Over the past few months, our Morrab Memories project has become something very special, unfolding quietly at the Gardeners’ House.
Funded by Historic England, the project brought together students from Humphry Davy School and residents of Pengarth Day Centre to record memories of Morrab Gardens and transform them into an animated film.
What unfolded was a rich collaboration between generations that strengthened confidence, deepened connection to place, and created something lasting for Penzance.
Listening Across Generations
The project began with shared activities – baking scones, music sessions, memory games and sound recording. What could have felt daunting quickly became natural conversation. Students learned how to ask thoughtful questions, how to listen carefully, and how smells, textures and objects can unlock long-held memories.
By the end of the project, students told us that they had learned to interact more confidently with older people, to work collaboratively, and learned to value the importance of preserving memories.
One student wrote: “This project has made me feel more confident in speaking publicly.”
Another said: “Rekindled my passion for life and nature!”
Small moments built genuine connection – sharing tea, returning each week, showing finished animations back to Pengarth residents. Students who initially felt nervous began to look forward to the visits. Being remembered by name mattered too.
Creative Risk-Taking
The second phase focused on turning memories into animation. Students experimented with jelly printing, embroidery, collage, charcoal drawing, stop-frame animation, dance painting and outdoor filming.
They animated slugs and iguanas, dinosaurs wandering through the Gardens, dancing flowers and skeletal winter trees. They debated narrative structure, chose soundbites, and mapped out the final film themselves. It became a project shaped by their ideas, not just guided by adults.
The impact was tangible. By the end of the project:
- More students identified themselves as artists.
- More could name things they were proud of
- Knowledge of plants in the Gardens had increased significantly
- Several students felt that the history of Penzance was now part of their own history
As one student said: “This project helped me understand the history of Penzance and appreciate Morrab more.”
Confidence and Belonging
Some of the most meaningful outcomes can’t be measured in numbers.
Students who struggled socially found space here to speak and be heard. Friendships grew and strengthened. On the final day, the group took time to say kind things about one another – a powerful moment of recognition and pride.
There were quieter transformations too: students laughing in the Grove, choosing to stay for Christmas lunch rather than return to school, and proudly presenting their work to the very people whose memories inspired it.
One anonymous comment captured it for us: “This project made this year so much better.”
A film – and something more
The completed animated film will be screened at Humphry Davy School, Pengarth Day Centre and the Gardeners’ House, before becoming part of the Gardeners’ House living archive for future generations.
But the legacy goes beyond the film, as the project has helped young people to see Morrab Gardens as part of their story. Older residents have had their memories listened to and preserved – and a bridge has been strengthened between generations in Penzance.
Morrab Memories has shown what can happen when you give people time, a bit of creativity, and the space to listen to one another. It turns out that animation, conversation and a shared lunch can grow something extraordinary.
