29/05/2026
Last week I had honour and pleasure to be made Mayor of the historic and unique town of Penryn.
I’m not a Rynner, but grew up in Fowey, went to Fowey School and St Austell Sixth Form, and spent 20 years working in London for various charities.
We moved to Penryn in middle of lockdown between now sadly closed Kings Head and the Famous Barrel, where we met many of Penryn’s characters.
St Thomas St is very friendly - as we moved in, two of our neighbours were busy making a podcast called Covid Tales where they interviewed everyone on the street – very varied histories, like much of Penryn.
I joined Penryn Town Council and realised quickly it is non-political, with councillors working together to do what’s best for the town - I really value this and intend to continue in this way.
Alongside this role, I work part-time for Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families. We’ve helped settle three Syrian and Palestinian refugee families in the area, all in private accommodation.
The first home we settled a family into had previously belonged to a woman who herself arrived in the UK as a child refugee on the Kindertransport from N**i Germany in 1939. It was a wonderful gesture from the British government that saved around 10,000 children. But it’s also sad to remember that children came alone because visas were not granted to their parents - many of whom later perished.
Cornwall has a long history of welcoming seafarers and people from overseas. St Piran himself was an Irish immigrant — like my mum. Growing up, our house was always full of people, and she always said: “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.”
I know that Cornwall, and the UK as a whole, is strengthened by people simply seeking safety for themselves and their families.
I also work for local MP, Jayne Kirkham for Truro and Falmouth. We deal with everything from parking tickets to housing and dentists. People often come to their MP when they’ve exhausted every other avenue, so we see first-hand the challenges many people face every day.
So, what do I want to do as Mayor?
One issue I’m passionate about is Commercial Road and creating a safer shared space for everyone. I'm a cyclist but also a motorist, pedestrian, and until recently, a pram user too. I’ve seen how difficult and dangerous that road can be if you use a stick, wheelchair, or pushchair, and I hope we can do more for residents and visitors alike.
The purple building has now been left untouched for four years. During that time, the football field behind it has remained inaccessible to young people living nearby. This is something that Jayne, Penryn Town Council and Cllr Dean Evans - Falmouth Town Council - Falmouth Boslowick have worked hard on — and we must keep the pressure up until we finally see that eyesore removed from the landscape.
We’ve also recently created a new Town Team to improve relationships between Penryn Town Council and local businesses. Our launch event is on 7th July 5.30-7pm at Falmouth Cycles
Alongside that, we’re improving our emergency planning following issues during Storm Goretti, looking at ways to fund more activities for young people, and working jointly with Falmouth on the Town of Culture bid. We aim to work together with Falmouth Town Council on future projects, especially efforts to reopen the swimming pool at Pendennis Community Centre
Cllr Mael Garrec - Mebyon Kernow Penryn has done brilliant work with Pesticide Free Penryn, raising awareness around glyphosates and highlighting South West Water’s pollution record.
I’d also like to promote the Penryn Town Fund, which supports people experiencing poverty or distress in Penryn. .
My nominated charity this year is Hidden Help, which recycles unwanted household goods to turn cold, empty accommodation into warm and welcoming homes for people leaving domestic violence, homelessness, or the armed forces.
Founder Judy Backus has built this extraordinary charity largely funded through selling her grandmother’s jewellery. During the year I hope to organise fundraising events including quiz nights and karaoke, and my civic event will be a Christmas carol concert.
Thank you to Wildflower Penryn and Iman’s Syrian Bakery for the food, and to Fowey Valley for the cider.
Finally, thank you to Mary May, Mayor of Penryn an amazing 8 times - these are very hard shoes to fill! Even though she’s a Falmouth girl, she’s always been completely dedicated to Penryn and has so much knowledge and experience that I’ve learned from. She’s been incredibly patient in showing me the ropes, but also always the first person to remind me to put my family first whenever there’s a clash.
AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
Saracen Awards :
Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank
Former Penryn Town Mayor Gill Grant for work on the Memory Café Roger Reynolds, former Treasurer of the Penryn Town Fund.
Cllr May presented a cheque to her nominated charity, Bosence.
Councillor Mael Garrec chosen as the new Deputy Mayor
Jim Henderson remains Town Crier
Reverend Emma Durose appointed Mayor’s Chaplain
Annie Jones remains Mayor’s Warden
Norman Hunter remains mace bearer
Beau Walters appointed Mayor’s Cadet.
