The History of the
Helford Marine Conservation Group
History of the group
In the mid-1980s, marine biologist, the late Dr Norman Holme, joined forces with local naturalist Stella Turk, river lovers and users, local councillors and many others to look at the Helford River and assess the need to protect it for the future. With funding through World Wildlife Fund and help from Cornwall County Council, a survey was carried out to demonstrate the state of the Helford River and make recommendations for its marine wildlife protection in a way that was compatible with the continuing human use of the river. This baseline work was soon followed by a more formal and regularly revised Strategic Guidelines and Work Programme.
The voluntary approach to the conservation of the Helford River has been upheld by an Advisory Group which meets quarterly and still includes members of the original team as well as representatives of many other organisations and people linked to the river.
- Chairman - Mr David Muirhead MBE
- Vice-Chairman - Mr Leslie Collins
- Treasurer - Mr Robert Hewett
- Co-ordinator - Charlotte Marshall
- Scientific Adviser - Mrs Stella Turk MBE
- Scientific Adviser - Dr Pam Tompsett
- Scientific Adviser - Prof. David Nichols
HMCG Advisory Group, 2008