THE Camelford and District Senior Citizens Forum has, sadly, come to an end.

At the Special General Meeting on February 2, members voted unanimously on the resolution that the forum should close with immediate effect.

It was also agreed that any money left after the money remaining from Cornwall Community Foundation's Grant to the group has been repaid should be distributed between St Francis Home for Animals via its Charity shop in Camelford, Camelford Youth Club, Camelford Brownies and Camelford Little Acorns. They are each likely to receive about £50.

Kate Neall, Acting Chairman for the Special General Meeting, read out her tribute to Trudy Mason, founder of the forum.

A few years ago Trudy discovered the National Pensioners' Convention (NPC) and starting attending meetings at Lewannick. She was fired with enthusiasm and wanted to form a local branch.

So she gathered lots of information and spoke about it with friends and a small committee was formed. The group joined the NPC and was attached to Cornwall Senior Citizens Forum.

The group worked hard sorting out its aims and making themselves known and, mainly due to Trudy, more people joined and paid their £3 membership.

The group held a public meeting in Delabole to launch the Camelford & District Branch of Cornwall Senior Citizens Forum, formally appointing Trudy as Chairman and electing a committee who spent many hours on the constitution trying to make sure it was legal, correct and fair and set out their aims clearly.

A spokesman said: "Always at the spearhead was Trudy, with Eric's support. She worked extremely hard at raising support and money. When Joan Philp joined us she brought a wealth of knowledge. Our meetings were a mixture of information and entertainment and, of course, a cup of tea. It has always been Trudy's group; she was the inspiration, the energy and the driving force.

"Circumstances change and with Eric's ill health Trudy had to give her time and energy looking after him. She decided to step down and no-one else felt able to take on the task; so, sadly, we have come to this afternoon."

The spokesman added: "But it's not a failure. We have all gained knowledge, have got to know each other and had fun in the doing. No experience is ever a loss. We can still be members of the National Pensioners Convention."