05.10.07
Lee Durrell officially opens new Cornwall College building

Cornwall College Newquay’s new building was officially opened on October 2nd by Dr Lee Durrell, Honorary Director of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and wife of the late Gerald Durrell.

During her visit to the College Lee gave a 45 minute talk to students about Gerald Durrell’s work in wildlife conservation and how his Trust is taking it a stage further.

Andrew Smart, Head of Cornwall College Newquay said: “The talk about the Trust’s conservation work in Madagascar, about Gerald Durrell’s conservation work and the role the Trust now plays, was excellent and was a great indication of the importance of applied ecology and wildlife education.”

The official opening of the Durrell Centre for Wildlife Education, named in honour of Gerald Durrell, was held in front of 70 guests. John Latham, CEO and Principal of Cornwall College started the proceedings, followed by a short speech by Andrew Counsell, Principal of Duchy College and Dr Lee Durrell, who unveiled the plaque and declared the building officially open.

Lee Durrell said: “I am thrilled at CornwallCollege’s decision to name an important building after my late husband. Gerald Durrell believed strongly in educating people to a high standard in biodiversity conservation, and this is exactly what will happen in the Durrell Centre for Wildlife Conservation for many years to come.  It is a great tribute to Gerry and his life’s work, which is carried on by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.”

The new building will allow Cornwall College to expand its range of courses to students from Cornwall and elsewhere in the UK.  The building has a laboratory, learning centre, media classroom, lecture theatre, classrooms and student common rooms.  The Centre specialises in courses that relate to the management of animals, working in partnership with Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium, the National Seal Sanctuary, Paradise Park and the National Lobster Hatchery.  The courses available at the site include Zoological Conservation, Marine Aquaculture, Animal Behaviour, Animal Husbandry, Bird Biology and Wildlife Education and Media.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, said: “This building is a direct result of Objective One investment via the flagship Combined Universities in Cornwall. Those wanting to further their education in Cornwall now have diverse course choices from zoology to law, geography, English, catering and construction skills. This new building will also offer support for business and research.”

John Latham, Principal of Cornwall College said: “CornwallCollege Newquay has recently enjoyed substantial investment in new buildings and facilities from the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, part-funded by the Objective One European Regional Development Fund. This opening officially recognises all the hard work of everyone involved in the development of the building.”

Following the opening Lee was then given a tour of Newquay Zoo, where she saw a number of Cornwall College students being taught how to handle exotic animals. Lee was also given the chance to meet a rare Owston’s Civet from Vietnam. This nocturnal animal has just been bred in captivity by the team at Newquay Zoo and the Civet keeper was once a student at Cornwall College Newquay.

For further information please contact Kerry Trevenna on 01637 857928 or email kerry.trevenna@cornwall.ac.uk, or contact Ruth Sparkes on 01726 226463 or email ruth.sparkes@cornwall.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). CornwallCollege is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

• Cornwall College is the largest college in the UK with over 45,000 students
• Cornwall College has seven campuses in Cornwall, these are: Camborne, St Austell, Saltash, Newquay, Duchy College Rosewarne, Duchy College Stoke Climsland and Falmouth Marine School
• University courses are approved by the University of Plymouth
• Cornwall College is a partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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