March/April 1998                    112
 
 

THE ISLES OF SCILLY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUSTEnvironmental Trust logo (2kb)

 

An Excellent Result

At long last, the rolls of polyester film collected from the Cita's cargo have been taken off the Islands.  Over two hundred rolls have been sent to Berwick on Tweed, to be cut up and made into pellets.  The pellets will then travel back down to the Midlands, where they will be spun into hollow fibre for duvets and coat fillings.  It is a tremendous relief to see the end of this unhappy saga and it is also pleasing to think that the material is to be recycled instead of being burnt.  The Trust has to thank Mr Chris Jones of the Bell Rock Hotel for locating the contacts which finally achieved this excellent result.  With the whole rolls of polyester removed, the remaining unravelled film will be collected as it appears.
During January and February, the Trust will be cutting various stands of gorse.  All the areas being controlled are sites where native flora is being masked. Some areas, such as Bant's Carn, are also rich in archaeological features and there is a danger of these being damaged by the gorse roots.  The cut areas soon heal over and there is then the opportunity for the original flora to re-establish once again.  At Mount Todden and Helvear there are already signs of Campion, Foxglove and the small blue Milkwort.  The removal of the moribund gorse also dramatically reduces the risk of fire.  At both these sites there are Civil War Batteries and strategic positions.
The Trust is endeavouring to provide a comprehensive network of footpaths on St Mary's.  Increased traffic has emphasised the need to create a number of links, in order to ensure that walkers can reach all parts of the island safely.  Two years ago, we were able to extend the Lower Moors Nature Trail into the fields along Rose Hill and this path has already proved very popular.  Now, with the help of the Duchy of Cornwall and a number of volunteers, two further extensions are to be made.  One is to take the path inside the first field from Rocky Hill along Porthloo Lane and the second is through the field opposite the Porthloo Pond.  The first link will give pedestrians the chance to pass a dangerous corner separate from the traffic, and the second part will give a new perspective of the pond and open wetland.  Both paths will be surfaced so that they assist people who find walking difficult.  The short length between the two fields will still mean walking on the roadside, but here we will try to increase the verge to make a path along the hedge.  Jan. 98
 
 
 

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Dorothy Read
 

 
 
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