30.07.04
Official Opening of New Pontoon
at Trelissick Garden Near Truro
A new pontoon commissioned by the National Trust to increase
the number of environmentally friendly visits and transport
links to the garden, will be officially opened by MP Matthew
Taylor, as the first ferry and visitors arrive.
The ferry landing will enable visitors to travel from Falmouth,
Truro and St Mawes using services provided by many of the
existing ferry operators, prior to entering as Trust members
or paying visitors.
The project is part funded by Objective One (with investment
from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund
and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Further funding for the project is also coming from County
Environmental Trust Ltd and Carrick District Council Truro
Harbour Authority.
Chris Curtis, Trelissick Property Manager said: "The
National Trust is a conservation charity committed to increasing
environmentally friendly tourism and the Trelissick landing
stage will provide a green travel option for our visitors.
We hope that a number of our visitors, who would traditionally
travel to the garden by car, will choose to come here by ferry,
as this would significantly reduce congestion and pollution.
The introduction of the landing stage will also help to sustain
local jobs and add to a great day out at one of Cornwall's
most beautiful gardens.'"
Andy Brigden, Truro Harbour Master said: "This new facility
demonstrates how sustainable transport can be shown to work.
We now have a number of different routes around the estuary
taking passengers to and from Truro, St Mawes, Falmouth, Flushing
and Mylor Yacht Harbour. This new facility will compliment
others and hopefully also result in an increase of visitors
to the National Trust gardens at Trelissick. It will also
incorporate a fresh water facility for visiting yachts and
tender berthing for those who wish to visit the gardens in
their own boat."
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership
said: "The pontoon really has a positive impact on improving
the tourist experience, increasing and sustaining the local
economy whilst having minimum impact on the environment. It's
about building a bridge to Cornwall's sustainable development
in the 21st century. Objective One is proud to invest in a
project that encompasses all of these qualities. It contributes
not only to the character of Trelissick but also to the unique
experience of Cornwall."
Voirrey Costain, Trust Manager of the County Environmental
Trust said:
"County Environmental Trust is a landfill tax trust that
is responsible for the allocation of funding from CES in Cornwall,
we fund a number of projects, and have to date awarded over
£5 million to local projects. We are very pleased to
be able to be involved in this innovative project, and hope
that the water taxi concept for the Carrick Roads is a great
success allowing ever greater access for both locals and tourist
alike to this beautiful area of the Cornish Coast."
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Editor's notes:
As the first ferry arrives for the opening ceremony, a fire
tug from A&P Falmouth will fire jets of water 40 –
50 feet in to the air in celebration. Speeches will be given
by: Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, Mike Weaver
Chairman of the National Trust Committee for Devon and Cornwall
and John Winskill, Chief Executive Officer of Carrick District
Council.
Members of the media wishing to attend should meet with the
National Trust representative at the Trelissick property office
by 9.45am. The walk down to the pontoon will take approximately
5 minutes. There are also a number of spaces on the ferry,
members of the media wishing to go on the ferry must contact
Liz Boyd at the National Trust's Cornwall Office on 01208
74281. The ferry departs from Ponsharden park & float,
Falmouth at 9.30 and will arrive at Trelissick at approximately
10.10am.
The pontoon is anticipated to be open to visitors from Monday
23 August.
Project funding information:
• This project is part financed by the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) 20 % of the European Union,
and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(DEFRA) 17.75%.
• County Environment Trust Ltd have contributed £25,000.
• Carrick District Council Truro Harbour Authority have
contributed £9,000.
The Countryside Agency, English Nature, Environment Agency
and Prosper have provided funding into the feasibility study
since 1998.
The new access route will direct visitors to enter the garden
through 'the Dell' via the woodland walk.
Trelissick garden is set on many levels and is well known
for its variety of tender and exotic plants, including camellias,
magnolias, rhododendrons and many rare hydrangeas. The garden
is in bloom all year round – hence the new opening arrangements
to keep the garden open to the public for most of the year.
It has a traditional Cornish apple orchard and summerhouses.
The estate offers an extensive park, woodland and riverside
walks.
County Environmental Trust awards funding to the following
types of projects: Public Amenity, Restoration of Historic
buildings, Remediation of Contaminated land and Bio-diversity
improvement within ten miles of a licensed landfill site.
For further press information and photographs please contact:
Chris Curtis, Trelissick Property Manager
Tel: 01872 862090
email: chris.curtis@nationaltrustorg.uk
Sabina Eberle, National Trust Communications Officer
Tel: 01208 265225
email: sabina.eberle@nationaltrustorg.uk
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Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01579 370991
lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk
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