Our second annual walking event took place a couple of weeks ago, on the 18th and 19th of October, with three guided walks to encourage a shared appreciation of the landscape in which we live and work.
Friday’s walk was in the parish of Morvah. A very vigorous westerly wind, but wonderfully invigorating to be out on the coast in it. Fifteen people turned out, more than we had been expecting given the conditions. PLP Archaeologist Laura gave account of the recent excavation at the Tregaminion Chapel and Well. On across the cliffs, from Tregaminion to Chypraze, stopping at the Chypraze Barrow (since cleared by PLP volunteers) before dropping down into the valley above Portheras cove and returning to Morvah via the footpath across the fields.
The Saturday was a wonderful day spent in Zennor. Morning rainbows and afternoon sunshine. Both walks starting and finishing at the pub – perhaps the secret to many a good walk.
The morning walk was led by Tony Phillips, PLP’s Cornish Language and Culture advisor – a fascinating journey along the Zennor Church Path, as far as Wicca Farm, then back again. Tony shared insights into the meanings of place names, the old Cornish field names, ancient hedges and much more. At Wicca we were greeted by farmer Rose Nankervis and her herd of cattle. Rose spoke to an audience of 20 walkers and perhaps twice as many cows, about managing the land taking into account its archaeology, landscape and biodiversity value, whilst maintaining a viable farm business.
The afternoon was an expedition up onto the hills – the biggest turn out of the weekend with thirty people and half a dozen dogs – visiting Zennor and Sperris Quoits. There was amazing clarity of light - from Zennor Carne we could see the Scillies in one direction and Trevose head in the other, about 35 miles in each direction. PLP volunteers had been busy in this area in the weeks preceding these walks; most of the paths over the Zennor and Sperris hills had become very overgrown- but thanks to everyone’s efforts, we had clear paths from Zennor Carn, all the way across to Sperris Quoit.
A huge thanks to everyone who took part in the walks over the weekend. A big part of the project is about encouraging more people to get out using the footpath network to access and appreciate the landscape and heritage of West Penwith – it was great to have so many people come and share in that appreciation. We had much demand for organising more walks; in terms of what we’re funded to do, regular guided walks isn’t one of our primary missions, although it would be a lovely thing to do! If you’re keen for more guided walks in the local area I’d suggest joining West Cornwall Footpaths Preservation Society and the Ramblers (I myself became a member of the WCFPS just last week). Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait until Spring when our partners CASPN will be holding their annual “Pathways to the Past” event of guided walks and talks, on the 30th and 31st May 2020.
Go to our photo gallery from the weekend
For more information see below:
CASPN: https://www.cornishancientsites.com/.
WCFPS: http://wcfps.co.uk/
Ramblers: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/west-cornwall-penwith-kerrier
