Royal backing for GRS Group community project in Cornwall
Infrastructure project backed by HRH Prince William set to transform access to Mousehole AFC
AN ambitious infrastructure project backed by HRH The Prince of Wales is set to transform access to Mousehole AFC, creating new opportunities for sport, community events, and reducing congestion in the local village of Paul.
Construction work began this week on a new access road that will serve Mousehole AFC, the club’s seasonal campsite, and neighbouring Paul Cricket Club. For years, the only route to the club has been via a narrow, pothole-ridden lane through the village – leading to traffic issues, damaged vehicles, and logistical headaches for visiting teams and supporters.
The challenges faced by the club and wider community were brought to national attention in The Observer in October 2024. After reading the article, Prince William reached out to Martin Riley, senior executive at CRH, a global leader in building materials, asking him to explore whether the Duchy of Cornwall could help develop a lasting solution.
Simon Taylor, vice-chairman of Mousehole AFC and the project’s lead, described what happened next: ‘Within a week, I was in a Teams meeting with Martin Riley, who’d been tasked by HRH to come and help fix the existing road.
‘Two weeks later, Martin visited the club. After experiencing the lane for himself, he quickly realized a full repair wasn’t viable. With planning permission already secured for an alternative access point, we turned our attention to the possibility of building a brand-new road.
‘Countless meetings – both on-site and virtual –later, we’ve pulled together an incredible consortium of local and national companies who’ve committed their time, resources, and expertise to bring this dream to life.’
The construction is being carried out at no cost to the club, thanks to generous in-kind contributions from the following partners:
ISC (part of the GRS Group) – specialists in enabling works, earthworks, and civil engineering across the UK
Maen Karne (part of the GRS Group) – Cornwall’s leading supplier of bagged and loose aggregates and waste removal services
Griffiths – a major civil engineering contractor with a large-scale plant fleet and decades of experience
Holcim – experts in asphalt and paving solutions with a strong focus on sustainability
Colas – global leaders in transport infrastructure and highway maintenance, with local operations in Cornwall
Cormac – Cornwall-based contractors delivering road-building, surfacing, and civil engineering services
Keyline – national civils and drainage suppliers with a strong presence in Cornwall.
The route has also been made possible thanks to the generosity of local landowner Paul Pond, who has granted access to part of his land, and the years of tireless campaigning by former club chairman Deryk Heywood.
The Prince of Wales said: ‘I have seen time and time again that community hubs are essential in providing the spaces for people to come together, to build stronger communities and to allow people to thrive.
‘It’s a privilege to be able to help the local community access Mousehole AFC. I’d like to personally add my thanks for all the hard work that’s gone into making it happen. I look forward to seeing the new road for myself as soon as I can.’
In addition to improved access, the project will deliver new parking facilities, which will enable the club to expand its offering of sporting, social, and cultural events for the wider community.
Jon Fisher, chief executive of GRS Group, who are leading the works, said: ‘This project is a powerful example of the difference we can make when we bring together our national capability and expertise. It reflects what we’re all about – building infrastructure that improves lives and connects communities – and it’s one of many grassroots initiatives we’re proud to support nationwide.
‘Improving this access road will benefit the wider community around Mousehole, and it’s something we’re very proud to be involved with.’
Simon Taylor added: ‘This project is transformative –not just for Mousehole AFC but for the entire area. The cricket club will also benefit from the new road, and we’ll now be able to host more events at Interiora Trungle Parc, turning it into a true community hub. Most importantly, it will take matchday and holiday traffic out of the village, improving the experience for everyone.
‘I’m incredibly grateful to our consortium; there are too many individuals to name, but their support has been extraordinary. Special thanks go to Martin Riley for his dedication and guidance, GRS group chief executive Jon Fisher – without whose project leadership we could not have moved forward – and of course to HRH The Prince of Wales, whose involvement made this possible.’
The new road is expected to be completed in time for the start of Mousehole AFC’s 2025/26 season in the Pitching In Southern League Division One this August. A visit by Prince William to see the community development in action is anticipated later in the year.
