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Case study

Helford River - Capturing Hearts and Minds

Applicant: Cornwall County Council
Location: Helston, Cornwall, South West
Grant awarded: £89,700
Total project cost: £99,709
Grant programme: Heritage Grants
Type of heritage: Countryside and nature conservation

Aims of the project
To develop new audiences for the natural heritage of the Helford River, and in particular to involve young people in learning about the natural environment.

Background to the project
The Helford River estuary meets the sea just south of Falmouth. It lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is an important part of the proposed Fal and Helford marine Special Area of Conservation that extends across Falmouth Bay. Large portions of the intertidal mudflats, rocky shore areas and the oak woodlands that reach down to the river’s edge are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Esturine habitats are a key concern in the Cornwall Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

This project was a partnership between Cornwall County Council and a local conservation organisation, Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area Group, which was set up in 1987, when the Helford River was designated a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area. The project grew out of the group’s realisation that it would need extra resources, beyond what could be provided by its volunteer membership, if it was to develop and extend its educational aims.

What did the project involve?
Our grant enabled the project partnership to appoint a full-time Education Ranger, who visited many school in mid and west Cornwall as well as working with older groups. The Educational Ranger also worked on the production of an interactive CD-ROM. This covers marine conservation and historical aspects in a way that is suitable for all age groups. Copies were distributed free to local schools.

The HLF grant also funded a programme of about 14 events, including shore activities and indoor public events, and new information boards. Close collaboration with teachers led to the development of a marine awareness programme appropriate to the different Key Stages.

What difference did the project make?
The organisers report a very positive response to the project from all the user groups, such as schools, colleges, local organisations and businesses. The Education Ranger was able to engage a very wide range of people in an appreciation of the beautiful and sensitive marine environment of the Helford River and its shores.

Many would not otherwise have had the opportunity to do this. Reaching out to hundreds of school and college students was valuable, as it is this generation that will be responsible for caring for the environment in future.

A support group was set up to help run some of the extended events programme. The project helped to meet BAP targets in terms of environmental education and developing knowledge and participation.

How did the project meet our criteria?
In the longer term, the project will help to conserve the Helford River by raising awareness of the challenges involved. It developed new audiences for the heritage, with a focus on young people, and encouraged access to the countryside and community involvement.

Useful tips
Pamela Tompsett (Helford Voluntary Marine Area Conservation Group) and David Lewis (Cornwall County Council) comment that the project had many positive outcomes, and that HLF funding for a full-time education officer was highly successful in extending the existing work of HVMCA. They mention two negative outcomes:

The project generated a great deal of enthusiasm, and it was difficult to come to terms with the disappointment of the schools when the two-year project ended.

It was also disappointing that efforts to raise sufficient funding during the last six months of the project were not enough to enable it to continue or be taken up on a wider basis by a larger, perhaps statutory, organisation.

HLF highlights the need in this kind of project for an audience development plan that will help to:

identify target audiences;

decide how to reach and interest these;

identify any barriers to access that exist at the moment; and

decide how they can be overcome or avoided.

FEEDBACK

‘The project was very successful in enhancing appreciation of the marine environment of the Helford River. The main thrust was towards the younger generation where close collaboration with teachers ensured delivery of a novel marine awareness programme.’
Pamela Tompsett, Helford Voluntary Marine Area Conservation Group

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