I commence by saying thank you to Mark and his team at Place Architects of Northgate Studios here in Launceston.

I was invited to a presentation on Sustainability Zero Carbon — it soon became clear to me I was in the company of clever and qualified people in their field of planning design quality and control. With ever changing targets and unhelpful planning it’s difficult for builders and developers to achieve zero carbon always mindful of cost implications. I was most pleased to learn as a layperson that like-minded professionals come together to share and exchange ideas to achieve the goal.

Moving to activities in our town on Friday, March 4, I was delighted to welcome seven school children and their teachers to the town Square. On leaving the Castle Green we paraded to the Square where there was singing and dancing by the children. A poem was given by teacher Oliver Stephens, the Town Crier Cllr Rob Tremain told the story of St Piran. This was a wonderful celebration of St Piran. Deputy Mayor Cllr Helen Bailey thanked every one for attending and our council staff for their hard work preparing and delivering this event.

It is so important we teach and encourage our children learn about our heritage and beautiful county.

On a more somber note I closed the celebration by giving a statement on behalf of your Town Council. As we celebrate St Piran’s here in Lanson in peace and freedom our thoughts must be with the people of Ukraine as their freedom are taken by the might of Russia.

The Town Council have endorsed a statement from the Local Government Association which strongly condemns the multiple attacks and violations of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and as a public show of solidarity the Town Hall Clock will be illuminated in the national colours of Ukraine this evening, and the Ukrainian Flag will be flown from next week.

For those who are thinking they have not heard anything about the leisure centre lately I can tell the tender process is going ahead and we are still hopeful of a satisfactory outcome — we will keep you updated.

The Mayoress and I have just returned from the Town Hall where BBC’s Petroc Trelawny talked with Patrick Gale regarding his new book ‘Mother’s Boy’, based on the life of Charles Causley. The previous night we were at The Eagle House Hotel viewing the film on Charles Causley followed by Jim Causley singing songs based around Charles poems and comments with Mr Gale.

I draw to a close on matters I would rather not have to, firstly acts of vandalism in the Newport area, broken bottles and damage near the new bridge by the Co-op car park, even more sad the continued damage and state we now find St Thomas Packhorse Bridge — this not acceptable behaviour steps are being taken to address this.

Finally our thoughts of Ukraine, from my point of view, far out weighs any of the problems we have and we should be so thankful we live where we do. Through Philip Parsons who has a contact with a church in Ukraine I have sent love, thoughts and most important prayers of the people of Lanson. At this time all we can do is give and pray.