THE Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project celebrated the re-opening of The Great Dock at Morwellham Quay on Saturday, following more than six months of specialist restoration to rescue it from a watery grave. On the day a typical Devon shower could not prevent more than 100 people gathering dock side to mark the occasion, with the Calstock Rubber Band providing musical entertainment. Among the dignitaries were the mayor of Tavistock Cllr Robin Pike, the deputy mayor of West Devon, Cllr Alison Clish-Green, Devon county council executive members Humphrey Temperley and Sheila Hobden, Tamar Valley AONB partnership chairman Neil Burden and president of the trustees of Morwellham and the Tamar Valley Trust, Michael Stone. Neil Burden told those assembled on the Great Dock: 'It was always our endeavour to think outside the box. 'The project itself was so we could make full use of this wonderful landscape and have access to it and create a network using the old mine transport links so people could get into the Tamar Valley. 'Thanks to the co-operation of the landowners this is now possible.' Cllr Alison Clish-Green said she was proud that her late husband Ian, who was keen on the local history and the mines in particular, was one of the original Friends of Morwellham members in the 1960s. She said: 'The place has been transformed and this is has been achieved by a fantastic effort by Tim Selman, ANOB manager, and his team and the vision of Barry Gamble, the interim director of Morwellham.' West Devon has backed the Tamar Valley project with £150,000 over three years and a similar amount in loans to Morwellham. The Great Dock was dangerous and collapsing after 150 years of standing in the deep mud of the River Tamar. During the 19th century, it served some of the biggest and most productive copper mines in the world. Now this historic inland port berths The Garlandstone — a grand ketch which has also been skilfully renovated. The vessel was built on the Devon bank below Calstock viaduct and registered in 1909, the last wooden merchant sailing vessel, bar one, to be built in southern England. The unusual 'tiled' quayside has been completely re-laid with 30,000 red earthenware squares. These were laid around the dock to ensure that not an ounce of precious copper ore would be lost. Tim Selman said: 'More than three million tonnes of ore would have passed through the dock during its lifetime. Now visitors to Morwellham can experience what it would have been like 100 years ago. 'Thousands of tonnes of ore arrived at the dockside via the incline-plane railway and the next stage is the restoration of the tunnel portal to this part of West Devon's great mining heritage.' This joint project with West Devon Borough Council and the Tamar Valley AONB, has brought together half a million pounds funding from Devon County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, South West RDA, Devon Renaissance and objective two to carry out the comprehensive restoration to the quays. Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Terry Pearce said: 'This is a fantastic effort and we want to thank everyone who has been involved. 'The reopening of the Great Dock is a huge step forward for Morwellham and we hope that people will visit and enjoy the many new facilities available. 'Now that Morwellham is an open site with free entry, it's a wonderful day out for all the family. West Devon Borough Council is proud to have played a part in bringing about the changes everyone can enjoy.' Robin Pike, who was at Morwellham as the WDBC councillor for the Tamarside ward, told the Times: 'I think this attraction is absolutely fantastic and would like to thank all those people for all the hard work that has been done. 'I hope both visitors and locals will take advantage and support all that it has to offer, especially after a lot of money has gone into to this by both Devon County Council and West Devon Borough council. Long may it continue.' This is only the first phase of the transformation of Morwellham and more significant improvements will be carried out in the near future. Saturday was another special day for Morwellham, as at the same time it re-opened the Great Dock, the attraction was awarded Key Centre Status in the Cornish Mining Heritage Site. The prestigious award, say its members, highlights Morwellham's international heritage value. It is the first location in the World Heritage Site to be recognised as a Key Centre. As part of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage project, within the next two years Morwellham Quay will also form a hub of 60 kilometres of new trails and hiking area. Humphrey Temperley, an executive member for the county council, said: 'Morwellham Quay's regeneration will position it amongst the top attractions in the region and I very much hope will prove significant for the local economy.' Some of Saturday's visitors had the opportunity to arrive at the site via the water, as Calstock Ferry Company ran connecting water taxis between the Cotehele Quay museum and Morwellham dock — the first of a regular timetabled service for the summer season. General admittance to Morwellham Quay and to the trails is free of charge; entry to the mine tour is £8.50 for adults, £6 for children (£22 for a family).
