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Tintagel
is known throughout the world for its links to the legends of King
Arthur and Merlin.
There
is a lot more to discover about the area and David Flower set out
to prove that in his website.
David,
for years, ran a successful business in Cornwall. In June 2000 he
started the Tintagel website. When he retired in July 2001 he expanded
the site.
"I
have always been a busy person," explains David. "I was
determined not to sit back and do nothing when I retired."
Living
in Tintagel David found plenty of things that eventually inspired
him to set up a website.
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| Bossiney
Mound plays a big part in Arthurian Legend |
According
to Cornish tradition King Arthur's golden Round Table lies deep
in the earth buried under Bossiney Mound. Only on Midsummer Night
does it rise, and then the flash of light from it for a moment illuminates
the sky, after which the golden table sinks again.
David
had always been interested in computers but started to take their
potential more seriously soon after he retired.
"I
bought a big computer book and taught myself how to build a website,"
remembers David. "I wanted to show everyone how beautiful Tintagel
is."
David's
idea was to build a small website with a couple of pages.
This
initial plan has now turned into what is probably Cornwall's biggest
village website.
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| David's
pictures capture the beauty of Tintagel |
With
the many pages has come recognition from around the world.
"It
has been amazing," smiles David. "I fought hard to get
recognised on the various search engines. It was worthwhile though.
In one week recently I received 1,356 visitors!"
David's
website has reached some incredible places and unusual people.
"I
received an email from a rock band in America who are called Tintagel,"
laughs David. "They were asking if they could use one of my
pictures of the area. My photo is now part of the bands emblem!"
David
takes his photography seriously.
"I
spend a while making sure I get the pictures just right," says
David.
David's
website now stretches into the village of Boscastle too.
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| Famous
cloam oven in a cottage wall in Boscastle |
"I
have produced a tour of Boscastle," he explains. "You
can see the pictures and then go to the village and find where exactly
the cloam oven in a wall can be found."
David's
pictures have become popular with website visitors. As well as taking
the traditional photos there are also some amusing shots to be seen.
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| A
face in the wall, built on purpose or by accident? |
"I
took a picture of a face in the wall which is really funny,"
smiles David. "At some stage in the past the face was obviously
built into the wall either on purpose or by accident. You can't
miss it."
The
website has an average of 60,000 visitors a year which makes David
very proud.
"It
all started as a hobby," he says. "The website has grown
much bigger than I had ever planned. I must spend at least ten hours
a week working on it!"
Now
you have read about David's success why not pay a visit to www.tintagelweb.co.uk
Many
thanks to David for letting the BBC Cornwall website use some of
his pictures. You can see many more on his excellent website.
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