Hilary Tyreman, newly retired Head Teacher at St Mary's C of E and St Maddern's in Madron, has contributed so much to the community in her time as Head Teacher (and prior to that), always focused on wellbeing and the wider impact of the school, not just education. Her teaching journey has taken her to many places, from volunteering with UNIPAL in the Gaza Strip to teaching in Croydon and Inner London before settling in Cornwall. She has taught in and around Penzance since 1998.

How can the world be made a better place for women?

“I think more recognition, respect and celebration of all women and of the skills women can bring to situations to ensure things can be solved truly collaboratively with an emphasis on forming connections between people and getting away from power games and creating divisions. And for sure we still need young people to see examples of women taking on roles in all areas of life.”

We enjoyed and hosted many stimulating events in 2023. From our International Women’s Day celebrations in March, to our Women in Word Festival in June (info about this year’s festival coming soon), to the plethora of art talks and workshops, and social history presentations. Many thanks to the artists and the speakers who came to share fascinating herstories.

We began the Women in Sound podcast, with more to come in 2024. Listen here if you haven't already. 

Our Women in Word bookshop has grown in stature, establishing itself as a favourite little space to find connection and inspiration - including hosting a new monthly reading group. Where better to share a love of stories and writing than in a bookshop? 📚

We have also engaged more volunteers to help our efforts.

Thank you for your support, either by donating books, attending talks and workshops or simply reading our monthly news! We look forward to more stimulating events in 2024, and to keep reaching and connecting to more of the community.

A Travelling Potter

Thursday 25th January | 6.30pm-7.30pm | Hypatia HQ | £5

Join us for a 1 hour talk from ceramicist Debbie Prosser (www.deborahprosser.co.uk) about her practice as an artist and her travels around the world learning about other cultures and their ceramics:

“Working quietly away in a small studio week on week, year on year, it becomes necessary to broaden horizons. This talk will describe 3 journeys of 5 weeks across different continents visiting the countries of China, Germany and Ghana.

It's refreshing to steep oneself into different cultures and ways others have found to live. I hope the slide show and objects to handle bring some way to seeing these very different places.”

There will be a donation drinks bar. Find us in Chapel St.

This autumn the lease was signed, and the project team received the keys, to officially take over the dilapidated building in the heart of Morrab Gardens, Penzance.

They have now appointed a local contractor with a strong track record of working on listed buildings who will be joining the team to oversee the full renovation, giving it its new lease of life.

Celebrating the natural environment - as well as keeping a record of the horticulture and botany of West Cornwall stretching back for many years - the plan is to create a welcoming and calm space to support the local community, especially those from disadvantaged situations - connecting people, planet and place.

The Living Archive 

This community space will create a home for a unique archive of documents, books and illustrations. The ‘living archive’ collection will be made accessible to the public for the first time and highlights the history of Cornwall's natural heritage. 

Donated by The Hypatia Trust, the ‘living archive’ showcases the achievements and stories from the last 200 years of the men and women connected to West Cornwall’s natural heritage. Its new home will mean that the important collection is safeguarded and preserved in Penzance so that the community, researchers and visitors can learn and be inspired by it. 

Have you ever wished you could knit, sew, embroider, quilt, darn or learn any of those practical crafts that others seem able to do? We are lucky enough to have a team of highly skilled crafters who would love to share their skills with you.

We aim to run the sessions on a Wednesday afternoon between 1.30 and 3pm initially once a month but they may be more frequent depending on demand. If you have small children they can come along, but they must be over 3 years old.

If you are interested in learning a new skill please let us know as soon as you can. Our experts have many differing crafting skills so do make a request if you would like that one to be included.

Email us: hello@hypatia-trust.org.uk