A stretch of beautiful wooded coastal land in Cornwall has been preserved for future generations thanks to a vicar's most generous donation.
The National Trust has acquired a stretch of coastal land near Fowey thanks to a bequest left to the charity’s Neptune Coastline Campaign by the late Reverend Anthony Mapplebeck, a vicar whose life was deeply rooted in the Cornish coast he loved to walk.
The 13.66-hectare site, equivalent to around 19 football pitches and known as Alldays Field, has been acquired from Cornwall Council thanks to Rev Mapplebeck's generosity and will be managed for nature and continued public access.
- Missing Jack Russell Grace potentially spotted near Jamaica Inn after being washed away in river
- Bodmin not the criminal capital of the UK says thriving community
The National Trust said the site's location makes it especially significant as it is bordered by countryside already cared for by the National Trust on three sides.
A spokesperson said that with the sea forming its southern boundary, the land provides a "vital opportunity to join up habitats and strengthen wildlife corridors".
Now the Trust will create bigger, more resilient habitats, allowing wildlife to move more freely and helping nature adapt to environmental change.
Andy Simmons, National Trust area ranger for south east Cornwall, said: "Places like this matter because they give people room to breathe and nature room to recover.
"By joining this land with what’s around it, we can look after the coast as a whole - supporting wildlife, keeping paths open and making sure this landscape stays welcoming and alive for everyone who visits.
"It feels especially fitting that this land was secured thanks to someone who dedicated his life to serving Cornish communities and who loved walking the coastal paths himself."
The land was secured using funds from the Neptune Coastline Campaign, launched in the 1960s to protect and care for coastline for the benefit of both people and nature.
Rev Mapplebeck was born in Coulsdon in 1916 and later made Cornwall his home. Educated at Cambridge, where he received his BA in 1938 and MA in 1942, he was ordained deacon in 1940 and priest in 1949.
It is understood he then served as a curate in Bodmin before becoming vicar of Veryan and later incumbent of St Peter's Church in Mevagissey from 1955 until his retirement in 1981. He died in Mevagissey in 1994.
Though born in Surrey and raised in Croydon, Rev Mapplebeck’s ministry and later life were closely intertwined with Cornwall. Parishioners remember him as an "erudite and reserved man" who "carried out his duties diligently" and with "quiet dedication".
One Mevagissey resident recalls meeting him in 1961 ahead of their wedding and later preparing for confirmation under his guidance.
After retiring, he moved to a cottage in Mevagissey - a home thought to have been gifted to him by a parishioner - where he continued to live modestly and close to the coast he cherished.
He never married and it is understood that during his years in Veryan his elderly mother lived with him, alongside a housekeeper and former missionary.
Former parishioners remember him christening babies, supporting bell-ringers and serving village congregations faithfully during the 1950s before moving to Mevagissey. His will also included bequests to both Veryan and Mevagissey churches.
The National Trust said the acquisition will safeguard access to a special part of the Cornish coastline.
The South West Coast Path runs along the southern edge of the field, with a connecting path linking Coombe Farm Coast Path to Love Lane, ensuring walkers can continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to this dramatic stretch of coast.
The site will be managed alongside nearby land at Coombe Farm and Covington Woods, with a focus on enhancing existing habitats, creating new ones and giving nature the space it needs to thrive.
Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
No comments:
Post a Comment