28.01.05
Double celebration for green tourism

A rural tourism initiative that has flourished with the help of Objective One investment is celebrating double recognition in two major awards.

Tregony-based greenleisure.co.uk has been named as runner up in both the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2004 and, more recently, in the Rural Progress Farm Diversification Awards.

The business was established in the early part of 2001, with Objective One EAGGF (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund) support, offering hi-tech laser clay pigeon shooting with reusable plastic clays and infrared beams as a sustainable alternative to the real thing.

A spokesman for the firm said: "As we move into our fifth year, both these awards are recognition of our position in the marketplace. It is particularly pleasing that the business was started from scratch with help and encouragement from David Rodda, Cornwall Agricultural Development Team.

"We are very pleased to be up there amongst the leading players in Cornwall's rural economy not least because these awards are not just a case of filling in an application form. Both have quite stringent selection processes. For instance, Cornwall Tourist Board use 'mystery shoppers' to try out the facilities of those nominated.

"We were one of the early projects to be supported by Objective One and we have gone from strength to strength every year since the business was established.”

David Rodda, head of the Cornwall Agricultural Council development team, said: "This project is an example of a rural entrepreneur who has identified an opportunity in the rural tourism marketplace and developed a new business that adds value to Cornwall's existing provision. The Objective One investment provided to greenleisure.co.uk has enabled it to build on the original idea and now by working with various other partners the benefit is being spread to other businesses. This type of collaborative activity is a model for how collectively we can re-invigorate our rural economy and I look forward to seeing the business continue to grow from strength to strength.”

The company now offers an expanding range of activities including both laser and real clay pigeon shooting, falconry, fly fishing, gun dog handling, archery, laser combat and survival skills. The firm operates from a variety of locations across Cornwall, offering activities at a choice of venues ranging from top class hotels (such as Budock Vean and Hustyns) to glorious countryside and coastal farm-based settings.

A spokesman for Cornwall Tourist Board said: "Many of our visitors to Cornwall want more from their holiday than just lying on a beach and greenleisure.co.uk provide them with a range of activities which are not only delivered in a sustainable way, but which they can participate in all year round.”

The firm also has a number of strategic collaborations with marketing groups that promote their activities to a wider audience. These include being part of King Harry's Cornwall and Cartwheel, as well as being members of both Cornwall Tourist Board and South West Tourism. The firm is constantly looking for new activities and opportunities and has well-developed plans in the pipeline for further growth.

The firm's spokesman said: "Having started with a single activity – laser clay pigeon shooting – we have sought to build on this success by developing a complementary range of traditional country pursuits, whilst also looking to exploit the innovative use of new technology to deliver safe and sustainable activities to the holiday visitor.

"We now employ carefully selected specialists to deliver many of our activities. All are local to Cornwall and include qualified coaches and highly experienced practitioners in their fields. And last year we launched our locally sourced BBQ and Shooting Party menus for those clients requiring food as part of their activity package.

"Bacon, sausages and burgers are bought in from one of our farm venues, so not only has the farmer seen his income from our use of the farm for activities increase by 300% last year, but our food packages have created additional revenue streams both for us and the farmer. And it would be impossible for the produce to be more locally sourced as we are using the beef and pigs that graze just yards from our activity areas.

"In the last three months we have also had new car parking facilities constructed, and planning permission exists for the conversion of adjacent redundant barns to accommodation suitable for our corporate and group clients. By working in collaboration with local farmers and other rural businesses we have been able to create a sustainable and – thanks to these awards – well respected enterprise. Without that initial help from David Rodda and the support of Objective One, we would most certainly not be where we are today.”

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Tel 01872 223439 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

Editor's notes:

The initial project greenleisure.co.uk, which was worth a total of nearly £36,000, was approved through the Objective One programme for a European grant of almost £9,000, with the same sum being provided by Defra.

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) is one of the four funds that make up the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. EAGGF aims to:

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

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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