CAMELFORD town councillors have agreed to support the Camelford Walkers group, but have stressed that they will not take the group on.

This follows previous discussions about helping the group’s newly appointed chairperson, Helen Wood, with administration and promotion work, after she approached the council seeking support when realising this work is not something she has previously been familiar with.

The Camelford Walkers group has recently gained a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status for the town, meaning they are to follow specific guidelines to keep local walks and pathways open and thriving, and to promote the health benefits of walking. The group was previously led by John Pearce.

Cllr Alan Burgis told the council: “I’ve spoken to Helen Wood, and have been seeing some of the work they’ve got. I’ve also spoken to John Pearce, who wanted to see more about the Walkers are Welcome side. I’ve now got all of the local walks on the Camelford town website, and my email address has been passed onto people so I can be contacted regarding the walks.”

Mayor Rob Rotchell demonstrated his concern that this would become a town council venture.

He said: “I’m just being mindful, because I don’t want this to become a council responsibility.”

Cllr Aaron Dawe thinks the council should show as much support for the scheme as possible, due to the clear popularity of the walks.

He said: “I just want to say how popular walking is around here. I saw a whole army of them this morning, and I think it really is a popular thing and we should do all we can to help them.”

Cllr Rotchell didn’t knock this, but said: “I think we should continue to support them. We’ll support it, but we won’t take it on.”

It was agreed that town clerk, Esther Greig, would reply to an email sent by Helen Wood in regards to showing support to the Camelford Walkers, but making it clear that this would not become a town council issue.

For more information on the group, visit www.walkingincornwall.info/camlefordwalkers.phpCAMELFORD town councillors have agreed to support the Camelford Walkers group, but have stressed that they will not take the group on.

This follows previous discussions about helping the group’s newly appointed chairperson, Helen Wood, with administration and promotion work, after she approached the council seeking support when realising this work is not something she has previously been familiar with.

The Camelford Walkers group has recently gained a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status for the town, meaning they are to follow specific guidelines to keep local walks and pathways open and thriving, and to promote the health benefits of walking. The group was previously led by John Pearce.

Cllr Alan Burgis told the council: “I’ve spoken to Helen Wood, and have been seeing some of the work they’ve got. I’ve also spoken to John Pearce, who wanted to see more about the Walkers are Welcome side. I’ve now got all of the local walks on the Camelford town website, and my email address has been passed onto people so I can be contacted regarding the walks.”

Mayor Rob Rotchell demonstrated his concern that this would become a town council venture.

He said: “I’m just being mindful, because I don’t want this to become a council responsibility.”

Cllr Aaron Dawe thinks the council should show as much support for the scheme as possible, due to the clear popularity of the walks.

He said: “I just want to say how popular walking is around here. I saw a whole army of them this morning, and I think it really is a popular thing and we should do all we can to help them.”

Cllr Rotchell didn’t knock this, but said: “I think we should continue to support them. We’ll support it, but we won’t take it on.”

It was agreed that town clerk, Esther Greig, would reply to an email sent by Helen Wood in regards to showing support to the Camelford Walkers, but making it clear that this would not become a town council issue.

For more information on the group, visit www.walkingincornwall.info/camlefordwalkers.php