The Chair Speaks:- Aug 2010
SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR HAYLE?
Whilst I was expounding recently on the history of Hayle, the great things done by Harvey,Trevithick et al, a young man asked me what his grandchildren would remember that I had done. I couldn’t offer a reply – most unusual for me!
The greater the truth, the greater the pain don’t you think? At least I know that the Chamber has asked the opinion of the residents in the past, by way of responses to a Chamber/Harbour exhibition. We have always tried to be the round table around which all could, and have, sat, and the overwhelming response has been that HAYLE BUSINESSES SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HAYLE AND ITS HARBOUR. We support development not at any price but through negotiation, having the actual feelings of Hayle people told to us through OUR discussions with OUR customers!
There are TWO groups of Hayle people that Developers, residents and Regional Government NEVER consult – the children and students who will have to explain to their grandchildren what you have done for Hayle and the elderly who have lived and worked here when there WERE jobs! So you’re too young to work and too old to be taken notice of – is that it? Well I don’t believe it is. As a Chamber we are very supportive of our schools and we know what they want – development to provide jobs for when their education is finished. However, with the exception of one, we do not hear from any Care/Nursing Homes in the TR27 district. Cornwall is said to be No.1 in the country for providing care for the elderly and infirm commercially. That’s a lot of businesses, several of which will be affected by Hayle’s development and within them MANY EXPERIENCED views of which to take note. Care Homes, Day Centres, Disabled service providers join our Chamber and we will consult with you and those for whom you care as we do with all businesses.
The “one” exception is the provider of Hayle Chamber’s present home and an active Chamber Member. It is the Downes Residential Care Home within the grounds of the original St Michaels Convent developed and owned by Malcolm Burkett. Malcolm has not only refurbished the magnificent Convent building to a standard which has earned him two CQC “stars” but is now probably the first pet-friendly care home in Cornwall. For the benefit of the Town and the residents he is bringing the six acres of gardens back to their original grandeur and wants to work with Duchy College to reinstate the Victorian walled garden. Malcolm is as fervent about the development of Hayle as he is about reinvigorating the past. It may be a good “plug” for one of our Chamber Members, after all we all support each other, but at least in one Hayle business, he knows what his residents think.
What can you do to make your mark on Hayle?
Have a good summer.
Jeremy Joslin