Cornish artist Mickey Smith releases ’County Lines’ to highlight Cornwalls struggles in the shadows of million pound second and third homes.
June 11th – to coincide with the start of the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall.
With the media narrative inevitably focused on what a postcard beautiful place this can be, Mickey has written ‘County Lines’ to voice some of the more stark realities of living here.
He says,
“I wrote this song to voice some simple truth from my own experiences as a Cornish person.
Environmentally Cornwall is raw & stunning but I also grew up here amongst some of the most deprived communities in the UK.
Where local families struggle under the shadow of million pound second and third homes.
The royal family alone owns a billion pound Cornish portfolio – while local working people can’t afford a home; schools can’t afford equipment; hospitals are at breaking point; the local industries are either on their knees or broken.
To find a path and make a life here is tough. As a kid you wrestle with that lack of hope and lack of opportunity, and then take that lack of confidence into adulthood.
I have lost three close friends to suicide alone. It’s a tragically frequent theme in our communities.
In an age of identity politics, Kernow’s ancient cultural roots feel so strong in a microcosm here but they are rarely celebrated or acknowledged beyond the Tamar.
You grow up literally being told your best crack at some kind of future is to leave.
Now we see Cornwall being used to suit the PR campaign of a Tory government who have never shown a thread of genuine care for the fortunes of Kernow’s people.
In my mind, if you’re going to take something from a place and its people, you should be giving something positive back.
This is just my way of saying yes, it’s beautiful and raw – I love it with all my heart and I am blessed to live here in so many ways – but let’s not pretend everything is rosy just because it looks pretty, there are many people struggling here too.”
Thursday 10th June, Finisterre will host Sea7, a free online ocean activist training camp. The digital event will stream live, bringing together leading activists, scientists and change makers to equip the community with the tools and knowledge to stand up and protect our ocean.
The Sea7 Ocean Activist Camp will take place one day before the G7 summit in Cornwall. While the G7 summit plans to discuss global challenges such as coronavirus and climate change, Finisterre believes the health of our oceans must take priority.
“We are all connected to the sea, even if we think we’re not; from coastal villages to landlocked cityscapes. Every river, every stream, every drop of rain from the sky is part of this complex and interwoven system. When we live in harmony with nature, we thrive. But if we continue to neglect and abuse it, our own future looks much less certain.”
The event goes live at 4pm BST on Thursday June 10th Here</a>
One of the best slabs on the East Coast of Australia is literally right in the heart of Sydney (only 20 minutes from our international airport). With only a short 19 year history Cape Solander formally labeled OURS by the Bra Boys, this heaving wave of consequence turns on again for what has been one of the better years ever. With a mix of paddle & tow surfing the Cape turns on two days of craziness. Enjoy – Tim Bonython
Plans to make TraffordCity home to the North West’s first surfing lagoon have been submitted to Trafford Council by Belfast-based property developer, McKinney Group.
The multi-million-pound plans would see the former container-base site transformed into a world-class surfing facility for Greater Manchester, within a well-designed and safe cove environment that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Alongside the surf lake will be space for a café/restaurant terrace, pop-up beach bars, surf shop, and changing facilities all within an interactive environment with everything from pump track and fitness zone to a halfpipe/boarding area, and exercise, bouldering and balancing zones.
Powered by Wavegarden, the world leader in man-made, wave-generating technologies, the proposed surfing complex will create consistent waves, perfect for beginners, learners and professionals alike to test their skills.
Billy McKinney, Managing Director at McKinney Group said:
“We are really excited to have submitted our plans to Trafford Council, off the back of months of discussions with the local community, stakeholders and planning officers and, of course, our online consultation at the start of the year.
“We want to thank everyone who got involved with our consultation and let us know what they thought of our plans to deliver the North West’s first inland surfing facility, and we are delighted that over 85% of all feedback received expressed support for our proposals.
“TraffordCity already has a huge and growing leisure offer and we are looking forward to bringing something new to the area that is thrilling, interactive and accessible to be enjoyed by surfers of all abilities
“We await our application coming before Trafford Council and look forward to getting people on the waves by 2023.”
The site in TraffordCity, owned and managed by Peel L&P, is regarded as the UK’s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination encompassing The Trafford Centre and its surrounding 3.5 million square feet of retail, leisure and office space.
James Whittaker, Executive Development Director at Peel L&P said:
“It’s fantastic to see the plans for this unique and world-class facility move forwards, following the public consultation period. At Peel L&P, we’re committed to investing and developing TraffordCity for the benefit of the local community and economy. Our partnerships with developers and leisure businesses, such as McKinney Group, continue to enable us to make the TraffordCity one of the most experiential retail and leisure destinations in the UK.”
Paul Shuker, Director at Lambert Smith Hampton said:
“We are delighted to be supporting these proposals and believe that this development will complement the existing leisure offer and regenerate one of its last remaining brownfield sites in TraffordCity, helping to complete the area.
“We predict that this development will bring a huge boost to the local tourism sector, with over 350,000 extra visitors to TraffordCity, generating over £18 million a year.
“As well a boost to tourism, the development is also estimated to create up to 240 permanent jobs once open, both directly and indirectly, with a further 60 jobs created during construction.”
“McKinney Group’s plans will enable those living across Greater Manchester and the North West to access an Olympic Sport that is growing in popularity, will help to promote an active lifestyle more generally, and will put Greater Manchester on the surfing circuit for local, national and international competitions.”
The £60 million scheme will be located on Peel L&P’s brownfield site off Barton Dock Road in Trafford Park. It will be the first inland surfing facility to open in the North West and is earmarked to be open by 2023.
“Joe G and I have been working on Dark Hollow for the past few years. It’s grown and evolved over time, but it has always taken its core inspiration from my home state of Tasmania. The film is our vision of how the world could be if we looked after it, and features appearances from some of my best friends, including Craig Anderson and Chippa Wilson.” – Dion Agius
Luke Dillon went into the Worlds as Britains highest ranking surfer on the QS, with a solid style much appreciated by the judges and commentators alike Luke posted some great wave scores but eventually went down in a close heat when the ocean didn’t play ball. It was shame, and he is gutted. Two heats on and he may have been an Olympic qualifier. Luke almost beat Italo Ferreira in round three finishing 0.11 behind him. He finished 25th, equal with Italo, and just behind a slew of WT pros including Leo, Bourez, Julian Wilson.
Stan Norman was really unlucky. In his round four repecharge heat he went out holding the highest scoring wave the heat. Try as he might the just couldn’t get a back up. Stan beat the eventual World Champion Joan Duru in round two and didn’t look out of place. Stan finished 37th.
Gearoid Mc Daid also went out in repecharge 4. G Man beat Australias Ryan Callinan in round two, and although amongst it, just couldn’t find the heat winners in his final round. He finished in 46th ahead of Felipe Toledo
Harry Cromwell did really well to make the team given his family and fishing commitments, but unfortunately went out in in repe 1. Hopefully he repped in the bar with a 101 finish. Good work Harry!
Irelands Rory Tuohy (91) and Oisin Campbell (no position shown) both went out in repe 1.
In the womens Ellie Turner 25th and Lucy Campbell 33 both started alitklt slow the posted good heat wins and good finishes.Lucy went out in repecharge round 4 losing by 2 points. Ellie in a really close repecharge round 5 heat.
Emily Curry went out in repechage round 3 finished 57th.
Ayesha Garvey 97 Grace Doyle 113
Great Britain finished in 14th.
Ireland finished in 36th.
All up solid results but as far as the British team are concerned one that could have been better if the surfers had been given full support and proper processes been in place…
