Restoration Blog

Restoration information, news and photos

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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.

Heavy lifting down the Old Quay

Heavy lifting down the Old Quay

03/04/25

With Easter looming and the expected return of vessels to their morrings in the Old Harbour work has been carried out on several fronts - from weeding to welding!The top of the Old Quay parapet is being prepared ofr re-pointing with the removal of years of vegetation...

A step in the right direction.

A step in the right direction.

29/03/25

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...

21/03/25

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!

It’s time for the stonework!

04/03/25

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

Volunteers needed this Saturday 1st March

28/02/25

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...