EXPO Ertach Kernow 2023 - 'Cornish Distinctiveness'

Godolphin House hosted the first EXPO Ertach Kernow | Cornwall Heritage EXPO on Friday 29 September & Saturday 30 September, 2023.

The National Trust’s Godolphin Estate hosted a two-day heritage EXPO at the end of September 2023. This first EXPO Ertach Kernow | Cornish Heritage EXPO was led by Bord Ertach Kernow in partnership with Cornwall Council, the National Trust and Cornwall Buildings Group.

The two-day EXPO was based on the theme of Cornish distinctiveness, and showcased over 50 heritage organisations and associated businesses, all of whom contribute towards the conservation, understanding and enjoyment of Cornwall’s heritage and historic environment.

Alongside 2023’s theme of Cornish distinctiveness, the ongoing aim of EXPO Ertach Kernow is to promote the diverse range of employment, apprenticeship, training and volunteering opportunities within the heritage sector. Whether you want to find out more about how to become anything from a Cornish hedger to a museum curator, a conservation architect to an archivist, or simply want to find out what support there is available to you if you want to explore more of Cornwall’s heritage, then the EXPO is the event to attend. On both days there will be information and demonstrations, traditional crafts and great local refreshments.

On Friday 29 September over 250 students from local secondary schools and colleges attended the EXPO to learn more about career opportunities and pathways into employment in the heritage sector, alongside work experience, volunteering, training and apprenticeships. This career day has been supported with a grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

On Saturday 30 September visitors not only had all the exhibitors’ stands to visit, the house and scaffolding tour, but also performances by local choirs, storytelling from Will Hazell, a talk by Emma Jenkin called ‘The Fall and Rise of the Cornish language’ and got the opportunity to enjoy Morvleydh, the Cornish Early Medieval Warband! The EXPO was open to the general public on both days.

Speaking ahead of the event in 2023, Cllr Martyn Alvey, Chair of Bord Ertach Kernow said: “I am delighted to see that Cornwall’s first heritage EXPO will be showcasing the work of over forty heritage organisations and associated businesses and the contribution that they all make to preserving Cornish distinctiveness, the theme of this inaugural EXPO. It is also a great opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution of the hundreds of volunteers who are the backbone of our heritage sector and to encourage more people to become involved, or simply to find out more about how they can enjoy what makes Cornwall such a special place.”

Ian Marsh, National Trust South West Assistant Director Operations said: “This event will see the heritage sector in Cornwall come together for the first time in one location to show what opportunities we can offer to all. With a particular focus on careers and apprenticeships, we hope the event may inspire people to consider a career looking after the historic places, landscapes and history we all love so much.”