Gwithian Live Cam

Cornwall is known throughout the world for its rugged scenery, its ancient history, its beautiful beaches but perhaps more than anything else its industrial history which has shaped the landscape, the people and the way in which its expatriates have won minerals in many other continents. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the oldest industrial preservation organisation in the world, The Cornish Engines Preservation Society, was founded in Cornwall and saved many significant mining remains at a time when most people saw nothing of interest in the preservation of such relics. These sites were accepted by the National Trust in the 1960's.

The Trevithick Society, which emerged from the original preservation committee, held a wider vision of a Cornwall-wide industrial museum and this is now the goal of the Trevithick Trust. This Trust is formed by a partnership of Cornwall County Council, Carrick, Kerrier and Penwith District Councils, the Trevithick Society, and the National Trust, with strong support from the Institute of Cornish Studies, Groundwork Kerrier, Camborne School of Mines, English Heritage, the Rural Development Commission, the Countryside Commission and private bodies.

The objective of the Trust is to identify, preserve, protect, manage and interpret for the benefit of the people of Cornwall and for the public at large throughout the world whatever of the historical, architectural and engineering heritage may exist in the form of buildings, artifacts, documents, records and land associated with Cornish mining and engineering, and related industries and activities. The Trust, which is an educational charity and limited liability company, has already made great steps towards this objective.

Working closely with the Cornwall Archaeological Unit, the West Cornwall LEADER Project and the National Trust, the Trevithick Trust has identified numerous industrial sites in Cornwall which has helped in the production of a map printed by the Cornwall Tourist Board. The Trust has also identified major sites under threat such as the Museum of Submarine Telegraph at Porthcurno. As part of a collaboratory scheme with the LEADER Project the Trust has identified and assessed all heritage sites in West Cornwall.

Conservation is a prime aim, and this has been initially directed towards the restoration and reopening of Geevor mine, acquired by the County Council. A scheme is also in preparation for the cataloguing and documentation of all items at Geevor, those held by the Trevithick Society, and King Edward Mine, Troon, so that the extent of industrial collections is known. This system will be capable of being extended to any site in Cornwall.

The Trust works closely with the Mineral Tramways and with Derelict Land schemes in Kerrier and Penwith, and has also been involved in discussions as to the future of the two important foundry sites at Perran and Hayle. The National Trust is represented on the Board of the Trust. The Cornish Engines at Pool come under the remit of the Trust, as will the landholdings of the local authorities once derelict schemes have been completed. King Edward Mine and Porthcurno Museum of Telegraphy will also managed by the Trust. Whilst most of the physical activities of the Trust are currently in the three Western Districts of Penwith, Kerrier and Carrick, it is maintaining a keen interest in promoting efforts in Caradon, Restormel and North Cornwall. It is a member of the Cornwall Industrial Heritage Partnership which coordinates all preservation activities. With the active participation of the Duchy of Cornwall and the East Cornwall Mining History Association it is seeking to preserve cottages at Luckett, near Callington.

An early aim of the Trust is to establish a gateway centre, which will allow both residents and visitors to see scope of industrial attractions in the region. This will be at Taylor's Shaft, East Pool, recently conserved by Groundwork Kerrier and now being transferred to management of the Trust. Visitors will be directed from the A30.

Networking will be a very important aspect of the Trust's work, so that visitors may enter the network at any point and then discover that there are many other sites to visit. Eventually it is hoped that a joint ticket scheme will be prepared, and in co-operation with other heritage sites in the county the Trust will endeavour to promote these sites for the benefit of education, tourism and economic regeneration.

The trust has been sponsored initially by major public and private bodies, but it requires input from individuals and organisations in Cornwall and throughout Britain for the Trust to survive. The vision is immense. This could be the first Museum of Landscape in the World. Nothing similar has ever been considered. The benefits of membership may be small to start with. The main benefit, however, is to be able to play your part in this exciting project, and to allow your ideas and influence to direct the future of the Trust. Membership of the Trust is open to all who subscribe to its ideals and pay the necessary membership fee. At general meetings members elect representatives to the board of the Trust to assist the other directors who are nominated by the funding organisations to run the affairs of the Trust.