A family sword at Heligan as Cornwall charity CRCC turns 80

It isn’t every day a birthday cake gets cut with a sword. Then again, it isn’t every day a Cornish charity reaches 80.

Staff from across Cornwall, along with the Swindon Carers Together team, gathered at The Lost Gardens of Heligan to celebrate the people behind Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) as it continues to mark its 80th anniversary year.

The event recognised the commitment of more than 100 people who work for CRCC. Between them they deliver services spanning education and training, environmental programmes, community development and rural and coastal support, helping to reduce isolation, support wellbeing, secure funding and strengthen resilience in communities across Cornwall and beyond.

📷Cornwall Rural Community Charity celebrate 80th Anniversary with staff at a special event including a commemorative cake cut by Patron Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho.

A family sword and a commemorative cake

The highlight of the day came when CRCC Patron Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho used a family ceremonial sword to cut a commemorative anniversary cake, marking the charity’s milestone year.

The celebration was one of two staff days CRCC holds each year. This one formed part of the 80th anniversary programme and included wellbeing activities as a thank you to colleagues.

📷Cornwall Rural Community Charity celebrate 80th Anniversary at special staff celebration event. Pictured (L-R): David Callaghan and Roger Bush, CRCC Trustees, CEO Katherine Nissen and Patron Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho alongside long-serving CRCC team: Gemma Finnegan (15 years), Adam Strowger (20 years) and Perran Tremewan (20 years).

55 years of service between three people

Among those at Heligan were three of the charity’s longest-serving team members.

Adam Strowger, Penwith Centre Administrator, and Perran Tremewan, Design and Digital Officer, have each been with CRCC for 20 years. Gemma Finnegan, Impact and Research Lead, recently marked 15 years with the organisation.

Together they represent 55 years of service to a charity that has been supporting communities since 1946.

Thanking the people behind the work

Katherine Nissen, Chief Executive of Cornwall Rural Community Charity, said: “This staff day was a very special one to commemorate our 80th anniversary.

“For eight decades, CRCC has worked alongside communities to help people and places thrive and that work is only possible because of the dedication, expertise and compassion of our people. From our colleagues delivering services across Cornwall to our Swindon Carers Together team which joined us in January this year, our trustees and our Patron, this was an opportunity to thank the wonderful people across the organisation for the difference they make every day and recognise the collective contribution that enables CRCC to continue supporting communities.

“It was a heartwarming day and one I was truly grateful to share with so many people who care deeply about CRCC and the communities we serve.”

📷Staff from across Cornwall and CRCC's Swindon Carers Together team gathered to celebrate the people behind Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) as the organisation continues to mark its 80th anniversary year.

Fifteen years as Patron

Sir Edward, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, is a longstanding supporter of CRCC and has served as the charity’s Patron for 15 years, succeeding the late Lady Mary Holborow.

He said: “It was a privilege to join the team for CRCC’s 80th anniversary celebrations. Quietly and without fuss, the charity helps provide the building blocks of our successful communities, in such extraordinarily wide and varied ways. From keeping our beaches and roads clean to caring for the most vulnerable, from strengthening our fishing industry to helping shape the future of Heartlands, CRCC is there, making things happen.

“I am proud to be its Patron in its 80th year. All of Cornwall should be proud of what CRCC has achieved and will I know continue to achieve in the future.”

From community plans to film and photography

For Perran, this year marks two decades with the charity.

“I started out developing community plans, helping local people shape the future of their communities, before moving into design, branding, film, photography and digital communications,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve seen CRCC evolve, embrace new challenges and develop exciting projects.

“That constant change, combined with a clear sense of purpose, is what has kept CRCC such an interesting and rewarding organisation to work for over the past 20 years.”

What CRCC does

CRCC is part of a national network of 38 Rural Community Charities represented by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England). It has offices in Penzance, Newlyn, Truro and Looe, and works across three areas: Rural & Coastal, Education & Training, and Carers & Wellbeing.

Its programmes include Clean Cornwall, Learn Your Way and Work Your Way, which support young people into employment and independence, the Rural Housing Enabler and Fishing Animateur programmes, and Community Gateway, which offers guidance and signposting for residents facing isolation, health or cost-of-living challenges.

The charity is also playing a leading role in shaping the future of Heartlands, the mining heritage site in Pool near Redruth, working with the National Trust and local stakeholders to reopen it with a community-first approach.

A gala dinner at Heartlands

The anniversary year continues with a programme of fundraising and celebratory events, including a Gala Dinner at Heartlands on Friday 13 November. Tickets and more details are on the CRCC website.

📷Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Patron of Cornwall Rural Community Charity, cuts a special commemorative cake with his ceremonial sword alongside CEO Katherine Nissen and members of the CRCC team during 80th anniversary staff celebration day at The Lost Gardens of Heligan.