I listened with great interest, as I imagine did many thousands of others nationwide, to the WMN’s Living Cornwall editor Simon Parker discussing the issue of second homes in Cornwall.

The discussion, broadcast as part of BBC Radio 4’s Picturing Britain series, took place on the shore at Cadgwith.

It was aired at prime listening time – between the World at One and The Archers – which must have made a lot of people sit up and take notice.

I was pleased Simon took the opportunity to draw attention to the high percentage of second homes as being “one of the biggest problems” facing the region and which threatens to change the nature of many of our communities.

The fact that he highlighted a certain backlash across Cornwall suggests there may be many who share the same concerns. They may therefore take heart from the activities of St Ives Jumbo Association. Whilst not directly attempting to deal with the issue, this charity is having some success with addressing some of its negative effects – essentially by facilitating an integration with the host community.

St Ives is no stranger to the problem, having surrendered its former residential heart to second home ownership some time ago.

However, in 2007, a group of enthusiasts formed an association to establish racing-class replicas of Victorian fishing luggers, unique to St Ives, and known as Jumbos.

Our purpose was to regenerate the harbour by encouraging people to engage with the sea and each other whilst developing a sense of pride in the maritime heritage of the town.

Membership of the association has since swollen to include many second home owners and visitors who recognise that messing about in Jumbos provides a very engaging and accessible opportunity to integrate with the community. Consequently they have become some of the association’s most public-spirited and active supporters.

Simply messing about in Jumbos and participating in our activities tacitly helps to promote the ideals that prevailed when St Ives was primarily a fishing community.

This is not about turning the clock back. It is about putting aside self-interest and identifying common ground that helps bind a community when the original reasons for its being no longer exist – which, following the demise of fishing and mining, goes for most of Cornwall.

There seemed to be a consensus (on the BBC Radio 4 programme at least) that second homes are inevitable.

But rather than allowing second home owners to change the nature of our communities, maybe there is something we can do to strengthen them to withstand their influence.

Perhaps every community should have its own Jumbo. We could do worse than to start there.

Jonny Nance, Secretary, St Ives Jumbo Association, St Ives.