Be a Wildlife Detective!

Join us to discover more about our local wildlife. Find mini-beasts, meet the moths, quizzes and hunts, make a nest box for a bird or a bat. Donations for activities.

Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th August. Meet Boscastle Harbour, any time between 11am and 4pm

Badge and Magnet making at the OPO

As part of a summer of activities the Old Post Office is having a badge and magnet making session this Wednesday from midday to 4pm. Great way to occupy the kids for an hour or two - all activities are free (normal admission fees into the OPO) More details call 01840 770024

Ever thought of staying in a NT bunkhouse

Thinking of taking a break with family or a group of friends in the heart of spectacular British countryside? Then why not get back-to-basics and book a stay in a National Trust bunkhouse?

For those who are new to the bunkhouse holiday experience, we have 34 purpose-built and converted buildings which provide simple, self-catering accommodation for organised groups.

They are the perfect base for walking holidays as most are within easy reach of beautiful countryside, unspoilt coastlines, historic houses or landscape parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jennie Owen, Volunteering Programmes Manager, said:

'Whether you want to walk, cycle, climb, watch birds or find flowers, our quirky and characterful bunkhouses will allow you and your friends to share the beauty of the countryside which surrounds them.

Each bunkhouse has a unique character of its own, and all vary in size and age. Many have a rich history too, ranging from converted gamekeepers’ and gardeners’ cottages to barns, farmhouses, a water-mill and even a post-war MoD radar station.'

All properties come with basic facilities including hot showers, dormitories with bunk-beds and a self-catering kitchen.

For a really serious outdoor experience, the Trust also has several bothies which offer very basic facilities - in other words - have no heating or electricity. They are typically in isolated locations and are for those who really want to escape from modern life.

Here's our list of our top ten bunkhouses


View from the North Cornwall Beach Head Bunkhouse

In North Cornwall we are lucky to have the Beach Head bunkhouse which is just a short walk from the coast and a wonderful small beach on a wild and windswept length of coastline just 8 miles north of Newquay or 5.5 miles south of Padstow. It is a converted two-storey barn at Pentire Farm, St Eval, on the coast near the Bedruthan Steps with magnificent views over Park Head. for more details and how to book, visit the National Trust | Basecamp details page.

National Trust opens Wild Child competition

The National Trust has opened a competition that will see the winner go on a money-can’t-buy experience with a National Trust Ranger.
To enter the competition, contestants simply need to send in details of their experiences of going wild outdoors at one of the National Trust’s summer events.
Competition judges are looking for great photos taken in nature, poetical musings on bugs and beasties, stories about wildlife adventures, doodles inspired by the great outdoors. In short, anything that shows the entrant is a wild child. Entries received will be put into an online gallery which will allow visitors to vote on popular entries.
Entries can be e-mailed or sent in the post to the National Trust. Anything mailed will be scanned and, like e-mail entries, uploaded to the gallery after moderation.

Winners will go on a fantastic day out with one of the National Trust nature conservation experts, getting up close and personal with creepy crawlies, shy creatures and wild landscapes. Winners can bring a friend or parent/guardian with them to join in the behind-the-scenes adventure. The competition winner will have a choice of National Trust sites to explore, including sandy beaches, open moorland and garden visits.
There are thousands of Wild Child events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this summer, from safaris and bug hunts to pond dipping and bat watching, there’s plenty of ways to get close to nature.
The competition closes 1 November 2010 at midnight and winners will be notified by post within 28 days of this date. Entrants under 16 years of age should ask a parent or guardian before giving contact details.

Glastonbury: Sun, Sweat & Charity

Here is the full programme from the Community Channel of  'Glastonbury: Sun, Sweat and Charity', filmed at this years Glastonbury Festival. The National Trust feature in the film (at about 19 minutes) but the whole programme is an interesting look at the work of different charities that go to Glastonbury, and why they go there.



25 minutes that hopefully won't be wasted if you watch the whole thing!

Glastonbury: Sun, Sweat and Charity - 19th July 8pm (Sky 539 • Virgin TV 233)

The National Trust (with perhaps an appearance from me) are appearing in a Community Channel - TV programme this Monday the 19th July at 8pm. Here is a trailer for the show, followed by some National Trust star highlights....

can you drive an espresso machine?

We're currently looking for one more cheerful and self-motivated catering assistant in the Boscastle NTcafe. Part time hours over 7days until November (with maybe more hours on offer in September and October) - You'll need good customer skills - some catering experience - although we'll train you as needed + flexibility (weekend working is essential!)

If ...you are interested or know someone who might be please pop in or call 01840 250353 asap

sunk

This was the sight to be found in Boscastle Harbour on Thursday (8th July 2010.) Overnight a yacht had tried to come into the harbour but had misjudged the depth and had holed itself. The crew had got off, and the yacht had sunk at the entrance. The morning was spent trying to refloat it, but it was too far gone, and by the evening all that was left were piles of fire-wood.

During the overnight low tide everything was cleared away, and 24 hours after the first photo was taken there wasn't a sight that it had ever been there.

The Archaeology of Rough Tor

On Sunday 11th July between 10am and 1pm come and join us for a fascinating interpretation of one of Cornwall’s most important archaeological sites.

The walk will be led by professional archaeologist Peter Herring of English Nature.      


Meet at Rough Tor car park, Nr Camelford. Grid reference SX 138 818      
Cost £2 per person      
Bring walking boots and a waterproof  jacket      

Booking is essential – places limited. Please ring 01208 863821 by July 8th