“We All Have to be Optimists Now” – High Sheriff of Cornwall & EcoEstate Owner

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Sir Ralph Ferrers Alexander Vyvyan Bt of Trelowarren, Helston is possibly the 708th High Sheriff of Cornwall and current proprietor of the beautiful, romantic, green award-winning Trelowarren Estate. The 1,000 acre Lizard property has been in his family for over six centuries.

It looks like Sir Ferrers and his family are here to stay, but if they plan to enjoy another 600 years on their delightful estate, they have to work for a sustainable future. Economically, environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable.

Sir Ferrers’ formula includes a new financial model – eco-timeshare, and a mix of recycling and environmental stewardship. The ultimate target is self sufficiency.

Q The vision for the future and why you’re doing it?

Trelowarren on the Lizard Peninsula is surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscape in Europe, both coastal and over the whole AONB.

There is the opportunity at Trelowarren to create a ‘beacon’ of excellence in terms of quality and sustainability. My aims are high and I will probably never achieve them but total self-suffiency is one and the other is a balanced harmony between our guests and the estate – all must be ‘connected’ and all should benefit.

Q The greatest sustainable tourism achievement to date?

In the industry it has to be the increased education and awareness of users. This is very much a beginning but from where we were 10 years ago it’s a miracle. People can now make informed decisions about how they holiday. It’s a beginning and there’s a long way to go.

At Trelowarren, in practical terms, the greatest achievement is the ability to produce a large chunk of our own carbon fuel sustainably and to use it on site via the district bio-mass heating system.

Q The future – challenges, dangers and opportunities?

Out of the list you gave me I would identify perhaps ‘water’ as an area of great concern. Certainly this winter we have seen an awful lot of it in the form of snow and rain!

But also worldwide clean water security is a major issue as the population increases and ever increasing demands are made on supply. The results of deprivation are hideous – dehydration, disease, and consequential warfare.

In terms of potential opportunities I am currently fascinated by the benefit that super-conductors might bring the world. The sun provides more energy than the world could possibly ever need but how to store and distribute it? I am sure super-conductors provide an essential part of the answer and significant technological advances are being made in America at the moment.

The idea that one half of the planet can power the other is very, very interesting.

Q 2020?

So….I feel that many pigeons will have come home to roost. The effect of global warming will be self-evident so the question is how we will have responded to it. Another younger generation will be making the decisions and I feel they will be more responsible and community led. Let’s hope the era of crass materialism will have passed and I hope we will be seeing more planet-wide decisions.

You will say dream on… but we all have to be optimists now.

The industry key focus in 2009 should still be a real evaluation of it’s carbon responsibility – the friction between economy and sustainability.

My key focus for 2009 is improving core values for our visitors – how we can make the difference in every holiday that is taken here.

In the immediate future we are making the head gardener appointment which will make a huge difference on the estate as we unlock it’s botanical history and future.

We are also opening our estate shop which will specialise in estate, local and regional produce. I know our visitors will love it.