Stadium for Cornwall

I write this blog post literally after having to calm down a little bit, regarding a decision made by a vote of Cornwall Council refusing funding for the planned and proposed Stadium for Cornwall, on a vote of 55 against and 46 for.

For those who aren't aware, basically, there have been plans to provide an Aviva Premiership standard ground for the Cornish Pirates Rugby Club, but also to be multi-use, for football, etc and for years and years it has dragged out as the Pirates have been within touching distance of playing Premiership Rugby. As well as Truro City flying up the leagues in the football pyramid, yet both teams are playing with temporary stands, temporary hospitality with no set in stone facilities that can (and have) changed year on year, making for uncertain futures with little concrete progress to take sport in Cornwall any further.

Indeed money is tight in the public sector, Cornwall Council is no exception to this, yet lets look at what else they have funded in previous years with little opposition in the chamber;

• Eden Project - literally hundreds of millions spent on this grand project, with £3million in loans from Cornwall County Council (as it was then), only £1.8million has been paid back.
• Tate Gallery - £4million in purchasing land and redevelopment, simply passed with no objection.
• Newquay Airport - £7.8million, with the potential for more in the future.
• Isles of Scilly link - £2.53million from Cornwall Council directly.

All of these, and this is just a handful of the more well known projects in Cornwall, are fantastic as they bring tourists to Cornwall, as well as providing hubs to travel around and also for Cornish people to travel domestically and even internationally closer to home without having to go to an airport further away.

So, what is the issue you ask? Cornwall Council stipulated that any stadium would need to be funded entirely by the private sector, strange you might think, considering it is serving the people of Cornwall in so many ways. Yet on May 11th this year, CC were told that it would not be possible to entirely fund the Stadium privately - and today, any funding from CC was rejected out of hand. This is not the first time certain councillors have tried to put the brakes on this project; ever since Cornwall Community Stadium Ltd (a combo of Inox, a private company, Truro College and the Cornish Pirates) have proposed this project a certain section of Conservative Councillors have batted down suggestion public funds be used.

Why is this? I understand that the economic climate is not good, however, CCS Ltd are not looking for the entirety of the money (thought to be around £14m-£24m), and those against using public funds are not seeing the long term benefits of building such a Stadium. In my opinion I see the following as key benefits;

• Jobs - several thousand required directly and indirectly to build, maintain and run the stadium.
• Not just a sports venue - can be used for conferences, weddings, events, again attracting more business.
• Cornish Sport on the map - The Cornish Pirates especially are little known outside of the South West, a Premiership style ground will change this. Just look at what happened to Exeter after Sandy Park was built.
• Away fans (and home fans!) - indirect and direct business, B&B's, restaurants, food, hospitality will all benefit which equals money. You could expect several thousand and big Premiership games, even a few hundred away fans at RFU Championship level. At a 10,000 seater stadium, if it's full, or even near full, gate receipts would be healthy there's no doubt of that.
• PRIDE - Cornish people being proud of a development that exposes the area nationally in a positive light.
• Youth development - to hold cup finals, training sessions in a centralised location would provide incentive to kids in all sports to want to play there and stay in Cornwall to pursue their sport passion.

In short, how can you argue against these very valid points? If you notice, indeed there isn't too much in terms of short term benefit, not money wise anyway especially after the initial costs of building and maintaining. However if you're employing local Cornish people, in my opinion the positives outweigh the negative right there - in an area where work is few and far between. 

I think every Cornwall Councillor ought to read the key benefits I've outlined here and try and argue against them - especially before approving Cornish tax-payers money to be used for ANYTHING else.

In summary, I find it a disgrace that certain Councillors can look in the mirror in the morning and claim in regard to this project that they're doing the right thing for the people of Cornwall - I can assure you as a proud Cornishman, they are not. They are merely holding back development in our County which is still desperately needed. This stadium would be a beacon of progress and prosperity in our County - don't hold that back. We need to make sure the voice of reason prevails, get involved in local politics, hold our Councillors to account and  do not let certain ones get away with having their own interests at heart!

Onen hag oll an Kernow bys Vyken!

LC x

It's been a while...and yes, Eurovision in 13 days!

First and foremost I must apologise. I always have moments where I say "Oh I'm gonna blog about this..." or think before bed or something that I'll post one, and I don't seem to. Makes for a lack of continuity... however makes a lot to talk about for when I do.

A lot's happened, hasn't it?

Man City won the league tod......................... in fact no, I can't be arsed.

The Conservatives got.........................yes yes we know. You don't need me to tell you how fickle the British public are! Just leave me to screaming at Question Time every week and I'll leave you all in peace on that front. I nearly had a slight wobble and joined UKIP when I was getting a bit angry with what I perceive as unjust liberal influence on the Coalition, I kept the faith though. Just! :)

Cornish Pirates got through to the RFU Championship Final today, brave attempt by Bristol to come back and nearly won £100 if Pirates were to win this match, they didn't though and I remain perpetually poor, well I won on online roulette, but that's by the by and we won't go any further!

I think that's a good round up of everything that's interested - well me, over the past few days!

In fact I tell you what was a very sad reflection on a significant minority of this society we live in today, seen on the 200m walk to Sainsburys with Rob earlier today. 3 adults, 1 kid in a pushchair, 2 of the adults women, scraped back hair, shopping bags full of booze and swearing the odds, even though the child was clearly of an age where he was starting to speak and would soak up language (any at all) like a sponge and repeat. I assume one of the women was the kid's grandma (about 39 she was), and she was literally teaching this kid to tell his Dad to f*** off. Honestly. Like really she was.It got me thinking, and it shows what a horrible cycle this underclass actually go through generation after generation. I know what that kid is going to turn out like, he's hardly going to be getting a Masters from Cambridge in Chemical Engineering is he? No he IS going to be yet another yobbo in a tracksuit hanging around town, bunking off school and probably living on benefits like his parents and grandparent - or parent, if as trends suggest, the dad just does one. And nothing is ever going to change that - not with parents and family like he is. It's just so unfair on those kids who never have the chance nor have the drive instilled in them to better themselves. Now if I were to put a political twinge on it, bathing this family in benefits and providing no incentive to work or be socially mobile is not going to stop this cycle and it needs to stop, and hopefully with our current government can do more to help people want to better themselves.

Anyway, on a lighter (and camper) hearted note, Eurovision is just around the corner! My massive (and strange) guilty pleasure in life has come round quick this year and yet again I can't afford to go, so it's the BBC yet again for me, Engelbert will hopefully get the UK a decent position but a win is looking near certain for this TUNE... this is genuinely a bit of a classic that you might like - if you like trashy Euro/Dance pop.

And yes I did put a bet on, £3 on UK to win at 16/1 - unlikely but who knows. People have forgotten Iraq now... sort of. And plus we could probably throw Greece a tenner for 12 points, as well as a few stuffed envelopes in the direction of Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Hungary and anyone else completely skint and on the brink of revolution at the moment. Come to think of it, Germany probably put a guaranteed 12 points for them in the bailout terms for these countries. Arse.

Oh University is all done too...nearly forgot that! I am now officially (until July) a man of leisure and have declared myself a Socialite who will now 'lunch' each day whilst doing little else. That is a slight lie, I mean I might go to the gym for an hour a day too. Strange feeling really, even though I am going into a job relatively soon, it feels like the end of an era, just like end of Welbeck, end of School, etc. It seems like 2 minutes ago when we were all stood in that courtyard at Charlotte House and me looking over at Adam thinking 'what the hell is he looking at'! It's been an awesome, completely unforgettable 3 years and have met some fantastic people who will be friends for life. I think interestingly for me personally it's been my first real experience of life outside of the protective bubble of Welbeck and the relative isolation of Cornwall and it's been eye-opening at times but provided so much opportunity and definitely developed me as a man. As well as providing some unbelievably good nights on the piss too. But still I am only 21 with so much more ahead of me, and especially with all this stuff I've done with the Army it's easy to forget that sometimes. Too easy.

My new office... sort of.

Which brings me on to the fact that I managed to get a job with British Airways on their World Cargo graduate programme which I can't wait to start and will see me working at the Olympics this year too as BA are a main corporate sponsor, so come and say hi if you're there! Just want to thank everyone who had faith in me, helped me out and for all the congratulations, really means a lot. Seems a fair few of us up here in Newcastle are relocating to Landan so should be good! Many a weekend trip abroad has been mooted - until we realise we're still skint!

Am flat hunting at the moment so if you're about 30, female, tall, brunette, a professional, live in Central London and looking for a tall, dark, extraordinarily good looking 21 yr old with a six pack in progress, exquisite dress sense and an unhealthy obsession with Question Time and the Eurovision Song Contest - give me a shout! We can dream eh? 

Good luck to everyone still doing exams and assignments, it'll soon be over! Anyone not yet in 3rd year of uni, savour it cos if you think things are scary now or that it's all far away... it's one hell of a scary thought where I'm standing! 'Shit gets real' about sums it up! 

LC x

St. Piran's Day - Kernow Bys Vyken!

Dohajydh da! Da yw genev metya genes :-)

To all my Cornish friends I extend a warm Happy St. Piran's Day to you all, and to those of you who aren't Cornish, he's the Patron Saint of Cornwall. Some say he was an Irish vagrant who came over to Cornwall by accident... The official line is he was tied to a stone wheel for preaching Christianity and 'floated' across the Irish sea to Cornwall, an act of God if you will. Believe what you want but I'm just missing a pasty today!

Just a warning to those of you who feel the need to update your facebook or twitter status to repeatedly bang on about how much you hate dissertation. Cool. Yes I hate it too and it's a massive ball ache. Get on with it. I will just delete you because it's annoying, and quite frankly I'd be worried more about getting a job after this whole University thing. That's the hard part - unless you just want to live at home for the next 5 years...

Irish drunk or divine Saint?!

Anyone else enjoying this tune from Emile Sande?! She's brilliant! - Shame my mother already has the album because that was Mother's day sorted! Damn!

Anyway... nothing overly political today folks, I hope you enjoyed my 'analysis' of Question Time. It's just OOOOOOOHHHH MY GOD, Dissertation, I hate my life, kill me now, aaaaaahhhhhh... and all that shiz. Yes doing Dissertation so took a few minutes out to do this :) I hope you're all having a good, productive day. The sun is shining in Newcastle but it's a bit nippy. Oh and on a side note, we lost 2 hours sleep last night, due to a fire alarm, THREE fire engines, a small police riot van and an ambulance were here at 2am... and then it kept going off until about 3.15am, so I was a tired boy this morning and my forecasted triumph over Steve at Squash has been postponed til this afternoon.

And er Laidback Luke - well wow. What a Friday night! If you ever get the chance to see him live - do it! That's all I'll say!

Yeghes Da!
LC x

Question Time...

I always seem to end up watching Question Time on our beloved BBC on a Sunday, as opposed to when it's actually on, on a Thursday night. Why is this? Well 1. Because I get so irritated by it the previous week I always swear I'm not going to watch it again. Which then ties on to 2. eventually watching it to avoid doing any meaningful uni work.

What I thought was different about this week's edition was the inclusion of the historian David Starkey, who's most animated responses, guffaws and blunt sarcasm gave the programme for the first time in the long time, a sense of balance and not the usual Left-wing bias that dominates the panel and the audience. I point you towards the usual make up of the QT panel...

• Minor member of the cabinet - not noted for their oratorical skills.
• Major member of the shadow cabinet - usually a woman or a Scottish man for some bizarre reason.
• Prominent broadcaster/presenter/comedian - usually left wing or at least Labour leaning.
• Aged ex-cabinet minister - usually with some sort of criminal conviction or at least shagged their secretary.
• Journalist - either a crackpot Daily Mail columnist or a complete Communist from the Guardian.
• David Dimbleby who's political allegiance tends to change as much as the fickle British public's opinion.

And then we have the audience who tend, if the programme is filmed in the North, to be your average person in the street who has voted Labour ever since they could remember and came out of their Mothers womb wearing a Chairman Mao outfit and clutching the complete works of Marx and Engels. Or... if it's filmed in the South it will be composed of University students who belong to the Labour society. If you disagree with me on this 1. I don't care because it is fact, and 2. Actually watch Question Time.

The usual format of the show is that a question will be asked by an audience member, the government minister will give the official government line, and then this will be torn apart by the wishful thinking of the shadow minister from the Labour party, who seems to think money grows on trees, and that as some pompous tart from Surrey who got a double first from Oxford, yet for some reason is representing the constituency of Hull East or Liverpool Waverley, her opinion is right, truthful and will save this country from the evil tyrannical reign of David Cameron who is out to wreck the NHS, put benefit scroungers (a massive core of Labour support) out on the street and crush the proletariat (who's evangelical defender is Red Ed Miliband... or Red Ken if you're from London). This opinion will then be shared by the other members of the panel who will have their own self-righteous opinion which will no doubt be opposite completely to government policy.

Then finally the crackpot right winger will interject and give what is meant well but always comes out as crazy compared to the thoughts of those who think a land of milk and honey awaits if you vote for the likes of Miliband, Balls and Cooper at the next election, and thus he (usually a he) is torn apart also and made to seem like some sort of Nazi, Nick Griffin-esque creature who needs to be re-educated in Siberia or the infamous Stasi prison at Hohenschönhausen in East Berlin.

This was what David Starkey was made to look like on this edition of QT, yet it failed miserably, and for the first time in a long time, the Labour Party were made to look like the party they actually are - a lot of noise, and no action. When Dimbleby questioned the semi-fit but most annoying Rachel Reeves MP on who actually had opposed the Health Bill, and presented some pretty damning evidence she was left stammering and trying to justify that her constituents were opposed to it, etc etc. Starkey also made some good points about how Labour had actually ruined the economy (QT tends to present the evil bankers, Rupert Murdoch and anyone who thinks the Conservatives in government is a good idea as the wreckers of the economy), about how the Health Bill was going to be beneficial in ways, and also some good points on Syria. It was almost refreshing, and I guess fundamentally the point of this blog, for the first time in ages on QT, the programme wasn't ruined by the spiels of some minor shadow minister who tries to placate the fickle audience with promises of free money, and thus disrupting the BBC's claim to be a fair and impartial organisation. 

You may be wondering, is this all a bashing of the BBC as an organisation. The answer is yes and no really, I think the BBC as a whole produces quality television and radio, envied across the world. But on the other hand from a political point of view, for someone who proudly sits on the right of the political spectrum, it is hard not to be pessimistic and think that news articles and certain politically based programmes have a thinly veiled aversion to the left in whom they interview, how they interview and emphasis placed on certain issues.

Best of all though - look at this guy. Say's it all really about how the left, or even just your average guy in the street have their heads stuck in the sand.

I'd just like to thank everyone who's given me messages of support regarding my intention to stand for local government at the earliest opportunity, I genuinely appreciate it, and welcome your constructive comments, ideas and tips, obviously at the moment I'm a little busy with other things, but my passion for doing the right thing, improving the lives of those who work hard and contribute to our society in a positive way is always at the forefront of my mind, I cannot wait to be able to do something about it and genuinely make a difference. 

Cheers for now,

LC x

Political office beckoning?

I have recently been in contact with a Councillor from Cornwall Council recently (through Twitter actually), and due to my interest in politics and perhaps a future intention to go into politics one day I asked him some questions, his motivations, allowances, etc. I found his answers, helpful, intriguing and a little shocking also. He remains anonymous on here but I'd like to thank him if he is reading this he has been a source of both help and inspiration as I prepare to decide what to do with my life considering it isn't going to be the Army anymore.

Now... after some research and digging on the Cornwall Council, it would appear very few are (I don't mean this offensively) actually...young. Now this for me is a source of concern, as we have a perpetual brain drain, of which I am part of and I'm not trying to avoid that label of course. You would have thought that more young people would want to influence the lives of their peers back in Cornwall, but apparently this is not so, I'd attribute it to the following points;

• MONEY - From what I've heard it isn't fantastic.
• MESSY POLITICS - Anyone who's heard the squabbles at Helston Town Council will know what I mean.
• GENERATION issue? - Perhaps ties into the first point, but perhaps people my age are now not as caring anymore and just want a 'decent' job or just not interested in politics.

I personally see these as challenges as opposed to barriers, in short I'd love to be able to influence in a positive manner, the lives of people I've grown up around and try and improve in any way possible anything that can make the lives of my fellow Cornishmen and women more comfortable. It is a horrendously poor area of the country and there are lots of things that need changing or improving, I know as growing up in Helston and going back several times a year, nothing has changed and it is getting worse and worse. I would do anything to be able to change that and make Helston and also Cornwall generally and even better place to attract visitors and more importantly the local people who need and deserve better services, cheaper rates and better infrastructure.

Am I too young? Yes possibly - I'll be 22. But, I think this is irrelevant when a passion for helping people is as strong as mine is, I personally think this passion outweighs any number of years of experience that a contender may have. I think also the age I am allows me to see more of the 'real life' of where I live, such as a Saturday night out in town, education or having to use public transport for example, all areas relevant to Council legislation, control and funding. 

The next Cornwall Council elections are in May 2013. If I am living in Cornwall before this time, I will stand in a Helston seat, and I would do it with the serious intention of winning and delivering as much of what I promised as possible. The allowance is crap, the bickering looks rife, and I'd face an uphill struggle for someone as young as me, but I'd give it my all and I'd appreciate the backing and support of all my friends and people who see my vision for improving the lives of those nearest and dearest to me in Cornwall.

Cheers for now,

LC x

Destiny?

Quick question... might blow your mind slightly. And I am being serious.

Do you believe that there is a 'plan' for each and every one of us... so called 'fate' or 'destiny'?

I use inverted commas because well, I've just come across as a religious nut job. (a la Mitt Romney or Rick 'I don't mind if my daughter gets raped and made pregnant against her will, because the Lord has kindly delivered us glorious life' Santorum... anyway, I digress). But what I'm getting at is that I certainly am not a religious type, and trust me I've dabbled in trying to read the bible, go to church, etc, but it's just not for me. Yet I still am an avid believer in this 'plan', 'fate' or 'destiny' for myself and everyone else.

I wouldn't be where I am right now, I mean now - 2218 on the 6th Feb 2012, feeling how I do, wanting a future like I do, taking the difficult option willingly because I think that at a pre-determined point in the future I will be happier. Or is it just what's meant to be and I actually have very little conscious control over what I'm deciding.

I say this because I'm sure many people like me have made decisions that are strange, absurd, even nonsensical at face value to others, and even to themselves when thought about deeply. But no matter what there is that urge to do what you truly want to do as it's what you believe to be right and will bring a greater sense of relief, happiness and contentedness in the long run.

Sometimes, don't think too hard (like I do, to my detriment!) ...just do what feels right and where you feel that weird sort of happiness which might not be real or achievable right now... but it certainly will be if you go with your instinct, and no one else's input.

"Life is the sum of all your choices" - Albert Camus

...not just one.

Have a think about that...it might rock your world slightly :-)

Cheers for now,

LC x

Truly happy and content - France, 30*, full of ice tea and mussels...
feels a world away right now!!!

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

"I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul"


This is the ending of one of my favourite poems 'Invictus' by William Ernst Henley; it is the way I like to think I've lived my life and how I continue to live my life now it appears to have entered yet another 'new phase'. I'd like to discuss the ins and outs behind all this but it isn't overly suitable nor is it finalised by a long way. But I would like to talk about the concepts deeper down as how I've ended up where I am, and where lots of us find ourselves on a regular basis as we grow older and older and the decisions we make take on more and more gravity and potentially affect our lives more deeply.


Does money seem to affect decisions more and more? Yes is the simple answer... especially as a 21 year old with very little of it, I've found it can well and truly make or break an experience... or your future, dependent on what that is. Now is it unfair that money or having a lack of it should dictate how you live your life (within reason of course) ...it shouldn't... but it does. It truly is down to those who have got great people around them to support them no matter what, and most of all to have the guts to actually say 'no... I want to do this, no matter what', it is this last bit which I find intriguing how few people take up this last part, because believe it or not when you're in a sticky sticky situation, there will be someone there to help you, guide you and support you, if they've got money - all the better, usually for us mere mortals this isn't the case.


Unfortunately we live in a society dictated now by the economy, good jobs are hard to get hold of (trust me I now know...and note I said 'hard to get' not 'there isn't any', that is pure rubbish), training courses hard to get hold of, and it appears for the next couple of years I know I will be financially hamstrung, but that was my decision, and my decision alone, I'm not a big fan of regretting things, and nor should anyone else my age, we're far too young for that and there's so much more to learn and experience.


An interesting point I thought of... take a TV presenter for example, who might be earning £250,000 or thereabouts. 99 times out of a 100 did they at the age of 18 say 'Oh I want to be a TV presenter' - did they hell. They've done a million and one jobs before hand and a sprinkling of luck and hard work gets them to a good cushty job. Now this is true for a lot of well paid, successful roles. Unfortunately now as a generation we are far too expectant, far too soon, and I think it would be fair to say we ended up judging ourselves and others far too early if we're not slotting into £35,000 a year jobs by the age of 22. I now firmly believe - in a way I certainly didn't before, that it requires dedication and hard work all the time in order to be highly successful somewhere down the line. It's far too easy to stick the effort in early on and just hope it all pans out alright. Not the case. Nor is there any magic, easy solutions, which again I seemed to believe in, in a former life.


If you want something - go and do it. Don't let anyone say no, and when the (inevitable) obstacles come up, smash them out of the way because it's usually people who are out to stop you being happy for one reason or another. And you will be happy. Happiness is key I've realised, not being loaded (although it's nice and it helps) but I could have spent the next few years 'loaded', but I wouldn't have been happy. And that is a nightmare situation. A truly nightmarish situation when you're staring it in the face like I did a couple of nights ago. 


Seize opportunity when it comes... it'll tend not to come round again. Make decisions... and be happy with it. And life seems a lot simpler let me tell you that... 


I'll leave you with Invictus in full, it truly is my favourite poem and can recite it off the top of my head, certainly a source of strength and determination for me,  I know this has been a little deep but I hope at least someone else who may face hard decisions can draw upon experience elsewhere... :-)


On a lighter note... get involved with 'Community' it's an American sitcom which is pretty hilarious, and 'Suits', another Yankee drama which is also awesome :) and i've left a bit of a tune down the bottom!


Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Cheers for now,

LC x