Bude-Stratton Town Council has announced that the Compass Point Project, to restore and re-sit Bude Storm Tower, has entered the build phase. 

The council announced in a release: “After years of hard work, we're finally moving onto the build stage of the Compass Point Project! However, safety is our top priority, so please exercise caution around the site from Monday, April 24.

“We couldn't have done this without the support of our community and partners, thank you so much for making this possible!”

Built in 1835, the Storm Tower or “Pepperpot” as it is known to many locals, the structure 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 point of a compass engraved on the appropriate faces. However, due to coastal erosion, the tower was rebuilt further in land around 50 year 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 on the atop the cliff and a piece of local history. 

It was decided in the council meeting that the iconic tower should be saved and thus the Compass Point Project was launched. And following terrific crowdfunding efforts from the local community, the council has this week announced that Sally Strachey Historic Conservation has been appointed as contractor. 

A project of this scale does not come cheap however, thus the activity is being funded by a £250k grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £50k from Cornwall Council, £40k from Bude-Stratton Town Council – plus £60k as a result of a fantastic community crowdfunding effort. 

As work commences, the council has asked that residents “Keep a safe distance from the site compound and any vehicles and avoid interfering with the site.”