Forging the Foundry - ideas for the heart of St Blazey and its future

Overview

As the headline says, all ages are welcome, the more the merrier so please do bring your children, after school. We'd love to meet them! As you see, we already have made a start on involving youngsters in creative and social enterprises. The photo was taken at a workshop in May half term.

We will start promptly at 16.30, firstly taking a quick stroll around the grounds to share what has been achieved so far and realise what the potential is for our main aims.

A top priority is to tackle the River and Stream challenges, for which we already have some enthusiastic volunteers and a leader. The first task will be close by but eventually it is hoped also to assist local landowners with some other major issues of concern, such as damage to land and businesses relating to the previous De-Salination and Flood prevention measures.

Then comes a desire to share knowledge, and commence restoring and enjoying

* the Heritage and

* the Nature Reserve

and when those are underway, we will embark on

* producing Good Food for all... talking of which, after the walk, we will move indoors for tea and cake! (miners 'sweet mossels').

A little added Heritage background

In case you are not aware of the 2 featured gentlemen of history, Treffry was the main entrepreneur, mine owner and creator of the majority of water and granite structures on Penpillick Hill and in the valley. He recruited West as a young man, who soon proved his value in building mine and railway equipment, but also a prize winning engine. He set up this foundry in 1848 and from there exported engines all over the world. Come and see what remains of his buildings and even lay your hands on one of his original giant-size bellows!

And a Post-Script re my Track Record, for this role

I am honoured that John has asked me to help in this way. Although he was not aware til now, I started gathering St Blazey people's hopes and dreams and recording them in sound, way back in Lockdown year. This was funded as part of a Par Bay Community project, with wonderful colleagues, such as our leader, the poet and musician Jayne Hipgrave, who I loved working with and who continues to offer creative and caring sessions in PL24. I give this as an example not only of my credibility but also of how creative/artistic folk can make such a difference to the lives of others.

The project outcomes were a tapestry of sound (music and spoken voices), and then also woven together colours and materials making a real tapestry, which circulated all around the area (Par Track, Tywardreath, St Blazey and Biscovey Churches etc). Although it was only amateur, it is my intention to bring it out once more, for sharing at the Foundry, alongside the truly amazing tapestry that John's mother made.

Copyright C Stephenson

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