Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK) back issues from February 2008:
Catfish fall foul of the law
Feb 01, 2008 ... Catfish are in the news again, for a reason that threatens theexistence of the species in many of England's coarse fisheries, ifnot all.They have fallen foul of Government Acts for the controlof fish not considered native to UK waters. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and ...
Versatility keeps DJ in a total spin
Feb 01, 2008 ... Mark Ronson may be in the running for three Brit Awards, but hedoesn't think he'll win any of them. The producer, DJ and bandleader will find out whether he's managed to snatch any of thecoveted music business gongs less than a week after he kicks off hisfirst ever UK tour at Plymouth ...
Warm the heart's cockles
Feb 01, 2008 ... People often ask how a busy journalist finds the time to walk andwrite up these hikes as well as carry out all my other media duties.The answer is that I sneak in a walk whenever I can and, as myduties take me all over this peninsula, I often find myself in odd,beautiful and romantic ...
No rest for the wicked or the professional on tour
Feb 01, 2008 ... Having had a look at a large chunk of the domestic surf contestseason I thought that the international tours would be worth a once-over. There is still the UK Pro Surf Tour to look at on the homefront but I will leave that until next week after I have caught upproperly with Dave Reed, ...
Cyber thugs hijack sweet world of the hippo fans
Feb 01, 2008 ... Writer Chris Goode was idly searching for something on theInternet one day when he came across the website which is dedicatedto all things hippopotamus - Hippo World. The Edinburgh Fringe First winner (for Unlimited Theatre'sNeutrino in 2001, and his much-loved solo piece Kiss of ...
Audience feedback is sharp intake of breath
Feb 01, 2008 ... Francis Durbridge may have written his play A Touch of Danger in1987, but there's no sign of thrillers going out of fashion, thinksactor Neil Stacey. Neil stars in a new touring production of the play which opens atthe Theatre Royal Plymouth on Monday. "I remember as a ...
Cataclysmic cabaret of carbon cycle
Feb 01, 2008 ... Verbal and visual images batter the senses as Forkbeard Fantasytake a hard look at climate change. In their "cataclysmic cabaret", the Brittonioni Brothers, Chrissyand Timmy, channel eccentricity and passion into an extraordinaryand unique show that packs a serious ...
Cosmic kings are shaken and stirred into maturity
Feb 01, 2008 ... When psychedelic rock darlings Kula Shaker head out on the roadthis month it is entirely without the hype and the hoo-ha we havecome to expect on the revival of a 90s phenomenon. But Crispian Mills and company have always trodden an individualpath both musically and professionally, ...
Kooks move in own way
Feb 01, 2008 ... Brighton indie pop quartet The Kooks have announced a late springdate at Plymouth Pavilions as part of a UK tour promoting theirsecond album which is released in April. The fresh-faced bunch whoseofferings draw inspiration from the holy grail of English singersongwriting - Supergrass, ...
Cornish answer to Dylan
Feb 01, 2008 ... Gravel-voiced Cornish singer songwriter Ruarri Joseph plays theExeter Phoenix on Monday, demonstrating the talents which led onecritic to compare him to Bob Dylan - if the American icon had grownup in Newquay. Ruarri burst on to the national scene last summerwith his debut album Tales of ...
Legal double bill comes up with meaty defence
Feb 01, 2008 ... Legal Fictions is a classy double bill from Rumpole of the Baileycreator John Mortimer. Although the first act - Dock Brief - waswritten in 1957 and inevitably appears dated, there's a timelessquality to the writing which blows away the cobwebs. With immaculate timing and flawless ...
Journey to the bottom of the sea
Feb 01, 2008 ... It's an annual pilgrimage, one I always look forward to, a tripto the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth to preview its latestexhibition for the coming year. Falmouth's Events Square on aJanuary Monday morning is a quiet place, but its panoramic openingon to the harbour quickly alerts ...
Many factors contribute to scratching
Feb 01, 2008 ... When we get an itch - we scratch. Our equines do exactly thesame, except they use their teeth to nibble, hooves to scratch andalso rub against anything that is close by. It is easier to rub a neck/mane and a rump/tail than the flank,hence manes and tails are commonly the first ...
Phenomenal bloodlines available for breeders
Feb 01, 2008 ... With a career destined for the international stage, Futuritynational champion Zubin-R begins his first competitive season withCornish showjumper Andrew Williams, but first there will be alimited amount of frozen semen available for prospective breeders. The exciting blood lines of ...
Help add to the spirit of badminton photo wall
Feb 01, 2008 ... The ten metre Spirit of Badminton photo wall will double inlength this year as organisers call for more entries. In 2007 the new attraction at the Mitsubishi Motors BadmintonHorse Trials was composed of images taken by members of the generalpublic to sum up their perspective of ...
Is your horse moving at his optimum level?
Feb 01, 2008 ... Many horses experience occasional soundness issues, while fewequines are completely symmetrical throughout their body. However,each horse has its own spectrum of optimum movement, and technologyis now available to ascertain whether a horse is biomechanicallymoving at his ...
Chanin steers mcsolo to an impressive win
Feb 01, 2008 ... The car parks were bursting to capacity on a lovely spring-likeafternoon at Chipley Park for the Tiverton meeting. Despite thetesting going as many as 115 runners produced a marathon ten racecard in front of the huge crowd. Backing winners proved a hard jobthough, and only one winning ...
Badminton on track with new changes
Feb 01, 2008 ... For the first time since Badminton Horse Trials' inception in1949 a complete reappraisal of the ground conditions on the fourmile cross country track has been undertaken. In the last three years the emphasis has shifted from being anendurance test which included roads and tracks ...
Group winner comes to the Westcountry
Feb 01, 2008 ... East Lynch Stud, home to Thoroughbred stallions for over 50years, has a new arrival this season in the shape of high classracehorse Franklins Gardens. The striking dark bay, who stands at Derrick Scott's Mineheadstud in Somerset, is expected with his good form and breeding ...
Lack of help threatens future of showing body
Feb 01, 2008 ... For budding show riders the South West Pony Association (SWPA) isa springboard into affiliated showing but a lack of help threatensits future. The friendly showing organisation, which has an averagemembership of 500, encourages riders to step up from local shows toaffiliated ...
The end of an amazing era for zeppy
Feb 01, 2008 ... Toyd Zeppy, the well known 13.2hh grey pony of Sophie and HarryRowcliffe had to be put down due to a distressing bout of colic. Given to Sophie 20 years ago as a foal by breeder Sue Lanz, hebecame one of the most amazing top all round competition ponies inthe country. "He was ...
Classical master flies in to boost training
Feb 01, 2008 ... A chief rider of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, Rodrigoda Costa Matos, is flying in for his first clinic in the South Westthis month, and it is hoped this will become a regular event forclassical riders and trainers. Rodrigo is one of the elite senior riders at the ...
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Feb 01, 2008 ... Forsten enters history books In Showjumping, the latest round of the Rolex FEI World CupJumping in Amsterdam, Holland had a surprise result last weekend. Mikael Forsten went into the record books when clinching Finland'sfirst ever victory in the prestigious event. With 15 through ...
Dazzling dressage at British open
Feb 01, 2008 ... Freestyle Dressage to Music featuring internationally acclaimeddressage rider Daniel Timson is set to entertain the crowds at theBritish Open Show Jumping Championships (April 3-6 at Birmingham'sNEC). This dramatic and theatrical performance will include movementsachieved at the ...
Political award for the ca
Feb 01, 2008 ... The Countryside Alliance has been declared the most "inspiringpolitical personality" of the last ten years in the Channel 4 Newspolitical awards. The organisation won the title "for its campaignsagainst the fox hunting ban and its defence of rural life."Countryside Alliance Chief ...
Daren warms-up with a win at indoor event
Feb 01, 2008 ... Daren Commins enjoyed victory at the Grange Equestrian Centre'sindoor one-day event last weekend, riding Debbie Best's SandygoldCoppermine to head the senior section. Lying in joint fifth position after dressage with a score of33.69, Daren and the striking palomino produced a ...
Small club makes a big impression
Feb 01, 2008 ... Mid Devon Riding Club were the victors at the annual area 19 showjumping competition which took place at Cholwell Equestrian Centre,Lewdown. Eighteen teams from nine clubs took part jumping four differentheights from 2ft3' to 3ft. Each height had an individual competitionas well ....
Prepare for the season with top trainers
Feb 01, 2008 ... Pontispool Equine Sports Centre near Taunton is gearing up forthe forthcoming competition season with a series of trainingsessions including a specific eventers' clinic on Tuesday, February19 and Wednesday, February 20. This looks set to provide a rareopportunity to train with three of ...
Exempt hunting dates
Feb 01, 2008 ... Tetcott Foxhounds Will meet at 11am Saturday February 2: The West Country Inn, Hartland Four Burrow Hunt Will meet at 11am Monday February ...
Fairytale promises to tangle emotions
Feb 01, 2008 ... As the Kneehigh Theatre stage production of the classic wartimemovie Brief Encounter starts its run in the West End, and anotherparty from the Cornish company heads to South America for a monthwith their version of Shakespeare's Cymbeline, yet another talentedKneehigh group are bringing ...
Master Potter inspires kindred spirits for show
Feb 01, 2008 ... Potters should aim to make St Ives their destination or, moreprecisely, The Tate, overlooking the majestic sweep of PorthmeorBeach. Bernard Leach and His Circle is various things. As ashowcase, it is a celebration and a triumph - and for aspiringpotters it is an inspiration and a ...
Homage to a supreme printmaker
Feb 01, 2008 ... A unique collection of images has been gathered on the walls of Truro's Lemon Street Gallery to pay tribute to the work of masterprintmaker Hugh Stoneman (1947-2005) whose achievements are widelyrecognised throughout the art world. Transferring the magic of an original artwork to a ...
Plan well for best breeding results
Feb 01, 2008 ... This is the first of a series of articles designed to help mareand stallion owners achieve success whether using artificialinsemination (AI), which is permitted with non-Thoroughbreds, ornatural mating. This article outlines five principles to guide firsttime mare breeders and act as an ...
Surviving a winter of discontent
Feb 01, 2008 ... We might not be out of winter quite yet, but the recent spell ofbeautiful, crisp sunny weather came in the nick of time, as horseyfriends have been getting weaker by the minute - it's the poo pick-up while encumbered with full-blown flu that seems to be getting tomost of us. It's ...
Incredible journey of charismatic arabian
Feb 01, 2008 ... The story of Ecliptic starts back in 1989 when Marcia Manfrediwas visiting Jane Kadri's legendary Al Waha Arabian Stud in Surrey.Marcia was examining the latest crop of foals when she became drawnto an energetic grey colt, who was none other than the incomparableVadeer (Mamluk x Viola by ...
Father urges ban on sites that aid suicide
Feb 01, 2008 ... It was an unspeakable tragedy. Paul Kelly and his wife Hilaryreturned from a holiday in North America to be told their 18-year-old son Simon had committed suicide. Seven years on, Mr Kelly is no closer to understanding why.Simon, a bright A-level student, was on the surface ...
The stories behind a quarter of a century captured on camera
Feb 01, 2008 ... For a man whose job hangs on capturing an instant, Richard Austinhas been around a long time. The WMN photographer this year marks aquarter of a century of recording history with jaw-dropping images. Richard has won the highest awards in his profession while hispictures have been ...
Town to show film behind modbury's plastic bag ban
Feb 01, 2008 ... The bbc documentary that inspired a Westcountry campaigner tomake her home town the first town in the UK to ban plastic bags isto be shown in Teignmouth as part of an environmental campaign. Message In The Waves will be shown at the Carlton Theatre tohighlight the damage plastic ...
Eden to host conference on sexual violence
Feb 01, 2008 ... The Eden Project is to host the first Sexual Violence Conferencein the South West. The Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre has joined forces withthe South Cornwall attraction to host the event. Organisers at the centre said that the "Breaking the Silence,Healing the Wounds" ...
More homes for locals in funding deal
Feb 01, 2008; ... Developers have struck a pounds4.5 million deal to help thembuild new affordable homes. Dartington Housing Association has received the funding boostfrom Lloyds TSB, to enable it to meet part of the housing shortagein Devon. Dartington, which celebrates its 50th anniversary ...
Thousands of Falklands war landmines may be removed
Feb 01, 2008 ... The Government is considering removing thousands of landminesplanted during the Falklands War, writes Matt Chorley, LondonEditor. A detailed study - run in conjunction with Argentina - said themove would be "challenging but technically possible". Thousands of servicemen and ...
Bookseller retires at end of a long story
Feb 01, 2008; ... A tiny bookshop that has delighted residents of a Westcountrytown for decades will change hands in February when the woman whohas run it for more than 20 years retires. Diana Summers, owner of the Bookshelf on Saltash's Fore Street,retires on Valentine's Day after 21 years running ...
Finding hidden treasures within a castle's gardens
Feb 01, 2008 ... A chill north wind was ruffling the Bristol Channel yesterday andwhipping in over the low coastal fields of West Somerset, so thelast thing on anybody's mind was a touch of gardening. But half amile inland, a group of horticultural folk were revelling in theirfavourite pastime and ...
Fortress captured by flowers
Feb 01, 2008 ... There have been gardens at Dunster Castle for the past 280 years,though things have changed a good deal during that time. And theyhave been open to the public for an amazing 130 years. Head gardener Gary Webb says: "It's a fearsome garden in manyways, some of its terraces having ...
Bumper field set for charity race
Feb 01, 2008 ... More than 600 school children are going to take part in a crosscountry race to raise money for the Cornwall based charity ShelterBox. The course will take the youngsters across Summerleaze Downsoverlooking Bude on February 8. It is the first time that it hasbeen used to raise money for ...
School switches on to solar
Feb 01, 2008 ... A primary school is helping to get its pupils switched on tosaving energy by installing solar roof panels. The pounds20,000 panels were funded by the Co-operative Group andprovide a clean, silent way of reducing carbon emissions. Silverton Primary School near Exeter was among ...
Getting away with porkies
Feb 01, 2008 ... Politics is funny, isn't it? Some time ago Peter Hain tried tomislead the electorate by telling it the EU Constitution was no morethan "a tidying-up exercise". This turned out to be quite untrue, so much so that the Frenchand the Dutch rejected the constitution in referendums - but ...
Pay our MPs more? Pull the other one
Feb 01, 2008 ... What an excellent letter from R Kane (January 23) about our MPs,which also included Gwyneth Dunwoody's views about them. I totallyagree with what was said as, I suspect, do most of the votingpopulation. The problem is that the majority of those who go into politics doso as often ...
Now is the time to invest in the future
Feb 01, 2008 ... S the World Economic Forum in Davos comes to a close against abackground of continued instability on the world's financialmarkets, the atmosphere has certainly been one of gloom amid fearsthat a US recession will have a knock-on effect in Europe. While governments, central banks ...
Seven wonders of the west
Feb 01, 2008 ... Ust when you think life couldn't get more gloomy, out come thesnowdrops. If there is a symbol of hope then it must be the modestunassuming white nodule of beauty that flowers at this dark damptime of year against all odds.The very notion that anythingshould stir in this, the dankest, ...
Will it be trash or treasure?
Feb 01, 2008 ... Hidden away under the bed, up in the eaves of the attic, at theback of the garage or in the basement are valuable antiques waitingto be unearthed. Television series Flog It is coming to the ancient market town ofTavistock, where the producers hope to discover ...
Council fat cats paid too much
Feb 01, 2008 ... The Western Morning News regularly stands up for local councilswho face pressure from the Government to provide ever more costlyservices. Many of them have to deal with grant settlements thatleave them short of funds to meet their commitments, pushing upcouncil tax as a ...
Locomotive steams into town
Feb 01, 2008; ... A famous piece of Victorian railway history will soon be arrivingin the Westcountry. A train, which earned the nickname of the Greyhound, will bepulling into the Bodmin and Wenford Railway to delight railwayenthusiasts. The Drummond T9 had a reputation as a fast, powerful and ...
Last farewell to colossal carus
Feb 01, 2008 ... A lovelorn sea lion who made national headlines after keepersmade a desperate search to find him a mate has died. Staff at the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek in Cornwall aremourning the loss of Carus, the gigantic Patagonian sea lion. The gentle giant, who weighed a ...
Warning for firms ahead of tourism showcase events
Feb 01, 2008 ... South West hospitality businesses must be prepared to reactquickly if they want to make the most out of opportunities for 2008,tourism leaders have warned. South West Tourism deputy chief executive Robin Barker said 2008would be a challenging year as the UK and other economies ...
Mentally ill man 'found dead in hospital bath'
Feb 01, 2008; ... A disabled, mentally ill man was discovered dead in a bath at aWestcountry hospital, an inquest has heard. Peter John Louis, 61, was found with his face submerged in theoverflowing bath at Bodmin Hospital. Staff tried to revive himbefore he was flown to the Royal Cornwall ...
Car manual group predicts a slowdown in UK market
Feb 01, 2008 ... Car maintenance manual company Haynes Publishing Group yesterdaysaid it had experienced "disappointing" trading conditions in thesecond quarter of the financial year, reporting a fall in profitsand turnover. Operating profits in the second quarter of the 2007-08 financialyear ...
Woman 'said yes to sex in graveyard after drink'
Feb 01, 2008 ... A man accused of the double rape of a woman in a graveyardfollowing a drunken night out told a court yesterday that she agreedto have sex with him. Ryan Staffiere, 25, denies two counts of rape. Staffiere told Truro Crown Court that he had spoken to the womanin the Corn ...
Tory apologises for Hitler remark
Feb 01, 2008 ... Conservative Euro-MP Daniel Hannan last night apologised to theGerman president of the European Parliament after comparing hispowers to those adopted by Hitler in 1933. The remarks caused uproarin the chamber, followed by threats to expel Mr Hannan from the EPPgroup of centre-right ...
Helicopters rush to stricken ferry
Feb 01, 2008 ... Passengers were last night being airlifted to safety from a ferrywhich ran into trouble in fierce winds on the Irish sea. TheRiverdance, a roll-on roll-off vessel, was listing at 20 to 30degrees after running into difficulties ten nautical miles off thecoast of Fleetwood, Lancashire. It ...
Development scheme is announced by Grecians
Feb 01, 2008 ... Exeter City have revealed plans to stay and develop their StJames' Park headquarters following a lengthy review into theirstadium options by Drivas Jonas. The report made a number of recommendations to the Grecians andafter much deliberation by the club board of directors and ...
Gulls aim to extend poke stay on loan
Feb 01, 2008; ... Promotion-chasing Torquay United are hoping to extend the loanstay of highly-rated Southampton goalkeeper Michael Poke. Poke has only conceded one goal in three games and is in line tofigure in goal for the Gulls in tomorrow's FA Trophy third-roundproper tie at AFC ...
Slade's delight as peltier agrees permanent move to Yeovil
Feb 01, 2008; ... Lee Peltier is back at Yeovil Town, but this time it's for goodafter the Liverpool youngster yesterday agreed a three-year dealwith the Coca-Cola League One club. Peltier spent five months at Huish Park earlier this season,clocking up 23 first team appearances before he return to ...
Marine defies ferocious storms in bid to ski across Norway
Feb 01, 2008 ... A former Royal Marine who is attempting to ski solo along thelength of Norway is only a day behind schedule - despite ferociousstorms. Dave Leaning, from Plymouth, set off at the stroke of midnight onJanuary 1 from the most southerly point in the country. In the first month ...
Magistrates' daughter is jailed for drug smuggling
Feb 01, 2008 ... The daughter of two magistrates has been jailed for trying tosmuggle heroin into Dartmoor Prison. Sian Baber, of St Judes, in Plymouth, concealed the drug in herbody after being put under pressure by her drug-addict boyfriend whowas serving time for theft, a court heard. Now ...