We were thrilled when Raynor Winn (SWCPA Ambassador ) and The Gigspanner Big Band approached us some months ago to see how we could collaborate with them to engage with some of the community groups we work with, as part of their Saltlines project.
From these initial discussions, what transpired was a very special community outreach day in Mount Edgcumbe and Kingsand-Cawsand, with people from Improving Lives Plymouth, The Elder Tree Befriending and Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support, as well as some of our SWCPA volunteers and team members. We were also joined by photographer Dom Moore who captured the day perfectly.
We were blessed with beautiful weather as the day started at Cremyll (next to Royal William Yard in Plymouth) where we caught the ferry across to Mount Edgcumbe.
The 3.5mile walk from Mount Edgcumbe through idyllic woodland to Kingsand-Cawsand was led by our Director Julian Gray who talked about the flora and fauna of the area and discussed the path conditions along this stretch which has suffered erosion in recent times.
It was quite a hot day, so we were fortunate that we were shaded for the most part by the woodland.
When we emerged at Kingsand we made our way to the Kingsand Community Hall where we had lunch and met with Raynor and the band.
Raynor Winn shared moments from her South West Coast Path walk that led to her writing the bestselling book The Salt Path.
Following Raynor’s talk, we were entertained by the beautiful ethereal music of The Gigspanner Big Band.
It was a day that will forever be etched into the memory of all who were lucky to be there. We can’t thank Raynor, Deborah, Becky, and the incredible Gigspanner Big Band enough for giving their time to create such a memorable and intimate experience – it was truly magical. Everyone who was part of the day knew that they had experienced a rare moment and we are so grateful to Raynor Winn and the Gigspanner Big Band for helping us put together a day that will stay with us all for a very long time.
Every now and then, a day comes along that is full of nothing but goodness. People from different walks of life, walking together, talking together, sharing the day in celebration. And when the day ends, you know that your life has become a little richer. This was such a day.
Peter Knight
Cindy from Improving Lives Plymouth said of the day, “It was amazing and made even more special by one of our group taking my hand and thanking me for such a wonderful day. He doesn’t smile often so it was a real pleasure to see the look of genuine happiness on his face.”
Alex Turner, SWCPA said, “It was a really special day and great to be able to offer the experience to our hard-working volunteers and some of the community organisations from Plymouth that we work with. It has been a long time since we have had such a big group of people, out on the Coast Path and lovely to see people from the different organisations walking and talking together, and sharing the unique day.”
All photography by Dom Moore
Saltlines – A portrait of the South West Coast Path in Old Songs and New Words – Upcoming Dates
August
20 FolkEast Festival/Glemham Hall Suffolk
28 Tewkesbury/The Roses Theatre
October
19 Truro/Hall for Cornwall
20 Plymouth/Quad Theatre
21 Winchester/Theatre Royal
23 Tunbridge Wells/Trinity Theatre
25 Hastings/St Mary in the Castle
26 Maidenhead/Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
27 Yeovil/ The Octagon Theatre
28 Farnham/ Farnham Maltings
29 Teddington/The Landmark Theatre
30 Aldeburgh/Jubilee Hall
31 Milton Keynes/The Stables Theatre
Further information and links at www.gigspanner.com/saltlines
The South West Coast Path 