Cornwall Wildlife Trust is presenting a talk about the moors, heathlands and other habitats of West Penwith this week.
Archaeologist Graeme Kirkham will explain the significance of the downs, moors and crofts of west Cornwall and how historic uses of the land have shaped today's landscape and vegetation.
He will be joined by CWT's Wild Penwith project manager Stuart Coleman, who will be talking about nature conservation and its importance to the landscape's future.
West Penwith has a unique collection of historic, cultural and natural assets found in close proximity to one another. The evening talk – at St Just Methodist Hall on Thursday – aims to celebrate both the wildness and history of the area.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust ecologist Dr Jan Dinsdale said: "West Penwith has the greatest density of historic monuments in North West Europe – from prehistoric field boundaries and standing stones to 19th century engine houses. At this talk, people will hear just how the landscape has changed over millennia – from the earliest hunter-gatherers and farmers to fuel gathering, industry and new farms and smallholdings in more recent times.
"Extensive tracts of heathland on the moors and the distinctive Cornish hedges are vital to the wildlife and rare plant species which thrive there. Stuart Coleman will explain how the wildlife value of the area is tied inextricably to both its geology, through providing the materials with which to build the hedges and stone circles, and to the past use of the land for livestock grazing, gathering fuel and animal bedding.
"The talk will be beautifully illustrated with slides of the historic landscape and wildlife."
CWT, which works to protect wildlife on land and in the sea, is Cornwall's leading conservation charity, with 14,000 members and more than 90 business supporters. Its Wild Penwith project works with landowners, offering help with habitat management and advice on soil and nutrients.
The talk – entitled Cattle, Furze & Fern – is at the Methodist Hall in Chapel Street, St Just, on Thursday January 31 at 6.30pm. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be available afterwards.
For more information visit www. cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEK
BARNSTAPLE
Gallery Cafe, Queens Theatre: Compassionate Dictatorship. Wednesday 8pm; The Nutcracker presented by Hartley Williamson School of Dance Saturday 2pm and 7pm.
BRIDGES
Kings Arms: Coffee morning Thursday 10.30am. All welcome.
BUDE
Parkhouse Centre: Bude, Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society "West Country Thatching" by James Marshall. All welcome. Non-members £1.50. Monday 2.30pm.
BUGLE
Village Hall: Bingo eyes down Monday 7.30pm.
COADS GREEN
Social Centre: Coads Green Amateur Players present Babes in the Wood. Adults £5, chd £2.50. To book 01566 782248 or email jrfinnimoe@hotmail.co.uk. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7.30pm.
DARTINGTON
Village Hall: Playford style country dancing. Details 01626 834981. Friday 7.30pm.
EXETER
Phoenix Theatre: Rich Peppiatt: One Rogue Reporter. Grab the inside scoop as red-top renegade Rich Peppiatt delivers a merciless dissection of his former trade. Sunday 8pm.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum: Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery 20. Open to amateur and professional photographers alike. Until June 2.
Westpoint: Preventing Crime in Rural Communities Event. Friday. Details 01249 700281.
EXMOUTH
Glenorchy Church Hall, Exeter Road: Exmouth Country Market. Goods on sale homemade cakes, preserves, handicrafts and much more. Friday 8.30am-11.30am.
Withycombe Methodist hall: Exmouth Folk Dance Club callers evening. Thursday 8-10pm.
FALMOUTH
The Garden Room, Princess Pavilion: Salsa Party. Free Salsa dance lesson with Chris Barnes and there's also live music from Salsa ban Quijade. Friday 7pm for 7.30pm. Live band 8.30pm. Advance tickets £7.50, on the night £10.
GERRANS
The Royal Standard : Euchre Drive. Monday 8pm.
GREAT TORRINGTON
Plough Arts Centre: Strange Neighbours: The Beauty and Fascination of Devon's Insects Tuesday until February 23.
Plough Arts Centre: Black Fish and Makin Projects present – Alaska Theatre. £12 (conc £10). Tuesday 8pm; Delta Blues Night with Kent Duchaine and Leadbessie Saturday 8.30pm; Balkan Circle Dancing with Balamouk , Sun 3-5.30pm..
Plough Arts Centre Gallery: Kiera Osment, singer songwriter. Wednesday 8pm; Swing Twenty Ten, local trio swing style of the 20s and 30s, Fri 8pm.
HOLSWORTHY
The Bickford Arms: Live Band - The Cornish Hillbillies, Tex M food etc. Saturday.
ILFRACOMBE
The Landmark: The Bryan Adams Effect. Saturday 8pm.
KINGSBRIDGE
Harbour House: Make Space by artist Rosie Burns. 10am-5pm. Until Feb 2.
KINGSKERSWELL
Parish Church: Taunton Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble directed by Mary Eade. Schubert: String Quintet. Tickets at the door. Sunday 3pm.
LEE BEACH
Car park 480 465: North Devon Ramblers: Coast path to Bull Point. Return inland. Optional pub lunch. Hilly. About three miles. Wednesday 10.30am.
LISKEARD
Village Hall: Liskeard country market. Friday 8.30am-12noon.
MELDON
Village Hall: Okehampton Sequence Dance Club. Admission £1.50 per person. Beginners welcome. Wednesday 8pm-10.30pm.
NEWQUAY
WI Hall, Crantock Street: Scottish Country Dancing. £3. All welcome. 01208 77598. Friday 7.30-9.30pm.
OTTERY ST MARY
The Institute & neighbouring halls: Scout Group Mammoth jumble Sale. Saturday 1.30pm. Admission free. Details 01404 812274.
The Institute: 100 Lot Auction, Saturday 2.45pm. Details 01404 812274.
Coleridge Pre-School Playgroup: Giant Book sales with cds etc Saturday from 11am. Admission free. Details 01404 812274.
PAR GREEN
The Gott Hall: Coffee and Craft Morning. Every Friday 10.30am-12.30pm. New members welcome.
The Gott Hall: Prize Bingo, raffle and homemade supper. Facilities for wheelchairs. Visitors welcome. 01726 813665. Thursday 7.30pm.
PLYMOUTH
RBL club, Crownhill: The Great Western Jazz Company from New Orleans Jazz to Big Band Swing. Admission £8 for visitors. All welcome. Sunday 7.30pm.
Plymouth Pavilions: The Classic Rock Show. Saturday.
Theatre Royal: Dirty Dancing, classic story on stage. Until February 9.
Drum Theatre: School Ties present A Girl Called Eva. Wednesday-Friday.
City Museum and Art Gallery: Ida Kar: Bohemian Photographer. Until April 13.
Arts Centre: Dark Materialism by London-based artist Ula Dajerling. Until March 28.
RILLA MILL
Village Hall: Whist Drive. Tuesday 7.30pm.
ST AGNES
St Agnes Hotel: Open mic night gives you the chance to share your talents!! Monday.
ST AUSTELL
Wheal Martyn: China Clay Museum and Park. Open daily.
TAVISTOCK
The Wharf: Pantomime regarding Eve Theatre present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Wednesday-Thursday 2pm 7.30pm.
TOTNES
Civic Hall: Totnes Folk Club Folk Dance with the Sou'westers and Nicole Mac. Admission £6, members £5.50. Saturday 7.30-11pm.
Meadowbrook Community Centre, Dartington: Ridgeway Country. £6. Saturday . Doors open 6.30pm, music Saturday 8pm-11.30pm.
TRURO
Cathedral: Organ Recital for Cornwall Organists' Association. Saturday 5.45pm.
Hall for Cornwall: Country market. Tuesday 9.15-3pm.
WESTLEIGH
Lay by 467288: North Devon Ramblers Bideford- Appledore- Westward Ho! Return by bus. About nine miles. Sunday 10am.
