A Less Leaky Leat (hopefully)

21st August 2022

Luxulyan Valley has an abundance of leats spanning many centuries. The only one that still flows (well, just about) is the Fowey Consols leat. Water is taken from the Bokiddick Stream near Gattys Bridge. Originally (from about 1822) the leat flowed all the way to the massive, internationally important (but largely forgotten) Fowey Consols mine at the top of Penpillick Hill. Joseph Austen (later and better known as Treffry) was keen to use water power if possible and this watercourse was his first significant intervention in the Luxulyan Valley. Incredibly, the leat continued to be useful until very recently as it was adapted to generate hydro-electricity at Ponts Mill first by the china clay industry, then as a community run project in partnership with Restormel Council.

A day in the valley with surprises

20th May 2022

A member of the Friends shares a surprise finding during his walk in the Valley recently. 

Black Hill Car Park

15th April 2022

For those of you who have been wondering what has been happening at Black Hill car park, we are sharing information from Cornwall Council. The car park is now open. 

A dry day at Trevanny Dry

8th March 2022

We were blessed with dry sunny weather on last month’s work party at Trevanny Dry. This was the second work party at the dry, the first a few months ago clearing the linhay floor of bramble, grass and saplings (buddleia in particular). We had peeked into the gateways of the settling tanks, back then resembling wild secret gardens, ones trying hard to become woodland. Scarlet elf caps made themselves known in boggy corners, but alas, no elves to go with them. Although a home for much wildlife, tree and bramble roots are bad news for historic building remains and need removing.

The Curious case of water in the Charlestown Leat

5th January 2022

Built in the 1790s by Charles Rashleigh the Charlestown Leat originally carried water from the Par River in Luxulyan parish to Charlestown Harbour to maintain its wet dock. The 7-mile waterway is still evident along its length but has collapsed or been dug up in several places and so is not fit to carry water. 

It was a great surprise therefore when a regular visitor to the Valley reported to the Friends late last December that water was once again flowing in the leat. Two of the Friends immediately investigated and after confirming this was the case decided to walk its length to identify the cause.

What they found was puzzling and worrying.