This project grew from an interest in putting up some explanatory signs around the town. With advice from an LHI support worker, who showed the group what had been done elsewhere, it was expanded to include collecting oral histories, publishing a trail leaflet and filming a video.

The trail was designed to lead through West and East Looe, joined by a medieval bridge, in about two hours, and to be accessible to wheelchairs as far as possible. With four interpretation boards, some plaques and a series of finger-pointer signs along the route, it spotlighted 21 places of interest from the 14th century St Nicholas Church to the 19th century New Guildhall.

Full-colour fold-out leaflets were produced, illustrated with photographs and original drawings by a local artist, with a map of the route and explanatory notes. The signage and leaflets were very well received and encouraged both residents and visitors to discover details of the heritage of what was once an important centre for boat building, fishing, and exporting tin, copper and granite.

The leaflet was distributed free to local townspeople and sold through the tourist information centre, with the proceeds being used for printing further copies. It was translated into four other languages which were chosen because of the town’s popularity with European tourists - French, Dutch, German and Spanish.

Practical difficulties prevented production of the audio guide, but the group continued to record oral reminiscences, which were archived in the Town Museum. The video/DVD proved very popular, encouraging people to notice details that had previously passed them by. It was shown at public screenings, exhibitions, demonstrations and meetings, and copies were distributed to local schools as an educational resource. The film was also available for sale, with profits used to fund other local heritage projects.

As well as providing training and experience in IT skills, digital photography, and video filming and editing, the project encouraged communication and co-operation with a variety of individuals and organisations who provided useful information. The core members of the project continued to produce additional copies of the DVDs as required, and went on to work together on other ventures not directly connected to the heritage trail.

Plans considered for further development by the project group included collecting more oral history reminiscences, putting up plaques to mark monuments and other points of interest in the town, and making a DVD depicting ‘A Year in the Life of Looe’.