THE striking sound of a blacksmith's hammer on anvil and the sight of two magnificent horses named after Greek gods will help to draw tourists to Bude this summer, writes Ryan Cox.

The new attractions were mentioned by town mayor Frank Partridge in his report at the annual town meeting last Thursday.

He told councillors and members of the public at the meeting in the Willoughby Gallery that despite the difficult year the council has had, they can take a lot of positives from it and move forward in the coming year.

He said: "You may know that we are currently recruiting for a town clerk, Ms Christine Kett having taken early retirement.

"Unfortunately the deputy town clerk is off work at present. Therefore, I appear before you, as last year, without a clerk.

"Without a clerk's or deputy clerk's input for a considerable amount of time, this past year has been challenging, to say the least, but progress has been made.

"The council has appointed a full time responsible finance officer and this will allow the new town clerk to concentrate fully on council matters and progress projects and allow the council to deal with matters in a proactive manner.

"Our thanks to Christine were widely publicised at the time of her retirement and I again reiterate our thanks for her years of service to the council.

"I would also like to thank Andrew Morgan — the promotions, marketing and events officer — who has been my right hand man and taken on many tasks beyond his job description, and hopefully he will continue to carry on until a new town clerk is appointed — or at least until next Thursday evening when I step down as chairman!"

Cllr Partridge then listed a number of achievements for Bude over the past year and the near future, which included being granted planning permission to replace the pitch and putt with work hopefully to commence in the autumn, completion of the reroofing of Helebridge barge workshops with the help of the Bude Harbour and Canal Society, and the cricket pavilion being opened by the cricket club in June.

The conservatory, to complete Café Limelight as a light refreshment offering, is almost finished and it is hoped to be open for Whit Monday on May 25.

The Castle shop was moved into Café Limelight and the shop was reopened as The Cone, and the council tearooms at the Wharf car park are now subject of a new five-year lease — the successful applicant will hopefully be in a position to re-open the premises as a tearoom in June, although this is still subject to contract.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.