Matthew Rogers, founder of Cornish radio - SourceFM

Local residents invited to try something new this May and June

Have you ever wanted to make your own podcast?. Discover what happened to the Cornish language between 1777-1904? Or find out what you’ve always wanted to know about renewable energy (but were afraid to ask).

A new series of workshops and expert lectures by University of Exeter academics has been created specially for those resident in Cornwall, to provide the opportunity for locals to try something new, learn new skills and dip into fascinating areas of knowledge … all free for eligible residents. Free refreshments will also be provided.

There has never been a better time to learn how to make your own podcast. Over the last decade podcasts have become increasingly relevant and now cover a diverse range of topics. The versatility and potential of this bite-size medium is now hugely appealing.. At its simplest, a podcast is a recorded conversation, a chance to communicate your ideas with others. At its most complex, it’s an art form.

Fully-funded ‘Make Your Own Podcast’ workshops are being offered from three locations in Cornwall: Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan on 16 May; The Passmore Edwards Institute, Hayle on 6 June; and the Acorn Theatre, Penzance on 21 June. These are taught by University of Exeter lecturer Matthew Rogers, founder of the Cornish radio station SourceFM. Places are limited and need to be booked in advance.

On 15 June local residents are invited to an Environment Day at the University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute on Penryn Campus. The day will provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the environment, with plenty of time for idea-sharing and discussion as well as expert lectures and workshops. Professor Chris Bass, Dr Joanie Willett, Professor Richard Cochrane and PhD student Emily Stevenson will be sharing their knowledge on everything from insects to microplastics, antimicrobial resistance to renewable energy, and what it means to live at a time of significant environmental change, in a special day designed for adults in Cornwall. The day, which needs to be booked in advance, will include a complimentary lunch and an optional walk to enjoy the sanctuary of the Walled Garden on Penryn Campus.

The last of this series of events will be a Cornish Studies Workshop taking place at Treverbyn Community Hall, Stenalees, near St Austell on 23 June, where local residents can learn more about Cornwall, past, present and future. Dr Garry Tregidga, Co-Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, will be talking about ‘Ertach’, the Cornish word for heritage, considering Cornwall’s history and festivals. PhD student Kensa Broadhurst will be sharing some of the early findings of her PhD research as well as giving a short Cornish language lesson. Dr Joanie Willett will provide a contemporary perspective considering what is it really like to live in Cornwall today? The fully-funded event includes a Cornish cream tea (cream on top).

These events present a welcome opportunity to get out, meet new people and learn new skills. They are fully-funded by the European Social Fund as part of the project Widening Participation through Skills and for this reason need to be booked in advance. Numbers are limited for each event and eligibility criteria will apply.

To book a place, for more information or to find out if you are eligible to take part visit the return to learning page or email returntolearning@exeter.ac.uk.

Date: 16 May 2022