Some of the most influential people to visit Redruth in recent memory slipped in and out of the town on Wednesday, unnoticed by shoppers and local residents.
The small team from the Heritage Lottery Fund visited the derelict Brewery site to assess its potential for the first phase of funding for Kresen Kernow, Cornwall's proposed new archive.
Redruth was chosen last year as the preferred location for the archive, but several million pounds needs to be raised in grant funding, before it can be built.
Town councillor Ian Thomas, who is a member of the Archive for Cornwall (Redruth) working group, said: "I thought the day went extremely well.
"The HLF assessment team appeared genuinely interested in all they heard and saw and I don't recall any banana skins being thrown or any faux pas.
"In fact, I commend all of those who contributed, spoke confidently and presented so well during the course of the visit …. officers, members and independents ... one and all.
"Our visitors could not have gone away failing to understand Cornwall's claim to culture and heritage, the 'specialness' of the collections and the story of Cornwall, the regeneration and transformational opportunities that development of the Brewery Site creates, and the spirit, passion and determination that exist not only in Redruth but by of all of those connected directly or indirectly with the Kresen Kernow project.
"Could we have done any more or any better, well, I don't see how we could have.
"Will we succeed, well, I'd love to think so, but we were reminded, I recall more than once, that we face, even at this early stage, very stiff competition nationally … we'll just have to wait and see, but I am still left feeling very positive, hopeful and confident."
The HLF visit was to consider an application for a grant for the costs of developing the scheme.
A decision is expected in April.
If successful, the Kresen Kernow team will need to submit a further application for capital funding.
The small team from the Heritage Lottery Fund visited the derelict Brewery site to assess its potential for the first phase of funding for Kresen Kernow, Cornwall's proposed new archive.
Redruth was chosen last year as the preferred location for the archive, but several million pounds needs to be raised in grant funding, before it can be built.
Town councillor Ian Thomas, who is a member of the Archive for Cornwall (Redruth) working group, said: "I thought the day went extremely well.
"The HLF assessment team appeared genuinely interested in all they heard and saw and I don't recall any banana skins being thrown or any faux pas.
"In fact, I commend all of those who contributed, spoke confidently and presented so well during the course of the visit …. officers, members and independents ... one and all.
"Our visitors could not have gone away failing to understand Cornwall's claim to culture and heritage, the 'specialness' of the collections and the story of Cornwall, the regeneration and transformational opportunities that development of the Brewery Site creates, and the spirit, passion and determination that exist not only in Redruth but by of all of those connected directly or indirectly with the Kresen Kernow project.
"Could we have done any more or any better, well, I don't see how we could have.
"Will we succeed, well, I'd love to think so, but we were reminded, I recall more than once, that we face, even at this early stage, very stiff competition nationally … we'll just have to wait and see, but I am still left feeling very positive, hopeful and confident."
The HLF visit was to consider an application for a grant for the costs of developing the scheme.
A decision is expected in April.
If successful, the Kresen Kernow team will need to submit a further application for capital funding.