Graham Watson hails "fantastic day" visiting European funded projects in Cornwall

5.45.00pm GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

Today Graham Watson MEP and fellow Lib Dem Euro Campaigner dropped by Kingsley Village, Fraddon, to see how European funding is transforming Cornwall. There they met graduates and businesses that have been assisted by the Unlocking Cornish Potential Scheme.

The project paired together local girl Charlotte Trevithick-Ryall and Cornish firm County Confectionery.

Speaking after the visit Graham commented:

"It was great to see how Europe has enabled Charlotte to work in the area she loves whilst at the same time providing a small business with the skills it needs to grow. And all this is happening under a roof also paid for by Europe!"

Graham then travelled on to the River Fal where he heard how European funds have helped the King Harry Ferry cut pollution and provide a better service to the local community.

Graham said:

"There has been a ferry here since 1889. During the Second World War, General Dwight D Eisenhower recognised the importance of its role and I am delighted that the EU has also done so. European investment has provided a ferry fit for the 21st century, cutting emissions and protecting the local environment."

He continued:

"Just as I expected, today has been a fantastic day. Seeing concrete examples of European spending in Cornwall has just gone to strengthen my determination to carry on winning a fair deal for the region in Europe."

Editors note:-

Kingsley Village secured £650,000 from Europe to build its Food and Craft Hall. This included an art gallery, conference facilities, a restaurant and 7,000 square foot space housing local businesses.

One of these businesses was County Confectionery, which has also been provided with a skilled graduate from the UCP scheme. UCP is part of Combined Universities Cornwall, part funded by the EU to the tune of £37m. The project links Cornish graduates with local firms, sometimes contributing up to 30% of the salary, helping to keep important skills in the area and allowing small businesses to grow.

The King Harry Ferry was funded by £980,000 from Objective One. Each year the King Harry Ferry saves 4.5m car miles, 1.7m Kg of CO2, 500,000 Kg of Carbon and 750,000 litres of fuel. 280,000 Cars are carried each year by the King Harry Ferry.

For further information on EU funded projects in Cornwall please contact the Office of Graham Watson MEP euro_office@cix.co.uk.

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