THE ANNUAL Smales lecture successfully took place at The Poly, Falmouth, on Friday, April 5.

The lecture, which has taken place every year since 1994, focused this year on the future of Cornwall's creative sector and its impact on other prominent sectors such as tourism, academia, the environment and the future of the Duchy.

The event was attended by both political, professional and public audiences including Lord Mayor Grenville Chappel of Falmouth, Shelley Peters, the Mayor of Penryn and Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, who discussed the impact of Cornwall's creative businesses on its other sectors.

Rebecca Heane, co-founder of Cream Cornwall, then led a debate on the topic of the creative sector with an array of panelists including BAFTA and Emmy award winning Executive Producer Phillippa Giles (Luther, Oranges are not the Only Fruit, Silent Witness, Emma, Jane Eyre and Delicious), Henrietta Boex, the Director of Falmouth Art Gallery and Director of Cultural Services for Falmouth Town Council, and Ross Williams, Chief Executive of Krowji (one of Cornwall's largest creative hubs) and Creative Kernow.

Speaking after the event, Mr Conchie said: "It was a great event, the set-up was good and the audience were engaged."

He said there was healthy debate regarding creative thinking within the scientific and technological fields, as well as maintaining environmental consciousness, of which he said Cornish business owners are amongst the most adept in the country.

The lecture is named and held in memory of Paul Smales, a man who dedicated much his life to bettering Cornwall and its associations, but sadly passed away 1990 aged 44. In his life, Paul was a barrister by profession, helping set up the first Barristers Chambers in Cornwall in 40 years at the time.

He was a very active member of the London Cornish Association, as well as being active in the setting up of the Cornish Heritage Trust.

He was a poet too, of both English and Cornish, and at his suggestion the Cornish Music and Literary Guilds were created.

The Paul Smales’ medallion is awarded annually to someone living outside Cornwall who has given notable service to the county.