THE newly refurbished Camelford Library and town council offices were officially declared open by outgoing mayor, Rob Rotchell, on the evening of Tuesday, April 17, writes Rosie Cripps.

With a lavish opening of the library starting at 7pm, Camelford Town Council brought their meeting forward to 6pm, and an update was given on the library — a hot topic for the town for months.

Town clerk, Esther Grieg, told the meeting: “We are moved in and we are open! So far, it has all gone to plan.”

Decisions are currently being made about a logo for the front desk, a sign for downstairs to welcome people into the library, and the addition of some blinds to help with glare from the sun.

The meeting heard that the council is currently seeking approval from the Town Trust for secondary glazing of the stained glass of the building, and enquiries are being made about the lighting.

The window sills on the south side of the building are also ‘past their best’, and the windows inside need cleaning.

As one venture begins for Camelford, it was time for the town to wish outgoing mayor, Cllr Rotchell, a fond farewell as he takes a step back to allow a new mayor to take his place.

Cllr Rotchell, wearing his chain of office with pride, was able to hit his gavel for the final time as people from the community poured into the library for the official opening. As everyone enjoyed a glass of prosecco and scones and cake, Cllr Rotchell addressed the party.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome you all here for the official launch of the town council offices and library. This is my last civic event as town mayor.

“I’d like to start by thanking all of those who have supported me in my role as mayor of Camelford, and I like to think that I have contributed to making Camelford a better place to live. I’d like to say a grateful thanks to my colleagues on the town council.

“I’ve tried to do all I could to improve Camelford, and many of us have worked really hard to make Camelford a better place. I hope people will join in driving this forwards.”

Cllr Rotchell presented a wonderful antique map of Camelford, and said: “First, I’d like to give this map to the town council. It is a map of Camelford, and is around 120-years-old. It was framed by John Blight across the road, and I’d like to give the town council this map as a gift from me.”

The party was able to reflect on all the things achieved in Camelford while Cllr Rotchell was mayor.

These include the Clease Road bus shelter, the installation of ATMs in the town, the event shelter, repairs to the ‘kissing gate’, the installation of a number of defibrillators around the town, grants made to 35 organisations in Camelford from the town council, a new town council van, the introduction — and near completion — of the neighbourhood plan, parking at Market Place, the recruitment of an administration — and now deputy town clerk — Amanda Lash, the town council’s attendance at Camelford Show three times, the start-up of a community speedwatch initiative, the employment of an apprentice, the devolution of the library, plans and work to be completed on a new skatepark, renewed equipment in the park, a memorial bench purchased for the late Cllr Philip Lessels, a barbecue area built, the encouragement of remembrance, improvements to the health and wellbeing hub, Camelford becoming an air quality management area, and the town being on its way to ‘become a greener Camelford’.

Cllr Rotchell, who will continue to sit on the town council, also reminded everyone that the council had a 0.6% precept — the lowest in Cornwall.

The management of the library was taken over by Camelford Town Council from Cornwall Council on April 4, with refurbishments having taken place from mid-March until this date, introducing a updated and modern feel to the old building that is so prominent in the centre of Camelford.

With these changes, the library has seen the introduction to new and enthusiastic staff, including new library and administrative assistant Scarlett Sage, and Saturday library and administrative assistants Olivia Ferguson and Samantha Emery, in addition to existing librarian Bronwen Hockerday.

The library will be open from 9am to 4.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays, after promises were made to extend the library’s services to the community.

Cllr Rotchell added: “It is a pleasure for my last duty as town mayor to be to declare Camelford town council offices and library open.”