Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: The Cornwall 500

#TC500 #TheCornwall500

General Understanding:

• Q: What is the Cornwall 500?
  • A: The Cornwall 500 is a unique exploration initiative that invites you to connect with Cornwall on a deeper level. It’s a network of plaques placed at culturally, historically, and locally significant locations across Cornwall. By discovering these plaques and scanning their QR codes, you unlock stories and information about each location, creating your own personalized journey of discovery.
• Q: What is the purpose of the Cornwall 500?
  • A: The purpose is to encourage exploration of Cornwall beyond the usual tourist trails, showcasing the entire county’s rich heritage and diverse communities. It aims to benefit local economies, foster a sense of Cornish pride, and provide an accessible and flexible way for everyone to discover Cornwall’s stories. It also supports the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.
• Q: Is the Cornwall 500 a race or competition?
  • A: No, the Cornwall 500 is not a race or competition. It’s a journey of discovery meant to be enjoyed at your own pace. It’s about slowing down, exploring, learning, and connecting with Cornwall on a deeper level.

Participation:

• Q: How do I participate in the Cornwall 500?
  • A: Participating is easy! There’s no registration needed. Simply discover plaque locations (information will be available online and via an app), plan your route, visit the locations, find the plaques, and scan the QR codes to unlock the stories.
• Q: Is there a cost to participate in the Cornwall 500?
  • A: No, there is no cost to participate in the Cornwall 500 itself. You just need to cover your own travel and any costs associated with visiting the locations (like entrance fees to attractions, or purchasing a cream tea!).
• Q: Do I need to register to take part?
  • A: No, there is no formal registration process. The Cornwall 500 is open to everyone. You can simply start exploring whenever you like.
• Q: How do I find the plaque locations?
  • A: Information on plaque locations will be made available online, likely through a map on the Cornwall 500 website (theCornwall500.com, alpha version early 2025) and a dedicated app (coming late 2025). Keep an eye on the website for updates on how to access these resources.
• Q: Can I explore the plaques in any order?
  • A: Yes, absolutely! The Cornwall 500 has no fixed route. You are free to choose your own route and explore the plaque locations in any order you wish.
• Q: What modes of transport can I use to explore the Cornwall 500?
  • A: You can explore the Cornwall 500 in a way that suits you best. Options include car, motorbike, campervan, public transport, bicycle, or on foot.
• Q: How long does it take to complete the Cornwall 500?
  • A: There’s no time limit! You can explore the Cornwall 500 over days, weeks, months, or even years, at your own pace.

Plaques:

• Q: What are the Cornwall 500 plaques?
  • A: The Cornwall 500 plaques are distinctive markers placed at locations of cultural, historical, or local importance across Cornwall. Each plaque features a QR code that, when scanned, unlocks online content – stories, historical information, anecdotes, and insights related to that specific location.
• Q: How many plaques are there and how many will there be?
  • A: The Cornwall 500 launched with its first plaque in September 2024. Initially, 50 plaques are planned for September 2024, with a further 50 to be added within a year. The long-term aspiration is to expand to 500 plaques within five years.
• Q: Can I collect the Cornwall 500 plaques?
  • A: You can’t physically collect the plaques themselves as they are fixed at locations. However, you can “collect” experiences and memories by visiting the plaques. You can also keep track of the plaques you’ve visited by creating a list, taking photos, sharing your experiences, or using the optional tracking features in the upcoming website and app.

Website/App:

• Q: When will the Cornwall 500 website and app be available?
  • A: The Cornwall 500 website is expected to launch in alpha testing in the first quarter of 2025. A dedicated app is planned for release in the fourth quarter of 2025. Keep an eye on theCornwall500.com for updates.
• Q: What will be the features of the website and app?
  • A: The website and app will likely include information on plaque locations (potentially with a map), details about each location, and optional features for users to track their progress and “collect” plaques virtually. More details will be announced as development progresses.

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT):

• Q: What is the connection between the Cornwall 500 and the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT)?
  • A: The Cornwall 500 is a supporter of the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. All profits from the Cornwall 500 initiative will be donated to CAAT. The inaugural Cornwall 500 challenge by Steven Webb was also a significant fundraising effort for CAAT.

Hosting a Cornwall 500 Plaque

• Q: How can my location become a Cornwall 500 plaque location?
  • A: We’d love to hear from you! Please visit our website at theCornwall500.com and use the contact form. Select “Hosting a Plaque” as the subject, and our team will be in touch to discuss your location’s story and potential.
• Q: What are the benefits of hosting a Cornwall 500 plaque?
  • A: Becoming a plaque location offers a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special and innovative in Cornwall. Beyond the prestige of being selected, hosting a plaque can significantly boost visibility and footfall to your location. The Cornwall 500 is designed to be a collaborative network, meaning that as visitors discover your story, they’ll also be encouraged to explore other nearby plaque locations, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem for all participants. It’s a win-win for promoting your location and the wider Cornish community!
• Q: Is there a cost for locations to host a plaque?
  • A: For the majority of locations, there is no cost. To support the Cornwall 500 initiative and our donations to the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT), we have allocated up to 30% of plaques for commercial locations. Even for commercial plaques, selection is still story-driven – you cannot simply “buy” a plaque. Your location must have a compelling story to be considered.
  • For the first year of any plaque (including commercial), there is no fee. After the first year, a modest annual fee will apply to commercial plaques only, starting at £250 per year, increasing by £50 per year until it reaches £500. Thereafter, annual increases will be capped at the current inflation rate to cover administrative costs. You are welcome to relinquish your plaque at any time with no penalty if it no longer benefits your business.
• Q: What type of locations are eligible to host a plaque?
  • A: We are looking for locations with compelling stories and histories. This could include historical sites, pubs with long traditions (like the London Inn example), unique businesses, tourist attractions (like the Eden Project or Trelissick Gardens), or even natural locations like footpaths with a special tale to tell. If you believe your location has a story that would resonate with Cornwall 500 explorers, we encourage you to get in touch – there’s no cost to inquire!
• Q: Who decides which locations get plaques?
  • A: The initial decisions are made by the Cornwall 500 directors, Clive Kessell and Steven Webb. However, we are committed to fairness and transparency. If a decision is challenged, we will invite representatives from the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, Visit Cornwall, and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce to form a review panel, and we will abide by their final decision.
• Q: Can I nominate a location for a plaque? If so, how?
  • A: Yes, absolutely! We welcome nominations. Please use the contact form on our website, theCornwall500.com, select “Plaque Nomination,” and tell us about the location you’d like to suggest and why its story deserves to be shared as part of the Cornwall 500.

Plaque Security & Maintenance

• Q: How are the plaques secured to prevent theft or damage?
  • A: Cornwall 500 plaques are securely attached using four screws in a manner designed to deter casual removal. In the unfortunate event of theft, plaques can be replaced. Importantly, each plaque’s QR code is unique and digitally tracked. If a plaque is stolen, the QR code can be deactivated, rendering any stolen plaque unusable and ensuring that only officially placed plaques link to the correct Cornwall 500 content.
• Q: Who is responsible for maintaining the plaques?
  • A: The responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of a plaque – such as keeping it clean and ensuring the QR code is scannable – rests with the location owner or operator.
• Q: What happens if a plaque is damaged or goes missing?
  • A: Please contact us immediately via the contact form on theCornwall500.com if a plaque at your location is damaged or missing. We will arrange for a replacement. While we understand that occasional issues may arise, we may need to discuss cost-sharing or preventative measures if damage or loss becomes a recurring problem at a specific location.

Registration & “Collecting” Plaques

• Q: Will the website/app allow me to register an account to track my progress?
  • A: Yes, the upcoming website and app (launching in phases from early 2025) will offer optional user accounts. Registration will allow you to track the plaques you’ve visited and create a personal “collection” of Cornwall 500 experiences. We are committed to data privacy and security. You will have the right to request access to, or deletion of, your data at any time by contacting us through the website, and we will process such requests within 48 hours.
• Q: Will there be any rewards or recognition for “collecting” a certain number of plaques?
  • A: Yes, we are developing exciting reward and recognition elements for Cornwall 500 explorers! These may come in various forms, offered both by the Cornwall 500 initiative itself and by participating plaque locations. We are open to suggestions! If you have ideas for fun incentives or rewards for plaque collectors, please share them with us via our website contact form.

Supporting & Getting Involved

• Q: How else can I support the Cornwall 500 initiative beyond participating and fundraising?
  • A: There are many ways to support the Cornwall 500! You can help us by:
    • Spreading the word: Tell your friends, family, and social media networks about the Cornwall 500.
    • Suggesting plaque locations: Nominate places with great stories (see above).
    • Sharing your stories: Contribute your Cornish anecdotes and historical insights to enrich the online content linked to the plaques.
    • Volunteering: As the initiative grows, volunteer opportunities may become available.
    • Sponsorship and Partnerships: Businesses and organizations can become official sponsors or partners (see below).
• Q: Can businesses or organizations become official sponsors or partners of the Cornwall 500? If so, how?
  • A: Yes, we welcome businesses and organizations who share our vision to become official sponsors or partners. Partnership opportunities offer a chance to align your brand with a unique, community-focused initiative that promotes Cornwall’s heritage and supports a vital local charity (Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust). Please contact Clive Kessell or Steven Webb via the contact form at theCornwall500.com to discuss potential sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Q: How can I suggest stories or historical information to be included in the online content for the plaques?
  • A: We greatly appreciate contributions to enhance the stories behind the plaques! Please use the contact form on theCornwall500.com and select “Story Contribution.” Share your anecdotes, historical details, or local insights related to specific plaque locations or Cornwall in general. We will review all submissions and, where appropriate, incorporate them into the Cornwall 500 online content (with attribution, if desired).

Accessibility & Inclusivity

• Q: Are all plaque locations accessible to people with disabilities?
  • A: Accessibility is a key consideration for the Cornwall 500, but due to the diverse nature of Cornwall’s landscape and historical sites, complete accessibility to every plaque location may not always be possible. Some plaques may be located in places with limited accessibility, such as beaches reached by steep paths. However, we are committed to making the Cornwall 500 as inclusive as possible.

Our aspiration is to prioritize accessible locations whenever feasible. Furthermore, for locations that could be made more accessible, we will actively advocate and campaign for accessibility improvements. We believe that if a location has the potential to be accessible but chooses not to make reasonable adjustments, it may not be considered suitable for retaining a Cornwall 500 plaque long-term. Please check individual plaque location details (on the website and app, when available) for specific accessibility information, which we will strive to provide as accurately as possible.

• Q: Will the website and app be accessible to people with disabilities?
  • A: Yes, we are committed to making the Cornwall 500 website and app accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. We will strive to adhere to accessibility guidelines in their design and development. If you encounter any accessibility issues with our website or app, please let us know via the contact form on theCornwall500.com, and we will make every effort to address them promptly. Your feedback is valuable in helping us ensure inclusivity for all users.