Quay Fundraiser

For 140 years we have largely taken our village quay for granted.  It has survived the battering of millions of tons of seas, year after year, storm after storm.  It has given shelter to boats, protected the waterfront, given access to fishermen and provided recreation for a whole range of quay users both young and old. For many visitors to our village, it is the ‘quay attraction’.

Its existence is now under serious threat!

A fissure has appeared to which we have provided temporary filling. But major work is needed desperately, and funds are urgently required to prevent the quay falling into irreparable disrepair. Various funding agencies have indicated that we don’t meet their criteria, either because we are a non-commercial port or because our quay isn’t used by enough people!

Catastrophic Consequences

If we cannot secure enough funding to repair the quay then the consequences could be catastrophic, as can be seen with a few other quays in the county which are disintegrating.  The end of the quay could quickly fall away, leaving the sea to disembowel the eastern arm. Shelter for boats would be reduced and moorings would probably be redundant. Safety regulations would compel us to close the quay completely; the breakwater protecting waterfront properties would diminish; some of the beach may remain unusable.  The knock-on effect may influence tourists wanting to visit or stay in the village, not to mention the businesses which rely upon them. Without remedial action, another winter’s storms could put the condition of the quay beyond reasonable funding.

What can we do?

We haven’t been idle, although our various investigations with several funding agencies have thus far proved unsuccessful.
We need you to be aware of the serious situation for our community and to support our funding campaign: ‘The Quay to the Village’.
The Gorran Haven Harbour Trust has procured the expertise of a surveyor and a local marine civil engineering company who have experience in this kind of work on other quays in the county.
While we don’t wish to curtail the use of the beach and harbour during July and August, we need to begin work as soon as it is feasible.
Please publicise the need and be creative in any fund-raising initiatives.
Thank you for your support and for any contribution that can be made towards our quay’s preservation.

Feel free to donate via our justgiving page
Donate

The total estimated cost of the quay works is in the region of £120,000. The Harbour Trust expects to contribute approximately £40,000 from retained funds.

Additional Fundraising Target – This leaves an external fundraising requirement of approximately £80,000.

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Private Donations

CAF Bank - A/C No. 00031463
Sort No. 40-52-40

If you wish to make a private dontation directly into the fund bank account, please use the following banking details.

Update

Funding Target reached

We're staggered at the interest in our small village and the emotion the quay has captured. I'm delighted to announce that we've hit our fundraising target that will allow us to start the essential repairs.  The fundraising will continue for a few more weeks so we can build up a bit of a buffer and to support any future works that might be required to protect the historical beauty of Gorran Haven.

Every penny over the target will be managed by the GHHT to support the harbour and the quay in the future.

The Trust is somewhat overwhelmed by the generosity of the public with their donations and in a short space of time.

Update

Funding Target reached

We are thrilled to report that, due to the herculean efforts and magnificent generosity of the local community and the extended ‘Gorran Haven family’, we have reached, and have even exceeded, our fundraising target for the urgent quay repairs.  It has been a huge project embracing numerous creative fundraising initiatives, involving much time, skill and energy. But it has also been an inspiration to work with talented contributors, both local and from ‘up country’, who have invested immeasurable time and expertise in supporting and publicising the whole project.  You all deserve the community’s unfeigned gratitude.

From an artistic girl who sold painted pebbles to concerned individuals who have personally contributed significant sums of money; from local groups and clubs to special events and performances; we are amazed at your generosity, initiative and dedication.  Our 140-year-old quay is one of our greatest community assets, and our community has voted to preserve it for as long as possible by putting their hands in their proverbial pockets!

While the Gorran Haven Harbour Trust has been tasked with managing the quay, it really belongs to the community.  It would be traumatic for us to even try and imagine the village without it!  The focal point of the village may be the quay, but the heart of the village is its community.  In this crowdfunding campaign, both the heart and the focal point have come together.

As a result of this stunning success, we have instructed the contractors to begin work imminently. We hope to repair the quay and complete Phase 1 before the winter’s storms begin. However, we also know that in Phase 2, long-term defences will be needed to protect the quay, the boat pound and waterside properties for future generations.  This may take time but plans and consultations have already taken place with this objective.  In the meantime, rest assured that every penny donated will be expended in the repair and maintenance of our fabulous facility for the benefit of everyone.

Geoff Fox, Chairman, Gorran Haven Harbour Trust

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