15.11.07
HRH the Earl of Wessex names new building at the Tremough Campus in honour of Peter Lanyon

His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex visited University College Falmouth's new Photography Centre and newly-refurbished Media Centre at the Tremough Campus today, to name the building in which these magnificent facilities are located in memory of renowned St Ives painter, Peter Lanyon (1918-1964).

The Peter Lanyon Building forms part of the second phase of development at the flagship Tremough Campus in Penryn, which is jointly managed by University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter in an arrangement that is unique in the UK.

The Peter Lanyon Building provides specialist facilities for University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter. It includes University College Falmouth's new £7m state-of-the-art Photography Centre and Digital Animation Studio, together with enhanced media facilities, where new BA(Hons) degrees in Marine & Natural History Photography, Press Photography and Digital Animation are now offered for the first time. The University of Exeter has also recently launched Cornwall's first Law degree as well as degree courses in History, Politics and the first undergraduate degree in Cornish Studies, all of which will be taught in the new building.

HRH The Earl of Wessex's visit focused on University College Falmouth's photography and media facilities. Seven members of Peter Lanyon's family – including his sons: painter, Martin Lanyon and author/publisher, Andrew Lanyon; and his grandson, John Lanyon, who is currently a first-year student on the College's BA(Hons) Graphic Design course – were presented to His Royal Highness, as were local dignitaries and staff and students from a variety of courses.

The Earl was also interviewed by two MA Broadcast Journalism students, Daniel Palmer and Bethany Rose, who posed questions about the importance of live theatre and sought the views of His Royal Highness on the College's new facilities.

In addition, the Earl was introduced to pupils from Bodmin College and Penryn College who were participating in a Digital Animation taster day. This involved the pupils creating imaginative drawings, which were then animated and sequenced to music.

First-year BA(Hons) Press Photography student, Thomas Dymond, photographed the Earl as he arrived in the Photography Centre's drive-in studio, processed the image whilst His Royal Highness was touring the building, and presented the Earl with the framed photograph as he departed. Fellow BA(Hons) Press Photography student, Oliver Rudkin, also joined the press pack and took photographs of the visit for the College's website.

Before departing, The Earl also unveiled a plaque to record the naming of the building and signed the visitors' book.

 "University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter decided to name the buildings at the Campus they share in Cornwall in honour of people associated with the county who are leaders in their fields, have a far-reaching reputation and exemplify the spirit of innovation and creativity that both institutions are committed to delivering at the Campus," explained University College Falmouth Principal, Professor Alan Livingston. "As a charismatic figure in the St Ives group of artists, and the only native-born Cornishman among them, it is entirely appropriate to name this inspirational and creative hub in honour of PeterLanyon, who was one of the most original artists of the later 20th century. We are delighted that His Royal Highness has given so generously of his time and thank him for naming this impressive new building in PeterLanyon's honour."

The £100 million Tremough Campus is a Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative – of which University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter are two of the founding partners. It is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council. Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the Campus offers a lively student community.

For further information please contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth, on 01326 213792 or email: jilly.easterby@falmouth.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). UniversityCollegeFalmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

University College Falmouth's two-storey Photography Centre has been designed following consultation with the industry and includes hugely expanded digital and photographic facilities.  This cements the College's position as one of the top providers of photographic education in the UK.

The spacious new Photography Centre combines traditional wet photography with the very latest in digital imaging and printing equipment.  It also includes specialist resources such as an electronic picture desk facility and a dedicated research lab for photomicrography.

The College's newly-refurbished Media Centre, includes a recording studio, a newsroom, dedicated audio post-production rooms, a digital lab, a TV studio, AVID edit suites and a cinema – all of which are of industry standard.

The new Digital Animation Studio is equipped with the latest software, specialist desks and lighting for animation drawing, and even a skeleton!

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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