Last week three of the committee had a productive meeting with Ian (Monty) Beaumont. GM Cotehele and Joe Lawrence Lead Ranger. It was an opportunity for the Club to discuss how things are working out on the Quay and discuss several issues.

PARKING: Though we had already been advised that there would be no concession for club members, the issue was raised again, the NT pointed out that the monthly cost of a single National Trust Membership is £5.25, to offer a concession would cost more than that in administration and was a low monthly cost for parking at all of the NT car parks and entry to their properties.

TOILETS ON THE QUAY: The National Trust will continue to close these toilets a night for the foreseeable future. The sewerage handling system on the quay was installed in the 1960s and is now dated and the capacity does not adequately support the level of use that increased use of the Quay has generated, there have also been issues with “inconsiderate use” in the evenings that has aggravated the capacity issues. The provision of toilets is a requirement for the Edgecombe Café on the Quay and the NT need to focus on this requirement. The NT have agreed to continue to leave the toilet adjacent to the Cotehele House Reception open 24/7, this is some distance from the Quay so if you are travelling to the Quay to row in the evening think about stopping off, a parking ticket purchased at the House will cover parking at the Quay. Upgrading of the sewerage system is in their long-term plans but also requires the cooperation of South West Water.

TAMAR CHALLENGE: the National Trust are happy to do their upmost to make this event a success, they have agreed that trailer parking will be free of charge at the overflow car park at the House, this will require a logistics effort on the day but will be better than using a muddy field. They have also agreed to CQGC doing their own catering arrangements on the Quay for the participants in the Tamar Challenge, there are some conditions that are sensible and are no way onerous. This is  a step forward for similar requests we might make.

GIG COVERS: the National Trust are willing to make a contribution to the cost of a Gig Cover, though it is not the full cost it is a great help, the committee will work with then to see what can be arranged.

SUMMARY: the National Trust are pleased to have the Club operating on the Quay as it adds a lot to the atmosphere, providing a feature to a NT area that has very few old buildings and no tapestries, without the Shamrock and the Club there would be little to see at the Quay. This is cooperative arrangement.

Nigel