Disabled Ramblers explore Cornwall 2006

Wendy Brewin and Lynsey Robinson

In this article we outline some of the practical issues that are important to consider if you are planning to involve disabled visitors in reviewing site access or helping you plan access improvements. We also highlight the benefits that come from running such events.

A Tramper passes old tin mine buildings on the North West Coast path.

Three years ago, the Sensory Trust organised two rambles in Cornwall for the Disabled Ramblers group; an organisation of people that like to get out and about in the countryside, going on rambles that range from easy through to challenging. Although they are mainly wheelchair users, using anything from manual wheelchairs to PMVs (Personal Mobility Vehicles), anyone can join in the fun. Volunteers, family members and friends often accompany them and provide support if required.

Dr. Mike Bruton, Chairman of the Disabled Ramblers, asked if we could help them organise three walks in Cornwall for this September. They were looking for two easy routes and a challenging route for the final day. We selected routes and checked them out during the summer, aiming to ensure that they were easy or challenging as requested and that they also provided a variety of interest along the way. Landscape, points of interest, places to rest and take in the scenery all add enjoyment to the experience for everyone.

The two easy routes selected were:

A linear route from Bugle to the Eden Project and back again, along one of the China Clay trails
A section of the Camel Trail, from Wadebridge to Padstow and back again.

Mark Owen of the South West Coast Path Team helped us find the challenging route for the third day, a section of the coastal path, from Levant mine to Kenidjack, near St. Just, which took in the heritage aspects of the tin mining industry as well as magnificent sea views.

Day One: China Clay Trail, Bugle – Eden Project – Bugle

We met in the car park in Bugle at the start of the trail. There were 26 people in total in the group, which included spouses and friends from a rambling club to provide support, not forgetting four canine companions. Robin Helby, a member of the Disabled Ramblers, had brought along the group’s support trailer containing an accessible toilet and with space for two PMVs; a handy thing to have if rambling in more remote areas or where there are no accessible toilets.
Not the best of days, weather-wise, but the rain only put in a brief appearance before leaving us in the company of grey clouds for the rest of the day. It didn’t curb people’s enthusiasm however, and we headed off through the china clay landscape towards Eden at a steady pace.

Rambling through newly planted area of china clay trail.

A four mile route from Bugle to the Eden Project, the trail wanders through the varying landscape around the china clay area. It is used by ramblers, cyclists, families with pushchairs/buggies etc and horse riders. The track is mainly compacted gravel with small loose stones but didn’t prove a problem for the disabled ramblers who were all using PMVs. It’s wide enough in most places (apart from two brief sections of road) to allow people the opportunity to travel and chat side by side. There were two sections of upward slopes (gradients unknown) along the trail that provided the group with a brief deviation from an otherwise flat trail and added to the interest of the route, but were accessible to the PMVs. We provided front and rear guard for the group on the two road sections of the trail, using radios to alert the group to approaching traffic and ensuring that the group didn’t spread out too much and leave people behind.

Arriving at the top of the first hill we found ourselves in a large area of heathland (Treskilling Downs) looking across towards the distant china clay ‘mountains’. Although the views from this section of path were good, some of the group took their PMVs up to a higher point on the heath to take photos and see more of the views, a manoeuvre that might not be possible in a manual wheelchair due to the rough surface.

The trail then dropped down to meander through woodlands and alongside lakes. We stopped for a short rest at a fantastic viewpoint overlooking one of the lakes. Most of the group had clear views over the two bar fence that had been erected as a safety measure, although one lady found it difficult to see as her line of sight was at the same level as the top bar of the fence. Something that requires consideration when erecting fencing is that people who use wheelchairs are of different stature and will not all have the same viewing height when sitting down.

From here we followed the trail that eventually climbed up a short slope to run alongside the road towards the north entrance of the Eden Project. This was another section of high ground and gave everyone extensive views across grazing land, old railway tracks, small wooded copses and a working china clay quarry. This section is narrower and the group had to travel along it in single file but everyone enjoyed the landscape spread out before them.

We arrived at the north end of the Eden Project a couple of hours after starting out. First port of call was the toilets that, at this entrance, are located in a cob-walled building and include accessible toilets. Some people in the group were confused by the symbols for the toilets and positioning of the signs. These comments will be taken on board as part of the ongoing access review carried out by Sensory Trust and Eden Project.

A field close to the car parks provided everyone, including the dogs, with a picnic spot to have lunch, relax for a while and boost the energy levels. A few of the group took their powered chairs further down the slope to view the biomes as unfortunately we didn’t have time to enter the site for a closer look.

We returned to Bugle following the same route back, arriving back around mid-afternoon which gave everyone time to find somewhere for a cream tea before heading back to their accommodation. Smiles, waves, echoing thanks, lolling tongues (only the dogs of course) confirmed that everyone had enjoyed the walk and would be back for more.

On a personal note, walking the route I couldn’t help but wonder about the amazing landscape of this historic area (stuffing your face with blackberries from the hedgerow one minute, finding yourself in landscape reflective of a Dr. Who set the next) that people often don’t see unless they use these trails. As a car owner myself, I often drive through the villages of Stenalees and Bugle on my way to the A30 and see only the stark grey mountains of the china clay waste. This trail provides access to views across an amazing landscape that stretches out for miles in front of you, and if it’s your first time you’ll never quite know what’s around the next corner.

Day Two: the Camel Trail, Wadebridge – Padstow – Wadebridge

Our second day was also well attended, with 26 people gathering in the car park at the start of the walk in Wadebridge, many who had been on the China Clay Trail the day before, and the four dogs who were obviously looking forward to another day of exploration. The Camel Trail starts in Bodmin and is 17 miles in total. The section we did is about seven miles long and follows the route of an old railway track. The surface is hard and suitable for bicycles and wheelchairs. It is a popular route for many people, locals and tourists alike.

We were blessed with better weather than the first day, although the disabled ramblers were suitably dressed, with extra blankets, warm jackets and the odd hot water bottle – it can get pretty cold on the PMVs because the body is not moving and creating its own warmth. The group were all looking forward to having lunch from Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop and time for a wander around the harbour in Padstow.

The trail followed the Camel River from Wadebridge to Padstow, an easy ramble for the PMVs. Even on a weekday in September, the trail is bustling with cyclists and we made sure that the group kept to one side of the route and that the dogs were kept under control.
The trail provides wonderful views across the Camel, its adjacent creeks teeming with wildlife, particularly as the tide went out and the mud flats were uncovered providing an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet for the birds.

We came upon a bird-hide at the side of the trail. Access for the PMVs up to the bird-hide was no problem, although unfortunately they couldn’t get inside due to a large wooden partition in the doorway that restricted access. This made the hide seem very small and at the same time somewhat unsafe; some of the women in the group were concerned that they wouldn’t feel safe if they were there on their own, without a clear view of the entrance.

We rested at several points along the trail. Each one provided excellent views out onto the river. A popular spot was at the site of an old quarry where there was room to rest at the side of the trail and large boulders that provided seating for weary feet.

GROUP RESTING BY OLD QUARRY

Another viewpoint came as we crossed the refurbished iron bridge, close to Padstow. We were able to stop for a moment and watch the wading birds up and down the nearby creek.

On arriving in Padstow, the group split up so that people could feel free to do what they wished with the time there. We caught up with one or two before we were due to start the trail back and were pleased that they had enjoyed it so much over the first two days that they were asking if we could find more rambles for them to do in Cornwall next year.

Having PMVs meant that those in the group who wished to get up a bit of speed on the return trip back to Wadebridge could do so safely along this route; in fact it was the walking ramblers who began to feel the pace on our return (I may have been spotted catching a lift on the back of a PMV at some point, to the distant sounds of “Yeehah” and “Watch out for Bodicea!” but will deny it unless photos are produced as evidence!).

All in all, another successful easy ramble that provided a good combination of well surfaced trail with plenty of interest along the way.

Day Three: section of South West Coast Path, Levant mine – Kenidjack – Levant Mine

We gathered in the car park at Levant mine on a beautiful sunny morning. Mark Owen of the South West Coast Path Team and two National Trust wardens for the area, Lindsey and Ed, joined us and gave us an introduction to Levant mine. Resident guides gave us a great tour showing the working life of a tin miner. It was amazing to see some of the spaces that the PMVs could get into and was a good reminder that there is no substitute for involving disabled people in testing site accessibility.

Getting one of the Powered Mobility Vehicles into the mine.

We then moved on along the coast path, heading south. The scenery was stunning and the weather was doing it justice. Mark talked to the group about the improvements he and his team have been making to the coast path. Robin Helby had brought along an extra PMV in the support trailer so the wardens had an opportunity to try it out. This gave them some experience of what it is like to visit a site using a PMV and helped them understand the issues relating to gradients, path surfaces and views from the users perspective as well as how technology can broaden access without necessarily changing the site.

Lindsey from the National Trust took us to the visitor centre for lunch and a rest. This stunning spot made for a perfect picnic which boosted the ‘old grey cells’ and before you knew it ideas were being discussed as to how to make the building more accessible and how a ramp is difficult to accommodate with the large doors that keep out the winter winds.

After lunch we headed to a more experimental section of the path. We weren’t sure how far the vehicles would get, although everyone was up to the challenge. As we approached the coast near Cape Cornwall we headed down towards the cliffs. In our initial site assessment we had discounted this section due to a large boulder that had been inexplicably placed over part of the path, reducing the width between it and the edge of the cliff. A shame as the path provided access to amazing views out to sea and one of the better sections of the walk. The boulder had been placed there to prevent illegal use of the path by motorbikes, but in fact presented no problem at all to the disabled ramblers on their PMVs who, with some care, managed to manoeuvre around it. Mark felt that the boulder was no longer required and that it could be removed to help improve access.

Getting people involved and spending time with them on your site is a fantastic way to tell whether improvements you have made are working, or to explore possibilities you may be able to open up in the future. All the staff involved in the ramble benefited from a learning opportunity; it makes a real difference having the people you are trying to provide access for working with you to find solutions. Spending time on your site as visitors is often something you rarely find time to do but it allows you to see your site through fresh eyes and consider what your site has to offer.

As we made our way back along the coast path we tried to imagine what it would have been like for the people who lived and worked here when the mines were operational and the effect it would have had as the industry diminished. With nature creeping over the ruins, birds of prey circling overhead, the sea calm and the sun shining I think we were all glad that we’d had the opportunity and time to explore this enchanting place.