Port signs up as Tall Ships host

By Stephen Ivall

FALMOUTH has officially committed itself to hosting the Tall Ships Race in 1998.

At a special signing ceremony in Truro, mayor Geoffrey Evans together with Peter Cocks, chairman of the county council, and David Hancock, chairman of Carrick Council, promised to provide the necessary facilities for the race which is expected to attract 100 of the world's most elegant and impressive sailing ships.

The civic officials were joined by John Hick, leading the Falmouth and Tall Ships Committee, and John Berry, chairman of Cornwall '98.

All had led the team which secured the event at the Sail Training Association's annual general meeting in November.

Now the work will begin to raise the money needed to stage the race.

MP's tribute to 'integrity' of Packet's staff

Falmouth MP Seb Coe sent this message to the Packet on its 140th anniversary.

IN the five or so years that I have been reading the Packet, I have learnt of the importance of local papers to the community they serve. They are a sophisticated version of 'word of mouth'.

Someone once said that the first duty of a newspaper is to be accurate: if it is accurate it follows that it is fair. Well, I've never had grounds to doubt the integrity or accomplished reporting of the Packet's journalists.

Falmouth and Camborne is a very diverse constituency, full of people from all walks of life and perspectives on issues. That is part of its charm. The Packet serves the community well. By having modified editions for Falmouth and Camborne, the paper truly reaches the right audience with the information they want to know. This is a wonderful service and one that I know is greatly appreciated by its readers.

Pension 'bombshell' for book firm staff

By Helen Thomas

FORMER employees of Penryn book firm J Barnicoat Ltd have been assured their money is safe following the shock announcement that the administrative receivers have washed their hands of the company's pension fund.

Mr Glyn Barnicoat, a former co-director of the company, said this week the news from receivers Touche Ross came as a "bombshell" but was quick to stress the ex-employees' money was safe.

Financial expert Jonathan money, who helped set up the pension scheme in 1986, said: "As broker who set up the scheme and dealt with it since then, we have been waiting for the insurance company and receivers to decide who is responsible for the winding up of the scheme.

"Now we have that information my firm along with the directors of Barnicoats will proceed to administer the winding up as quickly as possible."