Located
in the geographical centre of the North Cornwall District, Camelford
has a long and glorious history, having been the commercial and
social centre of the area. With the rapid technological developments
currently taking place, the increase in funds available for regeneration
in rural areas and the emphasis on ‘bottom up’ development,
the community is in a position to make the town into a vibrant and
prosperous centre again.
Although
Camelford is placed in the most deprived 30% of all wards in England
with 45% of our children live in households receiving means-tested
benefits (the second most deprived in North Cornwall), the population
here grew by 20% in the seven years between 1991 and 1998. There
is an anticipated house building boom with two estates already
well on their way to completion, which could result in the population
increasing by at least another 20% in the next seven years!
This
rapid increase in population will create requirements for improved
education and health services as well as need for more employment
and recreation facilities. More people in the town will also increase
commercial activity and develop the capacity to raise funds through
mechanisms such as the Town Council precept, all adding capacity
to the regeneration process.
The
town has a thriving commercial centre, which pretty much defines
the historical conservation core of the town, and which reflects
its role as the commercial centre for the surrounding moorland
and coastal villages. The community comprehensive was the first
in Cornwall; there is a county primary school, a leisure centre
and a library. With banks, library, post office, lawyers, estate
agents, accountant, butcher, fishmonger, chemist, greengrocers,
newsagent, baker, a Learning Shop, two historic pubs, a Chinese
take-away, a Nepalese restaurant, a fish and chip take-away and
much much more, Camelford is a great place to live - and its right
on the A39 the Atlantic Highway and original route into and out
of Cornwall.
With
the Tourist Information Centre doubling as an independent museum
and art gallery; an arts centre; two other art galleries, and
the offices of North Cornwall Arts, Camelford has become the hub
of the arts in North Cornwall.
