Press Release
26 | 09 | 18
Telegraph Museum welcomes coveted
Cable & Wireless Exiles Trophies to its collection
The Exiles Golfing Society silver trophies (detail)
In a special handover ceremony this month, the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno welcomed the donation of six historic trophies from the Cable & Wireless Exiles Golfing Society. The trophies, five of which are solid sterling silver, date from as far back as 1921, when the Golfing Society was formed in order to ‘maintain good fellowship' between Cable & Wireless staff trained at Porthcurno Telegraph station and then ‘exiled' to their working posts in locations as far flung as Ascension Island, Singapore and The Cocos Islands.
The society was originally founded on a contribution from John Denison-Pender Esq MP, chairman of the Eastern Telegraph Company (later Cable & Wireless) and subsidised by the company over the next 80 years for the enjoyment of its staff. This first ‘John Denison-Pender Esq MP Cup' is inscribed as being for ‘An Annual Golf Competition'; in 1937, the ‘Exiles Challenge Cups' were donated for the creation of an additional Foursome's golfing competition; next came the ‘Innes Quaich Cup', donated in 1950 by John Innes C.B., the first managing director of Cable & Wireless after its nationalisation; there then followed the ‘Exiles Cup', donated in 1952 by the Exiles Club London, and finally the ‘Dan Godrich Cup', donated in 1954: Dan Godrich was a renowned all-round Cable and Wireless sportsman of the early 1900s.
Over many years, Exiles Golfing Society members enjoyed a subsidy that enabled them to play at top tier golf courses. Interest was such that if members didn't get their names down to play early, they would miss out, or end up playing late into the evening behind members already relaxing at the 19th hole.
Around the Millennium, corporate changes at Cable & Wireless meant that the golf subsidy was finally discontinued, and by 2015, due to an ageing membership and no new blood coming through, the decision was taken to wind up the Society over the next two years. The Exiles Golf Society played its last competition in September 2017 at Burhill Golf Club, Surrey, and arrangements were made to hand the society's coveted golf trophies over to the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno, where they will take their place in the museum's historic Cable & Wireless Archive, a collection with designated status in recognition of its national and international significance.
Peter Burleigh, Captain and President of the Exiles Golfing Society from 2008 to 2017, who presented museum Chair of Trustees Professor Gareth Parry with the six trophies, said:
"The heritage value of these trophies and their connection to Cable & Wireless has been defined, so it remains my pleasure on behalf of the Exiles Golfing Society, even tinged with a note of sadness, to hand them over to the Telegraph Museum for safe keeping, and hopefully the enjoyment of visitors."
Telegraph Museum Head of Collections Charlotte Todd said:
"The trophies are an excellent addition to the collection. The museum holds Exile trophies for other sports, including tennis, soccer, rugby and shooting, so it is wonderful to be able to add to these golfing society trophies. Cable and Wireless felt it was very important that their employees, especially those stationed to remote locations, had many opportunities for hobbies, and these trophies represent a key part of that social history."
The six Exiles Golfing Society trophies date back as far as 1921
Professor Gareth Parry (left), Chair of the Board of Trustees for the PK Trust,
and Peter Burleigh (right) Captain of the Exiles Golfing Society
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JX
01736 810966 |info@telegraphmuseum.org| www.telegraphmuseum.org
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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:
Exiles Golfing Trophies (detail)
The six Exiles Golfing Trophies
Peter Burleigh and Gareth Parry presentation
For further press information and additional high resolution images contact Mercedes Smith
director@culturenotes.co.uk| Tel 07825 270235 |www.culturenotes.co.uk
Editors Notes
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno
The tiny Cornish village of Porthcurno was once the heart of international telecommunications, boasting the largest telegraph station in the world. Today, the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno is a vibrant and captivating heritage attraction. Discover our World War II tunnels, which were the secret hub of Britain's wartime communications; visit the Cable Hut where the UK's network of underwater telecommunication cables came ashore; explore exhibitions and interactive displays telling the amazing story of global telecommunications. from the first practical use of electricity to how we communicate today using fibre optic cables that still run beneath the world's seas and oceans.
A Unique History
The Telegraph Museum is unique amongst Cornwall's heritage attractions and illustrates the crucial role Porthcurno and its residents played in the development of modern communications. In particular it tells the story of the people who came to train at the telegraph station, the friendships and romances they formed, the extraordinary lives they led as Cable & Wireless employees in far flung locations across the British Empire, and the vital role they played in defining the Allies' strategy during World War II.
For Families
Designed for all ages, this family-friendly interactive museum showcases the science, the people, and the amazing stories that made developments in global communications possible, and demonstrates how advances in digital communications are changing the world forever. Immerse your family in Porthcurno's lasting legacy and spend the day exploring science, technology, history and the world around us. With secret tunnels, trails, codes to crack, interactive technology, hands-on experiments and creative seasonal events, families can take advantage a wealth of inspiring activities throughout the year, as well as enjoying our onsite café, and browsing our museum shop.
For Schools
Our varied programme of school workshops combines engaging hands-on activities with time to explore the Museum. Our experienced learning team will work with you to plan your visit, tailoring workshops to meet your groups' needs or specific learning outcomes. Activities are hosted at our onsite Clore Learning Space - an accessible and flexible space designed for both formal and informal learning.
For Students and Researchers
Available by arrangement to school students, undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers, the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno houses the business archive of Cable & Wireless, an enviable collection that includes thousands of unique records from Porthcurno's lasting communication legacy, including an estimated 10,000 photographs from the 1850's to the present day. Following the closure of the original telegraph station and training school, many historically significant objects were kept and now form the basis of the Museum's unique collection, which has designated status in recognition of its national and international significance.
Additional Information
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno is owned by the PK Trust which is a registered educational charity no. 1062233.
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JX | 01736 810966
info@telegraphmuseum.org|www.telegraphmuseum.org
director@culturenotes.co.uk| Tel 07825 270235 |www.culturenotes.co.uk