STORIES
Challenged completed - 80 Miles for 80 Years
To celebrate our 80th anniversary, members of our Rural and Coastal team took on an 80-mile challenge along the South West Coast Path, walking from Looe to Cadgwith over five days.
Day one started from our Training Hub in Looe, which we set up to deliver training sessions for fishermen, before passing the Millpool Centre – a community facility we helped get built 15 years ago through CASE funding. From there it was on to Polperro, where our Fishing Animateurs have helped deliver major investment in harbour infrastructure, and then across to Polruan to meet Katherine, who we’ve supported with advice for the village hall.
Along the way we spotted the Lanteglos Community Bus, one of many community bus schemes CRCC helped establish more than 30 years ago. We finished day one in Fowey, after a lift across the harbour from the Harbour Master team – who was keen assist after the support Fowey has received from the Fishing Animator team for harbour improvements.
Day two started in Fowey, we headed around the headland and along to Gribbin Head. Before long, we could see the distinctive clay tips across the bay – a reminder of the many communities in Clay Country that CRCC has worked alongside over the years.
From supporting bowling clubs to helping set up children’s play initiatives, we’ve worked with people of all generations across the area. We even had an office in St Dennis for many years.
We then made our way through Par, passing MPower Kernow, where we’ve worked with the organisation to give some of our Work Your Way learners the opportunity to develop engineering skills.
Skirting the perimeter of St Austell, we continued along the coast path after pausing to take in some of the many partnerships CRCC has made in the town – from the arts centre to St Austell Brewery, before stopping for lunch in Charlestown, home to the Charlestown Chums, a local litter-picking group supported by our Clean Cornwall project.
There were certainly a few steep climbs on the second leg of the day, but we eventually made it to Mevagissey – another harbour we have supported over the years.
On day three our first stop was in Gorran Haven, where we’ve worked in the past on Parish Planning and community bus projects.
Along the coastal path, we were recognised by a tour leader who used to be a Cornwall Councillor and had been involved with our work during that time – a lovely reminder of the connections we’ve built across Cornwall over the years.
In Portloe, we passed The Ship Inn, now a community-owned pub. The group behind it sought advice from us when they were looking to purchase the property.
And alongside all the support we’ve given to community groups, we’ve also helped numerous individuals over the years – whether through digital skills programmes, Winter Wellbeing Grants or energy-saving initiatives.
On day four we made our way across the Roseland, stopping along the way for an interview with Chaos Radio and Radio Cornwall. We then met some fishermen in Portscatho and St Mawes who we’ve supported with grant funding for their boats and processing equipment. Our Housing Enabler Programme is also currently working with St Just in Roseland on an affordable housing project.
After taking the ferry across to Falmouth, we were greeted by Peter Jefferson, our former CEO from the 2010s. Peter joined us for the walk across Falmouth, and we talked about some of the work CRCC was involved with during that time – from supporting the Cornwall Playing Fields Association, to working with Pub is The Hub to help publicans provide vital services to their communities, and setting up our Learn Your Way education programme.
He even pointed out that the floating pontoon we had walked across to board the ferry at St Anthony just an hour earlier was made possible through funding CRCC had secured over a decade ago. It seems that everywhere we tread there is evidence of our work!
Along the way, we were also joined by a number of workmates and family members, including our CEO Katherine and Operations Manager Jayne.
On Friday, day five, we set off from Helford at 9am for the final leg of our 80-mile journey around Cornwall’s coast.
Along the way, we passed village and community shops in remote communities. We’ve helped several set up as social enterprises. We also visited Mawgan-in-Meneage and Lambeage Village Hall, both of which have benefited from our support.
We passed beaches and villages with litter-picking groups supported by our Clean Cornwall project. The project has delivered many events and awareness campaigns, often in collaboration with partners including the Eden Project and Surfers Against Sewage. Clean Cornwall is also currently delivering the Blue Litter project, helping keep our Seas and Waterways litter free.
Countless National Trust signs were another reminder of the organisation’s vital work caring for Cornwall’s land and coastline. We’ve been working with the National Trust on the reopening of Heartlands in Pool and look forward to developing that partnership in the years ahead.
Having officially reached 80 miles around The Lizard, we decided to carry on for another 10 miles to Cadgwith, a cove our Fishing Animateur team has helped to secure funding for a new winch and tractor, while also supporting individual fishermen. We also helped run a Young Fishermen’s Network event there this summer.
We are so grateful to everyone who got involved, supported us and helped us raise a total of £1,010 for our 80th anniversary!