Cornwall's getting poorer

Good news:

"...Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are likely to continue to receive the highest level of European funding to help stimulate economic growth. This means the area stands to receive approximately €500 million between 2014 and 2020."

Bad news:

"Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's GDP in 1999 before the start of our European funding programmes was 66% of the European average and peaked in 2006 at 78%.

"The figures for the reference period used by the EU to assess eligibility for the next round of European funding is likely to be 2007, 2008 and 2009 for which Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's GDP was 74%, 73% and 72% respectively demonstrating the impact of the global recession."

- Cornwall Council press released based on European Commission data

Armand Blogs

Welcome to the blogosphere, Cornwall councillor and Cabinet member Armand Toms. It's early days yet, but I notice that Armand often seems to post before 6am - with one entry, last Friday, at 02.37am. That's keen.

Cornwall's Tories have new deputy leader

Congratulations to Cornwall councillor Mike Eathorne-Gibbons, who steps into the shoes vacated by Scott Mann two weeks ago. Mike represents Ladock, St Clement and St Erme and his elevation to the Tory leadership follows Friday's group meeting. I'm told that same group meeting agreed to maintain its policy on the stadium - a policy which says the project should not consume one more penny of taxpayers' money.

Foul calumnies

My new perch is the ideal place to report an amusing spat between property developer James Brent, the saviour of Plymouth Argyle, and the Torbay Member of Parliament Adrian Sanders. Adrian recently wrote a piece for the Torquay Herald Express speculating about James's intentions towards his recently-acquired Oldway Mansions, which he plans to convert to a hotel. Cue drum roll, trumpets and libel lawyers. Great fun.

Kettles and pots

I wonder if anyone laughed out loud when they read that a certain political party in Cornwall was complaining to police about a leaflet distributed during a recent Bodmin Town Council by-election. Surely not the same political party which once published a leaflet labelling an election rival "a greasy-haired ****?" (four-letter-word unsuitable for use before the BBC watershed)

The game's afoot

I'm really looking forward to moving into my new office, at Oldway Mansions, Paignton. I have been there only twice before - once to play in a chess congress, and once to play in the Torquay tennis tournament. Perhaps I have already formed the opinion that it's somewhere to go for recreation, rather than work. Don't tell the boss.

Both sides now

Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that this blog is no longer "Graham Smith's Cornwall." Stripped of its geographic specificity, it is now simply "Graham Smith's Blog."

Some readers, I know, will welcome this development - while others might be disappointed. According to Google Analytics, the blog has attracted nearly 9,000 unique visitors since September, so allow me to attempt an explanation.

I no longer work for BBC Radio Cornwall. I now work for BBC Radio Devon. I still live in the same Cornish village which has been my home for the past 32 years - but Devon is a fine county and, in a previous life, for many years, I commuted daily to earn my crust with ITV in Plymouth. The car knows its own way.

Many people have asked me what will become of this blog. The answer is that it will continue - embracing news, views, insights etc etc - from both sides of the Tamar.