Additional events for Hedge Week

HEDGE WEEK   22-29 October 2011

Please join us on :

Thursday 27^th - 2pm Millennium Hall, Pensilva

Illustrated talk by CC Senior Archaeologist Ann Reynolds

“The field systems and boundaries of the Cornish landscape “

                 

Thursday 27^th - 7pm Millennium Hall, Pensilva

Illustrated talk by Plymouth RSPB Group Leader

“Birds Of Garden & Hedgerow”

Saturday 29^th   10-1pm Meet at Darite Village Hall

       

Hedge Walk from Darite to the Pipewell  finishing back at Darite Hall for home made refreshments

       

To book for a workshop or for more details please Contact Jane or Iain: 01579 362350

juglow@cornwall.gov.uk                                          irowe1@cornwall.gov.uk

Get involved with the upcoming Hedge Week

During the October half term week CHAHP will be holding a number of events and courses to celebrate Hedge Week. We still have some spaces left on the below courses which are all free to residents of the Caradon Hill area, you just need to bring your packed lunch.

Sat 22 & Sun 23 oct            Hedge Laying Course: 9 am – 4 pm

This two day beginner’s course will cover the basic skills required to lay hedges in the traditional style. Suitable for use on native garden hedges; hedges around smallholdings and farms; it would also be useful to countryside contractors. Over the weekend course, participants will lay a hedge along the side of the Upton Cross Parish playing field, helping the local community while providing a great training opportunity.

mon 24 oct                          Dormouse Workshop: 10 am – 4 pm

The day long workshop will establish the skills needed for the first stage to becoming a dormouse worker. Led by Dormice experts it is also suitable for anyone interested in this unique and endangered mammal. In the morning you will learn about survey techniques, nut recognition, habitat requirements and dormouse ecology. The practical afternoon session will include nest box checking and nut hunting at a local woodland monitored site. This course is suitable as the first step towards obtaining a dormouse license.

Tues 25 oct                           Willow Weaving: 10 am – 4 pm

Following an introduction to willow, the history of its use and how it is prepared; this willow workshop will teach you how to handle and work with this natural and native material to create a willow lantern. The course is open to families with children over 7 years old; all children must be accompanied by an adult.

fri 28 oct                              Bird Box Workshop: 10 am – 4 pm

The Pied Flycatcher used to nest in Golitha Falls NNR until its bird boxes fell apart. The aim of the day will be to construct boxes for this interesting little bird under the guidance of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. All attendees will have the opportunity to make a box for Golitha Falls and one to take home to their garden.

To book for a workshop or for more details please contact Jane or Iain: 01579 362 350

September Walks & Talks

Invasive Plants Discussion

12 September 2011 at 7:30 pm, St Neot Methodist Chapel Hall with Jane Uglow, CHAHP Project Officer.

Up the Line Walk

20 September 2011, 10 am start, the walk will last approx 4 hours. This is in conjunction with the SE Cornwall Walking Festival following the Kilmar Junction Railway to Bearah Tor & returning via Sharp Tor – led by CHAHP Project Officer Iain Rowe. Some steep accents and descents, uneven underfoot, no dogs please. Bring a packed lunch and meet at Minions Heritage Centre.

Historical Tales Course

A free (to CHAHP residents) eight week course on how to plan and write historic fiction, with workshops delivered by EV Thompson and Simon Parker starting on 22 September 2011, 7-9 pm. Please call Lianne on 07831 802534.

Equinox Walk

23 September 2011, 6.30 am start the walk will last approx 3 hours.

Meet at the Hurlers car park, go up onto the moor to watch the sunrise, and then be guided around the landscape by Blue Badge Guide Mark Camp. Some steep accents and descents, uneven underfoot.

All walks are held with the kind co-operation of: The Duchy of Cornwall,

The Manor of Rosecraddoc, The Hooper and Bolitho Families,

St. Cleer & District Commoners.

actors, artists, singers, storytellers, new agers, amateur astronomers & archaeologists



In 1650 John Norden described the stones as like ‘men performinge that pastime Hurlinge’
© John Norden - English Heritage

On 21 – 23 September we will be filming for our electronic interpretation material. The films we are professionally producing will be available to download online and by smart phones to give a truly unique and interactive historical experience when visiting the area.

We are looking for people who would like to be filmed either performing or giving their views on why the area around Minions was so important to our Neolithic and Bronze Age ancestors. All points of view are welcome; we want actors, artists, singers, storytellers, new agers, amateur astronomers and archaeologists. If this is you or you know someone that would be interested and available on either (or all) Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 or Friday 23 September 2011 please get in touch with Iain Rowe on 01579 362350, 07791 136704 or irowe1@cornwall.gov.uk.

Cast your vote for Cornish food

The British Food Fortnight is coming up in September. To commemorate its 10^th Anniversary there’s a competition to find Britain’s favourite food spot.

At the moment Cornwall is in fourth place so please take a look at the Love British Food website and cast your vote for Cornwall.

Use this link to vote Cornish http://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/votefoodspot/

The dragonfly & damselfly walk on the moor

Searching for dragonflies

Nearly 30 people joined our Project Officer, Jane Uglow, and Cornwall’s Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorder, expert Steve Jones for the walk on Saturday.

Starting from the Minions Heritage Centre, Steve gave a short introduction and spoke of the objectives of recording these species together with an explanation of the needs and requirements of recording. He then gave out a useful handout about the species found in the county before moving to the wet gully between Cheesewring and Golddiggers. 

Within this wet area, the party immediately saw a number of damselflies and Steve demonstrated how to search for the exuviae around the edges of pools and in the reeds.

The initially misty day brightened up and the group was entertained first by one dragonfly and then a flying display, or more likely, a battle over territory between two males. Further exuviae were found illustrating that although only two dragonflies were seen flying, there had been many more that had hatched and either dispersed or been taken by prey.

The man in the mine at work

The work to consolidate the South Caradon Mine structures is underway. This is probably the first time it has been scaffolded since it was built – if you know different please do let us know. We’d also like to know if anyone has any photos of the mine site that we can use to compare and possibly even feature in an exhibition.

We are doing to do our best to retain the iconic silhouette of the man in the mine, but there will be slight changes to ensure structural stability and prevent it from falling down completely. 

The new pointing has been very carefully selected to match the original colour and consistency, however it will take some time before the work becomes invisible. Furthermore all work taking place is being done under guidance from our Ecologist and we are leaving roost and nest sites in-situ.

Please don't try to climb on structures that are being worked on as this may cause damage and is extremely dangerous. More photos and news to follow as the work progresses.