For more information  http://www.penzance.co.uk

Penzance is a lively coastal market town and holiday resort set in the shelter of Mounts Bay at the western end of the Cornish peninsula.  It has a population of about 25,000, which makes it one of the largest towns in Cornwall.  The majority of the Penzance district population of 60,000 lives within eight miles of the town.

It is an area of high unemployment with many disadvantaged families.  It relies largely on tourism and service industries but has also a very active ship building and maintenance industry.  A fine and spacious shopping centre has recently been opened and this seems to be successfully bringing business into the town.

There are also outline plans for developing a Marina to take advantage of the excellent opportunities for sailing.  There are six schools and a Tertiary College.

The population increases considerably during the summer season owing to the large number of hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation.  The town is noted for its very fine Georgian architecture and a substantial part is defined as a Conservation Area.  It is also the focus of many cultural and craft-centred activities in a region well-known for its artistic community.

There are two Anglican churches in the town itself, St. Mary's and St. John's, together with St. Paul's, which has closed and is awaiting a redundancy notice.  A further three are situated very close to the town.  The Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception is in Rosevean Road.  The Methodists have three chapels, Richmond, High Street and Chapel Street.  There is also a Baptist Chapel in Clarence Street, a Salvation Army Hall in Queen's Street and a branch of the Kings Church in Taroveor Road.  The Quakers meet in St. Paul's Old School.