ALL TOGETHER NOW
The beautiful coastal village of Mawgan Porth in north Cornwall is home to a long-standing community determined to stay true to its roots
The village of Mawgan Porth in north Cornwall is home to a community determined to stay true to its roots
rom the start of spring to the end of autumn, Mawgan Porth welcomes a steady stream of tourists. Many of them return year after year, lured by sweeping sands and clear blue waters. For those looking for an escape from the hectic pace of modern life, this shoreline haven is the perfect retreat and is regarded by many as one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets. However, while the dune-backed secluded beach and craggy hillside that surrounds it play a large part in Mawgan Porth’s appeal, it’s the presence of the long-standing Cornish community who live there that sets it apart. As local resident Mike Farmer, who has worked and farmed in the St Mawgan parish for more than 60 years, says, “Locals stay here and holidaymakers come back because of the unspoilt beach but also because of the community feel and eccentric characters – it’s what makes it so special.”
Cornwall’s dramatic beauty has not gone unnoticed, and the area’s popularity as a holiday destination continues to rise. As a result, many of the county’s towns and villages have provided services that fit the demand. There’s a plethora of award-winning Michelin-starred restaurants and other eateries, countless beautiful holiday cottages and hotel rooms available and many other amenities designed to cater for visitors’ needs. While all of this guarantees a memorable getaway, it also raises questions about the impact such changes have on the communities that live in the area all year round. It is precisely because of this that the residents of Mawgan Porth have joined
together, working hard to make sure their village retains its character and distinctiveness. Pete Abell, who owns the surf school, Kingsurf, is a key player in ensuring this is achieved: “We are all here for the same reasons – the beach, the small companies, the community spirit and the unspoilt Cornish landscape.”
Along with Kingsurf, Mawgan Porth is home to a variety of other shops, hotels and restaurants – from Merrymoor Inn, a B&B that was last purchased in 1961 and is now run by the original owner’s grandson, to Betty’s News and Beach Shop, which has been open since 1959. “Tourists are attracted by the old-fashioned Cornish feel – the shops in a row set back from the beach have retained their exterior charm, but inside they have moved into the 21st century with modern-day interiors, products and services,” says Betty’s owner Stuart Kirk.
In keeping with this, far from rejecting change, the residents of Mawgan Porth are forward-thinking in their approach, opting for sustainable improvements rather than larger-scale development. The village’s attitude towards preserving the essence of what makes it special isn’t formalised or regulated by a designated committee, but instead comes from the community pulling together. “Local people are content and not driven by money. This makes working together so much easier and more enjoyable. The value of friendship here is vital, and we meet regularly to
organise charity fundraising events and join forces when the status quo is jeopardised,” Pete says.
The power of the community collaborating in this way was demonstrated following a tragic surfing accident in 2014, during which three adults drowned in a rip current. “For budgetary reasons the RNLI doesn’t man our beaches after September,” Pete says. “So we raised enough funding for them to train us and they now insure us to act on their behalf over October half-term.” With beach safety key, Kingsurf also runs weekly surf lessons for local children each Tuesday that cost just £5 – this is a non-profit exercise and helps unite and educate from a young age.
In addition to Kingsurf ’s life-saving initiative, locals have also joined forces to protect amenities, as well as doing their bit for the environment. When the council threatened to close the
“Local people are content and not driven by money, so working together is easier”
beachfront toilets due to government cuts, residents formed the Mawgan Porth Business Group to discuss ideas of how they might be saved. “With tight council budgets, the local businesses contribute to cleaning the beach and its facilities. One of the people responsible is Mike Farmer, who has become a bit of a legend!” Pete says.
Mike, who has lived in Mawgan Porth all his life, understands the allure of his home: “Holidaymakers return because of all we have to offer. They want to escape overpriced, overdeveloped destinations. No one here is against change or modest development, but we want to make sure it’s in keeping with the character and feel of the place.” As co-owners of the central car park, Mike and Andrew Prose have a lucrative business opportunity at their disposal, but profiteering goes against the ethos that they and so many of the locals hold dear. “You can park all day for £4,” Andrew
says. “We will never sell our land to developers – it would finish Mawgan Porth.” Mike agrees wholeheartedly: “If we all sell out, it will become a built-up place that has lost its charm.”
The community is right to be wary of developers – in recent years a number of planning applications have been submitted, including schemes to convert a section of beachfront shops into a larger complex. Although efforts to build have so far been thwarted, investors remain keen for a stake in this prime location. A more recent attempt by developers to purchase the building that houses 58-year-old Betty’s required drastic intervention,
“Tourists are attracted by Mawgan Porth’s old-fashioned Cornish feel”
and Pete and his late father Nigel Abell found themselves stepping in to buy it themselves, ensuring it remains in the hands of local people rather than being transformed beyond recognition.
It is this willingness to defend their way of life that defines this tight-knit community. “I love that Mawgan Porth has survived in a bit of a bubble – we are all very proud of our community,” says Tim Pither, owner of wood-fired pizza pop-up, Tredragon Pizza. “We all promote and help each other out. Lots of us do a variety of jobs in the off-season to survive, but we are adamant that we don’t want our local businesses to be driven out by developers that have no vested interest here.” ‘Curly’ Steve, operations manager at surf shop Married to the Sea, echoes this sentiment: “We’re a happy, social and welcoming village, but if our future survival is threatened, we all understand how important it is to stand up and be counted – we have to work together to make sure our voices are heard.”
While the residents of Mawgan Porth understand that their village will always attract attention, they remain unwavering in their resolve to defend its uniqueness – the characteristics that make it a place like no other. “There will always be opportunistic attempts but together we can protect the balance. Money is always behind large-scale developments, but most locals are happy to get by without selling out,” says Pete reflectively. “We live in such a beautiful part of the world, where all the elements come together. Work facilitates a lifestyle that is priceless and we’re just trying to protect this for future generations.”