Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 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 Registered Charity No 1092934 Patron: Jill Morison DL

Newsletter No 64, July 2015

Chairman’s Message

Our Events Programme is well underway and my thanks to all those who have been involved in organising them. Could I just remind you that some of these events must be pre-booked, but it does help if you advise us if you plan to attend any event in case of last minute changes to the arrangements. There is a lot of work required in planning these events and also in coming up with new ideas for them. If you have any suggestions for future events, please contact Lynda Blackman. Meanwhile, I hope to see as many of you as possible at the remaining events.

Please note the changes, below, for Ruth & John Thompson's walk, 21 September, & John's 'Postcards' event on 27 October.

Geoff Blackman

Events before the next Newsletter (due in October 2015)

Tuesday 14 July: Lizard Village & Church Cove Treasure Hunt Gill Richardson

Meet: 11.00 am Lizard Green. (OS ref SW 703 125). Booking is essential by Saturday 4 July. Lunch at Polpeor Café. The Treasure Hunt begins & ends on Lizard Green, is about 4 miles in length including some coastal footpath, looking for clues as you go.

Tuesday 4 August: Veggie Bonanza Jane & John Grierson

Meet: 12.30 pm Carmelin, Pentreath Lane, Lizard TR12 7NY, the home of Jane & John. (OS ref: SW 698 126). Booking is essential as there is a restriction on numbers. Please bring a bottle & a vegetarian dish, sweet or savoury, to share.

Monday 21 September: Ruth & John Walk Ruth & John Thompson

!!! NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE & ROUTE !!!

Meet: 11.00 am Car-park next to St Keverne Band Hall, approximately 125m east of The Square in Lemon Street. (OS ref: SW 792 213). We will walk to Porthoustock for a picnic, then return via the coast path towards Porthallow, stopping at the Fat Apples Café for further refreshments & then back to St Keverne via Tregaminion. This revised route cuts out a lot of road walking & a difficult stile.

Friday 25 September: Visit to Helston Museum Lynda Blackman

Meet: 2.00 pm Helston Museum, Market Place (OS ref: SW 659 276). Cost: £2 per person, payable to Geoffrey Blackman on the day. Booking is essential, by Friday 18 September, as we have a maximum number restriction. A guided tour of the Museum by Katherine Ashton or member of her team, concentrating on artefacts & history of the Lizard Peninsula.

Tuesday 6 October: Penrose to Porthleven Walk, followed by All Day Breakfast Adele Brazier

Meet: 10.30 am Penrose car-park. (OS ref: SW 639 258). Cost: All Day Breakfast at "Naughty But Ice" in Porthleven. Walk through Penrose Woods to Portleven, stopping for an All Day Breakfast before returning via Loe Pool.

Tuesday 27 October: Postcards & Pasties John Thompson

!!! NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - Now one day later !!!

Meet: 11.00 am St Peter's Hall, Coverack. (OS ref SW 783 184). Cost: £5 per person, pay on the day but booking a week in advance essential to order & choose pasty type. Tel: Lynda 01326 241722. John will share his collection of historic postcards of the Coverack area & invites everyone to bring postcards of the Lizard area & Cornwall for informal discussion on local postal services, postmarks & the views. Pasty lunch, tea & coffee

Mount Edgcumbe - The Orangery

Visit to Mount Edgcumbe – Tuesday 19 May 2015

Eight intrepid travellers (and one bemused Labrador*) met at Mawgan Village Hall car-park for the 70 mile journey to the other end of Cornwall to visit Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park. The other two in our party met us on site. Mount Edgcumbe is situated overlooking Plymouth Sound and it was reputedly from near here that the first sighting of the Spanish Armada was made in 1588.

After an excellent lunch in the Stables restaurant, we were given a guided tour of the Earl’s Garden which was developed in the late 18

th Century. The weather was mixed while we were

walking round, but a number of well-placed garden houses provided shelter just at the right time. The most striking of all the garden seats was created from shells and fossils, a very fashionable feature of gardens in the mid 18

th Century.

Afterwards, we visited the house which originated in 1547 and had a novel layout to maximise the spectacular views.

You are probably aware that Plymouth was a major target for German bombing raids in the early years of World War 2. In 1941, during one of these raids, the house was struck by incendiary devices and fire gutted the interior. Over many years until the late 1950s, the Edgcumbe family restored the house but eventually the seventh Earl sold the Estate to Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council who jointly own it and have opened it to the public since 1988. Following our tour of the house, some of us walked down to the Orangery for afternoon tea while others took advantage of the Estate bus. By now the weather had improved considerably but sadly in time for us to depart. Nevertheless, a most enjoyable day and we look forward to next year and another adventure off the Lizard. Any suggestions or requests would be most welcome.

(* Bemused due to sharing 'her' estate car space with Margaret Parkes' electric buggy) Geoff Blackman

Cadgwith Regatta Royal Cornwall Gazette, 5 July 1878

The Cadgwith regatta was quite a success. A large number of people were present and everything passed off without an accident of any kind to mar the day's pleasure. Mr T.W. Williams of the Cadgwith Hotel catered well for 'one and all' and the committee deserve praise for the way in which they arranged for the comfort of all concerned. A display of fireworks ended the proceedings.

Tony Hilton

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 2

Milling About

Outside the National Trust's Poltesco office Rachel Holder middle front, behind her left to right - Ann & Colin Chapman, Peter Gray, Gill Richardson, John & Heather Girdlestone, Adele & John Brazier, Jane Grierson, Geoff Blackman.

Although I have visited Poltesco cove and woods countless times during the last few decades, it is a place I never tire of, and having an LPHT meeting there makes it even more special. A sunny June afternoon saw a select gathering of us ensconced in the National Trust meeting room (ex stables but you’d never know it), being given tea, biscuits and an introductory talk by Claire, before Rachael Holder led us outside on an educational tour.

The first thing we learned was that the land hereabouts used to support orchards; not only that but, pre the dastardly Dutch Elm Disease, there were many stately elms to be seen. Now, although the elms still grow, they only reach a reduced size before succumbing and having to be chopped up for firewood – a useful but sad end to their short life. Next, we were shown an old mill by the stream (no singing, please!) just outside the yard, with its ancient watercourse still visible under the recently swathed grasses. Abandoned c.1880, I doubt if any of us had known of this ruin, as it is so well hidden. (There’s a lovely dangling participle for any grammarians to object to, but I left it in for fun!)

Next we visited the Capstan House, scene of at least one previous LPHT jaunt, and where we learned further absorbing facts. Mentioned on a map as far back as 1695, the House was built for winching boats up off the beach, and archaeologists were recently challenged by the Trust to dig down and find the winch’s old bearing plate. Bracing themselves for a hard dig, the team were pleasantly surprised to discover the plate only inches below the soil, where, after being duly photographed, it was covered over again for protection and rediscovery in future centuries. Pictures of this, and others of the site in its heyday, were passed round and made fascinating viewing. One of the most amazing items was the overhead structure named the “launder”, which brought in water from the stream to feed the mill wheel; no trace remains of the structure so, without these artist impressions and old photos, one would never know it had once loomed over this mini industrial estate.

We walked on down to the serpentine factory, built in the 1860’s and initially doing a brisk trade in all sorts of goods from mantles and lecterns (including the one in Ruan Minor church) to vases and brooches, using serpentine from a dozen local quarries. However, thirty years on, competition from Italian marble, declining reserves of Cornish serpentine, and shipping problems from shingle banks all combined to make life difficult at Poltesco; by 1890 the business was going downhill at a faster rate than the water rushing along the launder. The tall building which once housed the office and showroom (hard to imagine sufficient passing trade to justify the latter!) is now the only remaining edifice, the other buildings having gradually collapsed … with a little help from a stick or two of dynamite; in the 1930’s, a suggestion was put forward to convert the

buildings to holiday homes, but the then owner was so against this project that, to underline his point of view, he had the buildings blown up.

Passing the ruins, now prettily converted by nature into a wild flower garden, we stepped across a heavily grooved piece of granite, the old cutting stone – best cutting rate about three inches per hour! - then on past the mill’s wheel pit, the old forge and the mill pond, and up to the bungalow which was originally built for the factory manager – fortunately another structure which escaped the dynamite.

Once we arrived back at the meeting room, Nick Marriott, from Cornwall Wildlife Trust, took over, giving us an illustrated talk on the Lizard Horizons Project at Windmill Farm. A similarly select group of us had an interesting walk there in May 2014, but things have moved on apace since then. In addition to ongoing land management such as cattle grazing, hay meadows, and patch burning (30 sq. m. at a time), ponds and scrapes have been dug, and the ancient Ruan Pool has been dredged by earth movers whose caterpillar tracks were then driven back and forth to make temporary ponds for wildlife. One might shudder to think how the wildlife is coping in the current June drought, but many areas manage to stay boggy throughout the year, and the rare Pygmy Rush has made a guest appearance and will, we hope, be back to take another bow. This pond is one of the top 100 in the UK for botany and is a dragonfly hot-spot, with over 17 species, many coming over from Europe and being given a much warmer welcome than their human counterparts. The M.O.D. has also been carrying out commando training on these ideally wild and marshy lands. Isn’t it comforting to think that this tiny part of the west country is doing its bit in the defence of our realm?

Star of the show will be the 17th century windmill itself, perhaps

in its infancy when the Spanish Armada was pootling up the English Channel. The tower has had many uses over the years, not all of them legal or mentionable in polite conversation, but one of the most important has always been as a reference point for seafarers. Then, in WW2, the mill formed a lookout post for the Home Guard. In typical Captain Mainwaring fashion, the window was knocked out and not properly supported, with resulting cracks in the stonework which, as it transpired, were more dangerous to the structure than the whole German air force. These have now been repaired, though, and other renovations started. A new roof will be put on, and an internal structure has been built, which will house a viewing platform.

There is more, much more, and you can read all about it on the internet if you search for the Lizard Horizons Project. This is a wonderful venture and I can’t wait to trek up to the top of the windmill, looking out from its centuries-old walls and perhaps, sub-standard building methods notwithstanding, raising a small salute to Captain Mainwaring and his team.

Jane Grierson

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 3

End of the Lizard Serpentine Co Ltd

Messrs Winstanley and Horwood are instructed by the official liquidators appointed to wind up the affairs of the Lizard Serpentine Company Limited to offer for sale by auction on Wednesday 24th January 1866, in two lots the valuable leases at nominal rents and royalties of large tracts of land situate in the parishes of Ruan Minor, Landywednack and Grade, on which have already been opened six quarries each capable of yielding an almost endless supply of beautiful Serpentine, unequalled in brilliancy of colour and elegance of appearance, the general applicability of which appearance decorating works of importance is fully established, the materials being now exclusively patronised by architects of celebrity. With the forgoing will be the substantial stone built and slated factory and other buildings erected at Carleen Cove comprising a sawing mill, ripping, rubbing and turning masons, polishing, carpenters and blacksmiths shop, counting house and yard, together with the whole of the plant and machinery driven by water power. There is also a comfortable cottage of 10 rooms for the resident manager. Lot 2 will be the London Offices of the Company.

London Evening Standard 19 January 1866 Tony Hilton

Listing War Memorials in England

A Guide for volunteers - Summary

In June 2015, Historic England published a Guide for Volunteers for the Listing of War Memorials in England. This document briefly describes what Listing is, how to find out if a war memorial is Listed, and how to apply for one to be Listed. It explains the information required in an application and suggests ways to research this. Then, to help write your own List entry to accompany an application, it gives examples to follow. Finally, it gives links to other guidance documents.

In the aftermath of the First World War tens of thousands of war memorials were erected across the land to remember those who served, and especially those who had died. Often, communities chose a freestanding memorial - some form of cross, cenotaph or statue bearing the names of those commemorated. But there is enormous variety. Now, as we remember the conflict and its consequences, the Government has placed a special emphasis on the country’s war memorials, and has announced a national effort to ensure they are all in a fitting state of repair by 2018.

Historic England is working with communities across England and partners, especially War Memorials Trust and Civic Voice, towards this aim with advice on maintenance and repair, grant aid and an ambitious programme of listing.

A web portal, www.ukwarmemorials.org/, hosted by the Imperial War Museum, offers a starting point for investigation. Ever more websites about war memorials are appearing, which shows the considerable public interest in this topic.

Historic England

Strange Body at Cadgwith

The body of a person was seen floating towards Cadgwith which, when some local fishermen were told, immediately went to sea and towed it ashore, where it was dragged over the sand to just above the High Water Mark. The local police constable, Nicholas Higman, was informed who then went to Breage to inform his Superior in order to notify the Coroner. On his return to Cadgwith, some hours later, Higman found the body was still in the same position, although now covered over. He then asked the Churchwarden and Overseer to provide a safe and secure place for the body but they refused. Although very tired by his trip to Breage and back, Higman guarded the body all night from the danger of the body being fearfully mutilated, if not destroyed, by the numerous pigs belonging to the nearby cottagers prowling about the beach at all hours.

The body was buried in Ruan Minor Churchyard immediately after the Coroner's inquest. It had probably been in the water for some weeks, nothing was found to identify the body but from the clothing it was probably that of an officer or gentleman.

Royal Cornwall Gazette 7 December 1860 Tony Hilton

Helston Town Trail

For visitors who have time to look beyond the shop windows, particularly at the upper floors, the bustling market town of Helston presents an attractive mixture of Georgian and Victorian buildings. In the time before its demise as a local authority, Kerrier District Council supported and funded an admirable little pamphlet, "Helston Town Trail", published by Helston Town Council. This brings to our attention and highlights what an architectural gem the Town is, a common phenomenon for historic market towns that have suffered from economic decline and thereby lacking the resources for radical redevelopment in the twentieth century.

Accordingly, on a cloudy and cold, but mainly dry day in April, 14 of our members assembled outside the Guildhall in Coinagehall Street, the Trail's recommended start point. With copies of the pamphlet in our hands, Lynda Blackman took us off past the Folk Museum and into Five Wells Lane, with the intention of visiting all 12 of the sites and buildings featured in the Trail. From there, back to Coinagehall Street, passing the Angel Hotel and Blue Anchor Inn on the way to Grylls Monument at the site of the former castle. Lady Street then led the way towards Cross Street, where the townscape features several of Helston's best preserved and most impressive buildings, particularly Lismore, the Great Office and No 1. Architectural detail, such as ornamental ironwork in gates and railings, together with historic features - water pump, cross and street lighting - were all admired with enthusiasm.

Cross Street has very many Listed Buildings (photo on a sunnier day)

Church Street, with its delightful modest cottages, led us back to the Museum and then up Wendron Street, passing the imposing granite Godolphin Hall and then to the birthplace of Bob Fitzsimmons the boxer. Shute Hill led to the sinister-looking Borough Prison. Again, we returned to the centre via Meneage Street. For some of the group, the Coronation Park lakeside café beckoned, pausing en-route in Coinagehall Street to visit the impressive interior of the Methodist Chapel.

David Richardson

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 4

Withan Thou Goest

All right, that title’s a terrible pun, but it was all I was capable of after a hot walk up a steep hill, followed by an overlarge helping of tea and cake. Is it my imagination or is the LPHT turnout always greater when there is a prospect of fodder on the occasion? No fewer than 17 of us gathered at Kestle Barton, near the Helford, on a bright June afternoon, to follow Lynda and Geoff Blackman on their newly discovered walk down to Frenchman’s Creek. There has always been a right of way on the east side of the creek, but lately the National Trust have acquired Withan Woods on the west and have just finished making a new footpath. So, nothing loath, the party moved off at a fast pace down the hill, rushed through the gateways, leaped over the stiles, and crawled under the sheep-fencing. That was the dogs anyway; there were only four of them but it seemed like more as they rushed to and fro with sheer joie de vivre. The rest of us followed at a slightly more sedate pace, just managing to avoid being sideswiped or knee-capped by the canine force. A few carefully considered swipings of walking sticks were necessary to smooth the way, though – not at the dogs, but at the flora. As the path was new, not all of the brambles had quite got the idea, thinking that because someone had cut them back, the plan was to make them grow even more; so it was necessary to disillusion them.

Before long, the path led to Withan Quay, of Victorian origin, now an expanse of grass looking out over the creek and up towards the Helford River itself. What a fantastic picnic spot this would make. Tranquillity, views, birdlife and wild flowers. We shall be back!

The path wound on in a circle, more or less, a delightful stroll through more woods and fields, bringing us eventually back to the place we first thought of, and a long walk up the aforementioned steep hill. With a crowd of friends to chat to, though, and the prospect of afternoon tea at Kestle Barton, we hardly noticed the climb. As regular Kestle visitors (or, indeed, Newsletter readers) will know, there is a help-yourself room there with tea, coffee, cordials and cake - even bottles of wine in the fridge - and a donation box on the side. Brilliant.

Duly fortified with drinks and lemon or chocolate cupcakes, we then took a stroll round the floriferous fields and gardens, something I never tire of. It is all cultivated in such an environmentally friendly fashion, it does one good just to look at it, and at the plethora of bees and bugs zooming around. The meadow had, among other flowers, thistles and knapweed whose huge purple flower heads were covered in veritable colonies of six-spot burnet moths, all fighting to get their share of the entomological eats and either succeeding or being knocked off in the process and flying off to try another bloom.

There was also the chance for us to view Kestle’s Art Gallery with its latest exhibition. Being a Philistine where modern art is concerned, I could fully appreciate only a small percentage of the exhibits, but can remember a few more … a painting of a hat on a face that wasn’t there, a larger than life-size model of an amphibian in chains (bullfrog bondage?) and two metal stretchers leaning against the wall. We were not actually sure whether these were exhibits, or were stationed there to ferry out visitors who were overcome in raptures by the show, but several wild guesses were made which I shan’t repeat here.

While we were busy enjoying ourselves thus, the diligent ladies of the committee took the opportunity to gather at one of the tea-tables to discuss final arrangements for the annual barbecue to be held in just over a week’s time. The meeting ran like clockwork, as will the event itself, due to the industry and enthusiasm of these ladies … plus a little help from sausage-turning husbands on the day … and we left Kestle with tums full of cake, and minds full of the feast to come.

I think that answers my question in paragraph one, don’t you?

Jane Grierson

Mascot Matilda

It seems such a short while since I wrote about the untimely demise of Yussi, our lovely Belgian Shepherd Dog who last accompanied us on the 2014 Longest Day walk. Now, sadly, I have to report the loss of our dear old Tilly, who has gone to join her sister on that great duvet in the sky. Tilly received her first mention in a summer Newsletter of 2004, on her inaugural walk with what was then Friends Of The Lizard, where she led the way to Lizard Point and Kynance. Regular FOTL/LPHT walkers will remember her, always a couple of hundred yards in front of us, occasionally looking back over her shoulder with a look that said, “Come on, chaps! What’s keeping you?”

Over the years, Tilly was joined by Hintza, then Yussi, before retiring as walkies mascot on account of her arthritis, and being happier left at home with a bone. We hope, though, that those of you who knew her will remember her with affection, and recognise the eager, energetic, bone-crunching youngster in this last picture of her as a stately old lady. Our walks will never be quite the same.

Jane Grierson

Members of the Committee

Chairman Geoff Blackman 01326 241722 Chy an Mordhu, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion TR12 7JG

Vice Chairman (vacant)

Secretary David Richardson 01326 280058 Bodlowen, 3 Bounder Treath, Coverack, TR12 6TP

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

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

Ann Chapman 01326 221648 Chy Lean, St Keverne Road, Garras TR12 6AY

Gill Richardson 01326 280058 Bodlowen, 3 Bounder Treath, Coverack, TR12 6TP

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

Lynda Blackman 01326 241722 Chy an Mordhu, 5 Park Enskellaw, Mullion TR12 7JG

Adele Brazier 01326 280171 Chegwiddens, 6 Bounder Treath, Coverack TR12 6TP

John Brazier 01326 280171 Chegwiddens, 6 Bounder Treath, Coverack TR12 6TP

President: David Richardson Vice Presidents: John Grierson, Peter Greenslade

Published by Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust, Bodlowen, Coverack TR12 6TP Tel: 01326 280058 Email: d813richardson@btinternet.com

Website: www.lizardpeninsulaheritagetrust.org.uk

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 5

A Mizzly Meander (Plants seen are listed on the next page)

What is the most stupid thing you can leave behind on a rainy day walk? Waterproof coat/hat/trousers/boots … an umbrella? I managed to forget all five on our recent Predannack Paddle, and thus have only myself to blame for becoming a soggy heap. Was the walk enjoyable nonetheless? Of course it was!

The usual suspects, of the hardy variety, met up with Steve Townsend at the Natural England Estate Offices, Bochym, for coffee and biscuits before heading for Kynance Farm. That was the plan, anyway. The weather forecast put paid to the former but not the latter, and we set off to try and get as much walking done as possible before the heavens opened.

But first, the drive. Access was through the gates of Predannack Airfield, to which only Steve had the secret code, and then we were through and following him onto the runway. I don’t know about you, but I had never driven on a runway before and I took myself somewhat by surprise by feeling an immediate Clarksonian urge to give the accelerator some real welly. Sadly, we were in procession, and no-one else was succumbing to an urge for speed, so I had to behave, contenting myself with one or two sideways dives into the occasional puddle.

Once we reached our downland destination, the top task was "The List", of which David R. took charge. Rules were strict: plants had to be flowering or they were denied entry, but, with a little bending (us as well as the rules) it was amazing what we achieved. The air reverberated with cries of botanical erudition such as: “Which thistle is this?” What’s that yellow stuff?” “Have you got Tormentil yet, David?” If he had, not to worry - it’s not infectious.

Our route took us to Jolly Town, about as inappropriate a name as you could think of for the lonely cottages in the middle of nowhere. Even on a warm, sunny day they manage to look unwelcoming; maybe their name is ironic. But the flora along the way was wonderful. The list on page 6 gives full details, but a few deserve further mention.

A tiny patch of Yellow Centaury caused great excitement, as it only grows here and in the New Forest. It likes cart-tracks, so it might have seemed odd to find it in the middle of a field; but this is where botany and history mix: when we looked around, it seemed very likely that the ancient track used to run here, a few yards parallel to the newer one.

Clover might not sound like something to rave about, but the Twin Headed variety is ultra rare, so we were pretty excited about finding some on an unprepossessing lump of earth. It was even worth kneeling in the mud to get a closer look through a loupe, as the tiny pink and white flowers are exquisite; even web-site pictures hardly do them justice.

In the stream below Jollytown was another treat: some pink Bistort, another unusual find, which is said to like damp soil. I guess a three inch deep brook in full flow fulfils that particular requirement.

Orchids: the land was carpeted in the Heath Spotted variety, the most common but still a beautiful sight. Again, a loupe magnifies not only the size but the enjoyment of this little charmer.

Co-star of today’s show was a patch of rare Prostrate Juniper, electric-fenced to protect it from the Jolly cattle. Steve kindly switched off the fencer, helped us hop over the wire, and proceeded to hand out free samples of gin’s best known ingredient. So much did it resemble Gordon’s/Tanquery/Tesco Value (depending on your taste and purse) that several of us were heard to murmur plans of coming back to harvest the stuff and do some home distilling. So I shan’t tell you where we were, just in case you decide to join in!

And the top billing? Wild Asparagus. Yes, it’s edible, but we’d all just had lunch; plus by now it was raining fairly seriously;

and it was a steep climb down the cliffside to get to this specimen; all of which took away any thoughts of ingestion. The plant is similar, apparently, to kitchen asparagus except that it keeps its head down in the wind. How very sensible.

This marked the zenith of our walk, and we got back to the cars a lot faster than on our outward journey as we had somehow lost the will to ID any more of nature’s offerings and just wanted to climb in, switch on and get the heaters going. Another parade down the runway, and we were soon home, where a mug of cocoa by a roaring fire dispelled any discomforts from our June outing and we could look back with pleasure, as always, on the delights offered by our countryside.

Jane Grierson

Have your say on the local AONB areas

Closing date 31 July 2015

The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2011-2016 is being reviewed. It is a statutory plan and it is Cornwall Council’s duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to publish the Management Plan and review it every five years. The Cornwall AONB team undertakes this task on behalf of the Council.

The Management Plan sets out the policies and guiding principles by which Cornwall’s protected landscape should be managed. The current Plan contains two main parts; a Strategic Section and the ‘Local Chapters’ Section. The Cornwall AONB is split into 12 separate geographical sections, each with their own unique character, issues and communities.

We are seeking the views and input of the Local Sections, in particular, the ‘Guiding Principles’ which is detailed in each Local Section of the current Plan.

The Cornwall AONB Unit would be most grateful if you could examine the ‘Guiding Principles’ for your section closely. We want to know which are relevant, which need updating and if there are any gaps in Guiding Principles for managing landscape and development within the AONB in your area. We’d be very grateful if you could take pains to ensure that your responses are as locally relevant as possible, mentioning local places and being locally specific. Generic policies are likely to be included in the ‘Strategic Chapters’.

As a statutory document, the Cornwall AONB Management Plan is considered to be a material consideration, afforded weight within the Planning System. It is expected that the next Management Plan will also be adapted to form a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), part of the Cornwall Local Plan, meaning it would have even greater weight within the planning system.

The Cornwall AONB covers 952 sqKm, nearly 1/3 of Cornwall. The team can’t possibly know or understand every local issue and place within the AONB. We rely on the assistance of Parishes, local people, community groups, councillors, who know their patch inside out to help us in getting the plan right.

The AONB team would be most grateful if you would respond to the questionnaire which is available on the AONB website www.cornwallaonb.org.uk/management-plan by the 31 July 2015, with as much detail as you can. There is a separate questionnaire for each of the 12 local sections, and you are welcome to complete as many as you wish.

James Evans from the Cornwall AONB unit is leading on the review of the Local Chapters, so if you have any questions or queries at all, please give James a call on 01872 322310, or email james.evans@cornwall.gov.uk

The Guiding Principles are detailed in the questionnaires, but if you would like to examine the whole Management Plan 2011-2016 before responding you can also find it online at http://www.cornwallaonb.org.uk/management-plan

Colette Beckham Cornwall AONB Partnership Manager

Lizard Peninsula Heritage Trust - Newsletter 64, July 2015 - Page 6

Botanical walk with Steve Townsend, Natural England Plants, rare or seen in flower, excluding most grasses Botanical name: Common name:

Achillea millefolium Yarrow

Ajuga reptans Bugle

Allium schoenoprasum Wild Chives

Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel

Anagallis tenella Bog pimpernel

Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley

Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch

Armeria maritima Thrift

Asparagus prostratus Prostrate Asparagus

Bellis perennis Daisy

Beta vulgaris spp maritima Sea Beet

Cardamine pratensis Lady's Smock

Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury

Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear

Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile

Cicendia filiformis Yellow Centaury

Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle

Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard

Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid

Danthonia decumbens Heath Grass

Daucus carota Wild Carrot

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove

Erica cinerea Bell Heather

Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath

Euphrasia nemorosa Common Eyebright

Filipendula vulgaris Dropwort

Galium aparine Cleavers

Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw

Genista anglica Petty Whin

Genista tinctoria Dyer's Greenweed

Geranium robertianum Herb-robert

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed

Herniaria ciliolata Fringed Rupturewort

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell

Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort

Hypericum humifusum Trailing St John's-wort

Hypochaeris radiata Catsear

Jasione montana Sheep's-bit

Juniperus communis hemisphaerica Prostrate Juniper

Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling

Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy

Linum bienne Pale Flax

Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle

Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot-trefoil

Kynance Farm area, Friday 12 June 2015 Botanical name: Common name:

Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged-robin

Minuartia verna Spring Sandwort

Myosotis discolor Changing Forget-me-not

Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort

Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort

Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain

Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

Plantago major Greater Plantain

Plantago maritima Sea Plantain

Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort

Polygonum bistorta Common Bistort

Potentilla anserina Silverweed

Potentilla erecta Tormentil

Prunella vulgaris Selfheal

Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort

Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup

Rosa pimpinellifolia Burnet Rose

Rosa canina Dog Rose

Rubus fruticosus Bramble

Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel

Rumex crispus Curled Dock

Sambucus nigra Elder

Scilla verna Spring Squill

Sedum anglicum English Stonecrop

Silene dioica Red Campion

Silene maritima Sea Campion

Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-Thistle

Stellaria media Common Chickweed

Taraxacum officinale agg Dandelion

Thymus praecox Wild Thyme

Trifolium bocconei Twin-headed Clover

Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil

Trifolium micranthum Slender Trefoil

Trifolium ornithopodioides Fenugreek

Trifolium pratense Red Clover

Trifolium repens White Clover

Trifolium scabrum Rough Clover

Trifolium subterraneum Subterranean Clover

Ulex europaeus Common Gorse

Umbilicus rupestris Navel Pennywort

Urtica dioica Common Nettle

Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell

Vicia sativa Common Vetch

Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet

Total 91

David Richardson