Outrage over 'use park for store' idea

SUGGESTIONS that popular Kimberley Park in Falmouth be ripped up to make way for a huge supermarket, and so help rejuvenate the town, have been put to a local forum.

But as soon as they were made public they were causing an outcry in Falmouth.

The idea was included in far-reaching proposals to regenerate the town and keep large food companies from developing out-of-town sites.

A new garden on the recreation field and a new rugby ground were also suggested, as were trams in the town centre.

But as people phone the Packet to register their protests, it became more likely that the park idea, along with many others, would be put officially to the town council for discussion.

It is unlikely it will get much further unless sacrifices are to be made in order to inject new life into the town.

Man behind the suggestion is local Chamber of Commerce member Martin Lock, who surprised even his own colleagues when he went into detail at a meeting of the Falmouth Town Regeneration Forum.

Barry Stuttard, forum chairman, emphasised they were "individual ideas". Mr Lock had been asked to go along and present certain ideas. "I did not know he would come out with them in detail," said Mr Stuttard.

"He was prepared to put in a lot of his own time to prepare exciting things for Falmouth. If they were acceptable to the town he would get a fee. He is a gifted person but it should be presented to the town council first and I will ask him to do that."

In his own opinion, Mr Stuttard doubted if the gardens could be given up as they were a gift to the town by Lord Kimberley. But they were ideas worth airing.

Mayor's pledge to Penryn

A MAN responsible for clearing the slums from Penryn in the 70s was elected its mayor this week and promised to do what he could in the future to generate its resurgence.

Harry Grant was near to tears at times throughout his acceptance speech in front of more than 100 people. But he was, he said, proud and privileged to accept the office in the town he had come to love over the years.

"I will dedicate myself fort he coming two years to do what I can to regenerate this town," he said. "It will die if we don't do something and the losers will be the county council, Carrick council, the town council and everyone else."

The strength was within the town and among its unique community, who had proved what they could do some years ago when the Penryn housing project was such a success.

Mr Grant, who was recently re-elected to the council along with his wide, who has become his mayoress, said he first got to know the town many years ago. It was a love affair at first sight that developed and had never stopped.