A project which aims to connect local communities in Luxulyan, near St Austell, with their unique industrial heritage has received a £10,105 grant from Great Western Railway (GWR).
Cornwall Heritage Trust successfully applied for the grant from the operator’s Community Fund, which was launched in May to support local communities and address areas of social need.
The project will focus on the history and heritage of Treffry Viaduct and the Luxulyan Valley, near St Austell. One of 12 historic sites which the Trust protects, Treffry is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, as designated by UNESCO. This unique heritage site can be reached via Luxulyan Valley station on the Atlantic Coast railway branch line between Par and Newquay.
The project will involve local people in a number of ways, including collating their views and connections to the viaduct and the valley, producing a film about its history with local expert John Smith, path clearances to improve the area, a guided walk around the site, and a special talk to offer people the chance to celebrate their heritage together.
Cornwall Heritage Trust CEO Cathy Woolcock said: “We’re extremely grateful for this funding from GWR. Connecting local communities with Cornwall’s unique cultural heritage is at the heart of everything we do, so it’s incredibly exciting to be able to deliver this exciting programme of interpretive and access works to bring this nationally significant site to life for the people of Luxulyan.”
South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray said: “It is good to see GWR working with our local communities to promote the wonderful heritage of South East Cornwall.
“The Treffry Viaduct and Luxulyan Valley are very important sites, and I am really pleased that Cornwall Heritage Trust was successful in its bid for community funding.
“I very much look forward to seeing the film when it is finished and hope all goes well with the project.”
GWR business development director Tom Pierpoint said: “The Community Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in our communities in projects that really make a difference at a local level.
“We’re delighted this funding will help to support the production of a film about the valley and the viaduct’s history and we look forward to seeing the end results.”
To find out more about the project, visit https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/
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