No Money for Hayle Waterwheel
No Money for Hayle Waterwheel |
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Hayle Eye can reveal that the
Virginia Waterwheel which was offered free to the Hayle, Harvey's
Foundry Project by Imerys
Minerals Ltd is now likely to go elsewhere and may even go for scrap. It was hoped that the impressive waterwheel, which was recently discovered at an old china clay workings near St Austell, would become a substantial exhibit along with other historical artefacts as part of the heritage project. But there is no sign of the long promised Heritage Centre nor even anywhere to store such artefacts as this wheel. The waterwheel made in the 1800s by Harvey & Co of Hayle has the name of the company clearly written around the rim. In their 2000/1 end of year report 'Archaeology Alive' The Cornwall Archaeology Unit (CAU) reported that:
The only cost would have been in arranging the removal of the historic waterwheel and transporting it to its new site at Hayle, However, it seems that Penwith District Council is very reticent to make this modest investment in Hayle, despite Hayle's key position in ongoing World Heritage bid. While the stubborn refusal to spend any time, money and effort into providing any Heritage related development in Hayle we note that St Ives only has to ask and £2m is suddenly found to buy the Leach Pottery, while another £½m to secure an old hill fort is also found from the public purse. Many local people have expressed concern that the heritage elements of the Hayle Foundry regeneration generally have been forced onto the back burner. Third party-money was spent on the controversial new unsympathetic Dowren House building on the historic site under the pretext of providing much needed high quality office space for local businesses, yet more than 18 months later it is still almost empty. No 24 Foundry Square, was bought with regeneration through Heritage fund and refurbished by various external bodies to provide an local archive, study centre and exhibition space. Hoverer it now seems likely that its heritage status will be sacrificed and seems likely instead that the historic building will be let out instead as commercial venture. Why is it that any attempt to recognise Hayle's heritage and historic importance is stamped on by the council, while Penzance and St Ives just seem to have to ask and the money is found? It is absolutely scandalous that promises are constantly broken at Hayle and any attempt at worthwhile projects are sidelined at the drop of a hat in favour of St Ives or Penzance. Perhaps a Penwith District Council officer can offer an explanation via the discussion forum on this site? |
