13.08.08
Mining World Heritage Site could go global

The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site could become part of a global network of Cornish mining landscapes.

The World Heritage Site inscription was achieved in 2006 after years of hard work and millions of pounds of investment from Objective One.

Now the World Heritage Site Office at Cornwall County Council is exploring the possibility of extending the concept of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site to Cornish mining sites abroad.

Nick Johnson, Cornwall County Council Historic Environment Manager and one of the driving forces behind the original bid for inscription, explained: "This initiative is very ambitious and may take many years to bring to fruition. But when it does it will widen our audience from regional and national to across the world.

"There are many examples of iconic engine houses, chapels and miners housing scattered across hard rock mining regions worldwide. The existence of a Cornish mining diaspora is well known in Cornwall, and is regarded as a powerful symbol of Cornwall's sense of identity. Countries where significant mining remains and cultural traditions survive include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Spain, Ireland and Mexico.

"For this initiative to progress each country would have to put forward a bid for their mining landscape(s) based on the principles of significance, survival and authenticity established by the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. This will take a long time but initial discussions with heritage organisations in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are encouraging.

"There is also a possibility that UK World Heritage Sites may feature as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad to accompany the London Olympics and that this sort of publicity could help in promoting the international character of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. International links across the world, were regarded by the mining community as a perfectly normal and important part of Cornish life in the 19th century. Male members of mining families would often spend decades in far flung foreign mining fields, and these connections are still there today. With 20 Cornish Societies in the UK and 44 in historic mining areas world wide, the sense of cultural connectivity is alive and well. A Cornish Mining World Heritage Site that encompassed sites across the globe would be a fitting recognition and reminder of Cornwall's place in the world."

Andrew Mitchell, Cornwall County Council Economic Portfolio holder, said: "This ambitious step forward for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site puts its economic impact into its proper global perspective – Cornish Mining and its associated technological innovation truly played a pivotal role in the initial industrialisation around the world.

"I must congratulate the County Council's historic environment section and their partners in helping bring this recognition to a world wide audience well beyond Cornwall.

"The global reach of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site provides a stunning example of the importance of economic networks – our strategy for the economic regeneration of Cornwall includes ensuring our economic connectivity is fit for the 21st century economy. This includes maintaining our air links through NewquayAirport and boosting our global economic links through a future proofed broadband infrastructure with businesses boosting their profitability through its exploitation."

In total, more than £8.5 million of Objective One has been invested in more than £23 million worth of projects connected with the World Heritage Site area.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership Office, said: "The Objective One Programme invested in both the successful Cornish World Heritage Site bid document and management plan and in the protection and  enhancement of those features that can be put to new economic use – whether that be in town regeneration, tourism facilities or workspace for new businesses. Through the Objective One Programme's investment in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, of which Exeter University's Camborne School of Mines is a key part, Cornwall's mining legacy is again being used to stimulate business activity in particular through research and innovation in mining technologies and renewable energy – both with the prospect of global markets."

Since Inscription in July 2006, great progress has been made in establishing the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site (WHS) as a significant cultural force.

A three-year promotional campaign is also underway in partnership with the South West region's three other World Heritage Sites – Bath, Jurassic Coast and Stonehenge with Avebury – and South West Tourism. This was begun this summer with the publication of a special leaflet backed by a dedicated website (www.livingheritagesouthwest.co.uk), and launched via a competition in Heritage magazine, which attracted over 4,000 entries. The leaflet is being distributed to the London and Britain Tourist Office, and the Tourist Information Centres in major UK cities such as Birmingham and Manchester.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager, the Partnership Office, on 01872 223439/07973 813647 or email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the World Heritage Site Bid: Cornish Mining project through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

• The actual bid preparation – just under £175,000 of Objective One was invested in this.

• The regeneration of the St Just area - about £2 million of Objective One was invested in £4 million worth of projects in St Just, Zennor, Towednack and Morvah.

• Wheal Kitty workshops, phase two - the former tin mine engine house was converted and new top quality business units were also created. This received £376,000 of Objective One investment.

• Redruth Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme - £450,000 of Objective One has been invested in improvements to historic buildings in the town centre Conservation Area.

• Hayle Townscape Heritage Initiative - just under £1 million invested in about £4 million worth of work to regenerate Hayle by improving historic buildings.

• Harvey's Foundry - Hayle has also benefited from this project, which received just under £800,000 of Objective One investment, to transform Foundry Square.

• The Mineral Tramways Heritage project - in total more than £1,600,000 of Objective One has been invested in three phases of this project which includes a conservation plan, village enhancements and trail improvements.

• Geevor Tin Mine - £83, 793 of Objective One was invested into creating a purpose built museum as well as safeguarding existing buildings and the landscape.

• East Cornwall Regeneration Project - £541,000 of Objective One invested in £1.2 million worth of initiatives to develop tourism in north east Caradon and the Tamar Valley. The project included improving seven mining sites, creating the Copper Mining Trail and building the Tamar valley Centre plus workshops and offices in Callington Old Clink.

• Cornwall Gardens Development Project - more than £1.5 million of Objective One invested in two phases of this project worth more than £3.3 million that aimed to raise the national profile of Cornwall's gardens and make the businesses more sustainable. The majority of Cornwall's spectacular gardens were created via money from major landowning families with mining interests.

• Cornwall and Scillies Urban Survey (CSUS) - £151,000 of Objective was invested in this project which acts as a blueprint for planners, developers and conservation organisations. Already a national exemplar CSUS is a detailed survey of key towns and villages that can be used as a framework for sympathetic development.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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