Dear Electorate, I once again but myself forward for the Harbour Commissioners Elections on which i have acted as a commissioners since 2001. Having been a commercial fisherman for 25 years working from the port, this part of my life is something that i have always not only enjoyed but is part of my families history going back 14 generations in the area. The harbour is the heart of the community and it is why so many people wish to come to visit and live in Looe, it is governed by an Act of Parliament. It is an important part of Cornwall's fishing community and a jewel in the crown of South East Cornwall. As such it is a major economic driver for the area and helps sustain many local jobs, the harbour and it's success is important to the people of Looe and the area.
When i first became a commissioner it had depleted funds and some poor infrastructure and buildings. Over that period i have been very proud to play my part in the regeneration of much of the harbours fabric but the success of many of the towns fishermen and decommissioning of some of the fishing fleet the numbers of working boats has decreased. Recent discussions have, i believe put in place the seeds for a bright future for the towns fish market, which i hope will bring new boats to the town and it's market. Also the new development in West Looe The Quayside Centre (Mally's Shed) has brought new vigour to the business of West Looe and a asset for the town and it's people.
What will the future bring, well some of the quay walls are in need of some works to keep them safe and the Sardine Factory needs some major works. With it's sound finances the harbour is well placed to assist the town in holding and helping with events to bring people and business to the town. The key element for the future is looking at an outer breakwater or harbour to aid with the flood defences and economic growth for the town. It is necessary to develop plans and consult with the residents so we leave a town that is not to succumb to a storm as it did in the 1840s and why the Harbour Commissioners were formed. People often believe that they can become a Harbour Commissioner and change the way the harbour is run but the commissioners are governed by a Act of Parliament and Port Marine Code so what you can do is somewhat restricted. But i have always put the town, it's people and the economy of it at the forefront of my involvement.
Just to give you a flavour of why to commissioners were formed i am including an abstract from the Corporation Chronicles for East Looe
Shortly before 1848 East Looe was threatened with destruction by an irruption of the sea, which disturbed by the erection of wharves within the mouth of the river, had made a large breach in the shore at Churchend. The harbour was injured in many places by boulders and rocks in it's bed, the quays were inconvenient and dilapidated, and the narrow time eaten bridge of fourteen arches, with the steep approach from West Looe, has become ruinous and dangerous. At this time the place had to depend on the exertions of it's inhabitants and neighbours for existence and improvement. Mr J Buller, of Morval and his family, always evinced an interest in it's welfare, and with his advise and that of his nephew, the member for Liskeard and the Rector of Lanreath, it was decided to seek Parliamentary powers to improve the port Under the Act which was entitles "the East and West Looe Harbour and Bridge Act" thirteen commissioners were elected, viz;- The Mayors of East and West Looe and Liskeard, the Treasurer of the Looe and Liskeard Canal, six persons of Looe, St Martins and Talland, and three from Liskeard. The board caused a breakwater to be constructed at Churchend and a groin at the mouth of the river, and this fully repaired the former injuries from the sea. New and convenient quays were built and others repaired and altered. The harbour was deepened by removal of rocks and stones from the bed, in consequence of these improvements much material prosperity was experienced by the inhabitants.
This abstract shows that the protection of the town relies on the harbour being maintained and kept in order, whilst getting this right in the future it will assist with the problem of flooding and drive the local ecomomy.
Thank you for reading this and i hope it helps making your choices for the forthcoming election
Regards Armand Toms
When i first became a commissioner it had depleted funds and some poor infrastructure and buildings. Over that period i have been very proud to play my part in the regeneration of much of the harbours fabric but the success of many of the towns fishermen and decommissioning of some of the fishing fleet the numbers of working boats has decreased. Recent discussions have, i believe put in place the seeds for a bright future for the towns fish market, which i hope will bring new boats to the town and it's market. Also the new development in West Looe The Quayside Centre (Mally's Shed) has brought new vigour to the business of West Looe and a asset for the town and it's people.
What will the future bring, well some of the quay walls are in need of some works to keep them safe and the Sardine Factory needs some major works. With it's sound finances the harbour is well placed to assist the town in holding and helping with events to bring people and business to the town. The key element for the future is looking at an outer breakwater or harbour to aid with the flood defences and economic growth for the town. It is necessary to develop plans and consult with the residents so we leave a town that is not to succumb to a storm as it did in the 1840s and why the Harbour Commissioners were formed. People often believe that they can become a Harbour Commissioner and change the way the harbour is run but the commissioners are governed by a Act of Parliament and Port Marine Code so what you can do is somewhat restricted. But i have always put the town, it's people and the economy of it at the forefront of my involvement.
Just to give you a flavour of why to commissioners were formed i am including an abstract from the Corporation Chronicles for East Looe
Shortly before 1848 East Looe was threatened with destruction by an irruption of the sea, which disturbed by the erection of wharves within the mouth of the river, had made a large breach in the shore at Churchend. The harbour was injured in many places by boulders and rocks in it's bed, the quays were inconvenient and dilapidated, and the narrow time eaten bridge of fourteen arches, with the steep approach from West Looe, has become ruinous and dangerous. At this time the place had to depend on the exertions of it's inhabitants and neighbours for existence and improvement. Mr J Buller, of Morval and his family, always evinced an interest in it's welfare, and with his advise and that of his nephew, the member for Liskeard and the Rector of Lanreath, it was decided to seek Parliamentary powers to improve the port Under the Act which was entitles "the East and West Looe Harbour and Bridge Act" thirteen commissioners were elected, viz;- The Mayors of East and West Looe and Liskeard, the Treasurer of the Looe and Liskeard Canal, six persons of Looe, St Martins and Talland, and three from Liskeard. The board caused a breakwater to be constructed at Churchend and a groin at the mouth of the river, and this fully repaired the former injuries from the sea. New and convenient quays were built and others repaired and altered. The harbour was deepened by removal of rocks and stones from the bed, in consequence of these improvements much material prosperity was experienced by the inhabitants.
This abstract shows that the protection of the town relies on the harbour being maintained and kept in order, whilst getting this right in the future it will assist with the problem of flooding and drive the local ecomomy.
Thank you for reading this and i hope it helps making your choices for the forthcoming election
Regards Armand Toms
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