1875-1905
Early projects were concerned with tidying the village landscape and improving access to the area. The first major project was the construction of a level road from Bolingey to Perranporth through Nansmellyn Valley with work commencing on 7th May 1879. Lord Falmouth granted the land and a public relief effort, principally organised by Rev W H Parkhouse, Vicar of Perranzabuloe, financed the employment of “distressed miners” following the closure of several local mines. This road reduced the number of hills encountered when arriving from Truro and was considered a huge improvement.The river beneath the site of the former Ponsmere Hotel (then Cot House) was enclosed by the construction of a wall made up of large granite blocks bolted together. The stone was quarried at Wheal Mary further down the beach and delivered across the sand by horse and cart. A wooden bridge was built over the river.
Large stones were cemented in across the stream and strapped together with strong iron bands to create a crossing point for those wishing to admire the cliffs and explore caves. Several of these stones are still there today.
Paths were cut along the cliff from Perranporth to Cligga so that sea views may be obtained and new steps, down to the beach at Droskyn Rock, enabled escape from the incoming tide or access down onto the sands. Further steps and a footbridge were built from Droskyn onto the beach. Steps and a path were also constructed over the cliffs from Flat Rocks to the beach at Perran Sands. Efforts were made to come to an agreement with the owners of land at Droskyn to create a public open space without success. However, a few seats were donated by Mr Dorrington, the ex-Mayor of Truro and fixed on the site with the area levelled and cleared of mining debris.
Oil street lighting was introduced sometime before 1900 with about a dozen lights fixed and the cost met by collections from householders.
Various other footpaths and footbridges were made and maintained during this period with funds collected from the community.
1910
The Duchy TrustThe Duchy Trust turned its attention toward tidying up the sea front, then known as the Bar, where rubbish collected, and seine boats were abandoned. With no sea wall, tides frequently pushed waves right over this land up as far as the Tywarnhayle Inn and towards a row of small wooden shops constructed here. The Trust acquired part of the Bar from the Duchy of Cornwall for a nominal fee of £5 on the condition that the wooden shops be removed within one year and the land kept as an open space for the inhabitants of Perranporth and neighbourhood. The public supported a scheme to build a sea wall and promenade and an immediate start was made.
The Williams Trust
This Committee entered a 21-year lease with Mr J C Williams for land adjoining the sea front area. This open space of land extended back to what is now Perranporth Surgery and The Men’s Institute and included a strip along the river side in Beach Lane up as far as Tywarnhayle Bridge. It excluded the old bus house site, then Mr Richard Mitchell’s stables, and a piece of land upon which Mr John Letcher kept a small wooden shop. Conditions included that the sea front portion should be laid out as a public garden and a road be constructed from the Tywarnhayle Inn to the foot of Cliff Hill.
1911
With no income, all improvements were funded by public donations including one of £300 from Mr Dorrington of Truro. Rockeries and flower beds were dug, and a great many shrubs were planted to create the public garden on the sea front as stipulated in the lease. Mr Dorrington had a small granite monument erected near the promenade in memory of his wife. It was a great disappointment to the people of Perranporth and all those who worked so hard to bring about this improvement, when an extraordinary high tide swept much of the garden away. The committee thought it unwise to plant anything more but maintained it as an open space, much as it had been before. A small section remains, known as The Prom Gardens, opposite the car park entrance.1921
The lease of land from Mr J C Williams ended early with the freehold purchased for a nominal fee of £12.1924
Boscawen Recreation GroundAfter the 1914-18 War, a house building boom raised concern over the loss of public open space. A Committee was formed to preserve a field known as Pond Field and a triangular green between Tywarnhayle Bridge and Park Bridge. These two areas became The Bowling Green, The Lake Garden (incorporating the boating lake) and The Clock Garden. These parcels of land had always been used as public space during a long tenancy by Mr H K Mitchell. The Committee approached the landowner, Viscount Falmouth, and he consented to give this area “for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Ancient Parish of Perranzabuloe” with the condition that it be properly laid out, maintained, and known as Boscawen Recreation Ground. Money was raised from donations, carnivals, and dances.
1927
To create a clear and unobstructed sea view, it was agreed to exchange a piece of land adjoining the garden wall of Perran House for the site owned by Mr Letcher near the Dorrington monument and to pay him £100 compensation. Mr Letcher built a permanent structure on this exchanged piece of land which is now Parade Stores.The first public lavatories were built in Perranporth.
1930
Electric lighting of streets, at a few important spots only, was undertaken with the West Cornwall Electric Power Company.1933
Although not yet a recognised as a single Charity, members of the various Trusts often combined efforts and started working together.The Bus House Trust
In March, a public meeting was held by the various Trusts to consider the purchase of the large bus garage erected on the sea front with the intention of converting it into a “picturesque building”. The initial idea was well received but later plans were not popular. Some Trustees wanted to create an amusement hall with a theatre, cafe and public toilets and started the process of signing contracts. However, the public were not supportive and with confusion over the rolls played by the various Trusts, in 1935 the Charity Commission was approached for advice.