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. 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. 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: 2.30 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. Wednesday 3rd August: Walk to Polwheveral Creek Tim and Linda Hawkins Meet: 11.30 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: 12.30 pm at Chy An Mordhu, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion, TR12 7JG home of Geoff & Lynda Blackman Location: OS ref: SW 673 195 Cost: £12.00 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. Tuesday 30th August : Archaeological Walk James Gossip Meet: 11.00 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: 2.00 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.

Porthoustock, West of England Quarry

View of Dean Quarry

Mining on The Lizard Continued from the April Issue.....

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. 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. 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. 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. 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; Understanding the energy performance of historic buildings and help homeowners adapt and "green up" their properties in the most effective way Baroness Andrews, Chairman of English Heritage, said: "Our main task is to identify and protect the most significant physical remains of our nation's history and to make them even more accessible and even more widely appreciated. This is a huge challenge. For our part, we will be making considerable investment in our major properties which will hugely enhance people's appreciation of these places and their part in our nation's story. "But overall, despite our best efforts, the state of the nation's heritage is fragile, and we cannot do everything. Nor should we. As public funding diminishes, it is imperative that we concentrate on what only we can do. Ours is a national responsibility to create and apply national standards. It is important that we support and collaborate with others to promote the great cultural legacy we all share. We need to provide support for local communities and private citizens to champion their local heritage. The new National Heritage List will make a huge difference here."

David Richardson

Subscriptions

Subscription renewals were due on 1 April and, as members have already been informed, they remain unchanged at £6 for an individual or £9 for two adults at the same address. Last year, we continued to achieve very high renewal rates, following the 100% renewal the previous year. We are hoping to continue these success rates and, in addition, already have several new members. Approximately 17% of our members have paid a ‘Life’ subscription and, of the remainder, a further 66% pay by Standing Order, which is easier for both them and us. If you are one of the 18 members who is not a Life Member, nor someone who pays by Standing Order, and have not already paid by cheque, there should be a reminder and renewal slip with this Newsletter; please continue to support us. The Gift Aid option significantly increases our income, without any extra cost to our Members, and without any intrusion into their tax affairs. We have been pleased with the response, but very many more could sign the form that would allow us to claim the extra from the Inland Revenue. You will notice that the renewals slip now includes a simple tick box for you to agree this facility.

Returning to our series of articles on businesses on the Lizard Peninsula, with particular reference to those that are unusual or have an interesting story to tell, here is Kestle Barton in the parish of Manaccan, converted from a group of extremely important Grade ll* and Grade ll Listed Buildings. We will certainly aim to organise a visit to this delightful enterprise in our 2012-13 Events Programme: Kestle Barton is a unique collection of ancient farm buildings, with fifty acres of pasture and woodland, representing the best of Cornish farming heritage and situated on the footpath between Frenchman’s Creek and Helford Village, on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. The retirement of eighty year old farmer Boaden Lyne, in 2005, presented the opportunity to acquire this wonderful place; the preservation of the buildings and grounds, in line with best

conservation practice, became our first concern. The former main barn is now a dedicated exhibition space leading out to the gardens and overlooking the farmland, where sustainable contemporary farming continues to be practised. Kestle Barton is now a not-for-profit organisation, part funded through renting holiday accommodation, newly converted in the remaining barns. An annual programme of exhibitions runs from mid-April until the end of October. Solo, mixed and themed shows are presented each season across a wide range of mediums. A parallel programme of Artist Residencies runs throughout the year. During the annual season there are artworks and publications for sale as well as workshops and special events to take part in, for people of all ages. All of the programming aims to reflect the history and ethos of Kestle Barton as a whole, specifically in relation to place and land. The intention is to contribute to a contemporary discourse of ideas and images related to life and art from a rural location. Free admission and light refreshments on offer make it a perfect stop along the walking route from Helford village or the ferry which arrives from Helford Passage. There is also ample parking for those who come by car and holiday accommodation for longer stays. Please see our website for more details and directions. On show this summer at Kestle Barton:

Peter Fluck Mobiles: Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (16 April – 30 October) featuring kinetic sculpture in the Kestle Barton gardens. In Abundance: Kestle Barton’s Flower and Vegetable Show (2 July – 29 August) is a contemporary mixed exhibition in the Kestle Barton gallery and grounds about the delights and downfalls of gardening and horticulture. Open 16 April – 30 October 2011 Tuesday - Sunday 10:30am – 5pm, Bank Holiday Mondays and by appointment. Kestle Barton, Manaccan, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6HU 01326 231811 info@kestlebarton.co.uk www.kestlebarton.co.uk Dr Ryya Bread, Curatorial Director

Local Businesses – Kestle Barton, Manaccan.

Kestle Barton Exhibition area

Kestle Barton from the garden

Margaret Parkes I welcome this opportunity to include in our Newsletter an item about Margaret Parkes, a dear friend, long-term member of the Lizard Trust and fellow resident of Coverack. With happy childhood memories of Cornwall, and Coverack in particular, Margaret and her husband came to live here in 1987, moving to a cottage that they had bought four years earlier. Here, Margaret tells about her work for charities, which has grown enormously since she was widowed. Her roadside stall is a well-known feature of Coverack on School Hill at Sunny Corner.

David Richardson

I look back over my sixteen years of raising money for charity, thankful that a hobby I love has allowed me to help many people in need. However, it was the saddest time in my life that became my motivation when, after many years, I was forced to sit and wonder what I could possibly do with the rest of my life. A keen gardener from a young age, and with horticultural knowledge from a previous job in a market garden, it was this hobby which led to the taking over of an allotment and cottage garden that have produced the thousands of cuttings and vegetables that I have sold on my small stall. In sixteen years, with the help of my wonderful current gardener, Barry, and previous gardeners Vic and George, over £15,500 has been raised through the selling of my produce. The recipients of the money are very many varied Cornish, national and international environmental and medical charities; for example, Air Ambulance, RNLI, Shelterbox, Woodland Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospices and very many more. These reflect my affinity with the great outdoors and desire to help those in need. Several chosen charities focus on how we can, little by little, repair some of the damage we have caused to the earth, or support communities affected by natural disaster. Margaret Parkes

Margaret Parkes with her roadside stall

Kennack Diving will be the next subject in our series on Local Businesses in the October 2011 Newsletter.

Annual General Meeting, November 2011

Full papers for the Annual General :Meeting will be sent with the October Newsletter. We are already aware that there will be vacancies on our present Committee, and the Chairman would welcome expressions of interest from other members to join the team.

Published by Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust, Bodlowen, Coverack 01326 280058 E-mail: d813richardson@btinternet.com Web site: www.lizardpeninsulaheritagetrust.org.uk

President … John Grierson

Chairman David Richardson Bodlowen, Coverack, Helston TR12 6TP 01326 280058

Vice Chairman Colin Chapman Chy Lean, Mawgan, Helston TR12 6AY 01326 221648

Secretary David Richardson Bodlowen, Coverack, Helston TR12 6TP 01326 280058

Treasurer Geoff Blackman ‘Chy-an-Mordhu’, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion TR12 7JG 01326 241722

Committee Avril Evens Tresaddern House, Ruan Minor, Helston TR12 7NA 01326 290629

Committee Ann Chapman Chy Lean, Mawgan, Helston TR12 6AY 01326 221648

Committee Gill Richardson Bodlowen, Coverack, Helston TR12 6TP 01326 280058

Committee Anne Roberts Pipers Green, Garras, Helston TR12 6LP 01326 221243

Assistant Secretary Prue Towner Cracklewood, 10 Doctors Hill, St Keverne TR12 6UX 01326 281230

Co-opted Member Lynda Blackman ‘Chy-an-Mordhu’, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion TR12 7JG 01326 241722

Predannack Perambulations If the sun shines on the righteous, several of our members must have been doing something virtuous in early May. On Wednesday 4th, a bright morning greeted us, with only a moderate breeze plus the occasional glimpse of sunshine. Compared to the gods’ recent climatic offerings, this was perfection and we met at Predannack Wollas car park in good spirits. Steve Townsend, from Natural England, was present to greet us and lead us on our floral treasure hunt, and was duly presented with the obligatory two bottles of wine by our Chair, David Richardson. Steve, a modest kind of chap, disclaimed any pretensions to botanical expertise, at which point it was suggested that we take one bottle back again, but we let him off with a warning. Besides, we had two other “experts” in the party: Gillian Ashworth, a retired Professor of Botany (Boston University, USA) and Peter Wood, both of whom have run courses

locally on wild plant recognition. So, together, we reckoned we could cope with identifying all findings. David disgraced himself right at the start of the walk by indulging in the most dreadful pun, reminding us that it was a special Star Wars Day. Some of us were stupid enough to ask what he meant, and were told, “May the fourth be with you.” Loud groans greeted this sally, but no-one was actually sick, so we let David off the hook too, and off we went. David had The List - on which is recorded each flower we discover - which is fast becoming an LPHT sine qua non, and nearly a dozen flowering specimens were added to this even before we left the car park. A shady and gloriously flower-bedecked lane provided more food for thought (and probably for eating, had anyone been brave enough), with such bloomings as medicks, vetches, campions, cranesbills, swathes of Queen Anne’s Lace and the ubiquitous, ghastly Alexanders (sorry, but they mount a takeover bid on our garden every year, and I cannot find it in my heart to love them). Then it was over the stile to the open cliffland, where Steve reminded us why the Lizard Peninsula is one of the top five botanical areas in the country. This plateau on top of an unusual mix of rocks – gabbro, schists and serpentine – combined with a benign climate, provides the minerals, warmth and correct amount of humidity required by what are, to a large extent, Mediterranean plants. Over twenty species found in this area are in the red data book, which makes them like a steak tartare - Really Rare. Well, Mr Chair, you are not the only one who can make dreadful puns! Although our destination was Soap Rock, we diverted briefly to a rocky outcrop towards Mullion, climbing the slopes to discover real gems like spring sandwort and green winged orchids. Did I say climb? Well, initially yes, but all these plants could be better viewed in close up, with the micro lenses that Steve had kindly provided, so there was much creaking of knees, and a few muddied trousers, as we got down and dirty to peer closely. I think there might be a photo somewhere which some unkind person took of our posteriors. But it was worth it to see these exquisite flowers. If they were twenty times larger, one would pay a small fortune for them at any florist shop. Turning Soapwards, we found our way enriched by a new discovery every few yards. Eventually, though, hunger halted us and we stopped for lunch at a convenient hedge, making the most both of its shelter and of the view northwards to Mullion. Adding zoology to botany, we found some of the tiniest little insects crawling around inside a buttercup and micro-lensed them with great interest. Meanwhile, in doggy quarters, Polly Chapman had discovered Tilly Grierson’s leftovers, grabbed a fragment of bone and proceeded to run round in circles refusing to drop it and playing “Ha ha, can’t catch me!” with her long-suffering mum and dad. Teenagers! What can you do with them? The afternoon walk was equally enthralling, and despite having found so many specimens already, we continued to find new ones every so often. Some of the most enchanting were the wild chives, packing quite as much of an olfactory punch as their cultivated cousins, in spite of their miniscule size. Rounding off the expedition, a beautiful sample of brooklime greeted us in the stream back at Wollas, a completely new species to my eyes and worth every step of the long walk to find it. I could go on, but my own plants are calling to me, and I must venture gardenwards. It might not be as much fun as this ramble, and certainly will be harder work, but perhaps an evening drink on the terrace ...

Jane Grierson

Close examination was required to identify some plants!

... and yet more examinations. ...

04 May 2011

Botanical name: Common name: Botanical name: Common name:

Ajuga reptans Bugle Pedicularis sylvatica LousewortAllium schoenoprasum Chives Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn PlantainAnthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Plantago lanceolata Ribwort PlantainAnthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Polygala serpyllifolia Heath MilkwortArmeria maritima Thrift Polygala vulgaris Common MilkwortBellis perennis Daisy Potentilla erecta TormentilBeta vulgaris spp maritima Sea Beet Primula vulgaris PrimroseCardamine pratensis Cuckooflower Prunus spinosa BlackthornCerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Ranunculus acris Meadow ButtercupCochlearia officinalis Common Scurvygrass Ranunculus ficaria Lesser CelandineCrataegus monogyna Hawthorn Ranunculus lingua Greater SpearwortDactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid Ranunculus repens Creeping ButtercupDigitalis purpurea Foxglove Ranunculus tripartitus Three-lobed CrowfootErica cinerea Bell Heather Rosa pimpinellifolia Burnet RoseErica vagans Cornish Heath Rumex acetosa Common SorrelFilipendula vulgaris Dropwort Sagina subulata Heath PearlwortGenista anglica Petty Whin Salix cinerea Grey WillowGenista pilosa Hairy Greenweed Salix repens Creeping WillowGeranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Schoenus nigricans Black BogrushGeranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Scilla verna Spring SquillGeranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Crane's-bill Sedum anglicum English StonecropGladiolus communis Whistling Jack Silene dioica Red CampionGlechoma hederacea Ground-ivy Silene uniflora Sea CampionHelianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose Smyrnium olusatrum AlexandersHeracleum sphondylium Hogweed Solanum dulcamara Woody NightshadeHerniaria ciliolata Fringed Rupturewort Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-ThistleHyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-ThistleHypochaeris radiata Catsear Stellaria alsine Bog StitchwortIris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Stellaria holostea Greater StitchwortLeucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Taraxacum officinale agg DandelionLotus corniculatus Bird's-foot-trefoil Trifolium occidentale Western CloverLychnis flos-cuculi Ragged-robin Trifolium pratense Red CloverMedicago arabica Spotted Medick Trifolium repens White CloverMedicago lupulina Black Medick Trifolium subterraneum Subterranean CloverMinuartia verna Spring Sandwort Ulex europaeus Common GorseMyosotis secunda Creeping Forget-me-not Umbilicus rupestris NavelwortRorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Water-cress Urtica dioica Common NettleOenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-Dropwort Veronica beccabunga BrooklimeOrchis mascula Early Purple Orchid Vicia sativa Common VetchAnacamptis morio Green-winged Orchid Viola lactea Pale Dog-violetParietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet

Total: 82David Richardson, June 2011

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Events 2011-12Botanical walk with Steve Townsend (Natural England)Predannack Head, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

Plants seen in flower, excluding grasses, & not distinguishing between varieties of Dandelion