The Grampound Times

Spring 2008 (Edition 47)
Our community in Cornwall

The Grampound Times
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SCREECH OWL SANCTUARY
Trewin Farm – East of Indian Queens

On my weekly visit to my daughter Allison and her family at Bodmin I now find myself travelling via Grampound Road across country to go east on the new section of the A.30. Most folk seem to celebrate the new tarmaced dual-carriageway by using it as a racetrack judging by the speed that every sort of vehicle seems to leave me in its wake! For my part, and maybe it can be put down to my getting on a bit, I like to drive at a gentler speed - enjoying the scenery and the very smooth ride itself along the new carriageway. Gone are the trials of St. Austell, Trethowel, Ruddlemoor, Carthew, Stenalees, Bugle….. twists, turns and gradients Ugh!

It was whilst enjoying my new route to Bodmin recently that my eye was taken to the neatly laid out site by the left side of the road occupied by the Screech Owl Sanctuary. Many people may believe the name is derived from the sounds of the birds who occupy it, but this is not so. It is in fact named after the owner MR. TOM SCREECH who runs the place with his wife CAROLYN and daughter SARAH.

Whilst being an interesting place to visit, the sanctuary does have well defined aims. These include the provision of care and rehabilitation for sick and injured owls and provision of comfortable accommodation for those which will not attain the strength and well-being to be able to be released back to the wild. The sanctuary also seeks to promote awareness amongst the public of the conservation of owls and their natural habitat. Work is also undertaken to provide nesting boxes in suitable areas to enhance the population of owls, especially the declining but beautiful Barn Owl. The Screech family also strive to gain the support and involvement of all of us, the community living here in beautiful Cornwall, in the practical aspects of conservation, and the sanctuary provides a place of interest to visit with education opportunities for all age groups.

For us here in the Parish of Grampound with Creed the Screech Owl Sanctuary is only a dozen miles away, and there is no need to wait hopefully for Summer sunshine, because at this time of the year it is open to visitors between the hours of 10am and 6pm. So why not give yourself a winter treat and visit the owls and birds being cared for at the sanctuary - they are guaranteed to be pleased to see you. Admission for adults is £6.95 with concessions for pensioners £6.50 A further reduction is available for children at £5.95 per head with a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costing £23.

ROGER PAYNTER

 

 

 


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