THIRD DATE CONFIRMED FOR PORTHCURNO'S COMMUNICATE 2008
Communications specialist speaks at University College Falmouth

Press release: March 2008 (PDF version, 30KB)

The history of telecommunications, from messenger on horseback to wireless Internet connection, is being explored in a fascinating lecture being held by Porthcurno Telegraph Museum.

The third in the Communicate 2008 lecture series will see international expert Dr Jack Rowley speak at University College Falmouth on Thursday, March 27 at 7.30pm.

Dr Rowley is Director of Research and Sustainability at GSMA, a global trade organisation which represents mobile phone operators in over 200 countries.

With a background in electronic engineering, Dr Rowley has more than 18 years experience in the telecommunications industry. He is responsible for researching the safety and social aspects of mobile communications.

He said: "In the last two centuries we have come to better understand the nature of electricity and how we can use the associated electric and magnetic fields for both wired and wireless communications.

"This talk will follow the technical innovations that have taken communications from the messenger on horseback to the Internet via the telegraph, the telephone, the wireless and the mobile phone.

"I'll also be introducing the people who made this possible and speculating on future telecommunications services."

The Communicate 2008 lecture series is being held by Porthcurno Telegraph Museum to celebrate Cornwall's role in global communications, the history of which is available on www.porthcurno.org.uk.

On the site of world's largest cable station, the museum in West Cornwall was once at the centre of communications for the British Empire. Even now a large percentage of the UK's Internet traffic travels through cables at Porthcurno.

Communicate 2008 has already played host to mobile phone expert Jane Vincent of the Digital World Research Centre, who delivered a fascinating talk: Why do we love and loathe mobile phones?. This was followed by Jonathan Simmons from communication agency Public Zone, who spoke about the evolution of social networking through the sites Facebook, Bebo and Myspace.

The final lecture in the series, New Media, New Terrorism takes place on April 24, when Dr Maura Conway will be exploring the relationship between terrorism and the Internet.

The evenings are being chaired by Chris Rogers, television news presenter and political editor for BBC South West.

Libby Buckley, Director at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, said: "These lectures will celebrate Cornwall's role in global communications, as well as enabling a wider community to engage with our work at the museum.

"We've invited four international experts to deliver fascinating talks about communication and its role in society, from social networking and mobile phones to the use of the Internet in terrorist activity.

"Currently we have a number of research projects under way, focusing on technological, social and cultural development of international communication.

"Communicate 2008 perfectly complements that research, and working with University College Falmouth means we can support new talent in this field.

"We also hope to raise awareness of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and perhaps drive more people to visit us."

Students studying media and broadcasting courses at University College Falmouth are also being encouraged to get involved - broadcasts and digital podcasts are being planned so the lectures can be accessed digitally after the events have taken place.

Tickets for the events are priced £7.50/£5.00 (concessions) and are available from the Poly in Falmouth, telephone 01326 212300 or online at www.thepoly.org.

For more information about Porthcurno Telegraph Musuem, go to www.porthcurno.org.uk.

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For more information please contact Rachel Foster on 07989 695522 or email rachelvfoster@tiscali.co.uk.

Notes for Editors

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum www.porthcurno.org.uk 01736 810 478

Background
Porthcurno has a unique historic provenance: this is where the telegraph cables that linked Britain with its Empire and other nations came ashore. The valley was the hub of international cable communications from 1870-1970 and also training college for the communications industry until 1993. Porthcurno was the largest cable station in the world.

Our collection is unique in its completeness. We have the only working cable station (complete in all details except the actual cable) in the world. We also have all the supporting materials and associated ephemera that are rarely preserved with such collections. Porthcurno also had one of the earliest commercial wireless stations in 1902 so we are able to show the emerging competition between cable and wireless technology.

The ethos of the museum is to have as much as possible to be demonstrated in working order. To keep the collections working we rely on the knowledge and support of a dedicated team of volunteers.

The role of the cable station and the training school at Porthcurno has had a significant impact on the valley and local communities. The museum is now a focus for representing local history as well as communications technology.

History of the PK Trust
The Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is owned and operated by The Cable & Wireless Porthcurno and Collections Trust (The PK Trust) an independent educational charity and heritage trust. The PK Trust was created in 1997 by Cable & Wireless to hold the Company's historic buildings and collections at Porthcurno.

Its main activities are the operation of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and the management of the Cable & Wireless historic archive. The museum and archive already provide access to an internationally recognised resource and have become a centre for the education of the public in the history of telegraph communications. As well as a successful museum a lot of work is carried out with local schools and community groups.