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The Environment Agency (EA) is asking people going to the beach at Par in Cornwall to talk to their beaches via AI.
QR signage at the beach will prompt a text conversation with the Hello Lamp Post artificial intelligence platform. The beach will share the latest news from Environment Agency monitoring about bathing water quality. But the agency hopes this will be more than a one-way conversation, with beach lovers sharing their own information about the site.
Beach visitors will be asked about any live events happening at the site, like how many people can they see in the water or dogs on the beach? How clear does the water look? Are there any signs of pollution?
Hannah Amor of the Environment Agency's citizen science team said:
We have used Hello Lamp Post technology before to raise awareness of flood risk at some sites. But this time we are focusing on bathing water.
Once you scan the QR code you will get some conversational prompts. You will be able to tell us, via the AI platform, about any issues you can see or questions you have. This intelligence will help us identify problems and take appropriate action.
The trial will run for 12 weeks.
Jenny Tagney of Friends of Par Beach, which is involved with several water quality monitoring projects, said:
We are really pleased to be supporting the Environment Agency in its efforts to understand the major influences affecting bathing water quality of Par Beach.
The Environment Agency's annual season of taking regular samples from England's 451 bathing waters ended on 30 September. Launching the Hello Lamp Post trial at Par will help keep the intelligence flowing out-of-season and contribute to a fuller picture of the site through citizen science.
The bathing water classifications for Par Sands is 'Sufficient'.
For the full EA article check here: Hello Lamp Post.
Co-op Local Community Fund
Really excited that Co-op has selected Friends of Par Beach as part of the @Coopuk Local Community Fund! To find out more about our project and to choose us as your cause, click here:
https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/93719
If you're not already a Co-op member, you can join for just £1 here:
https://www.coop.co.uk/membership
Dear members,
We are forwarding an email from the Desalination Information Group (DIG) to you all. We know many of you are aware of the plans from South West Water (SWW) to install a marine pipeline as part of a desalination plant in Par.
We currently have an opportunity to object to an application for test drilling. Details are provided below and we encourage you to access the example objection via the link as even the test drilling process will impact our precious seagrass and maerl.
Many thanks
Dear Supporters,
Email number 2!
19th June Deadline for objections to test drilling!
You will recall that we discovered SWW had put in a Marine License Application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to conduct `Geotechnical Investigations in St Austell Bay at the end of April?
When we plotted coordinates for the 18 different test drill sites, they appeared to head straight through the seagrass and maerl beds!!!
Lets stop this from happening!
Together, we succeeded in getting the MMO deadline for comments from the public extended from 28 to 42 days.This gives us until 19th June to submit objections.
Objection templates! You asked and weve pulled them together!
We know many of you really want to be sure your objection counts but will not have had time to read through application documents! So, we have put together several different examples to choose from to copy and paste plus Step-by-Step guides to make objecting easier!
Please click here to access example objections and instructions.
Tell your friends! The more evidence-based objections, the better!
Please do try to make your objection personal to you by adapting the examples. If you submit an objection that you think would work for others, please send it to us and we can upload it too.
Just to be clear, the desalination plant IS subject to planning approval.
We CAN express our opposition and influence the decision with the right information and knowledge!
Please forward this email to any friends and family you think would be willing to submit an objection.
Many thanks for your continued support
Hi
Hoping you might be up for helping the St Ives Bay community by sharing and supporting the protest they have arranged?
This protest is directed at both SWW and Planetary Technologies (Canadian Start up company)
Sunday 21/04/24 13.45 to 15:00 at the Red River Gwithian/Godrevy (I will be doing a short talk with others)
It would be great if you could spread the word and get lots of people there please!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swim-for-the-sea-keep-our-sea-chemical-free-tickets-867952377927
All the details are on the Eventbrite page
We seriously need an epic turn out to stand any change of stopping this hugely risky experiment going ahead
(Of course, some of you are too far away to attend, but perhaps you might be up for sending me a short statement of support that we can use instead?)
Sue Sayer MBE (https://www.cornwallsealgroup.co.uk/2023/01/its-an-honour-mbe/)
Seal Research Trust
Est. Cornwall 2000
Flood Conference Presentation
Please find below a link to a recent short film that we put together with the Making Space for Sand team for a flood conference presentation. It gives an overview of our efforts to care for the sand dunes and highlight sea level rise. We hope you enjoy it!
Sticker Offer
From Sue Sayer of Cornwall Seal Group
Hello
Freebee offer
We have just had some paddlesports (90mm diameter) and boat stickers (130mm square) stickers printed that have been endorsed by Defra promoting their Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code (attached)
Would you be interested in having some to distribute around your patch?
If so:
They are FREE and printed on long lasting vinyl!
See what you think?
Either way, we are looking forward to a wonderful conservation filled 2024
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A Date For Your Diary! Creative Cornwall, a dynamic collective of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and creatives, is thrilled to announce an exclusive event, "Creative Conservation," set to take place at The Welloe on the stunning Praa Sands beach on Sunday, February 18th International Whale Day. Inspired by spotting a humpback on one of the weekly creative walks, the event is an effort to contribute to marine conservation. Creative Cornwall is producing this event to raising funds for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Seaquest Southwest. The collective is generously donating original ocean and whale inspired artworks created by its members, with all proceeds from the art sales directly benefiting the conservation efforts led by CWT and Seaquest. Date: Sunday 18th February 2024 Time: 3.00 pm - 8.00 pm Location The Welloe, Praa Sands Beach, Penzance TR20 Cost: FREE!! Booking: No Booking Required Event Highlights: Art Exhibition: Attendees will have the opportunity to explore and purchase unique, original artworks created by the talented members of Creative Cornwall. The art exhibition aims to showcase the diverse creative talents within the collective while supporting the crucial work of CWT and Seaquest. Live Music: The event will feature live performances by local musicians, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere throughout the day. The sounds of Cornwall's musical talent will harmonize with the coastal setting and event theme, adding to the overall experience of Creative Conservation. Whale-Inspired Talk: Renowned Bafta and Emmy award-winning wildlife filmmaker, Ian McCarthy, will captivate the audience with an awe-inspiring talk focused on whales and the marine environment. McCarthy's expertise promises to enlighten and engage attendees, providing a unique perspective on the importance of marine conservation. Free Admission: Creative Conservation is open to everyone, with free admission for all who wish to join in this celebration of art, music, and marine life. Creative Cornwall encourages the community to come together for a day of creativity and compassion. Food and Drinks: The bar and restaurant at The Welloe is fully licensed and will be open throughout the day, offering a selection of delicious local fare and refreshing drinks. Attendees can indulge in culinary delights while enjoying the breath-taking views of Praa Sands beach. We hope to see many of you there to celebrate Seaquest in a creative way! Best Wishes, Gem and the Seaquest Team! |
Making Space for Sand
Tool Donations
Friends of Par Beach have been lucky enough to benefit from a donation of tools from Making Space for Sand, to help us with our work tackling invasive species in the Sand Dunes. Not only do the tools include essential hand tools such as hand mattocks, secateurs, garden forks (large and small) but also gauntlets (essential for working with Gorse, Rosa Rugosa and Sea Buckthorn) plus a battery operated Brush Cutter with safety equipment and support to train two members to use it! We are extremely grateful to Andy Nelson and Jolyon Sharpe of Making Space for Sand for their generous support.
`For those members who have not yet heard, please find below details of a proposal from South West Water to install a desalination plant in Par. Friends of Par Beach have been an active part of the Desalination Information Group (DIG) since these proposals came to light in May 2023 and will continue to work with them to protect Par Beach and the bay.'
Marine Impact of the proposed Desalination plant in Cornwall
So what?
What can we do?
Tell everyone! Ask friends and family if they've heard about it. It's amazing how few people have! We suggest emailing the following with your concerns and to seek protection for precious marine life:
Your local councillor, your MP, local and national media and any other conservation organisation that you feel may be able to help protect St Austell Bay! We are the Desalination Information Group. To join our mailing list for updates, email pardesal23@gmail.com
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Your Shore Events and Training Sessions in St Austell Bay
Hello St Austell Bay Your Shore Groups!
Hope you are all well.
So our Swire funded community Seagrass work in St Austell Bay is well and truly kicking off this year and I wanted to make sure you and your members were the first to be able to book on to the exciting training opportunities we have lined up for you all.
I have now released tickets for the following events which are FREE for your groups and those who live in the St Austell Bay Area:
Water User Survey Training
Saturday 2nd March - online & Gribben Head
Learn survey techniques that will help us build a better picture of how our inshore coastal waters are being used by people
St Austell Bay Seaweed ID and Shoresearch Day
Wednesday 10th April - Porthpean Sailing Club
Come and expand your species ID of some of the 500 species of seaweed that can be found in the intertidal and shallow waters around the UK.
St Austell Bay Seagrass and Maerl Evening
Thursday 18th April - St Austell Arts Centre
A fascinating evening of talks from experts about our amazing Seagrass & Maerl habitats in St Austell Bay!
St Austell Bay Seasearch Observer Course
Sat 27th / Sun 28th April - Porthpean Sailing Club
Get involved in the UKs biggest and best marine conservation project! Entry level course for snorkelers and free divers
Seaweed and Kelp Monitoring Training
Saturday 25th May - Porthpean Sailing Club
A special training day all about monitoring seagrass and get involved in a local conservation project
N.B. must also complete Seasearch Observer course to participate
So as you can see, so many great opportunities that we would love to see as many of your group members to get involved with as possible. They could also serve as a great way to recruit new members.
Lots more to come! Please share far a wide in your area.
Thanks so much
Best wishes
Katie Bellman
Community Engagement Officer
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
FoPB are pleased to announce the availability of our 2024 Calendar featuring selected pictures submitted by you, our members and supporters. At a cost of just £6:00 for local (by hand) delivery, and £6:00 plus £4:50 post & packing via Royal Mail. Copies are available from Par Green Co-op, Under the Sun pottery studio on Moorland Road, St Blazey Spar or contact jennytagney@gmail.com and we can arrange delivery or postage if required.
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CoastSnap Southwest
A new addition to the Western end of the beach. The new CoastSnap Southwest post supported by Making Space For Sand will help us capture the ever changing dune system of Par Beach. It is a community based project where you, the public, take part. Just pop your mobile phone in the cradle provided, take a picture and upload it, following the instructions on the sign. Over time it will create a time lapse sequence of the dunes.
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Badger Vaccination in Mid-Cornwall needs peanut friendly volunteers
Tom Shelly who leads on the Badger Vaccination every year could really do with a hand this year.
To catch a badger to vaccinate it, we need to trap them in a cage. Part of that process is getting the Badger used to traps being in their territory so they don't avoid them. So the tactic... bait an unarmed (won't catch them) trap with peanuts for a period of time (a few weeks) and then when trap-time comes, the trap is armed, the badger goes for the usual peanut stash in the trap and is this time caught.
Can you help put out peanuts for badgers? There are a few sites and a nearest to you site in Mid Cornwall can be offered. so if you can help, please contact Tom Shelly for more info: tom.shelley@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk |
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Deadline - 31st July 2023
One of the UK's largest known seagrass beds discovered in St Austell Bay
A report published this April by Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Natural England has revealed that St Austell Bay supports the largestest known subtidal seagrass bed in Cornwall at 359.1 hectares (887 acres) - and is one of the largest known seagrass beds in the UK.
The findings come from the St Austell Bay Blue Carbon Mapping Project, part of the ambitious G7 legacy Project for Nature Recovery announced by the Prime Minister at the G7 summit held in Cornwall in 2021.
The Time and Tide Bell arrives in Par
The only Time and Tide Bell in Cornwall was installed at Par after nearly Two and a Half years endeavor.
For more images of the day check out our Gallery here. (www.parbeach.com/photos.php)
For more information about the National Time and Tide project look here. (timeandtidebell.org)
New Bins for Par Beach
The first of new beach bin racks has been installed by the toilets on Par Beach.
One of the bins is labelled for recycling and the other two general waste/dog waste.
Take action: complete the coastal community survey.
Would you like to see more water refill stations or a bodyboard return scheme in your local area? Do you think disturbance is a big problem for our marine life? The Your Shore project want to hear your views on how we can best protect Cornwall's marine environment. Your thoughts will help form a new plan of action, the Cornwall Charter of the Sea, that will be taken forward by our marine team and the dedicated local marine groups and volunteers that make up the Your Shore Network.
Ten minutes of your time can help us turn the tide for our precious seas!
G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery
We are running some Water User Survey training in January to get a better idea of what our coastal waters are being used for and as we are hoping to get a good picture across the whole of the bay, we are hoping Friends of Par Beach would like to get involved. The survey will follow the same format at our Seaquest surveys and will be easy for people to carry out. The training is an hour, online event on Wednesday the 18th of January, people can book on here: Water User Survey Training Tickets, Wed 18 Jan 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite .
Amy Gosney
Community Engagement Officer
Your Shore Newsletter
Starting in the New Year
The aim of this is to strengthen the connection between our Your Shore groups and to keep both committees, members and volunteers updated with all the amazing things happening around the county.
Mailing list sign up link so you can find out what's going on during the year...
FoPB Calendar 2023
19th October 2022
FoPB are pleased to announce the availability of our 2023 Calendar featuring selected pictures submitted by you, our members and supporters.
At a cost of just £5:00 for local (by hand) delivery, and £5:00 plus £2:00 post & packing via Royal Mail.
Please place your order here on the website via the Contact Us page, putting 'Calendar' in the Subject box, or email phil.gadd@parbeach.com.
Water Quality Monitoring around Par and Tywardreath:
Why bother?
Getting involved in checking out the water quality in your local area can be a fun way to meet people, learn a new skill and help gain some insight into your local waterways. Full training is available! Read on to find out more!
Polmear Stream Phosphate testing
Many factors affect both appearance and content of water in our rivers and streams, such as amount of rainfall, proximity of trees and shrubs, tidal influences, proximity to farmland, field 'run off', presence of water treatment plants and frequency of sewage outflow. Both the River Par and Polmear Stream feed into the sea at Par Beach. Thus, gaining an understanding of how the water quality may change during the year and factors that may influence this is an important part of improving knowledge of Par Beach.
Friends of Par Beach supports all efforts to conserve and enhance Par Beach and Local Nature Reserve. In keeping with this, some members have undertaken training to support an extension of the Citizen Science Initiative to carry out water quality testing on behalf of West Country Rivers Trust. The Trust are able to utilise the data to support lobbying groups in challenging water companies and the government to improve standards and infrastructure.
Water samples are tested on a monthly basis by trained volunteers and fed into a large database to review trends. Several local conservation groups are also involved in neighbouring areas, including Friends of the Luxulyan Valley and Three Bays Wildlife Trust.
On the Par River, testing is carried out at 12 sites. We test for; phosphates, dissolved solids, temperature, turbidity and also record other data such as flow and evidence of pollution. If you would like to see the results and more detailed explanation, follow this link.
https://www.luxulyanvalley.co.uk/the-valley/water-quality-monitoring/
In a couple of places along the Par River, bacteria levels are also tested. The river trusts also produce the delightfully named "sewage map", which shows discharges into UK rivers in previous years
https://theriverstrust.org/key-issues/sewage-in-rivers
Par River Slipway Treesmill Stream
This is a new venture for Friends of Par Beach, but we are excited to be involved in such an important project and look forward to sharing some results with you all in due course. We can always fund room for more volunteers, committed to giving an hour or two per month plus initial training. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact:
Below is the Press Release today by the G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery.
G7
conference one year on: 26 ways Cornwall is being made greener, cleaner and better
Cornwall has seen 26 green
projects - all aimed at tackling the county's declining biodiversity and
restoring its natural environment - delivered in the last year since it hosted
the G7 conference.
The first year of the five-year
G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery ends in June 2022 and funding has been
secured for more exciting new projects and to progress the ambition of Natural
England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and other partners to continue transforming
Cornwall.
The G7 Legacy Project is about
reconnecting habitats and ecosystems throughout mid-Cornwall, conserving and
even reintroducing rare species, while improving water quality and capturing
carbon.
Environment Secretary, George
Eustice, said: "The delivery of 26 projects to boost nature recovery across
Cornwall is a fitting legacy of our G7 presidency."
"We have already improved access to green spaces at Woodland Valley Farm and restored habitats for rare species at Goss Moor. In the next year, Cornwall
will continue to lead the way in supporting nature with projects including the
restoration of woodland and tackling invasive species."
Projects vary wildly in scope but each has the common theme of improving a location in Cornwall, ranging from a few square feet to thousands of hectares. Highlights include:
Wesley Smyth, Area Manager of
Natural England, said: "The G7 conference was an ambitious event so it is only
right that the legacy be equally ambitious and create a lasting legacy for
Cornwall.
"The variety of projects means
there is something for everyone, from investing in people like apprentices to
advisors, investing in better access to nature through improved nature trails
and car parks to investing in recovery and habitat recreation to bring
vulnerable species back from the brink."
The legacy project is now
entering its second year and will continue developing mid- and long-term
projects as well as creating new ones like:
The G7 Legacy Project is also
one of Natural England's Nature Recovery Projects which deliver nature recovery
at a landscape scale helping to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change and
improve public health and wellbeing.
Transforming 10,000ha of land under the G7 Legacy Project will see 440,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide captured as well as improvements to water quality and reduced flood risk. Ultimately, the project ambition is to see more than 21,000 hectares of land regenerated for nature in mid-Cornwall
Natural England
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
The G7 Legacy Project
for Nature Recovery
The G7 Legacy Project for
Nature Recovery is expected to take five years to complete depending on future
funding and will contribute to the UK's target to legally protect and improve
30% of land for nature by 2030.
Natural England, Cornwall
Wildlife Trust and Defra in partnership with others are aiming for the G7LPNR
to deliver a lasting legacy for nature and people by:
For more including a summary of
all the projects delivered so far see G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery | Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Nature Recovery
Projects in England
The other nature recovery
project areas include:
We are pleased to announce that the standing area in front of our first interpretation board by the Bird Lake has been improved and tidied up so that it no longer collects water following a spell of rain.
We are grateful to Park Leisure and their team who provided the materials and undertook the work involved.
Dear Friends of Par Beach member
We are looking for people to get involved as volunteers and help us record the wildlife found on the beach and rocky promontories of Par (think rock pooling for adults).
We aim to create a team of volunteers to help us carry out surveys in the future.
To help us train you, Cornwall Wildlife Trust are running a free training event on Spit Beach near Par on Saturday 21st May.
If you are interested in getting involved, please email contact@parbeach.com for more information. It would be great to get more members actively involved so if you are interested but cant make the training day on 21st, do get in touch anyway.
Exciting news about our Par Time and Tide Bell making a visit to Par in advance of the installation later in the Summer.
It will firstly be visiting Tywardreath School on Thursday and Friday the 3rd and 4th of March so that the children, staff and parents can have a good look and also get to play the Bell.
It is so important for the children to get some knowledge of Rising Sea Levels and Global Warming, as their age group and that of their children are likely to be the first generations to be really affected by this issue.
The Bell will then be on display in Cornubia on Saturday 5th of March where everybody is welcome to visit and have a look. We hope to invite the media along on that day as well to gain as much publicity as possible, and also encourage some donations, as we are getting close but are not quite there yet with our funding.
The Bell will then stay in Cornubia on Sunday 6th March and be part of the Spring Fair.
Please take this opportunity to have a look at this wonderful project, and remember that Par is the only chosen site in Cornwall for a Time and Tide Bell.
FoPB Calendar 2022
24th October 2021
FoPB are pleased to announce the availability of our 2022 Calendar featuring selected pictures submitted by you, our members and supporters.
At a cost of just £5:00 for local (by hand) delivery, and £5:00 plus £2:00 post & packing via Royal Mail please place your order here on the website via the Contact Us page, putting 'Calendar' in the Subject box.
AGENDA for the 11th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
to be held at 19.00 on Tuesday 21st September 2021 at
The Gott Hall, Par Green, PL 24 2AG
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the 10th Annual General Meeting, on Thursday 26th September 2019
3. Chair's Report - Richard Parks
4. Treasurer's Report - Mike Freemantle
5. Election of Committee and Officers
i) Chair
ii) Secretary
iii) Treasurer
iv) A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 ordinary Committee Members.
6. Resolutions
7. Any Other Business
SECRETARIES -
Jenny Tagney email jennytagney@gmail.com telephone 07799258379
Janice Hillier email Janice_hillier@hotmail.com telephone 07540381388
Nominations for Officers and Committee Members may be sent in advance to the Secretaries showing the post, the name of the person nominated and the proposer. Any member may volunteer for a post, or be nominated, at the AGM
Posts for election are:- i) Chair ii) Secretary iii) Treasurer
A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 Committee Members should be appointed at the AGM.
Resolutions may be proposed by any member at the AGM or, in advance to the Secretary (see above) by Tuesday 14th September. A seconder can be obtained in advance or at the AGM.
The current committee comprises:
Richard Parks - Chair / Mike Freemantle - Treasurer / Janice Hillier - Secretary / Phil Gadd - IT and Events / Jenny Tagney - Secretary, Facebook / Gill Butler - Education / Nick Hillier - Committee Member / Simon Tagney - Committee Member
Immediately following the AGM we will have light refreshments available and time to meet fellow members and the committee.
At 7.45 we will reconvene, and you are cordially invited to a presentation outlining the Time and Tide Bell Project.
Par -
Cornwall's only
Time and Tide Bell
A talk by Prodigal Theatre Urban PlayGround
(Prodigal UPG, based here in Par)
on behalf of the Time and Tide Project Group
AFTER THE SUCCESS OF OUR FoPB 2021 CALENDAR, MAKE ANOTHER DATE WITH YOUR CAMERA.
Friends of Par Beach have again seen so many great shots posted on Facebook over the last year that we would like again to create a calendar for 2022 to raise funds and showcase our wonderful beach and nature reserve.
Closing Date: 31st August 2021
The theme for our second calendar will be PAR BEACH AND NATURE RESERVE IN ALL ITS FORMS.
We need High Resolution shots of LANDSCAPES, FLORA AND FAUNA and SEASONS.
So we are inviting you to submit one or two of your very best shots to be considered for the calendar. Having your picture acknowledged and printed in high quality is the prize, plus a free calendar for all successful entrants.
If you would like to join in please submit your entries by email to phil@gaddabout.com by Tuesday 31st August.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. The event is open to all, not just members of Friends of Par Beach.
2. Images may be taken by camera, drone, tablet or phone.
3. The panel will reject any images clearly not taken at Par.
4. Please do not submit any images containing facial features of anyone under the age of 18 years.
5. If you use photoshop or any similar image enhancing software, please make that clear in your entry email.
6. You may submit 2 images in total.
7. The scoring system will be led by two committee members who will not be submitting an entry themselves. They will be the only people who know the names of each entrant, before final selection by the full committee..
Again entries to be submitted by 31st August 2021 to phil@gaddabout.com
Happy Snapping.
The Par Pond (Bird Lake) is a spring fed water body and the water levels are subject to natural variation. We do not consider the current low levels to be exceptional, however we will continue to visit the area on a regular basis to monitor the condition of the pond and local wildlife.
We would like to assure the local community that if levels were to drop significantly we would work with the Environment Agency and take necessary measures to ensure that the wildlife is protected.
Over recent years we have noted large fluctuations in the water levels, particularly during extended dry periods, alongside frequent flooding of the access road at wetter times.
Our initial investigations have shown that extensive works are required to improve the drainage throughout the area, in part to resolve flooding of the highways, and a substantial capital project has been set up to address this, along with a number of other issues on the site, which have been detailed below. This work will include repairs to the sluice system and the clearing of the feeder channels that run between the pond and the stream.
We are continuing to invest significantly across the area as part of a sustained improvement programme, working with local stakeholders to enhance beach access, improve infrastructure and manage invasive vegetation to increase the ecological value of the Dune system.
Works to be included as part of this project are:
It is hoped to deliver these work within the next 3
years, with some priority elements starting this year. A programme will be
shared in due course.
In conjunction, an additional project is planned around the St. Andrew’s pond (Par pond) area to improve road drainage and remove silt build up in the pond.
Adam Chell I Countryside Officer
Cornwall Council I Natural Environment Service I Sites and Trails
New
Website
FoPB are pleased to announce
that our new, shiny-bright, website has gone live.
It still contains all the useful and
informative content that you have come to expect from the original website, now
10 years old, but in, we hope, a much more modern and presentable fashion.
It can now be viewed on any device that
suits you, be it a mobile phone, tablet or computer.
You are invited to follow the link below,
which you can select or copy & paste into your browser, to view the
new site.
We would welcome any
feedback, good, bad or indifferent, you may care to give. Please use our Contact page using this
link, Contact
Us, or via the Envelope (Email) tab on the right side of the FoPB Website
page you are viewing.
Many thanks for your
continued support.
Stay safe.
FoPB Calendar 2021
18th October 2020
FoPB are pleased to announce the availability of our 2021 Calendar featuring selected pictures submitted by you, our supporters.
At the cost of just £5:00 the Calendar is available from our Treasurer, Mike Freemantle (01726 816454) or place an order here on the website via the Contact Us page, putting 'Calendar' in the Subject box.
Co-op Local Community Fund
WITH ONLY 6 WEEKS TO GO HERE's HOW YOU CAN HELP US...
If you have a Co-op membership card vote for us at membership.coop.co.uk/causes/33650.
As a member when you shop with the Co-op, 1% of what you spend on selected Co-op branded products and services goes to support local causes through their Local Community Fund. You can choose a local cause that you want your 1% to support.
No Co-op membership card? then enquire at your local store or online at coop.co.uk/membership.
As a member when you buy selected products and services from them, including their food stores, they put 5% of what you spend into your Co-op Membership account.
MANY THANKS!
Storm Ellen - Par Beach
21st August 2020
Storm Ellen
The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings, with travel disruption expected.
The Met also warns the South West of England could see surface water flooding.
The front is moving in from the Atlantic and contains the remnants of Tropical Storm Kyle.
Storm Kyle formed off the East Coast of the US, but has now merged with another storm that came from Greenland and renamed Storm Ellen by Ireland's Met Office, Met Eireann.
Luckily for the UK, we're only getting the tail end of Storm Kyle, but even with that, Storm Ellen will see high winds and heavy rain.
Check out the Photo Gallery for more Storm Ellen Images.
StARR Project Newsletter
31st July 2020
The StARR project.
The St Austell Bay Resilient Regeneration (StARR) project aims to reduce flood risk to communities.
Follow this link to read their latest Newsletter.
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COVID-19 IMPACT
18th March 2020
From the Community Partnership Officer at Cormac.....
Dear Volunteers,
COVID-19 and Volunteering with Cormac.
I write in the light of recent events relating to the spread of Corona virus and actions that must now be taken. I can advise that the Community Partnership Officers have been in discussion with senior managers this morning to determine the way forward in respect of volunteering operations across Cormac’s business.
I’m sorry to have to inform you that in the light of current governmental advice, Cormac will cease to facilitate volunteer events until further notice. This will apply to both permissions for work to be undertaken on Cornwall Council land (if you are currently signed up as a constituted group), and to permission and insurance to work if you are signed up via the direct Cormac Volunteer route.
Additionally, the tool trailer service is being withdrawn with immediate effect, in order to minimise exposure risk to all involved and to ensure that we have staff capacity to keep essential services operating.
I’m sure that you will appreciate the necessity of complying with governmental advice to limit social interaction, and if there is any other way that we as CPO’s can help you at this time then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We will of course update you as the situation changes and in the meantime can be contacted via our usual email addresses.
Stay safe!
Kind Regards,
Rebecca
Fishermen's Kisses
21st January 2020
Cornish Plastic Pollution Coalition (CPPC) have just launched a short competition film, Fishermen's Kisses.
You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwa5Jyra7Fc.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US...
If you have a Co-op membership card vote for us at membership.coop.co.uk/causes/33650.
As a member when you shop with the Co-op, 1% of what you spend on selected Co-op branded products and services goes to support local causes through their Local Community Fund. You can choose a local cause that you want your 1% to support.
No Co-op membership card? then enquire at your local store or online at coop.co.uk/membership.
As a member when you buy selected products and services from them, including their food stores, they put 5% of what you spend into your Co-op Membership account.
Co-op Local Community Fund
24th October 2019
Following an application we made to the Co-op Local Community Fund we are most pleased to have received the following Email:
Congratulations! Friends of Par Beach has been chosen to benefit from the next round of the Co-op Local Community Fund.
The funding round will open on 27 October 2019 and close on 24 October 2020.
During this funding phase, Co-op Members will be able to choose you as their local cause.
Every time a member buys selected own-brand products and services, 1% of the money they spend goes to local causes in their community, so it’s important you raise your profile and encourage members to choose your cause.
To get you ready for the launch, please encourage your supporters, volunteers, friends and family to become a Co-op Member. They can join online at https://membership.coop.co.uk/new-registration.
We’ll contact you next week when the round opens with more information about how the fund works. We’ll also invite you to a special webinar so you can ask questions and find out more.
Congratulations once again, we’re looking forward to supporting your project and helping you make great things happen in your community.
Best wishes,
April Armstrong
Co-op Local Giving Manager
FoPB Calendar 2020
9th October 2019
FoPB are pleased to announce the availability of our 2020 Calendar created as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations and featuring selected pictures submitted by you, our supporters.
At the cost of just £5:00 the Calendar is available from our Treasurer, Mike Freemantle (01726 816454) or place an order here on the website via the Contact Us page, putting 'Calendar' in the Subject box.
Ranger Work Party
Thursday, 18th July 2019
Venue: Par Beach - Eastern End off Main Car Park
Time: From 10:30 hrs
Our site ranger, Jenny Heskett, is having a work party to manage the Ragwort and, time permitting, the Invasive species.
Please wear suitable clothing, gloves and footwear.
Come for the whole morning or drop in to suit.
Under 16s must be with a responsible adult.
If you come by car please be aware that parking charges do apply.
For further info or if you have any questions please use the Contact Us page on our website.
MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR CAMERA!
8th May 2019
EXTENDED UNTIL 3rd JULY
We need more of your Landscape or Flora & Fauna pictures, but not birds, birds we have a plenty.
Entries are to be emailed to ecojan62@gmail.com by 3rd July 2019.
Friends of Par Beach have seen so many great shots posted on Facebook that we would like to make a 2020 calendar to raise funds and show others how great our beach can be.
So we are inviting you to submit one or two of your very best shots to be considered for the calendar. Having your print acknowledged and printed in high quality calendar is the prize.
The two themes for this first calendar are NATIVE WILDLIFE and LANDSCAPE.
We need 13 images, so start sorting.
If you would like to join in, please submit high resolution images by JULY 3rd.
Terms and Conditions:
Entries are to be emailed to ecojan62@gmail.com by 3rd July 2019.
Civic Award
1st May 2019
Four proud members of Friends of Par Beach, plus our Countryside Manager Jolyon Sharpe, assembled at the Cornwall Council Chamber in Truro on Wednesday evening to receive our Civic Award from Chairman of the Council, Mary May.
FoPB were nominated by our Local Councillor Jordan Rouse, who sadly could not be at the event, in recognition of our work and dedication towards helping look after the Beach and Nature reserve. Many thanks to Jordan for his nomination and support of our efforts.
Joined by many amazing people who have done work in the Voluntary sector in Cornwall over the last year, the event was rounded out by a splendid reception in the Council Chamber. A great evening enjoyed by all, where we met so many interesting and hard working residents of Cornwall, all doing their thing because they care about their local community'
And, of course, thank you to all our members for their support without whom we would not exist.
Cornwall Civic Award
24th March 2019
Email from Cllr Jordon Rowse to FoPB Chair Richard Parks.
Good evening Richard
I am writing to tell you that I have nominated Friends of Par Beach for the Cornwall Civic Award. Each Councillor is allowed to nominate one individual, but I have requested that Friends of Par Beach as a group are given this award as a sign of appreciation for all that you do.
This year is a special one as Cornwall Council are celebrating their 10 year anniversary, which is particularly apt as I understand FOPB are also celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Within the word limit I was allowed, this is what I wrote on my application form, copied and pasted for ease of reference: -
“This group deserves a Civic Award because of their hard work and total dedication to Par Beach, and not just the beach, but the whole nature reserve site.
Friends of Par Beach (FOBP) were founded in 2009 so this year, like Cornwall Council, they will also be celebrating their 10 year anniversary.
The FOPB team are complete stalwarts. Since 2009 they have worked incredibly closely with Cornwall Council to help manage the asset that is Par Beach.
Par Beach is the jewel in the crown for us not just in Par, but in the Par, St Blazey and wider St Austell Bay area. However, having such an asset comes great difficulty managing it. This is where FOPB have proved to be our community’s unsung heroes, a group of committed volunteers working with Cornwall Council to manage this great asset.
FOPB have work parties each month tackling different issues on the beach, from cutting back the footpaths through the dunes and the reserve to make them more accessible, to creating Otter Holts to encourage otters on site, or holding litter picks.
I am nominating Friends of Par Beach for the Cornwall Civic Award because the beach would not be the same without them.”
This is simply a small token of my appreciation for all that FOPB do and to our partnership at the beach. I have been blown away by the support of FOPB, particularly you Richard on the Management Group, and I believe this is one of the reasons why there are so many positive things happening at the beach at the minute.
I wish you good luck with your nomination and, if successful, the presentation ceremony and reception is to be held at County Hall on the evening of Wednesday 1 May 2019. I would be delighted to invite the FOPB Officers (Chair, Vice Chair etc) to come along with me on the evening.
Thank you once again.
Oll an gwella/all the best,
Jordan
Cllr Jordan Rowse
Cornwall Councillor for Par and St Blazey Gate
Biodiversity Walk | Report
16th January 2019
Back in the Summer of 2018 we held a Biodiversity Walk on Par Beach for our, and Friends of Luxulyan Valley, members.
Click here to link to Steve Barber's Dropbox and see a selection of pictures taken on that day.
Many thanks Steve.
Pacific Oyster 2 | Report
27th November 2018
Following a particularly wet and windy morning the weather became much kinder by 13:00 hrs when we gathered at our Beach Hut to conduct our second Pacific oyster survey. With Matt Slater of Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Shoresearch we were joined by three additional members of FoPB, besides myself and our chair, Richard, plus three members of the Three Bay Wildlife group.
Once again we conducted our survey along the man-made rock and boulder groynes at the Western end of the beach where Par river joins the bay. This time we worked along the wider of the two groynes, which worked well with the additional manpower, and one womanpower, we had. We reached a total of 1700 Pacific oysters, along its length, after two hours work.
September Work Party | Report
30th September 2018
Our first 2018-19 Work Party was to prepare for important work to be done by Cornwall Council to improve the concrete path opposite Park Leisure that leads to the seat on the dunes overlooking the bay. The plan was to widen the path so that wheelchairs may use it more easily and to create a passing bay. In addition we tackled the clearing of gorse and other invasive species to improve the view from the seat.
Many thanks to our supporters who came bearing gifts (nice biscuits) and the visiting couple who re-joined us with a generous donation.
They say every picture tells a story so take a look at our before and afters...
Before: After:
The Team:
Pacific Oyster | Report
25th September 2018
The weather was kind on Tuesday, 25th September when Matt Slater of Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Shoresearch came to Par Beach and taught us how to survey an invasive species, the Pacific oyster. This non native has been becoming increasingly common all around Cornwall and a new project has been set up to Monitor its spread and where necessary control its numbers.
We conducted the survey along the man-made rock and boulder groynes at the Western end of the beach where Par river joins the bay. Working along the narrower, 2 meter wide, of the groynes, which fitted the survey parameters, we reached a total of 600 Pacific oysters, along its length, after two hours work.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
22nd September 2018
WE NEED YOUR HELP AND IT WILL ONLY COST YOU A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.
We have been shortlisted for an award from Skipton Building Society's Grassroots Giving and need your help to win one of the 165 awards being made this year.
Details of our bid can be found at...
skiptongrg,co,uk/apply-for-funding/2018-shortlisted-groups/south-west/friends-of-par-beach/
Or, if you would like to view all the applications in the South West then go to...
skiptongrg,co,uk/apply-for-funding/2018-shortlisted-groups/south-west/#apply-map.
Please vote for us, and, if you have more than one email address, you can have more than one vote. This is all about supporting Par Beach and it's Local Nature Reserve, so ask friends and neighbours to help.
The deadline is 12th October so please do it now, whilst you are thinking about it.
Thank you.
AGM | Report
13th September 2018
Friends recently held their 9th AGM on Thursday, 13th September 2018. Yet another year has flown past!
Held as usual at The Gott Hall in Par the event attracted a reasonable 29 people, to hear reports given by the Chair, Richard Parks and Treasurer, Mike Freemantle.
Richard outlined the many and various events and activities that we have attended or organised including two new events, an Easter Trail and Bio-diversity Walk which both proved very successful, plus the continually popular quiz evenings and thanking all the people involved in organising and running the various events over the past year.
With the election of officers, Richard Parks remains as The Chair, and Mike Freemantle remains as Treasurer but due to an impending move out of Par, Jules Jonklaas has steped down from the committee which has left us without a Secretary as nobody came forward for the role. Jules has agreed to continue to organise our quiz nights for which we are very pleased.
Phil Gadd, Gill Butler and Tamsyn Howes remain as Committee members, but we are losing Cathy Trodd, and would like to thank her for all her efforts and support over the last few years. We are pleased that Caroline Ward has joined our number as well as Jan Phillips who has returned to the committee after a number of years absence.
The AGM then had a short break for refreshments and socialising, and this was followed by a very lively and totally absorbing presentation by Sue Sayer of the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (CSGRT). Have a look at http://cornwallsealgroup.co.uk/. Whilst on the website take a few moments to follow the, HAIRSTORY and seals, article and cast your Vote in support of CSGRT. Or to go directly to the voting page follow this link https://www.hairstory.com/1-planet/1-planet-cast-your-ballot/. Your vote counts!
Altogether it was a successful and friendly evening, and the plentiful food prepared by Janet Parks was much enjoyed, so thanks to Janet for her efforts on our behalf.
Bat Walk | Report
25th August 2018
Fifty people, including a number of family groups, and two dogs attended the Bat Walk presented by Dr Carol Williams of the Bat Conservation Trust. It was a sunny evening with a cool wind so hopes were high of a good turnout which proved to be the case for both people and bats.
Carol gave an introductory presentation to improve our understanding of these fascinating creatures and then as the sun set and dusk crept up on us we armed ourselves with a number of bat detectors and set off towards the orchid fields to seek out our only flying mammals.
After some moderate success identifying some Common Pipistrelles the group moved back to the Duck Pond area as dusk moved into darkness under a splendid full moon. The bat detectors really came alive in this environment with both Common Pipistrelles and Soprano Pipistrelles being heard and fleetingly seen. Finally Carol managed to tune in and identify Daubenton's Bats over the lake.
We were also rewarded with two Herons circling over the lake in the moonlight, quite eerie and awe-inspiring!
Environment Agency Notification
9th August 2018
Environment Agency (EA) Notification
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE – Par Beach Duck Pond, Par Sands
I would like to confirm that the sample taken on _09/08/2018 from _Par Duck Pond for algal analysis …
* had a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)
The sample was taken from the lee shore where the algae would probably be at their highest concentration. This is not necessarily representative of conditions in the whole water body. You are recommended to make regular inspections to check for scum formation.
Many waters are susceptible to problems with blue-green algae, typically between June and November. Once algal numbers are high, the bloom is likely to persist throughout the season, declining only at the onset of winter weather conditions.
You are encouraged to take whatever steps you consider necessary to inform users of your water of these statements. If you need further advice on health matters, you should contact your local Environmental Health Officer
Passage for Par | Report
24th June 2018
Over three days, 22 - 24 June, the Passage for Par performances took place on Par Sands. An evening performance on the Friday and Saturday followed by a morning performance on the Sunday.
The performances were commissioned as part of Groundwork (www.groundwork.art), a season of exhibitions and events presented in special places in Cornwall, May to September 2018. Produced in partnership with Dance Republic 2 and Artsadmin, with support from Falmouth University's Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (AMATA).
At the turn of the tide thirty women began their passage across Par Sands. The performance was best viewed from a distance as the thirty women moved rhythmically across the tidal landscape from the Eastern end to the Western end of the sands tracing meandering pathways through the wet sand, showing movement and shape as a collective form against the backdrop of St Austell Bay.
The cast of thirty women - selected from Cornwall, the UK and abroad - had worked intensively over the last two weeks on the beach to discover, adapt and refine the work as it had emerged. Their steps had been influenced in part by the traditional dances of Brittany and Cornwall. Each day they experienced radically different conditions and noticed new features of the site and of the practice of moving together as a collective form.
The acclaimed choreographer, Rosemary Lee, visited many of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches before deciding to work on Par Sands. She had chosen Par because of its dramatic contrasts - between the industry of Par Docks and the green slopes of Gribbin Head - and because of the exceptional beauty of the tidal expanse, with its glittering deposits of quartz and mica.
She was also intrigued by the biodiversity of the area. The china clay industry has had a visible impact on the landscape around St Austell and has dramatically altered the flora and fauna of the area. The flora of the port and beach at Par has also been affected by marine traffic introducing species from ports around the world. A high proportion of these species were able to seed and establish themselves in the various habitats the beach provides; in total 878 flowering plant species have been recorded.
Whilst the performances of Passage for Par will leave no physical trace on the landscape, Rosemary Lee hopes that its presence will linger in the memory and become part of the history of this special place.
The Big Lunch & Dog Show | Report
3rd June 2018
FoPB had a presence at The Big Lunch and Dog Show with our Gazebo and Display plus some Stone Painting for our younger visitors.
The weather was kind this year and there was a steady flow of visitors throughout the day. Our Stone Painting proved popular, if somewhat messy at times, but nice to see the creative talents in action.
Spring Quiz Night
Tuesday, 24th April 2018
Venue: Scout Hut, Moorland Road, Par. PL24 2PA
Time: Start at 7.30 pm - Doors open at 7.15 pm
Cost: £4.00 per person
We are holding another of our popular Quiz Nights on the evening of Tuesday April 24th.
Charge is just £4 per person, which covers cocktail pasty, tea, coffee and squash.
Maximum 6 per table – no age restrictions.
It’s a fun night so, in order to avoid disappointment and to secure your pasties it is recommended to book a table with Jules on 01726 812700. If you are on your own or there are not enough to form your own team you can still book a place(s) to join a mixed table.
There will not be a licensed bar, but you are welcome to bring your own drinks if you wish.
As well as the quiz there will be a raffle for prizes and the chance to win a bottle of something special in the ‘heads and tails’ game – just £1 to enter
For further information ring Jules or use the Contact Us page on our website, please put 'Spring Quiz' in the subject.
Please keep an eye on this page as details can sometimes change.
Easter Fun Trail | Report
1st April 2018
On the overcast but thankfully dry morning of Easter Sunday we held our first ever Easter Fun Trail. The trail started and finished at the, Friends of Par Beach, beach hut and encompassed the beach, orchid field and dunes. Along this route were eight Easter egg markers containing an interesting fact, relating to the environment, and an alphabetical letter to be noted. At the end of the trail the participants had to work out that the noted letters spelt 'Beach Hut' and all children were rewarded with a Cadbury Cream Egg whilst the parents were given a bag for life. 21 family groups participated, totalling 37 adults and 40 children, and a good time was had by all.
The picture shows a group of happy children receiving their eggs and the adults with their bag for life whilst the family dog wonders where his reward is!
Spring Beach Clean | Report
4th March 2018
Today we held our annual Spring Beach Clean, and the weather gods were most kind to us. Following the bitterly cold spell, with snow and wind, it was touch and go that the event could take place, and even with a sudden warming the day before it decided to rain heavily through the night right up to 07:30hrs this morning. Low and behold, the rain stopped, the clouds passed away and the sun came out to give us a glorious spring day.
Sixty One (61) volunteers turned up for us including several family's with young children and a group of pupils (eco squad) and teachers from Poltair School in St Austell. They all worked very hard and at the end of the event the beach was sparkling. Our thanks go to all who made it such a worthwhile day.
January Work Party | Report
28th January 2018
Friends of Par Beach held their first work party of the New Year today and concentrated on removing some invasive species from the dune area near to our new Beach Hut .
Using our Hut for the first time as base camp for the work, we were pleased to welcome our biggest turn out for some time, including several new faces, and many thanks to all who turned out on a pleasant morning.
Pictures show Mike and Phil clearing up around our brand new sign, kindly donated to us by Jolyon Sharpe of Cornwall Council Countryside Department, and the group having a well earned half time tea break.
Whilst pausing with the digging we were very happy to observe the work already being undertaken on the newly re-furbished play area next to Milo's Restaurant.
Friends has played a big part in selecting the supplier and encouraging the Parish Council to undertake this initiative.
However great praise and thanks must go to Councillor Doug Scrafton who has really driven the project with the Council and at last we will have a great new facility at Par Beach, no more than it deserves.
If you feel like getting involved in one of our work parties, keep a look out on our Website or Facebook page or for a poster put up around the area, including in our brand new notice board.
New Notice Board
11th January 2018
Our brand new, shiny bright, notice board was installed successfully today.
Friends of Par Beach would like to thank, very much indeed, Jolyon Sharpe, Countryside Officer, for this generous gesture, and for his continued support of our group.
Pictured below are Chair, Richard and Treasurer, Mike showing off our latest acquisition which sits nicely alongside our Beach Hut.
A Christmas poem for our Community Groups from us to you!
Snow is falling all around
Frosty footprints on the ground
Berries crowd the silvered trees
As birds head south across the seas
Nature prepares for harder times
But work remains for those left behind
And Community groups keep busy
as Jack Frost goes to work
And even when it's drizzly
Cold hands hold hoes, or spades or forks
So in this winter season
We send our thanks for all you do,
And as you prepare for the coming year
We send warm festive greetings to you
November Work Party | Report
26th November 2017
On Sunday 26th November we had one of our regular winter work parties, and this time we helped to clear and widen the access path between the western car park and the existing path which runs around the Orchid field.
This was originally laid by the Council, specifically to help with access to the beach for wheelchair users and others with mobility problems, but sadly has not been maintained due to financial issues. The path was made up of clay waste which hardens quickly and stays almost white in colour, which also makes it good for people with sight issues. A group of ten volunteers plus a small dog cleared the length of the path in two hours, an amazing effort in mostly appalling weather. Many thanks and very well done to all who came along. Tea/coffee and biscuits were as usual handled by Chair Richard, who also managed to arrange the only ten minutes of dry weather, and a glimpse of the sun, during the whole morning, for this well earned break.
Par Carnival Celebration Awards
23rd November 2017
On Thursday 23rd November, Treasurer Mike and Chair Richard attended a wonderful event at the Railway Club in St Blazey in celebration of the Par Carnival this year. A lot of local organisations and clubs who helped with the Carnival received an award for their efforts, and Friends of Par Beach were one of the lucky recipients with thanks for putting on the annual Beach Art Competition, as part of Carnival week. Lots of money was raised including some large amounts for two Cancer Research groups.
Prizes were handed out by Councillors Pauline Giles and Jordan Rouse, and a pleasant evening was had by all.
SAS Autumn Beach Clean
29th October 2017
News Article from Cllr Jordan Rowse:
“When I found out that Surfers Against Sewage were holding a national autumn beach clean I felt that, as the Chairman of the Par Beach Management Group, it was something I had to get involved with.
Each year our coastal communities brace themselves against the winter conditions that create a ‘Perfect Storm’ of plastic pollution on our beaches. The Autumn Beach Clean extends deep into this darker, colder time than any other beach clean project. When, in the absence of summer’s tourist spotlight, the health of our coastlines can slip from the nation’s mind.
Along with over 300 other Beach Clean Leaders, I joined Surfers Against Sewage and their partners; The Crown Estate, Greggs, Parley For The Oceans and Ecover to unite, inspire and empower my community to take action to help create Plastic Free Coastlines.
Par Beach is perhaps the PL24 area’s most important asset and, with it being one of the only growing dune systems in Europe, it faces many challenges, plastic pollution being one of them. By engaging the community in beach cleans it helps make our great asset more enjoyable to use, but more importantly helps protect our beach and dunes from plastic pollution, helping create a plastic free coastline.
I’d like to thank everyone who turned up to help, Friends of Par Beach for their support and The Ship Inn for generously putting on tea and coffee for our volunteers.”
October Work Party | Report
29th October 2017
Over twenty volunteers, mostly FoPB members plus the odd new face gathered at the Reed Path on Sunday morning to carry out two tasks.
After the recent coppicing work carried out by local Tree Surgeon Richard Heyward and his team, a large area of open space has been created in the wetland area which will promote light and new vegetation growth, as well as encourge new wildlife to use the area.
The plan was to build an Otter Holt using the large amount of logs and brushwood which was created by the work and to improve the Reed Path with the chippings that also had been created.
One group, mostly the boys, returned to their childhood wallowing about in ankle deep mud, building dens in the woods, and in no time, guided by enthusiastic member Jan Phillips, who leads our work parties, a five star property had been created for otters which are known to frequent the area.
Not sure which part of their childhood the girls returned to, but by the end of the event they had reduced the huge pile of chippings to nothing, and laid it out along a two hundreed yard stretch of the reed path to discourage weeds and make the path easier to navigate. They also used some of the chippings to create a comfortable area of bedding within the Otter Holt itself.
It was declared 'Our best work party ever' by Jan Phillips, who had organised the whole project, with the support of our ranger, Jenny Heskett, and courtesy of some funding given to us via the Tesco Blue Tokens scheme where we came in first place for our two month collection period. So many thanks also to all those kind souls who put their tokens in our box on their shopping trips.
Refreshments as usual were handled by Chair, Richard Parks, and Photography was mainly done by Treasurer, Mike Freemantle, when he was not up to the tops of his wellies in mud, and sometimes when he was!!.
We would like to thank everyone who came along to help, young and old, new members and old members including what seemed like the entire family of young Reubyn Howes, who had celebrated his fifth birthday the day before and who, as usual, had brought along his trusty digger and trailor to help with the manual stuff.
A great day out was had by all and the weather was perfect.
Pictures here.
Autumn Quiz Night | Report
24th October 2017
Fifty Two people making up ten tables contested this years autumn quiz night at the Scout Hut on Tuesday 24th October 2017.
The event was hosted by our new quiz mistress, Jules Jonklaas, who did a sterling job in preparing a testing set of questions and presenting them on the evening. Jules was ably assisted by Tamsyn Howes who kept the scores on the doors, or flip pad to be more precise! As ever, our treasurer, Mike Freemantle, was heavily involved, arranging the pasties for the evening, collecting the money at the door as well as running the 'heads and tails' event and the raffle. Also our thanks go to Penny Gibbs and her friend Denise who kept us all fed and watered for the evening.
Cornwall Community Celebration Award 2017
19th October 2017
Three members of Friends of Par Beach, John Page, Jan Phillips and Harry Bosworth, attended the Cornwall Community Celebration Awards 2017 organised by Cornwall Council and Cormac at Eden Project on the evening of Thursday, 19th October.
The event is a celebration of volunteer groups, who work throughout the county, giving their free time for the benefit of the community. Friend of Par Beach were one of around twenty five groups present. There are various categories covering different aspects of community group work and Friends of Par Beach ones are shown on the certificate below.
'Friends' 8th Annual General Meeting
6th October 2017
Friends recently held their 8th AGM on Friday 6th October, where has the time gone?
Held as usual at The Gott Hall in Par the event attracted a reasonable 28 people, and reports were given by outgoing Chair John Page and Treasurer Mike Freemantle.
John outlined the many and various events and activities that we have attended or organised including a very successful Bat Walk, the continually popular quiz evenings and two new projects which are nearing completion.
Our new beach hut will become our headquarters for events on the beach, and the coppicing project which is part of the Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, has now started despite the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
John Page has decided to stand down as Chair and from the committe to pursue a future in Local Politics, and we wish him well in that initiative.
Richard Parks returns to The Chair after a year as Secretary, Mike Freemantle remains as Treasurer and Jules Jonklaas returns as Secretary role after taking a short break in that role.
Phil Gadd, Gill Butler, Tamsyn Howes and Cathy Trodd remain as Committee members, but we are losing Dennis Brock, and would like to thank him for his efforts over the last year. We are actively seeking at least two more committee members, so if anyone is interested in joining our small band of enthusiasts, then please get in touch.
The AGM then had a break for refreshments and mingling, and this was followed by a very absorbing presentation by Karen and David who run kayaking nature trips on the Fowey river under the name of Encounter Cornwall. Have a look at www.encountercornwall.com
Altogether it was a successful and friendly evening, and the food prepared by Sandra Freemantle was much enjoyed, so thanks to Sandra for her efforts on our behalf.
Tesco Bags of Help
25th August 2017
Friends of Par Beach would like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who voted for them in Tesco during May and June. As a result, we came first in the voting so have won the grant we asked for of £3500 which is for habitat management work in the alder carr at the pond.
Alder carr, which also contains willow, is a wet woodland habitat which colonises marsh and in past times would have been carefully managed to produce coppice products for housebuilding, hurdles and so on, in a similar way to hazel in drier places. Our pond edges are getting too filled in with saplings and so we will be coppicing a proportion of the alder and willow to start of a 7 or 15 year cycle of coppice which provides a more complex structure that benefits all wetland wildlife.
Details of the work are now in the planning stage and you should see something happening in the next few months. We will also be removing some sycamore from the edge of the marsh and constructing 1 or 2 artificial otter holts which will act as safe laying up places for otters passing through (and yes, there is evidence that they do!).
A proportion of the money is also set aside for upgrading our tool stock and educational activity about wetland wildlife and any left-over will contribute to the removal of other invasive species in the other habitats in the reserve.
We have a year to spend the grant but the coppicing is due to start taking place in September during which time the bird watching path will not be open for access.
We are enormously grateful to Tesco for initiating this scheme and to Groundwork South who promote it on their behalf.
Re-Launch of Par Beach Seaweed Survey
4th August 2017
We are re-launching the survey that was asked for by Jolyon Sharpe, Countryside Officer for Cornwall Council, to consult with the local community and beach users for their thoughts on the seaweed that sometimes washes up with the tides on Par Beach. Not enough returns were received from our previous launch for Cornwall Council to form a valid community/beach users view on the subject of seaweed on the beach.
If you want let the the Council know your thoughts you can download the questionnaire here to fill and and return by one of the methods given on the form. There will also be hard copies at locations given below where you can obtain, fill them in and leave at the location to be collected at a later date
Word version with this you can fill in using you computer. When completed, save it to your computer and e-mail it to the address on the form.
pdf version that you can download to print to fill in by hand. When completed you can either scan it and attach to an e-mail to the address shown, post it to the address on the form or drop it off at one of the drop off points.
Hard copies of the form can be obtained from the following sites.
Tywardreath Village Stores
Par Library
Par Sands Holiday Park Reception
If you have any questions please contact Friends of Par Beach using the Contact Us Page with 'Seaweed Survey' in the subject.
