Kerdroya: A Timeless Monument to Cornwall’s Heritage
A week after the Spring Equinox, Life Community Media team member Ellie ventured into Kerdroya, the newly unveiled labyrinth on Bodmin Moor. As she traced its winding paths, her fingers brushed against the meticulously placed stones of the Cornish hedges, each whispering stories of the land's rich heritage. Designed to endure for 4,000 years, outlasting even Stonehenge, Kerdroya stands as a testament to Cornwall's timeless traditions.
Kerdroya: A Timeless Monument to Cornwall’s Heritage
A week after the Spring Equinox, Life Community Media team member Ellie ventured into Kerdroya, the newly unveiled labyrinth on Bodmin Moor. As she traced its winding paths, her fingers brushed against the meticulously placed stones of the Cornish hedges, each whispering stories of the land's rich heritage. Designed to endure for 4,000 years, outlasting even Stonehenge, Kerdroya stands as a testament to Cornwall's timeless traditions.
The mastermind behind this monumental project is Will Coleman, a Cornishman deeply rooted in the region's culture and history. Known for creating the award-winning Man Engine, Coleman's passion lies in celebrating and preserving Cornwall's unique identity. With Kerdroya, he sought to honour the 60th anniversary of Cornwall's protected landscapes and to revive the ancient craft of Cornish hedging, considered endangered by the Heritage Crafts charity.
Kerdroya is more than a labyrinth; it's a communal work of art. Over 140,000 stones were laid by a thousand volunteers and 5,000 schoolchildren, with more than 150 individuals trained in the craft of Cornish hedging. Each section showcases distinct regional styles, reflecting the diverse geology and cultural practices across Cornwall. At the labyrinth's heart lies a bespoke sculpture by local artisans Gary and Thomas Thrussell, offering visitors a moment of reflection amidst breathtaking views and tranquility of Colliford Lake.
As Ellie navigated the labyrinth, she couldn't help but draw parallels between Kerdroya and ancient monuments like The Hurlers, the Bronze Age stone circles only a few miles away near Minions. Both structures embody the spirit of Cornwall, celebrations of culture, art, and heritage. Standing at the labyrinth's centre, Ellie wondered…what if all of Cornwall's ancient monuments were conceived with such intentional artistry and communal effort? Perhaps they were not merely functional or ritualistic structures but also profound expressions of identity and reverence for the land.
Kerdroya invites us to reimagine the purpose of these ancient sites, suggesting that like the labyrinth they were designed to be enduring legacies. Perhaps they could be thought of as messages from the past to future generations? As the sun cast its golden light over the moor, Ellie felt a deep connection to the generations of hands that had shaped these stones. Kerdroya and The Hurlers, though separated by millennia, stood united in their testament to Cornwall's enduring legacy, a tapestry woven from the threads of time, art, and community.
For more information on Kerdroya and its creation, visit the Golden Tree Productions website.