THE furore which has followed the decision by Saltash town councillors to order real musquash fur from Holland for the deputy mayor's new robe, has led to the matter being reconsidered.

At their meeting on July 19 town councillors decided that the subject, which has led to letters of objections from residents, should be discussed again at their next meeting - on August 16.

The clerk to the town council, Marilyn Small, emphasised that in the meantime the members had decided that no robe would be purchased.

The councillors had previously agreed, by a vote of eight to four, to ask for the £875 new robe to be trimmed with musquash fur from Holland. The decision was taken after they heard that the animal is regarded as vermin in that country.

However, town mayor, Eve Storey, said if it emerged that musquash are farmed for their fur she would think differently on the matter.

Sue Hooper, who opposed the idea of using real fur for the robe, had asked if it was wise to use animal fur, making the final cost £875. She had suggested using synthetic fur instead, and had been backed by Peter Stephens who said he felt real fur looked better on the animals.

Community

Mrs Hooper was pleased with the decision to look at the matter again, and said the letters, and response from the community, had played a part in that. She explained that on August 16 the matter can be freely discussed, or overturned, if that is the will of the majority.

She said: 'At the end of the day we just need to know how these animals are killed in order to preserve their skins.'

The council's standing orders mean that if four councillors sign a written request resolved items can be discussed again within six months - which is what has happened in this case.

Eric Lewis said he felt the current robe should be kept as long as possible, as its age adds to its tradition. This was underlined by Pip Miller, of Saltash who, in a letter to The Cornish Times last week, asked why the robes were being replaced in the first place. She said that times change, and wondered whether the deputy mayor really needs ceremonial robes.

She said: 'What benefits do ratepayers and residents of Saltash derive from this fancy dress?'

l See letters page.