THE mayor of St Austell, Cllr Julian Young, has given another update on his term of office — with one of the highlights of the summer being the fun day held in the town centre in August.

Cllr Young was heavily involved in organising the day which saw many organisations from the town taking part. The event was hailed a success and there are plans being made for a repeat next year.

Another event held in the town centre was a table tennis taster session organised by St Austell Table Tennis Club. The mayor went along and was impressed by the enthusiasm of club members.

Cllr Young said: “Now that the summer is ending and we are heading into autumn, I thought I would provide an update on what I have been doing over the last few months.

“I attended my first Cornwall Fire and Rescue Phoenix Passing Out Parade. It was very heartwarming to see a group of Penrice students so enthusiastic with what they had learnt on their three-day course. This fabulous training not only provides the students with an insight into the fire service but they also leave with a new sense of confidence for taking their education further which is wonderful.

“A lot of my time over the last few months has been dedicated to the fun day which was held in August and was so well received – plans are already afoot for a similar event next year. Tango in the Night played an amazing set which saw people dancing in Aylmer Square and having a great time. My heartfelt thanks go to all the organisations who took the time to attend the event and help provide a fun day for the community and raise money for my chosen charities, Kernow Young Carers, Blood Bikes and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Hot on the heels of this event, I attended the ICB Summer Festival in Poltair Park which was another success.

“The town council has recently provided St Austell Table Tennis Club with a grant to help them purchase equipment and training. On the back of this, I attended a table tennis taster session event in the town centre which gave people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to give table tennis a go. The enthusiasm of the club, which has a number of regulars at its premises in Tregorrick, is tremendous.

“On the civic side of things, I have attended and chaired council meetings and attended the Wadebridge mayor making ceremony. In order to keep up to date with the town council’s services and day-to-day operation, I meet the town clerk and deputy mayor on a weekly basis. These meetings provide a very useful insight into the complexities of running a town council and I thoroughly enjoy having input into these sessions.

“As a town council, we have been consulted on a number of matters including the 20mph speed limit proposals in the town and the proposed extra care housing development on the land at Blantyre. A public exhibition of the proposals is currently being organised by Cornwall Council, the date of which will be firmed up soon.

Mayor Julian Young and deputy mayor Colin Hamilton with St Austell firefighters at the fun day. Picture: Paul Williams
Mayor Julian Young and deputy mayor Colin Hamilton with St Austell firefighters at the fun day. Picture: Paul Williams ( )

“St Austell Library continues to go from strength to strength and has recently had a ‘wellbeing kiosk’ installed. This kiosk provides the user with a snapshot of their current health, just by standing on the scales. It is there on a temporary basis and can be found just inside the front doors.

“The town council funds the CCTV cameras in the town centre and members have agreed to provide the necessary funding for additional cameras and their monitoring. The town council also jointly funds the security guards with St Austell BID, who are in the town centre six days a week and are happy to help where they can. I am also in regular contact with Cornwall Council’s Community Safety Team about the work that they are doing to assist people with complex needs and to try to understand the constraints they are under.

“Finally, it won’t be long until Christmas and I have offered my support to St Austell BID and White River Place to help with some Christmas events. I am hoping that the town council will once again provide free parking in Priory Car Park on the last four Saturdays leading up to Christmas, including the Christmas lights switch on evening, which is always a fun time in the town. I am also looking forward to the Remembrance Day parade and church service on November 10 when St Austell Band will be in attendance to lead the parade. The band has recently won their category at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, so there will be an extra spring in their march! Well done to St Austell Band!

“I wish you all a happy and healthy autumn.”