Young historians celebrated at inaugural Tony Hibbert prize-giving

A new generation of historians have been celebrated at a special prize-giving ceremony in honour of one of Cornwall’s most famous war veterans.

Five secondary school pupils, their families and their teachers were guests of Trebah Garden over the weekend as the inaugural Tony Hibbert Prize reached its conclusion.

The prize, honouring Major Tony Hibbert, challenged the entrants to create a piece of storytelling – through words, art or film – on the theme of ‘Cornwall at war’. They were also asked to reflect some of the qualities most important to Major Hibbert, namely courage, resistance and tolerance.

The competition has been established by Professor Catriona Pennell, a historian of modern conflict and empire at the University of Exeter, Cornwall, in conjunction with academic colleagues in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall, the Hibbert family, and Trebah Garden.

“It was a wonderful occasion, bringing together prize winners, their families, and teachers from schools across Cornwall to recognise some truly outstanding work on this year’s theme: ‘Cornwall At War’,” said Professor Pennell. “At a time when subjects such as history are increasingly undervalued, these entries show exactly why they matter. They reveal a remarkable ability to ask difficult questions, weigh evidence, understand different perspectives, and communicate ideas with clarity and imagination – qualities that every healthy society depends upon.”

Tony Hibbert was a British army officer who fought in the Second World War, seeing action in the Battle of France, the North African Campaign, the Italian Campaign and German-occupied Netherlands.

On his retirement in 1981, he and his wife Eira purchased Trebah Garden in Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth. The land had served as a critical departure point for the US 29th Infantry Division for the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach in 1944. After extensive clearance, replanting and renovation, the garden opened to the public in 1987 and has become a popular tourist attraction.

Tony’s war experience, and that of his own fathers in the First World War, meant that he dedicated much of his time and energy to encouraging reflection on conflict and its legacies in modern society. The prize celebrates this and challenges young people to link their interest in the history of war with their contemporary world.

Entries included a short film on the history of the D-Day Landings and Trebah’s central involvement; a podcast on ‘How war changed Cornwall forever’; infographic posters on Cornwall as ‘A Sanctuary for Refugees’, and as ‘The Forgotten Frontline’; and a poem on Trebah’s place in the history of war in the aftermath of Storm Goretti.

William Bailey won first prize in the 7-8 years category, with Lucinda Thomas-Somers runner-up. Tilly Rutherford claimed first prize in the 9-11 group ahead of runner-up Coby Smart. And Sarita Ratcliffe triumphed in the 12-13 category. Two further students, Bridget Puckey (Years 7-8) and Lillie Johnson (Years 9-11) received Special Commendations and were sent certificates to be presented in their school assemblies.

Dr Rob Magnuson Smith, Academic Director for Arts and Culture (Cornwall), and Senior Lecturer in English, Creative Writing and Environmental Humanities, was a member of the judging panel.

“The most exciting aspect of academic life involves discovering new interpretations of the human condition,” he said. “These imaginative pieces on the local fallout of global conflict showcase our best emerging voices. I applaud each winner for their originality of content, clarity of vision and sensitivity to a difficult theme.”

The prizes were presented by Chris Hibbert, Tony’s son, who also shared some of his father’s stories.

Zoë Curnow, Interim CEO of Trebah Garden, said: “We were delighted to welcome prize winners, families, teachers and staff from the University of Exeter to Trebah for the inaugural Tony Hibbert Prize. Major Tony played an important part in Trebah’s recent history, and it is wonderful that the qualities that were so important to him – courage, resistance, tolerance and an appreciation of history – will continue to inspire young people both now and in the future.

“A big thanks must go to Catriona Pennell and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall for creating the prize and to Chris Hibbert for sharing memories of Major Tony with us all.”