Celebrations in Liskeard

Wow - We've all been celebrating recently, but Liskeard has more reason to celebrate than most.  Firstly, the people came out in force on 19th May to wave the Olympic Torch on its way.  This was the very first day of its long tour around Britain, having started at Lands End in the morning.  By tea time, it had reached Liskeard and a number of local celebrities carried it, in turns, through the town. 

By the time the cavalcade passed us, a short distance from Cider Cottage, the torch was being carried by Olympic Gold medalist, swimmer Duncan Goodhew.  A real party atmosphere accompanied the event and everybody had a good time.

Then, a week later came the news that Liskeard had successfully won a share of £1.2 million as one of only 12 Portas pilot projects.  With help from retail guru, Mary Portas, and £100,000 cash grant, Liskeard will deliver a number of cultural events and an evening market, as part of a plan to regenerate the town's retail centre.  All credit goes to the Liskeard Town Team for putting together a bid that beat more than 370 other candidate towns.  Local Government Minister, Grant Shapps praised the quality of Liskeard's bid, described as 'Cornwall's Hidden Gem' .

And, finally, in common with the rest of the country, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee gives us all a further opportunity to wave our Union Jacks and celebrate.  Her Majesty the Queen visited Liskeard in May 1956 and the town will be celebrating again in style this weekend, to mark her proud reign of 60 years.  She is only the second monarch since the time of William the Conqueror to have reigned for such a long and distinguished term.

Duncan Goodhew runs through Liskeard with the Olympic flame.

Front page news in the Cornish Guardian.