Jeremy Vernon is cutting back brambles and pressure-washing steps in Launceston, Cornwall, entirely out of his own pocket. The 51-year-old steel erector isn’t paid a penny, yet his free clear-ups have turned him into a local social media star.
For a town where neglected pathways often make sidewalks impassable, Vernon’s initiative is more than just aesthetic. It’s a safety net for residents, particularly children walking to school, who have been forced to navigate around overgrown vegetation and debris.
Self-funded and self-insured
Vernon, who moved back to Cornwall after a kidney cancer diagnosis, treats the work as his gym session. “I’m not getting paid for it and all the materials and fuel is coming out of my own pocket,” he told BBC Science. He previously worked on movie sets like Death on the Nile, but now his focus is on Roydon Road and local footpaths. The physical labor keeps him fit, he says, but the real reward is the public reaction. “The satisfaction after walking down the path after it has been cleaned… is huge,” he noted.
Insurance hurdles
Despite the goodwill, Vernon faces a bureaucratic wall. He contacted Launceston Town Council, only to be told the paths weren’t theirs. He then reached out to Cornwall Council multiple times. “I have the public liability insurance but I don’t have permission to be where I am so it kind of invalidates my insurance,” he explained. Without official clearance, he risks voiding his coverage while working in public spaces.
Community gratitude
Local resident Elz Ravenscroft, whose daughter uses the cleared routes, says Vernon has “gone above and beyond.” She urged the council to recognize his efforts, noting he has even removed graffiti from benches. Cornwall Council responded by stating they support volunteering and that 60,000 hours of community work were logged on their land last year. They advised Vernon to register with their contractor, Cormac, to secure proper indemnity. For now, Vernon is still out there with his shovel, waiting for the paperwork to catch up with his hard work.
Source: BBC Science
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: BBC Science.
