MORWELLHAM Quay is set to become a key gateway site to the newly inscribed Cornish and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The living museum and Victorian village is due to undergo a major facelift to restore tired areas of the site and enhance the visitor experience. Anthony Power, director of the Morwellham and Tamar Valley Trust, said visitors would soon see major changes being made, including improvements to the Great Dock, the latest technological audio-visual interpretation equipment as well as wildlife and habitat enhancement such as refurbishment of the hides at the nature reserve. ?We will be using the future to enable our visitors to explore the past in a more interactive way than ever before. This is a very exciting time for the whole of the Tamar Valley and I am looking forward to Morwellham Quay being a major part of it,? said Mr Power. While the new status does not have direct financial benefit attached, it is highly likely to assist funding bids in the future. The mining heritage of the valley has already attracted £11.5 million in recent years, through the Tamar Valley Regeneration Project, the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project and the East Cornwall Regeneration Project. Tim Selman, manager of the Tamar Valley Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: ?It is important that we use our heritage asset for enjoyment and recreation, not only for visitors, but for the residents of the Tamar Valley too. 'It helps this very rural area, and acts as a driver for the local economy.? Tavistock ? the only town to be completely redesigned on mining money ? also looks set to benefit from the new inscription, and will be a key service centre for the World Heritage Site. The Tamar Valley is different from the other nine areas in the heritage site due to its unique character. The rich heritage of the area is tucked away in woodlands, rather than on exposed clifftops, which has resulted in the mine remains being very well preserved. The valley also uses waterpower rather than steam, more than any other area.
