In June I visited Trewavas Head in Cornwall to have a look at the two engine houses there and associated capstan platforms, at SW 598265. Unfortunately I was accosted by a man in a little wooden hut of the RSPB who wouldn't let me look at them. When I persisted he told me that I couldn't because they were on private land. In order to avoid further unpleasantness I withdrew and attempted to photo the buildings from afar. Subsequently I consulted a 1:25000 map and discovered they are in fact on Open Access land not far from the South West Coast Path.
No doubt I was there in the middle of the nesting season of the greater spotted oohmegoolie bird which the RSPB are keen to keep quiet about but I would hope that someone on this list in the South West might monitor the situation (from a distance) to ensure the restriction is not permanent. It was a distinct disappointment not to be able to examine such rare remains on my first trip to the county for 20 years.
And in addition, the western engine house, the one with the tall opening at the back, appears the worse for wear; the wooden lintel (think it's wood) is dislodged and the gable above looks cracked.
Regards, Simon.
|