I have just received the latest Trevithick Society newsletter and the editorial refers to complaints about the latest health and safety precautions instituted by the National Trust at the Levant Site.

I was in the area a couple of weeks ago but didn't go to Levant, choosing to have another wander around Botallack.
As I won't be heading back to Cornwall until the autumn I am curious to know what has been going on at Levant as the TS Newsletter does not mention what the new Health and Safety changes have brought in.

Anyone been recently who could fill me in?

Thanks

John

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the biggest ones are the installation of wire barricades in the upper storey doorways of the compressor house which have been installed by drilling into the original brickwork, while this now prevents people from falling through the doorways it does seem rather pointless as there are other larger drops on 2 other sides of the upper floor which remain unguarded. They have also added these same style barricades inside the pump engine house, again drilling into the walls of a listed structure.
There is also no longer free open access down the man engine tunnel and only those paying can enter it now as part of an organised tour.

I wonder if they applied for "Listed Building Consent" ?

Its a consequence of a visit of HMI mines.

As regards the question about Listed Bulding Consent, there are two applications on the Cornwall County Council planning portal, PA18/03164 and 03165. Interestingly undecided, so perhaps a case of the paperwork following the installation.

the application comes very long after the actual work in the case of the compressor house which was done last year.
But yes the man engine tunnel is a result of the mines inspectors visit back in 2016

Thanks for the update - I was aware of the Man Engine tunnel being closed a while back I have done some googling and have found one or two photos on the Plymouth Evening Herald web site:

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/local-news/national-trust-desecrated-poldark-death-722623 

It also covers protests about the NT introducing car park charges and some direct action taken against the parking machine! When I last visited in spring 2017 the meter was in place but it didn't seem to want to dispense a ticket on my NT membership card.

My recent visit to Botallack there were several NT members having problems getting the machine to scan their card without a lot of faffing. However, a similar machine I used in February at Aberglaslyn worked faultlessly.

I just wonder if these measures will be implemented at other mine sites around the county? It does kind of spoil the appearance as this metal work appears to bright and shiny hopefully it will weather with time?

John

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Thanks for the update - I was aware of the Man Engine tunnel being closed a while back I have done some googling and have found one or two photos on the Plymouth Evening Herald web site:

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/local-news/national-trust-desecrated-poldark-death-722623 

It also covers protests about the NT introducing car park charges and some direct action taken against the parking machine! When I last visited in spring 2017 the meter was in place but it didn't seem to want to dispense a ticket on my NT membership card.

My recent visit to Botallack there were several NT members having problems getting the machine to scan their card without a lot of faffing. However, a similar machine I used in February at Aberglaslyn worked faultlessly.

I just wonder if these measures will be implemented at other mine sites around the county? It does kind of spoil the appearance as this metal work appears to bright and shiny hopefully it will weather with time?

John

one of the reasons apart from I left the NT they have stopped free parking in popular tourist area such as lakes i wonder has this happened in Cornwall too?

mike

Although they do a lot of good,it's a business run by middle and upper class people for the same said people. New car parking meters at Geevor and Levant and at places in Purbeck too. I just park elsewhere and walk, I will never be a member again. 😞

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Although they do a lot of good,it's a business run by middle and upper class people for the same said people. New car parking meters at Geevor and Levant and at places in Purbeck too. I just park elsewhere and walk, I will never be a member again. :(

Agreed totally and cost of membership is excessive (word I missed) .

mike

No parking charges at Geevor - nothing to do with N.T

No parking charges at Geevor - nothing to do with N.T

Picked up on a Geevor visit re the miners
...." political correctness was knowing who the Prime Minister is"

Could have a lot to do with things
;)

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I wasn't aware that they had introduced parking charges for members, that's not the current arrangement at any of their properties near us as far as I am aware.

What they have done is introduce the parking machines that scan your membership card rather than simply relying on displaying a windscreen sticker.

As I understand it this is because of how they determine funding for individual sites by visitor numbers, sites where you don't have to pay to enter, such as bits of coastline etc. can now gather visitor number info from these machines. Hence people wandering about with handheld scanners wanting to scan your card.

We're members and it's actually not bad value if you visit their sites frequently. We also use their campsites occasionally.

I think there were some chaps developing an underground tour down there that got pulled for some 'management' reasons too?

If they didn't exist what else would you do with elderly aunts on Sunday afternoons?

I think there were some chaps developing an underground tour down there that got pulled for some 'management' reasons too?

That was us, 6 years hard work down the drain once there was a change of management at the site at the start of last year. The mines inspector was down in 2016 and gave us good advice on how to proceed with the project to get it open to the public and it could of been open to the public within 6 months at that point, instead it was abandoned for 18 months and we finally went down a couple of weeks back and stripped out everything from underground that was ours.

I think there were some chaps developing an underground tour down there that got pulled for some 'management' reasons too?

That was us, 6 years hard work down the drain once there was a change of management at the site at the start of last year. The mines inspector was down in 2016 and gave us good advice on how to proceed with the project to get it open to the public and it could of been open to the public within 6 months at that point, instead it was abandoned for 18 months and we finally went down a couple of weeks back and stripped out everything from underground that was ours.

That is very unfortunate, from a tourist point of view surely everyone visiting a mine wants to go underground? I know there is stuff of great interest on the surface but going underground is the real draw, I would have thought anywhere its possible to do would have wanted that capability :confused:


Imagine visiting a show-cave and not being allowed to go in.....

The NT has had some criticism in recent years, now there is a new Director General.
I supplied them with some lamps a while back, next thing I am told that I need to join some money-go-round for pay and display H and S certification if I am to remain a supplier.

They up to all kinds of tricks and should stick to their remit.

Mr SRJ, you maybe better off out of it.

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No parking charges at Geevor - nothing to do with N.T

I'll bet you're glad of that Bill :devil:

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Whoops Typo, no charges at Geevor, meant Botallack!

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I'm a member of the NT, I appreciate the work they do. Like all charities, the chief is paid too much and they spend too much time with their fat flowery menopausal staff promoting feminism, diversity and other nonsense, rather than sticking to the tasks.

The car parks are free. The bottom line is that private property is not just a public free for all. There's management and bills.

Yes
:thumbsup:

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