Helston's Mayor and Deputy Mayor were picked for 2022-23 at a Mayor Making ceremony in the Guildhall.

Tim Grattan-Kane was re-elected as Mayor alongside Cllr Miles Kenchington as Deputy.

Members of the council and invited guests gathered last week for the ceremony which included a buffet in the Corn Exchange.

"It really is a great honour and a privilege. I'd like to thank my fellow councillors, sometimes we don't agree on things, but we all have the same intent. To do our very best for Helston," Town Mayor Grattan-Kane commented.

Tim Grattan-Kane addresses councillors and guests.

He continued:

"The remainder of the year was a significant challenge to all of us with high infection rates, hospitalisations, and deaths. This has continued to challenge our return to normality. Covid hasn't gone away. I wish to express my enormous gratitude to all of those medical professionals and volunteers who were supportive of the community throughout this time. We appreciate your determined efforts to support the NHS.

"Covid has placed particular challenges on our young people in relation to schooling, socialising, and exams. Whilst Helston has experienced an increase in anti-social behaviour we must not let our perception of the young be dominated by the few.

"We have very dedicated people in this town working hard to support our young. There are active groups including Furry Youth Cafe, youth groups, and Culdrose Community Centre. These groups will help our youngsters to find their way.

Helston's Mayors picked for 2022-23.

"The Welcome Back Fund provided a small funding stream to come back into the town. Thanks to the work of our former Town Regeneration Officer Martin Searle we provided many activities, there were several performances from musicians outside the Methodist Chapel, we had a music day, we had a pop-up crazy golf day. However, the biggest achievement of the Welcome Back Fund was on St Piran's Day. Thanks to some wonderful teamwork between CAST and the museum. They held workshops where youngsters made lanterns. From this, the lanterns were taken on a parade outside the museum. We had singing alongside the Town Band. We are hoping to make it a permanent fixture on Helston's calendar of events.

"Looking to the future, there is good news as Helston has been selected for the possibility of levelling up funding. This is a result of the dedicated work that has gone on for 5-6 years. There is still a lot of work to do but the indications we have at the moment are very positive. I have to give particular thanks to Cllr Foreman, Cllr Thomas, members of the CIC, Place Shaping Board, and the Town Clerk."

"The potential for Helston is phenomenal," he added.

Tim Grattan-Kane discussed the return of Flora Day, saying:

"We have all missed it terribly. In the week leading up to it, there was a real sense of anticipation and excitement. Thankfully it didn't rain, people turned out in huge numbers. I have to thank the Flora Day Association for all their work, Helston Town Band, all the volunteers who made the town look so great, and our council staff who worked really hard. Thank you to everyone for making it such a successful event."