Camelford News – July/August 2021
Camelford News – July/August 2021
15 April 2021
It has been a busy few months for the Town Council! Below are the highlights of what has been happening.
Youth Worker – Camelford Town Council (CTC) has recently welcomed Dave Edkins to the team. Dave is our new Youth Worker who will be working up at the Old Cattle Market/OCM Skatepark over the Summer, offering advice and direction to the young people of Camelford. If you see him, please say hello. Dave will be re-launching the OCM Skatepark Club once works on Phase 2 have been completed (see below). He has already been forging links with the local schools, the police, the Family Hub, the Old Bank and various departments within Cornwall Council and Young People Services. Once Phase 2 is underway, he will then be leading lots of activities at the OCM. Watch this space.
OCM Phase 2 – Final designs are now being drawn up for the Regeneration of the Old Cattle Market Project. This has been funded by Sport England, Reaching Communities, Saputo and CTC. Due to COVID-19, this project has been delayed a year, but it is hoped for work to start in September. In addition to a cafe/youth hub, there will be a parkour area, gym bars and pump track. It will be update the final design when complete (just working on a few tweaks!)
Friday Music Nights @ The Bandstand – As part of CTC’s response to the difficulties faced by all living, working and studying in Camelford, it is hiring out the bandstand as a venue for artists to bring some light musical relief to us all. It is hoped these regular Friday events will bring people together (safely), bring footfall into the town and support Cornwall’s artists. August is now fully booked (see What’s On – visitcamelford.co.uk for more details) with “Change the Letter” kicking off this month’s musical talent on Friday 6 August.
Events – The Events Working Group are working hard on this year’s Winter Festival, Mayor’s Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch and lots of events for 2022 including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events. Look out for updates on Facebook, Twitter, Visitcamelford.co.uk and CTC’s website www.camelford-tc.gov.uk. Lots of special events planned including tree planting as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and Duke of Edinburgh memorial.
Enfield Park – Unfortunately, a bit of bad news. It has had to remove the basket swing due to it being vandalised. A reminder that the park is aimed at 12s and under. There has also been further vandalism to the shelter. It is hoping to apply for further grant funding to replace the basket swing, a new roundabout and replacement see-saw. If you see any antisocial behaviour, please report to 101 or complete an online form. It takes 2 minutes. https://services.devon-cornwall.police.uk/crimereporting/
Clease Car Park – Earlier on in the year, a consultation was sent out to local residents regarding the use of Clease Car Park. Clease Car Park is currently owned and managed by Cornwall Council. CTC are in discussions with Cornwall Council regarding the devolution of the car park to CTC. Negotiations are currently taking place to ensure that the car park is resurfaced and relined ahead of any devolution plans. It recognises that unfortunately there are a minority who abuse this car park by storing unused/illegal vehicles. It is working closely with Environmental Services to keep an eye on untaxed/illegal vehicles parked up there.
Neighbourhood Plan – It is hoped that the Referendum for the NDP will take place in September/October. It is waiting on Cornwall Council for dates.
Our Camelford (“Agan Reskammel”) – This place shaping group was set up last December in order to produce a Vision document for change. At its heart is a blueprint to help Camelford recover from the pandemic and reclaim a stronger identity. Local resident Paul Thomas kindly agreed to Chair this group (made up of local business people and residents), and work has now finished on the draft. CTC secured an initial £7k funding from Cornwall Council to secure a consultant to lead this group (Matt Baker, Rise Associates). CTC has now been successful in securing a further £47k to take this draft Vision to public consultation and to engage consultants to undertake a feasibility/town centre study. Both tasks are essential to ensuring the Vision is fit for purpose, reflects residents aspirations for the Town and is feasible. It is hoped that the public consultation will start in the early Autumn, hopefully when news of the bypass has been received.
Summer Reading Challenge – The Library has had a fantastic response with 102 children signed up and 12 children complete the challenge already – and the Summer holidays have just begun. There is still time to sign up. It runs until 18 September. Children who sign up get a starter pack and a Rubbing Post book for use in Enfield Park. There are stickers and incentives for every book you read, and after 6 books they will receive a certificate and a medal. What is stopping you!
