Due to the sad news this afternoon of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we are postponing all imminent events and activities out of respect. Unfortunately this includes tomorrow’s planned walks at Caer Bran; we hope you understand.
We will be in touch with those people booked to attend the postponed walks in due course.
Cornwall Heritage Trust has received a revenue grant of £30,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
A small independent charity, Cornwall Heritage Trust works to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s unique heritage through its grant schemes, education projects and the managing of 12 historic sites across Cornwall. These sites, which include the Hurler Stone Circles, Castle an Dinas, Treffry Viaduct and Sancreed Beacon, are all open to the general public and free to enter throughout the year.
The money will go towards the charity’s ongoing costs to implement its business development plan, which aims to ensure that it can continue to connect people with Cornwall’s landscape, stories and communities for many years to come.
Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO, Cathy Woolcock said: “This award is absolutely fantastic news! The money will make an enormous difference as we move forwards with our Business Development Plan and all the exciting things we have coming up as part of it. For a small charity like us, the importance of a grant like this is huge and we are extremely grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for its support.”
We have another exciting opportunity for people to get involved with the vital conservation work we do this September – it’s at Sancreed Beacon, and even includes the chance to assist our team working with archaeological finds.
Date: Sunday 18th September 2022
Time slots: Morning (10am to 1pm), Afternoon (1pm to 4pm) and All Day (10am to 4pm)
Location: Sancreed Beacon, Sancreed, Penzance, TR20 8QT
There are various tasks to be undertaken to help restore and conserve the site, including the practical clearance of debris and supporting our archaeological finds team. It is thought that there are a significant number of interesting artefacts from the last 100 years at the site, so you can be involved in the processing and recording of archaeological finds in order to help us learn more about activity at Sancreed over the years.
No previous experience is required and our Sites Officer, Dick Cole, will be on hand as team leader throughout the day to offer support and advice should you need it.
We are hugely grateful for your support and if you are interested in taking part, we would love to hear from you.
Would you like to take part?
Places are limited so if you would like to take part, we recommend signing up with delay to avoid disappointment.
If you haven’t already registered as a volunteer with Cornwall Heritage Trust, then please complete our volunteering form here:
https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteer-registration-form/
To sign up for the Sancreed Beacon Conservation day, please click here:
https://forms.gle/wCSVw4ZPBig4Y8gY6
We received over 180 entries for our 2023 Calendar Photo Competition and are extremely excited to announce the winners.
The theme this year was “Historic Landmarks in Cornwall”, which resulted in an incredible array of images showcasing the iconic and important heritage sites that make Cornwall such a special place.
Thank you to everyone who entered! The standard, as always, was incredibly high and the talent and creativity on show were a joy to see.
The judging panel was spoilt for choice and had an extremely tough job whittling down the entries to the final 12 winners. Huge congratulations to you all!
The top prizes go to…
1st Prize: Boscawen-ûn Stone Circle by Tim Pearson
2nd Prize: St Germans Viaduct by Alan Murtough
3rd Prize: Strawberry Moon over St Michael’s Mount by Ainsley Cocks
The other competition winners are…
Lizard Lifeboat Light by Brian Bell
The iron bridge over the creek on the Camel Trail by Darri Simms
Lanyon Quoit by Georgie Ball
South Crofty, Pool by Kai Greet
Don’t Feed the Birds (at Polperro) by Lee James Kershaw
Godrevy Lighthouse meets Storm Arwen by Paula Green
A Stormy Bodmin Moor by Poppy Gitsham
Castle Approach, St Mawes Castle by Ryan Lean
Wheal Owles by Tim Pearson
Our 2023 Calendar features all 12 of these fantastic images and is available to purchase from our online shop, priced at £6.00 plus postage.
To order yours today, click here
Cornwall Heritage Trust is partnering with The Vale of Avalon/Arthurian Centre, Slaughterbridge to offer its members a 50% discount on entry to the site.
Located near Tintagel, famous for its association with Arthurian legend, The Vale of Avalon/Arthurian Centre is known as the traditional location of Camlann, Arthur and Mordred’s final battle.
Taking visitors on a journey through time involving Arthurian legends, Cornish history and folklore, there is much to explore at the 16-acre site including the 6th-century inscribed ‘Ogham’ Stone, which is a National Scheduled Monument.
Archaeological investigations at the site have also revealed a 13th-century longhouse, the village of Melorn, the 18th-century Lady Falmouth’s Garden and a 19th-century cottage/ticket office.
More recent additions include a wildlife garden, heritage fruits orchard and the ‘Muse Garden’, whose design is inspired by the Grand Tour of the 1700s.
Further details about The Vale of Avalon/Arthurian Centre can be found on its website here www.thevaleofavalon.co.uk
Membership Manager, Sophie Meyer said: “The Vale of Avalon/Arthurian Centre is a brilliant place to visit so it’s great to be able to offer our members this new benefit. We know how many of them already love visiting Tintagel Castle for free with their membership, so it’s fantastic to be able to offer them discounted access to another stop on the Arthurian trail.”
“Being able to offer our members free and reduced access to a wide range of Cornish heritage sites is incredibly important to us – it’s a benefit we know they hugely value for their support of our work and we’re hoping to have news about even more historic places they can access with their membership very soon!”
Cornwall Heritage Trust members receive discounted entry to a number of heritage organisations, including free entry to English Heritage’s Tintagel Castle, Restormel Castle, St Mawes Castle, Pendennis Castle, Launceston Castle, and Chysauster Ancient Village –, 50% off entry at Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum and 50% off Adult Admission to King Edward Mine.
*Please note Cornwall Heritage Trust members gain free entry to Cornwall’s English Heritage sites on non-event days. An additional charge is required on event days, such as the Legendary Joust or Pirates! at Pendennis Castle, and on some bank holidays. Please check www.english-heritage.org.uk in advance of your visit.
Cornwall Heritage Trust is offering a free guided walk at its newest site, Caer Bran this September.
Taking place on Friday 9th September at 12noon, this is a unique opportunity to visit the site and find out more about its history and management with Dick Cole, our Sites Officer.
This walk is open to members of the public and is free.
Cornwall Heritage Trust members are welcome to attend and were also previously given exclusive access to two additional walks taking place on the same day.
If you would like to book a place, we recommend doing so without delay as we expect they will go incredibly quickly.
Acquired by Cornwall Heritage Trust in February this year, Caer Bran is an important multi-age hillfort site near Sancreed, which contains archaeological remains from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age periods.
It is anticipated the walk will last approximately 1 hour. Numbers are restricted and places are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please note that the walks involve uneven ground. Please wear sensible footwear and appropriate clothing/sun protection depending on the weather.
Parking is available at the site and will be signposted.
Please be aware that Cornwall Heritage Trust is photographing the walks and may publish these photos in a variety of media and online.
If you would like to attend, click here to sign up.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-walk-at-caer-bran-sancreed-tickets-395154045387
We are nearing our target for the Treffry Viaduct Crib Hut Life Membership Appeal! It’s incredibly exciting to be so close to making the hut’s conservation possible and this means we now have an opportunity for volunteers to get involved with the project.
Whilst we still have a little way to go with our fundraising, we have been presented with a unique opportunity to get the work underway with the Old Light Building Conservation Company this month. This is due to an unexpected gap appearing in the conservation company’s diary. With this in mind, we are offering the chance for volunteers to work alongside these expert contractors and learn conservation skills in order to help consolidate and conserve the Crib Hut for future generations.
The works are scheduled to take place between Monday 15th – Friday 19th and Monday 22nd – Friday 26th August 2022. The working day will run from 9am – 5pm. There is some flexibility on the start and finish times. The works will take place at Treffry Viaduct in the Luxulyan Valley, near St Austell.
We are looking for volunteers to join us for a minimum of two consecutive days, however, if you are able to offer your time for more days this would be hugely appreciated.
We are hugely grateful for the support of our volunteers and if you are interested in taking part, we would love to hear from you.
If you haven’t already registered as a volunteer with Cornwall Heritage Trust, then please complete our volunteering form here
To sign up for the Treffry Crib Hut Volunteer Conservation event, please click here
We are still fundraising for the Crib Hut Life Membership Appeal, so we would also love to hear from anyone who would like to join as a life member and make the Crib Hut’s conservation their legacy.
Click here to find out more about the appeal
With high temperatures continuing and gorse fires breaking out at Nare Head and Zennor, please take care and follow the Countryside Code when visiting our historic sites.
Our CEO, Cathy Woolcock said: “The Cornish countryside has become very dry over the last few months and this, combined with the temperatures we’re now experiencing, is creating the perfect conditions for fires to start and spread quickly. We don’t have any designated BBQ areas at our sites, so please follow the Countryside Code and don’t be tempted to start a BBQ or campfire – even the smallest spark, from a cigarette for example, can cause serious damage, especially when conditions are like this.”
“If you see anything which you think could pose a wildfire threat at one of our sites, please do let us know. We want to do everything we can do to keep pressure off the emergency services and protect these special places for everyone.”
It is so exciting to be adding another benefit to the wealth of those on offer to our members, with the launch of our brand-new Children’s Activity Book.
From Celtic Art and designing Bronze Age Pottery to nature spotting, exploring the layers of archaeology and learning Cornish words, it’s the perfect way for children to have fun learning about Cornwall’s history this Summer.
An activity book is included with all Cornwall Heritage Trust family memberships. They will also shortly be available to purchase priced at £3.50.
Starting from just £20 a year, our family membership benefits include access to 12 Cornish historic sites, free entry to English Heritage sites in Cornwall – including Tintagel, Restormel, St Mawes, Pendennis and Launceston castles, and Chysauster Ancient Village –, 50% off entry at Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum, 50% off Adult Admission to King Edward Mine, guided walks, special events and much more!
It’s incredibly important to us to be able to offer our members benefits such as these to thank them for supporting our work to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s unique heritage. We’re looking forward to announcing the introduction of even more over the coming months, so watch this space!
Unique hideaways has partnered with Cornwall Heritage Trust at the top level of its ‘Heritage Friends’ programme, in order to protect some of the most iconic and important historic places in Cornwall.
The partnership will help the charity continue to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s rich and distinct heritage through its grant schemes, education projects and the managing of 12 historic sites across Cornwall.
Based in Hayle, Unique hideaways offers one-of-a-kind places to stay across Cornwall and the UK, ranging from countryside cabins with breath-taking views to staying amongst the treetops. The company has a wealth of handpicked hideaways to take you on a journey into nature and offer the opportunity to rewild yourself while staying in a little bit of luxury.
Rosita Bunce from Unique hideaways said: “At Unique hideaways, we’re passionate about promoting a greater connection with nature and protecting the environment we love so much. We’re excited to partner with Cornwall Heritage Trust because the charity ensures the rich history of Cornwall is not only protected for all to enjoy but reinvented and brought to life through careful restoration and education.”
Cathy Woolcock, CEO at Cornwall Heritage Trust said: “Partnering with Unique hideaways makes perfect sense to us. We both treasure Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage and want to share it with others so it’s fantastic to have them on board!”
Founded in 1985, Cornwall Heritage Trust works to preserve and strengthen Cornwall’s unique heritage through its grant schemes, education projects and the managing of 12 historic sites across Cornwall.
More information about Unique hideaways can be found on their website: uniquehideaways.com
Cornwall Heritage Trust has launched an appeal today to help conserve an internationally-important piece of mining heritage at Treffry Viaduct in the Luxulyan Valley, near St Austell.
The charity aims to raise £4000 to conserve the 19th century Crib Hut adjacent to the historic viaduct. A Scheduled Ancient Monument, Treffry is widely acknowledged for the importance of its industrial heritage and is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, as designated by UNESCO.
In order to reach this ambitious goal, Cornwall Heritage Trust is looking for 10 people to join as life members in order to make the preservation of the Crib Hut their legacy.
Built between 1839 and 1842 by Joseph Thomas Treffry, the viaduct was designed to carry both trucks and water across the Luxulyan Valley for the mining industry. It is the first large civil engineering structure of its kind to be built in Cornwall and the only known viaduct in Britain to combine these two uses. The Crib Hut is thought to have been used by viaduct workers throughout the 19th century, providing welcome shelter for them to rest in during breaks.
Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO, Cathy Woolcock said: “Treffry and the Luxulyan Valley were once a hive of industry but as nature continues to reclaim the landscape, it’s also doing a great deal of damage to a precious part of Cornwall’s heritage. Trees are literally splitting the granite of the hut apart and the site is likely to become little more than a pile of rubble if we don’t act soon.”
“Treffry’s historic significance is truly international so it’s incredibly important to us to protect its story for future generations. We are hugely grateful to anyone who would like to support the appeal and would love to hear from them as soon as possible.”
The appeal got off to a flying start this week with Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, pledging his support and joining as a CHT life member.
Kim said: “I am delighted to be supporting Cornwall Heritage Trust in their Treffry Viaduct Crib Hut Appeal and to become the first Life Member for this project. It is the latest place to come under CHT’s care and expertise. Their sites across Cornwall are magical places which have as much resonance for our wellbeing today as they ever have done and will do.”
A lasting pledge of crucial support to Cornwall’s unique and distinct heritage, CHT life memberships are £400 and have a wealth of benefits including access to some of the most iconic and important historic places in Cornwall, guided walks, special events and much more. Those who support the Crib Hut appeal by becoming life members will also have their names on signage at the site in recognition of their commitment to this cause.
If you are interested in supporting the Treffry Viaduct Crib Hut Appeal by becoming a life member, head here www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/support-us/membership/become-a-member/
If you would like to donate to the appeal without becoming a life member, please head here www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/support-us/donate/
We are thrilled to announce that the Penventon Park Hotel has pledged its support to Cornwall’s rich and distinct heritage by becoming the latest to join the top level of our corporate sponsorship programme.
The latest organisation to join our ‘Heritage Friends’ programme, the Penventon is a 4 star Hotel with a Leisure Club and Spa treatment rooms nestled in acres of private parkland in Redruth.
An elegant Georgian mansion, the hotel boasts 63 luxurious rooms, the Copper Bar – which has 160 gins to choose from –, the Leisure Club and Spa with a heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna and an AA Rosette Restaurant, renowned for its delicious food and atmosphere.
Jess Pascoe from the Penventon Park Hotel said: “We are very excited to support Cornwall Heritage Trust. Our hotel has its own rich history, which has seen many new owners and had many uses since its build in the early 19th century. We have made sure to retain many of the original features, as we know the significance of historical architecture, and the importance it has for future generations. This is why Cornwall Heritage Trust is the perfect partner for us, as we know the work they are doing holds incredible value to Cornwall, its people and visitors alike.”
Cathy Woolcock, Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO said: “We’re delighted to have the Penventon on board. Not only do we both cherish Cornwall’s unique history and heritage and want to preserve it, but we’re also neighbours here in Redruth so the partnership makes perfect sense!”
More information about the Penventon Park Hotel can be found on its website: www.penventon.co.uk
