Big jobs boost at the Docks

UP to 700 jobs will be secured at Falmouth Docks over the next two months as the shipyard enjoys a shiprepair bonanza, hauling in 10 new ships during December and January.

A&P are set to end the year in aggressive style diving the local economy a good kick start in the run-up to Christmas.

The contract, worth more than £5 million, includes two P&O European ferries, the Pride of Kent and the Portsmouth-based Pride of Hampshire, expected two days before Christmas to begin their annual refits.

The Japanese-owned Ivory Bay due to arrive this week is the seventh Japanese contract to be won by A&P Falmouth this year, following a major marketing push. Docks boss Mr Clive Towl returns to the yard this week after a three-week marketing tour of the Far East.

Commenting on the recent successes, A&P Falmouth sales director Mr Alastair Basset said: “Ship owners and managers are increasingly recognising the quality and skills that are on offer at A&P Falmouth, coupled with our competitive prices. Having said that, delivering on our promises is vital and the fact that the majority of these vessels are owned/managed by customers for whom we have worked successfully in the past speaks volumes.”

The 17,000-ton bulk carrier FMG Quito has arrived for emergency engine repairs after breaking down off Scilly. The Ro-Ro ship Arcade Falcon, currently in drydock, is the sister ship to the Arcade Eagle which was repaired by A&P’s Tyne division earlier this year.

Spy camera scheme will go ahead despite U-turn

SURVEILLANCE cameras will be up and running in Falmouth's town centre early in the New Year, despite this week's "about turn" by the town council.

The Falmouth CCTV Association on Monday asked the town council for the £1,000 it had originally pledged towards the scheme.

This resolution was passed in January when the Labour Party did not control the town council.

At Monday's meeting of the finance and general purposes committee, councillor George Greene stated: "I see the CCTV Association has raised money and got funds from the government.

"I do not feel it is the panacea it appears to be. I do not think we should contribute this for £1,000."

The Labour councillor added: "I do not like CCTV. I know, however, it will probably go ahead anyway because of the work of the association.

"I feel it's a bit intrusive."