Latest news with #Looe
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Traders in Cornwall urged to sign up to shoplifting scheme
Traders are being encouraged to sign up to a free pilot scheme aimed at helping police gather information about shoplifting UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) Business Crime Reduction Solution is being offered to businesses in Liskeard, Looe, Saltash and Torpoint. It offers an alternative way for retailers to report Ned Bowie, who heads up neighbourhood police teams across the areas, said: "We know the devastating impact shoplifting can have on local businesses, especially for the smaller traders that are also targeted." "We hope that this trial will offer businesses effective support in gathering evidence to target offenders."The free trial period for all sign-ups will end May in 2026. Insp Bowie said: "The UKPAC team will work closely with our neighbourhood officers, liaising directly to share evidence packages that are created using information shared by businesses on the platform. They'll also work alongside traders to help build strong, quality evidence against offenders."The intelligence we'll receive from the platform will be invaluable in our investigations, helping us to achieve better outcomes, quicker."The police said the platform provides an option for traders, but officers will "take all reports of crime seriously, no matter what way they're reported to us".There are a limited number of free passes, which are being paid for using using money from the police's summer policing can sign up for the scheme on the UKPAC website.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cornwall monkey sanctuary site for sale amid funding struggles
A monkey sanctuary site is up for sale after a period of "financial difficulty", charity bosses have said. Wild Futures, near Looe in Cornwall, is on the market after the organisation reduced staff numbers and paused public charity, which has provided a home for rescued monkeys for more than 60 years, said it hoped to find a "sympathetic buyer" who would help them continue to operate from the site or relocate under sustainable Sarah Hanson said her "dedication to protecting primates and ending the primate pet trade was as strong as ever". "Our home may change, but our mission remains the same," Ms Hanson added. The conservation charity cares for 31 rescued monkeys and also supports projects overseas. The Cornwall facility opened in 1964 and was awarded the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries "Outstanding Sanctuary" Award last Hanson said she wanted to find a buyer who shared the charity's values, and to ensure "our sanctuary continues to serve as a safe haven for rescued monkeys". "We are doing everything we can to preserve the legacy of this sanctuary and continue our vital work - the mission of Wild Futures remains at the heart of everything we do," she added."It's important at this uncertain time to recognise the small but mighty team of colleagues and volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver the highest standards of care to primates rescued from the most brutal of conditions."
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World gig rowing champions crowned in Scilly Isles
The World Pilot Gig Championships have drawn to a close on the Isles of Scilly, with strong headwinds posing a challenge for competitors. "Some got really wet and one crew complained of fish getting in their boat," said BBC South West reporter David Dixon. Looe took the men's open title for the second year, beating Falmouth in a race for the line. Helford River Gig Club reclaimed the women's open title it won two years ago, holding off a strong challenge from Caradon, with Fowey close behind. "We have just been building over the last couple of years," said Lena Budd of the Helford team. "We knew we would get there, it was just a mattter of when." With the rowing over it was time to unwind and relax for the thousands of rowers and spectators who flocked to the island for the event. For Nick George, landlord of the Mermaid Inn beside St Mary's quay, the preparations included ordering extra supplies and making sure the drinks did not run out. He called the event "phenomenal" and said he ordered 120 kegs of beer and cider for the weekend - enough for more than 10,000 pints. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Islands 'epic and fun' for rowing championships Rowers head to Scilly for World Gig Championships Rowers head to 'blooming marvellous' championships World Pilot Gig Championships
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Countdown to the World Pilot Gig Championships 2025
'The Boat Race' may be over, but there is a much bigger one taking place on the Isles of Scilly over this bank holiday weekend. Forget 16 rowers in two boats on a river and imagine more than 3,000 rowers in 130 boats on the Atlantic Ocean. The World Pilot Gig Championships is a fiercely competitive series of rowing races in Cornish Pilot Gigs. Rivalries are as fierce as on the Thames, with last year's winners River Fowey women and Looe men determined to hold onto the coveted trophies. Last year's winners will be hoping to retain their titles (Image: Cornish Pilot Gig Association) All crews will have submitted themselves to gruelling training programmes throughout challenging winter conditions. Some 452 crews will be taking part this year, with four gig rowing clubs from the Netherlands travelling the furthest to be there. It takes two months for the Scillonian ferry and a freighter to bring all the boats to the islands. Gigs lined up ready to race (Image: Cornish Pilot Gig Association) This is the 34th championships, with the event starting in 1990 and taking a two-year break during the pandemic. 'This is a truly spectacular event with some of the long races having more than 100 boats on a mile-long start line. It brings thousands to the islands to take part and spectate,' said Tristan Hick, chairman of the World Pilot Gig Championships, as the islands prepare for the influx of visitors. 'From young rowers just starting out, to seasoned veterans, spectators, and the top-tier athletes who push the sport to its limits – there's a tangible sense of unity, tradition, and excitement that reminds us all why this event is so special. 'We're proud to share our heritage and islands with the world.' Teams ready for the off (Image: Cornish Pilot Gig Association) The event is based on St Mary's, the largest of the five inhabited Isles of Scilly, which are 28 miles off Lands End. Gigs are 32 foot long, traditionally built open wooden boats rowed by six crew and steered by a coxswain. The sport has grown enormously since its revival in the 80s, and there are now 8,000 rowers in 90 clubs spread across the UK, with more in Europe and America. This weekend's racing starts on Friday morning (May 2) and finishes on Sunday afternoon (May 4). Last year's Ladies' winners Fowey (Image: Cornish Pilot Gig Association) Races will be streamed on YouTube (weather permitting) via Among the clubs locally taking part will be Falmouth Pilot Gig Club, and rower Jordan Smith said: 'Falmouth's men's and ladies' squads are heading into the 2025 World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly with depth, determination, and momentum. 'After months of hard training, the club is proud to be fielding the maximum number of crews across multiple race categories — proof of the strength and growth of the squad as a whole.' The Falmouth Men's Squad came together on April 11 to round off the main phase of their pre-season training with a final on-water session around Falmouth Docks. This year marks a major achievement for the squad, as they've qualified the maximum number of racing boats. Three Open crews will represent Falmouth at the Championships, alongside entries in the Veterans, Super Vets, and Masters categories. The Veterans will head into the weekend as defending World Champions, hoping to replicate last year's dramatic win. The Men's A crew enters the competition as current County Champions, while the ever-improving Men's B crew and the strong Falmouth Masters squad are also expected to perform well. Special mention goes to the Super Vets and Men's C crews, who've navigated more last-minute changes than usual but have pulled together impressively in recent weeks. Falmouth Gig Club have been busy preparing (Image: Falmouth Gig Club) Since September, both land and water-based training has been in full swing, with the A and B crews alone racking up over 2,000 sessions. Competition for places has been fierce. The Falmouth Ladies' Squad has trained every bit as hard as their male counterparts, showing fierce commitment across the board. This year, four crews will represent Falmouth in the Women's category. The Ladies A crew features a fresh combination, blending experienced rowers — including former finalists and World Pilot Gig champions—with new talent making their Scilly debut. The Ladies B crew has shown consistent improvement throughout the season. With a solid core of returning rowers, they've developed well as a unit and will be aiming to make their mark in the competition. Joining them are the Ladies Development crew, made up largely of very new rowers who are already defying expectations. As a true unknown quantity, they head into the Championships with the potential to surprise — and could well emerge as dark horses. Also competing in the Open are the reigning Veterans World Champions, the Ladies' Vets crew. After a dominant win last year, they return to defend their title — and their entry into the Women's open shows just how competitive and ambitious this crew remains. The Ladies' Vets B crew will also represent Falmouth in the Veterans category, reflecting their dedication both on and off the water. They're joined by the Ladies' Masters, a crew full of experience and intent, with a clear goal in mind for the weekend.
