“It’s not often that one encounters an organisation with an ethos of absolute care, not only for their customers but also their employees, suppliers and surrounding communities. In fact, it’s anyone who happens to touch their business who will feel the genuine warmth and welcome which goes beyond the norm. This is the norm for Cornwall Glass.” (₁)
An idea that blossomed from informal, information drop in sessions in the spring of 2018, for community groups and organisations in Cornwall, culminated in awards in excess of £19,000 being granted to 48 community groups and organisations within the county in September this year. Company chairman Mark Mitchell wanted to do something special to commemorate the company’s 40th Anniversary and along with his wife Denise, chair of the Cornwall Glass Grants Panel, the idea of helping as many grass root community groups in the county as possible, exceeded everyone’s expectations, with awards reaching many diverse, nurturing organisations across the county.
Cornwall Glass (CG) is a family company which began trading in 1978 when David and Heather Mitchell set up shop in a potatoes merchants in Truro, Cornwall. The company has expanded over the years and now employs some 250 colleagues, operating out of locations from Penzance to Bristol. The core family values, dedication of the highly skilled colleagues and state of the art facilities; which include three glass toughening factories, has allowed Cornwall Glass to position itself as the leading glass and glazing manufacturer and supplier in the South West.
In 2009 the Cornwall Glass Fund was established. This fund is managed for CG by the Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF). They liaise with grant applicants and carry out background checks before presenting the CG Panel with applications to consider. The CG Grants Panel is made up of seven volunteer colleagues who painstakingly decide who will receive the grant awards.
With the support of Barclays Bank in Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall Glass hosted a celebration of the 48 awardees. They were joined by company directors, colleagues and of course representatives from many of the recipient groups and organisations. 
Tamas Haydu CCF, CEO said ” It was such an inspiring event yesterday. I have never meet so many project representatives at the same time. It was a brilliant occasion and showed how much your business cares about local communities. Congratulations on such a fantastic event and celebrating 40 years.”
Guests mingled, chatted and shared their stories while treated to the finest Cornwall has to offer, a proper cream tea served the way it should be, jam first.
Heather Mitchell, co-founder of Cornwall Glass and one of the first Glass Fund Panel members said, “What has been so lovely has been the opportunity to meet so many who we have assisted. Reading through applications and hearing the stories of change that relatively modest amounts of money can make, it’s been truly wonderful to meet and talk to those we have helped.”
It really is a privilege for us to be able to reach out and support so many wonder organisations which include:
Lanreath Ladybirds
1st Illogan Brownies
Lanivet Under Fives
Trail Kids
Cubert Primary School
Friend of Trekenner School
1st Illogan Scout Group
Grampound With Creed PFA
Goonhavern Scouts
Perranwell Memory Cafe
Camelford and District Age Concern
St Enoder Age Concern
Grampound with Creed Village Hall
Western Ambulance Service Trust
Angarrack Christmas Lights
Pipers Pool Methodist Church
Lelant Village Hall
St Germans Community Hall
Cornwall BMX Racing
Newquay Cricket Club
Halwyn a Gan Mixed Voice Choir
Imerys Bowling Club
Drama Express
St Austell Band
Cornwall Brass Band Association
Indian Queens Band
St Agnes Netball Club
Greenbanks Falmouth Rowing Club
Lanivet Parish Sport and Recreational Trust
Access Theatre
St Austell Community Kitchen
Untangled
Re-Gain Cornwall
dis-Ability Cornwall
Roaming CIC
Carnon Carers
Safe Haven Cornwall
Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support Group
EFGI COrnwall Aid Centre
Hearing Loss Cornwall
into-Bodmin CIC
Breast Friends Bude
Liskeard Sling Library
Here are a few images which sum up the afternoons celebration. With thanks to Neve Birnie Photography
For more information about our next grants applications in 2019, please visit the Cornwall Community Foundation website www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com
(₁) Intermac CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL CT1018 – 1 February 2016