VOLUNTEERS have been scrub bashing the big barrow on the Barrowfields in Newquay.

Members of the Newquay Old Cornwall Society Scrub Bashers have been undertaking scrub clearance to allow access by visitors and to help protect the ancient monument.

Other sites the group looks after includes the Barrow on Porth Island, St Eval Longstone, Trevornick Holywell and Old Trevemper Bridge.

Sheila Harper who founded the scrub bashers in 2012 said: “The scrub clearance keeps the Barrow accessible.

“It also stops gorse and blackberry taking hold and their roots damaging the interior of the Barrow, which still might contain burials and cremations from 4,500 or so years ago.

“The site is a scheduled ancient monument. Plants like gorse have long roots and these can destroy the archaeology.

“The only problem we had was a load of dog poo here and there around the perimeter of the barrow.

“I am sure the people who own the dogs wouldn't like someone else's pet to poo on their grave.

“We carry out scrub clearance at a number of our local ancient monuments throughout the year on a Thursday morning if the weather permits, which includes the Mawgan Porth early medieval village to stop the destruction of the walls. We got this site off the at-risk list for ancient monuments.

“Other sites the group looks after include the Barrow on Porth Island, St Eval Longstone, Trevornick Holywell, Old Trevemper Bridge.

“We also keep watching briefs checking for erosion and damage to sites like a barrow at Cubert, East Pentire headland and Porth Island.

“They are mostly scheduled sites and for some I had to get permission from Historic England to scrub bash the sites.

“We also carry out other projects like dating the submerged forest at Mawgan Porth.”