Cllr Keith Truscott has served as a dedicated Parish Councillor for around eight years, bringing with him a lifetime of local knowledge and a strong commitment to supporting the community he has always called home.
Keith was born at Menmundy Farm in Nanpean and spent much of his childhood in Coombe, a time he remembers as a particularly happy and formative period of his life. In 1969 he moved to Foxhole, where he lived for many years and became firmly rooted in the life of the village, before relocating to High Street in 2003.
His working life began with an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, spanning from 1969 to 1985. Although he completed his training, Keith soon realised that the trade was not the right fit for him. He went on to establish his own haulage company, which he successfully ran for many years until retiring in 2019. Through this work, Keith built a strong reputation for reliability and hard work, values that continue to guide his approach to parish council responsibilities.
Since retiring, Keith has remained actively involved in the parish as a part-time farmer, keeping around 100 cattle across various clay tips in the parish in partnership with Imerys and English Nature, although he is now gradually reducing numbers.
Keith became a Parish Councillor out of a genuine desire to give something back to the community that has supported him throughout his life. One of his key passions has been improving local footpaths, particularly those linking Foxhole and Nanpean, and High Street and Lanjeth. He is especially proud to have played a role in delivering the footpath between Nanpean and Foxhole, which has brought real benefits to residents and walkers alike. He continues to champion the completion of the High Street–Lanjeth footpath and remains determined to see the project reach its conclusion.
Within the Parish Council, Keith serves as Chairman of the HR Committee as well as the Property and Services Committee. He is also a key member of the Century of Change Working Party, which is updating the publication to reflect the significant changes that have taken place in the parish over the past 30 years. Keith is particularly passionate about ensuring that the history and heritage of the parish are properly recorded and remembered for future generations, describing the project as both important and something he is proud to be part of.
Over his time as a councillor, Keith has helped achieve a number of positive outcomes for the parish. These include securing land for a much-needed car park in Lanjeth, supporting initiatives to help young families remain within the community, and playing a role in getting the playing fields in Lanjeth back up and running again. In addition, he represents the Parish Council on the St Dennis and Nanpean Community Trust Fund and the Nanpean Playing Field.
Outside of his council work, Keith has a long-standing love of sport and rural life. He is an enthusiastic supporter of county rugby and rarely misses a match. In his earlier years he was a keen rider and one of the founding members of Terras Pony Club. He continues to support local equestrian events, including helping out at the Coombe and St Stephen horse shows.
Through his lifelong connection to the parish, practical experience, and commitment to community service, Keith continues to play an active role in shaping and supporting the area for current and future residents.