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Penwith: Contracts are awarded to Cornish companies

A major new museum of hard rock mining is to be created through funding from the Heritage Lottery and European Community Objective One at Geevor Tin Mine in Pendeen.


The exhibition design contract has been awarded to Gendall Design Limited of Falmouth and the building contract to another local firm, Stratton & Holborow of Truro. Cornwall County Council and the Geevor Partnership are delighted that these two companies won the highly competitive tendering process, demonstrating the wealth of talent and expertise that we have in the county. An open day is planned for later in the year for Cornish businesses to attend who might be interested in becoming part of the team when further contracts are awarded in relation to this project.

Stratton & Holborow have had a long association with Geevor Tin Mine and Brian Armstrong said: “We are delighted and privileged to have been appointed with respect to the design of the structural envelope and 'housing' for the new museum and to specify the conservation works to the other mine buildings. The museum will add to and enhance the unique story told by Geevor Tin Mine Living Heritage Centre".

Gendall Design Limited have been the design team for the Eden Project since its inception and have also worked with the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the Royal Cornwall Museum, Penlee House Gallery & Museum and the National Trust. This will be the first time that they will be involved from concept stage to completion with regards to the creation of a brand new museum.

Phil Gendall said: “We are thrilled to have been entrusted with such an important project. Some of the engineering feats associated with Geevor are truly astounding and the stories behind them can be jaw-dropping and heart-wrenching in equal measures. Our challenge is to bring the history of Geevor to life for leisure visitors, enthusiasts and school groups alike, to make a world-class visitor experience."

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cont/... CONTRACTS AWARDED TO CORNISH COMPANIES

Over the last few weeks, a series of consultation events with St. Buryan and Pendeen primary schools, Cape Cornwall, Mounts Bay and Humphry Davy secondary schools, as well as visitors to the mine, have taken place to help the project team create a museum that will be both a brilliant place to spend the day and tell the story of tin mining in Cornwall for schools and family groups. On Sunday 10 September, these drawings will be exhibited as part of Geevor Tin Mine's Heritage Day, when the site will also be offering free entrance to all the surface buildings and there will be loads of family activities to do.

Concept drawings by Gendall Design were on show at Geevor Tin Mine on 13 June for members of the Geevor Partnership to view and will be exhibited at the mine for members of the public to comment upon from this week.