Par Bay Big Local (PBBL) naturally recognised the attractions of our area – the large, sandy beach, wonderful views and a number of sizeable green spaces available to the local community.
As our local economy has changed over the years, so have the opportunities to further enhance our environment and associated facilities and PBBL has been keen to help support such initiatives as well as those focussing on maintaining and improving existing areas / facilities, eg improving accessibility, whilst also encouraging tidiness, cleanliness and pride, and ensuring accessibility, sustainability and energy efficiency. PBBL awards have included:
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- Friends of Par Beach Benches
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- St Blazey Church Clock
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- Friends of Par Beach Gazebo
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- Par Beach Nature Reserve digital mapping
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- In Search of Tywardreath Priory
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- Burrows Centre St Blazey
2012: Friends of Par Beach – Seating for Par Beach
Four new seats acquired. Seating in place at the beach, all with sea views. We would like to put more seats on the beach and nature reserve area at some stage in the future. We have had many compliments over the last couple of months about this positive initiative. Previously only one seat existed over the entire area, so there are now more opportunities for visitors and locals to relax.
2012: St Blazey Greenspace Audit – Groundwork South
Progress meetings + site visits held. Auditor appointed and audit half-way through at time of feedback, including rural mapping, ground-truthing and pedestrian surveys of built up areas. Funding was spent within the community, with a competent, local person developing a wide picture of the open spaces in the town which can be drawn on for future reference. Attention has also focused on future open spaces and has stimulated informal conversations.
Potential for an Environment Agency grant scheme linked to water quality initiatives upstream of Par Beach. Possibility of upgrading main river corridor through St Blazey, thereby improving all round management. After audit is finished, Groundwork was asked to produce a report and recommendations for a range of potential environmental actions, for consideration by community organisers for short, medium and long term action. The main survey should be finished shortly and presentation of data in a searchable format finalised.
2012: St Blazey Church – Automatic Restart Mechanism for Church clock
Fully automatic restart mechanism purchased and working really well.
2013: Gazebo – Friends of Par Beach
We are now able to use the new gazebo for all events where we need a base HQ. We also loan the gazebo to any other community groups in the area who do not have their own facility. It is also a very good marketing tool as we have our name and that of PBBL in full view on the gazebo. We will use the gazebo as often as possible into the future for our events and those of other local groups. We were pleased to win the money and as a group are very supportive of the whole PBBL initiative. We will definitely be bidding for more money in the future when we identify suitable causes.
2013: Friends of Par Beach – Digital Mapping – Par Beach and Nature Reserve
Mapping progressed well and report prepared. The Par Beach Management Group is working towards a long-term Management Plan and the digital mapping will give a clear picture of the flora that is in place on the site. Severe winter weather caused initial delays. As a Management Group, we will continue to source the best way forward for the overall management of the area which includes the beach, lake and surrounding nature reserve.
2014: In Search of Tywardreath Priory
Archaeological education and activities. Website created and evidence added – also Facebook page and promo materials. Meetings and open day event arranged, with input from Camborne School of Mines. 3D model created. Further research ahead of excavation – involvement of School of Mines student. Further exhibition and open day planned during Festival of British Archaeology. Further funding sought from Heritage Lottery Fund.
2014: St Blazey Burrows Centre Ltd – Improvements to facilities
Fire doors replaced, main hall repainted, external drainage and ancillary works completed to prevent flooding + various small repairs. Fire door replacement has enabled Centre to increase bookings. Premises have not had to close and bookings have not had to be refused (as in the past) thanks to external drainage works. The painting work has made the Centre more inviting and overall Health & Safety score has risen. Business has increased since improvements were completed and Burrows will endeavour to work on this.
2015: St Blazey & District Town Team CIC – Contribution towards set-up costs
“Thanks to funding from Big Local, we have been moving along quicker … we have been able to increase our activity now that funding is in place … has given us a good start.” e.g. Community / Road Show bus.
2016 – Change of Chairmanship
EGM held 4.7.17 and Town Team ceased in August 2017. £3,253.55 unspent grant repaid in February 2018.
2015: Cornwall Council – Contribution towards Area Investment Study
Cornwall Development Company have undertaken Phases 1 and 2 of their research and Report published in September 2015 with recommendations for next steps. This helped to identify opportunities within the Par Bay Big Local area.
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- Community garden produce
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- St Andrew’s Road Wetland Reserve
Many other projects have improved our area over the years. The community garden has tools available -forks, spades, tree loppers, a cultivator, pots, gloves etc. Get in touch if you want to borrow tools or run a garden event – Sonia 07980 838578 / parbayct@gmail.com.
Friends of Par Beach have been instrumental in clearing invasive species and improving the dunes and in tackling the plastic problem on Par Beach as well as carrying out regular litter picks.
Another initiative at St Andrews Road Pond creating a Wild life reserve benefitted from a donation towards a poster case.
