularly queued out the door. Read more: Heat health alert issued as a heatwave hits Cornwall with temperatures expected to rise The town centre shop has now addressed stock levels and manager, Daniel Theobald, has promised there's...

The heatwave is here but the soaring temperatures mean it can be a real struggle for parents to keep their kids cool. Sleep nanny Lucy Shrimpton, has shared her tips on how to keep babies and young children cool during hot weather - and help them get to sleep. Newborns are at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) if they overheat so check your newborn does not have a moist head or neck which are signs of sweating. If the face is redder than usual or he has a rash or you notice...