DING DING! It’s the fight of the century —between a traditional Cornish village and the boxing promoter who is looking to buy it.
We find the inhabitants of Trevalga in the left corner. This is an old hamlet that proud Cornish citizens, spiritualists, and artists have lived for centuries. There’s not even 4G internet.
In the blue corner we have the legendary sports magnate Barry Hearn — ‘the Dagenham swaggerer’ thanks to his East End origins — whose son and business partner Eddie has become so famous online for his expletive-laden videos that people shout his catchphrases when they see him in the street.
Hearn’s interest in buying the £15.75 million Trevalga estate as a ‘family investment’ has set the villagers aquiver, fearful that an invasion by this celebrity dynasty will destroy their gentle way of life and that many of them — who are tenants — will be evicted.
After all, Hearn didn’t get where he is today — bright white Essex mansion with its own helipad, private lake, stables and swimming pool — without putting a few noses out of joint.
Alize and Barry Hearn, 2nd from R, dine in Buca di Beppo at Leyton Orient’s team holiday 2011. The ‘Battle of Trevalga’ has broken out between Hearn, interested in buying a £15.75 million Trevalga estate as a ‘family investment’, and a traditional Cornish village
As chairman of Matchroom Sport, he conquered the worlds of snooker, darts, boxing, football and fishing, making a £158 million fortune in the process.
He was, however, in a mellow mood during a Mail interview. He says that the villagers are ‘100% secure. ‘The No 1 most important thing is no one — no one — would be evicted. This is probably my best news, as I wish to preserve it exactly the same way.
Yet, Trevalgans still squaring up with a man who’s motives they aren’t sure about. Serena Partrick, campaign leader declares that this is the Cornish community’s last hope and must be protected.
The idea of passive means to stop eviction was presented by her this week. She had previously proposed ‘lying infront of diggers to do what it takes to protect historic areas.
For this is only the latest saga in the Battle for Trevalga, in which one of Britain’s most remote coastal communities — hitherto untouched by second homes — has sternly resisted the fate suffered by so many other quaint pockets of Cornwall, which has priced out locals.
Trevalga, located between Tintagel, Boscastle and Boscastle and just 500m from Cornwall’s north coast cliffs, is an undiscovered time capsule that has been untouched for many generations.
You won’t find any fudge pantries or tacky gift shops. There is no cream tea cafe and no Airbnbs.
Trevalgans are proud to source their water from a natural well. There is also no street lighting that could obscure the breathtaking views.
This remote corner of West Country didn’t have a mains sewer system until a few years back.
The 80-odd residents of the 1,200-acre Trevalga estate are spread between its Manor House, 17 other homes and six farms, all of which were last owned by lord of the manor, Gerald Curgenven, who acquired the estate for £14,000 in 1934.
Before his death in 1959, Curgenven bequeathed the estate to Marlborough College — whose former pupils include the Princess of Wales and Princess Eugenie — the school where he had been both a pupil and teacher.
Residents who are being forced from their homes in the Cornish community of Trevalga have made a vow to win the Battle of Trevalga and stop it selling.
Only six homes and 17 let farms are located in Trevalga, Cornwall’s historic coastal parish. They have been living in this ‘unspoilt paradise’ for many decades.
Curgenven stipulated that his estate must be “preserved.” . . Your village or manor should remain as intact as possible, and not be sold or dismantled.
However, in 2010, in a pivotal chapter in Trevalga’s history, the Wiltshire public school attempted to dispose of its nest egg for £10 million. It was this that sparked an ardent and triumphant campaign to stop the tenants selling the estate. Since then, a commemorative painting depicting a “bonfire beacon”, lit by the villager on the night that the victory was won, hangs in the middle of the mildew-ridden church hall.
Trevalga’s life was quiet again in the 12 years that followed. But in June, villagers received letters informing them that their homes would soon be sold — as part of a decision by the college to sell the Manor of Trevalga, this time for £15.75 million.
This created renewed alarm as a dozen households are on ‘assured shorthold tenancies’ — meaning new landlords can evict without reason as long as they give notice, which can be as little as eight weeks.
The language used by Savills, a high-end estate agency in their sales literature is also troubling to residents. The brochure not only states that the estate is ‘ring-fenced in an extraordinary’ and highly-popular location, which offers “endless amenity opportunities and leisure opportunities”, but also suggests that potential new owners might want to explore’redevelopment” and further income generation’.
Trustees have engaged Savills to market the manor and sell it off for a guide price of £15.8 leaving the future of those who have lived there for decades uncertain
As a way to defend their homes in August, one potential investor arrived on a helicopter bearing a huge sign that read ‘Illegal Sales’. The scene now looks set for a cultural clash of epic proportions, as Hearn enters the ring.
His family was raised on an estate. He went on the become the pioneer of the World Snooker Championship and chairman of Leyton-Orient FC.
He is looking forward to enjoying the rewards of 40 years of being at the forefront of sport and leisure, such as exotic travel and racehorse breeding. Now, the man who last year retired at the age of 72 is eager to enjoy their beautiful Cornwall.
This would make a great asset to a future generation. He tells me that it’s an area of beautiful old England that has to be developed. ‘It’s a big number for us as a family — it’s a lot of money for us. There are people who can make it work so that everyone lives their normal lives without interruption. There is security for everyone. Do you think that means I won’t convert the barn into another home? It’s possible that I will, but it won’t happen immediately. It’s what made us family.
“There are only two vacant properties.” [we can]You can rent, lease or sell them. They won’t be modified or used for camping. It’s only going to take what is there and tart it up or improve on it.
Pictured: Residents who protest against the property’s sale are Residents are pictured protesting against the sale of the property. They claim that the sale goes against their wishes. The former owner left the property in his will, with the intent to preserve it for the future.
Hearn visited Trevalga twice, and presented himself to the residents. Hearn said he was infatuated with Trevalga’s ‘beautiful hamlet’ and enjoyed the walk along the coast between Tintagel & Boscastle. He said, “It’s unique.” He said, “If I come from, it is unique.” It’s breathtaking.
The Battle for Trevalga campaign is reserving judgment — for now. ‘We hope someone making promises such as Mr Hearn’s — that the villagers will be protected — would sign legally binding documents to that effect,’ 38-year-old Partrick told me this week.
Trevalga-born, she was raised in an isolated house that could only be reached by foot via a narrow mud track. Now she works at Tintagel Castle as a visitor assistant. She lives a peaceful family life with Lyn Lockyear (71), her older brother and sister and her two nephews. As we stroll amongst the charming cottages, she declares that this is her sanctuary.
She says that Mrs Hearn spoke about the village being an “generational buy”. Trevalga’s safety without trust protections is questioned. This would make it an inheritance that could be passed on to the next generation.
“It is lovely to hear the right words, but they should have legal support.”
Barry Hearn would ultimately pass this ‘generational purchase’ to his adult children, Katie & Eddie. Barry Hearn’s stellar career is overshadowed now by Eddie (43), a charismatic and influential boxing promoter who supports fighters like Anthony Joshua.
Kizzy Lockyear, her 10-year-old son Ruben and Serena Partrick are residents in Trevalga (Cornwall).
The land behind the Matchroom Mansion has been converted into a boxing venue called “Fight Camp”. Last year, father and son hosted a world title match with fireworks and lasers against Canary Wharf’s backdrop. You can’t get much closer to the Trevalga community where residents spend their time farming, painting and gardening, as well as taking long coastal walks.
Manor House could one day be transformed into a Madison Square Garden style location for world boxing events.
The sprawling, unspoiled granite house is half a mile distant from St Petroc’s Church at the heart of the village. ‘Eventually, one imagines the Manor House — which is not listed — will be knocked down and a beautiful place put up there overlooking the Cornish coast,’ Barry said this week.
“Now, whether it’s rented, sold or occupied as a family. Who knows? There are other properties that we enjoy around the globe. It’s not going to be our home — if we get up there three times a year that’s good for me.’
The Manor House — highly coveted thanks to the right it confers on any buyer to transform it into a home of their own with magnificent sea views — is occupied by fantasy-world artist Peter Pracownik, 70, his wife Nicola, 44, and their sons Oisin, 25, and Arthur, eight. They’ve lived there 26 years. Mr Pracownik is remarkably positive about the Hearns assuming control.
Although the manor of Trevalga, Cornwall’s historic parish is home to only a few people it has gained the support of many thousands of those who want to protect its future.
“The entire sale hangs at Manor House,” he says, holding onto a steaming cup and perched on the piano stool, which is surrounded with guitars. He enjoys the view from the property, and the sense of community that is hard to find today. Trevalga has a long history, and is peaceful.
‘But this place needs a lot of work — it needs pulling down. It has been crumbling under the trustees. Barry Hearn, the trustees and I have been told that the house must be demolished and they will relocate me to the village. I said, as long as we stay in the village — and not in a shed — that will suit me fine.
“There is a lot of Chinese talk about Barry Hearn, and the things he might do. Celebrities are not wanted by the villagers. You have to change with the times.
The jury has ruled that Barry is not worthy of acceptance by other villager. Rosalind Thomas who, along with Chris, has been living in Trevalga 50 years, says she would trust Barry. “But we wish he wouldn’t make the village more tourist-friendly. We met at art school, and both fell in love with the sea.
“We arrived here in our youth and were raised here. Since childhood, we have been painting the coastline.
“My husband and me accept Barry,” she adds. However, others don’t share her sentiments. ‘Our village was united in this issue up until now.
Barry Hearn (pictured) and trustees said that the building must be demolished and they would rehouse the residents in nearby villages.
For their parts, the trustees and Marlborough College, which charges £43,000 per annum in fees and has millions of pounds worth of assets, insist that ‘the care of the Trevalga community has been, and will continue to be, borne very much in mind’, and that the village will not be broken up.
According to the trustees, proceeds will be mainly given to Marlborough College as Gerald Curgenven intended. A smaller portion will fund bursaries for Cornwall-based gifted students.
Barry Hearn plans to send representatives to Trevalga in the next week. He will also meet with trustees this month. He will only decide if he wants to make an offer at that point.
Last week there was a crunch meeting of the locals, who have launched a crowd-funder petition to ‘Save Trevalga’ — but are still torn on their official stance on Hearn’s potential purchase.
Trevalga residents may not be as well off, but that doesn’t mean they are out of the game.
Placards all over the village proclaim, “Wherever there’s will, there’s way.”