independent Cornish news and comment

North Cornwall: FAMOUS WATERFALL ALMOST INACCESSIBLE

The world famous waterfall at St.Nectans Glen between Boscastle and Tintagel is almost inaccessible following the horrendous flooding in the area o­n Monday.A torrent of water 3 meters high swept down the river past the Hermitage where St.Nectan lived and thundered over the waterfall and down into St Nectans Glen.
<IMG alt=Waterfall hspace=2 src="http://www.cornwall24.co.uk/modules/ContentExpress/img_repository/waterfall1.jpg" align=right border=0>Trees were ripped from the banks of the river and bridges torn apart by the force of the torrent.The o­nce tranquil valley where many tourists from around the world take a leisurely walk to the waterfall,is a scene of destruction & mayhem.The owners of the Hermitage & Waterful are Barry & Jean Litton.Barry told Cornwall 24 News"It was frightening,the water rose 3 metres and we watched as trees and rocks were tossed down the river.It flooded our lower patio area and we had to remove our animals for safety.Huge rocks have been washed away,trees are down everywhere,large parts of the footpath no longer exist."St Nectans Glen has been a site of religious and historic importance since about 500AD when St.Nectan built his small sanctury next to the Trevillet River.The waterfall is unique as it is the o­nly o­ne like it in the world.The water flows 48 metres down the side of the valley into a Kieve,it then exits through a perfectly formed hole in the rock.When the river flow is gentle people have bathed in the Keive itself.Jean Litton told us in a shocked state that the couple had lost their livelihood.She said "What can we do?No-one can get to us now.The upper viewing platform was solid rock where people could look down into the basin of the waterfall from above,2 metres of it has been torn away by the stregth of the current."Barry Litton told us"Only those who have wellies and are very healthy will be able to get here.They can come over the top way instead of through the Glen,but they wouldnt have the same experience as before.This is a Site of Scientific Interest and its landscape has been completely changed.We tried to ring for help but no o­ne was interested.Today we tried to ring the enviroment agency and were put through to Ireland!This could well be the end.
http://www.stnectan.currantbun.com/