Last weekend Cornwall Heritage Trust took over the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro for the day and held two events to “Celebrate Cornwall’s Heritage”.
During the day the Museum was free for visitors to come and explore and enjoy the additional activities organised by the Trust. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to enter the Christmas card design competition, make their own badges, get their faces painted, listen to traditional Cornish stories, participate in a Manga drawing workshop with Keith Sparrow and paint pebbles with #BiliKernow. Families were encouraged to roam the Museum to search for pictures of Hairy Tej as part of a treasure hunt and Hairy Tej himself was also present!! The day’s entertainments ended with a wonderful performance from the Cornwall County Boys and Girls Choirs.
CHT Community Engagement Officer, Belinda Body commented “Over 650 people came to the event and took the opportunity to explore the fascinating exhibits and take part in some of the special activities. We leaflet-dropped the local Primary Schools and clearly the message got through! Thank you to everyone who came along and learned a little bit more about Cornwall’s unique heritage”
In the evening a reception was held for invited guests and hosted by the Trust’s President, Colonel Edward Bolitho. Tiffany Truscott from BBC Radio Cornwall compered the awards ceremony which started with the presentation of the Sir Richard Trant Memorial Award for Heritage Champion 2019. This year’s winner was Will Coleman for his work promoting Cornwall’s heritage through projects such as the Man Engine and Golden Tree Productions. A new Heritage Champion Award for Groups and Organisations was presented to the Cornish Wrestling Association, their representatives were delighted that their contribution to the preservation of Cornwall’s heritage was recognised.
The prize for the overall winner of the 2020 Calendar Photographic Competition was awarded to Tim Pearson, whose stunning photo is featured on the front cover of the calendar. Tim received a framed print of his winning image provided by Banana Shed Framing in Penryn.
Colonel Bolitho also formally launched the new “Heritage Friends” scheme, an opportunity for businesses and organisations to support the Trust’s work. More information about this new initiative can be found here.
Guests were treated to refreshments kindly provided by Colwith Farm Distillery and Navas Tonic and enjoyed superb performances by the Cornwall Youth Choir. They also took the opportunity to view two of the paintings bequeathed to Cornwall Heritage Trust by Paul Smales; watercolours by Lamorna Birch and Charles Napier Hemy were on display.
Cathy Woolcock, CHT CEO, commented: “The whole day was an outstanding success and really gave us the chance to promote Cornwall’s heritage and engage with many new faces. We are very grateful to everyone who helped to make the day a success. Special thanks to Colwith Farm Distillery and Navas tonics for the refreshments in the evening and Emma Griffin Photographer and Banana Shed Framing for the photography prize. A big thank you to Tiffany Truscott for compering the awards ceremony and to James and Nicky from the Royal Cornwall Museum for their support and patience! Finally, thank you to everyone who came along and made the day such a success!”
