Camborne Woodland’s Stunning Makeover Unveiled: See It for Yourself This Saturday

Photo: Rotary member with camborne Youth Councillors

A neglected green space in Camborne, once known for antisocial behaviour, has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to the dedication of local volunteers. ‘The Spinney’, located between Rectory Road and the Parish Churchyard, will be officially reopened by Perran Moon MP on Saturday, 18th January at 10:30 am, and the public is warmly invited to join the celebration.

A Community-Led Revival

Nearly 40,000 pedestrian trips are made through The Spinney every year, with children using it as a route to school and residents heading towards the town centre. Thanks to the efforts of charity trustees and volunteers, this well-trodden path is now a more pleasant and safer route for all.

The project gained significant momentum after receiving a grant from the Community Levelling Up Programme in April. Hundreds of hours of volunteer work—including litter picking and planting—have revitalised the area.

Philip Hills, the charity’s treasurer, described the impact of the work:
“The storms last winter brought down a mature ash tree and made quite a mess, but all the trees have been made safe now. Now we have put in lots of new trees, shrubs and flowering plants. I’m really looking forward to seeing them come out in spring and summer.”

Photo: Volunteers Zoe Fox, Philippa Mills, Anne James (Secretary)

Art Meets Functionality

A new set of gates has been installed, designed to close off the area during maintenance or emergencies. These gates also serve as an artistic feature, continuing the ivy leaf motif from the surrounding fencing.

In addition to this, members of the local Rotary Club, along with Camborne Youth Council, planted crocus bulbs across the woodland floor. These efforts support the Rotary Club’s ongoing campaign to end polio, and a beautiful carpet of purple flowers is expected to bloom in spring.

Photo: Volunteer group

Call for Support

The dedication of local groups has breathed new life into The Spinney, but continued care is crucial to ensure its longevity.
Philip expressed his hope for continued community involvement:
“Our aims were to keep The Spinney a treasured resource for the community as well as for the woodland wildlife. I hope as many of you as can make it come down on Saturday and help celebrate this lovely natural space.”

Local councillor Zoe Fox echoed this sentiment, calling for more volunteers:
“It is incredible what has been achieved so far, but there is always more to do. The charity is keen for new ideas and new volunteers. Your help and support is needed to keep improving things, every day and into the future.”