EVENTS and activities for Camelford's Charter celebrations continue to grow. At the April 21 meeting of Camelford Town Council, the council was approached by Jill Lamede, who proposed the inclusion of a number of arts related activities, writes Suzanne Cleave.

Jill is a local storyteller from Tintagel and Maia Project Manager. The Maia Project aims to establish an International Centre of Excellence for the Creative Industries, based at the former Gaia Centre in Delabole. Jill also set up North Cornwall Arts in 1992.

She hoped to use her experience in the field to bring some creative performances and workshops to the proceedings, and told councillors: "What we can bring is arts activities, in particular a week of arts activities leading up to the medieval fair on July 11."

She sought the answer to a number of questions, as time is getting very short to organise activities. Jill told the council that she had four grant applications out, and until she learns whether or not they have been successful, she won't know which companies to bring in. However, she would like to use local choirs and musicians.

Jill also revealed the great news that the Miracle Theatre Company has offered to perform during the celebrations, whether she is able to pay them or not. "That really is something that we must seize," she added. "Once they perform there and start to love it, they may come back year after year. It would be wonderful for Camelford."

Due to the company's tour schedule, she required a decision from the council that night in order to confirm their booking.

In addition to the theatre production, Jill would like to hold a workshop on Sunday, July 5 in Enfield Park for the whole community to join in, using professional artists and materials from the Scrap Store to decorate and make sculptures and paper flowers — "anything people want to make to bring the park alive for the fair."

In preparation for this, Jill told the council that she would offer her services to the youth club, schools and other local organisations, and as she is a storyteller, she can meet with these groups and tell them stories about Camelford.

"If we can get the youngsters to join in, to come along to the workshop on the Sunday, then hopefully having done a lot of the decorations, they will be happy for them to stay there the whole week without destroying them."

Jill said the organisation will go towards part of a course she is studying, and so she will be monitored along the way. She has applied for insurance and a risk assessment has been carried out. There is also a growing team of volunteers who will help to control the day.

"We're trying to think of absolutely everything. I've been running workshops for 45 years so I've got some experience in setting things like this up and making sure that they work, and it would be very exciting to have something happen in the heart of Camelford. This is bringing it back to the local community and trying to bring funding from outside."

The council thanked Jill for her time, and Cllr Bob Ireland confirmed that July 5 was totally clear in the Charter events calendar, and was hers if the rest of the council agreed. Cllr Lush noted that although decisions cannot normally be made on the same night they are raised by members of the public, as they are not an agenda item, the Charter celebrations had already been discussed as so this would be a welcome addition to those plans.