Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC) hosted a visit by Dr Stuart Burgess, the government’s Rural Advocate and Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities. CRCC Chief Executive Mark Richardson welcomed Dr Burgess and John Coleman, Rural Advocate Programme Manager to Cornwall and accompanied them on a fact finding visit to two social enterprises.

The first port of call was to Blisland Shop and Post Office, near Bodmin where Dr Burgess was introduced to Margaret Marshall, Volunteer Post Mistress and Arthur Ludgate, Blisland Community Association before the Rural Advocate was taken on a tour of the facility. Also present was Bob Northey, Community Enterprise Officer (CRCC) who presented Dr Burgess with a copy of the recently published guide ‘Social Enterprise in Cornwall’.

The second visit was to Claytawc where Dr Burgess met Dave Hocking, Capacity Building Manager (CRCC) and Paul Green, Social Inclusion Team Leader (CRCC) followed by a short walk around St Dennis and a tour of the facility.

Reflecting on the day’s discussions Dr Burgess said ‘ The visit to Blisland and St. Dennis were both timely and relevant as I move towards the launch of my second Rural Advocate report on Monday, 3 March. In my report I place a strong emphasis on the need to support the significant contribution voluntary and community groups make in supporting local initiatives. Our visit to Blisland and St. Dennis has highlighted how essential it is that organisations like CRCC continue their excellent support for local volunteers and groups

Commenting on the visit Mark Richardson said ‘I deeply appreciate the interest taken by Dr Burgess in visiting Cornwall and seeing first hand economic issues faced in rural communities in the county and of the work undertaken by the Cornwall Rural Community Council.