Cornwall’s businesses sign up to support the designers of the future

Businesses from across the region have pledged their support to University College Falmouth's (UCF's) DesignED. in Cornwall initiative.

DesignED. in Cornwall is a pioneering annual event that celebrates design and technology excellence within the county's secondary schools and Further Education colleges.

Now in its third year and bringing together GCSE and A level students from 25 institutions, the three-day event is the only large-scale exhibition of its kind in the UK. It will include:

• an Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of all the participants on Thursday 8 July
• a Schools Day on Friday 9 July and
• an opportunity for members of the public to view the DesignED. in Cornwall exhibition between 11am and 4pm onSaturday 10 July at UCF's Tremough Campus Design Centre in Penryn.

Locally based construction group, Midas, have confirmed their continuing support for this inspirational scheme by sponsoring the Best School Presentation Award - a £250 prize for the winning school.

There will be eleven additional cash prizes of £50 each, sponsored by businesses from across Cornwall, for the winners of the following categories:

GCSE categories:

• Fashion & Textiles - sponsored by Truro Fabrics
• Product Design - sponsored by Ladd's Concrete Products
• Technology - sponsored by Newquay Cornwall Airport
• Sustainability - sponsored by Eco-Bos
• Food Technology - sponsored by Rowe's the Bakers
• Graphic Design - sponsored by Gendall Design
• Contemporary Crafts - sponsor to be confirmed

Post-16 categories:

• Sustainability - sponsored by Eco-Bos
• Innovation - sponsored by Cornwall Development Company
• Craftsmanship - sponsored by Cornwall Development Company

There will also be an overall Public Choice Award of £50, sponsored by Newquay Cornwall Airport, for the designer of the exhibit that receives the most votes from visitors to the exhibition.

UCF is particularly pleased to be welcoming two of its graduates as guests of honour at the Awards Ceremony, both of whom have achieved significant success in the international design industry. They are acclaimed director, designer and illustrator, Alex Turvey, who recently gained recognition as one of the 15 creatives who will define the future of the arts in Britain and features in Levi's latest ‘craftworker' ad campaign - and Stacey Dix, who is Hamleys Company Designer.

To commemorate the fact that the famous London toy shop began life as Noah's Ark in Truro 250 years ago, Hamleys are generously donating £100 of Hamleys vouchers, a certificate and a special edition Hamleys George Frederick Bear to the designer of the piece of work that incorporates or demonstrates one of, or a combination of, sustainable theories, Cornish heritage, learning through play and innovation.

"We are delighted that our regular sponsors have reconfirmed their support for this year's event, and to welcome Eco-Bos, the Cornwall Development Company and Hamleys of London on board for the first time," commented UCF's Development & Alumni Manager, Cheryl Gunn. "The synergy between business and education is an essential component in the regeneration of Cornwall as a hub for the creative industries, as is the nurturing of homegrown design talent."

To find out more about DesignED. in Cornwall, please visit http://www.designedincornwall.co.uk/

If you require any special assistance to help you attend any of our events or have questions about event accessibility, please get in touch by emailing events@falmouth.ac.uk or telephoning 01326 213756.

For further information about Design courses at University College Falmouth, visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/design, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213730.

University College Falmouth is the only independent Higher Education institution in Cornwall with the powers to award degrees in its own name. It has two campuses in Cornwall - at Woodlane in Falmouth and Tremough in Penryn (which it owns, and jointly manages with the University of Exeter) - and a third campus at Totnes in Devon, following its merger with Dartington College of Arts in 2008.

This merger created a new institution focusing on the expansion of Falmouth's expertise in Art, Design and Media and Dartington's expertise in Choreography, Music, Theatre, Art and Writing. The Devon-based courses will relocate to a new, high-specification Performance Centre at Tremough in 2010, paving the way for a new specialist Arts University in Cornwall by 2013/2014 that will be unique to the South West.

The University College is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through Higher Education, funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One and Convergence), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall Council.

Ends

For further information about University College Falmouth, please contact Jilly Easterby Dip CIPR, MCIPR, Head of Public Affairs, Telephone: 01326 213792, or email:  jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk

Notes to editors

Sponsors

The Midas Group - sponsor of Best School Presentation
The Midas Group is one of the largest independent property services groups in the UK. Midas has offices throughout the South West region and South Wales across its specialisms: Construction, Retail, Interiors, Affordable Housing and Developments. Midas continues to work in long term relationships, exceeding the expectations of customers and demonstrating industry leading performance.

Truro Fabrics - sponsors of Fashion & Textiles
Founded in 1984 by Rob Millbank, a fabric market trader, Truro Fabrics is now the largest fabric shop in England. It stocks between 9,000 and 11,000 dress fabrics at any one time and offers a bespoke and highly-experienced service by its staff, who are enthusiastic dressmakers, knitters, interior designers, decorators, jewellery makers and fabric enthusiasts.

Ladd's Concrete Products - sponsors of Product Design
With over 30 years' experience in the manufacture of concrete products, Ladd's can make a variety of products in an assortment of colours and quantities from kerbs, paving, edging, lintels, copings, cills, heads, string course, padstones and staircases to bespoke products and Wonder Walling.

Their factory and offices are located in Redruth, and they regularly work with private customers, architects, small businesses and large companies, to create outstanding concrete products.

Newquay Cornwall Airport - sponsors of Technology and the Public Choice Award

Newquay Cornwall Airport is the largest commercial airport in Cornwall with eight airlines offering year-round, frequent flights to 16 UK and EU destinations, including seven flights per day to London Gatwick and double daily flights to Manchester, Leeds and Bristol.

Eco-Bos - sponsors of Sustainability at GCSE and Post-16 level

Eco-Bos is the name of the joint venture company that will deliver the plan to create one of Europe's most sustainable communities - the Mid Cornwall Eco-town. The joint venture is between Orascom, one of the world's most experienced and respected town developers; Imerys, a world leader in mining and processing industrial minerals; and the Eden Project, a world class visitor attraction.

Rowe's the Bakers - sponsors of Food Technology
Rowe's is an award-winning food manufacturer and retailer. The business began in 1949 when Bill Rowe set up his bakery and shop in Swanpool Street, Falmouth, making bread, pasties, cakes and confectionery. Today, the company has 17 retail outlets throughout Cornwall and Devon, and supplies all of the major multiples nationally and regionally, as well as many independent retailers. Rowe's is proudly Cornish and all of its products are made from Cornish ingredients wherever possible.

Gendall Design Ltd - sponsors of Graphic Design

Gendall Design Ltd is one of the leading brand and digital communication agencies in the South West. The company was founded in Cornwall in 1986 by Tessa Gendall and has grown steadily to its current team capability with consultants, brand, website and graphic designers, production artworkers, website programmers, project managers and administrators.

Cornwall Development Company - sponsors of Innovation and Craftsmanship

Established in April 2009 as a result of the county's new unitary authority, the Cornwall Development Company is responsible for the delivery of economic development on behalf of Cornwall Council. The company undertakes a wide range of activities including managing and marketing Cornwall as a visitor destination, community regeneration, the development and management of work space, the delivery of major transformational projects and services to business and inward investment.

Hamleys of London

When he was a small boy, William Hamley dreamed of opening the best toy shop in the world. In 1760, he did, cramming his small shop, Noah's Ark, with every toy he could find.

By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, Hamleys was already a London landmark. Families flocked to the store, now owned by William's grandsons. So successful was the shop that in 1881 a new branch opened in Regent Street. To cope with the public's growing appetite for playthings, Hamleys added a further five floors of toys.

Over the years, Hamleys survived the hard times of the 1920s and the Blitz of the Second World War, and remains the world's most famous toy store, continuing the tradition of providing the ‘finest toys in the world'.

In 1981, Hamleys moved to 188-196 Regent Street, where it remains today. The flagship store on Regent Street has over seven floors packed full of toys and games, and now delivers to children all over the world.

The toys may have changed, but if he were here today, we're sure William would recognise the same delighted faces as he guided you round the shop he dreamt of as a boy.

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