Each year Cornwall Heritage Trust makes this prestigious award to an ‘unsung hero or heroine’ – someone who gives their time and energy in a voluntary capacity and has made a significant contribution to Cornwall’s heritage. It is open to all organisations in the heritage field to nominate a suitable candidate.
Sir Richard Trant
Sir Richard Trant was a Cornishman of extraordinary talents. After a very distinguished career in the Army he retired to his beloved Cornwall and dedicated his remaining years helping to promote Cornwall’s heritage both in Cornwall and much further afield.
The Heritage Champion Awards were launched in his memory.
Previous Winners
2022
Trevor Smithram
In 2022, a new special Heritage Champion Lockdown Award was created and presented to Trevor Smitheram. During pandemic lockdowns, Trevor posted regular, almost daily, videos on social media featuring dialect stories and poems which kept up the spirits of local communities and saw people from all over the world engaging with his work.
2022
St Columb Old Cornwall Society
The 2022 Heritage Champion Award for Groups and Organisations was awarded to St Columb Old Cornwall Society for its commitment to the preservation of Cornwall’s traditions and heritage at Castle an Dinas, one of the 13 historic sites Cornwall Heritage Trust cares for.
2022
Elizabeth Dale
The 2022 Heritage Champion winner was Elizabeth Dale for her work with the “Cornish Bird” blog which shines a light on Cornwall’s hidden places and untold stories. The blog is very well received with over 234,000 page views and over 7,400 Twitter followers.
2019
The Cornish Wrestling Association
In 2019 a new Heritage Champion Award for Groups and Organisations was launched, and presented to The Cornish Wrestling Association for their work in preserving Cornwall's heritage.
2019
Will Coleman
The 2019 Heritage Champion winner was Will Coleman for his work promoting Cornwall’s heritage through projects such as the Man Engine and Golden Tree Productions.
2018
Cheryl Straffon
For her work with CASPN, FOCAS and the Penwith Landscape Partnership Project. (Image shows John Moss of CASPN presenting Cheryl with her award)
2017
Carole Vivian
For establishing and organising the Cornwall Association of Local Historians (CALH) as well as presenting talks and tours all over Cornwall.
2016
Captain George Hogg
For his work with the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the Bartlett Library.
2015
Ted Gundry
For his work creating and preserving an archive of interviews and recordings of stories from a career spanning over 50 years, as well as his contribution to Cornish Gig Rowing and his tireless work as Advocate of Cornish social and cultural heritage.
2014
Pip Richards
For restoring Carwynnon Quoit and inspiring the local community to help preserve their heritage.
2013
Cedric Appleby
For his work on religious nonconformity in Cornwall.
2012
Tony Pawlyn
For research into Cornwall’s maritime history.
2011
Hugo White
For his work with the Cornish Buildings Group and for many years of dedicated organisation and promotion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry museum.
2010
Andrew Langdon
For his research and practical work on Cornish crosses.
2009
John Cuthill
For services to the preservation and revival of Cornish gigs.
