A two-day Cornish Heritage EXPO was hosted at the National Trust’s Godolphin Estate on the 28^th and 29^th of September, in support of Cornwall Council’s Heritage Strategy. The theme was Cornish distinctiveness with the event showcasing over 50 heritage organisations and associated businesses. The aim was to also promote a diverse range of employment, apprenticeship, training, and volunteering opportunities within the heritage sector.

PK Porthcurno attended the event on a lovely, sunny Friday to which local secondary schools and colleges had been invited. Alongside our stall set up in the main marquee, it was also the first public appearance of Poppy (our recently acquired mobile telegraph unit) since her arrival in Cornwall.

Two members of the PK team were stationed on Poppy to speak with students and visitors about her history, with many attempting the ‘Cable Game’ designed by our PK volunteers, and learning about how messages are sent through cables, both past and present.

Meanwhile, on our stall in the marquee, we engaged students with stamping Morse code messages, as well as telling them about how we look after our collections, especially with regard to pests. Only a few were brave enough to look at the various spiders and insects stuck to our pest monitor sticky traps.

It was also a chance for us to talk about Planet PK, our ongoing environmental programme, and our work with our Planet PK Champions.

Alongside the schools and colleges, 400 members of the public also attended the EXPO on Friday alone. The feedback has been very positive, with people saying that they really enjoyed the variety of organisations present, the fun and friendly atmosphere and that there was something for everyone, with one visitor commenting that her son no longer thinks that ‘history is boring’! The hope is that this will become an annual event, so please do keep your eyes peeled for the next Cornish Heritage EXPO in 2024.