CAMPAIGNERS in Callington hoping to save an historic building from being sold by Cornwall Council could transform it into the smallest museum in the country, dedicated to the Cornish pasty. Callington Town Forum is gauging support for its idea to create a visitor attraction at the former parish vestry and town jail known as 'The Clink.' Being the home of the Ginsters Pasty Factory, Callington could have the only museum focused on this local delicacy this side of Mexico. The Listed building near St Mary's Church was built in 1851, when Callington had a population of 2,138, and included two lock-ups at ground-floor level, where the constable would detain petty criminals awaiting the visiting magistrate. The upper floor was used as a vestry room where officers and parish overseers presided over the payment of poor relief to the disadvantaged in the parish. The Clink is owned by Cornwall Council which renovated the building several years ago, but hopes of renting it as office space long-term have failed. Now deteriorating, it was recently offered to Callington Town Council for a nominal annual rent, but members declined as they could not see a use for it and were concerned about the upkeep of the building. Town Forum member Gail Buttery, who is spearheading the campaign and who also owns The Pasty Shop, said: 'Cornwall Council has decided this is an asset it should sell, which means it would be lost to the town forever and any opportunity for Callington to make use of it could not be realised. 'A specialist building company has undertaken an initial survey at the request of the Town Forum to give an idea of costs to bring the building back into use. There has been extensive refurbishment, but it has been vacant, sealed up and unheated for several years. Now there are some signs of water penetration to the wall and ceilings in the entrance foyer. 'Obviously grant funding would need to be obtained to pay for the initial work, estimated at £13,000, but this is something the Town Forum could pursue.' In 2002 a survey carried out by the archaeological unit of Cornwall County Council regarding the historical buildings in the town stated: 'The historic buildings . . . which so greatly contribute to the character of the town, are at present underused. Callington should be marketed as an important historic centre. Its unique historic heritage should be marketed to investors, existing and potential residents and in the process to the outside world/visitors.' Gail said the question was what did the people of Callington wish to see happen at The Clink? 'We would like to encourage more people into the town centre so this could be a museum based around how the Cornish pasty is an important part of the history and economic development of the county,' she said. 'For centuries the pasty has been synonymous with Cornwall but sadly the only museum dedicated to it is in Mexico. The idea that Callington could be the venue for a museum is just one suggestion as to how we could use The Clink. 'We would love people to be part of a public campaign to save this important building and welcome all ideas and suggestions. Together we could make a difference and breathe new life into the centre of Callington.' Jonny Alford, Cornwall Council estates services manager said: 'The Clink has previously been let as office space but has been empty for some time now. Unfortunately there has not been a demand for the property, which is a small two storey building with a small kitchen and toilet downstairs and single room upstairs. We have been exploring options with a wide range of potential users for some time now and there appears to be no interest. In the absence of a long term viable use, we are planning to sell the property.' He said six months had been given for the community group to raise funds to take on the property but that time was now almost up. • Anyone who wants to join the Save The Clink campaign should contact Gail Buttery on 01579 384933.