CAMELFORD had an emotional end to a successful annual parish meeting last Thursday evening as the mayor of the town, Kirsty Ferguson, announced her resignation.

It was with much sadness that at the end of the annual parish meeting, hosted by Camelford Town Council, on Thursday, March 7, Camelford mayor, Kirsty Ferguson, announced her resignation as mayor and town councillor.

Kirsty was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) in 2010, and despite fighting against it, her health has been worsening since the summer of 2018. Although wanting to continue, Kirsty and her MS nurse, along with her family, felt it was time she re-evaluated her commitments and to ‘look after number one for a while’.

Making an emotional, tearful speech to the room last Thursday evening, Kirsty said: “It is with great sadness that I have to go. I have to look after myself for a while. I have loved every second of being mayor in my home town. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, especially over the last 12 months.”

Some of the highlights from Kirsty’s year in office include the opening of the Old Cattle Market (OCM) Skatepark and having the honour of escorting HRH Princess Alexandra around the town. Kirsty also held a sunflower competition during the spring of 2018, which proved very popular and spurred her on to hold regular competitions for the community.

Kirsty added: “It has been a real honour to lead such a dedicated group of people in making Camelford a better place to live.”

Kirsty hopes to continue supporting the events committee, the community speed watch group and being a volunteer for the Camelford Community Emergency Plan.