Royal Opening For 'St Levan's Well' Coast Path Improvement Scheme

Her visit to Cornwall is part of Royal Tourism Day, when members of the Royal Family will be touring different parts of the UK to help support and promote domestic tourism.  As well as opening the St Levan's Well Project, the Countess will also visit the Minack Theatre and meet representatives of Cornwall's tourist industry at the Nare Hotel in Veryan. 

The exciting £16,000 project to renovate the coast path and restore the ancient steps in West Cornwall has been managed by Cornwall County Council's Environment and Heritage Service who used specially sourced, locally weathered granite to ensure that the stone steps fitted in with their historic surroundings.

"This was a difficult project as the steps, which lead down to the tiny chapel at St Levan's Well, a medieval Holy Well, are a significant historical feature " explained Alan Ibbotson, Countryside Manager for the County Council's Environment and Heritage Service.

"There are many legends about St Levan, a 6th century Celtic Saint, and the steps themselves feature in the 18th century recording of the site by Cornish Antiquarian Dr Borlase".

After lying derelict for many years, the steps were excavated in 1931, and photographs taken at this time were used to guide the recent restoration .

During the project more than 20 tonnes of stone, aggregate and cement were taken to the site, with great care taken to protect the surrounding environment. A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was even enlisted to help bring in materials while taking part in a naval exercise. 

The restoration has been hailed as a great success and Helen Richards, the Executive Member for Environment and Heritage is delighted that the project will receive a Royal seal of approval when the Countess of Wessex carries out the official opening ceremony.

"The County Council's Environment and Heritage Service has a well deserved reputation for its work in conserving and protecting Cornwall's beautiful landscape and history "she said.

"This is a wonderful example of a modern construction project which has been carried out with great sensitivity to enhance Cornwall's environment and heritage".

The official opening of this project on the Coast Path co- incides with the Silver Jubilee celebrating 25 years of the South West Coast Path, the UK's longest National Trail which runs from Minehead to Dorset, covering a distance of 630 miles.

The County Council manages 300 miles of the Coast Path in Cornwall, with support and funding from the Countryside Agency.  The Coast Path is an internationally renowned trail which is used by more than 2 million local residents and visitors each year.  It plays an important part in Cornwall's economy, with Coast Path visitors spending an estimated £10m each season.

Notes to editors

This event is being arranged by south west tourism and any journalists / photographers wanting to attend should contact Hannah Collingbourne at south west tourism by 5pm on Monday, June 9th to be added to the guest list.

Cornwall County Council press office - Mark Nicholson - 01827 274098.

Other contacts on the day are : South west tourism -  Robin Deitch - 0781 638 8105 South west coast path press contact - Mark Owen - 01392 382 925

Story posted - 3rd June 2003