Penzance Chamber of Commerce

New group of Chambers

An umbrella organisation of Chambers of Commerce in West Cornwall has been established. The group, calling itself the West Cornwall Group of Chambers of Commerce, recently held its first meeting. The chief executive of Penwith District Council had been invited to attend.

Camborne, Hayle, Marazion, Penzance and St Ives attended the first meeting. Helston and Redruth sent their apologies. They will hold their next meeting on Friday, 13 October.

Successful event for Christmas lights

The Penzance Lighting Group held a Duck Race at the Boating Pool, Wherrytown on Sunday, August 20. The weather - for once - was ideal, and it was good to see this area being so well used and supported. The Lighting Group was delighted with the end results from the various tables and bouncy castle. £600 was raised for the town's seasonal lights. Thank you to all for the hard work involved and to everyone who came along.

Duck-race meeting at Duckdown!

Fund raising for lights

The Penzance Lighting Group are a small band of volunteers who are helping to raise funds towards the town's Christmas lights, and later in the year, the money will be divided between the separate streets lighting groups.

There is to be an Auction and Harvest Home on Friday September 22 at the Alexandra Inn at 8pm. This is a joint event with the Lighting Group and the League of Friends, so support is needed for two good causes. The following Thursday September 28th, P.L.G. will be holding another Quiz Night at the Bath Inn at 8pm. Please continue to give us your support and encouragement.

Dehwelans 2002 - The Grand Cornish Home Coming

This event is expected to bring several hundred visitors from all over the world to Cornwall in the Spring of 2002. There will be a large programme of events which will involve people from all over the world of Cornish origin.

There are Cornish interest groups all over the world as well as all over the UK, and amongst these people there is a great deal of interest in their old homeland. There is a small steering group and you can get involved by contacting http://www.owlscottage.co.uk/2OO2cornwall.

New arrival that already has a regular following

Situated in the village of Newbridge, next to the much publicised Fountain Inn, is Coombes Restaurant, a recent arrival on the local restaurant scene. When the new proprietors purchased the property, it had not traded for several years, but was formerly known as Enzo's, a very popular restaurant during the 1970's and 1980's. After extensive refurbishment, the restaurant opened in December last year and is open for dinner seven nights a week. The restaurant already has a great following amongst its regular customers. The main reason people come back time and time again is the food.

Head chef, Adam Ashbourne, uses as much local and organic produce as possible. As well as the local selection of fish, he uses fruit and vegetables that are grown locally, as well as more unusual ingredients such as wild marsh samphire, which the proprietors pick themselves, and locally cured Parma Ham. The menu changes regularly, according to what is in season, so all the basic ingredients are at their peak. This month you might find on the menu pan-fried Newlyn scallops with sauce vierge and local marsh samphire, roast monk fish wrapped in Parma ham with a red pepper vinaigrette, followed by a tarte tatin of pears.

The restaurant can seat up to 70 people in its two dining areas, making it ideal for functions such as Christmas parties and other special occasions. There is a special menu available for Christmas lunches or dinner during December, and the restaurant will be opening on Christmas Day itself. A separate cosy bar with a real log fire and oil lamps add to the experience. You can sit there after your meal and enjoy a brandy or coffee, or even both, in front of a roaring fire. The conservatory dining area hosts regular exhibitions by local artists, and applications by artists to exhibit their work are always welcomed.

On October 1, and alternate Sundays following, there will be a traditional jazz and blues band, the Funny Feathers, playing live in the restaurant. Customers coming in for Sunday lunch are welcome to stay and listen to the jazz throughout the afternoon. Jazz fans who arrive to listen to the music will pay £4 admission for a selection of Tapas and the music. On 'non-jazz' Sundays, the restaurant is open for Sunday lunch by booking only.

The restaurant is offering a prize of a free bottle of house red or white wine to the first ten customers to book a table with them.

Telephone: 01736-363777.

New Members

The Chamber would like to welcome two new members this month. They are: The Barn Club, Eastern Green, Penzance (J L Goodhew) and The Tarbert Hotel, 11/12 Clarence Street, Penzance (Mr and Mrs J Maddern).

October Meeting

The next Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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