On Friday 23rd September Porthleven submitted a bid for £100,000 from the Seaside Town Program. Five months work now rests on a panel’s decision at Cornwall Council. There are other bids from other towns like Penzance, Looe, Falmouth and St. Ives. Competition is going to be tough as there is only £400,000 available in the program.

This whole bid was only possible due to the help from different elements of Porthleven’s community. During the summer the bid working group had questionnaires in most of the holiday accommodation. As gathering the views of those visitors on how they feel about Porthleven, and what would they like to see improved is very important to the whole bid process.

Also, the working group sent out a questionnaire to all the businesses asking for their views. The response back was fantastic, as 93% of questionnaires were returned. In a week or so those who took part will receive a report from me with all the result from the visitors and businesses. These views, like those from the visitors are very interesting as there are a lot of similar views from either side.

Our bid document amounted to near 100 pages. I really think we covered everything in the bid. I guess time will tell in a month or so when I am told if we have been successful, or worse, turned down.

I am really grateful from the help and support from Porthleven Town Council, Harbour and Dock Company, Porthleven Food Festival, Porthleven Fisherman Assoc, Porthleven Lights Committee, Helston and Lizard Community Network, South Kerrier Alliance, people and businesses of Porthleven. It was a real community effort, and without their help we could not have done it.

Special thanks should go to Dave and Demelza who with me put the bid together from all the information collected. They have literately spent days working on the bid to make it just right.

As for the bid, it includes plans for the purchase of a marquee for the community, up-lighting the Institute, more parking, a history trail of Porthleven to name but a few. If we are successful, this money will make a difference, but not change the look, or more importantly the feeling of Porthleven. It will though help create better employment opportunities, and other economic benefits to our beautiful home.

It is going to be a nervous time waiting for the decision