OUR STORY

In 2005 and 2006 a series of public meetings was organised by Padstow Town Council to create a Parish Plan setting out the desires, concerns and problems faced by local residents. Everyone who attended was encouraged to volunteer for an action group to agree the final plan and investigate what could be done locally to achieve the recommended improvements.

Amongst the major issues highlighted were the difficulties in accessing local services and facilities because of the shortcomings of local public transport. A group came together from the original volunteers and interested non-profit-making community organisations. As it transpired the majority of that committee were indeed representatives of all those people who have supported and used the minibus over the last 13 years - headteachers from St Merryn and Padstow Schools, others representing St Petroc Senior Citizens, St Merryn Age Concern, Padstow Sea Cadets, Padstow Youth Forum, Padstow Church, Padstow Football Club, Sailing Club, a pool club and more. To date about 40 different groups have used the minibus.

They proved, to the satisfaction of Cornwall Council, that a minibus would be fully utilised and as a result the Council provided the full cost of purchasing and converting a minibus, enabling the service to be launched in September 2010. The wheelchair lift and easy access were particularly welcomed by those with mobility issues, truly making this a vehicle for the whole community. Our Senior Citizens loved their weekly trips and the volunteer drivers, who all gave their time freely, became true local heroes.

In 2016, H.M. Government offered grants to existing Community Minibus organisations to buy a new vehicle and we jumped at the chance to have a brand new bus, designed and built by a specialist Devon coach builder based on all we had learned about the needs of our members over the previous years.

However, after ten years service, the management team decided it was time to introduce new blood and in March, 2022, were delighted when a couple of the community groups already using the minibus offered to form a new Board of Trustees to keep the service on the road. It is a joy to report that they have built on past achievements and indeed taken it to new levels of success in serving our local community. Well done to all concerned.