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Archives Revealed Programme Awards FX Plus New Cataloguing Grant

August 17, 2023

The Archives on Penryn Campus, shared by the University of Exeter Penryn and Falmouth University, is one of a handful of Archives in the country to have been awarded funding from Archives Revealed Cataloguing Grants Scheme, supported by The National Archives, The Pilgrim Trust and The Wolfson Foundation. 

Sue Bowers, Chair of the Archives Revealed Panel and Director of the Pilgrim Trust said: “The Pilgrim Trust is delighted to see 10 cataloguing grants awarded to help unlock and make accessible these exciting and diverse collections about UK heritage.

“The quality of applications remains extremely high and the popularity of the Archives Revealed grant programme shows a real demand to ensure archive collections are available for all to enjoy.”

The Archive Service in Penryn will now receive £35,000 to fund a project Archivist to catalogue four key Collections relating to Political movements in Cornwall in the mid twentieth century from our Institute of Cornish Studies Archives: the papers of Mary Mann, Len Truran, Royston Green and Dr Adrian Lee. 

Together, these collections offer a variety of lenses through which to view the issue of Cornish Nationalism offering political, personal and academic perspectives on an issue that continues to this day to dominate discussions of identity, culture and what it means to be ‘Cornish’.

Archivist (Development Lead) at FX Plus, Sarah C Jane commented: ‘We are delighted to have been successful in our application for funds to Catalogue these important Collections from our Institute of Cornish Studies holdings. 

“Whilst the Collections share a common theme in the examination and documentation of the birth and growth of the Cornish Nationalist movement, subject coverage is exhaustive – everything from pasties to nuclear weapons – along the way of industry, tourism, transport, employment, migration, devolution, language and more”.

Because of its wide spanning subject matter, it is hoped that this project will enable these Collections to be accessible to a wide range of users from within both our Universities, as well as the local community in Cornwall and beyond.

For more information about the projects awarded by the Archives Revealed Cataloguing Grants Scheme, follow the link to the coverage from the National Archives.

Header image above: DA2010-0013_web Caption ‘Mebyon Kernow promotional car sticker, 1960s, Len Truran Archive, Institute of Cornish Studies’

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Penryn Campus Achieves the Coveted Green Flag Award for Sixth Consecutive Year

August 17, 2023

Penryn Campus, which is jointly owned by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter, has officially been recognised as one of the country’s best parks as it once again achieves the coveted Green Flag Award for 2023.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Penryn campus will raise its Green Flag – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Penryn campus is set in 100 acres of countryside, overlooking the Fal estuary, and unfurls from the historic Tremough House, which has its origins as an 18th century girls’ boarding school. The grounds boast herbaceous beds, sub-tropical planting, a fruit producing orchard, an 18th Century lime avenue, and a drive with Pinetum native woodlands and historic rare rhododendrons which were cultivated on the site in the Victorian era.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Falmouth University and the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in achieving a Green Flag Award.

“The site is a vital green space for the community, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

At Penryn, specific care and attention have been made to seed and set aside wildflower areas, to protect and increase biodiversity. “Both Falmouth University and the University of Exeter are dedicated to sustainability under their Climate Emergency declarations and a key part of this involves supporting green spaces and the biodiversity on our beautiful campus,” explains Oliver Lane, FX Plus Director of Residences and Facilities in Cornwall.

The Green Flag Award scheme, now in its 27th year, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

“It is fantastic that Penryn has retained this award for a sixth year. It highlights the hard work of our teams and volunteers – both students and staff. Particular thanks should go to Toby Nenning, Grounds and Gardens manager, and Casey Thomas, Head of Facilities Management, and to their teams,” said Oliver.

The esteemed accolade is testament to the tireless work and dedication of the entire team that care for the grounds and gardens at Penryn, rain or shine, 365 days a year, so that all campus users can enjoy the beautiful green spaces here.

We hope that over the summer, whilst the gardens are in full bloom, you will join us on the number of walks and activities that the Sustainability teams have planned to encourage you to connect and immerse yourselves in the nature that we are nurturing here on campus grounds.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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New carbon labelling on menus to help inform food choices

March 6, 2023

According to a 2021 report by the United Nations, food systems account for over one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. FX Plus is working with its campus partners to support sustainability and meet carbon net zero goals.

To support this mission, the Food & Drink team are trialling new carbon labelling on the Stannary hot lunchtime menu, giving staff and students the opportunity to make informed food choices when eating on campus. The team have partnered with carbon labelling experts Klimato to enable chefs to use the Klimato web app, to calculate and report on the total carbon footprint of a meal.

Dishes on the Stannary menus are now labelled with a new low, medium, or high carbon footprint rating. Additionally, menus now display calorie information.

To assess the CO2e emissions of food, Klimato considers the life cycle of each ingredient, from cultivation and farming to processing, packaging and transportation. The Klimato carbon footprint assessment is based on recipe ingredients, production methods and the country of origin.

Lee Hallam, Director of Commercial Operations said: “We’re delighted to improve the menu information available on campus, allowing students and staff to make informed choices about what they eat based on the impact their meal has on the planet. We look forward to analysing the sales data and receiving customer feedback on this new initiative.”

Klimato carbon labelling on menus has been adopted by several universities and was used to carbon label all the food served at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). Klimato said that at COP26, carbon labels contributed to delegates choosing more plant-based food and helped raise awareness of the importance of changing eating habits to combat climate change.

The Food & Drink team intend to roll out carbon labelling on menus at the Fox Café and Sustainability Café in the coming months.

Please contact our Food & Drink team (foodanddrink@fxplus.ac.uk) for any questions about the new food menus.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Lime Tree Avenue

December 16, 2022

Members of Cornwall Ancient Tree Forum (CATF) are working to register Penryn Campus’ Lime Tree avenue for preservation and protection as the trees (Tilia cordata) are aesthetically, historically, and environmentally of great importance.

Tim Kellett and Marion Bryant from CATF and Environmental science student Kira Jefferies recently took measurements of lime tree girth for the Ancient Tree Forum records. Tim, Marion and Kira are also looking for hollowing of trunk and cavities; fungi; lichens in on and around the trees; damage and dead wood in the tree crown; epiphytes such as ferns; climbing plants such as ivy; clematis, honeysuckle and any other plants living on the tree.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Food recycling success

November 24, 2022

A trial project to recycle food waste in Penryn student residences has been so successful it’s being rolled out across our campuses.

The scheme began in May (2022), when the FX Plus Facilities team teamed up with Cornwall Waste Solutions to encourage students to separate food waste in some of the some Glasney Village blocks, at Penryn Campus.

It was later expanded to more student residences, including Packsaddle, and now new food waste bins have been installed just outside AMATA Cafe, in the bin compound near the AIR building and at Falmouth Campus. Even more locations will be added soon.

This has already led to a big increase in food waste being sent to an anaerobic digestion plant, where it can be turned into electricity, fuel and fertiliser. In September/October 2021, 1.5 tonnes of food waste was to anaerobic digestion facilities – this was from the kitchens of the main campus catering outlets at Falmouth and Penryn. This year, in the same period and with the addition of the new food waste bins, 2.5 tonnes has been sent.

Casey Thomas, Head of Facilities Management, said: “Thanks to the innovation of the Facilities team, this project is already making a significant contribution to supporting Falmouth and Exeter universities in their aims to make our campuses more sustainable.”

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email recycling@fxplus.ac.uk for more information.

For tips about how to reduce your own food waste, see https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Hattrick of apprenticeship awards

November 22, 2022

FX Plus Deputy Security Manager Lois Craze has become the first ever triple winner at the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

Lois completed her hattrick by winning the Management category, the Achiever of the Year, which was decided by public vote and the top, Cornwall Apprentice of the Year titles.

The awards, organised by Truro and Penwith College, celebrate exceptional achievement and highlight the positive impact apprenticeships are having on future skills as they equip learners and workplaces with the tools to succeed, move with future economic developments and boost businesses.

Lois began her apprenticeship in Leadership and Management (ILM Level 3) started in March 2020, two weeks before the first COVID-19 lockdown. Whilst working to support our campus community throughout the pandemic restrictions, she achieved a Distinction in October 2022.

Holly Day and Neil Caddy from Pirate FM presented the awards at a gala awards dinner on Friday 18 November, where Lois was described as, ‘invaluable and an absolute inspiration to her team,’ Lois not only recruited an effective team during a departmental restructure but implemented policies and procedures that have improved services. Lois works with the Police to benefit the safety of students at the university and launched the SafeZone app on campus which has vastly improved response times to emergency and first aid calls.

Lois said: “I am completely overwhelmed to have won so many awards and to be the first ever triple award winner. My apprenticeship was the hardest thing I have done, mainly due to the lock down and not being able to take part in face to face dicussions and lessons. 

“My apprenticeship was a mix of practical observations, knowledge assignments, exams and finally a two-hour interview from an End Point Assessor to get my final grade. With the amazing support of my managers and head of department at FX Plus and my college learning advisor I was able to achieve a distinction which I am super proud of.”

Paula Sanderson, FX Plus Managing Director, said: “This is an amazing achievement. Lois has shown what can be achieved with support and the will to succeed and is a great example to inspire us all at FX Plus.”

For more detail about Lois’ success and other award winners, please see the Truro and Penwith College news piece.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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New foodbank collection on campus

November 16, 2022

We’ve teamed up with Penryn and Falmouth Foodbank to offer a food and toiletries collection point in the Lower Stannary, Penryn Campus, which will be available from Monday, 28th November.​​​​​​​​
The Foodbank is a community organisation that works to support local people who find themselves unable to feed themselves or their family.​​​​​​​​
Perhaps you have a suitable new unwanted item, or when you are shopping, you can pick up an item needed by a local person in crisis.

Here are the items that are currently needed along with non-perishable foods:​​​​​​​​

Urgently needed:​​​​​​​​

  • Nappies – size 5 and 6​​​​​​​​
  • Baby food (jars) and baby snacks​​​​​​​​

Generally needed:​​​​​​​​

  • Deodorant for men​​​​​​​​
  • Washing tabs (non-bio)​​​​​​​​
  • Dried dog food​​​​​​​​
  • Biscuits​​​​​​​​
  • Shaving foam​​​​​​​​
  • Coffee​​​​​​​​
  • Tinned fruit​​​​​​​​
  • Rice pudding​​​​​​​​
  • Tinned corned beef​​​​​​​​
  • Tinned ham​​​​​​​​
  • Crisps​​​​​​​​

Thank you for your support.​​​​​​​​

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Thousands raised for Pack for Life

November 14, 2022

Students and staff have helped to raise £9,675 and to divert 5.5 tonnes of ‘waste’ from landfill via the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Pack for Good campaign this year.

This means that the equivalent of 32,462 kg of CO2 emissions were prevented.

The FX Plus Halls team has been supporting the Pack for Good campaign since 2015 and organises all collections. Since then, almost £60,000 has been raised for the cause so that. as well as the carbon saving, thousands have been raised for life-saving research.

Pack for Good encourages students who are moving out of their accommodation to donate unwanted items including books, household goods and clothes. University, FX Plus and Students’ Union staff are also invited to donate using collection points at Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

According to the most recent (2022) BHF report, 691 bags were collected from FX Plus-run and private student accommodation (and staff). And since 2015, 34 tonnes of unwanted items have been diverted from landfill.

Our Halls team supports Pack for Good every year and organises collection points around student accommodation areas, on and off campus, including a main point at Glasney Lodge Reception.

The Halls team also collects unwanted items for local food banks, with trolleys in Glasney Lodge.

All BHF standard shops have recycling services for textiles, books and most homewares. In 2021/22 and, in that year, 14,000 tonnes of ‘pre-loved’ clothes were sold. Through re-use and recycling, the BHF saved more than 57,000 tonnes going to waste, avoiding 130,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the BHF:

• In the UK more than half of us will get a heart or circulatory condition in our lifetime.

• Since the BHF was established the annual number of deaths from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK has fallen by around a half.

Smiling BHF staff holding one letter each to spell Thank you

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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E-bikes for hire

September 22, 2022

New, pay as you ride, electric bikes are now available at Penryn Campus.

As a special, introductory offer, the first 900 students to sign up on the Beryl Bikes app using their university (Falmouth University or the University of Exeter) email address can have up to 30 minutes riding for free.

The Beryl Bikes have been installed as part of a county-wide cycle share scheme funded by Cornwall Council. 50 bikes at 21 stations across Falmouth and Penryn are now available with the scheme being expanded to Newquay, Penzance, St Austell and Truro over the coming months.

The Penryn Campus electric bikes are outside The Exchange, opposite Heart Reception, and along the Old Drive. Those two stations can accommodate 10 bikes as part of the wider scheme.

Their easy availability for campus users supports the sustainability aims of Falmouth University, the University of Exeter and FX Plus and will make it easier for staff and students who want to ride tackle Cornwall’s hills.

Users can pay for use of the bikes by the minute, with a pre purchased bundle or with a 24-hour day pass. For details of other bike locations (including several near Falmouth Campus), how the scheme works, downloading the app and more, please see the Beryl Bikes website.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Dream Team Graffiti Clean

August 11, 2022

Members of our FX Plus Facilities team have been taking their cleaning skills off campus to help a local community initiative.

The children’s park in Mabe had been covered in graffiti so four of the facilities team stepped up to help other volunteers from Mabe in the clean-up operation.

Facilities Operations manager, Lynn Storey, explained: “I noticed a post on the Mabe Youth and Community Page on social media, which stated that the children’s park had been graffitied badly. I mentioned it to Rick Taylor to see if he had any ideas of how to remove it as we have all sorts of magic potions and equipment that can do wonderful things.

“Rick, Rob Eddy, Richard Barron and Paul Leyes all went across armed like the ghostbusters and completely blitzed it along with other members of the community. Due to the type of material the climbing equipment is made from, the team were a bit worried about how much they would be able to remove however it turns out they removed the lot! 

“It’s so important that we can help our local community as much as possible and the whole team believe in this sentiment too. Richard lives in Mabe (as do many others with the Facilities Team) so I know this would have meant a lot for him and his family too.”

The team has since received a message from the chair of Mabe Youth and Community Project: “Lynn….can I just say a massive thanks to Rick and his team – a real A team – who came over today and have managed to remove virtually all traces of the graffiti to the delight of not just me but several adults and their children who were using the park today. They had all the right gear and gave me a useful idea or two for the future. Once again, on behalf of the children of Mabe and MCYP…many thanks.”

Playground equipment covered in graffiti
The same playground equipment totally clean
Facilities Team member Rob Eddy looking through a playground tunnel

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.