Tremayne Woods, the Quay and boathouse are well known to most people who are familiar with the Helford River, but for those who’ve not had the pleasure of visiting this very special place, here’s a little background together with an appeal for help.
Historically, Tremayne has always been associated with Trelowarren Estate. Whilst there has no doubt been a quay located here for a great deal longer, the present structure dates from 1847, built by Sir Richard Vyvyan in preparation for a visit by Queen Victoria. Whilst unfortunately the queen never came, her great grandson, Edward, Duke of Windsor, favoured the quay with a belated royal visit in 1921 when he was Prince of Wales.
The Quay is at the end of a mile long track leading through unspoilt ancient semi-natural and plantation woodland running alongside the Helford River. Some of these woods, notably the mature beech plantation in the valley at the head of the Creek, were planted specifically to impress Queen Victoria prior to her aborted visit in the 1840s. The sessile oak woodlands further down the track were managed as coppice for the charcoal and tannin trade, and like many Cornish oak woodlands, would have been a hive of activity up until the 1920s with bodgers and wood folk managing the woods. Today, the woods are better known for their beauty and tranquillity as well as the abundance of estuarine birds and woodland flora which can be spotted along the way.
The Woods and Quay were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1978 from the Vyvyan family of Trelowarren. Today, it is one of the few public quays on the upper reaches of the river, with public access right down to the riverside.
These days, Tremayne is a popular place for recreation, quiet enjoyment and having fun. Whether it’s walkers stopping for a picnic or just to enjoy the unspoilt views up and down the river, boat users pulling up for a BBQ or overnight stay, or a bunch of youngsters experiencing the wonderful solitude of the river at night with a camping trip, most locals and visitors to Tremayne have fond memories of the place. It’s a place to fish, catch crabs, wild swim, jump in at high tide, make a mud pie and roast marshmallows around the campfire. It’s a place for everyone, for ever.
However, in recent years the Quay has begun to show its age and needs some significant restoration repairs undertaken. Holes have appeared within the walls, stones have become dislodged and in places the core of the structure is beginning to be washed out. We’d also like to make some improvements to the Quay, with some new boat tie-ups installed, improved fire pits and better drainage.
The National Trust has recently received a very generous donation of £3000 from a local charitable trust, but we still need at least £9000 more before the work can take place.
We know that Tremayne is a much loved and appreciated place and we would be enormously grateful for any contributions towards the repair costs. A gift of any size would be gratefully welcomed and will make a huge difference to this stunning local landmark for years to come.
If you would like to make a donation to this appeal then you can do so at www.justgiving.com/TremayneQuay or send a cheque made payable to ‘National Trust’ to Tremayne Quay Appeal, The Stables, Penrose Estate, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RD Please indicate whether or not you would like us to claim gift aid on your donation.
You can also contact me for more information on 01326 291174.
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