Porthcurno Telegraph Museum - past present and future

Press release: April 2008 (PDF version, 32KB)

To some, it is a small community in the depths of West Cornwall. But those in the know realise Porthcurno was once the communication hub of the British Empire.

Once the site of the world's largest telegraph station, some 100,000 miles of cable snaked from the shores of Porthcurno, just around the corner from the celebrated Minack Theatre.

Even now, a large percentage of our Internet traffic is directed through the cables there.

For a decade, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum has been educating people about the crucial role the area played in world communication, from the late 1870s, during World Wars right up to present day.

As the museum approaches its 10th anniversary, a number of events are taking place to celebrate past and present work, and how Porthcurno will develop in years to come.

Part of this is a special exhibition - The Past, Present and Future of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, being prepared by resident curator Alan Renton.

He said: "Our aim is to tell the story of global cable communication, and the science behind it, in a fresh and engaging way. So much of what went on here has shaped modern communications today."

Porthcurno first opened as a cable station in 1870 and provided training for young men in telegraphy, before they were posted to all corners of the Empire.

It was during the 20th century that training facilities improved and the cable station became the largest in the world.

Porthcurno was the base of various companies - the Eastern Telegraph Co, Marconi's Radio Telegraph Co (Marconi having famously transmitted the first radio broadcast from Lizard Point).

After several mergers, Cable and Wireless formed in 1934 and dominated world communications during World War Two.

Porthcurno's strategic importance meant the government constructed tunnels to protect the site, which can be seen today.

From the 1950s, the site was a training facility and an engineering college, but this was moved to Coventry in the early 1990s.

In order to preserve the Cable and Wireless collection, a museum was established. Volunteers, such as former C&W staff, would offer tours and walks to visitors from the beach.

The museum is now managed by the PK Trust, helped by a small professional team and many volunteers.

Plans are now afoot for further development at the museum - for example, Porthcurno has received funding for four PHD places to carry out its own research.

Museum director Libby Buckley said: "We're keen to encourage research and develop relationships with academics and communication experts.

"We are also working to gain listed building or scheduled monument status for the buildings and tunnels so we can protect them for the future.

"In fact, we are always looking at ways to enhance the site and provide an opportunity to learn and inspire."

The Past, Present and Future of Porthcurno Telegraph Museum exhibition runs from Thursday, May 8 until Autumn. For more information, go to www.porthcurno.org.uk

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Rachel Foster

07989 695522
rachelvfoster@tiscali.co.uk