Helford VMCA events 2012
Since the late 1980s the independent Helford
Marine Conservation Group has been running public events
every year. These highlight aspects of particular interest on
the River and its sensitive marine wildlife.
This programme of events has been produced to help people to learn, understand and enjoy this very special place. There is something for all ages, abilities and interests and everyone is welcome.
Download The Helford VMCA events leaflet - 1.40mb
Saturday 14th January 2012
Coastal Ketches and Inside Barges
The Helford River has not always been regarded as a tranquil retreat. For more than 2000 years it was a busy waterway for commercial traffic and industry. Andy Wyke, from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, explores the ships, boats and trade from this forgotten past.
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Contact: Paul 01326 341030 or Ian 01872 863171
Saturday 18th February 2012
Keeping dolphins out of fishing nets – The Pinger Trials
Acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) have been trialled on large offshore vessels to reduce dolphin and porpoise by-catch. Tom Hardy from Cornwall Wildlife Trust is now working with local fishermen on smaller inshore vessels. Results show that pingers are effective. The task is to identify a suitably priced and practical device, possibly the Fishtek ‘banana’ pinger currently on trial.
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Contact: Ruth 07967 251278 or Rhiannon 07710 956734
Saturday 31st March 2012
Leatherback Turtles and their Jellyfish prey & AGM
Leatherback turtles have the widest distribution of any reptile, moving through tropical and temperate waters. During the past two decades much has been learned about their everyday lives. With ecologist Dr Matthew Witt we will dive into their lifestyles and look at the behaviour and favourite foods of these long-lived, but at-risk, creatures.
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Contact: Paul 01326 341030 or Charles 07795 845696
10th April 2012
Seashore Safari
Join Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Conservation Officer Ruth Williams in a sea search at the edge of the Helford river as the tide falls and find crabs, sea-anemones, seasquirts and other mysterious creatures. Wear non-slip rock-scrambling shoes that you are prepared to get wet! Bring small nets and plastic buckets if you wish.
Cost: Free
Time: 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Meet: In front of the Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage, TR11 5LB
OS Ref: SW 764 269
Contact: Ruth 07967 251278 or Charli 07740 090777
Sunday 15th April 2012
Heron and Egret Survey
Following last year’s successful event, accompany local bird watcher Martin Rule to survey the wonderful Heron and Egret populations of the Helford River. Binoculars, weatherproof clothing, and robust footwear advised.
Booking required. Max 30.
Cost: Free
Time: 09.30 – 12.00 a.m.
Meet: Entrance to the road to Calamansack, between Port Navas and Constantine.
OS Ref: SW 746 281
Contact: Martin 01326 561164 or 07854 123 877
Sunday 20th May 2012
Botany, Wildlife and Conservation
The beautiful gardens at Budock Vean cover 32 acres, incorporating woodland, parkland, formal and informal beds and the valley gardens and ponds. Ecologically sound practice has ensured that the rich diversity of wild flora and fauna has increased. With botanist Keith Spurgin find out more about the flora and how the hotel manages its natural environment.
Cost: Free
Time: 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Meet: Budock Vean Hotel, Helford Passage, Mawnan Smith, TR11 5LG
OS Ref: SW 761 276
Contact: Abby 07917 765581 or
Charles 07795 845696
Wednesday 6th June 2012
What’s beneath your feet?
Have you ever wondered what sort of creatures produce the squirts of water, holes, tubes and coils of sediment on a beach? Find out by joining Dr Tegwyn Harris as he digs beneath the sands and sandy muds of Bar Beach to Pedn Billy at low tide. Bring trowels / small spades and containers if you wish, plus suitable footwear.
Cost: Free
Time: 1.00 – 3.00 p.m.
Meet: In front of the Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage, TR11 5LB
OS Ref: SW 764 269
Contact: Pamela 01209 842316 or Charli 07740 090777
Sunday 1st July 2012
Helford Conservation Cruise
Enjoy the Helford wildlife scene on a boat trip upriver from the mouth of the estuary with local experts, displays, children’s activities and live tanks. Bring weatherproof clothing. Binoculars could be useful. Advance booking essential (see below)
Cost: Adults £8 and Under-18s £4
Time: 2.30 – 5.00 p.m.
Depart: The Ferryboat Inn jetty, Helford Passage on the NORTH shore, TR11 5LB
OS Ref: SW 764 269
Contact: Paul 01326 341030 or David 01326 340686
Please make cheques payable to “Helford Marine Conservation Group” and send, with SAE for tickets, to Paul Garrard, 4 Valley View, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5AP, marking envelope ‘Cruise’.
Tuesday 21st August 2012
Rockpool Ramble
Investigate the fascinating rock pools at Prisk Cove and discover the hidden world of crabs, fish, sea-anemones and strange shellfish with marine authority Ruth Williams. Wear non-slip rock-scrambling shoes that you are prepared to get wet! Bring small nets and plastic buckets if you wish.
Cost: Free
Time: 1.30 – 3.30 p.m.
Meet: Meet at Mawnan Church TR11 5HY at the end of Old Church Road or join us on the shore.
OS Ref: Mawnan Church SW 788 272, Prisk Cove SW 794 276
Contact: Ruth 07967 251278 or Charles 07795 845696
Friday 7th September 2012
Evening Seal Spectacular at the Gweek Seal Sanctuary
Discover what Cornwall’s marine teams do to conserve those enigmatic creatures – seals – on our coastal doorstep! From 5.30pm view the seals and browse the stalls of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Cornwall Seal Group, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and HMCG. At 6.30pm, Sanctuary staff will describe their work in conserving seals, followed by a talk in the underwater pool area from the Cornwall Seal Group. Booking required. Max.50.
Cost: £4 adult, £2.50 child. Payment on entry.
Time: 5.30pm entrance. Café open. Talks start at 6.30pm.
Meet: Gweek Seal Sanctuary TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 708 266
Contact: Abby 07917 765581 or abby.crosby@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Sunday 21st October 2012
Fungus Foray
A highlight of the last Goongillings Exploration was the array of fascinating fungi in Scott’s Wood. Join Pauline Penna to discover what the damp autumn weather has brought out this year. Weatherproof clothing and robust footwear advised.
Booking required. Max.25.
Cost: Free
Time: 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Meet: Goongillings Farm, 1km S of Constantine, near Trengilly Wartha Inn TR11 5RP
OS Ref: SW 735 283
Contact: Martin 07854 123877
Saturday 24th November 2012
Recording Nature – the work of the Environmental Records Centre
Sue Scott, part of the ERCCIS team, will talk about her experience over the years of recording and working on the Wildlife Information Service, from exciting new records of dormice to more unlikely sightings of horseshoe crabs, penguins and big cats!
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Contact: Abby 07917 765581 or David 01326 340686
Saturday 8th December 2012
Cornish Estuarine Sediments: Human Impact versus Natural Processes
Estuarine habitats depend considerably on their sediments. In parts of Cornwall much of these sediments resulted from past mining, ranking them amongst the most contaminated in the world with respect to Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sn and Cd. The Helford is less affected than many, but the impact is still present. Duncan Pirrie will explore the issues and suggest that the best strategy is to minimise remobilisation.
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
Contact: Paul 01326 341030 or David 01326 340686
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Saturday 19th January 2013
The Cultural Heritage of the Helford Estuary and Beyond –10,000 years of change
From early hunter-gatherers to Iron Age farmers and medieval communities who created a settlement pattern that remains little changed today, James Gossip will trace the cultural history of the Helford and Lizard through its wealth of archaeological evidence.
Cost: £2. Group members & children free.
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Gweek Village Hall, opposite the National Seal Sanctuary, TR12 6UG
OS Ref: SW 709 266
Contact: Martin 07854 123877 or Ian 01872 863171