In a extraordinary piece of "blue sky thinking", Danish architect Per Simmon believes he has hit on a revolutionary way to solve the chronic housing shortage in Cornwall.
It is well known that a variety of toxic factors -- for example, the purchase of second homes and holiday homes by absentee owners, massive immigration by wealthy retirees from more prosperous areas of the country, and the sale of communal housing stock (a significant proportion of it now resold to well-heeled incomers) -- has meant that a large section of the local population struggles to put a roof over its head.
To solve the problem, Per Simmon has designed what he calls a "traditional stone bungalow" that will be cheap to construct and affordable even by people on depressed Cornish wages.
Said to be based on traditional 18th century "2 up, 2 down" miners' cottages, the "Fogou" is in fact a "0 up, 1 down" design. Its designer claims that it is very environmentally friendly, being built entirely of locally-sourced materials -- granite, wood, moss and mud -- and using no oil, electricity, or gas for heating (there is none).
Per Simmon's backers propose to build two estates, each consisting of 100,000 Fogou dwellings, near Helford, in south Cornwall, and Rock, in north Cornwall.
The new houses will be built by local craftsmen using traditional skills that have been employed in the region for millenia.
Coming as it does hot on the heels of similar plans by Trewern Builders to build affordable ecohomes for rent or sale to local people, this proposal is good news indeed.
The Roundup applauds this initiative as an imaginative attempt to fix a long-standing social problem. Well done, Per!
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE CORNISH
BIG FORTHCOMING VILE EVENT!
The RELUBBUS PANOPTICON theatre is proud to be able to present a two year season of CURT VILE and his 500 strong Kazoo orchestra.
The performances will take place 6 times a day non-stop for the next 730 days (with extra performances over Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays!!).
Although the PANOPTICON seats 20,000 people at a time, you are advised to book now early so as to avoid disappointment.
Curt, pictured here on the left at the start of his prolific career only 85 years ago, will be conducting all of the shows AND singing all of the songs, which are, of course, his own compositions.
These are just some of the old favourites he will be singing for you:
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I’ve got the time, I’ve got the place, but it’s hard to find the girl, Olivia!
My wife’s friend’s sister’s old blue hat
Just pass me that bucket right now!
What I wouldn’t do - for a woman just like you
My tiepin fell down through the plughole in the sink
And afterwards I shake it three times gently
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Seats - Stalls £150 Circle £250 Dress Circle £450
Curt Vile playing old favourites for the young at heart!!
Concerts sponsored by RELUBBUS AIRWAYS
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Air Travel Crisis? What Air Travel Crisis??!! Ryanair – eat your heart out!!
Yes, the next 1 million seats will be sold for just £1 ONE WAY**
RELUBBUS AIRWAYS with its fleet of 10,000 2 seater bi-planes – each manned by a fully-trained pilot and a nurse/stewardess (like the dream craft pictured left) fly all over the world from RELUBBUS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and are waiting to whisk you away on the flight of your dreams!
Remember, we fly at heights of up to 1,000 feet in all weathers and so passengers are requested to wear a warm coat, gloves and hat with strap.
Lavish in flight refreshments (a sealed flask of hot BOVRIL and two Jacobs Cream Crackers) are served by our stewardess to each of the two passengers.
For longer flights, such as those to Australia, additional crackers may be made available.
These reduced flights will soon go, so don’t delay, book today!!!!
**Flights back home should be booked with the cheap £1 outward flight to avoid the 750,000% surcharge. Without surcharge, flight back from Newquay just £345, from Paris £12,567 and from Canberra £69,500.
