A special event was held in Bude last week to mark the launch of the Compass Point Project to relocate the iconic Storm Tower. 

Last Tuesday, May 9, saw shovels hit the ground to kickstart the long-awaited project, and residents and officials from the area came out in force despite the grey weather. 

Five years ago, conversations were held by the local council concerning the maintenance of the town’s historic Storm Tower. 

Built in 1835, the Storm Tower or “Pepperpot” as it is known to many locals, was used as a base and shelter for a coastguard overlooking the water, as well as a landmark for passing ships. 

Designed as an octagonal tower, it featured the eight principal points of a compass engraved on the appropriate faces. Due to coastal erosion, the tower was rebuilt further in land around 50 years later in its life – this time no longer oriented to the points of a compass - and as coastguards became less common, the building slowly became but an elegant silhouette atop the cliff and a piece of local history. 

However, work will now begin to move the iconic building away from the cliff edge in the hope of preserving and protecting it from erosion. 

Francesca Churchill-Zerilli, project manager for Bude-Stratton Town Council (BSTC) said: “The Storm Tower is an important part of our heritage. Without the funding we have received and the support of the local community, this project would not have been possible.” 

Sally Strachey has been appointed to tackle the project. The Historic Conservation company is based near Wincanton in Somerset and has an excellent reputation on work similar to this. 

The process of moving the tower is not a simple one howevr. 

Due to its location, the tower cannot be moved as a whole, instead it will be carefully dismantled brick-by-brick before being reassembled in its new location, 100 meters further in-land. 

In addition to the physical re-siting of the Storm Tower, the project includes an exciting activity and educational programme for the community which the council hope to announce in the coming months. 

The project is being funded by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £50,000 from Cornwall Council, £40,000 from Bude-Stratton Town Council – plus £60,000 as a result of a community crowdfunding effort. 

Stuart McLeod, director for England, London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to see the first spades in the ground to start the work to relocate the Storm Tower. Supported with money raised by National Lottery players, this iconic structure was at risk of being lost forever but has now been saved for future generations to continue to enjoy.” 

Bude-Stratton town councillor and Cornwall councillor Peter LaBroy told the Post this was a momentous occasion for the town and surrounding areas.

He said: “I am so grateful to everybody who put their hands in their pockets and supported us with the crowdfunder, without that, today would never be happening. 

“Five years ago when this started off, we realised that the Storm Tower was in danger because of the coastal erosion here, and the potential rise in sea-levels. We started thinking about it and we really struggled in the early days of getting the funding together, so I am incredibly grateful to the Bude-Stratton Town Council who started the project off, Cornwall Council, who put their hands in their pockets, but most importantly the individual people that contributed to the crowdfunder, and of course the Heritage lottery.” 

Cllr LaBroy added that the tower is more than a structure to the people of Bude, instead it acts as a comforting reminder of home. 

“For Bude, the Storm Tower has, I believe, a special place in the hearts of the people of Bude! 

“You can see it from almost everywhere in Bude, not quite everywhere, but almost everywhere, and it just gives a sense of reassurance to see all is well with the Storm Tower, the Pepper Pot, Compass Point, however you know it, it’s still there in place.

“And without the work that we’re doing, within very few years, I believe it would have been gone, so we’re securing something for hundreds of years and many, many generations of people to come in Bude.” 

Newly-elected Mayor of Bude, Cllr Mike Dawe, said that it has been a privilege to be a part of such a big event.

He said: “To witness the first stone being removed and to be part of the first spade in the ground was truly a privilege. The community support has been incredible, as has the partnerships with the many professionals needed to make the project a reality. Over the coming months it will be exciting to watch the progression of the tower as it moves to its new location.”