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March 2001 Newsletter
Foreword from our President
The recent outbreak of Foot & Mouth disease has made us all realise how much we depend on outdoor pursuits for our leisure activity. For those of us who enjoy walking, particularly on Carn Brea, we have subsequently found our lifestyle severely curtailed.
At the same time, it has made us even more aware of the need to have such a wild and unspoilt area as the Carn, so close to the urban area of Camborne and Redruth, where we can roam unrestricted.
To ensure this, our committee, under their able chairman Allen Buckley, meet regularly throughout the year to discuss problems which may arise on the hill, and
Make representation on our behalf, to Kerrier Council for any necessary action.
As members of the CBPG we should ALL be more vigilant, in order that the Carn remains a retreat from urban life, with its beauty unmarred and its footpaths unobstructed.
Michael Tangye
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Chairman's Report
Fly-Tipping, Rubbish and Stolen Cars.
The past year has been one of little real change as far as the Carn is concerned. In April 2000 members of the group carried out their annual clean-up, and several large bags of rubbish were disposed of. It is amazing how people who come onto the Carn for its beauty will dump their filth there before leaving. The largest and possibly worst item dumped recently was a stolen car - which was set on fire! We notified the authorities and it was very quickly removed. They also removed rubbish, including asbestos, dumped in a hole on the south-western part of the Carn.
The quantity of litter and rubbish on the top of the Carn grows less year on year, due, no doubt, to our annual efforts. The north side, where the car parks are, continues to be a problem area. The promised prosecution of a dumper failed to materialise as he was hard to track down. We live in hope! As before, anyone with information on the fly tippers should ring Kerrier District Council on 01209 614000.
The Fire.
In the spring of 2000 there was quite a serious fire on the Carn, and although little long-term damage was done, it was a great pity that it came when a lot of birds were nesting among the flora and heather. It is thought that the fire was no accident.
One bonus to members resulting from the fire, was that rarely seen archaeology was exposed. Joe Thomas and Michael Tangye, both eminent historians and very knowledgable about the Carn, were able to show the clean-up crew some interesting foundations and medieval lynchets or terraced fields of a former small-holding.
The New Stable Buildings.
Building work at Carn Bungalow continued during the last twelve months, with a large building, described as a stable block appearing. The number and variety of statues of animals etc, also was added to for the pleasure and enjoyment of those walking on the Carn. Art holds a continuing fascination for many, and what for one person is outrageous eccentricity for another it will appear avant garde and excitingly original. Each to his own!
The Annual General Meeting 2000.
On Wednesday the 3rd of May the Carn Brea Protection Group held its 2000 Annual General Meeting at Four Lanes Methodist Chapel, the original venue for the first public meeting held five years ago to protest at the proposals made by Groundwork and Kerrier for the Carn. Over one hundred people turned up on that occasion and we have managed to maintain a high degree of support ever since. Last years AGM was also well-supported, with some thirty members attending, and the membership raised over £30 for our funds. The current committee, which has remained largely unchanged since we started, was re-elected.
We discussed Kerriers plans to cap several shafts on the south side of the Carn; the work being done on West Basset Stamps; moves to improve the fly-tipping situation, and the disquieting building developments at the top of Carn Lane.
Please see the end of this newsletter for details on the 2001 AGM.
West Basset Stamps & Lylles Shaft.
Work continues on West Basset Stamps complex next to Carnkie village and on the buildings around Lylles Shaft. Most of the consolidation work to the buildings and other structures has been completed, and various changes have been introduced which are not entirely as was agreed with Kerrier. However, the general result has been positive, with only a few minor deviations from the expected changes. Some of the concessions to easier access are a trifle disappointing, but compromises have always to be accepted in such sensitive work. Once things settle down and the natural growth begins again, the site should look more like its old self. Little real damage has been done to the important archaeological features of this unique industrial complex, and only the feel and atmosphere have been somewhat compromised. The safety features, including fences, barriers and stairways, although not ideal from the purists standpoint, appear necessary within the Kerrier remit to put a high priority on protecting the public(from themselves?).
The landscaping stage of the project has recently begun. Let us hope that this will not be too intrusive or inappropriate. Too often in the past, witness East Basset Stamps and South Frances, important industrial archaeology has been swept away in favour of smooth, green hillsides and lawns. Corporation Park paths and tidy groupings of foreign trees and bushes hardly remind one of the vigorous industrial landscape that should accompany the remaining buildings. The urban planners who design such landscapes should be occasionally reminded that walking in the country is supposed to be done with Wellington boots or other sturdy footwear. However, there are now places where Wellys are still needed due to the depth of dog excrement!
It is so important that the Cornish heritage and history is not lost due to the ignorance or insensitivity of the planners. Villages like Carnkie, Treskillard, Tregajorran and Brea were built for the miners and tinners. That is why the cottages were there in the first place. In the past the inhabitants of those villages were streamers and, until recently, miners. The chapels and institutes were built by them and for them. Let us not turn our backs on those people and pretend that the pretty little cottages were part of a romantic and roses-round-the-door past, which never existed in this part of Cornwall. The Cornish are rightly proud of their past, as remembered through those industrial buildings, so let those of us who have moved in from other parts of the country show due respect to those who originate here and whose forefathers built and worked in these old mine buildings in this unique landscape.
The Carn Brea Hill Joint Working Party.
Due to the changes within Kerrier District Council, and the formation of a Cabinet of eight councillors, each with a portfolio, giving him or her sweeping decision-making powers, the Carn Brea Hill Joint Working Party has been suspended. Input from the public and from interested groups, like ours, has been, at a stroke, diminished or nullified. This means that when we campaign in the future, we must concentrate our efforts in a different way and in a different direction. Democracy has suffered a blow in favour of efficiency. History tells us that the most efficient governments included those of Stalin, Hitler, Franco and Salazar. They decide, the order is given, and the job is done. Very efficient, but hardly democratic and hardly for the good of the people. We must make certain that the opinions of our 450 members are heard. We must ensure that the decision makers, the portfolio holders, hear what we, the public have to say and then take it into account when decisions are made, especially about the Carn and the rest of our cherished environment.
Allen Buckley, February 2001
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Membership of the Carn Brea Protection Group
Funds are an on-going problem for groups like ours, though thankfully our expenditure is kept very low. The Newsletter is our largest expense and costs in the region of £90 a year to produce and post.
Hard work at events like the Fourlanes Funday help to boost funds annually, but any donations, if only of £1, would help us keep up the fight to protect the Carn.
For more details please contact the Secretary.
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Shaft Capping on South Carn Brea Mine
The capping of these shafts is due to begin this summer as part of Contract 10 issued by Kerrier District Council. All the tenders have been received by the Council and we should know which company will carry has been awarded the contract soon. Members will be keeping a close eye on the works to ensure that no unnecessary damage or disruption is caused.
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Car Stickers
These are still available, although stocks are limited. Stickers cost £2 each and can be purchased by contacting the secretary.
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World Wide Web
The website at www.cledha.com/cbpg has recently been expanded and updated.
The CBPG continues to receive e-mails from around the world wishing us continued success in helping to preserve Carn Brea as a much-loved, unmanaged, piece of Cornish countryside.
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Kerrier District Council
Kerrier is the local authority responsible for Carn Brea and its environs. Where we once had the Carn Brea Hill Joint Working Party an advisory committee for the Council on all matters affecting Carn Brea, we now have one councillor. The Portfolio Holder concerned with decisions about Carn Brea is Councillor Mike Clayton, who has been a Kerrier Councillor for some 6 years. His complete portfolio is Environment, Transport, Countryside and Strategic Land Use Planning.
We are looking forward to working with Councillor Clayton to ensure that the rapport we have built up with Kerrier following the aftermath of the disastrous proposals in 1996, continues for many years to come.
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Four Lanes Funday
As always the CBPG will be running a stall at the annual Fourlanes Funday. This very popular event has grown year on year. This time round the date for the Funday is 4th August, starting at 10:00.
Please come along and support our stall on the day. Anyone who can lend a hand on the day for an hour, or if you have any bric-a-brac (not clothes) that we could sell to raise funds, please contact the Secretary at the address on the back of this newsletter.
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Illogan Church Flower Festival
The CBPG hopes to have a display at the proposed flower festival to be held on Friday 25th May to Monday 28th May 2001.
Anyone who would like to lend a hand should write to the Secretary at the address on the back of this newsletter.
For more information on the festival please contact Andrew Tompsett on 01209 842316.
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Lost Members
Newsletters sent to the following members were returned by the Royal Mail. If you have a new address for any of these members, please could you let the Secretary know, or inform the person(s) that we only have their old address.
Mrs L.Dennis, Redruth Mrs H.Duffey, Lanner
Mr & Mrs R.Durham, Carnkie Mr T.Gunner, Redruth
Mr R.James, Penryn Ms L.Lee, Piece
Mr & Mrs A.Liesse, Carn brea Village Ms F.Maddever, Carn Brea
Mrs P.E.Neads, Penhallick Mr C.OKiefe, Camborne
Mr & Mrs G.Padgett, Carnkie Mr A.Polkinhorne, Truro
H.Richmond, Camborne G.Risby, Crelly
Mrs I.Rowe, Gwinear B.J.Sharland, Camborne
Mrs P.Short, Piece Mr M.J.Swingler, Camborne
Ms T.Williams
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CBPG AGM & Progress Meeting 2001
The 5th Annual General Meeting of the Carn Brea Protection Group will be held at Fourlanes Methodist Hall, Four Lanes, Redruth on Thursday 10th May 2001 at 7:30pm (opposite the Post office).
Summary Agenda for 2001 AGM :
1 Chairmans Report.
2 Election of Committee.
3 Treasurers Report.
4 Discussion of current situation and future activities.
5 Ratification of any detailed proposals.
It is expected that the current committee will present themselves for re-election en bloc.
It is thanks to you that so much has been achieved. Please try to show your continuing support. Any donations towards expenses would be greatly appreciated. Join us after the meeting for a cup of tea.
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1999 Newsletter
Message from the Chairman.... The last year has been a relatively quiet one for the Group. The main events of the year were:
- Boulders being placed around the parking bays on the summit. This caused a lot of discontent amongst locals, as the final layout was not the one originally agreed between the CBPG, Kerrier District Council and English Heritage. Kerrier have agreed to 'adjust' the boulders, but nothing has happened yet.
- A large part of the southern side of the Carn has been cleared with a JCB in preparation for a campsite for the Eclipse and eventually an area for horses by a local landowner. English Heritage are unhappy with the clearance of the ancient site, but appear powerless to do anything.
- On making horse-users stick to the official bridle ways, Kerrier and the County Council are very reluctant to force the issue with local riding businesses.
- West Basset Stamps. There have been several meetings on and about the site between Kerrier and local residents/groups. Some preliminary work has been carried out, but no major consolidation works on the buildings as yet.
The main issues for 1999, so far, are:
- Fly Tipping remains a major problem on the north side of the Carn, both from domestic and industrial waste.
- The Eclipse on 11Th August at 11:11. There have been suggestions of restricting vehicular access for a few hours either side of the eclipse, to avoid a potentially serious situation with large numbers of people on the Carn and no emergency access. The boulders have accentuated the potential problems here. There has been a suggestion by Kerrier that the CBPG should 'steward' the Carn. The pressure on the Carn will be immense, if only for a few hours on the day. Our advice to anyone wishing to view the eclipse from Carn Brea is to walk up, as driving will be all but impossible.
- The Boulders need to be repositioned and perhaps some removed. Kerrier have received our recommendations on this and seemed quite happy with them. But nothing has happened at the time of going to press.
- A new group has been formed by the Local Council, the Camborne/Pool/Redruth Action Team. This new forum is designed to help regenerate the area, specifically after the closure of South Crofty Mine. The CBPG will be watching the Forum for any issues regarding Carn Brea.
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Extract from tourist brochure for the Long Mynd, Shropshire (run by the National Trust):
'It's not just the dramatic landscape that makes the Long Mynd so important. The heather and bilberry that covers much of the Long Mynd - together with the streams and boggy spots in the valleys - is especially important for birds and insects and has been designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest. This richly diverse range of plants, insects and birds is sadly, under threat. Excessive grazing by sheep over many years has dramatically reduced the heather cover, and as a result bracken is starting to take over much of the hill. Because the condition of the heather is so poor, it's especially vulnerable to the pressure of feet, hooves and tyres. That's why we ask you please to keep to paths and bridle ways - the hill may look tough, but it really can't take much more pressure.'
Strange that grazing was proposed so enthusiastically by those that wanted to manage the Carn in order to help the heather. They also wanted to use horses to do the grazing.
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CBPG Events for 1999:
The annual spring clean of the Carn, as part of National Spring Clean Week, takes place this year on Saturday 10Th April at 1:00pm on the summit of the Carn. If you are able to help, please bring a pair of stout gloves.
1999 AGM: Details on the back cover. If there are items that you would like included on the agenda, please write to the Secretary's address overleaf not later than 30Th April 1999.
Four Lanes are having their annual Funday on Saturday 7Th August, at which the Group will have a stall to raise funds. If anyone can donate items (no clothes please), or can help with manning the stall, contact the Secretary (cbpg@cledha.com).
During the summer the Group will be conducting a series of walks on and around the Carn on traditional footpaths which some landowners are trying to restrict access to or even close altogether. We hope to have a date for this by the AGM.
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CBPG AGM & Progress Meeting 1999
The Annual General Meeting of the Carn Brea Protection Group will be held at the Ambulance Hall, Redruth on Wednesday 19Th May 1999 at 7:30pm.
Summary Agenda for 1999 AGM :
1 Chairman's Report.
2 Election of Committee.
3 Treasurer's Report.
4 Discussion of current situation and future activities.
5 The Solar Eclipse and Carn Brea.
It is expected that the current committee will present themselves for re-election 'en bloc'. Any other nominations should be sent to the Secretary (nominations@cledha.com) to be received no later than 30th April 1999.
It is thanks to you that so much has been achieved. Please try to show your continuing support.
Any donations towards expenses would be greatly appreciated. Join us after the meeting for a cup of tea.
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Excerpts from previous Newsletters:
1998 NEWSLETTER:
Message from the Chairman....The past year saw few dramatic events in our fight to save Carn Brea for future generations. We have been in constant touch with Kerrier District Council over the outstanding problem of fly-tipping; over concern for erosion and damage to the Carn by large-scale horse riding in various vulnerable places; and with respect to limiting car parking on the summit. On the subject of fly-tipping, the year has been a disappointing one. Not only has the problem on the northern side continued, despite Kerrier's attempts to clear it up, but at times it has got considerably worse. The promised prosecution apparently failed. Why precisely this happened we do not know. Kerrier handed their file to the Environment Agency (EA), who assured them and us that a prosecution would follow. All the evidence and the witnesses, who were more than willing to testify, were in place last year, but when we enquired in February as to what had happened they had 'lost the file'. Eventually, we were told that the file had been found, but there was to be no prosecution as the evidence was insufficient. Kerrier are as mystified as we are! Kerrier is keen to try again, using a security firm, but it does require more willingness on the part of the E.A. if we are to get a conviction and the necessary publicity to deter offenders. In the mean time we must remain vigilant and be prepared to report anyone seen fly-tipping on the Carn. Kerrier are trying to solve the horse-riding problem by negotiation with the commercial company who are mainly responsible.
The attempt to restrict parking on the summit to the areas used for the last few decades has not been an unqualified success. Kerrier, in association with English Heritage and the CBPG, decided to place granite stones in such a way as to prevent vehicles, especially four-wheel-drive machines, from driving beyond the parking area. English Heritage gave the go-ahead, provided that the granite was from a different district, so that there would be no confusion over interpretation of the site. We all three worked out roughly where the stones should go. In the event, many more stones were used than we and English Heritage anticipated. The Committee feel that there are three-times more granite blocks than are really needed, that they are too close together and too regimented. They have also been found to have made it difficult to turn around or reverse into the parking spaces. Kerrier have agreed to look again at the number and position of the granite. We will discuss it with them and try to modify the arrangements.
We have had many meetings with Kerrier and other parties about West Basset Stamps. We also participated in a public meeting over the site. Local people are very concerned that the site will in no way be damaged or altered by stabilisation. It is our urgent wish that nothing should happen to destroy or change any aspect of the site or the surrounding area, all of which is of great historical importance. There can be few sites in Cornwall which are so important to the industrial archaeologist. The significance of West Basset Stamps area to the wildlife fraternity was underlined at the public meeting by Dr Holyoak, who mentioned that three places on the site had rare bryophytes. One area being the only example of males and females of the species together in the same location in the UK. Needless to say, the Committee will continue to monitor developments at West Basset Stamps, as we will the other areas of concern on the Carn.
Finally, as a Committee, we appeal to all members of the group, to remain vigilant with respect to the Carn. Fly-tipping, erosion, damage due to abnormal vehicle use, vandalism to archaeology and intrusion by local government policy, are all areas which need watching. Let us hope that the next year continues to be one of progress in our general aim, to retain the Carn as a wild and unspoilt area for our children and grandchildren. Allen Buckley, Chairman. March 1998.
The Environment Agency later informed us that the failed prosecution in the 1998 fly tipping case, was due to failure to track down the culprit.
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Message from the Chairman.... It is now almost 12 months since the fight began to save Carn Brea from unwanted change. When the far-reaching proposals were first revealed to a surprised and sometimes shocked public, many believed that the lure of money and the power of Kerrier District Council would force through the scheme, regardless of the opinions of local people. Those 420 people who joined together to fight the proposals, were sufficiently confident of the rightness of their argument to attack the plans with vigour.
No sooner had the first protest letters hit the West Briton, than the protesters were joined by local councillors, of all political persuasions, environmentalists of many disciplines, historians and archaeologists with wide-ranging local knowledge and ex-patriot Cornish, from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America. The Carn Brea Protection Group's committee, supported at every stage by you, wrote letters, attended Council meetings at parish and district level, drafted alternative proposals, appeared on TV and spoke on radio, gathered over 1,600 signatures on a petition, held public meetings, talked to council officers and each of the bodies who had drawn up the original plan, and generally forced the issue into public and official view.
It soon became apparent that the plans had few supporters, apart from those out of touch with public opinion. As you will be aware, when Kerrier District Council Amenities Committee finally considered the plan, they followed the lead of the Carn Brea Hill Joint Working Party and voted unanimously to reject the proposals in their entirety. The demise of this ill-conceived set of proposals illustrates that local people can influence events, even when they are presented by so-called experts as 'the only reasonable way forward'. In the future let us ensure that we are always consulted in such matters.
These comments are particularly relevant with respect to West Basset Stamps, perhaps the most important industrial archaeological site in west Cornwall, if not the whole of the south-west. Fortunately, at the moment, all groups involved in planning the site's future are aware of its importance, but we must never let our guard down. We should remain vigilant to make certain that changes to our countryside are not bulldozed through by outsiders or those with an interest, financial or otherwise.
Excerpts from letters:
"The Prince of Wales has asked me to write and thank you for your letter dated 21st June, and to reply. His Royal Highness was most interested to read the material which you kindly sent to him and, in particular, your comments regarding his article which appeared in the Western Morning News at the end of May. His Royal Highness wishes the Carn Brea Protection Group every possible good fortune in pursuing its laudable aims". J.N.C. James, Secretary To His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall. (Private Letter, July 1996).
Now, please leave the Carn alone. "The Carn Brea Protection Group should be congratulated on its campaign to stop the proposed scheme for Carn Brea, which included a car park, fencing and spraying. Most people didn't want it to happen. If only those putting up the original proposals had listened to the people in the first place we wouldn't have wasted two years of endless meetings and walkabouts. Perhaps now the so-called experts will leave the Carn well alone and let the Cornish people roam the summit, as they have done for centuries. A general tidy up is needed, but little else is necessary". Tommy Bray, Chairman Kerrier District Council. (West Briton Newspaper, September 1996).
"...A plea from the other side of the world therefore to those responsible for making the decisions about the future of "my Carn". Please, Please understand how important spiritually the Carn is to those of us who depend on it. If you change the essential nature of the land, if you tinker with the history, t he archaeology, the nature of the area - you tinker with my being. In the words of the hymn :
Hail to the Homeland! - of thee we are a part, Great pulse of freedom in every Cornish heart; Prompt us and guide us - endow us with thy power, lace us with liberty to face this changing hour." Tom Joll, a 4th generation New Zealander of Cornish Stock and a "Camborne Man". (Private letter, April 1996).
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