My second Plein air writing workshop with Wyl and some of the other Falmouth Uni students was in the lush valley that makes upKennall Vale.
Buried in the hillside of Ponsanooth not far from the Tremough Campus, this quiet rambling nature reserve is well worth a visit with the kids or the dog in tow.
The history of the vale is fascinating. One of only two gunpowder works Kennall Mills at the peak of its production in the 1860’s employed over 50 men. Unfortunately, the decline of the mining industry and the use of alternative explosives brought gunpowder production to a halt after the 1880’s and today the waterwheels and office building are mere ruins. However, the conduit streams and water terracing still funnel the stream water effectively, creating a rich visual and acoustic environment.
