A Bit About Us

Here at Friends of the Fal in the Ancient Township of Grampound, we see the value in our environment and would like to be a catalyst for positive change.

In the summer of 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, we became aware of people wanting to connect with nature and to feel the benefits that connection brings.

A play area was created down by the river Fal, attaching rope swings to a very large pine tree,  providing a mud kitchen, (kindly made by a resident) a bivouac, a pirates chest containing chunky chalks and attached climbing holds to the tree. It was only meant to be a temporary asset during lockdown so that parents and their children could break up the monotony of being cooped up indoors and escape to the outdoors for play, exercise and fresh air.

We have been overwhelmed and blown away by the positive response to the play area and especially by letters from the school children thanking us for making the play area for them to enjoy.

Due to the thanks, appreciation and joy that the play area has brought, we will keep it going on a permanent basis.

We also look forward to our local school's engaging with us to make the area around the Fal into a worthwhile and much needed conservation project.

We invited the school children to come up with a name for the play area and the winning name is

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'Gwydhenn Avon'

which is Cornish for

'River Tree'

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With permission, support and cooperation from the landowners, Trewithen Estate, we are now in a position to develop the project over the next 10 years and beyond.

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Throughout our menu pages you can find out more about our mission, our vision, and how we go about making the changes we want to see.

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​Friends of the Fal are members of The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and through them we have a

Green Gym licence

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We are also members of:

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Plantlife - The Wildlife Conservation Charity

Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Social Farms & Gardens

Cornwall Climate Action Network (CCAN)​

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Green Gym is a group based physical activity with a purpose and an engaging approach to outdoor activity, using gardening and environmental conservation to improve volunteers' health, fitness and wellbeing while transforming local green spaces for the community. It's also a great opportunity to gain social interaction within a group of like-minded people who care about conservation.

Our Green Gym volunteers take part in a 2-3 hour weekly session, engaging in practical activities which could include planting trees, making hedges, digging a pond, managing woodland, making pathways, dead-hedges,  bramble & bracken bashing and much more. We only use traditional tools, not motorised tools such as strimmers/brushcutters & leafblowers, which we understand are harmful to the environment and wildlife.

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How can Green Gym improve mental & physical health?

• Reduce stress levels

• Reduce depression

• Improve self esteem

• Connecting with people

• Provide varied activities to get  involved with

• Learn new skills and boost confidence

• Build up resilience

• Boost physical activity levels

• Connecting with nature and contributing to the environment

• Being enjoyable and fun!

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​We stop during the session for refreshments & are happy to supply biscuits, but please bring your own drinks (if anyone wants to bring cake or other delights it will always be appreciated!).

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Friends of the Fal are 'Not for Profit' and are totally reliant on grants, funding and sponsors to enable us to do vital volunteering work in the community.

 ​''There is no wi-fi in the woods

  but we promise you

  a better connection'' 

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