Volunteers clear gorse on Scheduled Ancient Monument

A volunteer day run by Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been hailed a success by its organisers. Helman Tor, a Scheduled Ancient Monument near Lanlivery, lies at the heart of the charity’s largest nature reserve which is named after the landmark. However the wildlife and archaeological interest of the Tor is being affected by an abundance of gorse.

During an event named ‘Hunt the Hut Circle’, eight volunteers and their leader, Sean O’Hea, Cornwall Wildlife Trusts Mid Cornwall Reserves Officer, worked to expose a nationally important bronze-age hut circle which had been obscured by vegetation. Over the course of a sunny Saturday the volunteers worked hard to clear and burn a quarter of an acre of gorse and brambles. The hut circle is now clear of vegetation and can be seen from one of the paths approaching the summit of the tor.

Guided by English Heritage and Cornwall’s Historic Environment Service, the area was earmarked as a priority for clearance, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Sean says “In the past people used the gorse for firewood, and it was known to be good for bread baking. But now, the gorse on Helman Tor is becoming a problem for the wildlife and the archaeology. The Tor is grazed by a neighbouring farmer’s Exmoor ponies which do a fantastic job, but once the gorse gets past a certain point it needs to be cleared by hand, or controlled burning.”

Clearance of the gorse on the Tor is a huge job and it is hoped that it can be achieved by clearing a small piece each year for a number of years. Photographs taken 15 years ago show much less gorse present and growing much lower, giving a more open feel and better views from the Tor. Sean continues, “Without this ongoing clearance by people the gorse becomes too dominant. Clearing gorse will expose valuable archaeological features and will improve the wildlife habitat for flowers birds and insects.”

If you would like more information about the Trust's reserves, please visit the nature reserves pages, and for similar volunteering events please see the What’s on section.