Moor villages getting ready for eclipse invasion

Three parish councils have pulled together to ensure that travellers and the large invasion of visitors expected for the eclipse on August 11, do not have vehicular access to the moors at Minions, St. Cleer and St Neot.

Recent publicity suggesting that large numbers of travellers may try to move onto the moors, and stay until the millennium, has led to local concern.

Caradon's Countryside Officer, Martin Eddy, has confirmed that workmen have spent the week blocking off all entrances with large boulders, and where necessary with chains and locks.

He says the main concern has been that large numbers of vehicles would start parking on the moors which would do untold damage to many sensitive ancient sights.

Countryside Services drew a co-ordinating committee together, from the people most at risk, which comprised representatives from St Cleer, St Neot and Linkinhorne Parish Councils, the Commoners Association and the three major landowners in the area. South West Water, the police and vets have also had an input. One thousand pounds was quickly raised within the committee, which Caradon matched, which funded the work to be done.

The committee is chaired by Beryl Martin of Linkinhorne and Mr Eddy has been full of praise for the way the communities have all pulled together. He has also praised Police Officers Tony Cocks from Liskeard, and new community policeman Steve Coombes who lives in Minions, for all their help.

The vets have been involved because of fears of visitors dogs not being used to seeing other animals causing problems on the moors, and also the fact that most dogs belonging to travellers have not been inoculated and could infect domestic animals.

Although access to the moors is out of bounds to motorists it is however freely available to all visitors on foot and Mr Eddy says they will be welcome. 'We want everyone to enjoy themselves' he said.

But contingency plans have been made for vehicle drivers wishing to park near the moors.

Discreet parking areas are being created , one of which is at Foredown above Pensilva, which has also had boulders put down. These will remain in place after the eclipse to discourage people from driving all over that particular area as they have done in the past.

Many local residents have expressed fears that the moors would be invaded by bands of 'new age travellers', especially in the St Cleer district where many settled for some time after the Tree Fayre at Treworgey some ten years ago. Boulders were put into place after that experience to block off entrance by transport to The Downs and they have remained ever since.

Also with the Sun Shadow Festival at Gormain Farm between Redgate and Dobwalls, and the likelihood of the Stone Festival near Draynes now being given the go ahead at a revised application coming before Caradon soon, it is thought large numbers of travellers may be heading South East Cornwall's way.

However, both events are by bookings only, but there are still concerns that travellers will come anyway.

Expected to be a major draw to Minions will be a Druid's meeting at The Hurlers, with television's Russell Grant relaying the event live on one of the main channels.

The pagans believe the Great Snake Ley Line, stretching from St Michael's Mount to Glastonbury runs through the historic site.