Friends of Menacuddle Well

‘Opening Up’

The restoration of the space for public enjoyment was begun by the Friends of Menacuddle Well in 2016, and is ongoing. Improvements to the garden have been reflected in increasing visitor numbers, with the space being particularly popular during the Covid pandemic; access to a beautiful, peaceful space in the town centre has been “a life-line” (to quote one visitor) for many. In addition, The Friends are increasing links with other local groups, including The House, a local youth centre, a local care home, St Austell Health Care’s Health and Wellbeing project and local schools, and are looking to increase the number of events held at the site, as they continue their programme of improvements. 

But the Friends had identified access issues preventing some users from enjoying the garden. They told us: “The path from the entrance to the bridge has been churned to mud with the wet weather… [and] there is also a bike chicane, restricting access to the site for pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs”.  

A grant from the Eden Geothermal Community Fund will pay for a new timber edged path and the removal of the chicane to improve access. We hope this will mean many more people from the local community are able to enjoy this lovely space well into the future. 

The space [has been] particularly popular during the Covid pandemic; access to a beautiful, peaceful space in the town centre has been “a life-line” […] for many.