Despite challenges from the weather, the PLP team and volunteers have still been busy this winter! Here is a summary of just some of our work from the last couple of months:
- Families were introduced to how to build a bird box as part of National Nestbox week
- A Bronze Age roundhouse was uncovered at Sperris settlement, as well as several access paths nearby leading to the settlement and its elusive quoit
- Several of our volunteers and team members gained a LANTRA qualification in tractor and flail use
- We supported Madron Parish Council in the clearing and maintenance of Public Rights of Way leading from the village to Madron Holy Well
- Our volunteers helped improved valuable habitats for Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies and other creatures by vegetation management at Lamorna and Chapel Carn Brea
- Our strimming volunteers helped clear access paths, including part of the historic Tinners' Way, on Nine Maidens Common
- Volunteers were able to attend a Historic Record Discovery Day at Kresen Kernow, learning more about the process of recording and archival records relating to our archaeological sites, and how to access this to improve our knowledge of Penwith's history
- Vegetation was cleared from access paths and Polhiggy Barrow, near Castle an Dinas and Roger's Tower, and volunteers helped install a guillotine stile (no heads were lost in the making of this stile...)
- Some historic coffin stiles were uncovered, also through the hard work and dedication of our volunteers
- Lower Boscaswell Fogou is now clearly visible after vegetation clearance by volunteers
- Bosporthennis Holy Well was made accessible after our team cleared a tree that had blocked the site for some time
- New trails and information on ancient sites were launched on our website
- We won Highly Commended in the Volunteer Host of the Year category at the Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering awards
- We launched the Horticultural part of our Farming Futures project, working with LEAF- see our Farming Blog for information and how you can get involved if you are interested
- Penwith farmers were also updated on the progress of the Livestock element of the Farming Futures project with a presentation by James Daniel of Precision Grazing
- Our Farm Environment Officer, Phil, continued to visit farms for soil sampling and advice, and some farms were able to receive grants for work through our projects
- Our Para Kernewek (Cornish team) Tony and Loveday introduced local residents to a taste of Cornish for the festive season- one of many Cornish language based sessions and activities they have planned
- We started to introduce some Cornish words particularly relevant to Penwith on our social media channels - make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to brush up your Kernewek.
Phew! And that's just scratching the surface... The winter months have also seen the PLP planning for the year ahead and we've got lots in the pipeline- from new training courses and participation in community events, to activities for families, support for the farming community, and a lot of exciting volunteer tasks- it's going to be a busy year! The coming months will also see new content appearing here on the website- make sure you visit us regularly to stay up to date with what's happening.
As always a massive thank you to our funders (National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cornwall Council and Cornwall AONB), partners and volunteers for your support and hard work- we couldn't do this without you!
