Statement of Purpose Revisited

As this assignment progressed, I veered more and more away from a commercial position of trying to promote tourism at Godrevy and drum up membership for The National Trust. Instead, I maintained more my original focus of simply revealing the natural beauty and splendour of Godrevy and what it offers for public enjoyment.

This decision was influenced by discussions with Richard Pope, my National Trust liaison. He stated that they really were not trying to increase the number of visitors to Godrevy due to the effects of erosion on the landscape by human usage as well as the elements. Godrevy and adjacent Gwithian beaches are already popular destinations among the surfing community.

There is only a single lane access road that comes under heavy usage in the summer months; the forecast is that the current road will only remain useable for the next six years or so. The car parking areas have to be extended in the tourist season and have to relocate further away from the eroding cliffs. This impacts the headland areas and wildlife. Plus there are some areas of archaeological interest , including bronze age barrows and that need to be excavated and properly managed so that they remain safely accessible while being protected from pedestrian erosion.

For these reasons, my film is more of a “soft sell” when it comes to promoting tourism. My film aims to celebrate the gift we have in Britain of our extensive coastal playgrounds.

This project has enthused me so that I plan to later film a documentary on Godrevy, exposing the work and conservation involved for the employees and volunteers of The National Trust.