Pic:http://www.sustrust.co.uk/news.html

The Western Morning News says: IT MAY look like little more than a pile of rubble today, but these stones are the remains of an iconic monument which once possessed as much cultural and religious importance as the Merry Maidens, Hurlers or Perran Round. Caerwynnen Quoit – also known as the Giant’s Frying Pan and Pendarves Quoit – is situated in a field outside Camborne.

Like the quoits of Lanyon, Trethevy, Chun, Zennor and those on Scilly, Caerwynnen is a chamber tomb dating from around 3,000BC. Although the structure is a scheduled ancient monument, neglect led to its total collapse in 1967. However, plans are now being drawn up to re-erect it.

On Sunday, members and supporters of the Sustainable Trust met at the quoit to hear about its history and plans for its protection. The organisation, which has bought the monument and five acres of surrounding land near Troon with help from a Heritage Lottery grant, intends to restore and reposition the huge stones.

Pip Richards, director of the Sustainable Trust, said:

“Some local residents may be surprised to learn about this monument, which is so characteristic of the Cornish landscape, sitting in farmland on the old Pendarves Estate. We feel the project to protect Caerwynnen Quoit is of major significance to the regeneration of the Camborne area and the protection of Cornish traditions and culture.

We look forward to improving the site and running a series of events to raise awareness of this important part of our pre-history. It is a precious piece of our heritage which has been overlooked for many years.

More than 70 people attended the event on Sunday, including noted historian Professor Charles Thomas, who first visited the quoit on a bicycle in the 1940s.

Professor Thomas, who was celebrating his 81st birthday – with a specially baked cake in the shape of a quoit – explained the significance of the site.

Potentially we have not just a neolithic monument but a neolithic landscape here,” he said. “Our focus today is the restorable Frying Pan, a Penwith chambered tomb, and the project is able to employ archaeological techniques that were unknown 60 years ago when I started at the London Institute of Archaeology.

Professor Thomas, who has lectured widely and written several books on Cornish archaeology, encouraged local people to get involved in the preservation of Caerwynnen Quoit.

Among those already involved in safeguarding the quoit are Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Heritage Environment Service, English Heritage, Cornwall Archaeological Society, Cornwall Community Foundation, Co-operative Membership Community Fund, Cornwall Heritage Trust, and Christopher Stephens of Follett Stock solicitors.

The Sustainable Trust is a registered charity, formed seven years ago to further the objectives of Local Agenda 21, a local environmental group.

Mrs Richards said:

“I am delighted that we have secured this monument for future generations because quoits have always been seen as icons of Cornwall.

Of course people have asked us why we have spent so much time and energy trying to buy this pile of old stones in a commercially priced field. But this ‘pile of old stones’ is as important a part of our heritage as the industrial and mining era that this area is famous for.

Our ambition is to re-erect it as it stood originally – hopefully without any mechanical assistance. Our plans for the site are currently in the hands of the archaeologists and when we find out what we can do, we will start to work on them.

Education is one of our prime objectives and it is our intention to link the quoit with other archaeological sites in the vicinity.

After the archaeologists have finished their survey we want to plant some indigenous trees along the hedge to improve the wildlife corridor running between adjacent woodlands.

Mrs Richards added that many people in the district can remember the quoit standing. She is running an audio project and would like to hear from anyone who would be willing to share their memories.

She is also calling for volunteers to help organise a community picnic at the quoit as part of the Eden Project’s “Big Lunch” on July 19. She can be contacted on  01209831718

For more details visit www. sustrust.co.uk

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