RESERVES REPORT

Very often, whilst visiting the Trust's nature reserves, we are enthralled by the beauty of the wild flowers, entranced by a dragonfly hovering over a pond or captivated by the sound of a stream meandering through a verdant valley. Although we enjoy these natural features immensely, few of us consider the considerable influence that geology and geological processes have had on their existence. Geology plays a large part in the variety of habitats and species that occur on all of our nature reserves. On some sites the role geology plays goes unnoticed, as it is not immediately apparent, but on others it is clearly visible.

This report attempts to remove the colourful veil of soil and wildlife habitat from our reserves (I stress in literary terms only!) and details how the geological skeleton influences some of the work we have been carrying out on the reserves over the past few months.

Many of the projects we have been carrying out form part of our Heritage Lottery Fund Wild Cornwall project. As a result of this project, the number of volunteers we have assisting us has increased considerably over the past few months. However, we still require more assistance because of the large range and number of projects we have up and running. Look at the back page of this magazine to find out about the practical projects for which we require volunteers.

Before an angry geologist corrects me on this, I must say that the land is not naturally bumpy on Breney and Red Moor. It has been made bumpy by humans working on it to get at the valuable minerals within its geology. It is thought that the alluvial deposits at Red Moor and Breney were worked for tin from as early as the Bronze Age up until the late 19th or early 20th century. The undulating topography, which now provides a good variety of wildlife habitats, was produced as a result of dredging and tipping the gravelly rocks in the search for tin. Some of the deeper hollows created are now ponds, which provide a wonderful wildlife habitat. Sticking above the surface of one of the larger ponds at Breney Common, you can see the rusting remains of a dredger.

The same undulating topography makes providing suitable access to these sites a little tricky. However, substantial work has been carried out on the boardwalks and bridges. Additional waymarking to be provided soon will finalise the long-distance trail from Breney to Red Moor via Helman Tor. Thanks to a British Gas Transco project grant we shall also be improving access to the sites for the less able by providing appropriate boardwalks and pond dipping platforms.

The Trust's only geological reserve (although we hope to acquire others soon) has been dealt a couple of unkind blows recently due to the vandalism (and removal) of its interpretive board. Determined to beat the vandals, we have decided to install the new interpretive board in a more prominent and public location. With this in mind, we are currently liaising with the landlord of the village pub and it is likely that we shall set up the new board on the outside wall of the pub in the early months of 1999. This should certainly achieve our aim of bringing the message of geological conservation into the everyday lives of many people.

There is considerable visible evidence of 19th century silver-lead ore mining at this site. Several structures associated with the mining of this site occur, the most visible of which are two engine houses. Public access is not currently permitted to these areas, due to safety hazards, but funding from English Partnerships through its Derelict Land Grant programme will soon be available to consolidate remains and make them safe for the public to enjoy.

Victoria Scott