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Volunteers Wanted
Join our Citizen Curators Training Programme
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno | Photo Rebecca Peters
This August, the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno is recruiting up to five new volunteers to join their Citizen Curators team. Citizen Curators is a free work-based training programme in museum awareness and modern curatorial practice aimed at volunteers from the local community. The programme is organised by Cornwall Museums Partnership, a sector-leading charity which invests in the development of Cornish museums, and is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund administered by the Museums Association and led by Dr. Tehmina Goskar, Director of the Curators Institute.
The museum is looking for volunteers with an interest in history who wish to learn how to be a curator, and no prior experience or qualifications are needed. Successful applicants must be free to attend training days, and be able to reach the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno and various locations throughout Cornwall which are hosting field trips.
The Project
2020 is the 150th anniversary of the first telegraph cable landing Porthcurno. In preparation, the museum will be offering their new Citizen Curators a project: they will have to research, gather, and interpret what they find in the museum's archives and present it in a series of short films to be premiered on the museum's YouTube channel, giving them a unique opportunity to use the skills they will learn on the Citizen Curator training programme. They will be given technical support by a member of staff who will film and edit the work, all in conjunction with the Citizen Curators' ideas.
The museum will be holding an open day on Wednesday 7th August so you can visit and ask any questions.
To apply download the application form via www. telegraphmuseum.org/get-involved/volunteers, email info@telegraphmuseum.org or telephone the museum on 01736 810966 to request an application form, and return it along with a copy of your CV by the deadline.
The deadline for applications is Monday 26thAugust 2019.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal interview, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
The Citizen Curators programme begins this September and runs through to April 2020. Candidates who complete the programme will receive a certificate endorsing their accomplishments. For information see www.cornwallmuseumspartnership.org.uk/citizen-curators/
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JX
01736 810966 |info@telegraphmuseum.org| www.telegraphmuseum.org
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Telegraph Museum_photo credit Rebecca Peters
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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 0782