Action urged on seagulls ‘menace’

Herring gulls in Falmouth are a menace and steps need to be taken to control them, claimed town councillors this week.

The issue was raised at a council committee meeting on Monday when members heard of the mess caused by gulls ripping open bin bags and of an attack on a councillor's husband during the nesting season.

Councillor John Rose said: "I have been approached over the last six months by various members of the public who are increasingly finding it difficult to cope with the nuisance created by the ubiquitous herring gull.

"It is becoming increasingly obvious that unfortunately we do have herring gull infested areas of the town and it is known from past experience they create an awful mess and nuisance."

Councillor Val Mitchell recounted a horrifying tale when her husband John was attacked by nesting gulls as he walked home.

"He had been attacked fairly severely on top of his head which was bloody," she said. " "He had his glasses knocked off, if he had not been wearing his glasses he might have lost an eye."

It was agreed the council would write to Carrick expressing concern over the nuisance caused by herring gulls and inquire as to the progress of investigations of the problems and possible solutions.

Teachers fight cuts

TEACHERS throughout the Falmouth and Penryn area are joining in the fight against cuts in education.

Together with angry school governors and parent teacher groups they have formed the Cornish branch of FACE and on Friday lit one of the many beacons throughout the country expressing condemnation of the Government's attitude to education spending.

Many of them went to London and took part in a massive demonstration never before seen by those in education.

While Education Secretary Gillian Shephard puts the ball back in the court of the local county councils and says they should be able to find the money, teachers, parents, school governors and others will continue their efforts to secure more funding.

Cilla rebuked by Blind Date 'cad'

TV personality Cilla Black was criticised by a Falmouth Blind Date entrant this week after dropping a clanger at an awards ceremony on Sunday.

Jason Bate, 24, of Trescobeas Road, reacted after Cilla described show entrants as "idiots".

Asked for his reaction by a national newspaper, Jason said: "I brought in a bit of culture and was branded by a pompous git...I may have been eccentric but I am certainly not an idiot."