Back to SAVE PENWITH MOORS page
UPDATES - 2008
Some items over 2 months old have been removed
Compiled by the Co-ordinator of Save Penwith Moors
To contact email info@savepenwithmoors.com
Would you and your family be put off by this? If so please sign our protest petition now CLICK HERE
'GATEWAY' TO MEN-AN-TOL CROFT - Escaped cattle at the stile leading to Men-an-Tol (17/9/2008) - a portent of things to come if the HEATH Project is implemented here.
A longhorn grazing at Dry Carn, Pendeen. It is proposed that a herd of two dozen longhorns will graze Carnyorth Moor.
PICTURE GALLERY
For progress on installation of stock proofing (fences etc) see
NEW NATIONAL TRUST BREACHES OF THE HIGHWAYS ACT (1980) CLICK HERE NEW
CARNYORTH MOOR (CARN KENIDJACK) (last pics taken 25.3.2009) CLICK HERE
MEN-AN-TOL CROFT (last pics taken 12.2.2009) CLICK HERE
LANYON QUOIT CROFT (barbed wire fencing has been completed along the eastern boundary - Bosiliack Barrow etc))
CARN GALVA (last pics taken 15.2.2009) CLICK HERE
WATCH CROFT (last pics taken 19.2.2009) CLICK HERE
NINE MAIDENS COMMON: fencing and grazing plans abandoned CLICK HERE
NINE MAIDENS PROTEST WALK (21.9.08) for photos CLICK HERE
PORTHGWARRA (last pics taken 24.9.08 ) CLICK HERE
TREEN CLIFF (LOGAN ROCK) (last pics taken 14.10.08) CLICK HERE
BAKERS PIT (NANCLEDRA) (last pics taken 27.9.08) CLICK HERE
DIRECT ACTION (criminal damage to fencing) CLICK HERE
Dates in brackets refer to when the item was put on this site
MEETINGS
SECOND HEATHLAND FORUM HELD ON 17th MARCH 2009 (minutes not yet available)
MINUTES OF FIRST HEATHLAND FORUM (9/2/2009)
MINUTES OF PENWITH DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING (10/12/2008)
MINUTES OF OPEN FORUM (27/11/2008)
NATIONAL TRUST
NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE The National Trust in Hot Water (28/3/2009)
PRINCE CHARLES (28/3/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST ILLITERATE ASSES (14/3/2009)
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ASKED OF NATIONAL TRUST (14/3/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS 'MISTAKE' (7/3/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST ILLEGAL SHAMBLES (21/2/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS BLAME FOR FLOODING MOORLAND PATHS (5/2/2009)
CARN GALVA - NOT A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT (31/1/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST - SAVE PENWITH MOORS REPLIES TO NEW WEB SITE (17/1/2009)
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS "REGRETTABLE DAMAGE" (17/1/2009)
NATURAL ENGLAND
NATURAL ENGLAND - QUOTES, MISQUOTES & 'APOLOGY' (24/1/2009)
MISCELLANEOUS
UNIVERSITY OF YORK HEATHLAND SURVEY (5/4/2009)
DAMAGED BARBED WIRE FENCING NOW REPAIRED (28/3/2009)
CARNYORTH MOOR (28/3/2009)
STOCK PROOFING CONTINUES UNABATED (14/2/2009)
THE CORNISHMAN unpublished letter (28/3/2009)
ADDED 5th APRIL 2009
UNIVERSITY OF YORK HEATHLAND SURVEY
I have just received details of a questionnaire from a research student of the Environment Department of the University of York. Please take time to fill it in (see web address below). It needs to be done by April 17th at the very latest. Please pass this on to any interested contacts you may have. Thanks.
About the project
She is currently investigating the causes and consequences of disputes over conservation strategies in the UK, with a particular focus on the use of cattle grazing (and associated fencing) on moorland. These schemes, currently being implemented across England by local wildlife trusts, the National Trust and Natural England have caused great controversy, as they are often unpopular with local people. What is particularly interesting is that often those who oppose such management are usually committed conservationists and feel deeply connected to nature.
The aim of the project is to understand the concerns of those who oppose cattle grazing and to build a picture of how the issues surrounding this controversial practice vary across England. She is also planning to speak to the agencies implementing cattle grazing schemes, in order to understand whether there are any commonly shared values between the conflicting groups.
She has designed a questionnaire as part of her project so please click on the link below, or paste the link into your internet browser.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Me_2bJOOOooDBubHnZZ3AtFA_3d_3d
ADDED 28th MARCH 2009
DAMAGED BARBED WIRE FENCING NOW REPAIRED
Carnyorth Moor: cut wire has been repaired by the gate at the end of the lane from Hailglower Farm.
Men-an-Tol Croft: the coils of cut wire have been removed and the damaged barbed wire fencing around the old mine workings near Greenburrow is now repaired.
I walked around most of the perimeter of this moor on 25th March: not much work on stock proofing had been done lately. No new gates have been erected; a few short stretches of new barbed wire fencing have been erected on the eastern side not far from the gate (site 6 on map - see Picture Gallery) where an amount of rab has been dumped on the 'muddy sump' where a horse and rider got bogged down some months ago.
One of our supporters has recently written to Prince Charles in his capacity as President of the National Trust to inform him - with a CD of pictures - of the mess the NT are making at Carn Galva.
The following letter was sent to our local weekly newspaper on 16th March but has not been published - so here it is.
OVERDOSE IN STUPIDITY
The National Trust has given replies to a number of questions submitted by Save Penwith Moors action group concerning the recent shambles of the earthworks and drainage pipe near Four Parish Stone that flooded three public rights of way (see The Cornishman 15/1/2009).
Apparently the plans for this work – drawn up by the West Penwith National Trust property staff – were approved after site visits by Natural England, the Historic Environment Service of Cornwall County Council and the National Trust archaeologist. The work was supervised by the West Penwith National Trust Area Warden and Archaeological Warden.
The installation of the drainage pipe was admitted by the Senior Countryside Officer of Cornwall County Council to be in breach of the Highways Act (1980) and has since been removed, as has the illegal cattle grid on National Trust land at Watch Croft. It is therefore obvious that the agencies involved in sanctioning the drain and cattle grid were acting illegally.
Save Penwith Moors has always campaigned strictly within the law and hope that this overdose in stupidity and incompetence by local HEATH Project agencies will be suitably admonished by their superiors.
The following press release (with contact addresses) was sent on 9th March to a number of national and local newspapers. If you know of any papers that have used it please let me know at info@savepenwithmoors.com
THE NATIONAL TRUST IN HOT WATER
PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER FIASCO NEAR LAND’S END
SUCCESS OF LOCAL PROTESTS
The National Trust in West Cornwall is in hot water: it has been compelled to remedy two instances where recent work to enclose popular open-access moorland near Land’s End has breached the Highways Act (1980).
DRAIN PIPE FLOODS PUBLIC FOOTPATHS
A large drain pipe was inserted into a restructured hedge on the lowest part of Carn Galva moors so that a large volume of rain water – funnelled down deep ditches recently dug by the Trust – caused the serious flooding of three well-used public rights of way.
After local protests the work was inspected by the various agencies concerned including The National Trust, Natural England, DEFRA and the local MP, Andrew George, who described the reaction of the agencies as one of “consternation and embarrassment”. The Trust admitted that the damage was “regrettable”: a spokesman (Jon Brookes, National Trust estates manager for West Penwith) was quoted as saying: “We hold our hands up and say the work was too heavy and we’re doing all we can to mitigate the damage that’s been caused”. The possibility of a financial penalty being imposed on the Trust was mooted by Natural England. The drain pipe has now been taken away.
CATTLE GRID BLOCKS PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY
As if this incompetence was not enough, the local Trust made another obvious error when they installed a cattle grid across the complete width of a bridleway without authorisation, so preventing horse riders from exercising their legal right to use this track. Complaints have now resulted in this being removed.
CONTROVERSIAL ‘MANAGEMENT’ PROJECT
This work is part of the highly controversial and unpopular Natural England HEATH (Heathland-Environment-Agriculture-Tourism-Heritage) Project, paid for with funds from Europe and the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the principle aim of rejuvenating and ‘managing’ West Penwith (Land’s End Peninsula) moorland through erecting miles of barbed wire fencing, numerous gates and several cattle grids in preparation for grazing cattle to clear some of the bracken and gorse.
Details of the Project stock proofing have, until now almost completed, been largely kept from public knowledge. Even Peter Bowden of Natural England has admitted that the HEATH Project “had been bad at community engagement and there should have been a pilot project”; and that “there should have been better community involvement two years earlier”.
SAVE PENWITH MOORS ACTION GROUP
Our action group was formed in July 2008 by six concerned local residents who have walked and ridden the area for many decades, and has been in the forefront of campaigning against fencing and proposed grazing of the last few safe cattle-free areas of local moorland so popular with locals and tourists alike.
The incompetence of local National Trust officials is outstanding, as well as being a complete waste of money. Is anyone to be held to account? Will the Trust be any better at ‘managing’ the moors once cattle are grazing? On their present record it seems highly unlikely.
We consider it is high time the HEATH Project to enclose and graze iconic West Penwith moorland with its many prehistoric sites is abandoned, and the area restored to its previous state with the speedy removal of miles of recently erected barbed wire fences and numerous gates.
ADDED 20th MARCH 2009
HEATHLAND FORUM HELD ON 17th MARCH
A second Forum took place on Tuesday 17th March attended by myself, Craig Weatherhill and Steve Yandall. Unfortunately there were several absentees including Andrew George, Stephen Bone (Lanyon Farm) and Jon Brooks (NT). It is expected that JB’s reply to our numerous questions will be dealt with at the next forum (12 May). Apparently the HEATH Project ends on 31 March so I assume that the large amount of fencing etc still required will be done by the relevant graziers – we will see. All work has come to a halt – doubtless temporary but hopefully permanent.
Our position re the forum was read out as follows:
As previously stated Save Penwith Moors action group was set up to organise and coordinate opposition by all legal means to the fencing and grazing of Penwith moors proposed under the Natural England HEATH Project.
Does the HEATH Project intend to make any meaningful concessions to fears expressed about the moors? Or does it now intend to continue regardless while only being concerned with minor details to make the Project more acceptable?
While Save Penwith Moors will continue to bring problems associated with the HEATH project to this Forum we will NOT offer to help to rectify problems. We consider that all problems should ultimately be resolved by those responsible for creating them: the relevant agencies and their salaried officials.
We want all fencing and other stock proofing removed, and the moors restored to their original state before this work was carried out.
The Forum minutes will be published when they become available.
ADDED 14th MARCH 2009
NATIONAL TRUST ILLITERATE ASSES
The stack on top of Cape Cornwall was recently struck by lightning and became unsafe; consequently the National Trust put up signs warning the public of this danger. However these signs (they have now been replaced) clearly show a chronic lack of spelling skills. Click on the image below and see how many you can spot.
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ASKED OF NATIONAL TRUST
Replies to questions submitted at last forum have been received from West Penwith National Trust. CLICK HERE
ADDED 7th MARCH 2009
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS 'MISTAKE'
The Cornishman (26/2/2009) reported that the Trust has admitted to a "mix up" over installation of the cattle grid on Watch Croft that they have now been compelled to remove as it was in beach of the Highways Act (1980). That such an elementary error should be committed by a national agency is a disgrace - anyone concerned with the legality of public rights of way should know full well that any alteration requires county council permission. It appears that someone is totally incompetent at their job. What is going on?
For pictures of NT breaches of the Highways Act CLICK HERE
LANYON QUOIT
The National Trust recently strimmed dead bracken and scrub in the area between the quoit and the road. Why cannot this be done at all sites without use of cattle?
ADDED 25th FEBRUARY 2009
MINUTES OF HEATHLAND FORUM (9/2/2009)
Some of what Save Penwith Moors has been pointing out for months has now, apparently, been accepted as valid by Natural England when Peter Bowden (Natural England) admitted that the HEATH Project “had been bad at community engagement and there should have been a pilot project”. And that “there should have been better community involvement 2 years earlier”.
For full copy of the extensive minutes CLICK HERE
ADDED 21st FEBRUARY 2009
NATIONAL TRUST ILLEGAL SHAMBLES
The National Trust has done it again. Not content with the fiasco of the drain flooding public rights of way near the Four Parish Stone – this drain has now been removed after public protest – they have now been compelled to take out a newly installed cattle grid on a public bridleway (Morvah 11 at Grid ref. approx. 4177/3550) near Garden Mine on Watch Croft after complaints made by Save Penwith Moors action group. The grid covered the whole width of the bridleway so that horse riders were prevented from their legal right to ride this track.
Apparently it is illegal to place a cattle grid on a bridleway across its whole width; a solution being to put the grid adjacent to the bridleway with a suitable gate across the right of way. We wait to see if this will happen.
For pics of removed grid CLICK HERE
The incompetence of local National Trust officials is outstanding as well as being a complete waste of money. Is anyone to be held to account? Will the Trust be any better at ‘managing’ the moors once cattle are grazing? On their present record it is highly unlikely.
It is time the unpopular Natural England HEATH Project to enclose and graze iconic West Penwith moorland is abandoned, and the area restored to its previous state with removal of miles of recently erected barbed wire fences and numerous gates.
ADDED 14th FEBRUARY 2009
HEATHLANDS FORUM MEETING
The closed Forum was held on 9th February under the chairmanship of Councillor Hudson Smith (Penwith District Council) and lasted over two hours. Representatives were from local councils, Natural England, National Trust, Cornwall County Council, National Farmers Union, PAROW (Penwith Access and Rights Of Way) and Save Penwith Moors.
STOCK PROOFING CONTINUES UNABATED
Numerous new gates are being installed around the edge of Men-an-Tol Croft and around the old mine workings near Greenburrow engine house. The two cattle grids on the B3306 coast road below Carn Galva are virtually completed and work is now going on to rectify the problems caused by the drain near Four Parish Stone where the National Trust has been compelled to make good the rights of way. (see Picture Gallery above).
I would estimate that about three-quarters or two-thirds of stock proofing is now complete overall - there is still a fair amount of work to be done in all areas and work seems for the moment to have slowed down - problems?
ADDED 5th FEBRUARY 2009
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS BLAME FOR FLOODING MOORLAND PATHS
This was a headline in The Cornishman (5/2/2009) that reported the National Trust might have financial penalties imposed for "regrettable" damage to Carn Galva moors. Also that Natural England may withhold payments made to the Trust under the Environmentally Sensitive Agreement, or even claw them back with interest; however their project officer refused to discuss the issue although a written press statement declared their priority was to correct any damage rather than impose penalties, and that the estimated cost for this work was not yet available.
The Penwith District Council planning enforcement officer was reported as having completed his investigation into the legality of the works on Carn Galva moors and his findings would be published next week - should be interesting!
ADDED 31st JANUARY 2009
CARN GALVA - NOT A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT
An email received on 27th January from the Cornwall County Council Countryside Manager reports that the National Trust has agreed to substantial works to make sure the public rights of way are not adversely affected by their stock proofing work, and this will include removal of the offending drain and infilling of much of the ditch. Natural England has also asked that further remedial work be carried out in the location of the Four Parish Stone "because of the impact of the drainage on the Environmentally Sensitive Area". (for more details see below under 1st January)
So complaints made by Save Penwith Moors and others have had a positive effect on rectifying this appalling and incompetent work carried out under the auspices of the National Trust.
ADDED 24th JANUARY 2009
Natural England - QUOTES, MISQUOTES & 'APOLOGY' CLICK HERE
ADDED 17th JANUARY 2009
National Trust - SAVE PENWITH MOORS REPLIES TO NEW WEB SITE CLICK HERE
NATIONAL TRUST ADMITS "REGRETTABLE DAMAGE"
The National Trust work and meeting with Andrew George MP were reported in The Cornishman (15/1/2009) which quoted the MP as saying "they were very cagey about taking me up there and I could understand why", and that the Trust have pledged to address this "regrettable piece of damage". The National Trust spokesman said that they had tried not to fence the area and that the situation had caused considerable upset for Trust staff: "We hold our hands up and say the work was too heavy and we're doing all we can to mitigate the damage that's been caused". A report is due to be discussed at a Penwith Council meeting on 4th February.
For pictures of Carn Galva works CLICK HERE
ADDED 1st JANUARY 2009
Minutes of Penwith District Council meeting held on 10th December CLICK HERE
Minutes of Open Forum held on 27th November 2008 CLICK HERE
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