Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust

1 Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust An environmental charity dedicated to the recognition, protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the Lizard Peninsula Friends of the Lizard 1997-2006 Newsletter No 48 July 2011 Registered Charity No 1092934 Two dramatic quarrying sites The Cornish Peninsula is underlain by a variety of rocks which contribute to the special character of Cornwall s landscape and coastal scenery. These rocks also host the mineral wealth that has been, and remains, an important feature of the County s economic life. The Lizard Peninsula is formed from rocks once part of the ocean floor, including some that have undergone more extreme alteration than is normal elsewhere in Cornwall.

2 This has given rise to varieties of rock that are not present or are rare elsewhere in south-west England. In turn, this has contributed to the extremely diverse range of wild plants found on the Peninsula , as evidenced by the plant lists that we have produced following our expert-led botanical walks. Also, of course, the presence of these minerals has led to commercial quarrying, sometimes on a large scale. Nowhere on the Lizard Peninsula is this more dramatic than on the eastern side, in the St Keverne, Porthoustock and Porthkerris area, where extensive excavations have made a massive impact on the coastal landscape.

3 Perhaps in a perverse sort of way, I tend to regard these as having a certain attractive appearance, a view that we usually reserve for older industrial archaeological sites. Dean Quarry, south-east from St Keverne, is a well-known feature of the coastal footpath, particularly when viewed from Lowland Point. West of England Quarry, with its ship-loading facility adjacent to Porthoustock beach, has its extent best displayed in an aerial view. We are grateful to Cornwall Council s Heritage team for supplying us with several dramatic aerial photographs of our area, including quarrying sites. David Richardson Events programme 2011-12 Reminder for Events up to the next Newsletter: Saturday 16th July: Garden Visit Lucie Nottingham Meet: pm at Trenarth, High Cross, Constantine 2 miles east of Constantine Location: OS ref: SW 757 288 Cost: Voluntary contribution towards refreshments for a charity of Lucie s choice Details: Lucie will lead a tour of her lovely 4 acre prize winning gardens, surrounding a 17c farmhouse in tranquil setting.

4 Wednesday 3rd August: Walk to Polwheveral Creek Tim and Linda Hawkins Meet: am at Constantine Church (small car park with toilets plus parking on grass verge opposite church) Location: OS ref: SW 731 291 Cost: Free booking not necessary Details: Tim and Linda will lead the walk from Constantine Church down to Polwheveral Creek. Bring: a picnic lunch Saturday 6th August: Summer BBQ Lynda & Geoffrey Blackman Meet: pm at Chy An Mordhu, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion, TR12 7JG home of Geoff & Lynda Blackman Location: OS ref: SW 673 195 Cost: per person all-in price for extensive buffet and drinks Details: Advance booking is essential, cheques to Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - send to Geoff Blackman Any queries or dietary requirements please contact Geoff 01326 241722.

5 Tuesday 30th August : Archaeological Walk James Gossip Meet: am Gear Farm between Mawgan and St Martin Location: OS ref: SW 723 249 Cost: The cost of a pasty for your lunch, or bring a picnic if you prefer Details: Tour round the farm including Rex Hosking s finds shown on Time Team lead by James Gossip (Cornwall Council Archaeologist) plus a talk on the running of the farm by Rex. A pasty lunch can be purchased from the farm shop. Saturday 1st October : Historical Tour of Manaccan Derek & Susanne Carter Meet: pm at The Village Hall, Manaccan. Location: OS ref: SW 764 250 Cost: Free booking not necessary Details: Guided tour round the village, without dogs.

6 Porthoustock, West of England Quarry View of Dean Quarry Mining on The Lizard Continued from the April To the west of Croft Pascoe Pool on Goonhilly lie the gorse-covered ruins of a serpentine engine house (which once housed a Gray s steam engine), a counting house, miners lodgings, shaft openings and mineral dumps. These are all that remains of South Wheal Treasure, a copper mine that operated for a few years from 1807. However, South Wheal Treasure never produced a single ounce of copper, nor was it ever intended to. It was one of a string of scams run by William Millett Thomas who, by means of dubious surveys and bribes, persuaded a group of investors to invest large sums of money in this venture.

7 He paid for the buildings and steam engine and sank a few cursory shafts to keep the investors happy, before declaring the mine bankrupt in 1811. In the meantime he used the money to support his lavish lifestyle at Killiow House, near Truro. His scams were finally exposed in 1839 during a libel action in Bodmin involving the Mining Journal. With acknowledgment and thanks to Bill Scolding (author of the informative series of walks booklets) The National Heritage List for England English Heritage has launched The National Heritage List for England, a significant milestone towards achieving better understanding and protection for Heritage in this country, by opening up information which until now has not been easily accessible to the public.

8 The National Heritage List for England is a new online database of the country's 400,000 Listed Buildings; Registered Parks, Gardens and Battlefields; Protected Shipwrecks and Scheduled Monuments. For the first time, separate registers and lists for different types of Heritage are combined in one and the public can now go online to search for Heritage by postcode, by date, by grade or by any category from Listed Building to listed lamp-post, from scheduled coal mines to castles. Anyone interested in what's special in their local area, keen to know more about a period in history, or research a particular architectural style will find the List a useful resource.

9 Those involved in the planning process, such as local authorities, developers or owners can use this resource to research information on Heritage assets for planning applications. Anyone can nominate a place to be considered for designation using the online form. The List was launched as English Heritage unveiled its programme for 2011-15, which will make a significant contribution to the cultural life of the nation in a time of massive social, environmental and economic change. The programme includes major projects in the National Heritage Collection under its care, and grants, conservation and research projects focusing on the most significant or most threatened Heritage in the country.

10 England s Heritage : The next four years: The priorities of English Heritage 's work have been guided, for the first time, by The National Heritage Protection Plan, a roadmap that sets out why, what and how England's vulnerable historic environment is to be safeguarded in the next four years. Developed in consultation with a wide range of partners, it shows where the threats are the greatest and will help English Heritage to prioritize its work. It will also help other Heritage professionals and volunteers to contribute to the business of managing England's Heritage . Some of the priorities are: Marine and coastal Heritage ; 20th century Heritage ; Historic towns and suburbs; Rescuing Heritage at risk; Supporting local authorities and building local capacity; Ensuring Heritage protection continues under changes to planning system; Supporting the sale of public assets and encouraging their sympathetic re-use; Safeguarding Heritage amid increasing development pressures; Tackling Heritage crime.