Tamar image

Angels on Horseback

13th February 2008

A recent community meeting, highlighting progress of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project, saw offers of help from a local horseriding group to warden the multi-use trails, currently being constructed as part of the Project.

The Stoke Climsland and District Riding Association (SCADRA) said they could be ‘guardian angels on horseback’ and act as the eyes and ears on the trails.

Other groups, representing walkers and cyclists, have also offered to test the trails before they officially open and record audio ‘podcasts’ of their different journeys, that will eventually be available to download onto MP3 players from the Tamar Valley website.

Following several years of planning, complex land negotiations and legal agreements, work on the ground has now begun and is making exciting progress.

Tamar Valley AONB Manager, Tim Selman, is delighted with the work so far; ‘It’s great to see the trails shaping up. Years of hard work and planning is now paying off, and it will provide a wonderful recreational resource for all who live in, and visit, the Tamar Valley to enjoy’.

The most visible part of the trails currently being constructed is the underpass under the A390. This will provide a safe link between the trails along the original mineral tramway extending from Devon Great Consols, once the largest copper mine in Europe, to the Bedford & Russell mines and Morwellham Quay. This summer the Devon Great Consols trails and Bedford Car Park will be open to the public. The more complex parts of the trails will be open in 2009.

Project organisers urge the public to stay away from the trails until they are officially open, for health and safety reasons; this includes the new mountain bike course currently being built, with help from local club, Woodland Riders.

As part of the Project, to celebrate and tell the story of the Tamar Valley’s rich mining heritage, work is taking place to conserve many heritage sites along the trails, making them safe for public access. Controlling invasive species and creating habitats to encourage the Heath Fritillary butterfly and to ensure bats can still use the mining buildings for roosting, are important parts of the work, too.

If you’d like to get involved, find out more, or to receive free monthly updates on the Project and other work taking place throughout the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, contact Jemma Sharman on 01579 351904 or email jsharman@tamarvalley.org.uk

Image: Stoke Climsland & District Riding Association, copyright: VeeBee Design

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