Museums and leading artists are inviting the British public to take part in what they hope will be the biggest art exhibition ever mounted.

The Great Big Art Exhibition is being launched by Sir Antony Gormley, who is asking people to make an artwork at home and put in their window or garden.

The Angel of the North sculptor said the ambition was to create a country-wide show of imagination and optimism, inspired by the rainbow images people made to celebrate the NHS and keyworkers during the first lockdown.

Details of how to take part, including a free activity pack, are available from Colchester-based arts organisation, firstsite.uk.
"At a time when all the theatres and galleries are shut it is wonderful to somehow tap into the extraordinary reservoirs of creativity in the country and celebrate the diversity of range and thought and feelings that exist," Sir Antony said.

Sir Anthony has suggested animals as the theme for the first two weeks of The Great Big Art Exhibition."We want to let the inner animal out," he said. "People will find their inner animal… it could be a whale or a dinosaur". The second theme of the Exhibition, which will run until the April, will be Portraits, and more themes will follow.

First Site wants to hear from individuals who want to take part. If you would like to be involved, log into https://firstsite.uk to request more information. There is no local organiser - participation is open to all, throughout the country.

DaSRA (Downderry and Seaton Residents Association) are helping to create a 'Community Fibre Partnership' with Openreach, with the aim of bringing Superfast fibre to homes in Downderry and Seaton.

DaSRA Committee Member Caroline Frith, with resident Caroline Walmsley, are co-ordinating a list of residents wanting their property to be included in this register. If sufficient households register their interest, Openreach will put together an obligation free quote. Openreach will pay a portion, the rest is for the community to finance and this can be funded by government gigabit vouchers, £1500 vouchers for residential properties and £3500 per business property (including sole traders.)

Residents who are experiencing slow and inconsistent internet service and would like to register their interest in this scheme are asked to provide their email and postal address by email to dsfibrepartnership@gmail.com or to info@dasra.co.uk so their address can be added to the list. They should also indicate if a business/sole trader is registered at their address, thereby being eligible for the higher value of vouchers.

DaSRA’s Facebook page will keep residents updated on progress. Anyone wanting more information should contact Caroline Frith 07747 602820

Census 2021

Households across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021, the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It will be the first census run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. Census day will be on 21 March, but households will receive their letter with the online code from early March.

Please encourage people in your area to take part. The information from the census helps councils plan and fund public services and can also be used as evidence to help charities and voluntary organisations get funding.

For more information, visit the census.gov.uk website.

It is important that people understand that they can identify as Cornish on the Census and how to do so. This will provide valuable information on the Cornish which can influence policy making and funding decisions. Cornwall Council, in conjunction with Census 2021, will be promoting this.

Cornwall Council’s public health team is asking residents in East Cornwall to stick to the rules and be especially mindful of how easily the virus can spread.

Data analysis by Cornwall Council’s public health specialists shows cases in the east of the county are higher on average than in other areas.

People can check out where the hotspots are on the government’s interactive map here https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

Cllr Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Wellbeing and Public Health, who represents Liskeard East, said: “We’re seeing cases continue to rise in East Cornwall and it’s vital that we put the brakes on this. These are cases that are being transmitted within groups of families and friends, allowing the virus to easily move from household to household. In the past the virus has been linked to workplace outbreaks which are easier for us to contain, but this change in pattern of spread shows us that we all really need to be careful.

“Even though we’re currently in lockdown, people need to remember the basic guidance – wash your hands regularly, use a face covering when social distancing is not possible and try to keep your distance from those not in your household.

“Following these simple steps could make a significant difference in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and help protect you and your friends, colleagues and family from the virus.”

Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “While cases remain relatively low in Cornwall compared to the rest of the country and the announcement of a possible vaccine is great news, we can’t afford to be complacent.

“Cases continue to climb across Cornwall - especially in East Cornwall along the border where we urge people more than ever to follow the rules and be mindful of how easily the virus can be spread.”

If you have any of the three main COVID-19 symptoms – a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss of taste or smell, you must self-isolate and your household must continue to self-isolate while waiting for a test. You also must continue to isolate until you get your test results.

Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate, along with all members of their household, whether they have symptoms or not.

For more information on the rules and guidance visit www.gov.uk or www.cornwall.gov.uk

South West Water will place signs in the relevant locations to direct the traffic through the diversion. The bus company, the school and refuse collectors have been notified. For further information , contact South West Water on 0344 346 2020 quoting reference no. LM213 MB8097025 Main Road Downderry

At their monthly Deviock Parish Council Meeting held on 10 September, Councillors made the decision to reopen the public toilet in Downderry. Cornwall Council's contractors, Cormac, have sanitised the Disabled cubicle with the 30 day 'super sanitiser' and the Disabled Toilet is now open and available to use by all. The individual Ladies and Gents cubicles remain closed.

DaSRA’s Public Participation presentation re Opening of Public Toilets in Downderry

"As Chair of DaSRA, I would like to comment on Agenda Item 7.2. Seaton and Downderry Public Toilets. Many residents continue to express their concern at the closure of the public toilets in Downderry and I’m sure you have had direct contact with residents on this matter. It is very much seen as a public health issue.

We appreciate it’s not a simple matter of opening the facility when the risk of a Covid pandemic is still with us. You pointed out in your Nut Tree entry on 15 July the problems you faced in assessing and mitigating against the risk of spreading disease, and in needing to ensure the supply of signage, sanitisers and PPE and the training of staff. That was an understandable position in early lockdown affecting many areas around the country. You obviously overcame these early barriers to enable you to open one toilet in Seaton on 25 July - much needed with the increase in tourists to the area. No mention was made of Downderry toilets at that time, so without specific information, it has been begging the question: if Seaton, why not Downderry.

I understand Councillors discussed the issue of opening the publlc toilet in Downderry at your Planning meeting on 20 August when it was noted that Seaton was working with manageable and orderly queues and responsible users. That is good news. However the reason stated in Councillors decision to keep Downderry toilets closed was that opening the toilet would introduce an additional risk to the centre of Downderry, and to our vulnerable community. It was also noted that there were other toilets in the village available to the public. One assumes Councillors were referring to local commercial premises but that does not seem to be the case. With no further explanations issued, residents are left asking - how can closed toilets be a lesser risk to residents than the potential of people using undesignated spaces - surely the current position presents a greater public health risk.

Concern among residents remains strong, so tonight, I am asking Councillors that, unless there is evidence to demand otherwise,

Please open Downderry Toilets following the same procedures as is in place in Seaton and please communicate with your constituents.

Whatever the insurmountable practicalities are that you cannot resolve in Downderry, whatever evidence you have that the health of our community is at greater risk by opening the public toilets, whatever alternative arrangements you know are in place locally to satisfy the basic need to use toilets, please share that information with us. The Council and DaSRA each have resources in place to ensure residents are kept informed through our websites and Facebook pages. You will know that DaSRA’s remit is to pass on information of interest to residents, and this topic IS of interest. Please do keep us informed. Thank You.

Laura Done, Chair, DaSRA

Downderry and Seaton Residents Association

Five local artists from Downderry are taking part in the annual Open Studios Cornwall from 29 August to 6 September. 200 plus artists across the county will be welcoming socially distanced visitors into their studios. Participants who are not able to throw open their doors for reasons of limited space or personal vulnerability will be offering virtual studio tours and additional digital content. Visit www.openstudioscornwall.co.uk for details.

The Downderry artists are booking individual appointments so please phone to make your own arrangements. Downderry based artists are:

Claudia Hocking - artist and illustrator O1503 250236

Beth Munro - printmaker 01503 250220
Jessie Sneyd - mosaic/printmaker
Carol Pollard - photographer/printmaker

Caroline Frith - glass artist 01503 250952