Author: Jen Keywood

April 7, 2026

This winter saw us successfully plant 106 new trees across the Penryn Campus, thanks to Forest for Cornwall funding and a fantastic cross campus collaboration.

Staff from FX Plus, the University of Exeter Sustainability Team, and Maisie Williams, a student at the University of Exeter and part-time Sustainability Intern, worked together to organise and deliver the project.

Four volunteer tree planting events were held on the Penryn Campus, bringing together 43 students, staff and local community members to help get the trees into the ground.

Tree species were carefully selected to suit the varied conditions across campus, from exposed and windy locations to areas prone to waterlogging. Pot-grown trees were planted, combining native and ornamental species chosen for their tolerance of specific site conditions.

A new orchard of fruit trees has also been established beside the boardwalk between Old Lane and the Studytel building. All the trees were planted with a layer of mulch sourced from the Penryn grounds and protected with spiral guards. In addition, young hedging whips and ornamental willows were planted to fill gaps and reinforce our existing hedgerows.

“It’s been brilliant working together to add more trees to the Penryn Campus and I can’t wait to taste the first apple from the fruit trees!” said Dr. Rosalind Shaw, Sustainability Manager (Biodiversity) at the University of Exeter.

In total, 16 different species of tree were planted, which will further support wildlife and biodiversity on campus.

This project highlights the power of teamwork across departments and with our wider campus community.

A big thank you to everyone involved and to Forest for Cornwall, whose funding made it possible to purchase the trees and bring this project to life.

Forest for Cornwall supports local residents, businesses and communities of Cornwall to plant woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Their projects aim to “tackle the climate and ecological emergencies by supporting the planting of the right trees, in the right place for the right purpose.” You can find out more about them on their website.

Volunteer sustainability events will continue run every Wednesday from 2–4pm at the Penryn campus until May. Visit Eventbrite for more details.

March 27, 2026

The 116th Falmouth Spring Flower Show took place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March at the Princess Pavilion, filling the venue with vibrant displays and the unmistakable scents of spring. The annual event brings together some of Cornwall’s finest gardens, horticulturalists, community groups, and dedicated enthusiasts — including the FX Plus Grounds and Gardens Team.

This year proved exceptional for the team, who proudly secured The Shrub Trophy and Best in Cut Classes. The Shrub Trophy, originally the Chamber of Commerce Challenge Trophy, is believed by Grounds and Gardens Manager Toby Nenning to be the oldest cup from the show’s early years. It recognises the highest number of points in the shrub and hardwood categories, including Tremough Garden’s historic and internationally significant rhododendrons, alongside camellias, magnolias, and other shrubs.

The team also claimed Best in Section for cut flowers, showcasing an impressive array of daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring blooms. Their entries in the cacti and succulent classes also performed strongly, contributing to an outstanding haul of awards. In total, Tremough Gardens took home two trophies, four golds, seven silvers, and six bronzes — a testament to the team’s passion, skill, and dedication.

Awards were presented by the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Alan Jewell, who praised the high standard of exhibits, saying:

“It has been fantastic to see such a high standard of exhibits on display this weekend. The creativity and dedication of everyone who has taken part is clear to see.”

Show organiser Nicola Burgess added:

“The quality and variety of exhibits were excellent, and it was clear a great deal of time and care had gone into them.”

This year’s show featured 870 entries from 95 exhibitors, with fierce competition from gardens such as Trewinthen and vibrant involvement from schools, community groups, and individual growers — highlighting the ongoing strength and diversity of local horticultural talent.

The Spring Flower Show has a long and celebrated history. In the early 1900s, it served as Cornwall’s premier season‑opening event, attracting royalty and notable figures including Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. After the retirement of the volunteer committee in 2019, Falmouth Town Council took on custodianship, working to preserve the show’s legacy while broadening its appeal to audiences of all ages and gardening experience.

The continued success of the team’s entries from Tremough Gardens (our Penryn campus) contributes proudly to this annual tradition. Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the organisers of this historic event.

Visit the Falmouth Packet to read their coverage of the event. To find out more about the history of the Falmouth Spring Flower Show, click here.

March 20, 2026

Following the recent upgrade of the pay stations across our Penryn Campus car parks, there are now additional ways to pay for your parking using the new Trust Parking app. 

The Trust Parking app means that you no longer need to visit the pay stations to make a payment for parking. An additional feature of the app is Auto‑Pay, which makes paying for parking even easier and you don’t have to think about paying.

With a payment method saved in the App, and Auto-Pay enabled, your vehicle registration will be recognised as you drive through the barriers and you will be let out of the car park and automatically charged, with a receipt sent to your inbox.

The Trust parking app currently boasts over 350,000 downloads and is available on the App Store and on Google Play. 

Key Benefits include:

• Quick and simple sign-up
• Add multiple vehicles to your account
• Enable Auto‑Pay for seamless entry and exit
• Automatic email receipts

Although we have moved to a new system, parking prices remain the same whether you pay via the app or choose to use one of the pay stations.

How to get started?

Simply download the Trust Parking App and follow the onscreen instructions to:

1. Create an account. You will need to verify your account using a valid email address.
2. Add your vehicle details. You can add multiple vehicles if you need to.
3. Add a payment method. You will also have the option to enable Auto-Pay if you want to.

How the app works?

When you drive into the car park the ANPR camera on the barriers reads your registration plate and your live session begins. You will see your parking session appear in the ‘Session’ tab within the app. Drive out of the car park and the camera will match your vehicle registration and you will automatically be charged and a receipt sent to your email address. Don’t worry if you do not want to use Auto-Pay. You can also open the app shortly before you want to leave, tap on the session and pay.

If you have any questions about the new system, please contact: carparking@fxplus.ac.uk.

March 16, 2026

Global Recycling Day takes place on Wednesday 18 March, reminding us all to waste less and make use of the four R’s in our daily lives: recycle, reuse, reduce and recover.

Our Campus Progress: A Record Breaking Year

Thanks to the efforts of students and staff, the 2024–25 academic year saw our largest-ever improvement in recycling rates across both Penryn and Falmouth campuses:

• Recycling increased by 16%, saving 165 tonnes of waste from disposal.
• General waste reduced by 15%, down to 236 tonnes.
• Overall recycling rates rose from 34% to 41% — our biggest year on year jump.

A major factor in this success has been the significant increase in correct food waste disposal. More food waste is now being placed in the right bins and processed through anaerobic digestion — great work, everyone!

To support this, additional food waste bins have been provided to handle the increased volume and make the disposal of food waste easier. New bins with signage are also available across both campuses, making it clearer than ever where to put the correct waste. It is hoped the recycling rate will keep improving.

All of our mixed recycling is taken to Redruth where it is sorted by hand before being taken to recycling plants.

How You Can Help

Here’s how you can continue to reduce waste and support better recycling on campus:

• Use our campus A–Z waste and recycling guide to check how to dispose of specific items.
• Choose to eat in! Not only do you save money but reusing crockery and cutlery is the most sustainable option. A 20p surcharge is added for all takeaway purchases, this applies to all disposable eco-friendly food boxes, cutlery and cups.
• Bring your own reusable cup to save 20p on hot drinks in our campus cafes.
• Purchase a Circular & Co cup (£2 small / £3 large) from the Sustainability Café or Fox Café. Exchange it anytime for a freshly cleaned one — or return it for a refund. You’ll save 20p each time you reuse it.

Questions?

If you have any queries about recycling or waste on campus, please email recycling@fxplus.ac.uk.

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In 2024-2025, across both Penryn and Falmouth Campuses, recycling increased by 16% when compared to the previous year with a saving of 165 tonnes. General waste decreased by 15% to 236 tonnes. This raised our overall recycling rate from 34% of waste recycled to 41%, which is the largest increase in the recycling rate ever seen on our campuses.

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March 6, 2026

University life is full of moments — exciting ones, stressful ones, and everything in between. Visiting campus can feel busy at times, and it helps to know there’s a quiet place to slow down.

The Multifaith Chaplaincy offers just that. They are peaceful, welcoming spaces for students and staff of all faiths and none — somewhere you can pause, talk things through, or simply sit quietly for a while.

Here to listen. Here to connect.

Our chaplains offer confidential one-to-one listening support, and we also host gentle, inclusive events throughout the term. One of our favourites is the relaxed afternoon crochet group. No experience needed. Sometimes there’s cake (always tea), and the focus is simply on sitting together, making something with your hands, chatting if you want to and just being. These small moments of connection can make a real difference to how supported and less alone we feel.

Where to Find Us

On the Penryn Campus, you will find the Multifaith Chaplaincy in Tremough Barton Cottage 8. This is a cosy, welcoming place on campus where anyone can come to find a bit of peace — whether that’s working quietly, meeting a friend, meditating or taking a breather between lectures.

On the Falmouth Campus you will find our cosy room in the Hub area, near the Employability office. Our hope is to offer a home-from-home space on campus.

We also know that prayer and meditation form an important part of many people’s wellbeing: we have a prayer and meditation room at the Penryn Chaplaincy, and a Muslim Prayer Room in Tremough House.

On University Mental Health Day (and Every Day)

University Mental Health Day (12 March) is a reminder that mental health support can take many forms. Sometimes it’s a conversation. Sometimes it’s prayer or meditation. Sometimes it’s tea, biscuits, and a crochet hook. Whatever support looks like for you, the Multifaith Chaplaincy is here — offering warmth, community and a place to simply be. Visit them when you’re next on campus or contact them on chaplaincy@fxplus.ac.uk and 01326370744.

March 4, 2026

Throughout March (2-31), the Library, Archives & Special Collections at Penryn campus are hosting Women of the Gorsedh, an exhibition that coincides with St Piran’s Day (5 Mar), International Women’s Day (8 Mar), and Women’s History Month.

Women of the Gorsedh celebrates the lives, contributions, and lasting legacies of the women connected with Gorsedh Kernow, as represented within our Library, Archives & Special Collections. Drawing on material from the Gorsedh Kernow Bardic Collection, the Falmouth Art, Theatre & Performance Collections, and the Institute of Cornish Studies, the exhibition brings together stories of both well known and lesser documented women whose creativity and commitment have shaped Cornwall’s cultural landscape.

While some figures are richly represented in our collections, many others remain partially hidden within wider historical narratives. This exhibition seeks to foreground these voices, exploring their bardic roles, creative practices, community involvement, and broader cultural impact. Through their stories, we celebrate the diverse ways women have helped to sustain, enrich, and carry forward Cornish heritage.

The exhibition is on display at Penryn campus Library, beside the Student Helpdesk, and in the display window on the ground floor of the Exchange building, outside Archives and Special Collections.

For more information about the exhibition contact archives@fxplus.ac.uk.