CORNISH Mining World Heritage Site has secured £270,000 to safeguard engine houses that were once part of the "richest square mile on earth". The money from Natural England will be used to consolidate mine buildings at the Taylor's and Davey's sites within the Wheal Maid Valley, at Crofthandy, near Redruth. Few buildings survive on site today and the new funding will support consolidation work and the conservation of two iconic engine houses, which are some of the oldest examples within the World Heritage Site. Without the work, the structures would continue to deteriorate resulting in the loss of key aspects of Cornwall's mining heritage. Work to secure the funding started in 2009 and has been steered by Cornish Mining World Heritage Site research and information officer Ainsley Cocks, and historic environment senior archaeologist, Ann Reynolds. Mr Cocks said "It is a fantastic achievement, not only for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, but for Gwennap Parish Council and we thank Natural England for making this much-needed funding available. "The conservation of features within the World Heritage Site is a key requirement of UNESCO and through working in partnership with Gwennap Parish Council and Natural England we are now in a position to use this funding for the good of Cornwall's internationally important mining heritage." Kevin Furnish, chairman of Gwennap Parish Council which owns the site, said: "We are extremely pleased that the partnership of Gwennap Parish Council, Natural England, Cornwall Council, the World Heritage Site, and our suppliers, will yield results that will enhance our parish for many years to come. "Taylor's and Davey's are wonderful assets and we hope in later stages to significantly enhance access to the sites." Truro based consultancy PDP Green has been appointed as project manager and the contractors are Darrock & Brown Ltd. The work is due to start later this month. For more information about the work of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, visit www.cornishmining.org.uk, and for Natural England, see: www.naturalengland.org.uk
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