You will see from the
title of this newsletter that we are now called the St Piran Trust. We
are pleased to announce that we are now a registered charity. We hope as
a result that the scope and pace of our activities will increase, and it
is vital that we raise sufficient funds to finance our various
activities. We are applying to funding bodies, but we will also be
expected to provide matching funds from our own resources. We shall need
your help and support more than ever. As a fully committed and hard
working group we shall be asking you to join us at the various events we
shall organize throughout Cornwall.
The
ancient Oratory of St Piran is the core of our trust, and the main objective
of the Trust is to uncover and preserve the Oratory. We are also developing
plans for the second church on the dunes, and for Piran Round, which we now
care for.
We
have begun to make real progress on the Oratory, after a long period of
frustration. We have commissioned Camborne School of Mines to undertake a
hydrological survey around the oratory. Measurements will be taken of the
depth and flow of the groundwater for at least 12 months The reason why the
process will take so long is that a full assessment of the groundwater
surrounding the Oratory is an essential prelude to gaining permission for
excavation, because of the ecological sensitivity of the site.
We
are working very closely with English Heritage; English Nature; Environment
Agency; Cornwall Archaeological Unit and Cornwall County Council, all
of whom are involved with the site in one way or another.
We
have financed the survey ourselves, and it has drained our resources. We
are, thankfully, finding generous sponsors to help us We are very grateful
for assistance from Cornish companies that include Penventon Park
Hotel; Roddas Creamery; Callestock Cyder Farm; Gwynn ha Du shop Liskeard;
Silverbow Park; and we are also supported by Bourne Leisure
Park; the
MOD at Penhale; and 3 private sponsors.
We
still need sponsorship for this survey and if you would like to help you
will be assured of publicity for your firm now and in the coming months when
interest will increase with the intensity of our operations.
The
old church of St Piran has also been the focus of a geological survey by
English Heritage during March. The findings will soon be with the trust and
should prove the extent of the graveyard and any other buildings. In the
meantime our ‘champion’
provided by Cornwall County Council in the shape of Dick Cole is working on a
plan for regeneration of the old church to put forward to the Heritage
Lottery Fund.
Perran Round is looking
good and we hope to install services. In the meantime anyone wishing to hold
an event there compatible with the Round and the surrounding area, please
get in touch. In the longer term we want to see the Round used for the
purposes for which it was intended, and to be reinstated as a centre for
Cornish performing culture.
We hope for your support in our efforts towards regeneration
Perran Penrose
Chairman
St Piran Trust
