NEWSWAVE

NEWSWAVE: Cornwall Stories, Community Voices & Local Highlights

Join presenter Meah Howlett for the latest edition of NEWSWAVE, bringing you a vibrant mix of local stories, community voices, and inspiring conversations from across Cornwall.

In this episode, we head to Redruth Rugby Club for the first-ever We Are One Rugby 7s tournament, where sport meets mental health awareness. Hear from organisers, volunteers, and the charity Man Down about the power of community and conversation.

We also go behind the scenes of Bonnie & Clive, an award-winning independent road-trip film celebrating Cornwall’s landscapes, with insights from producer Kevin Short and musician Milton Reame-James.

Plus, HMRC’s Ruth Forrest joins us to break down the latest self-assessment figures after a record-breaking start to the tax year—sharing practical advice on getting ahead.

Author Mandy Morton invites us into her imaginative “cat-run” world with the latest instalment of The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, blending humour with thought-provoking themes.

And we round things off on the Cornish coast with Richard Parks from the National Coastwatch Institution in Charlestown, highlighting their vital volunteer work and upcoming open day.

All that and more in this week’s NEWSWAVE—supporting local journalism and celebrating the stories that matter.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, we’re joined by Marc from The Brend Collection to talk about their charity coast path challenge between The Carlyon Bay Hotel and the Royal Duchy Hotel in support of Children’s Hospice South West. 

We take a trip to Truro Cathedral to meet Cathy Davies and learn about an exhibition showcasing artwork by young artists, all inspired by Cornwall’s natural beauty. 

We visit a Collective Café with the Cornwall Hospitality Collective, to discover a project helping young people build confidence and skills through real-world café experience. 

Tamsin Chapman-Gunner joins us from Gunners Kids CIC to discuss a new funded support group for teenagers affected by terminal illness... 

…and we check back in with producer Liane Escorza about the Cornish-language short film Ladron, ahead of its world premiere and exciting festival nomination.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas.

In the latest episode, we are joined by Kiley Pearce, Events Fundraiser at Children’s Hospice South West, and charity supporter Happy Days Nurseries to talk about the return of the much‑loved Rainbow Run at RAF St Mawgan this June.

Gareth and Matt from We Are One are in the studio to discuss how their organisation supports mental health through sport, including plans for an upcoming Rugby 7s tournament.

We catch up with Councillor Ethan Stephens, the new Mayor of St Austell, about stepping into the role, his priorities, and the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay, joins The People in Mind Show to highlight the importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing in our communities…

…and we sit down with author Katie Carr to talk about her new memoir Thundery at Times and the remarkable journey behind it.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, things go Jurassic as we’re joined by Ranger Chris from Dinomania, who chats to Ross Lannon about bringing the UK’s most interactive dinosaur experience to life, ahead of live shows in Newquay and in Plymouth.

We also hear from Lostwithiel man Tom Miles, who, along with his two‑year‑old Labrador Luna, is walking the entire Cornish coastline to raise money and awareness for Cornwall‑based charity ShelterBox.

Meanwhile, Tamsin Chapman‑Gunner from Gunners Kids CIC joins us to explain how new funding from the Asda Foundation will help launch a dedicated support group for local teenagers affected by terminal illness.

As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches, Will Burt from White River Cinema tells Meah Howlett how the cinema has teamed up with Snap Fitness St Austell for a 245‑mile cycling challenge, raising vital funds for Medi‑Cinema.

And finally, it’s time for our monthly look to the skies as local astronomer Brian Sheen joins us to talk meteor showers, moon‑watching and what to look out for in Cornwall’s night skies this month – as well as giving us a fascinating look back in time this VE Day!

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, we hear from Ellie Smith at Cornwall Hospice, who have launched a brand‑new community challenge - The Great Cornish Cream Tea – bringing a world record attempt to the Royal Cornwall Showground this September. 

We look back at the return of the hugely popular Porthleven Food Festival, celebrating Cornwall’s food and drink scene with chef patron Jude Kereama and Sharp’s Brewery’s Sam Lyne. 

From Porthleven back to St Austell, we head to Buckler’s Lane to meet practice manager Darren Terry as Beacon VetCare officially open its new practice in the town.  

We’ll also be previewing Mental Health Awareness Week, with a full programme of CHAOS events taking place across Cornwall. Zara Shoesmith from the People in Mind project joins us to explain all. 

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, as Legally Blonde The Musical heads to the Hall for Cornwall, one of the show’s stars, George Crawford, who plays Emmett, joins presenter Ross Lannon to talk about the brand‑new production. 

We also hear about a fun and free way to get active as Beat the Street continues across St Austell and Penzance, which are being transformed into giant, real‑life games - encouraging people of all ages to get moving. Tim Marrion at Active Cornwall explains how it works and how you can take part. 

Our very own CHAOS Arts Correspondent, Cathy Davies, joins us for her monthly catch‑up on what’s happening across Cornwall’s vibrant arts scene, as well as an update on her own creative work. 

We hear about a fully funded sailing opportunity for young people aged 16 to 17 with Matthew Barraud from the Morvargh Sailing Project, who joins us to explain more about a unique sail‑training voyage, delivered in partnership with the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust.

 And finally, TV presenter and celebrity vet Dr James Greenwood, alongside Linda Edwards, Chief Executive of Working Animals International, highlight the essential jobs animals continue to do alongside humans - and why better awareness, care and recognition are so important.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas.

In the latest episode, street‑dance duo Ashley and Glen, better known as Twist and Pulse, join us to reflect on their Britain’s Got Talent journey – as well as life beyond the stage, including solo projects, DJ’ing, fatherhood and a new men’s mental health single.

We’re counting down to the return of the du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival, celebrating literary talent through an exciting programme of authors, speakers and events. Festival chair Paula Pearson joins us to share what’s planned.

Cornish photographer and filmmaker Amy Griffin joins us ahead of running the London Marathon for ShelterBox. She explains how witnessing humanitarian crises around the world inspired her to support the Cornish charity’s vital work.

We also hear about the Cornwall Dementia Conference, which returns this May ahead of International Dementia Action Week. Paul Cadger, Dementia Education Lead at Kernow Health CIC, tells us what to expect from the sixth‑year event.

Plus, as families across England receive primary school offers, child psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado shares simple advice to help children prepare for starting out this September.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas.

In the latest episode, we explore a rare and much‑loved tradition here in Cornwall with Jonathon Jones, Managing Director of Trading at Tregothnan, who joins us ahead of the estate’s globally renowned Private Garden Opening weekend.

We catch up with Kiley Pearce, Events Fundraiser at Children’s Hospice South West, ahead of this year’s Rainbow Run Cornwall - the county’s brightest family fun run, which last year raised an astonishing £107,000.

We also hear from Caroline Childe, music leader of a special local choir for people living with dementia and their carers, as they prepare for a heart‑warming concert marking the close of their latest project.

Plus, Ruth Forrest joins us with important news for families claiming Child Benefit, explaining the upcoming increase to payments and why parents are being encouraged to register as early as possible.

And we sit down with Helen Tiplady and James D’Arcy to talk about an exciting six‑day musical theatre summer school being run by Falmouth University and the Get Creative team - culminating in a public performance of Legally Blonde Jr this August.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, we join Meah Howlett in St Dennis, where hundreds of people gathered for a special plaque unveiling celebrating the community effort behind the restoration of the village church’s historic bells.

We catch up with Cornish event rider Harriet Bunney, as Bryna Jordan finds out more about her eventing journey, the grit the sport demands, and her goals for the new season. 

As well as that, we take a trip to Mevagissey, where Tristan Netherton and Penny Bulkeley tell us all about the upcoming fundraising concert and how their Shanty Festival continues to make waves in the local community. 

We hear from Sue Ford at Wheal Martyn, who brings us the latest updates from Cornwall’s iconic china clay museum and heritage site. 

And we welcome Helen Barden from St Austell Library, sharing news on World Book Day, community events, and everything happening inside the busy town‑centre hub - plus Jessica is here with this week’s Talking Health.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected]. 

Join our reporter Tom Howe for NEWSWAVE, your weekly rundown of the top stories happening across St Austell and surrounding areas. 

In the latest episode, we join Jake from Jakes Bakes to discuss Cornwall Dining Club, a new pop‑up dining initiative bringing global flavours and themed menus to St Austell. 

We catch up with Nicola Nuttall, Director of Cornwall Climate Care, who explains why their Crowdfunder is vital to keeping free climate education running in schools across the county. 

As well as that, we take a trip to St Austell to hear from local residents, as The King and Queen toured community projects and met groups supporting young people in the town. 

We hear from Neil, who is sharing his lived experience as part of a new NHS campaign, talking about decades of undiagnosed social anxiety and the misconceptions that stop people seeking help. 

And we welcome Ruth Forrest from the HMRC broadcast team to break down what sole traders and landlords need to know as digital tax reporting comes into force from the 6th of April.

If you live or work in the St Austell area and have a news story for us, contact [email protected].