community
It's funny how we forget where words come from, originally. But in fact it can be quite illuminating. Community is from the old French, and is to do with "together" and "gift" (which we think is just too lovely); "company", now associated with profit making big business, has come from the Italian "com pane" - meaning to share bread with someone; to eat together. To split your pasty; share your chips; divvy up your last cheese butty. To share what you have with your wider group of family and friends. To be com-panionable.
Altogether nicer. Rather better than what we've reduced it too. So this bit is about people - other people, and us - just keeping an eye out for each other. Like we used to, in the old days. :) Add your ideas, and thoughts, and before you know it we'll have a tourism industry that is known for how it makes its communities happier, healthier and a place of proper shared giftage (that's one word that we absolutely just made up, but we liked it anyway.)
We've listed here some of the top local and interational concerns that we reckon you might want to get involved in - in a small, middling or full on sort of way. That way, we know that everything we do can contribute positively to these issues, and help ensure we really are operating across the economic, environment and social bottom lines. If you are already involved in any of these, then do post up a wee comment - or go to the forum to join the discussion.
Postive deviance. it makes every difference.

positive defiance in the Basque Country
There are some among us who have the chutzpah to do it differently. And so much better....
By manda
wrens: small, noisy and very territorial!
"Time to go back to the future where we have control over our own energy. Time to stop faffing about". Indeed! The words of a very wise man!
By manda

brave new money worlds
We love this. Great article - food for thought if you haven't mulled over this stuff yet...this is a FABULOUS intro...
By manda
Looe Marine Conservation Group in action!
Looe Marine Conservation Group has hit the ground running...
By manda
low carbon ladock
Local energy generation expected to add over £2m to Ladock parish over next 20 years
By manda
water framework what?
Water Framework? Directive? Wossat? It's a new bit of law. From the EU. And it'll help us clean up our waters....
By manda
it's really, really good to talk...no, REALLY.
I bet you didn't realise how important talking was until you read this. It's a "duh" moment; and we all need them....
By manda

sunny side of life? Really?
The truth will out: twitter reveals the reality of repression in resort paradise....
By manda
tamar valley: interactive heritage map
Fabulous resource - it's addictive to find out who the real people are behind the landscape around us - their names, their farms, their lives...
By manda

my intellectual v*****
This is one of the most extraordinary guys I have seen on my screen. A head and heart - ful of "those si, se peude" moments.... (roughly translated as "yes, we can"....)
By manda

exmoor is first dark skies reserve in the uk
Exmoor is the first Dark Skies Reserve in the UK...another great success from the south west...
By manda

david attenborough and population growth
David Attenborough urges big business to protect land from population growth
By manda
the happy museum
The Happy Museum. Think about it...do we ever put those words together in our own minds?
By manda

thinking beyond the gates?
Julia Schonharl writes about tourism and human rights in 2012: Can we ask anybody to think beyond the fences of the holiday resort?
By manda
tamar valley: a place of many lives
Heritage and culture. They're both biggies. And little wonder. But remember they're a living concept; and that they're about people; and stories. Always. So think about how you might tell them...
By manda
By manda
tamar valley: grow local
This is one of those ideas that should just exist. It's just common sense. Common food sense. Read on.
By manda

green shoots of responsibility?
The younger holiday maker is putting us to shame; they know the deal when it comes to sustainable travel....excellent!
By manda

ethics r us
Well, that's a bit of a stretch. But we like to keep the issue on the table. Right in the middle. Because what's the alternative?
By manda

Ban Ki Moon on World Tourism Day
Ban Ki Moon promotes the importance of tourism and travel for the well being of the species...
By manda
By manda
On Small, Collaboration, and The Having of Faith.
Smallest room; biggest talker? David Goldblatt talks about Toilets He Has Mused From...
By manda

land grab
There has been much interest in the discussion around land grabs...this news bulletin shows the issue is very live...
By manda
tamar valley: the book of the valley
A Tamar Valley book launched by Plymouth School Children and students..and it's a delight.
By marja
mires mor
Mires Mor ("sea watch" in Cornish) combine the ocean, underprivileged young people, and passion. It's a very successful recipe...
By manda

sharing the work
Heresy? Generally a good thing to allow a bit of heretical thought..keeps us on our toes. A slap across the face of Complacency. A little unpleasant, but always invigorating.
By manda

heavy handed?
Not the way to do it. Breath-taking example of a destination sacrificing everything to the need to market itself...
By manda
Time to communicate with our communities?
New poll shows people might not be ringfencing their holiday..so should we be making sure we show them what's affordable, on their doorstep?
By manda
heartlands
The Heartlands Project is an innovative Lottery funded programme in Pool, Cornwall, to create just that. A heartland. Take a look...
By manda
car free idea:walkers are welcome
Planning a walking trip? Discover the 64 Walkers are Welcome towns and villages across Britain
By marja

giving families a break
Go on then, Guess. How many families in this country do you reckon don't get to go on holiday each year? We didn't know...
By manda

social enterprise
This is what we are. A social enterprise; a not for private profit business, trading for people and planet: here to bring benefit to the communities, and the lands, in which we work, and using a business to do that.
By manda
community energy plus
Community Energy Plus have been operating in Cornwall for over ten years - and these are THE energy anoraks...and know all the other energy anoraks across the south west - so start here.
By marja
st petroc's society
St Petroc's is a Cornish organisation working with single homeless people, which could well use unwanted materials that could come from a tourism business refurbishment - bedding, furniture, toiletries.











