A Cornish fishing village is at risk of being washed away unless urgent repairs are made to the historic quay.
In Gorran Haven, the coast is vulnerable to easterly storms, and various quays have been built over the centuries to protect fisherman and the village.
Records of a sea fishery date back to 1270, with the community built on the pilchard trade.
Today, the quay that’s stood for over 100 years is threatened by the incoming winter unless £120,000 is raised to complete repairs and prevent it from falling away, leaving the area exposed to the sea.
Geoff Fox is the Chairman of the Gorran Haven Harbour Trust and told GB News about the project.
He said: “You can see on the end of the quay that there are cracks.
“We have accentuated the cracks by painting them, but our problem is that if the water gets in and with the momentum of the sea behind the quay, that the end of the key will drop off and it will suck all the infill out, and really, this eastern arm will disintegrate.
“What we need to do is to remove the cobbles here, so that we can pump concrete into the quay to create a solid concrete core.
The quay has stood for over 100 years
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GB NEWS
“Having done that, we can drill in from the end so that we can place horizontal rods in the holes to anchor into the concrete.”
In 1820, an Act of Parliament was obtained for ‘completing and maintaining the harbour, quay or pier’. In recent years, rough winters have caused serious damage with steps having to be replaced, and one storm almost ripping off one of the corners.
Local councillor and historian, Michael Bunney, says centuries of heritage could be lost.
He told GB News: “1886 was when the quay was built. There were three before that, and our generation need to step up and look after the quay for future generations.
The quay’s future is in question
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GB NEWS
“The big cellars are the last fully preserved pilchard palace in Cornwall. We’ve got thousands and thousands of years of fishing history here, so we need to look after it for future generations.
“I think that’s our legacy, and it’s the least we can do.”
The village generates more than £5million to the local economy every year, with the sandy beaches and crystal-clear water making this place a magnet for holiday makers.
Through local fundraising and the generosity of the public, this picturesque fishing village hopes repairs to the quay will keep their history alive for decades to come.
In 1820, an Act of Parliament was obtained for ‘completing and maintaining the harbour, quay or pier’
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GB NEWS
Sarah Vercoe is a local resident and part of the campaign to save the quay.
She said: “Visitors, holidaymakers, residents, locals – they they just see the quay as a really special place.
“Lots of buildings would be at risk and then it just wouldn’t be a family-friendly beach or cove anymore.”
If you would like to donate towards the project to save the quay, you can click here