A COUNCILLOR whose popularity could not be denied is stepping away from local politics.

George Trubody, who has represented the Rame Peninsula for 12 years, has a good many achievements to be proud of as he enters his final few weeks in the role. None more dramatic than during the storms that hit Kingsand and Cawsand in February 2014, when George, a former fisherman, put himself in the path of danger to rescue stranded residents and protect lives and properties.

But there have been quieter triumphs as well, achieved over the longer term: when the Rame Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan was adopted in 2017, this ground-breaking document brought together the views and visions of all the parish councils on the peninsula, and ensured that new houses would not be built for use as second homes.

George was involved with the founding of The Peninsula Trust, a community benefit society set up to improve housing and employment prospects for local people. Cawsand’s Old Coastguard Cottages were secured for affordable rent, and later, a project to get the community to invest in the Old Ship Inn took off. The ancient pub, once consumed by fire, will be brought back to life as a community facility and residential accommodation.

As the youngest Cornwall Councillor when he started out in 2009, George joined when the local authority was also young – in its first year of the change from the district and county structure to the unitary authority.

In 2017 George set a record by securing the most votes ever recorded in a Cornwall Council election. And at 42, he is still the youngest sitting Independent Councillor in the county.

During his years working for the residents of the Rame Peninsula, George says he has worn his heart on his sleeve.

With characteristic frankness he says his reason for not standing in 2021 is that with the reduction in councillor numbers meaning a much wider area to represent, he feels the job will be “a challenge too far”.

“This decision has not been easy, and I have thought long and hard, but in truth, I don’t think I can do the job as well as I would want, and people expect,” he said.

“The new Council division is huge, covering seven parishes and thousands more people than before. If others can make it work, then I sincerely say good luck!

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the people of the Rame Peninsula for 12 years and it has changed my life forever. The Parish Councils and I achieved many great things for the area and legacy projects with the Peninsula Trust that will bear fruit in a few years’ time.

“Thankyou to the people of the Rame Peninsula for all your support.”

George, who was a commercial fisherman for a few years before running charter mackerel fishing trips out of Caswand Bay, said that his initial intention had been to continue fishing part-time alongside his council work, but that he soon realised that the Council workload was “immense”, and he sold his boat and licence.

“I spent the next five years concentrating on Council work, to keep on top of the role, as the casework was fast and furious. After this time, I applied for, and was appointed as Parish Council Clerk for Landrake and St.Erney Parish Council, (part-time). I really enjoyed working with the Parish Council, they are a lovely group of people, who are really doing their best for the community. I carried out this role until March 2020.

“What I might do next?.... is a good question. I have some other part time work I am currently involved with, but no ’grand plans’ of yet.”

Local people poured out their thanks in return after George posted his announcement on social media. Just a few of the dozens of comments give a flavour of how well he’s regarded: “Thanks for all the work you led and supported, so selflessly, to help make the peninsula a better place”; “Thank you George, for your good humour, always being prepared to listen and going the extra mile to try to help”; and “So sorry that you are leaving. You have done tremendous things in the area and your legacy will be there to benefit many people for many years to come. Thank you and good luck with whatever you do in the future.”