independent Cornish news and comment

Kerrier: NEW GUIDE DEPICTS CORNWALL'S MINING HERITAGE

A new free guide has been produced which celebrates the £6 million Mineral Tramways Heritage Project currently underway in Camborne, Redruth, Gwennap and St. Day.


Entitled Mineral Tramways - Tracking Cornwall's Mining Heritage the guide depicts Cornwall's mining heritage in a refreshingly different way as well as providing information on existing trails and the new 30.5 km (18 mile) multi-use trail network being developed as part of the project.

The Mineral Tramways Project's popular multi-use Coast to Coast and Great Flat Lode Trails are the most famous of the existing trails and are enjoyed by users year round. Both trails offer a fascinating insight into Cornwall's mining past with the Great Flat Lode Trail being included in Cornwall's World Heritage Site Bid.

The new extended trail network, expected to be fully operational in 2008, will offer even more opportunities to exercise the mind as well as the body by combining better access to the remarkable remains of the area's 19th century mining heyday, encompassing fresh air, good views and healthy activity.

The free guide is to be distributed to schools, libraries, information centres and other venues throughout Cornwall and is downloadable at www.cornwall.gov.uk/mineral-tramways <http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/mineral-tramways> . It features details of the project, a map of current and proposed trails as well as describing some of the major heritage sites that can be explored in the area - providing a brief introduction to Cornwall's mining history.


Lucia Crothall, Mineral Tramways Heritage Project Education and Marketing Officer said, "The guide - and especially the simple but user-friendly map incorporated in it - should be a handy introduction for anyone wanting to find out more about the whereabouts of trails and what can be seen and done on them. The plan is to produce detailed leaflets and eventually a pocket booklet on all the mineral tramways trails to tie in with their completion in 2008. Meanwhile we hope the new free guide will encourage people to get out and about in parts of Cornwall they may not have discovered before and to explore its remarkable mining heritage."