County Report for:
Cornwall
Date:
19th January 2010
By:
Emmie Kell
Please remember that most of this report will be available on the Federation Website
on your ‘County’ pages. So please do write with this in mind. Any private issues for
the Committee only should be entered in last section named “Fed Eyes Only”
County Report
County Museum
Group
Has there been a meeting? What were main topics?
Was anything raised that should be brought to attention
of Fed Committee?
Write Your Report here
Cornwall Museums Group met on the 18th November at Shire Hall in Bodmin.
Attendance was good, with representatives from museums across the county. Items
on the agenda included updates on the MDF Volunteering project, the development
of the Cornwall Museums’ Strategy, changes at Cornwall Council, Renaissance in the
Regions priorities and projects, the Region of Culture bid and Manifesta. There was
also a presentation from Deborah Boden, on the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
Cornwall Museums Group has set up a Volunteer Sub Group and its first meeting was
held on the same date.
Anything Happened
Has anything happened in your County which other
reps and Fed Committee should know about?
Write Your Report here
Developments:
MDF Volunteering project MDF Value Volunteering project:
 Seven pilot projects in full swing.
 Creating a volunteer network with regular meetings.
 Producing a quarterly newsletter in 2010. First one due out in the next week.
 Providing volunteer recruitment posters to those who would like them.
 Running a series of training sessions (see below).
 Hoping to meet with Gloucestershire and Somerset who are running similar
projects.
Heritage Kernow is in the process of developing a Heritage Strategy, more
information is to be sought by CMG.
Mary Godwin is leading the development of the Cornwall Museums Strategy which
will be a practical Action Plan. A draft will be provided early in 2010.
Cornwall Council has confirmed that all existing grants to museums will be honoured
through the financial year 2009/10.
Appointments and moves:
The Head of Culture for the newly formed Cornwall Council has resigned for personal
reasons and it is unlikely that this post will be replaced.
Visit Cornwall, has a new Director, Malcolm Bell.
Helena Jaeschke is the Conservation Development Officer for Renaissance SW and
her remit has been extended to include museums in Cornwall (this is confirmed until
March 2010).
There is a new structure for MDO provision in Cornwall
 Jo Mattingly is the first port of call for enquiries and working with Restormel
Museum.
 Stephanie Meads has responsibilities for North and South East Cornwall.
 Jo Warburton is co-ordinating these meetings as well as working on training
and the Valuing Volunteering project.
 Mary Godwin is the contact for all Accreditation enquiries.
These arrangements are in place until March 2010.
Future CMG meeting dates:
 Friday 29th January. Cornwall Museums Group meeting (am), Volunteer
Newtork Meeting (pm). Wheal Martyn, China Clay Country Park, nr St Austell.
 Friday 26th March. Volunteer Network Meeting (pm). Location tbc.
 Wednesday 21st April. Cornwall Museum Group Meeting. Penzance
Training
What training has been undertaken in last quarter and
what is up-coming in next?
Write Your Report here
The following programme has just been announced. Further plans are being
developed by the Cornwall MDOs and Hilary McGowan and will be announced
shortly.
Handling and packing collections: a practical training day on assessing, handling
and packing items from your collection safely.
Helena Jaeschke, Conservation Development Officer, Renaissance South West.
Tuesday 9th February, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth.
Free.
Volunteer recruitment and retention.
Julia Hill, Volunteer and Training Manager, SS Great Britain, Bristol.
Wednesday 24th February, Exchange Gallery, Penzance.
Thursday 25th February, Public Hall, Liskeard.
Free.
Effective museum governance and management.
Adrian Babbidge, Consultant.
Monday 15th March, Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen, near Penzance.
Tuesday 16th March, Guildhall, Saltash.
Free.
Memory boxes – delivering reminiscence sessions for older people.
Louise McDermott, Royal Cornwall Museum.
Friday 16th April. Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro.
Free.
Successes
Any particular successes in county, including grant
applications, openings, awards, etc?
Write Your Report here
Penlee Art Gallery opened its newly developed Social History Gallery in December
2009.
Falmouth Art Gallery’s Stained Glass Heritage Project was officially unveiled in
November 2009. The project worked with a number of under-represented audiences
and community partners and was funded by HLF. A report is available on gallery’s
website.
Porthmeor Studios in St Ives have received 900k funding from the SeaChange
programme for its renovation project which will also include the development of
heritage interpretation, learning and volunteering programmes.
A number of organisations within the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site have
received funding as part of the RDPE programme from SWRDA. Funding will provide
new WHS orientation facilities at a number of venues and at Cornish Mines and
Engines in Pool (National Trust) it is being used to redevelop interpretation across the
site.
2009 was the first year 69 Cornwall Celebrates - Volunteering Awards. There were 13
categories one of which was Culture.
Mrs Maureen Tooze Honorary Curator of Bodmin Town Museum was nominated for
this category and became the first Cornwall Cultural Volunteer winner.
Problems
Any particular problems or challenges faced by
museums in your county?
Write Your Report here
Feedback regarding the new Council and its response to museums has initially been
positive, although there is still a degree of uncertainty as to future funding.
Membership
Any new members? Any lost members?
Write Your Report here
Ideas
Any ideas from you or your membership to help the Fed
help you?
Write Your Report here
Any Web Links
Any Websites created by County members of interest?
Write Your Report here
Anything Else
Any other points that you wish to raise?
Write Your Report here
Images of Use for Fed
Do you have any images that might be of use to the Fed
or could be put up on the website?
Please send images separately to co-ordinator
Fed Eyes Only
Write private issues here
Enter here any issues, topics or news for Federation
Committee only
Please feel free to keep report short and to the point.
If there is no news, don’t worry – just leave section blank.