The St Levan project

The St Levan Community History project, which is based at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, began life in a modest way in 2001 and has grown steadily since then. Now there is a valuable collection of audio recordings of people’s memories, old photographs and artefacts, and a committed community involvement.

A six-month pilot project, funded by a small grant from Penwith District Council, was carried out in late 2001 and early 2002. A number of St Levan parish residents were interviewed and their memories recorded. And from that initial community involvement a need was highlighted for further exploration into the parish’s social history along with establishing a permanent base for people to meet and share their heritage.

A subsequent two-year project built on those foundations, funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund in partnership with the museum. That funding has now finished but Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is continuing to support and develop the community history centre and its rewarding work .

Not only has it widened the museum’s audience and developed a fascinating new strand of visitor experience but it has also forged strong links with the community. It has involved both young and old so that many people, who were literally on the doorstep, have now crossed over the museum’s threshold and become a living and active part of our work.


Image: Local history on show

In the beginning...

Getting started

What skills are needed?

Names and Faces

Equipment

Carrying out a recording

Transcribing

Saving the sounds

Setting up a community archive

Care and Storage of the Collection

Copyright

Working with volunteers

Are there any pitfalls?

Community involvement

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