MEMBERS of the Bude Welcomes Refugees group arrived at Bude-Stratton Town Council’s full committee meeting on Thursday, April 7 looking for their support in the work they are doing.

Ellie Stacey spoke on behalf of the group during the public participation item on the agenda and described eloquently the plight of the refugees that are travelling from Syria by various means to escape the devastation the civil war is inflicting on their once peaceful, tolerant country.

She also spoke of the work the group are doing to raise money and awareness of the crisis, ultimately hoping they’ll be able to offer two families sanctuary in the town until the war is over.

She touched on the meeting that took place at Rosie’s Kitchen recently and the overwhelming support the people of Bude have shown so far to help in anyway they can, either through donations, signing petitions, or some even going to Lesvos to help the refugees make the dangerous crossing from Turkey.

She finished her speech by simply asking the town council if it can show its support for the work they’re doing so that they know they have the backing of their local council as they go forward.

In response, town mayor Cllr Lea Deely acknowledged the work the group had been doing through what she has seen on their Facebook page, but said the town council couldn’t take a stance either way at this stage until something official is passed through from Cornwall Council.

“With reference to recent posts on Facebook, responsibility for the reception and accommodation of refugees in Cornwall is led by Cornwall Council.

“Bude-Stratton Town Council will look carefully at any official approach to assist and support the integration of refugees and their families within its existing powers.”

As the item wasn’t an official part of the agenda, the council couldn’t discuss it in any detail nor could it say in any official capacity whether or not it supports the work they are doing.

Cllr Peter La Broy offered the group some advice after the meeting on how to get the town council to take a vote on it and suggested they write to the town mayor and clerk, whilst copying all the other councillors in, asking for the item to be added to the next full council agenda.

Once on the agenda, the Bude Welcomes Refugees group’s work can be discussed in detail and if needed a vote can be taken to show which councillors are in support.

Following the meeting, Cllr La Broy told the Post: “At the council meeting, I was deeply upset that the mayor was very short with the group, stating that the council couldn’t offer support in any way. This isn’t really the case, as I believe that the council could — providing the subject is on the agenda — offer their support and encouragement.

“There is a real human catastrophe going on, whilst we cannot hope to solve all the problems of the world, we could at least listen with sympathy and maybe offer a few words of encouragement.

“The group stated that its aim was to provide a home for two families in Bude. This doesn’t feel unattainable, nor would it change the structure of our society.

“Bude has always had a warm welcoming heart, I don’t think that was truly represented by the town council during the presentation.”

Group leader Mary Whibley said that she hopes everyone can work together in a positive way to help what is the biggest refugee crisis since World War Two.