The cork life-jacket, Poppy the bus, and a painting that inspired Daphne Du Maurier's first novel
The winners of this year’s Cornwall Heritage Awards have been announced – including the 2025 Object of the Year.
The annual awards celebrate venues across Cornwall that help preserve our culture and heritage.
Six historic treasures were put forward in the Object of the Year category by museums, galleries and historic organisations across the Duchy.
And after 1,600 people voted for their favourite, the winner has been revealed… an ingenious cork life-jacket that was designed 200 years ago following a tragedy off the Cornish coast.
In 1807 Henry Trengrouse witnessed the wreck of HMS Anson and the loss of over 100 lives at Loe Bar. He immediately drew on his skills as a cabinet maker and designed ingenious equipment that would prevent future tragic loss of life so close to shore.
The life-saving equipment, developed by Henry Trengrouse, was nominated by the Museum of Cornish Life in Helston.
The other nominations were:
- A 27-foot-long bus called Poppy
- A glistening ornament crafted from Cornish tin
- A painting capturing Cornwall's maritime spirit which inspired Daphne Du Maurier's first novel
- An ingenious reel that helped prevent drownings across Devon and Cornwall
- A shepherd’s lantern belonging to Cornish poet Reverand R.S. Hawker, author of The Song of the Western Men which became the lyrics for the great Cornish anthem Trelawny
An awards ceremony was held in Liskeard on Monday, March 17, during which various awards were given to museums and heritage organisations that help preserve and promote Cornwall’s unique identity and celebrate its past.
Mark Trevethan, Principal Lead for Culture and Creative Industries at Cornwall Council, said: “I’d like to congratulate all our winners and all the people and places that were nominated for these awards.
“Many of our museums, galleries and historic sites rely on volunteers to share the stories of our past. I’d like to thank all the individuals who give their time to ensure exhibitions and artifacts can remain on show for everyone to enjoy which helps preserve and protect our heritage for future generations.”
Here is the full list of winners for each of the awards.
Collaboration (smaller venues): Mevagissey and District Museum, RNLI Bicentenary Celebration
Collaboration (larger venues): Kresen Kernow, Our History, Our Future – exhibition and contemporary collecting
Innovation (smaller venues): Rame Conservation Trust, Creative Enterprise Hub
Innovation (larger venues): Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Mineral Gallery Renovation
Best Project on a Budget: St Ives Museum, Celebrating, The Centenary of St. Ives Museum
Heritage Heroes: Cornwall Heritage Trust, Young Rangers; Climate Action Youth Group
Leader of the Year: The Castle Heritage Centre, Bude, Mark Berridge
One to Watch: PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, Jack Foster
Exhibition of the Year (smaller venues): Liskeard & District Museum, Threads: capturing memories woven in fabric
Exhibition of the Year (larger venues): Penlee House Gallery, Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change, curated by Kurt Jackson
Object of the Year: Museum of Cornish Life, Life Saving Equipment by Henry Trengrouse
Spirit of the Awards (smaller venues): Rame Conservation Trust
Spirit of the Awards (larger venues): Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum
Environmental Commendation (smaller venues): Liskeard & District Museum
Environmental Commendation (larger venues): Kresen Kernow
Inclusion Commendation (smaller venues): St Agnes Museum
Inclusion Commendation (larger venues): Kresen Kernow
Press release issued on March 19, 2025