Restoration Blog
Restoration information, news and photos

A step in the right direction.
Once the new ladder ironwork has had the mounts fixed in place, the ladders will go away to have a three-part protective finish applied using the same technology that protects wind farm platforms. In the meantime, two more ironwork jobs remain. The repair of damaged...
Reviving the Old Harbour
The harbour, first recorded in the 11th century, in its current form dates to rebuilding in the 1730s. The current structure is identified as belonging to a collection of similarly constructed quays dating to the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The distinguishing characteristic of quays of this period in south and west Cornwall is the use of a distinctive engineering tradition of vertically coursed battered drystone masonry, probably developed from and related to smaller scale Cornish hedging techniques. Pounded by heavy seas the vertically laid stones channeled the force of the water upwards thereby reducing the impact on the overall defensive structure.
A step in the right direction.
Once the new ladder ironwork has had the mounts fixed in place, the ladders will go away to have a three-part protective finish applied using the same technology that protects wind farm platforms. In the meantime, two more ironwork jobs remain. The repair of damaged...
Pre-installation of new steel ladders.With the corroded or broken ladders now safely removed and the old fixings cleaned off, the quay stones were marked out ready for positioning the new ladders. Pilot holes were drilled to position the ladder handrail bases.Built at...
It’s time for the stonework!
Now that Spring is sprung and the weather hopefully getting warmer by the day there are a range of tasks that all need volunteers to help see the work continue to progress: You can join in the fun from 10am every Saturday morning. Hand tools, protective gloves and...
Volunteers needed this Saturday 1st March
Join us this Saturday down at the Old Quay for an exciting opportunity to roll up your sleeves and be a part of history as we embark on the next phase of our restoration journey. The parapet section of the Old Quay is ready for some TLC and we need your help to clean...
Mapping existing stonework prior to restoration
In key areas of the old quay, the position of each stone is being recorded. These sketches will be used together with high res images to maintain a record of the iron and stonework restoration.The high res images will then be converted to line drawing images.
Metalwork in progress
As we proceed with the restoration of the old quay, we are focused on the systematic removal of the deteriorated and corroded metalwork that previously secured the granite pieces, uncovering the stones beneath. Each piece of oxidized metal not only reflects the...