Work gets underway on the Paths for Communities Project at Penrose

 The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) have started the first section of work under the P4C project at Penrose today. The volunteers were knee deep in mud at Carminowe Creek pulling out the old boardwalk which was badly damanged during the flooding last winter. They managed to get it all out today so next week work will start on installing a brand new one.

As the path is closed whilst the work is going on, there is a diversion in place across the wet meadow behind the creek. It is very wet and muddy all round Carminowe Creek at the moment so make sure you wear your wellies!

The National Trust is currently working on the Paths for Communities project across Penrose to improve access opportunities and enjoyment for everyone.  The P4C Project is funded by Natural England and was created to enhance the public rights of way network and to deliver benefits to rural areas.  Work began in October and will be complete by March 2014. With thanks to DEFRA and Natural England. This project is funded through the RDPE programme.

Laura

Lanterns galore at Poltesco

Poltesco played host to lanterns galore on Tuesday, as families from near and far joined us for a well attended make it yourself craft workshop.

More than 25 lanterns were constructed during the afternoon, with folk of all ages making their own masterpiece to take home.

The first step is to fashion a withy frame, and to keep it local we used willows cut from our own hedges. Then several layers of extra strong tissue paper soaked in dilute PVA glue are added to cover the frames, before a final layer of decoration adds the finishing touches. Lots of people went for a halloween theme, with ghosts and pumpkins out in force, whist others made polka dot or patchwork lampshades, which can be used 'for real' if  safely secured over electric lightbulb fittings.




We were so well attended that we ran an extra later session, but we still couldn't cater for everyone interested in joining us unfortunately.

Keep checking this blog and our website for details of our other upcoming fun family events.

Rachel

Work starts on reopening beach access at Lizard Point

the cliff fall of November 2012

Work has begun at Polpeor, right down on Lizard Point, to clear a sizeable landslip and make the cliff above safe. The cliff fall happened last November, one of many that occurred over the winter, as saturated ground gave way after weeks of rain. The cliff fall at Polpeor has proven to be the most problematic, meaning we have had to shut access to the beach for the public on safety grounds, and the debris has caused an inconvenience to the fishermen who usually store their boats below by the old lifeboat station. Now that the busiest part of the visitor season is behind us, and we are armed with the necessary engineers reports and tender documents, work has begun to find a long-term solution.

scaling back the upper face to enable netting and pinning

The contractors, a specialist mining and tunnelling company with lots of experience of this kind of cliff stabilisation work, have already cleared the debris, which has amounted to over 50 tonnes of material. Some of which has already found a new use as aggregate for a footpath repair job underway at Cadgwith, in a nifty bit of recycling!
The team have now moved on to scooping out any remaining loose material at the top of the cliff, ahead of scaffolding arriving later this week. The cliff will be pinned and netted, which all being well will give us the engineers go-ahead to re-open the beach access below. The barrier will be reinstated at the top.  Please note that parking on the Point will be restricted whilst this work is underway, so please bear with us as this project is completed. Everything should be back to normal by the end of the year, which will be a great relief to all concerned! For further information call the Rangers at Poltesco on 01326 291174

Rachel

Poltesco Mill under wraps

Anyone visiting Poltesco over the next month or so will be greeted by the unusual sight of the Mill carefully wrapped up in a protective tent of tarps and scaffolding.  This impressive temporary structure is to provide protection from the elements as necessary building work is undertaken to remedy a leaky roof.

An icy January scene from 2010

The mill's slate roof is being completely stripped and relaid and timbers repaired where rotten. Traditional techniques and materials are being used, and the temporary roof will be helpful in controlling the drying of the lime mortar, which is key to the process.

This, the upper mill, is the only survivor of at least 4 mills that have existed in the valley over the centuries. The earliest reference to  'The mill of Poltuske’ was in a document dated 1396 so mills and Poltesco go back a very long way! The other mills, such as the lower mill behind the education barn, are now no more than ruined walls and depressions where there were once wheel pits.

The mill c1870

The surviving mill has the honour of being the Most Southerly Mill on the British mainland, and still contains many of its original cogs, millstones and tools, as well as timbers from wrecked ships, which were used in its construction. It once served the farmers of Ruan parish, and the miller would have lived with his family next door, keeping pigs and running a small holding to supplement his income. Until 1828 tenants of the manor were obliged to use their landlord's mill, and help maintain its leats and workings.

I'm sure all the millers and farmers who have known the mill over the centuries would be satisfied to know it is still there and cared for, and getting a new roof!

Rachel

Give us a wave

Tools at the ready at Poldhu

If you've been down to Poldhu cove recently you will hardly have been able to miss the new wave sculpture there to greet you as you reach the top of the boardwalk. Poldhu is overrun with various colourful signs from the council and RNLI beach safety to the café and surf school and amidst all this it had become lost that this well loved beach itself its owned and looked after by the National Trust. So we wanted to create something that would welcome you, through the signage mayhem, onto this special beach.

Lifting the timbers into place

Although some might consider it rather large, the wooden wave sculpture fits its purpose beautifully. We wanted something that was natural and in keeping with its surrounding but at the same time making a subtle yet clear welcome. 

Setting the timbers in place

The ‘Wooden Wave’ was designed by Barefoot’s Jon Taylor and carved by local craftsman Virgil Cain. It is made out of reclaimed timbers from the fire of Falmouth Docks, provided by Holifield farm. The gnarled timbers themselves, with rusted bolts still visible to tell their story, are a striking sight sunk upright into the top of the dunes. A wave silhouette is carved across four of the five timbers with a circular window through its centre, framing the sea behind it. The contrast of the polished, carved wood with the untouched rough exterior, changes from a deep red through to silvery grey in different weather. 

Volunteers helped secure the timbers in the sand

The sculpture was part funded by the South West Coast Path Association and installed by local contractors William Watson and Peter Kemp. We will be improving the signage around Poldhu next year by working together with those involved to de-clutter the entrances and provide better information. We would love to hear any feedback you may have about the new installation or anything else regarding Poldhu cove. 


Elle

Heroes of Handplane - competition postponed. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances and the unexpected lack of swell that is forecast for Saturday we are going to postpone the Heroes of Handplane event until the Spring. We hope this hasn't caused any disappointment or inconvenience. Look out for updates in the new year. 

Layla 

Harbour Day - less than 2 weeks to go!!

This year’s Mullion Harbour Day, to be held on Sat 14th September, is set to be even better than last year!!




Alongside all the usual fun and games at this year’s Harbour Day, the National Trust and Lizard Adventure are organising a whole range of water based, fun races for visitors to take part in. To start off the day there will be a kayak race to Mullion island and back, Lizard Adventure will be providing kayaks for the race at £2 a go. The ever popular raft race across the harbour is back again and will be held at 1pm, so get your friends and family together and start collecting buoyant objects and a theme for your raft entry (extra points can be gained for using recycled materials) four people are allowed per raft and there will be an entry fee of £10. This will be followed by a new race, back by popular request – a swim across the harbour, open to all ages and abilities. The longest jump from the harbour wall competition commences at 3:30pm, a favourite pastime of harbour locals and a great way to cool off on a sunny day. The Grand National Trust Seahorse Steeplechase is back again and will see the jockeys ride their hobby horses (made from recycled body boards) down the slipway and over a few fences before swimming their horses across the harbour and back again. A sweepstake will allow onlookers to back their favoured sea horse. And of course Harbour Day would no the complete without the greasy pole challenge. Great entertainment for spectators and the highlight of the day for many brave locals. Lizard Adventure will also be offering free kayak tasters in the harbour during the afternoon for those who have always wanted to give it a go but never had the opportunity.



The RNLI lifeboat Rose will kindly be making a guest appearance during the afternoon with an impressive display not to be missed. The RNLI charity stall will also be present alongside a whole range of local craft stalls, traditional harbour games, face painting and free activities for those who don’t fancy getting wet. There will be a licensed bar and BBQ available throughout the day serving local ales and burgers from the National Trust Dexter herd who do an excellent job of grazing the surrounding cliffs for wildlife.



Mullion Harbour Day promises to be an enjoyable day out for everyone. Race entries will be taken on the day from 11am so pack your towel and come and join in the fun. Any proceeds from the day will go towards the ongoing maintenance and repairs of the harbour which has suffered significant storm damage in recent years.

For more information call Elle Parsons on 01326 291174 or email Elle.Parsons@nationaltrust.org.uk