Communications Strategy for 'Kerdroya: Cornish Hedge Community Heritage Project'

Copyright: Cornwall Council Historic Environment

Golden Tree Productions, creators of The Man Engine, have partnered with the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on their ‘Kerdroya: Cornish Hedge Community Heritage Project’. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project marks Cornwall AONB's Diamond Jubilee and celebrates one of our landscape's most special features - the humble Cornish hedge.

Working on the communications strategy for the project has given me a new appreciation for Cornish hedges. Claimed to be amongst the oldest human-built structures in the world still in use for their original purpose, some hedges are perhaps more than 4,000 years old and provide vital nature reserves for insects, pollinators and flowering plants.

Taking place in 12 AONB sections across Cornwall, hedge masters will work with schools and community groups to conserve and repair hedges in the local style. After all 12 hedges have been restored, they will comprise a Cornwall-wide trail culminating at Colliford Lake on Bodmin Moor in November 2020. This final site will take the form of a classical labyrinth built from traditional Cornish hedging, drawing from the different vernacular styles across the rest of Cornwall.

As well as putting together an overall communication strategy, I have been writing press releases, overseeing social media content for the community engagement side of the project, and working alongside Golden Tree Productions to plan key messaging and promotional activities.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Kerdroya project, please email kerdroya@goldentree.org.uk or keep your eye on the Golden Tree Productions Facebook page for event announcements.