11.05.04
Commercial arm for Cornish charity

A Cornish charity is looking to set up a new commercial arm based on a range of projects involving alternative technology and environmentally friendly land use.

The Haye Mill Charity Trust, which was set up in 1981 and operates from a restored mill in the Callington area, currently provides an independent counselling service and complementary therapies.

Now, following a feasibility study carried out with the help of Objective One investment, the charity is hoping to set up various commercial enterprises under the umbrella of a company known as Haye Valley Estates in order to support and develop its work.

The Rev John Littlewood from the Haye Mill Charity Trust explained the charity currently provides a team of six trained, professional counsellors who see around 20 individuals a week seeking advice on relationship, abuse, depression or other emotional problems. There are also four complementary practitioners who work from the Mill.

He explained: “We offer a constructive and harmonious environment in which to treat people, providing a safe and peaceful setting situated in a lovely valley in Cornwall, with a mill pond, water wheel, gardens and a maze. Working in a restored Mill, we use electricity generated by a water wheel, drink water from a spring, and grow vegetables organically. What we wish to do now is to simply expand what we are already doing and to have a commercial side to the project to enable the whole venture to be independent and financially viable.”

Mr Littlewood added that the next stage for the charity is to identify a suitable site to base the operation – with one option involving a derelict mine site.

Although the land is now contaminated with mine waste, the charity is investigating the possibility of restoring the land using ecological methods – ultimately transforming it into a productive area.

The charity believes that its new commercial arm, Haye Valley Estates, could bring the site back into use, making money and providing employment by creating and managing an organic horticultural system. This could involve producing and selling: wine from its own vineyard; apple juice and cider (using apples from other local growers and from its own orchards); herbs and medicinal oils; and honey and mead from its own bee hives.

Mr Littlewood said: “Organic produce is the growing champion in the horticultural world. This Project would bring versatility and adaptability rather than routine to the small work force of Haye Valley Estates.”

In addition to selling horticultural produce, the project hopes to establish a number of other elements, each providing an income – including a refectory selling food (both ‘home-grown’ and locally produced), guided tours, workshops and retail outlets for independent artisans and producers.

Mr Littlewood added: “A critical goal is community involvement. For example, local apple orchard owners, farmers and landowners will be encouraged to lease land for our crops, or to grow our crops under contract.

“Workshop and retail space will be available for local small businesses, typically those that involve the use of the project’s ‘home-grown’ products. There will also be special functions and theme days such as craft or specialist markets, that will encourage local involvement and tourist opportunities.”

The £75,000 feasibility study into the Haye Valley project took twelve months and benefited from over £26,000 in investment from the European Agricultural Guidance & Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Editor's notes:

Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mob: 07973 813647
Tel: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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