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27.
March
2020.
Press Release | Local Museum Wins 2020 Cultural Enterprises Green Award

Press Release

27 | 03 | 20

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(Previously the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno)

 


 

PK Porthcurno Wins 2020 Green Award

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PK Porthcurno gardens | photo credit Rebecca Peters

 

PK Porthcurno (previously the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno) has been announced as the winner of the Association for Cultural Enterprises GREEN AWARD 2020, for their innovative new Planet PK project which launched this spring. Planet PK is an ongoing environmental programme which looks to the future of Porthcurno Valley and recognises the museum's shared responsibility to the habitat, biodiversity and impact of residents and visitors on this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Planet PK has been established with advice and funding from Tevi, a unique business support programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that aims to build greener businesses whilst enhancing the natural environment.

Working with the Eden Project, PK Porthcurno have replanted their carpark borders with pollen producing wildflowers that support biodiversity in the valley. These will flower for the first time this summer and will then be an established feature of the valley to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The museum café has introduced a range of vegan food options, and sustainable sourcing has become a priority for the museum which has taken great steps towards becoming plastic free across its retail, catering, programming and engagement activities, and where possible switching its supplies to recycled, vegan and cruelty free products. Renewable energy panels have been installed at the museum, while their Green Travel initiative means that visitors arriving at PK Porthcurno by bus are given discounted entry to the museum. The woodland, springs and streams that make up the museum site have been cleared of any plastics and broken glass that have accumulated over the years, making the environment safer for the deer, foxes and squirrels that live there. Five beehives have been introduced to the site, and these are now producing honey which is for sale in the museum shop. PK Porthcurno have also been working in partnership with the National Trust on clearing invasive species from the valley site, and rewilding land above the museum. In a further move to support local wildlife, Museum Director, Julia Twomlow has been trained as a volunteer Marine Mammal Medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue service, helping with the rescue of stranded and distressed marine mammals on the West Cornwall coast.

Sue Croxford, the Association for Cultural Enterprises Award Manager, said: "The judges recognised that as well as making tangible changes, Planet PK is helping to embed values in the organisation's business and marketing plans to ensure it is central to all decision-making. It's a truly holistic approach that goes well beyond product and looks at everything from biodiversity and sustainability promotion to reducing the potential impact of high footfall. There is some strong partnership working involved with relevant experts, and the organisation is also looking beyond their direct area of influence and to their surroundings."

Dr Dan Bloomfield, Project Manager at Tevi, said :"Tevi is especially proud to support our partners at PK Porthcurno.The work they have carried out there exemplifies what Tevi is all about - growing the environment and growing businesses, at the same time.  The museum is a beacon for thinking about the future whilst learning form the past - very well done to the whole team down in Porthcurno!"

 

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PK Porthcurno and gardens | photo credit Rebecca Peters

 

 

PK Porthcurno, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JX

01736 810966 |info@pkporthcurno.com

www.pkporthcurno.com

 

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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:
 
 

 
PK Porthcurno gardens_credit Rebecca Peters 
 

 

Green Award image_credit Rebecca Peters




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

 

Association for Cultural Enterprises

The aim of the Association for Cultural Enterprises is to promote commercial best practice in the cultural and heritage sector by providing training and networking opportunities and facilitating the sharing of information and experience between its members through five clearly defined roles: to promote commercial best practice, to offer support and provide networking opportunities, to educate and provide training, to facilitate the sharing of information, and to lobby and raise the profile of the culture and heritage sector.

www.culturalenterprises.org.uk

 

Tevi

Tevi (Cornish for ‘grow') is a new, unique and exciting EU-funded venture which aims to do two things, simultaneously; create both economic and environmental growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.The initiative, which runs until 2021, provides small and medium-sized enterprises across the county with expert consultation, opportunities for recognition and certification, and grant funding. It aims to help enterprises make the most of the prized asset upon which they rely - our beautiful natural environment - by helping them grow their business. Tevi supports enterprises to become more efficient with their natural resource use and to minimise their waste in smart and innovative ways as part of the global transition towards a circular economy. The work is led by the University of Exeter and is delivered in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Council and the Cornwall Development Company.

www.tevi.co.uk

 

PK Porthcurno

The tiny Cornish village of Porthcurno was once the heart of international telecommunications, boasting the largest telegraph station in the world. Today, PK 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

PK Porthcurno 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 of 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, PK 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

PK Porthcurno is owned by the PK Trust which is a registered educational charity no. 1062233.

PK Porthcurno, Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6JX | 01736 810966

info@pkporthcurno.com |www.pkporthcurno.com

 

 

 

 


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director@culturenotes.co.uk| Tel 07825 270235 |www.culturenotes.co.uk