St Teath Parish Council held its annual parish meeting on Wednesday, May, 19 at Delabole Methodist Church Room.

The meeting was well attended by local residents and the presence of 15 of the younger generation made for an energetic evening. The youngsters were especially welcome as it is St Teath Parish Council's wish to start up a youth forum, or Junior Parish Council to communicate with the 12 to 16-year-olds.

A spokesman explained: "Over the past two years the parish council has been busy putting play equipment in St Teath and Delabole for the small children, but nothing has been done for the older children. They have nowhere to congregate, no youth club, no exercise equipment, no BMX track — it is no surprise when they get up to mischief."

The first meeting of this Junior Parish Council was set for Thursday, June 3 when a committee comprising teenagers, councillors and youth leaders will be formed and a plan of action worked out.

The annual parish meeting was chaired by Cllr Eddie Jones who reported events over the past year. He made mention of the very successful oil buying consortium run by Cllr Jenny Tidd and her husband Dennis. Cllr Jones also told those present that a neighbourhood watch scheme was now operating throughout the parish and that the Credit Union was well supported.

The Junior Fun Club, run by Cllr Grace Keat and Bob Fox, was proving a great success with the children of St Teath and membership numbers were well up on last year. The clerk, Sue Theobald, outlined the final accounts for the year ended March 31.

From the precept received from Cornwall Council the parish council had purchased a plot of land which was handed to the newly formed St Teath Allotment Group. Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Dan Rogerson, officially opened the allotments on a very wet Easter Saturday at a well supported event, despite the awful weather.

The clerk also told the meeting that all other commitments had been met in the day to day

running of the parish.

Special mention was made of the fact that all the public footpaths were now in good order thanks to local contractor Dave Barrett who had worked tirelessly to bring all 'Gold' and 'Silver' paths up to the standard required by Cornwall Council.

The clerk also thanked the parish maintenance contractor, Jason McDougall for working so hard to keep the parish tidy, the grass cut and all benches and play equipment in good order. All present enjoyed tea, coffee and a range of homemade cakes made and served by the councillors and the meeting closed at 9pm.