Well I guess we all know about this incredible educational charity in Cornwall? Visiting yesterday was a great experience but particularly to recount the incredible beginnings and the trials and tribulations of building this charity and finding the finance to support a massive regeneration scheme.
Around the beginning of the 90s a small group of people
gathered to talk about an idea; to create a place to explore our place in
nature. Tim Smith, was restoring the lost gardens of Heligan and together with
Jonathan Ball, a Cornish architect they found an old disused china clay pit
outside St Austell and set about developing the idea of huge domes that would
house what became the largest area of rainforest outside its natural homes in
the tropics. There was an interesting commercial partnership from the
beginning, with McAlpine. A joint
venture was established and they worked for 18 months without payment and then
loaned Eden a significant sum to complete.
The breakthrough came when they won a massive 37.5m grant
from the Millennium Commission. It opened in 2001.
The charity is supported by a successful social
enterprise (you should see the massive shop on site!) and there are ambitious
plans to build a deep geothermal plant to supply energy. They have made huge efforts to cut energy
consumption and their carbon footprint. I particularly liked their admissions
policy; they give you a big discount if you arrive by public transport. An idea
that really ought to be copied more widely!
The massive rainforest dome is the highlight. Just a
couple of photos to show you the size I hope.
Eden is a lasting reminder that a small group of
ambitious and determined people with a great idea can achieve great things. It’s
the story behind countless charities over the centuries.
But now it’s off to Cornwall 15, the charity and social
enterprise run by old friend and Brixton boy Matthew Thompson. As an ACEVO
member he is hosting one of our ACEVO regional CEO forums. More on that later!
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