The Cornwall Lecture’s central theme for 2008 is the enduring relationship between Cornish landscape and its distinctive identity, culture and economy.

The speaker Robert Tregay is a Cornishman, an Honorary Professor at the University of Wales and Senior Partner of LDA Design, one of the country’s best known design and environmental consultancies which he has built into one that competes successfully against the best in the world. Further information on the 2008 Lecture.

The Cornwall Lecture is an annual event which addresses themes of importance to the social and/or economic life of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Speakers are invited to challenge current thinking and to take part in discussions which contribute to policy making in different areas.

The Lecture was established in 1995 as part of In Pursuit of Excellence(IPE) an initiative which promoted Cornwall throughout the world as a place for good investment. It aimed to change the common and frequently repeated perception that Cornwall is a place for a holiday but not for work. Adair Turner, then Director General of the CBI endorsing the initiative said it had provoked “the biggest favourable shift in his impression of a place.” The publications of IPE consistently promoted achievement and success rather than problems and failure, whilst The Lecture injected new ideas and complimented that work.

The Project Director of IPE Keith Hambly-Staite now leads the team delivering The Cornwall Lecture. Internationally known speakers are invited to talk on issues of current social or economic importance to Cornwall.

Past lectures have regularly challenged the way the county thinks. Simon Jenkins, "You think you are special and warned that everyone thinks they are special too". It is therefore vital that the county puts in place policies that secure it's difference for the future. Adair Turner emphasized the need to keep on marketing and never letting up; "marketing in a way which tells a story of confidence, which overcomes the perception and awareness problems of peripheral location, and which projects a story of modern knowledge based business which nevertheless builds on a heritage from the past."

The Lecture format is constantly refreshed. In 2002 it was The Cornwall Lecture Waste Management Awards, sponsored by the County Environmental Trust. The Awards were announced by Jonathon Porritt at The Cornwall Lecture and launched a scheme set in Cornish Primary Schools. Teachers and students undertook a waste audit which subsequently led to eight schools undertaking a range of projects addressing the issues around waste management. Projects included the first 'Big Book' on recycling waste in the country produced by Menheniot and Fourlanesend Primary School (available on this site).

Past occasions have seen performances by the Duchy Opera and St Keverne Junior Brass Band. In 2002 the Lecture opened with a Cornish based band using instruments entirely made out of waste materials and in 2003 Jenny Agutter read a poem commissioned from Caroline Carver (National Poet of the Year 2001) illustrated with photographs by Fredericka Blair Turner taken during their journey through North Cornwall. 2004 saw the Mevagissey Male Choir and a video compilation of images reflecting our sponsors views on Cornwall's natural and built environment.

Since its inception The Cornwall Lecture has always been treated as an 'event' and promotes different aspects of Cornwall's culture each year. Cornwall has a considerable history and a very rich cultural life including theatre, art, craft, music, and dance. In 2005 a video commissioned by the Cornwall Agricultural Council and the Cornwall Lecture (IPE) Ltd set the scene for a lively debate on future agricultural policy.

2006 saw a performance by Paul Robertson of Bach's Chaconne and its relevance to one of the themes of the evening the place of music in our health and well-being.

Lead Sponsor

www.stephens-scown.co.uk

Sponsors 2008

www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk


www.southwestrda.org.uk


www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk


www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk


www.nationaltrust.org.uk



www.ncdc.gov.uk


www.cornwall.gov.uk